Digital Edition of Micasa, C.I.EKEH Consumers Magazine by Oluwasegun Matthew

Edition 2, 2015

EDIT ION

The Customer Magazine of C.I.Ekeh and Co

We have kept our promise to Nigeria these past 15 years MD/CEO, Cletus Ikenna Ekeh C.I. Ekeh

NUMBERS

ISO

N8 BILLION Turnover of C.I.Ekeh in the last three years

C.I. Ekeh's major trade partners/warehouse owners and dealers across the country

354 5 Locations across the country

Stars that shine can barely go unnoticed. We are honoured; our commitment to quality is not unnoticed as we are recognised with the mark of quality- the ISO Certification.

Employees on C.I. Ekeh's payroll

Thank you all, we did it together!

1996

Year the firm contacted his suppliers in Belgium about the possibility of helping to install a mini-re-sizing and finishing plant

C.I.Ekeh House Plot 49 Mothercat/Amadi Ama road, Trans Amadi industrial layout By Mothercat Junction, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Telephone:+234 803 339 4394: +234 805 742 2246, +234 818 484 4339 Office Line: +234 84 798 671 E-mail:info@ciekeh.com

4 to 5 Days it takes the firm to make prompt deliveries to all parts of Nigeria

1990

Year the company started business as a trading concern

0.40mm

2008 The the company got a facility from the Bank of Industry and established a state-of-the-art factory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

The thickness [gauge] of the sheets approved by SON and supplied by the firm

contents C.I. Ekeh’s comprehensive pre-installation reports guide all facets of our installation process - Prince Eze

28-29

“We have kept our promise to Nigeria these past 15 years”

Designs are as important as installations

18-23

30-31

Sixty more houses

“If C.I. Ekeh does not stop innovating, we'll keep supporting” 24-25

Delivered as C.I. Ekeh and Co sustains collaboration on affordable housing in Nigeria

50-51

Written, design and produced by eMaginations Limited for C.I. Ekeh and Co. all enquiries is to micasa@emaginations.com.ng The BrickHouse: 17, Yinusa Adeniji Street, off Toyin/Unity Street, Ikeja Office: +234-1-453 6750 www.emaginationsng.com info@emaginationsng.com

Vision To be a leading manufacturer of aluminum products in Nigeria institution with the best people, providing unequalled customer experience and delivering superior shareholder value

Mission We will consistently exceed customer expectation by providing value-adding products through professional and highly motivated people, delivering excellent performance.

products Ekeh Brands of Cookware Ekeh C957SC Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Cookware Set, 12-Piece, Gray

Message from the Chief Executive

Color: Gray SPECIFICATIONS: 1. Metal utensil safe nonstick for easy use and maintenance 2. Wide grip riveted handles offer strength and control 3. Glass lids for better viewing 4. Oven safe to 350-degree (F), Dishwasher Safe 5. Limited lifetime warranty, safe for all cooking methods except induction

Ekeh Cook N Home 15 Piece Non stick Black Soft handle Cookware Set

t gives me a profound sense of fulfillment to have yet another edition of our publication. The past six months have been very epochal in the journey of our company towards sustaining our avowed commitment to giving Nigerians the best quality roofing material and cookwares. It has been tough, yet exciting. It has been tough because the year 2015 was an election year in Nigeria with all the uncertainties that rendered business decision-making difficult. The entire Nigerian economic landscape witnessed an unprecedented cash squeeze for inexplicable reasons, a development that slowed products uptake by consumers. Construction, both the public and private sector, slowed while payments for invoices matured in frustrating trickles. The uncertainties continued after the elections, following the emergence of an opposition party at the national level. As if this was not bad enough, the Nigerian naira dropped in value against major international

currencies by over 50 percent. The price that had to be paid for this was increased cost of importation of raw materials and components. But in the face of all these debilitating challenges, you have continued to work hard in ensuring there was no downtime in product supplies and quality assurance. What this did for us is that our customers trusted even more and enabled us to do more businesses than our closest competitor. We are yet to get the final reports from our auditors but I can assure you that the numbers I am seeing, at the company level and from the volume from our partners, will make us close the year on a high. However, congratulations to the team that organized the recent Sales and Distribution Convention of our great company. The choice of Kano as the venue of the 2015 edition was a tough one, considering the distance from the headquarters. But as you all may have known by now, the 2015 edition was the most well-attended in the history of this great event.

From staff to partners, the learning points we took from the international experts who spoke to us at the event will help to sharpen our drive for consistent quality and market leadership.

Color: Black SPECIFICATIONS: 1. Tempered glass lids makes viewing food easy from start to finish 2. Nonstick coating provides long lasting superior Non-stick performance 3. Soft touch handles stay cool when cooking ,anti-slip silicone on handle make it comfortable 4. Heavy gauge aluminum is super conductive for even heat distribution 5. Easy clean exterior; Not for Induction Stove top

Ekeh Classic Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set SPECIFICATIONS 1. Set includes 1-, 1-1/2- and 2-quart saucepans (each with lids); 5-1/2-quart saucepot with lid; 7- and 9-inch nonstick skillets 2. Made of heavy 18/10 stainless steel polished to mirror finish 3. Aluminum in pans' bases for quick, even heating; bases capped by stainless steel 4. Close fitting glass lids; classically styled phenolic handles 5. Oven safe to 350 degrees F; dishwasher safe, though handwashing recommended; limited lifetime warranty

It also delights me to formally announce the certification of a number of our products, from cookware to roofing sheets, by the International Standards Organisation (ISO). This certification, as you know, came with a lot of sacrifice and further reinforces our commitment to uncompromising quality. To our dear customers, we will never renege on our promise to always provide all the support you need in driving your end of our business. We know the values you bring to us and will always be proud of how much you have been, and will continue to be, able to sustain our growth. I thank you for your trust and confidence as we look forward to continue to build this partnership into the soon-to-come year 2016 and beyond.

Ekeh C770SF Signature Hard Anodized Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Cookware Set, 15-Piece, Colour: Gray SPECIFICATIONS 1. Nonstick interior 2. Hard anodized exterior for long-lasting durability 3. Soft-touch handles are ergonomically designed for a comfortable; secure grip 4. Even heat base delivers even heat distribution for reliable cooking results 5. Oven safe up to 350-degree F 6. Thermo-Spot heat indicator show when the pan is preheated to seal in the flavor of your food. 7. Non-stick interior for easy cooking and easy clean up 8. Limited Lifetime Warranty

Ekeh 66-14 Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Piece Cookware Set SPECIFICATIONS 1. 1-1/2- and 3-qt saucepan, 8- and 10-in skillet, 4-qt saute, 9-qt stockpot, 7-3/4-in steamer insert, and 9-1/2-in pasta steamer insert--all with covers 2. Hard-anodized exterior with aluminum core; Quantanium nonstick interior 3. Riveted stainless-steel handles stay cool on the stovetop 4. Tight-fitting, break-resistant tempered glass covers for easy monitoring of cooking food 5. Product Built to Nigerian Electrical Standards

product

aluminum companies in Nigeria that guarantee the quality of the product from alloy composition to roof installation. This is one of the reasons the company has become a preferred choice for manufacturers.

Why modern industrialists prefer C.I. Ekehâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building envelope

n the last 10 years, industrial buildings and warehouses have sprung up everywhere across the country as the nation's industrial sector received boosts as a result of successive governments' â&#x20AC;&#x153;Made-in-Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;? scheme. The Made-in-Nigeria project was a major new national programme designed to facilitate investment, foster

innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure. To build its industrial building and warehouses, most of the investors rely on C.I. Ekeh and Co for design, supply and installation system. Unlike years past when industrialists

used brick and mortar to build their factories and warehouses, they now preferred metal cladding systems. Metal cladding systems provide an efficient, attractive and reliable solution to the building envelope needs of single storey buildings. Over the years, these systems have evolved from the single

Principal components The principal components of C.I. Ekeh metal clad industrial type building called Building Envelope, have three essential layers to the structure, which include the primary steel frame, the secondary steelwork, the roof and wall cladding.

skin metal cladding often associated with agricultural buildings to highly developed systems used in industrial, retail and leisure applications. However, as with all construction components, the ability of the building envelope to satisfy its functional requirements is dependent on its correct specification and installation. Interestingly, C.I. Ekeh and Co is one of the few vertically integrated

The primary steel frame comprises columns, rafters and bracing.

The secondary frame consists of side rails and purlins for the walls and the roof respectively. These members serve three purposes of supporting the cladding, transferring load from the cladding to the primary steel frame and restraining the primary steel frame members.

3. The roof and wall cladding whose functions include some or all of the following: a.

Separating the enclosed space from the external environment

Transferring load to the secondary steelwork

Restraining the secondary steelwork

d. Providing thermal insulation e.

Providing acoustic insulation

Preventing fire spread

Providing an airtight envelope

h. Providing ventilation to a building (ventilated or unventilated roofs and walls). The cladding will normally include ancillary components such as windows, roof lights, vents and gutters. As an alternative to the layout, some types of cladding may be installed directly to the primary steelwork without the need for purlins or cladding rails. Examples are construction deck and membrane for roofs and liner trays for walls. Where such solutions exist, the cladding must be designed to span directly between the rafters, roof beams or trusses. This is achieved by the use of deep profiled decks or trays, but where these are insufficient for the required span; intermediate supports in the form of secondary beams or hot rolled purlins will need to be installed etc.

products

products EkehBond PLUS This brand is developed exclusively for more stringent requirements of the fire prevention regulations in architectural products. Thanks to its mineral-filled, core EkehBond Plus meet the stricter requirement of the fire classifications. It is hardly inflammable and offers all the proven product properties of the EkehBond family, such as flatness, formability, resistance to weather and easy processing.

Surfaces EKEBOND Plus surfaces are coated using exclusively high-quality and eco-friendly lacquer system. They are highly weather resistance and resistant to industrial emissions. These properties are achieved using UV-resistant bonding agents. For top-level architecture in exterior applications, the company use high-grade polymer coating system, e.g. PVDF and FEVE lacquers, which have proved ideal for architectural applications. These surface coatings are applied by coil-coating technology using a continuous coating and curing process. The quality of the coating is tested according to standards established by E.C.C.A. (European coil coating association).

