As he clocks 70, Tuesday August 15, 2023, Chief Louis Izuchukwu Onwugbenu, KSG, the multi-billionaire Chairman of Louis Carter conglomerate affects a flurry of beings curled into one; his enterprise, resilience, generosity, prevailing character, a foundation of genius with dashes of brilliance brightening the novel ideas of his mindset remains one personality that is supremely and divinely moulded to conquer, no matter the circumstance.
For him, and of course with his God, the word ‘impossibility’ is not for him. He radiates a self confidence and courageous aura that have always left his detractors or traducers at the receiving end. Louis Carter as he is fondly called by numerous admirers overcomes and conquers every onslaught and landmines set by adversaries to slow him down.
Despite the challenges, society watchers still place him in the bracket of first top ten billionaires produced by the famous industrial town of Nnewi, renowned for its commercial hub and industry. For a town that boasts of several billionaires, Louis Carter’s name appearing in the top 10, especially when one puts into consideration his mind-blowing philanthropy that has gained tremendous momentum over the decades speaks volume of a trailer-blazer God has supremely planted for a cause.
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His smile, calm, welcoming and reassuring demeanor is the first thing that will strike you on a close encounter with Chief Sir Louis Izuchukwu Onwugbenu. The incandescent glow on his face which radiates whenever he smiles attests to a man at peace with himself and his environment. It is a smile of a personality who had been through more than his fair share of life challenges but yet found a way to always overcome like a proverbial cat with nine lives.
The story of Louis Carter is highly illuminating as it is intriguing, having come from a humble background.
Birth And Early Childhood
Chief Louis Onwugbenu was born into the family of the late Augustine Onwugbenu and Mrs. Cecilia Onwugbenu of Ndi-Ojukwu village in Uruagu Nnewi. His date of birth was unique, because it coincided with the Assumption date (15th August), a day regarded as sacred amongst Catholics, when the body and soul of Mary, the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into the glory of heaven. Three weeks later (13th September 1953), he was baptized by the Irish Priest, Rev.Fr Louis Kettle who gave him the name Louis.
Nurtured early in life in the percepts of Christianity, the young Louis imbibed solid discipline and deep- rooted faith in God, which greatly influenced his life and still inspires him till today.
As a young boy, it was a rare privilege at the time to come close to priests let alone dwelling with them. But the young Louis enjoyed this rare privilege.
When the young Louis came of age, he was enrolled into ‘Nta Akara’ at Philip’s Nursery and Primary School, Okpunoeze, Uruagu and subsequently had primary education at John of the Cross Primary School Egbo Uruagu Nnewi. He was quite a brilliant young lad and exceptionally good in Arithmetic (Mathematics), an attribute he has up till now as he still enjoys playing with numbers. His intelligence and smartness was also evident in answering questions during Catechism classes which led to his qualification to receive the first Holy Communion and Confirmation at a very tender age.
Afterwards, following his rapid spiritual growth, he became a Mass Server (Altar Boy, Altar Knight), serving both the Irish and indigenous priests at that time. His quest to draw his academic career to logical conclusion was, however, truncated midway in to his secondary school due to the prevailing economic, political and social factors at that time, including the gruesome Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970.
Business Life
After the war in 1970, the horrible experiences some teenagers of his age went through discouraged them from furthering their education. It was at this point that Louis Carter thought deeply about their challenging family situation and decided to allow his younger siblings who were also academically brilliant to continue with their education while he joins the business world to pursue his dreams.
In his proper reasoning, such move would ease the burden of school fees on his parents who lost everything they had during the civil war and yet to recover from the ravages of the war that climaxed with the government’s obnoxious policy of giving every Easterner only 20 pounds for whatever an individual owned in Biafra currency to restart life.
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Rather than being dejected and despondent by the unpleasant turn of events, which really gave him little or no chance to activate his intellectual potentials, he became more positively encouraged and took the bull by the horns.
Between 1970-1973, Louis Carter had joined his uncle Raphael Ezimora to learn trade.
There he met the likes of Rev Frs Mike Onuchukwu, Ben Enemuo and many others. As an apprentice, he slept inside the shop with others and it was there he joined the Block Rosary Crusade. The discipline and experience gathered at that early stage helped him go far in life.
He quickly understudied the auto parts business. Within a short period of time, he understood the rudiments of the trade. The experience he had gained earlier helping his parents in their oil milling business was key to his quick understanding of the auto parts business.
