By: Ossy Ndulaka.

It was William Durant, the American historian and philosopher, who wrote that: Excellence is not an act but a habit. This quote absolutely reflects the man, Sir Emmanuel Ndubuisi Mbaka, an entrepreneurial giant, banking guru and property luminary who has stood the test of time because of his intelligence, dependability, tenacity, humanness, philanthropic nature and business prowess.

He is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of one of the leading mortgage banks in Nigeria, the Platinum Mortgage Bank, which has its corporate headquarters in Abuja with branches in many states of the federation.

Born into the humble and honourable family of late Chief Bernard and Mary Emeji Mbaka of Obodo, Eluama in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, this simple man had his early education at old Court Primary School, Aba, Abia State where he posted a 1st Grade in the final examinations, and thereafter proceeded to the National High School, also in Aba, where he was from 1974 to 1979, passing out with 1st Division in the West African School Certificate examinations.

Being a young, intelligent and promising young man who believed in quality education as the key to a great future, Emmanuel gained admission to the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where he studied Mathematics, and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 1987. Not done with higher education, he enrolled in the Liverpool University, England, for his Master’s degree programme.

He entered the world of work as a lecturer at the Kaduna State Polytechnic, Kaduna where he made his mark by imparting quality knowledge to scores of students. He then exited academia and joined the banking industry as Assistant Manager with the defunct Progress Bank of Nigeria PLC, working at their Breadfruit branch in Lagos.

After putting in a stellar performance that helped reposition the bank and placed in on the path of enviable growth, he resigned in 1990. A year later, he became the Managing Director of Frankenstein Nigeria Limited, a major distributor of Sharp photocopiers and HP Computers in Nigeria.

Mbaka, who was widely seen as a beautiful bride and the ultimate troubleshooter because of his managerial acumen that caused major players in the world of business to literarily queue up at his door with a view to hiring him to assist in reforming and positioning their businesses towards professionalism and profitability, joined First Generation Homes Savings and Loans Limited in 2003 as the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Emma, as he is fondly called by his friends, knew his calling from the onset and trained himself towards actualizing the dream. Indeed, his dream came true as God, at his appointed time, blessed his vision and helped him establish Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited, which has been relieving Nigerians from their mortgage woes. The organisation has demonstrated capacity and global best practices in mortgage banking.

Engr. Emmanuel Mbaka is an astute and quintessential manager who has distinguished himself in all spheres of life. He has contributed greatly to national development, especially in the area of mass housing. Below are some of his landmark achievements in housing development in Nigeria:

a. Construction of 200 units of 2- and 3-bedroom duplexes and terraces under the Mass Housing Scheme at Minfa Garden Estate, Lokogoma District, Abuja (2007).

b. Construction of 150 units of 2- and 3-bedroom and duplexes at Trademore Estate, Dutse Garki, Apo, Abuja (2008).

c. Construction of 3000 units of various types of houses at Trademore Mega City Estate, Sabon Lugbe, subscribed by low income civil servants and Nigerians generally.

d. Construction of 500 units of various types of houses at AperAku Estate, Agan North Bank, Makurdi, Benue State.

e. Construction of 50 housing units and banking halls at Platinum Mega Mall, Mabushi, Abuja.

f. Construction of 70 units of 6-bedroom duplexes detached and 5-bedroom semi-detached duplexes at Katampe Hills, Kubwa Express, Abuja.

h. Construction of 150 units of 2- and 3-bedroom at Minfa/ FMBN PPP Estate in Naze, Owerri, Imo State.

i. Construction of 1000 units of 2- and 3-bedroom houses at Ochendo Estate, Ubani Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State.

Sir Emmanuel Mbaka is the ultimate philanthropist. In 2002, he set up Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation with a view to meeting the needs of his people. The foundation has so far executed programmes such as award of scholarships to indigent students in various universities across the nation. It has also carried out programmes in economic empowerment, health care delivery, installation of boreholes for potable water, etc.

Also, Sir Emmanuel singlehandedly built a church, St. Agnes Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church in Eluama, Isuikwuato, to the glory of his maker. He donated a 500 KVA transformer to Jahi community in Abuja, a community that had not had electricity for over 50 years. He also sank boreholes in the same community to reduce the hardship the residents experienced in getting good water. His philanthropic platform donated a 16-seater bus to Man o’ War in Abia State, and also donated school buses, books and other learning materials to schools in Isuikwuato.

The boss of Platinum Mortgage Bank has demonstrated candour, dedication and uncommon passion in his service to humanity. In recognition of this, he has been honored by several groups. He holds the traditional title of “Ugbo vu Mba”, literally meaning “the ship that is carrying the nation”, and is the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Man O’ War, Abia State. He has also been awarded “Father of Modern Mortgage in Nigeria” for his roles in creating 1,000 mortgages in less than 2 years by First Generation Homes Savings and Loans. Other awards and laurels, locally and internationally, include: a. African Leadership Excellence Gold Award, b. Community Service Award by the Rotary Club International, c. Isuikwuato Development Union Gold Award, d. Global Leader of Integral Merit Award by Integrite Media Communication, e. Intra-Continental Media Network Platinum Award by Pollar of Africa, f. Global Top Leader Peace Ambassador Gold Award by Nigerian Top Leader Magazine, g. Christian Standard Excellence Award (CSEA) by Christian Standard Magazine, h. Ambassador of Peace, Interrelations and International Federation For World Peace, I. Great Achiever Gold Award For Africa, and many more

His experience and enviable track record earned him an appointment by former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who appointed him Chairman of the Governing Board of Project Development Agency (PRODA), Enugu (a foremost research institute east of the Niger). He is also member of several companies, institutions and associations such as NTA Properties & Investment Limited (the property arm of Nigerian Television Authority), SPYTECH Securities Company LTD, Super Brand Securities Company LTD, and Board of Trustees (BOT) of VUNA (VERITAS University Abuja, Nigeria) a Catholic university. He is the Grand Patron of People With Disability in Nigeria (PWDIN), and the Life Mayor of Igbo Community Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria. He is also the Chairman of Trademore International Holdings, both in United Kingdom and Nigeria; Chairman of Minanuel Investment LTD, Chairman of Minfa Properties Investment LTD and others too numerous to mention.

As a matter of principle, he believes that a good name and integrity are golden, and has been effectively helping the Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited deliver its vision of mass housing. He is a devout Catholic and a member of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM). He is happily married with lovely children.

The Ambassador Post Magazine warmly features and celebrates him as “patriotic Ambassador” for his immense contributions to the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria and his undivided commitment to improving the well being of his people and the less privileged. We pray the Almighty God to bless, protect and guide him in all his undertakings.