Installation To avoid possible reflection difference (for metallic natural, urban and spectra and sparkling colours), it is essential to install the panel in the same direction as marked on the protective peel-off-foil. Colour variation may occur between panel originating from different production batches. To ensure colour consistency, the total requirement for a project should be placed in one order. Make sure to remove the foil as soon as possible after installation as prolonged exposure to the elements could make the foil difficult to remove. When stacking the panels, nothing should be placed in between them, as this could produce marks on the panels. It recommended to only stack pallets of identical size should, with a maximum of 6 pallets stacked on top of each other.

Warranty

Recycling

FaĂ§ade cladding: Six reasons Ekehbondplus remains architectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice Good architectural design starts with vision and inspiration. C.I Ekeh mission is to colour Nigeria and Africa by inspiring the people who design and build remarkable buildings with innovative colours and designs. Its products cover many renowned architectural building projects across the country. C.I Ekeh's range of EkehBond cladding is the market leader because of its unique flatness, varieties of surfaces and colours as well as excellent formability. Six distinct characteristics separate EKEHBOND Plus, C.I Ekeh's premium brand, in faĂ§ade cladding.

EkehBond Plus can be fully recycled, i.e. both the core material and the aluminum cover sheets can be recycled and used for the production of new material.

EkehBond Plus stands for high quality and longevity, warranties according to the product specification and approved field of application can be obtained upon request.

Environment, Health And Safety For 3A composites, effective, continuous environmental protection is a top priority. It is of utmost importance to preserve our natural resources for future generation. 3A composites is committed to implementing its own continual improvements in environmental protection, measures which go above and beyond government regulations. 3A composites were one of the first companies to develop its own

Sustainability Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are c ons id e re d t o p rovid e t he mos t comprehensive and transparent environmental data about construction products. In addition, the task of EPD evaluation is entrusted to independent experts. The EPD for EkehBond Plus composite panels contains all relevant data.

cover grown to become a manufacturing company, directly employing 354 people and changing the entire built industry landscape in Nigeria. But, in the words of Cletus Ikenna Ekeh, [C.I. Ekeh] founder of the company, everything has remained the same. For an outsider, it is difficult to understand how a company that started business with N5 million, which was a personal of one man with five thriving regional hubs across the country, could not have changed. A look at the numbers will even present further confusion. C.I. Ekeh & Co. averaged a turnover volume of N8billion in over the last three years and is looking to commence the construction of a second factory to take advantage of the growth in demands for its kitchenware business. So how would anyone believe such a company has remained the same for fifteen years?

15 Years on, still quality customers can trust 14

or C.I.Ekeh, everything has changed, yet remained the same in the last 15 years it has done business in Nigeria. Everything has changed because from a single warehouse, opened on that fateful morning of March 21, 1990, the company has

For us, here, as much as growth is important, we measure our success a lot more on how we have been able to remain faithful to the promise we made to the market when we started. How we have consistently maintained our quality standards and how we have ensured our staff wake up each morning still looking forward to coming here to contribute their quota to sustain these promises we have made to the market. This is more important than what you see in our balance sheet because without these factors, the numbers in

the balance sheet will not happen. And that is why I have kept saying we have not changed a bit,” the MD/CEO said at a breakfast meeting to celebrate this milepost. It was a warm morning on that day in March and the CEO had summoned a meeting of management and the staff to the muster point at the head office. That had been his style over the years. Not knowing how to draw visible lines between management and line staff, Ekeh likes sending his “very important message to everyone at meetings that everyone attends. “It gives everyone a sense of ownership,” he once said. Unlike the days when there were safety drills, chairs were set at the muster point and a caterer was offloading food, soft drinks and water from a van. Very business-like, Ekeh stood before everyone, took a surveying look around the premises and then began to speak. “I remember that day 15 years ago when we first opened for business,” he began. It was at this point that most people began to look at their phones to look up what the date was. Most did not remember that March 21 was here again. “I remember how we had opened shop, five of us impatiently waiting for our first customer. We were there for hours, opening drawer and fiddling with calculators and the invoices we had printed and generally pretending to be in business. “It was hopelessly frustrating. But it was also fruitful. I

cover

How it all began: The warehouse where the company started operations in 1990

say this because it was in the midst of all these that one of us walked over to me and asked me a question that was to eventually become very important in this our journey. “”Excuse me, sir, what are our vision and mission statements? I heard that they are important in business.”

providing value-adding products through professional and highly motivated people and delivering excellent performance' “This exercise became a major turning point in our business and from what was to be a 'one-man-business' we re-created the vision and got others involved.

“I looked at the then very young secondary school leaver I had hired to help keep the books and realized I had not even thought about what will constitute the very soul of what we were embarking on. So I summoned the others and for the next three days, we brainstormed until we came up with those things you see practically everywhere in the premises.

“I am saying this because what happened that day provided the basis for what you are seeing today and each time I tell you that we have ever remained the same, I will not be referring to the growth we have experienced. I will be referring to how we have been able to build a culture of strong business ethics and corporate culture that has enabled us not to depart from that promise we had made from the get-go.

“We told ourselves back then that our vision will be 'To be the leading manufacturer of aluminum products in Nigeria, employing the best people, providing unequalled customer experience and delivering superior shareholder value.' “We also said our mission would be to 'consistently exceed customer expectation by

“This is not a day for long speeches. I just felt we all should gather here for a few minutes, over this breakfast reflect on how far we have come, and appreciate what we have been able to achieve together. “I will always say we are on a long journey and it is a journey

I invite everyone to continue to be a part of. And we can only do that by consistently giving the market excellent products and services thereby fulfilling that eternal promise of ours which is…?” “Quality you can trust!” chorused everyone amidst applause. It is interesting to note that apart from one person who passed on about five years ago, the five pioneer staff of the company is still working with the company. Ola Oladesu, the secondary school leaver that was hired back in 1990 to help manage the then young company's accounts has gone on to obtain a degree in Accounting and today heads the finance department. The others are also heading various departments, having benefitted from the company's Staff Capacity Enhancement Policy that provides opportunities for staff to upgrade their academic qualifications and professional skills.

For happiness sake, follow this part, because, this is why we make the best Aluminium Utensils. So, make a happy home with Ekeh Utensils

cover

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have kept our promise to Nigeria these past 15 yearsâ&#x20AC;? Fifteen years is a significant milestone in the life of an organisation. In this chat, Managing Director and CEO, Cletus Ikenna Ekeh C.I. Ekeh, sheds light on the company's biggest challenges as a startup fifteen years ago and the plans for the future. Excerpts:

It's fifteen years since C.I. Ekeh and Co started business in Nigeria. How would you sum up the journey so far?

hank you so much. It has really been a very tough journey. Some of us have actually sat back and thank God that we undertook the journey. Fifteen years can be too short a time to take stock for an organisation that wants to go very far in business. But looking back, I think that with all sense of modesty, we have done very well for ourselves and for the market. You know the company that you and I are working in today was a child of necessity. We were importers of finished roofing sheets. That was in 1990. By every standard, we could say we were doing very well for ourselves as traders. There was no need to have all

the departments that we have today as a company. We did not have the number of offices we have today and essentially, we did not have this number of customers. So things were relatively very easy. But you know that shift in government policy could kill and build businesses. The Nigerian government reasoned that time had come for the country to start adding value to goods consumed here. So they increased tariff on finished products. That was precisely in 1996. It was a time of confusion for everybody. Some of my friends then did not know what to do. And these men had been in this business longer than us. In fact, some of them had put in over 20 years of importing and distributing roofing sheets before we came into the business. So we said to ourselves, why don't we do this here?

Why don't we find a way of establishing a resizing and finishing plant here? At that time, there were just two of us in management so decision-making was easier and faster. At a time other players in the industry were perfecting the art of smuggling their goods into the country, we were contacting our suppliers in Belgium for the establishment of a mini resizing and finishing plant. Our partners agreed. The next thing was to contact the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for all the necessary certifications. SON was excited about our initiative and supported us. The problem was however in the power sector. The epileptic power situation in the country was a major challenge but we were willing to take the risk. So our partners began to supply us aluminum sheets in rolls that our mini plants converted to roofing sheets. You know the SON's

cover

I learnt that man's greatest limitations to progress are two in number: his doubts about his own abilities and his fears of his capacity to change his own circumstances. 20

cover

standard for roofing sheets is 0.40mm. There was a temptation to tinker with this and probably reduce it to 0.32 or 0.36 to make more margins and make up for our huge investments in building our own power infrastructure. But we resisted that temptation because from the onset, we agreed and vowed to maintain a consistent standard of quality and fully comply with standards specified by the regulators. We grew from there and today, as they say, the rest is history. We know the playing in the manufacturing sector in Nigeria is filled with challenges, but what are some of the most significant of these challenges, especially in the light of the apparent success story of the company? Where do I even start? (Laughs). You know, it is convenient for people to blame external factors when they are answering questions like this. I know you must have been expecting me to mention power as the biggest challenges perhaps because I had mentioned it earlier here.

Our biggest challenge when we began, especially when we took the critical bend to establish that very first resizing and finishing plant, was ourselves. Yes! That is the truth. We had doubts about our ability to do it. We did not really believe at the onset that we could do it. I remember when the ideas first came. I was so scared I could not even tell my partner about it. And when I did, he screamed and thought I was out of my mind. It was a battle. I was fighting many voices that were saying I was not going to make it and I was fighting my partner who just does not even want to hear it. Strangely, my partner was the first to conquer his own fears and convinced me we should take the gamble and today, we were glad we made that decision. That was when I learnt that man's greatest limitations to progress are two in number: his doubts about his own abilities and his fears of his capacity to change his own circumstances. Yes. You cannot talk about challenges of doing business in Nigeria without talking about power. Electricity is a major issue and I am sure that if we had consistent power

I learnt that man's greatest limitations to progress are two in number: his doubts about his own abilities and his fears of his capacity to change his own circumstances.

