• Despite impressive stakes in banking and the oil sector, Walter tows the path of modesty
It is often said that too much money destroys character, corrupts virtue, dishevels morals and feeds the vanities of its random possessors. Thus too many possessors of the legal tender have been found to lose their humanity and souls to its enthralling caprices and vile. But Walter Akpani is remarkably different.
The Managing Director (MD) of newly established Providus Bank is immune to the wiles and ravages of money. Unlike too many of his peer that have fallen to money’s devious charms, Walter, who also owns North West Petroleum is invulnerable to the terrifying charms of the legal tender. Despite his intimidating wealth and stature,
Walter is hardly goaded to believe himself capable of feats otherwise unachievable if he were of modest means.
The billionaire magnate who lives a life of modesty does not subscribe to the usual vanities that eventually consumes his fellow deep pockets in the circuits of the filthy rich. Even though his company recently won crude oil contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Walter shies from living out loud.
Notwithstanding, everybody is talking about him. Close friends, family, business associates and even casual acquaintances believe Walter has arrived. They believe that it is only a matter of time before he yields to the charm and grandeur of money. When he does, he will join his peer in the mad dash for private jets, luxury yacht and apartments in posh locations across the world. They believe that the new generation bank boss and oil mogul will discard his garment of modesty very soon but sources close to him argue that no amount of money could make him lose his towering modesty and grace.
Walter they argued, understands that it takes a steel heart and keen will to make money, and a great deal of character and wisdom to tame it. This is why he has never fallen to the lure and caprices of money. Having seen too many people and nations become whores in their feverish pursuit of money, Walter decided very early in life to live like a master to money. This is why he is never enslaved to riches.
