My dream was to become a medical doctor, but… —Ned Nwoko

Prince Ned Munir Nwoko is a Nigerian businessman and a politician who represented Aniocha North-South and Oshimili North-South of Delta State in the House of Representatives. He shares with SEGUN KASALI his life journey so far.

You experienced the Nigerian Civil War at age 7. What can you recollect?

Yes, I was seven years old when the war started and I knew when it ended. We went through the hardship that anyone would experience in a war. That is why when people talk about violence and all that, I always wish people really knew what a war entails. I knew what war was like. So, we must strive to live in peace as a nation. We must respect each other by building a society where everyone has to be a stakeholder. It was traumatic because we saw a lot of carnage.

 

How traumatic was it?

We were in Aba. So, we saw destruction. My family and I were lucky because we were with the Red Cross Society and so, we had food. Hence, we did not go hungry but there were so many people that died of hunger. We saw planes coming to bomb. We stayed in bunkers because it was built everywhere. But, we still had teachers coming to teach us because we were privileged. For three years, there was no school. Things were just very difficult. People had to grow up very quickly. There were forced conscriptions. I remember seeing vehicles in some streets and they would tell you that they are recruiting soldiers. So, if you are a young man of about 14 years old upward, they could just carry you and give you a gun. And if you refuse to go, they would kill you. So, people were forced to carry arms. It is not something you would like to experience again. But my family and I were privileged because of our royal background.

 

How was life as a young prince?

You just know that you are different. Growing up, you just knew that you did not have to go farming because you were supported by people. I did not go about looking for things to eat or wear. We had support. I believe things are different now but growing up, I just knew we were privileged. We were told by our parents and family that we were different and we had to behave differently. We did not get involved in crimes or drugs. There were expectations – you must go to school and you must have an exemplary character.

 

Did you eventually live up to these expectations?

Yes, of course. I went to school and did well (laughs). I did not have to fail my exams. I went to England to study Law, practised, came back to Nigeria and got voted to the National Assembly. For me, life is a progression. During my school days, I was very active in school. I loved sports. I played football for my school as well as in my university days. I loved my childhood. I was never flogged by my parents growing up.

 

Really?

I actually spent much of my time with my grandmother. Most of the times, my siblings and I were always with our grandmother and she was one of the wives of the king.

 

Why grandma?

Well, it was the setting. While a lot of people spent much time with their parents, we were with our grandmother. She had so much love for us. She had so many kids. Most of the grandchildren were with him.

 

You must have been over-pampered then.

We were reasonably comfortable. If you were in the village and you did not have to go to farm, you must be privileged. I mean I never worked as a child. It was not only me but also all my cousins. So, there were many of us – many uncles, many aunties and cousins. We lived as one family. I could recall that I was always thinking of becoming a doctor because I was good in the sciences. But, at some point, I realised I did not have the heart for blood.

 

How did you realise this?

I came to this realisation during a guidance and counselling session in school where those who wanted to become doctors were taken to the hospital to look around in order to see what it was like. So, three of us who wanted to become doctors were taken to the hospital. But, I did not like what I saw – I did not like the environment, and sight of blood because it made me sick. So, I just said, ‘No I could not’. So, I changed by asking myself a question that ‘If I don’t want to be a doctor, what would I be’? I toyed with the idea of becoming a pharmacist and industrial chemist. But, at some point, that did not appeal to me too.

 

Was that why you eventually settled for Law?

Yes, but it was one of my uncles who said ‘do you know that science students could study Arts but Arts students could not study Science’? So, I began to think that if that was possible, I could become a lawyer and that was how I travelled to the United Kingdom to study Law.

 

Did you experience any hitch despite the conversion?

No hitch at all because I was focused and disciplined. I studied Law at the Keele University, United Kingdom, where we had about 15 Nigerians. But we were not thinking of ethnic background or nationality; whether you are a Nigerian, Indian, black or white. We saw ourselves as same. From there, I went to King’s College, University of London where I bagged Master’s in Commercial and Maritime Law. There, I was crazy about Sports (football). From Master’s, I went to Law School to become a Barrister. After some years, I qualified as a Solicitor. But I am still a Solicitor. So, I practised for some years before coming to Nigeria.

 

And you became a household name?

It is a process, not a one-day thing. I don’t know because you don’t set out to become a brand name. You just have to do whatever is committed to your hands well at any particular period of time. I always thought one had a mission and those missions are what I am focusing on. So, in the process, I got acknowledged and being spoken about the way you described. We all have the same opportunities, but it depends on the way one handles them.

Look, one’s environment and birth determine many things. That is the essence of the nature-nurture argument. To an extent, luck and hard work are involved. My advice to the young ones is that if they want to study, study and do it well. If you want to trade, focus on it and do it well. We cannot all be doctors or lawyers or politicians. With some level of dedication and commitment, one can become whatever one wants to be.

 

Is there anything you would have loved to do differently looking back?

I don’t know. I don’t like living in the past because we all make mistakes. So, we learn from our mistakes. But, men should always listen to their wives in order not to make mistakes. If I had listened to my wife, I would not have made some mistakes in the past. This is because women have sixth sense. Also, we should always use experiences as a guide for the future.

 

What gives you so much joy; maybe not plenty of money?

Being able to do what I am doing; being able to be a voice in promoting sports, tourism, education; and being able to drive this malaria project, believing that one day Nigeria would be a better place because of the efforts.

 

What makes you cry easily?

I loved my grandmother because I was very, very close to her. However, I understand what life is – it is not a bed of roses.

 

How do you unwind?

I do sports. I play tennis. I try to swim and teach swimming whenever I can. I feel there should be a national policy as we have in United Kingdom and America where they say that every 7-year-old person must know how to swim. One should learn to swim for many reasons – exercise, hobby, to save other people’s lives. I don’t have too many friends.

 

Despite your influence, you are still simple in your dressing…

You are the way you are and I am the way I am (laughs). Some people would say despite your education, you are still the way you are in looks. But I love my country, my people and nature. When you are an environmentalist like me, then you would be with people. So, I think that is exactly what informed the way I am. So, when you are natural, you are going to be simple, even in outfits.

 

How do you deal with ladies’ advances?

Again, I come from a polygamous environment back in those days and my tradition encourages me the way I am. You can’t have everything but you have got to be disciplined. But, you too, experience it as well.

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