supply, our margins would drop and we will produce at lower cost, reduce downtimes and therefore produce more and make more profits for our shareholders. But power will not even rank second in my calculations. Counterfeiters have made doing business in Nigeria a nightmare. It is difficult to make promises on your products to the market here because the bad guys will just stay at one corner, cobble something together, put your name on it and push to the market. Counterfeiters nearly frustrated us out of business but we were able to somehow beat them to their game and survive. We may also have to mention transportation. The roads in this country are terrible. Even with all the goods in transit insurance, accidents occasioned by bad roads have caused us painful supply disruptions. Remember we promised to deliver on orders in five days at the most. But when your delivery trucks upend a few kilometers to destination, what do you do? You start the journey afresh, hoping and praying that another accident does not happen. So, I think government needs to look at this and probably take the long term look of

investing in rail transportation. It is safer, faster and for us a lot cheaper. There is this notion that Nigerians would rather patronise foreign goods than the ones with the “Made in Nigeria” stamp. How true is this? The answer is yes and no. Yes because the unavailability of, …I will not call it local alternatives because Nigerians have their own peculiar understanding of what “local” means. I will rather call it a Made in Nigeria alternative. If there are quality products from the Nigerian market that can compete with the foreign alternatives, I see no reason why Nigerians will not buy Nigeria. Apart from taste, simple Economics will tell you why. With all factors in place and, here I am talking about power, infrastructure, technology and skilled manpower, goods produced in Nigeria will be cheaper than imported ones. Therefore, if for instance someone imports from the United States the same quality of roofing sheets as we are selling and he adds all his factors like freight, clearing etc, he certainly will sell higher than us and I see no Nigerian that will leave ours to buy

cover

that one simply because it carries a made in the United States stamp. So how did the company overcome this to become one of the biggest in the Nigerian market? Simple. We overcame our fears and believed in the potentials and opportunities the Nigerian market provides. We kept our promise to the market not to compromise on standards. That is all. You talked about how counterfeiting nearly slowed you down, can you tell us more about it? The Nigerian market is a tough one. You know Nigerians are very creative people. The only problem is some of us channel these creative energies rather negatively. In a number of corners of this country, there were many miniversions of C.I. Ekeh and Co, making and supplying roofing sheets, pots and pans to small markets. You will see that some have cloned our logo while some do a very clever job of creating something close, which is not ours but passes for us in the eyes of some unsuspecting customers. People have complained to us and we have found a way to tell them that those were not our products. We have had to show them proof. But it is those who do not complain that we sometimes worry about. You know what a dissatisfied customer does? He or she tells everybody and we do not get to see who they are talking to. How do you confront this? We adopted many ways to deal with this and we have good results so far.

We did a lot of public enlightenment strategy where we showed customers how to know the authentic C.I.Ekeh products. But you know that the average person does not remember all this when he or she is buying. So we have partnered with the SON and security agencies to heighten intelligence gathering, arrest, shut down and prosecute offenders. But I think the strongest strategy we have adopted is what we started recently by ensuring that we have a sales partner in all towns and cities across the country. This has helped our intelligence gathering as the manager of the outlets will know that if he deals with counterfeiters in his locality, his business is dead. It also brings the products closer to the people and ensures that they relate with our representative directly. This has become very effective and we are certainly going to strengthen this in the coming months to ensure we are everywhere. When we are everywhere, counterfeiters will be nowhere. “Quality you can trust” has been the underlying mantra of the company this many years. Don't you think it has served its purpose and should be changed now? How can you ask that question? Wherever have you heard that quality has expiry date? I know you are talking about adopting something that will refresh the brand and make us look a lot more dynamic, isn't that? That is ok. We may be able to do that in the future. But I doubt if it is in interest of the company to abandon the very essence of its existence simply because it wants to refresh its look and feel.

We promised the market quality and they have trusted us to deliver this over the years. What you see in that payoff is not just there because we need to have it. It is there because, from the guys in the factory floor to those in coating; from those in warehousing to the salesmen in the field and even to our sales partners and distributors, it serves as a constant reminder of what we stand for. Every day a customer sees that, they remember we are still keeping the promise we made to them. That is very important to us. You have the highest staff retention rate in the industry, according to the National Occupational Securities Council (NOSC). How has the company been able to do this? That is because we do not see our staff as a factor of production. We see our employees as a critical stakeholder. I really do not know how it happened, but I know that from the onset, we instituted a policy of giving every one that is employed a great sense of ownership. As tough as the market is, we still struggle to pay relatively well. We have all manner of incentives for all staff to motivate them to work harder and give their best. Very important to us is the policy of enabling staff that have put in five years here to own shares in the company. So you can see that at a time, workers here cease to be mere workers. They are shareholders. That way, they start seeing the business as their own. Because of this, every staff we hire work hard, not just to be recognized and rewarded but to also grow to the level he too could become a shareholder. This has made them to take ownership and when this happens,

dedication to duty becomes a natural call rather than a duty call. But we also work hard at the entry level to ensure we recruit the best; we look for people who are honest and who will not come in here and infuse toxins into our corporate culture. It is just that simple. The past 15 years has been eventful for the company. What are the plans? We will not reveal much here. We will first have to get the approval of the board for our plans and programmes for the future before we make them public. But I am sure you are already aware of the new factory we have just built. We are hoping to impact a lot more positively on the Nigerian and West African built industry. Finally, what is your message to staff at this historical moment? Thank you so much. I would rather send my message to all our stakeholders rather than the staff because if our sales partners that are associated with our business are not confident in us, we never would have come this far. We are in the private sector and as you know, staff retention rate is very low here. I have had reason to listen to friends in and outside of our industry confessed that why they do not send their staff on training programmes was because a vast majority of them would leave for competition upon returning from the training programmes, which you and I know, are very expensive. But as you see, our case has been a lot different and that is because we have been able to make the work environment here a lot different. You see, when we talk of “Quality You Can Trust” as a guiding principle, some of

you think it is a mere stamp to authenticate our products. No. It is a message to staff that our environment is qualitative enough to work. And that they can trust their future to this environment. But although we have created an environment that is conducive enough to work, we have established a retirement scheme for those who stay with us till the end. We cannot but sincerely appreciate our staff who everyday give their best and take great risks to ensure their company keeps growing. We are also appreciative of the belief expressed in us by our trade partners. As you know, we started very modestly but a number of these people have kept faith in us. In fact, a significant number of those who walk in here to discuss transactions came from referrals from our partners. We sincerely appreciate them and can only promise to deliver on whatever incentives that will enable their business to continue growing. Bank of Industry (BoI) has also played key roles in our business. In fact, most of the milestone projects of the company from the building of the factory in Port Harcourt to the construction of five operational centres across the country, BoI has been of tremendous support. We will always be grateful to them. I am also grateful to the end users of our products. I say this because if they do not demand, our reps will not sell. We appreciate them and can only assure them that we will always keep to our promise of never compromising quality in any aspect of our business.

cover

What has your relationship with C.I. Ekeh and Co been like over these years? e started this relationship with C.I. Ekeh when the company approached Bank of Industry in 2008 for a facility to finance its state-of-the-art factory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where it planned to manufacture high quality pre-coated profiled steel and aluminum roofing sheets. I remember the company's blueprint explained that it would produce pots, pans and materials for wall cladding.

As an institution created to support and promotes local capacity to start and grow industries, we looked at the record of accomplishment of the company and assessed its credit relationships with its existing bankers and suppliers and we discovered a culture of full credit compliance. We also looked at the company's business plan. We were convinced the company got it right in terms of availability of the market, prospects and long-term management principles. It did not take us long, especially after looking at the numbers, governance principles and organic growth of this company, for us to take a decision. That decision was to provide the needed

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If C.I. Ekeh does not stop innovating, we'll keep supportingâ&#x20AC;? Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BoI) Rasheed Bolarinwa, spoke with MiCasa on the relationship with C.I. Ekeh and what the prospects of financial future growth will be like. Excerpts:

support they need to put the name of Nigeria in the built industry the same way the Nigerian Wire and Cable has done in the cable industry. Aside funding, what else did you bring to C.I. Ekeh? Our relationship with the company has deepened. If you ask the managing director or any member of the management team, I am sure they will not tell you we are their financiers; they will tell you we are their partners. That is how all those we work with describe us because our relationship does not end with providing money. We also make interventions in critical business advisory service that is capable of ensuring the capital we provided multiply well. Are there learning points for Nigerian entrepreneurs? You mean with respect to what C.I. Ekeh has been able to achieve? I think every aspiring Nigerian entrepreneur and, indeed, West Africa should study the model, which C.I. Ekeh has built and grown over the past 15 years with a view to imbibing the critical lessons of enterprise development. Th e l e s s o ns are c o ns i s t e nc y , transparency, honesty and ultimately, believe. There is also the lesson of patience because I am aware

that between 2008 and 2015, C.I. Ekeh has only been able to break even last year. The company should make profits at the end of the 2015 financial year. As C.I. Ekeh's partner, I am privileged to get a preview into their first and second quarter results and they look healthy. Could you explain why many local companies do not play at C.I. Ekeh's level? The problem with most businesses in Nigeria is lack of honesty, even with those who are financing those companies. However, C.I. Ekeh has approached things differently. The management has been professional in their approach to issues. That is why we are working with them very closely because in C.I. Ekeh, we are going to get a template for further development of other industrial ventures in and out of the built industry. As the Nigerian bank that caters to the needs of several industries, what do you consider before providing support, which would enable a company to grow? What we consider are the viability of the venture, the governance

structures behind an idea and the record of accomplishment of those driving the project. You do not want to offer credit to people who have no idea of what managing resources entails; you do not want to offer funds to people who are already over exposed or who breach credit agreement and timelines; you do not want to work with someone who brings in a well-written business plan but which are not practicable. Therefore, we look at the number, the ecosystem and the people. In the case of C.I. Ekeh, we looked at the track record of the company and the risk they took in starting their manufacturing business back in, I think 1996 or so. We looked at how the company was able to manage the resources and relationships with their vendors, suppliers and partners. We looked at the available opportunities, if they had a bigger plant to process the raw materials. We knew there were huge opportunities in terms employment generation, skills transfer and profits and we also saw a management team capable of handling the multiple platforms of a big corporation. After these, the decision was very easy. Access to credit is a critical d i s i n c e n t i v e t o

We were convinced the company got it right in terms of availability of the market, prospects and long-term management principles. 25

cover

and it is these reports that help us determine the insincere ones from those who are out to waste their own time. If C.I. Ekeh decides to grow beyond the shores of Nigeria to sell its products into other West African countries for instance, will BoI still provide support? Absolutely. In fact, that is what I am planning to discuss with the management in our next strategy meeting. It will be a huge opportunity considering that nearly all the Francophone West African countries are still importing from France. C.I. Ekeh will likely enjoy the advantages of cost and delivery timeline. entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. How can this be improved? I think the real problem is that Nigerians seem to see credit the same way people globally see a lottery win â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a windfall. In addition, I have never seen anybody who becomes successful out of a windfall from a lottery for instance. The person only becomes sensible when he must have wasted the money so that it can neither sustain his new lifestyle nor start a reasonable business. Banks are there primarily to lend the deposits they accumulate. Although you could say that interest rate is a bit on the high side, returns on capital in Nigeria is still the highest in the world and investors who take credits still have good returns. Nevertheless, the problem arises when people approach the bank with a doctored feasibility reports or dubious

intentions. Therefore, they take credits and begin to see it as a windfall and thus spend it carelessly. That said, the high cost of credit in Nigeria was essentially why the BoI was established. As such, we are there, ready, willing and waiting for sincere entrepreneurs and industrialists to come. When we see these ones, we will work with them, just like we are working with C.I. Ekeh and many others until they become success stories. To what extent can the BoI go in providing support for a company? Like I said, we can go any length. But we will not support bogus projects. We have a research intelligence department that conducts due diligence studies on those who come here seeking support and partnership

When you need durable roofing for your factory, From a simple extension to a completely new state of the art building, Trust C.I Ekeh and co to industrial roofing and cladding for your factory. Heat Absorbent Fire Resistant

Any advice to the company on growth plans, especially on what it has achieved in 15 years. My advice is for them to sustain their strategy of consistency in quality products. They should also not stop innovating. Business can only stop growing when the managers stop thinking. If the company was able to grow this big in just 15 years, tripling or even quadrupling the size in the next 15 years should be their target and as I said, I am going to discuss this with them and see how we can still help them to accomplish this. Thank you very much for your time, sir. You are welcome.

