Emeke E Iweriebor - the exit of a ‘common ground’ leader

Odeath, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory. Emeke E. Iweriebor triumphed over death and grave at the young age of 51 with the multitude of good works and impact on others.

I never thought I would be writing this eulogy for you, Emeke. I planned to write part two of my article on sales coaching using the peaks and valleys mentality. Suddenly, the news of your untimely death got to me yesterday. I was told you finished the race without notice on Sunday, 30th August 2020 but with lots of hope, value, and impact on people you have mentored both in your private and career life. It is indeed a rude shock, and I cannot stop reflecting on you since yesterday.

The dash in Emeke Iweriebor’s life was lined with 18,725 days, (51years, 3months), but his impact will remain in the minds of his friends and colleagues forever. Who is this Emeke?

Emeke Iweriebor retired as an executive director in the Nigerian banking industry in 2020 after over two decades of meritorious service in different banks and locations across the continent. He was at a young age in his career spotted by an ultimate leader who mentored him with lots of opportunities clothed in the dress of work. Emeke took his chances. He proved to be ever ready for leadership roles. He excelled in every area of his responsibilities, leading to his progression on the job in a fast-track but justifiable manner. His justification is the result, and he was not short of any during his lifetime. He was at a time tested with the role of handling the two of a bank’s biggest directorates with huge bottom-line impacts and demands. The outcome of the test led to his elevation and recognition.

Emeke followed his mantra at duty posts and in his relationship with others. His mantra ‘to lead well, you must serve well’ showed in his work, the result he generated and the people he led during his career. Words cannot express the beautiful impacts of Emeke’s life on his direct reports and colleagues in the banking industry.

At a time, Emeke was transferred to an uncharted terrain outside Nigeria. Within 6months, the transformation Emeke broke-even and developed pools of leaders who took the company to the next level in ranking and to the delight of the stakeholders.

Emeke was indeed a unique leader both in the development of people and in achieving result when it matters most.

As a leadership coach who sees everything from a leadership bias, I took my time to study Emeke as one of the proteges of an ultimate leader I have studied for two decades. I had a direct work relationship with Iweriebor, and my summary of Emeke’s leadership quality is simple. Emeke Iweriebor was a leader with an enormous capacity to identify the common ground and exploit that to maximise the potential in others.

I need to explain Emeke’s common ground leadership further, and I hope it connects and consoles Emeke’s friends and proteges reading this eulogy as well as a set standard of relationship for upcoming leaders. Any leader who wishes to be remembered not only for their results but for the impacts made on others must identify common ground with their followers.

I met Emeke at the lobby of the bank we both worked for after two years of not working in the same team. He looked at me and asked how well my branch was doing. He did not wait for any answers but rolled out my branch’s figures and commended me for doing well. He was not my direct boss, though we had worked together, and I wonder why he was still interested in checking my performance after two years. His next comment swept me off the ground. He said, please do not let your performance drop and tell me the next book you are writing, I read your books. I was surprised with his doubleedged encouragement at the same time value his ability to identify a common ground which other leaders will not consider as important to me. We developed a friendship bond, and I do make it a duty to send him a copy of my book each time a new one is released. I later realised there is an author in Emeke, but it takes a real leader to identify the common ground and use it to build friendship and loyalty.

When one of Emeke’s trusted aids wanted to advance his career by moving to another role with the same bank, he was afraid and developed goosebumps. He believes no boss will want to be selfless enough to release his or her excellent staff. Contrary to his belief, he met a different leader in Emeke when he approached him with his desire to change his role within the bank. Emeke identified the common ground. The common ground between supervisors and subordinates is progress. The first progress is on the work, which is the expected result for the organisation. The second progress is the personal and professional development of the goose that is laying the golden eggs. To his surprise, Emeke developed a three months replacement plan and personally looked for a vacant position where his strengths will be most utilised. Today, the staff will never forget the impacts of Emeke on his life and career.

Before his untimely death on 30th August 2020, Emeke Iweriebor was about to publish and release his book titled ‘Mind Money Matter-pan-african Integration in the 21st Century’. A book described by Ngugi wa Thiong’ o, a renowned Kenyan writer as a practical way into our Pan-african future. The book is not Emeke’s first as the compilation of his inspiring quotes worth more than a dozen of books. To his former staff and the leaders he had developed his words like ‘challenge yourself more than others challenge you’, ‘you cannot stand still, and expect doors to open’, why are you holding yourself back?’, and a host of others will be evergreen in their minds. To his wife and three children, it is an irreplaceable loss but with a fortitude. The fortitude is in Emeke’s short life but a life worth living. The family should be proud of their support of Emeke, the support that gave him enough peace to lead and propel others to the highest height of performance and development on the job.

Emeke came, saw, and conquered in his 51years journey and touched so many lives. His leadership success hinged on hard work, respect for others and his inspiring nature. He was devoid of the usual leadership arrogance and seized the moments to impacts others quietly. No wonder there are lots of eulogies from his colleagues and friends on all the professional and social media networks. Emeke will be remembered for creating a legacy of respect, support, and mutual common ground for those he led and for the banks he worked during his lifetime.

Adieu Emeke Iweriebor.

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Emeke came, saw, and conquered in his 51years journey and touched so many lives. His leadership success hinged on hard work, respect for others and his inspiring nature