Birthplace: Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. Profession: Economist. Organization: Economic Square Limited. Significant other: The love of my life, Rita Obiora. Alma mater: University of Benin; University of Ibadan. Languages spoken: Igbo and English.
Current project: Building a new city on a 99-hectare land in the capital area of Delta State, Nigeria. Recent recognition: Awarded the Fellowship of the Nigerian Economic Society. Recent professional development: Completed my Executive Certificate in Public Policy. Hobbies: Playing chess, traveling to new places. Recent travel or adventure: Visited nine European countries, seven for the first time.
Moral compass: Be calm, be just, be decisive. How do you define a perfect friendship? Looks out for each other in all things and at all times. What is your greatest joy? Good health and a peaceful family. What is your greatest fear? Not being alive to fully raise my children. What is your guilty pleasure? Excessive sports and news viewing. What natural talent have you neglected? Teaching. What is at the top of your bucket list? Starting a real estate business. What is your go-to workout? Skipping.
What was your first paying job? Centre for Econometric and Allied Research (CEAR). What book have you repeatedly read? The Godfather, by Mario Puzo. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Family photo. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My eldest brother, Emmanuel Obiora, and my wife, Rita Obiora. What’s the best advice you received growing up? The shortest and surest route out of poverty is a great education. What’s the best advice you received in your career? The system will always reward the best. What is your go-to source of news and information? The New York Times. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The Bretton Woods Conference of 1944.
What is your big idea?
Starting an app/website for parental guidance and support.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Increase the power of strategic reasoning and historical backgrounds. What change would you like to see in the world? Stop identifying people by race, country, or religion. What message do you want to send out into the world? Once you spend time to understand other people’s viewpoints, the potential for conflict reduces dramatically. What mega-trend most excites you? The power of machines and AI.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? From Agbor to Washington DC: A Journey of Focus, Fate, and Family. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? St. Paul. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A medical doctor. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Talking and relaxing with my family. What advice would you give your younger self? Think through the consequences of every single decision. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? First two years of college.
Personal mission: Doing as much good, to as many people, as quickly as possible. Personal motto: Integrity and diligence can take you as far as you want. Favorite quote: “Start by doing what is necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible” (St. Francis of Assissi). Desired epitaph: Here lies Kingsley Isitua Obiora, who tried to make people’s lives a little better every single day.