Testimonial

testimonial

C.I. Ekehâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comprehensive pre-installation reports guide all facets of our installation process - Prince Eze Prince Eze and Sons Civil is one of the largest roofing suppliers and installers in Abuja, the founder and chairman Prince Bedford Eze, speaks about his company's relationship with C.I. Ekeh and Co.

What are the challenges facing the roofing industry in Nigeria from the supplier's perspective? ne of the biggest challenges confronting house owners in Nigeria is using the right roofing sheets. Obvious or unforeseen roof problems would always occur and undoubtedly at significant expenses. The repair of an improperly installed roof can require the total replacement of the roof and this could cost millions of Naira. Most civil engineers have been blacklisted by house owners

because of preventable early failures and reduced service life of roof systems. First mistake most house owners make is hiring a wrong contactor. It is very sad that the business has become all comers' affairs. Only about 1% of roofing contractors are certified. Horror stories about sub-par contractors and the havoc they wreak to homes and client budgets have dented image of our business as most house owners find it difficult to identify genuine contractors from

quacks. We understand that this has created skepticism, and that new clients worry whenever they search for a new provider. An incompetent, inexperienced or unqualified contractor may be affordable at first. However, you pay the price when the same job has to be done multiple times in order to fix the mistakes. What most contractors don't do is take the time to understand the roof problem or ask the right questions.

Why do you think most civil engineers in the country prefer C.I.Ekeh and Co.'s roofing sheet to others? I can only talk about my company. Even though there are other companies struggling to take over from C.I. Ekeh and Co. But majority of the indigenous companies produce and deal in concrete roofing sheets, C.I. Ekeh has stood out by being an aluminum company that guarantees the quality of product from the alloy composition to the installation of the roof. What are the other value propositions that C.I.Ekeh and Co brings to the table? C.I. Ekeh and Co is more than a roofing company to Nigerians. They provide

environmental, social and economic benefit while protecting public health, welfare and environment. They are also known for manufacturing sustain able products. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are durable and recyclable. Because the products are recyclable, other generations in the future can produce new products with lower cost on raw materials. How important is design in your business? In roofing industry, the design is as important as installation. Roofers need to become more knowledgeable and take a more holistic approach. Roofers need to understand how the whole house works as a unit.

In the area of design, we work with C.I Ekeh and Co and we are very proud of their competence in handling simple to most complex jobs. I am particularly happy with their consulting department that often comes up with comprehensive pre-installation reports that guide all facets of our installation processes. With C.I. Ekeh and Co, we have been able to guarantee the highest quality available in the Nigerian market for our customers. In addition, C.I. Ekeh and Co has helped immensely in the training and certification of our workers and our processes. Today, we are one of the few roofers who have almost all the certifications available in the industry.

testimonial

certification of our workers and our processes. Today, we are one of the few roofers who have almost all the certifications available in the industry. “Voted as number one C.I. Ekeh and Co roofing contractor in the last two years, our company is proud of the incredible group of past clients who are on our extensive reference list.

ignsisare Des Designs as orptaonrttant im spim a as installations For Prince Mufutau Adeleke, roofing business is not all-comers' affairs. He is a community leader in Mowe, one of the fastest developing satellite towns along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. He came from one of the royal families in the town and he is a true son of the soil. As a civil engineers and land speculator, he specializes in helping people buy land. He offers his services to those who preferred to hire the service of professional civil engineers in building their residential houses rather than relying on quacks. His company, Ade Prince Civil Engineering & Sons, has maintained excellent working relationship with C.I Ekeh and Co when the company transformed to a vertically integrated aluminum company in 2008. He spoke on how C.I. Ekeh and Co has helped his company to meet the expectations of his customers.

ne of the biggest c h a l l e n g e s confronting house owners in Mowe is using the right roofing sheets. Obvious or unforeseen roofing problems are always a pain and

undoubtedly a significant expense. The repair of improperly installed sheets can require the total replacement of the sheets and could cost millions of Naira. Most civil engineers have been blacklisted by house owners

because of premature failure and reduced service life span of roof systems.”“ The first mistake most house owners made is hiring a wrong contactor. It is very sad that the business has become allcomers' affairs. Only 1% of roofing

contractors are certified and only 1% of roofing contractors are members of our trade association that self-regulates and guarantees quality. “Horror stories about sub-par contractors and the devastation they wreak to homes and client budgets have been very bad for our business as most house owners find it difficult to identify genuine contractors. We understand that this has created a healthy skepticism, and that new clients worry whenever they are looking for a new service provider.” “An incompetent, inexperienced or unqualified contractor may be affordable at first. However, house owners are liable to pay the price when the same job has to be redone multiple times to fix his mistakes. What most contactors do not do is take the time to understand the roofing problem or ask the right questions. “Roofers need to become more knowledgeable and take a more

holistic approach. Roofers need to understand how the whole house is working as a system. “From our design to installations, we work with C.I. Ekeh and we are very proud of their competence in handling simple to most complex jobs. I am particularly happy with their consulting department whom often comes up with comprehensive pre-installation reports that guide all facet of our installation process. With C.I. Ekeh, we have been able to guarantee the highest quality available in the Nigerian market for our customers. “C.I. Ekeh uses the superior 'Stucco' embossing method for its roofing sheets. Embossing is the mechanical deformation of the surface of the sheet to give it the needed mechanical properties, such as strength. Where other suppliers use a less effective 'Diamond' pattern, C.I. Ekeh only supplies the 'Stucco' pattern. “In addition, C.I. Ekeh has helped immensely in the training and

We believe that our commitment to personalized service, emphasis on respect, and unflinching demand for the best quality materials and craftsmanship have helped us grow our business. We approach every project with excellence spirit. We want our clients to come away from the experience feeling confident that each step was satisfactorily and to specifications. “We stand by our work. We regularly meet and exceed industry standards. We are fully licensed and we offer workmanship guarantees in writing, and adhere to all standards of codes and safety procedures. As a locally owned and operated business, we want to remain a trusted service provider and roofing contractor throughout our community. We invite you to contact us to learn more, and let us show you the difference that comes when you select Ade Prince Civil Engineering & Son for your next roofing needs.”

testimonial

Best Pots and Pans You Can Buy

Ekeh All Clad Stainless Steel Sauce Pan With Lid

Ekeh Chef's Classic Stainless Open Skillet "This pan is amazing! It heats evenly and the food does not stick (I always use a little oil). I have never burned anything in it, ever! It cleans up easily with the same brush that I use on my dishes and always looks shiny. I have not had any problems with warping so it sits flat on my electric range.

When it comes to buying cookware, there is a lot to know and the plethora of options to choose from does not help. Sure, you need to know what kind of material is right for your cooking needs, but more than that, you will want to get the best pots and pans for your money. Those who have used and still using CI Ekeh and Co ranges of pots and pans shared their experience with MiCasa , and when it comes to finding the best pots and pans this information is crucial. LEKON SIMON, Medical Student

"Of everything I've used, this pan performs the best. The handle stays comfortable to the touch. Heat is quite even and easy to control. I have a gas range and the combination is really quite nice. I've used this for simple things like frying eggs and find it quite easy to use. Transfers heat very well and clean up easily. I use it so much I want a second! I have several all clad pans now and I'm convinced that they're the best.”

Ekeh Classic Saute Pans

Ekeh Covered Sauté Pan

MRS. ABIMBOLA ALADE, Business woman

"The pan conducts heat extremely well and is oven safe to 500 degrees. The handle is very sturdy, reasonably comfortable, and stays cool (outside of the oven, of course). The lid fits tightly. Both the interior and the exterior are very shiny and attractive. All this and it is easy to clean. Yet this pan sells for just a fraction of the sexier brands like Ekeh Classic Saute Pans. I am tired of those non-stick pans that eventually lose their coating and thought that I will try stainless steel pan for almost everything but frying an egg.”

MADAM REBECCA ILOH Food Vendor

"This sauté pan is simply the best out there in terms of quality, value, and ease of use. However, my favourite part? There are no rivets connecting the handle to the pan itself! What does that mean? It is stupidly easy to clean, and it is a breeze to wipe out. Seriously, this pan cleans up like a dream and is always shining bright. The actual cooking with this is wonderful as the heat is dispersed evenly and cooks so well! I love the larger sized handles. They are easy to use with mitts or potholders. I would recommend this to anyone in the market for a new sauté pan. Yes, it's a little pricey but will last for many many years. In addition, I use it almost every day. Enjoy!”

The handle stays cool which is a nice bonus. I have a whole set of Ekeh Chef's Classic Stainless Open Skillet and I love them. They are easy to clean, all stainless steel so i don't have to worry about 'non-stick' stuff leaching or peeling off into my food." DAVID ELLIOT, Chef

Ekeh Scan pan Pro

Ekeh All Clad Stainless Steel Sauce Pan With Lid

LEKON SIMON, medical student

DAVID SAMUEL, Software engineer

Ekeh All-Clad Stainless-Steel Sauté Pan

Hajia Hamisu Gambo house manager

"I never found pots and pans that I truly felt made me a better cook until the all-clad. This particular pan is a perfect size for family size cooking. I have used it from stovetop to oven. Everything cooks evenly. The cleaning is easy. The pan performs exceptionally well. I replaced my old 2 qt. AC Ltd sauté pan I bought at Tejuosho market about 20 years ago and it was about the same price for the new and better pan! You can't go wrong with this one.”

