Industrialist Of The Year
Chief Cyril Okoye (Ezeani Adazie N’Adazi) had a humble but inspiring beginning, starting life from hawking shoes from house to house and rising to become an entrepreneur of note.
From selling shoes, young Cyril veered into building materials business in Onitsha and did it for some years before switching over to selling clothes at the commercial city’s main market.
After some years of determination and resilience, he ventured into importation, traveling to different countries, like France, Hong Kong, and Italy, to import clothes.
That business lasted until the federal government placed a ban on the importation of the products.
Okoye’s trip to China in 1998 for a trade fair marked a turning point in his business.
It was there that he established contact with the CEO of Celgo Manufacturing Company Limited, China, manufacturers of Diplomat Toothbrush, and entered into a partnership, which has paid off.
Today, Diplomat Toothbrush and Diplomat Toothpastes, which his company produces, have become choice products among the upper class, with presence in major cities across the country.
His products are also in Ghana and other West African countries as well as the United Kingdom and the United States.
Apart from toothbrush and toothpaste, Chief Okoye also has a bricks factory called Niger Power Bricks Industry Limited, whose products have redefined building construction.
His high quality and unique bricks make durable and esthetically fine buildings and paved roads possible.
He is The Sun Industrialist of the Year Award winner.