THE MAN, MICHAEL IBRU

The patriarch of the Ibru family and chairman of the Ibru organization, Olorogun Michael Ibru is dead.

He died Tuesday September 6, 2016 at the age of 86 years after a protracted illness in Florida in the United States of America, USA.

Uncommon Pioneer

OLOROGUN (DR.) MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER ONAJIREVBE IBRU, OFR, is an entrepreneur of no mean feat. At the age of 24, he took the bold step to register Laibru, a trading company which he formed in partnership with Jimmy Large, an expatriate he met in the course of his duties at UAC. Within a short period, Laibru grew to become a conglomerate of about 25 companies, reportedly the largest indigenous conglomerate in Africa.

He was first among seven children of the late Pa EPETE IBRU, a missionary worker, who also was a Nursing Superintendent at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital and late Madam JANET OMOTOGOR IBRU, a fish trader who traversed the creeks of the Niger Delta to transact business just to make ends meet for her family.

Education and Career / Work Experience

He attended the famous Igbobi College, Lagos between 1948 and 1951.

During the period, he not only distinguished himself in academics, he also excelled in extracurricular activities such that in his last year in school, he was appointed the senior prefect, a position usually reserved for the best students with leadership traits.

The ingenuity of Olorogun Michael Ibru manifested itself for the first time at Igbobi College in 1948 when he moved up meteorically to Secondary Class II straight from the Elementary School without the usual preamble. In 1951, his fourth year, on a study that normally lasted six years, he passed the Cambridge School Certificate Examination with resounding distinction in Division One.

Following the same rare path that is meant only for exceptional people, Michael Ibru, directly after leaving Igbobi College, secured a job in the United African Company (now UACN), as a manager- in training. There again, this gifted man, Michael Ibru, set another pace for his peers, for he was one of the very few fresh school leavers to be so appointed to posts of responsibility by the UACN. Between 1951 and 1956 when he worked with the United Africa Company, a trading consortium that once bore the name of Royal Niger Company, Ibru had an intense internship that effectively prepared him for the bigger world of entrepreneurship.

Decision of Destiny: Giant Stride

In 1956, a few years after joining U.A.C, he resigned from the company and at the age of 24, the young Michael formed Laibru, in partnership with an expatriate, Jimmy Large, whom they both worked at UAC. After engaging in successful general trading, in 1957, Michael Ibru discovered that the frozen fish market was a fertile market with the potential to deliver returns above the market rate. However, it was a tough market to penetrate, at that time, as many expatriate firms and Nigerian traders were lacking and some were not interested in the market.

Businesses

Where other older Nigerian commercial capitalists were faithful to ready-made products, principally importing industrial goods from the United Kingdom, Ibru was far more daring in prospecting for new products to sell. His greatest commercial innovation was the production and marketing of frozen fish. hence Ibru ventured where no other Nigerian had dared. In the 1950s, frozen fish (once unsuccessfully pushed by the foreign-owned West African Fisheries and Cold Stores) had a poor reputation in Nigeria. When Ibru introduced frozen fish in 1957, its detractors, including meat sellers, labelled it “mortuary” fish. He waged a vigorous campaign that successfully persuaded the whole nation that frozen fish was good, establishing over 350 distribution depots throughout Nigeria.

Indeed, in the early 50s, the Commonwealth Development Corporation, had attempted to establish a fishing venture in the Nigerian waters with cold-storage facilities and a distribution operation through the West African Fisheries and Cold Store but failed because fish stocks were reportedly insufficient off Port-Harcourt and the boats were inappropriate, coupled with marketing and distribution challenges.

Noticing that fish held little attraction for the European trading houses but despite the challenges, Michael Ibru felt he could put extra effort communicating with general traders, who played key roles in products acceptance. His early involvement with the Swiss and Liberian partners was unsuccessful. But determined to succeed in this business, Michael formed the IBRU Sea Foods, an importing company solely owned by himself. He rented cold-storage facilities at the Ijora Wharf in Lagos from the UAC, using the facility at night and traded from the back of a Land Rover. Later, he built his cold storage facilities first at 33 Creek Road, Apapa. By the mid-1960s, fish trading had become the traditional money maker for the IBRU organization. Though he had other profitable interests such as transportation and construction, fish trading helped him secure financing and other forms of capital to engage in large scale trading.

