A young university graduate, Mr Wilson Ekeledirichukwu, who set up a fufu processing plant valued at N75,000, at Ihiagwa, near Owerri, said he established the outfit in order to be self-employed and also create jobs.
Ekeledirichukwu, a graduate of animal science from the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Owerri.
NAN reports that fufu is a local delicacy, made from fermented cassava and is popularly eaten by many Nigerians, especially people from the Southern and North-Central Nigeria.
“As an undergraduate, I resolved that I will be among Nigerians to create jobs and not those looking for jobs that are not easily available in this country now.
‘’After my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Oyo State between 2014 and 2015, I first ventured into paint production but discovered that the project required much capital,’’ he said.
Ekeledirichukwu said that he finally settled for the processing of fufu, adding that the equipment for the fufu processing cost him about N75, 000.
He said that the ‘’ uniqueness of our fufu is that it has no odour,’’ adding that rather than the local method of pounding fufu, his outfit “uses turning method and gas cooker to process the product.’’
According to him, he has been supplying fufu to restaurants in his alma mater, Federal University of Technology, Owerri,(FUTO), Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri and growing number of customers.
Ekeledirichukwu put the staff strength of the outfit at three, with N15,000 each monthly salary. He said that his intention was to established a food processing firm with capacity to engage over 100 workers.
“If I sustain the income margin I am making now, I hope to establish my dream business before long.’’
“I feel that there are vast opportunities to tap by the young and energetic Nigerians, all that is needed is for people to have entrepreneurial spirit to drive their vision.’’
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