Nigeria’s foremost funeral undertaker and Chief Executive Officer of APAMS Funeral Limited, Sir Dr. Kevin Chukwumobi, has expressed happiness and fulfilment over his decision to abandon his pharmaceutical and medical services business more than three decades ago to pursue his vision in funeral undertaking.
Chukwumobi stated this during his annual birthday interview with newsmen to mark his 56th birthday, as he reflected on his life, business journey, challenges, successes and the lessons he had learnt over the years, particularly regarding the decisions that changed the course of his career.
The Ukpor-born businessman said one of the decisions he remained most grateful for was the courage to leave a familiar business and pursue an idea many people around him initially considered strange.
He recalled that he was already operating Amuche Pharmacy and Medical Services before quitting it and venturing into funeral undertaking in 1992, adding that it was from the name of the former business that he coined the acronym “APAMS”, which has become the identity of his funeral undertaking company.
According to him, leaving his pharmaceutical business for funeral undertaking was not an easy decision, especially as the new venture did not immediately bring returns. He said some of his friends and other people around him mocked him for going into the business, but he remained convinced that he was following his vision and the right path.
Chukwumobi said it took more than 11 years before he started experiencing the breakthrough he had expected, noting that the long wait taught him some of the most important lessons about business and life. He consequently advised young people against expecting immediate success whenever they start something new, urging them to remain patient, hardworking, dedicated, innovative and focused on their vision.
He testified the business which started on a very small scale and even attracted ridicule has today grown into a multi-billion-naira enterprise, with branches and operations in different parts of the country. He described APAMS as the most recognised name in the funeral business, citing its growth in fleet, workforce, geographical coverage, innovation, service delivery and clientele.
According to him, the growth of APAMS had been driven by continuous innovation and efforts to improve the standard of funeral services, making the company known for a wide range of funeral-related services and a fleet of specialised vehicles.
The APAMS Boss, however, said the greatest measure of his success was not only the size or visibility of his company, but the number of lives that have been affected by the business. He said the company had created employment opportunities for many young people and provided a means of livelihood for numerous families who depend directly or indirectly on its operations.
He urged young entrepreneurs to remain committed to their dreams, saying that the early struggles he faced in APAMS did not prevent the business from eventually becoming a widely known brand in Nigeria and beyond
Reflecting on his 56 years, he expressed gratitude to God, his family, staff, clients and others who had supported him over the years, saying he was particularly grateful that the vision he chose to pursue had not only given him personal fulfilment but had also grown into a business through which other people could make a living.
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