‘Nigeria, big, capable to be giant of Africa’

66-year-old Espo Awa Njoku, the CEO of Ebisa Global Ventures, hails from Ohafia Local Government Area in Abia state. He is an inventor of a brand of shoes called ESPO shoes. Njoku says Nigeria has what it takes to be the giant of Africa. BINTA SHAMA reports.
Importance of shoes It will interest you to know that shoes are important because shoes to protect our feet. Shoes are important because, while apparel sizes often change during a person’s life, shoe size seldom changes after a person is fully grown, and therefore shoes represent a long-term investment that can be useful for years. Njoku says shoes have become an important part of our everyday lives. Shoes were originally designed to protect our feet from cold weather, sharp objects, and uncomfortable surfaces.
Trendy nature of shoes The early version of the shoe is thought to be a sandal of some form. As man’s knowledge of tools and the working of leather grew, so did the sophistication and quality of the average shoe. Shoes are shaped by the physical and economic environment of their surroundings. For example, the ancient Egyptians wore flip-flops woven from straw, while the Dutch wore shoes carved from wood to protect their feet from damp marshy land they worked in. With the passing of time shoes have become an integral part of daily lives. Shoes have passed on from being an item of luxury to an item of necessity. Fashion also played a role in the evolution of the shoe. The human psyche craves for an individual and unique identity. The nobility and upper classes saw shoes as an opportunity to fulfill this desire. The shoes got more and more extravagant. Cloth, velvet and tapestries began to be used. This was the birth of the shoe industry as we know it today. Today shoes are classified according to their use. They are casual and dress, work, sport and corrective.
What is the motivation behind the invention amongst many others? I have been in this profession for over 20years. My motivating factor for this invention started right from when I was a young man but did not have the push to go into it not until when I observed the crave by most Nigerians going into buying and selling shoes, both fairly used and new ones which was so expensive to acquire. I now decided to start mine. My basic aim for this innovation is to produce for Nigeria foot wears of competitive quality that will serve as imports substitutions create employment and wealth.
Njoku and daughter at work
What is the level of Patronage? Well, as usual these days, the patronage has been poor though, but coupled with the situation in the country. People think of eating first before wearing clothes or dressing up or would you prefer to look good on an empty stomach? The answer is most definitely ‘NO’. Things have been low over the years but are improving currently with improvement in quality of products. It is important to note that despite the hustles, I started with less than N500,000.00 but currently worth over Five Million Naira.
What is the staff strength presently? Well presently I have 7 of them but have trained a lot of persons that I cannot keep count, but if you will permit me to say I have been able to train over 20 persons so far that I am well pleased and proud of for learning so well from me. With the whole of these I have attended seminars and trained people with or without fee. My interest is on those serious minded youths, making impacts on them that would last a longtime. I have my little daughter Ngozi, in the high institution, Federal Polytechnic in Imo State who comes by often to help me out and is also very good on the job. She is my eye and backbone in the business and I thank God that an off spring of mine is following my footsteps despite being a female.
What are the challenges on the field? For now the challenges aren’t much but very important factor in the business. The procurement of more machines to ensure high quality product for all arms of military and civilian foot wear is a major challenge.
Has there been any support? Of course yes. God has really supported me with the wisdom and idea to come about the invention and also the federal in form of the EXPO where I met with Blueprint and also family, friends, acquaintances and those who believe in me.
Are there any expectations? Yes, for instance the Federal Administration led by President Muhammad Buhari is supporting industrialization through favorable policies, financial and technical supports over times. We expect it to improve, especially with support from the current Minister of Science and Technology .Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. N.B.T.I, Dr Jibrin Muhammed and other passionate advocate of made in Nigeria product. And as well be among the top local producers of foot wear in the shortest possible time using cutting edge machine.
Words of encouragement I will like to tell the business minded Nigerians not to give up but continue to push because ‘Nigeria is big and capable enough to achieve what it takes to become the giant of Africa’ for the Country belongs to all of us.
Gratitude My gratitude goes to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for putting in place enabling environment for business to thrive. I also thank God for the recently concluded EXPO 2018 Invention /Innovation organized by the Ministry of Science and technology.

 

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