Jacob Wood, or Hu Jieguo

A Chinese man named or Jacob Wood, or Hu Jieguo, is a well-known figure in the Nigerian port city of Lagos, where he serves as a chieftain, a post rarely taken by a foreigner. The acquisition of such an honorable title can be attributed to Hu’s contributions to the local community and to China-Nigeria friendship.

Some African countries have retained the old tradition of having an institution of governance honoring chieftains as leaders. As a result, chieftains are still worshipped and highly respected by local people, even though they are not as eminent and powerful as they used to be.

Hu Jieguo in Africa

According to a young Nigerian man who once studied in Beijing, many Nigerian chieftains have sent their children to developed countries like the US and Britain for further study, and these children often choose to return home after graduation to inherit a chiefdom. In much of Africa, a chiefdom is either inherited from family or granted through a vote by local residents.

Hu’s story has become a legend, and he enjoys huge respect as a chieftain. He also serves as the chairman of Golden Gate Group and as a member of Nigeria's Supreme National Economic Council.

In the 1970s, Hu inherited a textile plant from his father in Nigeria, but he wasn’t interested in the family business and instead went to Canada to study hotel management. After graduating, he returned to Nigeria and worked in a restaurant called Shangri-La in Lagos.

Hu Jieguo in Africa

Under his meticulous management, the restaurant quickly stood out amidst fierce competition in the city, which at that time was both the country’s capital and a busy international port city. Hu even saved some money for his future career.

In the mid-1990s, Nigeria suffered a financial breakdown due to economic sanctions imposed by Western countries for alleged human rights violations.

However, Hu, decided to invest $5 million to build up the Golden Gate Hotel in Lagos. With its exquisite delicacy and considerate service, the hotel’s business soon took off, and many foreign dignitaries even asked to dine in the “Golden Gate.”

Later, he further expanded his business to the construction industry.

In Hu’s company, there is an unwritten rule: Employees will receive cash or gifts from their boss on joyous occasions like birthdays and marriages, and Hu will also provide funds to families of employees who meet with misfortune.

He also made contributions to the development of Sino-Nigerian friendship. Thanks to the assistance of Hu, the contract for the country’s 3000-kilometer-long railway renovation project was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. The renovation is the largest African project signed by a Chinese company so far, with a total value of $560 million.

Hu also helped establish 25 middle schools in Nigeria.

In light of Hu’s significant contributions and local citizens’ recommendations of him, he was named chieftain of his local area in 2001, making him the only Chinese chieftain in Nigeria and in all of Africa.

In July 2004, he was appointed as a counselor to the Nigerian president. In 2011, he won the 2010-11 Nigerian National Honors for his contributions to China-Nigeria friendship and Nigeria’s economic development.

Source: People’s Daily