Chief Gabriel Chukwuma (Gabros)

Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, widely known as Gabros, is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and sports enthusiast. He has made significant contributions to various industries, including automobile spare parts, real estate, hospitality, and football. As the elder brother of Innocent Chukwuma, the founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, Gabriel played a pivotal role in introducing Innocent to the business world. Nnewi City

Early Life and Background

Gabriel Chukwuma hails from Nnewi, a town in Anambra State, Nigeria, renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit. He began his business journey as a patent medicine dealer before venturing into the automobile spare parts industry. Recognizing the potential in this sector, Gabriel established Gabros International, a company that traded in motorcycle spare parts. This venture not only marked his entry into the business world but also set the stage for his younger brother, Innocent Chukwuma, to join and later establish his own enterprise. Vanguard

Business Ventures

Gabriel Chukwuma is the founder of Gabros International, a company specializing in the importation of motor and motorcycle spare parts, which became one of the largest in Africa. He diversified his investments into real estate and hospitality, establishing Bellview Hotels, a luxurious hospitality brand in southeastern Nigeria. His ventures have significantly contributed to the economic growth of Nnewi and the surrounding regions. Nnewi City

Football Administration

Gabriel’s passion for football led him to acquire Iyayi Football Club of Benin City in 1998, which he rebranded as Gabros International FC, based in Nnewi. Under his leadership, the club gained prominence in Nigerian football circles. He also constructed the Gabros Stadium, a 3,000-capacity multi-use stadium in Nnewi, serving as the home ground for his team. Additionally, Gabriel served as the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Professional Football Association, contributing to the development of football in the country. Nnewi City

Controversies

Gabros vs. Ifeanyi Ubah (2015)

In 2015, Gabriel entered into an agreement with Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to sell Gabros International FC and the Gabros Stadium for a total sum of ₦500 million. The agreement stipulated ₦400 million for the club and stadium, and ₦100 million for adjoining plots of land. However, disputes arose when Gabriel claimed that only ₦100 million was paid, leading to legal battles over the ownership of the properties. Despite court rulings, the contention over the rightful ownership persisted, with Gabriel asserting his ownership based on the incomplete payment. Daily Post Nigeria

GTBank vs. Innoson (2017)

In an open letter, Gabriel Chukwuma passionately defended his younger brother, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, in the legal battle with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank). Gabriel detailed the saga, accusing GTBank of tribalism, inexperience, and greed for refusing to pay a court-ordered settlement of ₦22 billion owed to Innoson Group. He criticized the bank’s alleged tactics to tarnish Innocent’s reputation by accusing him of forgery related to import documents.

Gabriel revealed that GTBank initially admitted to overcharging Innoson by ₦520 million, but the disagreement over interest rates (22% vs. 7%) escalated the issue. Despite multiple court victories for Innoson, Gabriel expressed dismay at the continued harassment of his brother, questioning the judicial and economic implications for Nigeria. He advocated for dialogue and warned GTBank that intimidation tactics would not resolve the matter.

Key Excerpt from Gabriel’s Letter:

“Innoson has acquitted himself creditably in the world of business… He is a national asset and a rare talent. While others are doing buying and selling, he brought us technology and industrialization. Instead of celebrating him, some are bent on destroying him due to greed.”

Source: (AnaedoOnline.ng)

Associations with Prominent Igbo Figures

Gabriel Chukwuma has collaborated with several notable Igbo personalities, including:

• Chief Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson): Mentored and supported his younger brother in establishing Nigeria’s first indigenous vehicle manufacturing company.
• Senator Ifeanyi Ubah: Though embroiled in controversy, their dealings in football administration and business highlight the intersections of their careers.

Political Engagements

In 2022, Gabriel endorsed Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. He praised Obi as an incorruptible leader capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges, emphasizing his alignment with transformative leadership.

Conclusion

Chief Gabriel Chukwuma’s legacy extends beyond his entrepreneurial ventures to his contributions to sports and community development. Despite controversies, his advocacy for fairness and his investments in Nigeria’s economic and cultural growth underscore his significance as a visionary leader.

Associations with Notable Igbo Figures

As the elder brother of Innocent Chukwuma, Gabriel played a mentorship role in Innocent’s early business endeavors. Their collaboration in the spare parts business laid the foundation for Innocent’s establishment of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, Nigeria’s first indigenous vehicle manufacturing company. Vanguard

Political Engagements

In August 2022, Gabriel publicly endorsed Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 Nigerian general elections. He described Obi as an incorruptible and astute manager of resources, expressing confidence in his capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges. Anaedoonline

Conclusion

Chief Gabriel Chukwuma’s entrepreneurial journey reflects a blend of business acumen and a passion for community development. His ventures across various sectors have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s economic and sports landscapes. Despite facing controversies, his contributions continue to be recognized and celebrated.

References

• “Biography of Chief Gabriel Chukwuma.” Nnewi City. Accessed January 20, 2025. Nnewi City
• “From Spare Parts Trader to Motor Giant: The story of Innoson.” Vanguard News. Accessed January 20, 2025. Vanguard
• “Owner of Gabros International, Gabriel Chukwuma set to reclaim IfeanyiUba FC.” Daily Post Nigeria. Accessed January 20, 2025. Daily Post Nigeria
• “Chief Gabriel Chukwuma (Gabros) Throws His Weight Behind Peter Obi.” Anaedo Online. Accessed January 20, 2025. Anaedoonline

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