"The best small pot I have ever had. Perfect for servings of soup. Great for small amount of vegetable. Cleans up like magic. Great for rice. Great lid. Great handle. I have wanted to purchase some better cookware so I checked out the reviews here on Konga.com and purchased a couple different size pots from this collection. I now see why the great reviews. Very well made, a breeze to both cook with and to clean afterwards." - Cecilia Udoh, musician

"You really can fry eggs over easy without any oil. I just had to try that and was amazed how the eggs do not stick. Now I use some butter, just enough to enhance the taste. I've been using Ekeh Scan pan Pro for years and this one is much nicer - the Ekeh Scan pan Pro was never this slippery for foods. This is my second Ekeh Scan pan Pro purchase. These pans cook evenly and the nonstick surface works perfectly. I just bought this pan after owning the 11" size for over a year.”

Port-a-cabin Be proactive instead of reactive

10 Tips to make your roof outlive you

We all know how important the health of our roof is to the property's longevity, its occupants and; lets face it; our bank balance. However quite often it can be over looked until a problem arises and forces us to take action. Knowing how to take care and maintain your roof can be part of the problem. So below we have listed; ten essential tips to make your roof last longer:

The most costly repair is an emergency repair. Do not wait for the telltale sign of half a foot of water coming into your premises. Get up there and inspect your roof on a regular basis. Every six month is a good place to start. Keep an eye out for any signs of rust, any holes or cracks and any part where your roof seems out of shape. Finding a necessary roof repair before it becomes a reason to shut down production could save your business a great deal of money.

Clear Debris

The build-up of plant matter in your gutters is something that we all have to deal with. Whether in a commercial or residential environment having full gutters can result in both water and fire damage.

If you do not clean out your gutters regularly you run the risk of water getting into sealants or breaching the membranes in the joints of your roof. We recommend that this should be done as part of your 6-month roofing inspection but also pay particular attention in autumn and after any bad weather.

Use good materials

Minimise foot traffic:

The importance of choosing the right material for your roof cannot be understated. Local factors must be considered such as humidity, direct sunlight, surrounding trees, temperature extremes and so on. Having a clear area around your roof is ideal for most people's situations.

Whilst you may be able to walk on your roof we do not encourage makin g it a regular occurrence. Now that we have mitigated the chances of corrosion, we want to also avoid erosion. Workers hopping up the ladder for a quick smoke at the same time every day can quickly lead to weakened or damaged parts of your roof.

Remember though, if you are in an extremely warm climate a little shade could go a long way to making your roof last longer. Make sure you speak to your roofing specialist to find out what material and design you should be using. If you have, any doubt then gets a second opinion. The right roof should really outlive you!

Clean your gutters:

The most common cause of leaks is corrosion. The process of metal gradually being destroyed by chemical reactions with the surrounding environment. Corrosion generally occurs when leaves, branches or plastic bags have trapped moisture. When you inspect your roof, make sure you take a large garbage bag to pick up any debris you run into. If there is one particular part of your roof that seems to be collecting large amounts of debris then have a look at the surrounding area to see if you may be able to trim or remove a tree that is causing the issue. If there is a large storm then make, sure you get back on your roof within a couple of days to check for any large debris or damage.

Do not let painters spray near your roof

Prevent trees from scraping your roof

for “Trade Partner of the Year”

One of the easiest mistakes to avoid with metal roofers is keeping house painters from using spray pumps to coat the exterior of your home. While it may speed up the process for them, the over-spray can make its way onto the edges and even the further away portions of your roof. Not only can that ruin the look of your roof, it also keeps the unique finishes for metal roofing from doing their jobs correctly.

This is one of the biggest problems for homeowners as hiring tree trimmers can be costly, but many do not have the tools or expertise to ensure that foliage is not actually rubbing against the roof. However, failing to do so can create all sorts of damage to the finish of your roof, which can create structural problems when combined with water.

Call in the experts

Wash your roof

Wash your tile roof once a year. Rent, borrow, or buy a pressure washer, set it to low, and mix some detergent in. This gets rid of debris, dirt, and moss.

If you find damage, a leak or a weakened part of your roof then do not delay – call in some experts to repair the issue before it escalates into a problem that affects your productivity.

Coat your roof with a sealant Coat your roof with a sealant about every five years. Washing your tiles will not prevent the growth of moss. A sealant fills in the tiny pores on the surface of your tile, preventing bacteria and other organisms from getting inside and setting up camp.

here is a time for everything in our company. There is a time to roll up your sleeves and there is a time to work. There is another time when the company rolls out the drums and rewards Trade Partners that have increased the sales figures and pushed the sales boundaries. The company has a yearly event where the 57 Trade Partners in the country converge to witness who will wear the crown as the “Trade Partner of the Year.” For 2015, the event took place at at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos where Excellence Ventures won the overall Sales Partner of the Year award. Before getting to this critical stage every year, the sales and distribution unit would audit the sales figures and growth numbers of all 57 Trade Partners to determine who made more sales, created more strategic sales opportunities and measure the overall impact of all of these factors on the company's bottom line. Undertaking this sales audit is usually a long and arduous process, but one, which the team members always look forward to, as it affords them the opportunity to show management the reason the trade partners should be recognized and rewarded. Since the sales and distribution team is essential to the growth of the company, management usually spends huge budget to host the partners. For instance, last year, the overall best Trade Partner got a brand new Toyota Camry and all-expense-paid trip to the Bahamas while others got financial rewards and certificates of recognition. In 2015, the overall best Trade Partner was rewarded with a brand new Toyota Prado SUV, a 3-bedroom bungalow and a trip to Disneyland in the US.

CEO, Excellence Venture, Vitus Ambrose, Trade Partner of the Year

Excellence Ventures, a company that had been trading with C.I. Ekeh from for over six years, was a one-man business, but has morphed into a notable SME in both its region and in the company's balance sheet. When the MD/CEO of Excellence Venture, Mr. Vitus Ambrose, climbed the dais with his wife to receive the key to a new Prado Jeep and, ticket to Disney and title deeds to his new property, the hall erupted in a riotous ovation with the shout of excellence! excellence! filling the air. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Ambrose pledged his loyalty to C.I. Ekeh and looked forward to high yielding and value-adding years ahead. “The management of Excellence Ventures cannot imagine working with another company except C.I. Ekeh. This is the only company we know. This is the company we would always be loyal. Thank you for this recognition”. MD/CEO, C.I. Ekeh and Co,

Mr. Cletus Ekeh, expressed appreciation to all Trade Partners and pledged the unalloyed commitment of the company to “quality products” that will enable the partners to grow their businesses. “We will continue to keep this promise of excellence because we know that in doing that, your businesses will keep growing and with that, the company will also grow. We are happy for the working relationships we have had with you over the years and that is why we see you people as essential parts of our overall team. We are what we are today because you have retained trust in us over the years. And like I said, we will keep working to make the business better for all stakeholders,” he said. Other Trade Partners got prizes, which range from extended credit facilities, home appliances and many others.

â&#x20AC;Śwhen our ThinkSales Convention hit Kano City with the security challenges in that region, sales have been significantly looking up. It was therefore a strategic business decision, aimed at revving up stronger attention to the company's brands, which sits well with the mantra of not compromising quality of its products. This is a deliberate marketing policy since 1990.

t is one of the biggest events in the company's calendar and the 2015 ThinkSales Leadership Convention did not fail to signpost preeminent value that C.I. Ekeh and Co places on regularly bringing employees in the

Sales team together with partners and distributors to deliberate on various aspects of managing and achieving sustainable business growth. Venue was the prestigious Durbar Hotel in Kano, northwestern Nigeria. It was the first time the

ThinkSales Convention would hold in the north. The choice was deliberate. Of recent, C.I. Ekeh's brands have recorded increasing patronage in this region with sales up by 40 percent in the North West and North Central [NWNC]. Even

Themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Re-inventing the Sales Organisation for a Competitive Advantage,â&#x20AC;? the 3-day sales conference, held from August 1315, 2015, attracted the sales team and trade partners from across the country. They brainstormed on how to sustain market leadership in various product segments and

how our trade partners can optimize their quality advantage for increased customer traffic. It was also an opportunity for the sale and distribution unit to dissect the previous year's performance and discusses key strategy for this year. C-Suite and sales leaders used the event to reinvent their sales organisations for a competitive advantage in view of current market forces. Contrary to initial fears by organisers of the convention that most sales and distribution partners might stay away owing to the relative distance Kano is from their business locations, the 2015 event turned out to be the most well attended in the six-year

history of the event. Partners attended with most of their key staff. Bankers and suppliers also attended while those who are desirous of transacting business with the company in the future also flooded the venue. As has been the standard, speakers from in and out of the country were on hand to add intellectual value to participants. While previous editions featured two foreign-based speakers, the Kano edition attracted four sales experts. They spoke on various aspects of the sales dynamics. Savouring the Kano hospitality The story of the convention would

A convention with a difference Attending the sixth Annual Sales Leadership Convention was an opportunity for senior sales executives and partners to gain expert insights on strategies and tactics to solve the complex challenges facing sales organsations today. It offered significant opportunities for strategic discussions on how to utilize early advantage of increased border checks by the Nigerian Immigration Service, and other security agencies, in their war against the smuggling of substandard products into Nigeria through the Nigeria-ChadCameroun-Benin Republic borders by reinforcing the values of quality that the company represents and position it as first choice for builders in the north. In his speech at the opening of the conference, the Managing Director informed the august gathering of the increasing significance of the northern region of Nigeria to the business.

be incomplete without talking about the hospitality of the people to their guests. Upon arrival, the Executive Management paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who expressed his appreciation to the management of C.I. Ekeh and Co for considering the city of Kano worthy of hosting the event. “I have known about your company for about five years now and because I believe in Nigeria and I

have been told of how you people pay attention to high quality standards, I have ensured that all the buildings and construction projects that I and my council of traditional rulers are involved in are capped with your products. Even here in the palace, we eat from your cookware products. “We are happy that a Nigerian company is making us proud by elevating quality to high standards and on behalf of my people, I wish

you well as your begin your convention”. Earlier in his address, Managing Director, C. I. Ekeh and Co, Mr. Cletus Ekeh informed the Emir of plans to elevate the status of its Kano office to a regional headquarters to oversee the entire NWNC zones. The Managing Director said Kano, as a historic ancient city and a business political capital of northern Nigeria,

is important to the business of the company and expressed the preparedness of C.I. Ekeh and Co to partner with the Emirate and Kano State government in ensuring that all public sector construction works in the city wear high quality materials and components. “We are proud of our relationship with the people of Kano. It is a relationship we cherish so much and one we want to grow and sustain because of the

shared values of excellence we have with the people. We are aware of the support you and the people have provided in the past and that was why we ensured that we made this visit for your prayers and blessings even before our convention commences.” Highlight of the courtesy visit to the Emir's palace was a mini-Durbar hosted in honour of the visiting team and other guests in attendance.

