The venue was exquisite. The ambience was cosy. And the event is gay and grand. Indeed, Saturday, February 17th, 2024 was a day to remember. It was a day the ancient kingdom of Akokwa was honoured and beamed live to the world, through the instrumentality of one of its illustrious sons, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu (Ide Akokwa), Chairman, Tiger Foods Industries Limited, makers of the finest brands of food spices.
Term it Akokwa’s Day of Glory and you won’t be wrong for that was indeed what it was at the Eko Hotels and Suites, the venue of the 21st Sun Newspaper Awards where Chief Ebubeogu was conferred with the Sun Newspaper Industrialist of the Year Award. The Award was in recognition of Chief Ebubeogu’s contributions to industrialization and job creation in the country via Tiger Foods’ massive backward integration policy and broadening of its marketing and production frontiers.
As Ide’s citation was being read, heads bowed in awe, mouths murmured in appreciation and hands clapped in admiration: Right there at the Eko Hotel and Suites, amidst pomp and pageantry and in the full glee of live TV cameras beamed around the world, Akokwa was described as a land of patriotic industrialists and job creators who have done so much to provide employment to unemployed Nigerians.
Chief Ebubeogu who was unavoidably absent and was represented by Tiger Foods Managing Director, Don Ebubeogu, shared the Award category with two industrialists namely former Minister for Industry and Master Energy boss, Dr Uche Samson Ogah and Chief James Uzuh(Omeiheukwu), Chairman, J – Jumac International Company Ltd.
In his speech, the elated Chief Ebubeogu thanked consumers of Tiger Foods brands for their loyalty and patronage over the years; he also expressed immense gratitude to the Sun Newspapers for the Award, noting that the honour would go a long way to spur him to do more for humanity and Nigeria.
In a show of strength, conviviality and brotherhood hundreds of eminent sons and daughters of Akokwa across Nigeria emptied into the Eko Hotel and Suites to celebrate and rejoice with one of their own.
Some of them include Principal Partner, Maple Partnership law firm, Barr Okey Muomalu, Chairman Panda Hotel & Suites Lagos, Chief Willie Obi, CEO Golden Destiny Hotel Chain Lagos, Chief Isreal Orjiekwe, Chairman, Koil Nig Ltd, Chief Luke Okeke,
Chairman, U Frank Nig Ltd, Chief Uche Offor, MD, Full page Comm Ltd, Chief Ingram Osigwe and CEO Mega Maritime Services, Chief Ifeanyi Ikejiaku among numerous others.
Similarly, friends of Ide Akokwa from neighouring towns came in solidarity.
Such was Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti (Mighty Mighty), an Umuchu, Anambra state born and Port harcourt based businessman & philanthropist.
Incorporated over two decades ago as Spices Manufacturing Company, Tiger Foods, with Ebubeogu’s strategic managerial skill, has not only cemented its status as a driving force in the food industry but has also set an unparalleled standard of excellence and innovation in the industry.
Industry watchers opine that Tiger Foods has soared higher, even beyond the imagination of the founders. With strategic vision, Tiger Foods has successfully grown into a prominent and respected brand within the food industry and among consumers.
It’s worth mentioning that Tiger Foods sources most of its raw materials locally thus proudly producing made-in-Nigeria brands.
The company has a robust backward Integration Program spanning the length and breadth of Nigeria which has ensured that it now boasts of a processing capacity of 10,000 Metric tons of raw material annually.
The darling of consumers, Tiger Foods’ products, widely circulate in many African countries where they are exported.
Beyond Africa, the company is now on the cusp of opening new frontiers in the USA and UK following hot demands.
A galaxy of other Awardees and guests who graced the colourful Sun Awards include the President/CEO of Pwan Group, Dr Jayne Onwumere who received the Sun Investor Of The Year Award alongside other top dignitaries from sectors of the economy like Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group), Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson Motors), Tony Elumelu (UBA Bank).
Other awardees and guests include Peter Mbah (Governor of Enugu State), Dapo Abiodun (Governor of Ogun State), Mohammed Yahaya (Governor of Gombe State), Olufolake Abdulrazaq (First Lady of Kwara State), Peter Obi (LP Presidential Candidate), HRM Obama Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojájá II (Ooni of Ife), His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III (Olu of Warri), Uma Ukpai (Founder/President) Uma Ukpai Evangelical Association), Femi Bakre (MD/CEO Parallex Bank), Moruf Oseni (MD/CEO Wema Bank), Gbenga Komofe (MD/CEO Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission), Adaora Umeoji (Deputy Managing Director Zenith Bank), Pharm Uche Nwana, CEO, Sylken Nig Ltd, Lady Adaeze Chukwudozie, Vice Chairman of the Dozzy Group, (Nollywood Actress) and a host of others
– Ingram Osigwe, CEO, Full page Comm Ltd.
