From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
An Onitsha-based industrialist and former President of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (ONICIMA) Chief Don Ebubeogu, has lamented the deplorable condition of Onitsha-Owerri federal road which he said has crippled their business.
He however called on federal ministry of works to come their aid by the rehabilitation of the road or at worst do a palliative work on the road to ease transportation of goods and customers in and out of the area.
Ebubeogu who is the Managing Director of Tiger Foods Ltd, Onitsha, Anambra State, located along Onitsha-Owerri road said the sorry state of the road has been hinder customers to access their industry and to bring in raw materials into the industry that between 600 and 800 employees.
Speaking to some members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Anambra State Council who were on a facility tour to the industry, Ebubeogu stated that the company blends contemporary and local materials to produce local taste that can appeal to both local/continental customers.
He noted that the company is motivated by the passion for healthy foods to produce a range of spices, seasonings and drinks such as ginger, garlic, thyme and currie powder; tomato mix, and mayonnaise.
Other products in the line of beverages and herbs such as soft drinks, energy, alcoholic, and spirit including Tiger energy drink, Nine herbal drinks, among others.
He explained that the company has metamorphosed from their mother’s Mama-Put (food vendor) business in Port Harcourt to become one of the leading indigenous food processing and beverage industry in Nigeria.
Ebubeogu noted that despite the daunting challenges facing production in Nigeria such as power supply, his company chose to look more at the enormous gains in the Southeast Nigeria.
According to Mr Ebubogu, watching over 80% of fully loaded trucks coming into the Southeast from Bridge Head, Onitsha daily and going back empty should open the eyes of people to realise the gap that should be explored to enhance the economy of the state in particular and Nigeria at large.W
“We want to produce goods that can be taken outside the Southeast to other parts of Nigeria and beyond, but we are challenged by a lack of skilled work force. We are hoping that the 1 Youth 2 Skills initiative of Governor Soludo administration will produce more skilled workforce that can assist us with the staff strength of over 800 persons already in our employ,” he said.
The Tiger food MD stated that the company does not only demonstrate humanity and safety consciousness in our production strategy, we try to make each staff member to be happy and have a sense of belonging by contributing to pension scheme of 12% where the staff contribute 5% and the company contributes 7% in order to save for the future.The Tiger Foods Boss explained that their products are exported to Ghana and other West African countries and they are currently making in-road to Europe, pointing out that the company is pleased to partner the NUJ, Anambra State Council for their role in sensitising citizens about the need to make valuable contributions for the good of the society.
Ebubogu who is a trained food technologist from the Institute of Food Technology, Chicago, United States of America, is also a member of the American Institute of Baking, Manhattan; member, American Spice Trade Association, Washington DC; member, Nigerian Herbs and Spices Association; as well as a Council member of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ONICCIMA.
The Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council, Dr. Emeka Odogwu in his remarks commended the Managing Director of Tiger Foods Ltd, Ebubeogu for the courage to forge ahead while many companies are becoming moribund due to severe and harsh economic challenges.
Dr. Odogwu noted that the NUJ Anambra State Council decided to visit Tiger Foods to promote the company that has been adding enormous value to Anambra State economy and reducing youth unemployment and urged the management to keep up the good work.
The Chairman, NUJ Press Week 2023 Planning committee, Dr. Njide Ezeonyejiaku expressed gratitude to the Management of Tiger Foods for opening their doors to the NUJ to interact with them as part of the activities marking the Press Week in Anambra State which she said is a forum for journalists to interact with different segments of the society, celebrate journalists and remind them of their roles and responsibilities to the society.
The members of NUJ later toured the industry where an Indian expatriate took them round the industry observing safety and health measures.