“The north is growing. The north is opening up. Those of you that have not been here in the past five years would have seen the noticeable increase in the number of modern buildings springing up just about everywhere. This is happening because the emergence of democratic rule in Nigeria has opened the space for more opportunities. It has opened the space for interaction and sharing of the values of modernity. It has enabled income to spread, and once income spreads, people will respond by expressing their desire to live the good life. Living this good life should

Dinner

not be done at our expense. It must mean business for us,” he said. Some of the issues treated at the conference include: 1.

Strategies for winning in a competitive sales environment

Pitch like a pro

Level four value creation

Authenticity over perfection

Pathways to high, profitable growth

Translating strategic intent into operational reality

Brilliance or nothing

Participants share their experience after the 2015 Convention “Such great value; not only value in money, but in thinking for the next two years. We've had amazing insight from probably the best line-up of speakers I've ever seen at one convention.” - Paula Ashman, CEO, PASIM, USA BADE OGA

BATURE ATIKU

MONDAY ODIAKA

Head, Sales, Meryl Malcomes Marketing

GM, Head, Pots and Pans, C.I. Ekeh and Co

Sales & Marketing Director, Lexisnexis

“It's absolutely great to be back at the ThinkSales Conference. Unbelievably, this is my fifth consecutive ThinkSales adventure. Its world class speakers, its phenomenal organisation, and of course, relevant and appropriate content.”

“The 2015 Convention was without a doubt the best yet! I have heard many great speakers over the years.

“There's such value in the ability to meet with peers and to see how your peers are doing in the industry. Listening, I realise that we all have the same pressures, the same challenges; so you learn a lot.”

Chief Marketing Officer, C.I. Ekeh and Co

I must say your line-up of speakers this year was the best I have ever seen. I literally could have listened for another eight hours!

GEORGE MENDY CEO, Rooftrader Nigeria Limited

CEO, Befroy Nigeria Limited

“We've been here for three years in a row. Last year we brought eight people. This year we brought eight people and what we have found is that we get together after the event, evaluate the content, and choose just three to five things that we want to implement in the business and change. And everything we've implemented so far has been positive.”

“I've been totally blown away. Most of the conferences, particularly the sales ones that I have attended have being a 'rahrah' motivational-type session. You leave there feeling pumped but you have not really focused on the theory. A session like this is very high in strategy, very hardcore on theory and you get a detailed understanding of how to strategies and plan your sales routes, sales optimisation, sales efficiencies to achieve better results. I'm totally blown away.”

SADE BAKARE

The Cocktail

kitchen tips Eco-friendly ways to clean your kitchen tools One of the greenest things you can do in your kitchen is to invest in good quality cookware and tools and then maintain them with care so that they last a long time. Here's how to keep your cooking equipment sparkling clean and in tip-top condition, without spending a lot of money or using harsh chemicals.

Cast-Iron Pans Well-seasoned cast-iron cookware requires very little maintenance. Just wash briefly in warm water after each use. “Using a mild soap is okay, but you really shouldn't need it,” says Mark Kelly, spokesperson for Lodge Manufacturing Co., the 119-year-old foundry in South Pittsburg, Tenn. Instead, try sprinkling the pan with

coarse salt and scouring residue with a sponge. After cleaning, wipe the pan completely dry to keep rust from forming. When you notice the interior of your pan is losing ?its smooth sheen, it's time to re-season. Thoroughly rub the pan with the cooking oil ?of your choice, bake at 350°F for an hour, and wipe out any remaining oil.

Stainless Steel and Enameled Cookware Got burnt-on stains and discoloration on the insides or outsides of your pots and pans? Use a quick DIY soft scrub mixture: mix baking soda with a few drops of warm water and just enough liquid dish soap to form a smooth paste that's about the consistency of toothpaste. Rub on, and let sit for a

8 kitchen safety tips you must know

few minutes, then gently scour off stains, and rinse. You can use this same mixture inside the oven to remove built-up gunk without caustic chemicals.

Michael Garaghty, executive chef at cutlery company Wüsthof. “Boards made from wood and wood composite are the safest cutting surfaces for keeping your knives sharp.”

Kitchen knives Wood and Bamboo utensils Knives are your best friends in the kitchen. Hand-wash stainless steel blades in warm soapy water and wipe dry. If you have good-quality knives, get them professionally sharpened regularly—once a year may be enough, depending on what kind of knives you have and how heavily you use them. Honing the blade of your chef's knife after each use will help it maintain ?a straight, sharp edge between sharpening. To hone, draw the blade at a 20-degree angle along the length of a ceramic or steel honing rod. Repeat several times on each side.

To protect the edges between uses, store knives in a wood knife block (not knocking around in a drawer) and consider using a wood cutting board: “It's important for the cutting board to be softer than the knife blade so that it doesn't dull the edge,” says

Spoons made from wood or bamboo will last for years if you treat them properly. To clean, wash them briefly in warm soapy water and wipe dry (never leave them soaking in water, as this opens up the grain of the wood). When your spoons start looking rough and dry—which might be as often as once a month or as seldom as once or twice a year—give them a coat of food-grade oil to moisturize and protect the wood. Our preferred oil is coconut, which resists rancidity and has antibacterial properties. Melt a little bit in a double boiler, and apply a very thin coat to your wooden utensils with a clean cloth. Allow the oil to penetrate for a few minutes, then buff thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.

Wood Cutting boards To clean and deodorize your cutting board after slicing aromatic onions and garlic or foods that stain, such as herbs or beets, sprinkle the board with a little coarse salt and rub it in with the cut side of a lemon (never put your wood cutting board in the dishwasher or leave it to soak in water). After lighter use, such as chopping carrots or celery, simply wiping clean is adequate. Once a month, or more frequently if you notice your board looking dry or rough, rub the surface well with melted coconut oil, and buff it with a clean dry cloth to moisturize and protect the wood. Counters and appliances Clean stove tops and dusty or grimy kitchen appliances with ?a simple cleaning solution. In a spray bottle, combine 1 part liquid castile soap (such as Dr. Bronner's) with 4 parts water and 2 or 3 drops of lemon or orange essential oil. Spray the surface, and wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. For basic countertop cleaning, fill another spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water.

Stir away from your body

Let appliances cool down

When you stir pasta, use a slotted spoon, and position the spoon so the bowl is facing away from you. This way, if your hand does jerk again, you won't scoop boiling water toward myself. So, even though it's counter intuitive, hold the bowl of the spoon away from yourself when stirring something hot and boiling.

Be careful with the blades on food processors and blenders; they can be very sharp and can cut you if you just brush against them. Let appliances cool down before cleaning them.

Learn how to use knives

Keep kids and pets out

Knives should always be sharp. A dull knife can slip and cut. Learn how to chop and slice as chefs do, holding the food with your nondominant hand, fingers curled under. Go slow until you are confident, and always pay attention.

Do not rush Rushing around the kitchen will almost guarantee accidents. Unless you're a pro, cut food slowly, do not run from station to station, and take your time when moving hot pots and pans. Also never try to bake or cook if you are under the influence of alcohol or medications, or are very sleepy.

Children and pets do not belong in the kitchen. Unless the kids are helping you or learning how to cook, keep them out of the area. Not only can kids and pets be a distraction, but they can easily hurt themselves by getting into raw food, pulling hot pots down, and tripping you while you're carrying something heavy. When you want to teach your kids about cooking don't involve a lot of cutting, heat, or appliances. Don't hold a baby or child while you are cooking.

Wear shoes and safe clothing

Make sure you are wearing safe clothes too. Sleeves should not be long and flowy. Do not wear loose clothing or anything flammable, and avoid synthetic clothing, which can melt onto your skin if it catches on fire.

Know your equipment and handle it properly Know your equipment and handle it properly Read instructions that come with appliances and understand how to use them. Never use an appliance that has a frayed cord, and keep small appliances dry and away from water. And never use your fingers to release something caught in food processor blades or mixers.

Clean up spills promptly

Cleaning up spills as you go not only helps save time when cleaning the kitchen, but will help prevent accidents. Water, food, and grease on the floor will almost guarantee a fall. Watch out for cooking sprays too. If they are sprayed on the floor, the surface will become very slippery.

thought leadership

“Cross-Government Construction Strategy will promote efficiency and reform in government construction” Being excerpts from a speech delivered by CEO, Cletus Ekeh at a recent meeting of the Building Materials Trade Section of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria |(MAN) held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja

ince coming into office as the Chairman of the Building Materials Section of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [MAN], we have made it a key priority to drive and influence reforms in public sector construction to enable mass construction of schools, hospitals, prisons and roads that this country deserves – and at the same time to help develop an efficient, innovative and competitive construction industry. This is a hugely important project for us. Nigeria remains in a global race for the jobs and opportunities of the future and housing is critical to achieving these. And our construction industry is critical to this country's growth – both in creating jobs and in providing the crucial

infrastructure this country needs to compete globally. So, we are pushing for reforms to ensure government at the Federal, State and Local Government levels invest in the right places to achieve growth and support Nigerian built industry to grow here and abroad. One of the planks in our engagement with government is in the area of reforming to achieve greater efficiency. We owe it to the industry and the public to ensure government delivers public services that don't just cost less but are better, innovative and cater to the individual's needs. Today I want to talk about how the government should continue to promote efficiency and reform in public sector construction, alongside innovation and growth in the construction industry. But

first I'll highlight the context for reform government should pay attention to. As you know, we advised government two years ago, on a cross-Government Construction Strategy that should be designed with clear objectives to promote efficiency and reform in government construction, alongside innovation and growth in the construction sector. How would this work? On one hand government would be a tough negotiator – hunting for the best prices and deals on behalf of the taxpayer. This will make public sector construction 15 to 20 per cent more efficient by 2016 and ensure increased domestication of construction services and material procurement. We also advised on the building of longterm strategic relationships with the

private sector; making it easier and simpler to do business with government. Today as you may have heard, a new Industrial Strategy for construction is being planned and we must give credit to the sustained advocacy and engagement of the people gathered here. This is a fine example of how industry and government should work together to give the sector a long term vision and help government achieve more.

government over upcoming contracting opportunities. But over the last two years, government has been publishing a pipeline of upcoming opportunities that gives us a clear picture of the contracting landscape across government construction. As well as engaging better with the market before procurement – we must also remind government that critical to enforcing transparency, there must also be reform in the way we procure. Historically businesses have found bidding for public sector work excessively bureaucratic, timeconsuming and expensive. This often meant the best, most cost-effective ideas were shut out from the start, a situation that opens the door for foreign beep pockets that are not essentially better to take advantage. On this, we want government to ensure that certain categories of contracting are exclusively left for indigenous players.

