Industrial development in Nigeria cannot be complete without mentioning people like the late Dr. Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme OON, Onowu Neni Founder of Tonimas Nigeria Limited. The late Dr. Enukeme decided to go into industrialization, primarily, to solve the unemployment problems facing the Nigeria Nation.

To achieve this, the late Dr Enukeme opened branches of his conglomerate in the thirty-six states of the federation and Abuja, making him a detribalized Nigerian. As an apostle of Think Home philosophy, Dr Enukeme established the White Castle Hotel at Neni, his home town. He equally opened an Aluminum factory at Neni, where long span aluminum roofing sheets and nails are produced. Tonimas Nigeria Limited is into property development and insurance brokerage, among others.

Tonimas Nigeria Limited has offered employment to more than ten thousand youths across the country. The late Dr. Enukeme has also awarded scholarships to Nigerians at the secondary and university levels. Many of the recipients have completed their education and are today occupying various positions in government, politics and in the private sector.

The late Dr. Anthony Enukeme has equally provided water and medicare as well as constructed feeder roads in his country home, Neni. Thus, he has received numerous awards from various organizations and communities. The most recent is the conferment of honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

Like Tonimas Nigeria Limited, Winco Foam Industries Limited located in Awka, Lagos and Abuja has also developed its immediate environment for the past thirty-eight years. Today, Winco Foam Industries Limited, established by Dr Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Okafor, has become a first-class mattress manufacturing company and ranks among the top five foam manufacturing factories in Nigeria. Dr. Godwin Okafor has also established his foam factories in the northern, western and eastern Nigeria. He employed about seven thousand people in his factories.

Dr. Okafor, an Isuofia consummate industrialist and philanthropist, was also recently conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Business Management and Corporate Governance by the European American University. Dr. Okafor has touched the lives of the citizens in diverse ways.

Both Dr. Anthony Enukeme of the Tonimas fame and Dr. Godwin Okafor of the Winco Foam Industries, have used their conglomerates as instrument of economic growth. With the two conglomerates, the industrial sector in Nigeria has improved and expanded. Tonimas Nigeria Limited and Winco Group have accomplished a lot.

For instance, they have encouraged mass production of goods and services, thereby generated employment and improved the living standards of the populace. Their establishments have also led to massive production of exported goods, thereby generating foreign exchange for the country. They have, in addition, trained more people areas. Nigeria, and indeed, Africa, should appreciate Dr. Anthony Enukeme and Godwin Okafor, for being at the forefront of industrialization and rural development in this day and age.

One other personality that has touched the life of the people is Chief Israel Okeke Ezue (JP), the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of White Gate International Ventures Limited, sole importers, distributors and marketers of Maxxis and West Lake Tyres. Chief Ezue has, through his company, touched the lives of his people in Awa community, Orumba North. He has donated many tricycles, buses, cars and lorries to empower the youths in his community. His foundation, Omelora Israel Ezue Foundation on Youth Empowerment, has improved the quality of life of his people through acquisition of skills.

Another important personality is Chief Osita Kosisochukwu Ezechukwu Orikaeze Nanka. Chief Ezechukwu has used his company God’s Decision Oil and Gas Limited located in different parts of the country to touch lives. Already, he has over six thousand people in his employ, thus helping the government to reduce unemployment rate.