Uche Nworah: A Man Of Many Parts

If there is any Nigerian that has for ages remained a reporter’s and writer’s delight, he is unarguably Chief Uche Nworah, popularly hailed as “Ezeudo”, a title honorably bestowed on him by his community, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The reason for being a delight to any reporter or writer cannot be farfetched as he is a man that is successful and talented in many areas, and his activities are always positively and pleasantly newsy. For instance, not only is he a staunch believer of the Igbo concept of “Omenana', which invariably defines a true Igbo man, he is a technocrat, a brand builder and a marketer.

Permit me to say that what actually inspired this writer to put this inspiration into expression is that Ezeudo recently declared his readiness to facilitate workshop, seminar and conference sessions on Public Sector Reforms, Media Management, Leadership, Broadcasting, and Branding among others.

Having being equipped with the information, I was not in any way pessimistic about his ability on the functions that are social in nature as he will unarguably bring his exciting insights backed by over 25 years of industry experience in Europe and Africa, serving at very senior positions to bear on the social functions. Aptly put, he has the top characteristics that people expect a facilitator to possess.

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that Ezeudo has the combination of skills and personality traits that make a great facilitator. Though there are many skills that an excellent facilitator should possess, and he no doubt has the top the characteristics of effective facilitators.

First and foremost, considering the fact that a good facilitator must have effective communication skills, it is not an exaggeration to say that Ezeudo is on a familiar terrain. Not only that, he can aptly be described as someone that has a gift of the garb. For the sake of clarity, someone that has the gift of the gab is the person that is able to speak easily and confidently, and to persuade people.

In fact, an excellent facilitator is one who knows not only how to speak comfortably in front of an audience but can also convey the meeting process in a simple, concise manner. Facilitators are expected to paraphrase back individual ideas for purposes of getting better clarity and/or to validate the speaker’s intention. Being able to summarize and communicate back key themes, trends and/or decisions that the group has proposed helps the group to effectively create closure.

Added to the foregoing is that Ezeudo, being a man of the people, is open to change. Being open to change in this context does not mean that he incorporates every idea that someone else comes up with. Being open to change means being flexible and not dead-set on the process plan he designed. Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that different groups have unique facilitation needs which a great facilitator can recognize and cater to by tailoring the process and incorporating others’ process ideas when they are relevant and add value to the meeting. For example, the Ezeudo I vicariously know is not someone that is given to coiling into his shell. Rather, he is social aficionado that is readily disposed to step out of the meeting structure to enjoy a playful exercise that fosters team bonding or garners more energy within the group. Thus, when the group feels they are empowered to make suggestions on structural changes they are more likely to buy-in to the process.

Not only that, he has keen observational skill which anyone that worth his salt as a facilitator need to possess even as he is able to pick up on small gestures, glances and facial expressions that can all point to the individual’s honest reaction and/or opinion. Mind you, it is important to get a sense of what is really happening in people’s minds and what they are feeling by noting mixed messages when they occur as a way to bring concerns, differing opinions and resistance to the surface.

Unarguably as a grassroots person, a socialite and an excellent communicator, Ezeudo has what it takes to demonstrate for his clients an exceptional facility for meeting their objectives even as he will bring intense energy, creativity and flair to the business. Without sounding panegyric, Ezeudo can play the role of an impresario by virtue of his experience in brand marketing and perception building generally that he would definitely have his fingers on the pulse of public perception, and would continually push the envelope, by virtue of his creativity and competitive edge. Without doubt, he would invariably move his clients forward as a facilitator.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that his prowess to facilitate events dates back to his school days. For instance, as a hustling teenager, and as founding member of New Age Klub, he joined others to organize the first ever Miss IMT and Mr. IMT pageant in 1987. According to him, the show which was branded Fantasy ‘87 sold out, and was held at the prestigious Hotel Presidential, Enugu. To proverbially put it in an African proverb, “A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches”.

Besides, facilitating events, he has at various times brought his gifts of the garb of to bear. Recently, he was the Guest Speaker at the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), Zone E meeting which held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu. He spoke on the topic, 'Media Practice In The Face Of Security Challenges In South East Nigeria: Effects On Revenue And Safety Of Practitioners.’

Without doubt, it is not an exaggeration to conclude this piece by saying that Chief Uche Nworah is a man of many part.