• Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh and Editor, Sunday Sun, Mr. Chidi Nnadi, presenting letters nominating Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods Limited (photo, left) and Chief James Uzuh, Chairman of J_Jumac Industries Limited (photo, right) respectively as winners of The Sun Industrialist of the Year award for 2023 in Onitsha and Lagos. Photo: Temitope Aina
The Sun Publishing Limited has been commended for making out time to seek out Nigerians who deserve recognition for their outstanding contributions to the country’s development.
According to the Chairman, Tiger Foods Limited, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu and Chairman/CEO of J_Jumac Industries, Chief James Uzuh, recognising Nigerians who have done well will serve as tonic to do more.
Ebubeogu and Uzuh, who are winners of The Sun Industrialist of the Year award for 2023, will join 32 others who will also receive other categories of awards on February 17, 2024 in Lagos.
Speaking separately while receiving the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, who presented them with letters of nomination for the awards, Ebubeogu and Uzuh noted that awards from The Sun were worthy of celebration.
In his remark on behalf of the Chairman, Managing Director of Tiger Foods, Don Ebubeogu, said their numerous staff, clients and customers were happy that their efforts at producing high quality spices and others have received some acclaim.
He said: “The award is not just to my brother, the Chairman. It’s to the entire people who made Tiger Foods what it is. I think it is going to tonic for them. It shows that the world is observing what we are doing.”
The Tiger Foods MD noted that Nigeria has the potential to become world leader in food processing particularly in the spices and seasoning sector, adding that his company was doing a lot of pioneering work in the sector dominated by Indians.
He stated that one of the major achievements of the completely indigenous food spices company was the inclusion of African flavour in its products.
Ebubeogu described many competitors in the sector as portfolio investors who merely import the raw materials, package them in smaller quantities and sell.
He said: “We are really into the processing, getting from farmers, cleaning out the sand, removing the stones, grinding, blending, things like that. So, when you take that whole lot, it is not everybody that will take that route. That is why they are asking us to supply some of the already processed materials to them. We make it a kind of a company policy to restrict the Research and Development (R and D) department to Nigerians alone. Every single product you see here are developed by Nigerians.”
According to him, the journey over the past 27 years had been paved with a lot of self-denials, financial discipline, dedication, passion and partnership.
On his part, Uzuh said that it was the first indigenous recognition to him and his company since 1994 when he founded it.
He said that he was happy and humbled by the award, noting: “For me, what makes it more exciting is that I never lobbied for it before I was nominated, which was why I asked them the question how they got to know about me and my company. I am delighted to receive it.
“The Sun has a name to protect and I am sure that if you give an award to people or organisations without credibility, some people are likely going to query your integrity and so I am surprised you even know what we’re doing here in helping to conserve foreign exchange for Nigeria through the setting up a business that can produce locally what we have been importing from China and other foreign countries for many years.
“We suffered rejection from clients, strong resistance from importers who preferred to be distributing and selling goods made in China. But because we had a dream to support government create jobs and conserve foreign exchange, we persisted to set up a company that can create jobs for our youths manufacturing locally.”
He called on the Federal Government to support genuine entrepreneurs to help them overcome some of the tough challenges of the nation’s business environment.
Earlier, The Sun MD praised Ebubeogu for achieving so much in spices snd seasoning industry, using strategic partnerships, distribution networks, and a keen understanding of diverse global taste preferences.
“You have set a standard of excellence and innovation in the food industry. You recognised the need for evolution, and strategically shifted Tiger Foods’ focus from catering to industrial food production. This transition was marked by a commitment to continuous innovation, resulting in the introduction of products that seamlessly blend tradition with modernity,” Ukeh said.
Similarly, Editor, Sunday Sun, Chidi Nnadi, who represented The Sun MD, noted the impact of Izuh in the industrialisation process of the country.
Apart from Ebubeogu and Uzuh, others who will receive The Sun Awards 2023 are, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Groiup; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (Man of the Year); Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State (Governor of the Year); Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Prof Awa Kalu and Rev. Uma Ukpai (Lifetime Achievement Award); HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri (Most Impactful Royal Father of the Year).
Others are Amb Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State governor (First Lady of the Year); Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate, Labour Party (LP) (Political Icon of the Year); Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Chairman/CEO, Richland Property and Homes Limited; Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), Chairman, Diamond Leeds Ltd and Chief Peter Oge Obih, Chairman, Sea Map Group of Companies (Businessman of the Year); High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Chairman, Pinnatech Engineering Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oludare Akande, Chairman, Bellagio Air Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, MD, Property World Africa Network (PWAN) Group (Investor of the Year); Dr. Uche Ogah, President, Masters Energy Group (Industrialist of the Year); Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chairman, Keves Global Leasing Ltd; Lady Adaora Umeoji, DMD, Zenith Bank Plc and Archbishop Dr. Emeka Agwu, President, Voice of Evangelism International, Houston, Texas, USA (Humanitarian Service Icon); and Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman, Tantita Security (Courage in Leadership Award).
Also, other award winners are Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroluem Regulatory Commission; Mr. Robert Aziboala, Founder, Zeetin Engineering Limited and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, Wema Bank and Mr. Femi Bakre, Managing Director, Parallex Bank (Banker of the Year); Bukola Olopade, MD/CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd. (Sport Personality of the Year); Lady Ngozi Ezeonu and Tobi Bakre (Nollywood Icon of the Year).