The initial start-up capital was provided from the little savings of his hardworking parents who were still into red oil milling. His parents did their best to encourage the young Louis because of his hardwork and great energy while he was assisting them in the oil milling business. They blessed him and wished him well.
In 1973, Louis Carter launched himself into the world of business and fully began his struggle for independence. Because his initial capital was meager compared with what the motor spare parts demanded, he began his business with small items like plugs, oil filters, bolts and nuts and later graduated to selling pistons and engine blocks and top gaskets. He was never intimidated, and such small capital could not dissuade him.
His prayerful life and closeness to God gave him good energy and motivation to succeed. Louis would pray assiduously every morning. He would play Christian music before setting out for the day on a high positive spirit. He had the conviction that God’s grace was with him and that he was born to win. To him, the world was at his feet to explore, exploit and conquer and will be the last person to give up. He usually played Jimmy Cliff’s track “Born to win” as a motivating music to keep him focused on his activities as he held his dream and kept the ball rolling.
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Breakthrough
Between 1973-1977, Louis Carter had already started distinguishing himself in the business world, shuttling to and fro Lagos three times a week in order to buy and sell his goods. Louis’ watchwords were honesty, hardwork and determination; the qualities earned him the favour of many who came in contact with him.
Gradually but steadily, the business began to flourish. Hence, the young Carter began to expand and diversify the frontier into other lines of trade that much later metamorphosed into manufacturing, Agriculture, food processing, Estate Management and general merchandise. Like a divine Providence, what he lost academically, he gained handsomely in business.
Married Life
By 1977, young, successful Louis was ready for marriage. A new era was setting. The yearning of Louis Carter’s heart later found its satisfaction in the home of Sir Anthony and Lady Roseline Ojukwu, the then Catechist of St John of the Cross, Egbo-Uruagu Nnewi. Louis mother’s (Omaka), eagle eyes captured the central Catechist’s daughter, young Patricia Ojukwu and would not opt for any other but her.
God approved of this proposal and both were joined in marriage on the 21st day of October 1978. The marriage is blessed with 2 boys and 6 girls. All the children are well educated both in Nigeria and abroad and are all doing well in their respective fields.
The couple has over 14 grand children with the eldest now up to 18 years old. Indeed, Louis is really blessed with a wonderful family.
Billionaire
A product of pure intellect, vision and compassionateness, not a few see him as a library of excellence, an intricate web of sensitivity and a man heaven prepared to always weather the storm and turn around adverse situations in a twinkle of an eye. His indomitable spirit is legendary.
Today, Chief Louis Onwugbenu with his phenomenal business talent sits atop a thriving and sprawling business conglomerate. His business expanded beyond the shores of Nigeria and has spread across various continents including; Asia, Europe and North America.
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A utility player, Louis Carter has combined beautifully his business talent, sharp reasoning and swift execution of his ideas to maximum effects. Watching him preside over his business empire, you get inspired by how beautifully he weaves the strands of his acumen and entrepreneurial depth into a dominant narrative.
But it wasn’t easy, it took incredible focus courage and intentionality to carry himself the way he did. Credible sources have it that he became a billionaire before the age of 27years.
Philanthropy
As his business grew, even when he was under 30, he surprised many with his big heart of philanthropy when he undertook one of the four endowment projects of the University Teaching Hospital for then Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).
The impact of these endowment projects catalyzed the University upgrading by the then Military Head of the State, General Ibrahim Babangida to a Federal University in 1991. Louis Carter felt happy with the success and development orchestrated by the project (he was one of the four Nnewi Patriots that undertook the gigantic projects). This singular feat spurred him on.
It took humility and grace to seek beyond entrepreneurial exploits and improve lives via selfless and fortune-changing philanthropy. The story of Louis Carter aptly reminds us that we can resist the excuses that guard us from showing love to the less privileged ones. Whatever power we have, whatever our wealth and attainments, we attain humanness and immortality, perhaps, by lifting others up; especially those who are less privileged than us.
Philanthropy is at the heart of everything that Carter does. Why a lot of elite philanthropy is about elite causes, it is not so for Louis Carter. Through his eponymous Louis Carter Foundation, he puts smiles on people’s faces by creating or supporting initiatives that deliver knowledge, skills, resources and infrastructure that will stimulate innovation, facilitate commerce, drive enterprise and improve living conditions. Its core programme interests are entrepreneurship, education, health and rural development.
Notwithstanding his breathtaking success as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and citizen of humanity, Carter covets no vanities, unlike some other billionaires. He demands no free verses, heroic couplet or ornamental hymns to glorify his personage as a man. He is hardly given to such infectious varieties. He is not a man who seeks vain glory.
