The outstanding Nigerian Igbo highlife legend, Chief Oliver De Coque, dedicated the song “Nwanne Di Na Mba” to his good friend and brother, Alusi Awkuzu. The name John Ejikeme Nebolisa, popularly known as Alusi Awkuzu, translates to the Oracle of the whole kingdom of Awkuzu, and Ibilibe Ogada, meaning the biggest the town has ever seen. His name was renowned among the Igbo elites and multi-billionaires of the 80s and 90s. He was a close friend of the late Eze Ego of Ihiala and the mighty Chief Morris Ibekwe of Okwelle Holdings.

Alusi Awkuzu was one of the pioneers and top members of the Peoples Club of Nigeria in the 80s and 90s—a social club where its members were multimillionaires, albeit often rumored to have controversial sources of income. Many Nigerians speculated that the billionaire members of this club were involved in shady businesses, rituals, blood money, and more, though there was no concrete proof.

John Ejikeme Nebolisa, aka Alusi Awkuzu, was one of their top members, known for his immense wealth. One of his bodyguards was the then-Nigerian wrestler Superman Armstrong. Alusi Awkuzu believed his money could buy him anything he wanted, and in many ways, he wasn’t far from the truth. He famously defied centuries-old tradition by buying his way to the throne of the Awkuzu kingdom—a first in Igbo land. This was a classic case of “when money speaks, the world listens,” highlighting the immense influence and power he wielded.

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