Posted by From Olawale Onibudo on
In terms of the scale of individual enterprises, the degree of corporate organization and the size of diversity of investment, Nigerian private capital have advanced well beyond African enterprise.
In terms of the scale of individual enterprises, the degree of corporate organization and the size of diversity of investment, Nigerian private capital have advanced well beyond African enterprise.
This project is focused largely at the enterprise level, and it is based on studies of companies in the major business centers of Nigeria who have utilized foreign technology to develop their indigenous technological capabilities. In particular, it considers how the manufacturing sector has utilized foreign technology in consciously learning to acquire technological capabilities to improve the country's operations and its economic performance.
Behind these companies are men and women of outstanding clouts who never for once gave up on the developmental capabilities of our great nation - the leading Entrepreneurs in our economy.
To flag off our 'Nation Building Series' we are focusing on Leading Entrepreneurs in Nnewi. Their efforts, contributions, challenges and most importantly the strides ahead for the future of our economy.
The success story of these Entrepreneurs is a function, or so to speak, a resultant effect of the environment that produced them and above all, having a Government whose policies are enabling and rewarding. Again, Nnewi is, indeed, like no other town in Nigeria.
It is a town of wealthy folks, big-time importers and exporters, hard-at-it industrialists, street-smart traders and artisans, big cars and magnificent (some would say gaudy), these are all products of native intelligence who have decided against all odds to occupy the status of movers and shakers of our economy.
Meet the leading Entrepreneurs in Nnewi.
Born June 10, 1946 at Akabo Ezem, Uruagu in Nnewi, Eugene Eke Nzom Ojukwu lost his father when he was about six years old and as a result of this, he was relocated to Funtua, now Katsina State to live with his uncle for him to complete his primary education.
In view of his early life challenges, he went into business at the age of eighteen in order to fend for himself and his younger ones. However, his zeal, vision and progress on his business were shattered during the civil war between 1967 and 1970.
While in Lagos, he was employed by C.Moore Obioha Sons & Company (A Transport Firm). After a selfless service as a Finance Officer, Operations Manager and Lagos Branch Manager, he then went on to set up his own business as a produce buyer without any substantial capital. At this turn of event in his adventure and determination to succeed in life, Chief C. Moore Obioha gave him his nod and blessings.
Today, Chief Eugene Eke Nzom Ojukwu is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive of E.Ekesons Group of Companies which comprises of the following conglomerates:
• E.Ekesons Bros. Nig Ltd (Transport Company)
• Fenok Industries Ltd (Manufactures of Auto-parts, brake pads & linings)
• Ekesons Parcel Services (Courier Services)- born out of the passion for the industry, and the desire to satisfy the yearnings of the numerous passengers of the transport section, and the entire populace who continually demanded for such services. Licensed by NIPOST, EPS operates full mails, parcel and cargo haulage services to ensure comfortable returns on investment for investors. Currently, it has over 6 branches nationwide with yet elaborate plans
• E.Ekesons Bros. Enterprises (W.A.) LTD.
• E.M Agencies Limited - an arm of the Group which deals in innovative transport system. Recently, the Huyue Tricycle was introduced for comfort and safety in beating the perennial traffic jams.
In conclusion, the secrets of life they say, lies in the story of men. Chief Eugene Ojukwu has grown from grass to grace and have become one of Nigeria's men of outstanding clout in the entrepreneurial circle. A classical case of doggedness and tenacity, holding on to a paradigm that surpasses our immediate environment and giving back to the society that produces you - positive in this sense, and not a reformist inclination. There is always a way where there seem to be no way.