In thanking God for his goodness with the gift of children and huge business success, Sir Louis Onwugbenu has given out profusely to the Church, to the poor and needy. Like King Solomon, Sir Louis was chosen by God to build St Louis Catholic Church, Uruagu Nnewi, which he accomplished in a record time.
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The church was dedicated by the then Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Odili Okeke on December 27, 2003 and handed over to the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi as part of activities to mark his 50th birthday and silver Jubilee celebration of his marriage. Built alongside the church was the Father’s house.
Much later and on different occasions, a Chapel of Adoration (built in memory of his parents, Augustine and Cecilia Onwugbenu) and multi-storey structures for Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools were added at the premises of St Louis Catholic Church premises and also donated to the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi by Chief Louis Onwugbenu.
It is worthy of note that the renaming of the church building to St Louis was at the instance of the then Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, His Lordship, Most Rev Dr. Hilary Odili Okeke, who got clearance from the Supreme Pontiff to rename the Parish from St Bartholomew Parish to St Louis Parish, only a few days to the dedication of the church project.
Before these legacy accomplishments, it’s worthy of note to point out that his philanthropic acts included, settlement of hospital bills for many families who were in need. Provision of education for children of the poor to university level, training of the religious, including priests and reverend sisters, giving out alms to assist people and building homes for the homeless.
Louis Carter Foundation
Following the joy and satisfaction he derived from God’s blessings upon him and his family, he desired to have a broader and wider reach to more indigent families and children.
On 15th August, 2013 during the celebration of his 60th birthday, he got an inspiration to float a Foundation that will wipe tears away from under privileged families. He founded the Louis Carter Foundation to alleviate the sufferings of the less privileged in the society and support human capital development, skills acquisition and empowerment to youths.
From the inception of the Foundation in 2013 till date, thousands of students have benefited massively from Louis Carter Foundation in all levels of Education within and outside the shores of the continent.
Despite the economic meltdown in the country, Okpataozuora has kept adding more students annually to the Foundation. He has unquenchable love for education. The Foundation has grown in leaps and bounds.
In December 2021, Louis Carter Foundation massively empowered over 100 youths drawn from his home community of Uruagu Nnewi and across the nation. With life changing purses ranging from N1m to N5m, this instantly sprung up new businesses and boosted the struggling ones. The beneficiaries who were never known to him further endorsed his detribalized nature. His generosity knows no bounds.
Remarkable Birthdays
His early humble beginning as a Block Rosary member and Mass Server (Altar Boy) living with the Irish Missionaries and the strong foundation from his parents, mentally affected his world view. Infact, living with Irish priests went a long way in giving him a good and solid foundation, thereby complementing what his parents started in him.
Against this background, Chief Louis Onwugbenu derives pleasure in celebrating his Birthdays with children, especially members of the Block Rosary crusade. When he marked his 60th birthday, he was joined by the Uruagu Nnewi region and Ndi-Ojukwu center (founded by his mother, Omaka) where young children of God were feted.
Okpataozuora is in upbeat mood that celebrating with these children of God reminds him of his formative years as a member of the crusade, as a Mass Server and of course, life with the Irish Priests he lived with.
All these assisted in no small measure to mould his life as a true believer and practical Christian. This year, as he marks his 70th birthday anniversary, Louis Carter will sponsor all the Block Rosary Centers in the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi made up of more than 5000 young children of God. There will also be the presence of over 70 charity and destitute homes who will be lavishly fed at the occasion billed at St John of the Cross Catholic Church, Egbo-Uruagu Nnewi. The event will also witness the presentation of fat purses to the various Block Rosary groups and the Charity homes.
Despite his absence at the celebration, the Celebrant has pulled all strings to make his 70th birthday a memorable one for guests. There will be quiz and cultural competitions among the zones and various prizes to be won to encourage them because that was how he started his life.
In addition, he will assist the Block Rosary group in completing some of their challenging projects. He does all these to encourage them and make them believe that as a member of the Block Rosary, they have every opportunity to grow bigger and do much more than he is doing now. It is his believe also that after his exit from this world, many more Louis Carters’ will emerge from the young lads.
Inspiration
The Celebrant once said that his interactions with the Irish Missionaries, especially Rev. Fr. Louis Kettle impacted a lot in his philosophy of life. He reasons that he saw a group of selfless individuals who left their homeland and brought their resources to a community where they do not have any blood relationship. They brought development to communities and charity works to people they did not know without expecting any pay back from them.
