They may not be the wealthiest in the state but their impact in the economy of Anambra state speaks volume and stands them out. One thing is common among them- they believe in Anambra state and have huge investment there. These 13 Anambra industrialists started from humble beginnings but have built industrial empires which have become bastion of job creation. There is no conversation about manufacturing in Anambra state without space for their input. They are respected for their mix of intelligence, ambition, determination, and perseverance and their stories of hardship, labor and success set new benchmarks, and serve as an inspiration to everyone. Some of them are not from Anambra state but have heavy investment in the state. Meet the 13 most respected industrialists as captured by ANAMBRA PEOPLE;
CLETUS IBETO: Dr. Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto is the Chairman/CEO of The Ibeto Group. The group has interest in cement manufacturing, auto spare parts and petrochemicals. He is a renowned and acknowledged industrialist. His giant strides in the economy of Nigeria especially in the area of job creation have seen him receive multiple national honours.
INNOCENT CHUKWUMA: is an Anambra business magnate and astute entrepreneur. He is the Chairman and founder of Innoson Group of Companies, and also the man behind Africa’s first indigenous motor brand, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing. He operated one of the biggest plastic industries in Nigeria before his venture into automobile manufacturing. He has since grown into a force in the auto manufacturing sector in Nigeria.
ALEXANDER CHIKA OKAFOR: is the Chairman and founder of Chicason Group of companies. The Chicason Group comprises of over thirteen vibrant companies with interest in lubricants, vegetable oil, detergents, plastics, recycling, etc. His company is reputed to be the largest employer of labor after government in Anambra state. Dr. Okafor is a recipient of many national and international awards. He has been awarded the African International Award of Merit and Anambra Man of the Year Award.
AJULU UZODIKE: is a Harvard Business School alumnus whose cable company Cutix Nigeria was the first indigenous company owned by an Igbo man to be listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Cutix Cable is adjudged one of the best Cables in Nigeria and among the first 10 in the world. The company marked its 40th Anniversary recently and has continued to wax stronger.
DANIEL CHUKWUDOZIE: is the founder and Group Managing Director of Dozzy Group and has over 4 decades of vast entrepreneurial experience. Dozzy Group constitutes a well-integrated indigenous conglomerate with strong interest in manufacturing. Apart from their other business interests, the company is into manufacturing of high quality lubricants. They recently went into the production of fruit juice.
IFEANYI OKOYE: is the founder and promoter of Juhel Nigeria, Ltd., a pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketer in Nigeria. At its inception, the company focused on manufacturing and selling pharmaceuticals in Eastern Nigeria; now, however, the company sells its pharmaceutical products not only in Eastern Nigeria but all across Nigeria. The company is already believed to be one of the top five pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria.
CHRIS CHIDIUME: the traditional leader of Omor kingdom is one of the foremost industrialists and a renowned entrepreneur with exceptional leadership skill and innovative cum creative abilities. He is the Founder and Chairman of Krisoral Group of Companies. Krisoral Group of Companies is a holding company for four subsidiaries viz: Eastern Distilleries & Food Industries Limited, Krisoral & Company Limited, Krisoral-Agro Allied Company Limited and Liquid & Life Chemicals Limited. that are into Packaging, Farming, Food Processing & Distilling. The company operates the only ROPP and HDPE plant in south eastern Nigeria.
EBUKA ONUNKWO: is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Seahorse Lubricant Industries Limited, Ozubulu, Anambra State. His company manufactures various brands of lubricating oil for internal combustion engines and mechanical systems.
CHIKA EMENIKE: is the Chairman of Kotec Group of companies with subsidiary companies such as; Tummy Tummy Foods Ltd, makers of Tummy Tummy Noodles and Events Table Water, Kotec Industrial Company Ltd, producers of kotec and chitec brands of motorcycle spare parts; Kotec bricks, etc.
CHIKE OBIDIGBO: is the founder and Managing Director of Hardis and Dromedas, a company that has touched many lives producing over 27 household products. Obidigbo has over 40 years of running the company employing over 600 staffers and 7 expatriates at a time. Hardis manufactures a very wide range of domestic/household products, plastics, cosmetics and health products in addition to waste recycling and research. Dr. Obidigbo was former Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, South East Chpater.
EBUBEOGU BROTHERS: Celestine and his brother, Don are reputed as the best brand managers in Anambra presently. They founded Tiger foods Ltd, a food seasoning and beverage manufacturing company with its factory located along Onitsha/Owerri Road, Onitsha. It has a lot of varieties of products including the tiger spices brands.
HUMPHREY NGONADI: is the Chairman of Ngobros Nigeria LTD. Ngobros is undoubtedly one of the leading auto spare parts, lubricants and daily care providers in Nigeria, serving a wide range of customers from various African countries, as well as the Nigerian local markets. The company is also the makers of babymate diapers, first company to do so in Anambra. His contributions and expertise in the field of manufacturing made the administration of Prof. Soludo to see the need in appointing his son as the commissioner of industry.
AZUBUIKE OKAFOR: founded Zubee Industries Nigeria LTD, one of the few surviving biscuit industries in the state. They are the producers of the popular biscuit, Zubix biscuits. He has served in top manufacturing positions like; Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States branch, National Council Member, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, etc.
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