The first of these themes I want to discuss is efficiency. In the past there was a shocking productivity gap between the public and private sectors. And the more money that's been pumped into public services – the less efficient we've become. This wasn't good enough at any time. Today facing the twin challenges of less money and rising public expectations has created the need for even more reform.

The current regime of leaving only 25 per cent local construction pitches for local industries is no longer sufficient and economically viable. Nigerians are manufacturing roofing sheet, bricks, paints and other material that meet global standards. We must therefore sustain the pressure until we have a regime where no building material and component that can be produced in Nigeria will be procured from outside. As I said earlier government must make procurement processes much simpler, more open and less bureaucratic – so all businesses, no matter their size, have a chance of success.

We are convinced that when government begins to look inwards for partnership in the building and construction of public infrastructure, it's good for the Nigerian business community as well as the general public because of the billions that will be saved and the local jobs it creates. Efficiency and growth will go hand in hand as we open up to all kinds of businesses and business models for government to cherrypick. We believe that so far, we have been able to change the way we engage with the

During our last meeting with the Industries Minister, we proposed three new models of procurement, which call for the early involvement of the local supply chain, and more integration around the design, the construction and the manufacture of products. These are: Integrated Procurement Insurance; Two Stage Open Book and Cost Led Procurement and the Building Information Modelling (BIM). We told him that where the government has manpower gaps, the industry can help

source competent manpower with expertise to spearhead these new ways of working at the New Models. BIM for instance, is the enabler of a better future; a more collaborative built environment that liberates added value at all stages of the asset life cycle. It allows SMEs to compete with bigger companies. As monumental as some of our success stories have been, we are not about to start resting on our laurels. To continue to achieve success, we still advocate that the government and industry should keep working together, especially in ensuring that all the provisions we have enshrined in the proposed Industrial Strategy are given legislative enablement. It's vital to continue to work together for the interest of the overall industry. I am aware that we are competitors. But we have several areas of common interest. We also owe the our country the duty to job creation and we can only do this by partnering with government and locking the gaps that make them export Nigerian opportunities to foreign countries on the excuse of lack of local capacity. We must prove that we have capacity. We must prove that we can compete with the best in the world. To this end therefore, we must self-regulate by reporting incidences of bad practice to the Building Standards Committee (BSC) to avoid leaving the public and government with the impression that we are all incompetent when it is only a negligible few that are. We must avoid cutting corners. If we give qualitative jobs, we will win the hearts and minds of government and the industry and the Nigerian economy will be the better for it. This government, I am discovering, is open for business. Together we can create better public services and a better future for the building and construction in the Nigeria. Thank you.

doing good Sixty more houses

Delivered as C.I. Ekeh and Co sustains collaboration on affordable housing in Nigeria

uccour has come the way of the homeless as C.I. Ekeh and Co, has collaborated Habitat for Humanity to build 60 units of 3bedroom houses in every geopolitical zone of the country. C.I.

Ekeh and Co has, for the past six years collaborated Habitat for Humanity, an international, nongovernmental, and nonprofit organization. Founded in 1976, the NGO is devoted to building a simple, decent, and affordable housing, a self-described

"Christian housing ministry," and has addressed the issues of poverty housing all over the world. As a Christian housing ministry, Habitat believes that people should have a decent, safe and

A section of the buildings when still under construction

affordable place to live; as such, it builds, renovates and repairs houses all over the world using volunteer labour and donations. Habitat's canon fits with the CSR programme of C.I. Ekeh & Co., which focuses on affordable shelter, especially to the underprivileged. The projects, according to the H e a d , C o r p o r a t e Communications, Haroun Ishaya will assist the government to alleviate the challenge of housing, in the country. The project consist

of 60 units of 3-bedroom houses that could accommodate a midsized family. Ishaya said C.I. Ekeh & Co. managed the entire processes from conception, construction, installation and handing over to ensure effective qualitycontrol.

mandate of our company. At C.I. Ekeh & Co., corporal social responsibility is core to our business. Our management is proud to state its preparedness to continue in this partnership as we strive to better the lives of our people.

He revealed that after the formal handing over of the buildings Habitat for Humanity would take over the management and transfer processes the identified families for the 2015 batch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to once again fulfill this core social

We restate our preparedness to partner with other credible notfor-profit organisations in the effort towards affordable housing delivery in our areas of operation,â&#x20AC;? he stated.

C.I. Ekeh and Co donates new building to Motherless Babies' home

s a company committed to good business ethos and support to community in and around its area of business, C.I.Ekeh & Co has been unwavering in making critical interventions in various areas. It was not surprising therefore, when the company decided to bequeath a befitting new building to the Give them a Life Motherless Babies Home in Lagos.

Give them a Life Motherless Babies Home had received several gifts from philanthropic individuals and corporate bodies over the years. However, C.I. Ekeh & Co's gift, which the construction of a 40-room building and nursery to house the many babies and teenagers who have found home there will go a long way in enhancing the comfort of these children and enable them to accommodate many more of these

unfortunate children. The new building was fully fitted with modern amenities like hot and cold bathrooms, kitchenette, walk-in wardrobes, beddings, borehole and water system. In line with the quality standards that the company has been known for, the roofing was professionally done with the heat resistant roofing sheet to minimize discomfort during hot weather and during power outage.

Mrs Adenike Lawson receiving a copy of the document to the new building from Dr. Segun Arowojolu, representative of the company

During the handover and commissioning of the structure, which attracted top management staff and the media, Mr. Cletus Ekeh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, who was represented by Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Segun Arowojolu, explained that structure reflected the commitment of C.I. Ekeh and Co to its responsibility to the community. “This is a legacy we want to leave behind for the motherless babies. Some these children are no more babies. They are adults. Some of them are growing to be needing some form of privacy and we believe this building will go a long way to

give them as much comfort as would enable them develop into confident adults who will one day contribute to the development of this our great country.” Continuing, he said: “I see future presidents here. I see future company executives here. I see generations of great Nigerians here. Your circumstances today should not limit you from aspiring to become the best you want to be. Remember Barack Obama. He was born of a Kenyan father. But he rose to become the president of the most powerful country in the world. I hope some of you will know Arnold Schwarznegger. He was an ordinary

immigrant who left his native Poland to the United States. But he was able to become, not just one of the biggest actors in his time, he also became the Governor of the biggest state in America, the State of California. You too can become great if you do not let your circumstances limit your aspirations.” In her response, the matron of the Home, Mrs Adenike Lawson thanked the company for the gesture and promised to continue to bring up the children with the fear of God and love for society. She called on other individuals and corporate organisations to borrow a leaf from C.I. Ekeh & Co by supporting the less privileged in the society.

press clips

Abuja Garden Estate 'will have good facilities' - Ekeh C.I.Ekeh CEO to speak at Unilag's conference on housing, urban renewal issues

he management of the University of Lagos has said it is set to discuss issues about housing and urban regeneration in the country as part of its contribution to nation building. The issues would form the basis of the institution's inaugural lecture, fixed for September 9 with the theme, 'Beyond Bricks and Mortar' by the Managing Director and CEO, C.I. Ekeh and Co Limited, Mr. Cletus Ekeh. According to the institution, Ekeh who is also the current chairman of the Built Section of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [MAN], would employ the lecture to affirm the impact of a decent shelter in a sound environment on the life style, health and happiness and productivity of an individual. “The lack of these is one of the worst forms of poverty known to man,” the institution noted in a statement obtained on Sunday. It added that Ekeh would share his thoughts on how indiscriminate policy transfer and mismatch had impeded the growth of the housing sector in the country. The statement informed that Ekeh would focus on how access to land, quality of housing stock and access to finance pose as some of the key problems that are confronting the country's housing sector. “Ekeh has been advocating for a rethink on housing strategies because despite various white papers and policy actions by the government, these problems remain pervasive.” The inaugural lecture will offer a road map for a robust housing delivery in Nigeria and Africa.

C.I. Ekeh builds, commissions power plant To mitigate the effect of downtime occasioned by poor electricity supply from the national grid, the management of C.I. Ekeh & Co has built a power plant that would generate about 50 megawatts of electricity. While commissioning the plant, the MD/CEO, C.I. Ekeh & Co, Mr. Cletus Ekeh, said that the plant would lower the cost of buying diesel and repair of generators, enhance productivity and help ensure the company continues to meet the increasing demands of its products across the country. The plant, located near its head office complex in Port Harcourt will also be able to supply about many homes near the factory complex. Aside supplying of electricity to the community, the plant would also generate employment opportunity, as some undergraduate youths in the area have been employed to run various aspects of the plant's operations. He urged the government to take the issue of improving power supply in the country very seriously because as he noted, “the industrial revolution being espoused by government cannot be realized with the current poor state of power infrastructure.

