By Ingram Osigwe
Auto-Sheck boss, Benjamin Igwe was last Saturday honoured with the Sun newspaper award as the Entrepreneur of the year 2022.
The Award was bestowed on the industrialist by the management of Sun Publishing Ltd.
The honour, according to friends and associates of Igwe, is fitting, deserving and proper. They say it’s akin to putting a square peg in a square hole given his efforts in taking a lot of people out of the streets through massive employment.
Amidst thunderous ovation, the likeable Auto-Sheck boss briskly walked to the stage to receive the award which he jointly won with the CEO of Nepal oil and gas, Barrister Ngozi Ekeoma, was presented to them by the former Minister of Industries, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande.
In a remark, the elated Auto-Sheck boss expressed gratitude for the honour and thanked the management and staff of Sun Publishing Limited for finding him worthy of honour.
The industrialist was full of effusive praises for his dear wife, Mrs Ebere Igwe for standing solidly with him through bad and good times
He commended his workers scattered across the country for their support and steadfastness as well as his bank, Keystone Bank, for being a pillar of support.
Eulogising the bank, the industrialist described Keystone as “reliable and a pillar behind my success”
He urged other industrialists and business moguls to embrace Keystone “because the bank will not fail you”
It was indeed a night of colour and panache as the awardee later treated his friends and associates to a lavish dinner at an upscale hospitality facility, Maison Fahrenheit Hotel, Victoria Island.
Notedly, Benjamin Igwe is an industrialist and business mogul with a difference. What gives him joy is not necessarily the growth and success of his business empire or his achievements in the Auto lubricants industry but the fact that he helps add value to the lives of hundreds of Nigerians who depend on him for their livelihood.
Essentially, Igwe, the big masquerade behind the highly successful Bensheck Nigeria Ltd. and Auto-Sheck Oil and Gas Limited, is passionate about lifting others by creating jobs and offering employment to Nigerians.
This explains why he has in his employ, close to 500 Nigerians. In his words, “nothing gives me joy like seeing people report to work in my factory every day and close from there at the close of the day.It makes me feel fulfilled.”
Situated at Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, Auto-Sheck Oil & Gas Limited is an indigenous company with a rich history of manufacturing and distributing high quality automotive and industrial lubricants at competitive prices.
Incorporated since 2008 and fully regulated by the Nigerian Downstream and Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standard Organization of Nigerian (SON), Auto-Sheck manufactures and distributes high quality oils, greases and other specialty car care products.
The company is a leading brand in the Nigerian lubricant market with its first-rate automotive gasoline and diesel engine oils such as Auto-Sheck Elite 20W50 (SL/CG) (Multigrade), Auto-Sheck Super (SF/CD) 20W50 (Multigrade), Auto-Sheck HD 40, 50 (SD/CC) (Monograde), Autosheck Deo Supreme 15W40 (CH4/SL) (Multigrade).
It also has a major market share with its range of Autosheck Automotive/Industrial Hydraulic and Gear oils, Autosheck Automatic Transmission Fluid Dex III, Autosheck Brake fluid Dot 3 and Autosheck APS and MPS greases.
In addition to local regulation, Autosheck’s background and inclination to German standards makes its formulation blends concomitant to international best practices. The aftermath is that our products ensure great performance and durability of your automotives and machines.
The success story of autosheck has it’s locale in Igwe’s shrewd business acumen and can-do spirit. The result is that today, the company is not only a leader in the auto lubricants industry but has stayed on course despite the harsh economic realities the country is facing.
Born into the family of Late Mr & Mrs Igwe in 1970, in Umunuko village, Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area Anambra State, Benjamin had a humble beginning.
After his primary education, Benjamin proceeded to Boys High School, Ukpor for his Secondary School education.
He veered into the business world in 1986 when he went into apprenticeship for five (5) year’s.
At the end of his apprenticeship, Ben established an automobile spare parts business at Idumota, Lagos which later gave birth to Bensheck Nig Ltd and Autosheck Oil and Gas Ltd.
In recognition of his strides in the auto industry and service to God and humanity, Igwe has been honoured by a plethora of organisations and bodies including a Germany company, BF Germany which in 2005 and 2007 respectively bestowed on Bensheck Ltd with Customer of the Year Award.
And in appreciation of his support to the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, CCM, the Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac, Lagos, branch of the society in 2017 presented him with an award.
Additionally, for his contributions to community development, the Nsugbe community, Anambra state, in 2017 appreciated Igwe with an Award of Excellence.
The community was thankful to him for successfully tarring a one-kilometre road in the area.
Benjamin is married to his delectable wife and together they have adorable children.
– Ingram Osigwe is the Media Adviser to Auto-Sheck Oil & Gas and CEO of Full Page International Communications Ltd.