He revealed also that Fr. Louis Kettle who baptized him with the name Louis, had a hand in the acquisition of the land where St Louis Church is sitting. Hence, the Celebrant mentioned that the church he built was in honour of the Irish Priest, Louis Kettle.
He also appreciated the mentorship roles of Rev Fathers’ Duncan and Baylon; Monsignor Basil Onwuasomba who he continued to serve the Church after the Civil war when the missionaries were forced to leave the country and our indigenous priests were handed over.
Challenges
That fateful April 10 2020 (Good Friday) would have been the end of his life if not for God’s grace and intervention. His world seemed over as the famous Louis Carter and his family members had been hit with the deadly Covid-19 Pandemic. The Onwugbenu family was amongst the earliest that contacted the decease.
He was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Reston Hospital Centre. His whole family where down from the pandemic. His last daughter Juu-Juu was already in serious condition. He couldn’t sleep at night because of worrying and over thinking are the major causes of death for people suffering from Covid-19.
After several tests and examination of his body, the doctors told him that his condition was bad and that his ailment had reached advanced stage. Infact, he had Bilateral Pneumonia caused by Covid. As he was being attended to, he witnessed people dying from the virus and some wheeled into intensive care unit for isolation. He felt he was going to die particularly after the doctor who was his age mate told him that the chances of those in their age bracket (67years upwards) surviving the virus when the disease when it had reached such an advanced stage was remote. The doctors attributed the advanced bilateral pneumonia to Covid. He knew from their body language that he was in critical condition. He told himself “Chai, o ka dike si naa” meaning is this how the mighty will end? The thought of how the news of his death will go viral was so terrifying to him.
The doctors later confirmed his worst fears when they told him that he would be moved upstairs for more intensive treatment and closer monitoring in the ICU. There, he will be fully isolated. He asked and was told by the doctors that if he went upstairs, he would not see or discuss with any of his children again. And he imagined that if he did not make it alive, he would be buried without any funeral rites, which was the practice at that time. He refused to go upstairs against the doctor’s advice and instead preferred to go home and die amidst his loved ones than to die in isolation in a foreign land.
He quickly made a life changing decision. On reasoning how he would die under such circumstance, considering his fame and influential lifestyle, he opted to discharge himself against Doctor’s advice, go to his house abroad and die peacefully.
At least, with a little consolation that he will be flown back and buried in his beloved home town of Nnewi. His wife and children were worried. His family was called upon to sign for discharge against medical advice. The Management got his daughter to sign the ‘Against Medical Advice’.
Before then, his last child, Juu-Juu was already in coma for days suffering from the pandemic. There was big confusion in the family. The anxiety was so much. He called Dr. Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) and told him about his worsening condition, telling him to take care of his family as it appeared that he wouldn’t make it.
Innoson was dumbfounded. He quickly contacted his close friend, Uchenna Umeaneto (Ucheson-Mary) to organize prayer warriors to pray for his survival. Louis Carter also called his son, Fr. Alloy to pray for him, informing him that the end seemed near. At a point, the strong belief that he’s born to win was restored. And gradually, his health was fully and miraculously restored to the glory of God.
This marked a turning point in his life. To him, if his family could survive the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic which ravaged mankind and had such a close shave with death, then he remains indestructible in the sight of man and nothing can uproot God’s grace upon him.
For his traducers and detractors who enviously desire to covet his Estate worth billions of naira, thereby putting spanners into his investments that spans across decades, the very calm looking Louis Carter remains unruffled and unperturbed, knowing well that only God Has control over his life.
Louis Carter is stupendously blessed and wealthy, hence he sees such challenges as a mere distraction that would be overcome.
For him, only his detractors’ figment of imagination would suggest that such ugly development or any other can pull him down, as he is still counting his blessings as a man born to win. Psalm 124 Vs 1-8.
Fulfillment
On completion of St. Louis Catholic Church, Chief Louis Onwugbenu derives so much joy seeing the congregates trooping and going home from Mass daily, especially on Sundays when four different Masses are celebrated. The pleasure of seeing the people going to hear the word of God and seek salvation makes him feel very fulfilled.
Secondly, seeing pupils and students attend the Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools he built in St Louis Parish remains a thing of joy. Since he wasn’t opportuned to acquire education, it is comforting to him assisting others to excel in it.
Thirdly, he was encouraged to build industries to create job opportunities and wealth at the same time. Therefore seeing workers going home after their shift jobs makes him feel excited that he is reducing unemployment.
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