.I.Ekeh and Co has asked buyers of properties in the Abuja Garden Estate not t o worry about the quality of infrastructure that will be in the estate, assuring them that the facilities would be of the international standard. The Managing Director/CEO, C.I.Ekeh and Co, Cletus Ekeh, who gave the assurance while receiving the CEO of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Prof. Charles Inyangete, said the estate was a product of providing affordable housing to Nigerians who are desirous of living in a safe environment in the Federal Capital Territory. Ekeh, whose firm will offer installation and maintenance services for the estate's roofs, said the estate would change the face of property market in Abuja. He added that it aims at breaking the price jinx associated with premium properties in the city with its flexible payment plans, which do not require a prospective buyer breaking his bank account before owning a decent home in Abuja. Abuja Garden Estate, a 900-housing unit being

built on a 27-hectares of land, is located near Gwarinpa, along the Kubwa Express Road, Abuja in collaboration with Aso Savings and Loans, the Federal Captial Development Authority and E.I Ekeh & Co. It is being planned as an affordable property that the middle-income earners can afford. The promoters assured that the estate would boast of a neighbourhood shopping centre, children's playground and park, ample parking space, hospital, police post, fire service and schools. On an inspection tour of the estate, Ekeh praised his team and other partners for the quality of work done on the project, saying that the estate exemplifies affordable mass housing. The project, which is now at 80 per cent completion, is planned

for inauguration in November this year. The flats are six per block and each has two (or three) bedrooms, with open plan living, kitchen area, all rooms en-suite. Individually priced at N17 million for the two bedroom and N23 million for the three-bedroom flats. The fourbedroom terraces offer a wellplanned living accommodation set over two floors; these terraces have stylish features like open floor plan. There are four bedrooms on the first and second floors, all en-suite as well as a spacious kitchen. There is an adjoining dining area on the ground floor. When completed, the estate will comprise 900 homes, ranging from two and three bedroom apartments, four-bedroom terraces to five-bedroom detached luxury houses.

press clips

Directory of Trade Partners Lagos pledges support for manufacturing sector

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has pledged support for the manufacturing sector, noting that it holds the key to sustainable economic growth and development in the state. According to a statement obtained by the chaiman, Built Section of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Cletus Ekeh, Ambode pledged the support at the opening of the Third Quarterly Council Meeting of MAN in Lagos recently. He said the support to the manufacturing sector and investment in the state would drive self-sufficiency and sustain the status of Lagos as the economic hub of the country. He said, “We are aware of the challenges faced by the business community in terms of poor power supply, inadequate infrastructure, high interest and foreign exchange rates among others. “The resultant effects of these problems are manifesting in high operation cost, high rate of unemployment and poverty. But I am positive that these challenges are surmountable. “We, therefore, need to be proactive and look towards becoming self-sufficient by

S/N

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Built Section of MAN, Mr. Cletus Ekeh, urged the Federal Government to hasten its roadmap for the diversification of the economy to augment the dwindling income from crude oil. Ekeh also urged the government to tackle corruption, as it would translate into economic advancement, good

governance and good living standards. He decried the smuggling of substandard building materials, especially roofing product apart of its hazards, also constitute hindrances to the efforts of the manufacturing sector to diversify the economy. Ekeh said, “Smugglers are destroying our economy. They flood the country with fake and substandard products, compromising the structural integrity of buildings and sabotaging our response to government's call for economic diversification. And that is why we call on the men of Nigeria Customs to do everything in their mandate to prevent this from continuing to happen”.

ADDRESS

PHONE

CONTACT

AAB Emmaco Engineering Development

1, AAb Avenue, Enugu

08038920945

info@aabemmaco.com

Emeka Orji

Evidia Integrated

4, Joko Steet, Ifako Ijaiye

07038450945

contact@yahoo.com

Evina

Solotex Aluminium

9, Dapo Sawe, Eti OsaLagos

08038920384

solotex@gmail.com

Solomon Ebe

Elsurdicq Aluminium

34, Ilorin road, Lagelu

08034920845

sales@yahoo.com

Frederik

100, AgegeMotor Road, Lagos

08038423943

sam@yahoo.com

Samuel

collaborating with the manufacturing sector which obviously holds the key to sustainable economic growth and development.” He added, “This is why Lagos has established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment to make the state a first choice destination for both local and foreign investors.

COMPANY

Sap Alusteel Resources

Simco Aluminium

11, Ashi Stret, Onitsha

08028940942

simco@yahoo.com

Sim

Roof Tech Consultant

16, Dapo Sawe street, Eti Osa, Lagos

08078920942

rooftech@yahoo.com

Gbenga Ajoro

Mimshach Global Ventures

10, Ime Street, Cross River, Nigeria

08078920942

ogoja@yahoo.com

Chief Ogoja

Halleylum Aluminium Fabricators

17, IkoroduRoad , Lagos

08068920945

halleylum@yahoo.com

Charles Ifije

10.

Damtech Aluminium

12, Ile Ogbostreet Osogbo, Osun

08039920935

damtech@yahoo.com

Damilola Adigun

11.

Faithy Aluminium

213, Alimosho Road, Alimosho

08028620946

faithly@yahpp.com

Fathia

12.

Sedgetech Aluminium

Ado-Odo/Ota

08028920945

sedgetech@yahoo.com

Sedebe Apo

13.

Andors Aluminium

35, Oredo, Benin City

08028920949

andoors@yahoo.com

Charles Anioma

14.

Royalson Aluminium

15, Ijaye Road, Abeokuta North, Ogun State

07038920923

royalson@yahoo.com

Romoke Ogun

S/N

S/N 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

COMPANY ImosonAluminium Virok Roofing Metro Roofing System Global Fame Aluminium Tomt Aluminium Wafem Ventures, Aklod Aluminium

ADDRESS Ikwo, Ebonyi, 90, Adaba stret, Asaba 2A, Kano Road, Benue 3, Gbongo stret Enugu South. 1, Uvwie street, Delta State 14, Ile Layo street, Surulere, Lagos Akure South, Ondo

PHONE 08023920990 08048920987 08048920909

EMAIL imoson@yahoo.com Virok2@gmail.com metroroof@yahoo.com

07038920934

Tommy

Walex Aluminium

124, Agege Motor Road, Lagos

Femco Aluminium

189, Alimosho Road Iyana Ipaja

08037920934 08077920965

nona@yahoo.com

08027920935

walex@yahoo.com femco@yahoo.com

CONTACT

90, Olojo Drive, Ojo, Lagos

08028420954

aluform@yahoo.com

Ajimoh

34.

Chidex Aluminium

34, Igbo Etiti, Enugu, Nigeria

08028420944

chidex@gmail.com

Chido

35.

Kctech Auminium

35, Alimosho Road, Iyana Ipaja

08038720954

Kctech1@gmail.com

36.

Halab Aluminium

234, Agege Motor Rd, Ladipo

08028420877

halab@gmail.com

Halab

37.

Legacy Aluminium

Owerri municipal, Imo

08033320941

Legacy02@gmail.com

Legacy

38.

Elsemon Aluminium

14B, Municipal way, Makurdi, Benue,

08038420999

elsemon@gmail.com

Elsie

39.

Tripletech Aluminium

7, Dedem Street, Oyo State

070280230944

tripletech@gmail.com

Agom

40.

Devinco Aluminium

123, Okayson street, Enugu South, Enugu

08028020009

devinco@gmail.com

Devinco

41.

HemacoPlywoods

234, Offa Road, Kwara

08038020991

hemaco@gmail.com

Hema

42.

Zabicon Nigeria Limited

234, Agege Motor Rd, Agege

08028020222

zabicon@gmail.com

Zaby

43.

Ribell Trading Venture

908, Ikorodu Road, Lagos

08038020009

ribell@gmail.com

Godwin

44.

Kemok Ventures

67, Bassey Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom,

0809876308

kemok@gmail.com

Kemi Alison

45.

Teramy World

90, Jinadu Street, Ikeja

08095360983

teramy@gmail.com

Tera

46.

Perfect Aluminiun

56, Karimu Laka, Egbeda

08132566859

perfect001@gmail.com

Adighu Aseh

47.

Deskye Marts Aluminum

98, Ikorodu Road, Lagos

08094244419

deskye@gmail.com

Deskye

Alhaji Haruna

tomt@yahoo.com

aklod@yaoo.com

Victoria

Timothy Uwe

08038920945

PHONE

Aluform Aluminium

Imoson

Globafame@gmail.com

Wafem1@yahoo.com

ADDRESS

33.

CONTACT

08028920949

08028921945

COMPANY

Wale Femi Akiode Bello Wale Adeola Femi Adeoye 48.

Halleylum Aluminium Fabricators

17, IkoroduRoad , Lagos

08068920945

halleylum@yahoo.com

Charles Ifije

49.

Damtech Aluminium

12, Ile Ogbostreet Osogbo, Osun

08039920935

damtech@yahoo.com

Damilola Adigun

50.

Faithy Aluminium

213, Alimosho Road, Alimosho

08028620946

faithly@yahpp.com

Fathia

51.

Abiola Building Contractor

3, Tinubu street, Lagos

08021299221

abiola23@gmail.com

52.

Property Building Material

345, IkoroduRoad, Lagos

08094222765

53.

Dynamic Golden Limited

45, Alimosho Road, Iyana Ipaja

08094244218

dynamicgolden@gmail.com

24.

Nona Aluminium

Owerri Municipal, Imo

25.

Gaintola Aluminium

12, Idemili North

08037920939

gaintola@yahoo.com

Ganiat

26.

Vac Aluminium

19, Idemili North, Anambra

08027677935

vaca@yahoo.com

Seracus

27.

Excellence Ventures

20, Ogun Street Ikeja

08029920944

excellence01@gmail.com

Evans

28.

Gbadero Aluminium

17, Jaji street, Ilorin West, Kwara

08037920000

gbadero@yahoo.com

Eji Gbadero

29.

Barthoson Aluminium

Alimosho, Lagos,

08037920035

barthoson@yahoo.com

Barthlomew

54.

Henry Best Holdings

34, Umoru Ali, Port Harcourt

08094244419

henrybest@gmail.com

30.

Remo Aluminium

25, Rimi street, Ilorin

08028420944

remo@yahoo.com

Remi Iloro

55.

E Nice Ventures

75, Ayo Johnson, Sapele

08037020982

9ice@gmail.com

31.

Wonderful Aluminium Ventures,

90, Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege

08029420900

wondera@yahoo.com

Iyanu Oluwa

56.

Dutsherish Nigeria

234, I beju Lekki Road, Lekki

08027020986

dutcherish@gmail.com

32.

Aluminium Home

Nigeria, Bonny, Rivers, Nigeria

08029420947

aluminiumhome@yahoo.com

Ade

57.

Sanjub Global Resources

9, Ota Road, Ogunstate

08027020232

Nona

Alhaja Abiola

Dehinde Dosumu Henry 9ice

CULTURE CLADDING COMMERCE So, when you say we offer “Quality you can trust”, it's our commitment! Products that truly add value and surpass expectations.

DURABILITY

FLATNEN

LIGHTNEN

FORMABILITY