It has been one form of drama after the other since the funeral rites for late former vice president, Dr Alex Ekwueme, began earlier this week in both
It has been one form of drama after the other since the funeral rites for late former vice president, Dr Alex Ekwueme, began earlier this week in both Enugu State and Anambra State respectively. From Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma’s scathing remarks during the commendation service in Enugu State, where he berated every politician present for being insensitive to the needs of the people, to his subtle shade of former Delta State governor, James Ibori’s social status, to the very interesting situation that occurred at the late VP’s memorial service.
When thirty minutes to the start of the service, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo hadn’t arrived, billionaire business mogul, Chief Arthur Eze thought it wise to occupy the already reserved front seat, being the illustrious son of the soil that he is. Unfortunately, as soon as he tried to sit down, the VP’s protocol prevented him from doing so and told him who the seat was reserved for. Angered by the effrontery of the protocol officers, he asked them in typical Nigerian fashion “Do you know who I am?” Not knowing who exactly he is and feeling a little uncomfortable and intimidated, hoping they haven’t said anything offensive to the ‘big man’, the protocol officers hesitated.
Then came to their rescue, a DSS official who stepped in and told the diminutive Arthur Eze, “We know who you are sir, but you can’t sit down here.”
The DSS official then proceeded to remove the chair with the hope that the billionaire business mogul would take the cue and find a seat somewhere else. Well he took the hint and ‘tail’ tucked between his legs, went off to get a seat elsewhere.
Reputed to be one of the wealthiest men in Africa, Arthur Eze is the founder and Chairman of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, which has assets in Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, and the Gambia. Unlike many of his peers, he is a graduate of chemical and mechanical engineering from California State University. He is a politician and a king maker of some sort.
