Mr Ephraim Akwiwu, an Owerri-based automobile manufacturer, has solicited the support of the federal and state governments to enable him to go into mass production.
Akwiwu, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Ephraim and Joeana Akwiwu Auto Shop, Owerri, made the call in an interview in his office last week.
He expressed his readiness to deploy the skill he acquired in automobile manufacturing in Europe in ensuring human capital development in Nigeria and overall national economic growth.
He called on individuals, groups and government at all levels to patronise made in Nigeria goods as a way of providing moral, financial and logistics support to indigenous manufacturers.
He said: “I need patronage because whoever patronises me has supported me.
“My doors are open for business and I will welcome every form of support from government at all levels.”
Akwiwu identified irregular power supply as his major challenge, saying that the situation had grounded some of his equipment.
He said that his operation and prospects for expansion were impeded by the paucity of funds and lack of adequate space.
He said that his workshop had continued to provide a platform for the training of Industrial Training (IT) students, secondary school leavers and graduates.
He, therefore, urged the nation’s youths to endeavour to emulate his entrepreneurial efforts.
“I am willing to train more youths who are ready to grow their talents to fruition. That is my little contribution to human capital development in our country,” Akwiwu said.
He said that he was mainly into maintenance and manufacture of automobile since 2011 and that he manufactured his second vehicle, called “the Combatant”, in 2017.
The automobile expert said that he participated in the 2019 Ondo Auto Rally, adding that his product was the only Nigerian car at the rally.
He said that the making of his third car, to be called “the celebrity”, was in progress.
Akwiwu said that his company was also into the manufacture of domestic equipment, such as kitchen furniture, doors, windows and a solar powered mobile phone that could charge with unique features such as MP3 for entertainment and free Wi-Fi.
