By Samuel Ajayi
ABUJA (Sundiata Post) When I see the travails of Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, the man behind Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, I weep for Mother Nigeria. Chukwuma was arrested on Monday by EFCC over a case involving him and GT Bank. From sources I have tried to contact, GT Bank over-charged Innoson to the tune of N700m over a loan. The man approached the courts, suing GT Bank. He won and was awarded N4.7b in damages. GT Bank went to Appeal Court and lost. That, according to many reports, was when GT Bank decided to apply underhand tactics including police and EFCC.
Innoson is one company that has shown great belief in this country. The man, I learnt, of limited education, overcame barriers and built his company from being a spare part selling outfit to a vehicle manufacturing company. His IVM vehicles are being sold and used all over Nigeria. He recently launched his SUV luxury range of vehicles. I just love his spirit.
Under Jonathan, virtually all government agencies were encouraged to buy vehicles made by his company. If this man had gotten the kind of political support China, India and South Africa give to their indigenous companies, the likes of Toyota, Honda, Kia AMD Hyundai would have been sweating now. But despite the harsh conditions under which people like Innoson operate, the man has trudged on. The last thing he needs is this kind of treatment. It is capable of killing his spirit.
It is a shame that Toyota brands like Corolla, Yaris, Hilux and others that we buy brand new here are manufactured in South Africa. BMW also has a plant in the Nelson Mandela country and even Daimler Chrysler. Mazda also has a plant in South Africa. The CX5, Mazda’s current highest selling brand, is being built there. Honda has a plant in Middle East. That is where Accord and Civic brands are brought here. Reason the American version of Accord (models between 2003 and 2012) carries 2.4 litre engine and the tropical version carries 2.0 litre engine.
Innoson and others like him across the country can challenge all these if encouraged. His vehicles come with Japan-built Mistibushi engines. I learnt that long ago.
Warning: I do NOT want anyone to read ethnic or tribal colouration to his travails. That will be defeatist and reductionistic in approach. It is about our nation and the need to celebrate our own. There are many Northerners and Yorubas facing same challenges but in a smaller scale.
The trials of Innocent Chukwuma should get us thinking and the damage our banks are doing and still do to the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians!
Weep not for Innoson. Let’s weep for a nation seemed cursed!
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