bazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, popularly known as GNG, made waves in the political circles of the old Enugu State. Apart from his popularity among the grassroots, Gbazuagu had, through his magnanimity in his hey days, developed politicians who are today bestriding the political terrain of Nigeria.
Talk of people like the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, the current Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator Chuka Utazi, the late Chief Ojo Maduekwe; they all were beneficiaries of Gbazuagu’s political wizardry. At one time or the other these political giants passed through Gbazuagu’s generous crucibles.
He actually contested the governorship of the old Anambra State as the standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). But he lost to his National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate, Okwesilieze Nwodo, in very controversial circumstances.
After the failed Ibrahim Babangida still-born transition programme, GNG literally disappeared from the political scene. He was not active throughout the conception of the Fourth Republic politics. Tongues wagged, asking for the where about of Gbazuagu. He was neither seen in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or in any other party. It was as if nobody knew what became of Gbazuagu, a prince of Akpugoeze in Oji-River Local Council of Enugu State.
He remained inaccessible and unreachable throughout the tenures of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. But in February this year, Gbazuagu was re-discovered, so to say. His voice was heard when the entire leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed his country home at Akpugoeze to receive him into the party. The occasion, which attracted the big and the low of the society, was held right inside his ancestral compound.
Gbazuagu, however, did not disclose why he was politically out of circulation during the period in question . They only played and talked politics and everybody dispersed. Not until this week, that GNG decided to reveal to reporters his travails and what he went through during the period. It was neither a problem of politics nor social activity.
In his words: “I was besieged by a strange illness which imperiled me physically, mentally, psychologically and materially and which defied all available medical solution. However, God Almighty, in His infinite mercy gave me a second chance and miraculously healed me and granted me absolute recovery in all facets of my life.”
Gbazuagu, a multi-millionaire, said that his travails were lessons from God that taught him the vanity of life. He said sometime in 2002, he was made the chairman of the building committee of the Cathedral of the newly created Oji -River Diocese of the Anglican Communion. And an estimate of N1 billion was posited. He on his own donated the sum of N100 million and work started in earnest.
Work had reached advanced stage when he decided to succumb to the demand of his children to build a befitting house for the family in Enugu. He abandoned the work on the “house of God to embark on the “useless” house on an 8,500 square metre of land with swimming pool.”
“The strange illness afflicted me thereafter and continued to emaciate me. The illness denied me of sleep and I was being given tranquilizers but all to no avail. I visited many countries, including Britain. America, Israel, India etc but nothing was diagnosed. I gave up hope after visiting these countries without cure.
“I decided to sell the “useless” house I was building since there was no sense in putting up such an edifice I will not live in. Immediately I disposed of the House, I started recovering miraculously.”
Gbazuagu said he did not waste time in going back to complete the House of God, and hence God healed me instantly in all aspects of my life. I experienced and passed through the tribulations of Job and Nebuchadnezzar. The only difference is that my family is left intact,” he divulged.
According to him, God did not only “return me to life, He also gave us someone who made First Class honours in software engineering at United Kingdom University.” His last daughter graduated recently with First Class honours.
Saying he has totally committed himself to the service of God, GNG described his travails as the result of greed. He disclosed that today, he belongs to four dioceses – Abuja, Enugu, Oji-River and Aguata “where I discharge my financial and spiritual obligations.
Last Sunday, he held a special thanksgiving and testimony at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd, Enugu. The occasion witnessed dignitaries from across party lines.
The roll call included Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Senator Ken Nnamani, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Ibrahim Mantu, Kola Abiola, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Dr. Chris Ngige, Professor Barth Nnaji, Senator Emma Agboti, Okey Ezea and a host of others.