Outstanding Entrepreneur

In 1963, Michael Ibru chartered his first fishing vessel from Taiyo Gyogo of Japan and two years after, in 1965 he founded the Osadjere Fishing Company in partnership with a Japanese Conglomerate, one of the largest fishing companies in the world. The company began with three long-distance freezer trawlers. Taiyo Gyogo held 30 percent of the equity and provided the management for deep sea trawlers and shrimpers. At a point, the company experienced considerable difficulties as at a time, it had to cease operation until 1974, when it was re-organised with a fleet of between eight and 25 trawlers.

By the end of the 1960s, Michael Ibru had branched out fully into other areas of the economy. In 1969, a transportation company, called Rutam was acquired as another major arm of his business as it engaged in marketing and distribution of Mazda, Saviem, Tata and Jeep brands of automobiles. At a time, Rutam was appointed by the Federal Government, as the major distributor of Peugeot brand of vehicles in the country. In 1965, Michael Ibru started a large palm-oil plantation Aden Farm in the old Bendel State as well as a citrus and pine-apple farm on a 800-hectares site, which for some time, supplied the Lafia Cannery in Ibadan, Oyo State. He acquired the Mitchell Farm in 1973 and at the time, the farm was the largest producer of dayold chicks and processed poultry in West Africa. The company was acquired from the American owners Alizar who had established the farm in 1963.

By 1974, Michael Ibru extended his business adventure with the acquisition of Nigerian Hardwoods, a logging and sawmilling and wood processing company Ubiaroku, at a low price from the Lathem Group, UK. The firm was originally established in 1919 and exported hard wood logs. Orogun Michael Ibru’s early success in business can however be attributed to the assistance he received from his family. Felix himself served as part-time clerk for Laibru, while his mother in her early life was a long-distance trader in the creeks of the Niger Delta where familiarity with fish was a necessity. Her prowess in the pricing of the new “IBRU” frozen fish was invaluable. Perhaps, the unsung hero in the initial push to huge success by the eldest of the Ibru family was their austere father, Epete Ibru, who ensured that Michael’s monies were safeguarded in a vault over which this patriarch kept watch. In the end, the inclusion of Michael Ibru’s siblings, wives, children and associates in the management of the companies of the IBRU organization is seen as a move that has greatly enriched the totality of the Ibru clan.

Awards and Recognition

Michael’s contribution to the well-being of humanity has not gone unnoticed as he has been honoured both locally and internationally. In full recognition of his dedicated service to the cause of education and his vast capacity and willingness to continued sponsorship of that cause, the former Midwest State government appointed Olorogun Michael Ibru member of the Provisional Council of the University of Benin in 1975. And for his business enterprise beyond the shores of Nigeria, he was also appointed Member of the Economic Cabinet Committee of the former Midwest State of Nigeria. This was aside from being a member of the African Development Bank President’s Round Table of Businessmen in Africa.

Olorogun Ibru was also a member of the Business Advisory Council of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). His exploits in the field of business have also afforded him the opportunity to serve as Council member of the following bodies: Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigeria-United States Business Council.

His efforts at developing the economic landscape of Nigeria and stemming the tide of poverty have not gone unnoticed, as he has a deluge of recognitions and awards for his enterprise. Among the awards are: Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 1981; Outstanding Businessman Award of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1983; Honorary Doctor of Laws (Hon. LL.D.) of the University of Benin (1978) and University of Ibadan (1978), Doctor of Agriculture (Honoraries Causa), University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, 2004. In addition, Olorogun in 2003 won the Zik Prize in Leadership and in 2005; he received the prestigious Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Excellence in Enterprise Award.

Culled from: mandcfoundation.org

MICHELLE EKURE: A NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES' GRADUATE TURNS SHOE-MAKER

After submitting her CV to 65 organisations in a desperate search for job after school, Michelle Ekure, an International Studies and Diplomacy graduate at the University of Benin decided to try her hands with Shoe-making at her Lagos residence. A native of Delta state and the last child of the family of eight fought through the odds to make ends meet. Nigerian Bulletin ran into her, and she shares how she earns her income in making other people look good.



Why did you venture into Shoe-making? And how did you start?

It is a long story really.

First it was because there was no job. I was looking for job like ''crazy''. I finally got a job but it was not paying well and the employer was owing too much. You know how it is with one-man business in Nigeria if not properly managed. While I was working, there is a company that makes a lot of leather stuffs – sandals, shoes, bags, etc, that I was helping sell their sandals with their labels on it. So after I quit the job, with the frustration of having pushed so many applications with no response, I decided I was not going to look for job again.

