| I
want to be the Nestle of Africa
By Yetunde Oladeinde
Saturday, February
9, 2008
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•Gbonju
Awojuyigbe
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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It mid day and you are at Wandy foods located somewhere
in Agege, Lagos. First you nostrils are stirred up by the
pleasant smell of the products and the ingredients as you
watch some ladies at work. Then you sight two other ladies
packaging another product in sealed nylons neatly. It is indeed
a beehive of activity around here while some costumers make
enquiries about one thing or the other.
Bespectacled Gbonju Awojuyigbe is the brain behind the organization
and she takes you into her world. Interestingly she read Law
at the University Of Ibadan and graduated in 1991. She went
to the Law school in 1991 and was called to the bar two years
after. But today the energetic lady is into manufacturing
of whole-wheat flour, plantain flour, ground rice and white
flour.
“ We supply supermarkets, bakers, Park and shop, Osata
and a some other clients outside Lagos. In the next few years
I want to see a situation where every family in Nigeria would
be using our products. I intend to be the Nestle of Africa
and expand to other countries.”
Happily she recalls her humble beginning and takes through
the rough road to success. “My mentor is Ronke Onadeko.
I also admire people like Mr. Kuteyi of Succo beverages and
drinks. I have mentors on the internet too.”
She practiced law briefly and ran away. “ I didn’t
enjoy the practice.” At this point she got a job at
the first African Trust bank, which later became Eagles bank
in Victoria Island. She was there for 6 years before resigning
in 1997.In the bank, Awojuyigbe started as a receptionists
then she became a cashier, a credit officer and the risk,
management department.
“ In fact I worked in almost all the departments. I
enjoyed the job and I worked with great people .It was very
interesting but very boring. I realized that I was not cut
our for the job. I discovered that I was not fulfilled. I
was a restless person and I wanted something more adventurous.”
As a banker, Awojuyigbe recalls that all her salary went into
shoes, bags, clothes and other accessories. Then one day she
wanted to spend so much money to celebrate her birthday. “But
my friend advised me to invest the money. That was how I bought
my first equipment, a sealing machine for N500 at Idumota.Then
I started buying the other tools one after the other”.
That was the beginning of her and she joined the long list
of manufacturers in the country. “My first attempt was
while I was in the bank and I did this simultaneously with
my job. It was a success and we did not have any problem with
NAFDAC because it was not in existence then. It was strenuous
but I enjoyed every minute spent in my factory. I didn’t
even have a car”.
Gradually her products gained credibility in the market. It
was also lucrative and she tried to discover other opportunities.
One of such was traveling to Dubai to buy gold and laces.
“Unfortunately, a lot of my customers were owing. In
the process you had to quarrel and shout to recover your money.
I didn’t like this and so I opted out”.
That gave her ample time to give her business more attention.
Awojuyigbe went to fate foundation and acquired more knowledge
on how to run the business properly. “ There I learnt
how to make proper recording, marketing my products and networking.
We got so many people coming to train us and I was convinced
that I was doing the right thing. When I started a lot of
people felt that I should not have resigned from the bank.
They felt that I was leaving certainty for uncertainty. Some
thought I was crazy. I didn’t even have a car then but
for me it was an adventure that I loved.”
She adds: “ So, far the business has been very lucrative
but it is also capital intensive. Manufacturing takes a lot
of money, energy, guts and dedication. You have to know God
and believe in yourself.”
Any regrets? “None. I prefer doing this even though
most of my colleagues are now bank mangers. I do not envy
my colleagues in the bank because I have great satisfaction
with what I am doing. Over the years I have acquired a number
of machines and they are assets that makes me happy.
Personnel, finance and the credit system in Nigeria are some
of the challenges Awojuyigbe identifies and she says they
need to be given urgent attention. “Most times you deliver
your goods and they pay later. Cash flow is a problem and
this affects small-scale businesses in Nigeria.
Now, Awojuyigbe is thinking of expansion. “I want to
go into cakes, cookies, bread especially whole wheat bread.
For me 24 hours is not enough to do the things I want to do
but I try to organize myself properly. However the most important
thing is that you can plan your time your own way.”
Even though she has the a-z of her business, Awojuyigbe continues
to seek for information that would enhance her productivity.
“ I always read and browse for new ideas about the business.
You need to keep abreast of the new developments in the industry.
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