Business
THE BIOGRAPHY OF SIR LOUIS IZUCHUKWU ONWUGBENU, KSG (ỌKPATAOZUOỌRA NNEWI).
Sir Louis Onwugbenu was born in 1953 in Uruagu Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria, to the family of Augustine Onwugbenu and Mrs. Cecilia Onwugbenu. His birthdate is considered unique since it falls on the Assumption date (August 15th), a sacred day among Catholics.
Louis was baptized by the famous Irish missionary priest Rev. Fr. Louis Kettles and given the name Louis. The Rev. Fr. who was working in Nnewi at the time foretold a glorious future for the new born when he baptized him. He had his early education at St. Philip’s (Ezeagaba) Nursery and Primary School, Okpunoeze and St. John of the Cross Primary School Egbo.
He showed his intelligence by passing the catechism classes, which qualified him to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation at a young age. He served masses as an altar boy under many Irish and indigenous priests.
His desire to reach the apex of academics was truncated in his secondary school following the economic, political, and social factors that followed the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
After the civil war in 1970, Louis joined his uncle, Raphael Ezimora to learn trade, so as to relieve his parents, the burden of sponsoring his education with that of his siblings, since they lost everything during the war.
He ventured into business, starting with auto parts. His initial startup capital was provided by his parents who were into red oil milling. Despite how meager this initial capital was, gradually but steadily, Louis worked hard and his business began to flourish.
He launched his business in 1972, selling auto spare parts, plugs, filters, bolts, and nuts, and later expanded to selling pistons, engine blocks, and top gaskets. He diversified his business into manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, estate management, and general merchandise.
He got married on the 21st October, 1978 to Pat, the daughter of Sir Anthony and Lady Roseline Ojukwu who was then the Catechist of St. John of the Cross Nnewi. The marriage is blessed with two boys, six girls, and over 14 grandchildren.
He is known for his unparalleled philanthropy, having built a church, schools, and homes for the homeless. Every year on his birthday, he gives out aid to indigent people including settling of hospital bills, adopting and providing scholarships up to tertiary levels for indigent parents with multiple births.
In 2021, he empowered 21 youths in his community, Uruagu Nnewi with 21 million naira. The fund, he said, is to enable the youths to engage in meaningful ventures. Giving out the cheque of 1m each to the lucky youths, was his way to empower the youths in the community after he observed that the majority of people trooping into his residence during Christmas celebration to ask for gifts were youths. He empowered them to in return, help others.
He founded the LOUIS CARTER FOUNDATION, which provides support for human capacity development, skills acquisition, and empowerment to youths. He plans to establish an ultra-modern university which specializes in science and technology, in collaboration with foreign partners, to bridge educational gap Nigerian Schools.