At some point when I checked my sent emails, I realized I had sent out my Cvs for 65 job applications with no call for interview. I said to myself: Is this how am going to live my life? At that point, I had to pray and asked God for direction. And then God told me: 'Instead of helping these people sell their stuffs with their label, why don't you ask of how you can make your shoes with your own label?'' You know at times when God speaks to you, you tend to ask yourself, 'are you sure this is not my mind'?, are you sure I've not been thinking about that? So I took the bold step, and asked the company if they could do that for me. Fortunately, I got a yes from them. They produced the first set I ordered for with my own label, but it was too high for me. 

Michelle at work

Someone then introduced me to the person that taught me how to make shoes. I had some time to understudy and see how the guy makes shoes. It was so exciting to me. And that was when I thought that I can equally be good as this guy. I was drilled to an extent that could make one want to give up. But no, I was determined. I continued learning, reading, and did my research too. I looked up on how shoes were made, and resolved to be very good at what I choose to do. You know people have this strange mentality of 'Made in Nigeria' shoes. But my research made me better but I know I can do better than the way I am right now.


What's your disposition to skill learning as part of curriculum at all educational levels in Nigeria?

I think we should inculcate skill learning into the curriculum. It is needful. I always tell people that shoe-making is a personality thing. Your shoe can tell me the kind of person you are. I can tell if you are a classy person or otherwise with the kind of shoe you wear. Because your works speaks for you – it tells you the kind of mind you have. There was a time I got admission in Italy to study shoe-making. When I checked up the school, it's a big school where they teach them shoe-making. It is part of their curriculum. So, I think it should be part of the curriculum. And I also have it as part of plans to bring it someday in Nigeria, and be part of our curriculum, even in secondary schools and at the tertiary level.

Again, if you watch it, it is not everyone that has the mental capacity to sit down and read, but if there is something like this, people can easily learn something that will make them self-sufficient.

What's the highest amount you've ever received for a shoe you made?

N25, 000

How do you promote your stuffs? Who are your target audience?

At a time, I was out for only selected people. People always tell me that your shoes are expensive but if you know the worth of what you are buying, you will would say it's actually cheap because I have so much confidence in my products that when you want to buy it outside the country, you buy it twice the amount you bought it from me, and it would be the same quality. I specialize in making my work neat, using expensive and highest-quality materials in the market. I know my onions. I am good at it. For instance, I can walk up to a Bank Manager, and tell him that I make and sell shoes, because I know what I am giving you.

Later, I decided to make my shoes for everybody. Everybody can afford it, depends on the amount you have.

How many shoes can you make in a week?

And what's your price range? Hmmm, if I don't want to stress myself, I can make 10. There are times where I have to work overnight, I make more than that. And also when I have orders that I need to deliver, I overstretch myself. For the shoes, it is from N15, 000 to N30, 0000.

What do your family members and friends think of the shoe making business?

I think in my life, this is the first thing my family has ever supported. When I was in school, I used to be a model. Most of my friends and most people know me as a model, I always told them I want to be a super model. I want to take it far and wide... But you know, later on, realized that was not the will of God for me.

If not shoe-making, what would you have opted for?

(Smiles) I would have gone for working in the United Nations, Embassies, into Foreign Affairs. I like to be a diplomat. I love the course I studied. I want to represent countries. I want to negotiate on behalf of my country. I want to be a mediator between two countries and be a good negotiator. If I am not into Shoe-Making, that's what I would do.

Can you marry a Shoe maker as a husband?

Hmm, No. I like to be out there. And I like my husband not to really be at the spotlight. Let me be the public figure, and let him be the man behind my great success and very proud of me.

Challenges in running the business?

The equipment, and then import-export rates are very much on us right now. So that's made the price of things high, and choking. So, it is now difficult for us to convince customers on the price of shoes. They sometimes say, no no, it is too much, we can't afford it. 'They really don't know what we face to purchase the materials and get the stuffs done.

What are your future aspirations for the shoe making venture?

What becomes of your degree? Well, I just hope one day, honestly, that my dreams of becoming a diplomat come true. I really want that. And also, I want to build the shoe-making business to a level where it won't only be making shoes for people, but train people on how to make shoes. It would be like a school where people can come and learn how to make different kinds of shoes. We will sell as well, but we will train people - it would be like a normal school. That's always being my dream for the business, and that's where I intend to take it to.


Your advice for young ladies?

I always tell people that you can do anything. God has blessed us so much that each and everyone of us has something deposited within us that can get us a good life. It is just for us to discover it. To every woman out there, ask yourself: what are are good at? There is something you are good at, and can make money from. Quoting Sam Adeyemi, 'there are people who needs your services. Check around. There's something lacking somewhere, and you just may be the solution for it.

Source: Nigerian Bulletin