Port Harcourt has mayors but the one I know is the Mayor of Housing, his name is My-Ace China (formerly, Aloy China Emeka), CEO Construction and Housing Mayor Limited, has been making waves in Port Harcourt and beyond with his brand-building project and investments in real estate, he identifies himself as a ” real estate success strategist”.

His story portrays Grit and Glory on an unyielding journey from the bustling streets of Diobu, a story unfolds captivating, heartbreaking scenarios and ultimately triumphant pedigrees.

Telling his story at the Tedx Diobu organised by K O Baba Johnson and his associates few months ago, I understood that it’s the story of a man whose life’s journey took him from the sterile halls of Meridian Hospital to the unforgiving confines of a prison cell, and finally to the pinnacle of success as the ‘Mayor of Housing.’

But don’t be fooled by the title; this mayor doesn’t trade in land, he trades in value, he builds houses that makes one comfortable to achieve their life’s goals, he trades in resilience, and the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship.

Eighteen years ago, this man—born with a silver spoon, academically gifted, and a straight-A student—walked into Meridian Hospital as a medical lab scientist. But what he encountered there changed the course of his life.

He watched helplessly as patients died, not due to a lack of expertise, but because they couldn’t afford a mere 5,000 naira for a pint of blood. It was then that the seeds of his true calling were sown—not in medicine but in the relentless pursuit of a legacy that would prevent such tragedies.

His journey was anything but smooth. Driven by empathy, he offered to cover patients’ costs from his salary, a decision that left him penniless for two years. When he ventured into entrepreneurship, his first attempt ended in disaster.

After borrowing money from colleagues to fund an oil deal, he was duped, arrested, and left in debt. For a man who had never lied and had always been the epitome of reliability, those two days in a police cell were the darkest of his life.

But like the legendary phoenix, he rose from the ashes. Inspired by Winston Churchill’s words—”Success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm”—he refused to give up. He paid off his debts, honed his business acumen, and embarked on a new journey.

This time, he found success, becoming one of the largest diesel distributors in Imo State. But fate wasn’t done testing him. A tanker accident, a massive audit, and another staggering debt saw him back in prison, this time for eight grueling months.

Locked away in an overcrowded cell meant for 16 but housing 94, he faced his greatest challenge yet. Yet, it was in that very cell that he discovered the true essence of entrepreneurship. It wasn’t about making profits; it was about turning adversity into opportunity.

He immersed himself in books, studying business and success as voraciously as he once studied medicine. And from that study emerged a new understanding—that true grit is not just about courage or strength of character, but about blending experience with vulnerability and turning trials into triumphs.

Today, the ‘Mayor of Housing’ stands tall, not just as a successful real estate mogul, but as a beacon of resilience. In five short years, he transformed his life from a negative balance to overseeing a hundred-billion-naira project in Alesa. His journey is not just a story of personal success, but a testament to the power of grit, passion, and persistence.

As he reflects on his journey, he challenges us all to consider the legacy we’re building. Will our stories inspire others to be stronger, to do more, to create? For him, the greatest legacy isn’t what we leave behind for others, but what we leave within them. And in this regard, the ‘Mayor of Housing’ has left an indelible mark on Diobu—and beyond.