Conflict is an inevitable factor in human life, and even though we often try our best to avoid petty confrontation with family, friends and neighbors, an individuals resolve to Kindness comes tested in many ways that reshapes the principles that guides the honor of a man. And one of these such tests is war! War brings out the worst in  people, but there are always diamonds in the rough, who through their actions remind us of the true meaning of humanity.

During the Nigerian civil war in 1967, tensions were high as it is with all  conflict, but more straining on the south easterners by the federal government as the region was more directly involved with the war.

The civil war meant that a whole lot of assets and properties had to be abandoned in various communities around Nigeria, as citizens of the then divided republic hurried to safe havens, which primarily were their places of origin. One of those such displaced persons was Nigeria’s first elected vice president ‘Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme’ GCON.

During the war, the former VP abandoned his home at NO. 6 Bombay Crescent Apapa, Lagos and ran to the east.

As soon as the war started, illegal gamblers hijacked the home of Ekwueme and began to play pool there, staying at the residence till 12AM midnight.

A worried neighbor, ‘Otunba Subomi Balogun’ was concerned over the rise of miscreants harboring in the home of his displaced friend. So, immediately he arranged with the police to evacuate all criminal elements from Alex’s home and then he renovated the house and later rented it out to a hardworking lady, saving all the rent collected upon Alex’s return.

After the war Alex Ekwueme returned to Lagos and upon his return, Otunba packaged and delivered every single kobo realized from Alex’s home. Alex Ekwueme was so shocked by the honesty and thoughtfulness of this western fellow that he was lost for words, only  saying ‘’I am Grateful’’ Alex promised to never forget the kindness that his neighbor had shown to him at a time when mistrust and betrayal was the order of the day, with many of Alex’s eastern brothers suffering untold losses at the hands of folks who had a knack for greed.

And indeed Alex did not forget his neighbor.

Many years later, Alex Ekwueme ventured into politics and was soon elected as the vice president of Nigeria during the second republic, serving under Shehu Shagari as a member of the NPN.

It was at this moment also, that His then neighbor Otunba Olasubomi was making serious efforts in establishing a private bank, the first of its kind in Nigeria in the 80’s. Acquiring a license to operate at that time was hellish for Otunba as he was required to present a foreign technical partner a requirement that Otunba could not provide.

So, he sort out his old friend turned vice president and narrated to him his problems. Alex, a man still indebted to the honesty and kindness of Otunba Subomi assured him that his license would be approved.

Days later, Otunba’s license was approved, Alex Ekwueme had repaid Otunba for his kindness to him during the war and Otunba had been rewarded for his honesty as a God fearing man, a reward that many more Nigerians would come to benefit off.

Otunba Subomi Balogun is the founder of First City Monument Bank; The first Nigerian bank to be established without foreign or government ownership. A feat that changed the face of banking in Nigeria and it all began with a simple act of kindness from one man to another.

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