11/08/2019
CITATION ON LATE CHIEF DR. FERDINAND ANYAOHA ANAGHARA OON. (1936-2007)
THE IYI OF URUALLA, THE IYIUKWU OF AKOKWA, THE OMENKEAHURUNANYA OF ORLU, THE ODEZULUMBA OF OGBUNIKE, THE ERIWE AGWUAGWU OF AKPULU, THE ANYIMUKWU OF DIKENAFAI, THE OMEREOHA OF OBIOMA NGWA, THE NKWA CHUKWUKWERE URUALLA.
THE ONWANETIRIOHA OF IHIOMA.
it is a great privilege to be given the opportunity to write a citation on a man whose name was synonymous with rural development in Imo State. There is so much to write about him but I'm constrained by time and space to merely introduce him and keep the audience enguirering of this noble son of Urualla. Born into the family of Late Chief Anagharagwo Agbai of Okoro-Okwara UmuIkpa Ozu Urualla in the year 1936. he attended St. Johns Primary School Urualla with his peers. On completion of his primary education he left for Onitsha in search of the golden flee as was common in his era. On completion of his tutelage young Ferdinand started a small business enterprise with the name M/SF. Anyaoha Anaghara and brothers Trading company. His success manifested early in his business life but the Nigerian Civil war stated its growth. Not domited by this temporary delay Ferdinand in 1970 after the civil war returned to business and relocated his head office to Enugu . His total commitment on handiwork and absolute sincerity in all business transaction endeared him to a number of renowned multinational companies among them were .G.B. Olivant, SCOA, LEAVENTIS GRoup John Holt, Niger Motors, Dunlop motors Nigeria Limited Anambra motors Manufacturing Company Limited, Volkswagen of Nigeria LTD etc. Ferdinand became a house hold name every successful business organisation sought to do business with, he had the franchise of this companies and others. His foresight and business acumen grew in geometrical progressions. He had an office outlet in most towns in the eastern states and beyond. His commitment in the development of the rural communities greatly influenced his sitting the first ever viable industrial project in Urualla When there was neither water, good roads, electricity supply or the basic necessities for the establishment of an industry. When most entrepreneurs including the Federal and State Governments concentrated their efforts in the big cities as if the rural areas were not part of their domain , Ferdinand had taken the initiative, took the risk, committed his funds, brought the expatriates to live in a rural area Urualla , recorded a first in the direction of rural industrialization and proved doubting Thomases who considered the venture an exercise in futility Wrong. He established FERDINAND INDUSTRIES (NIG) LIMITED PRODUCERS OF ALUMINIUM and automotive filters in Urualla in 1974. He single handedly laid the way and established Industrial layout while other Entrepreneurs joined him Later. The success of this first attempt at rural development underscores his business capability, his philosophy and commitment to the enhancement of the quality of life of the rural Populace . With this enviable record one is therefore not surprise that the young M/SF. Anyaoha Anaghara and brothers Trading company established in 1959 has over the years grown to a Conglomerate called FERDINAND GROUP OF COMPANIES WITH THE FOLLOWING subsidiaries :
Ferdinand Enterprises Nigeria LTD general merchants, Mercedes Benz sales and services.
Ferdinand Industries Nigeria LTD . Producers of Aluminium utensils and Automotive filters.
Ferdinand property investment LTD estate development and investments,
Ferdinand Oil Mills PLC Producers of Ferdinand super Vegetable Oil Cakes Etc
Ferdinand motors international Limited sales and services of volkswagen products.
Vatalis services Limited.
Kara holdings London
Ferdinand steel and Allied Industries Limited steel fabrication and construction.
Ferdinand integrated farm projects LTD general agricultural business involving crop brod, livestock productions
Ferdinand rubber processing company
urovers commodities processing company Processing of cocoa and beans
African safety insurance company Limited
he also has substantial interest in the banking insurance sector , Breweries and other manufacturing concerns within Nigeria and abroad. He Was a director of several other companies and a widely travelled business executive with international connections. Apart from his offer of employment to our teeming population and his Urbanisation of URUALLA Community, Ferdinand has been the fulcrum of our developmental aspirations. His financial commitment in all worthwhile ventured in Urualla earned him the name IYI OF URUALLA (A Stream that never dries). Ferdinand knows no bounds in his philanthropic gestures surpassed the myopic vision of little minds from birth. He saw Urualla as his birth place to which he owed whatsoever God has endowed him with.His overflowing kind gestures made many people millionaire today including Urualla indegenes Those who served their business tutelage under him acquired his propensity of being large hearted, broad-minded, Uprightness and financial
bouyancy. No wonder it
is said good seeds beget good fruits. in recognition to his contributions to humanity he was honoured with 31 national and international awards across the globe by the best reputable and recognised organizations worldwide. of which some of them are 1995 national productivity merit award winner he was regarded as the most productive individual, He was the 1991 best Nigerian rubber exporter, and also the 1973 Honda company motors of Japan best African customer, he was a doctor of business adminstration (Honoris CAUSA) Of the university of Nigeria Nsukka , Anaghara was the 1986 Golden mercury of Africa award winner of the voice of African London. he was a pioneer industrialist on rural development and, a philanthropist per excellence, He died in 2007.
