We Are Working towards Digitizing the Nnewi Economy -C FRANK

by thrilliant
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Anaedoonline.com had an interesting interview with Frank Udogu also known as C Frank, the C.E.O of C Frank Shipping Company; a company that majors on shipping goods from China to Lagos and Nnewi. He let us into his activities as the president of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi in China and their activities. In this interview, with Onyinye Okeke and Ebube Brown, Mr. Frank Udogu talks on business, politics and the future of Nnewi’s business and economy.

 

How do we get to know more about you and what you do about you?

My name is Okechukwu Frank Udogu. I order goods and ship them from China to anywhere in Nigeria. I am also the President of Nzuko-ora of Nnewi indigenes living in China.

 

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What are the activities of Nzuko-Ora in China?

Our activities in china by God’s grace are waxing strong. We have our meetings two times a month, we also had our iri ji ofuu (New yam) festival recently in China. Our members are doing fine and the days when we used to have immigration problems are over. However, we are trying to encourage our new members coming into China to get their papers and also to extend the papers when it is due for renewal.  But I can tell you that about 80% of all Nnewi indigenes have their papers intact.

 

What projects are said to be the Projects embarked upon by Nzuko Ora China in Nnewi?

Last year, the Anambra state Union in China acquired 400 plots of land in Awka, Anambra state. Not all members of Nzuko-Ora are part of the Anambra state union in China and they were not part of the land project, but through my influence as Land Project Chairman, I made 100 plots available for Nzuko-Ora members in China to purchase. Also, for many years Nzuko-ora in China was not recognized in Nnewi but I and my executives worked to ensure that we are recognized now in Nnewi. Also, every year in December we visit the motherless babies home here in Nnewi, to support the work that is being done.

 

How cordial is the relationship between Nzuko Ora China, and the Nzuko ora Nnewi?

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Nzuko-Ora in China is not autonomous; we are answerable to Nzuko Ora Nnewi. Therefore, the need for building a strong cordial relationship cannot be overlooked.

 

How long has Nzuko Ora China being in existence?

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Nzuko-Ora China has been existence since 2004. However, the association has had its share of ups and downs especially during the last administration, where there were moments of inconsistent meetings. The last administration didn’t live up to their responsibilities and till now they are still withholding the association’s money in their coffers. The elders who were leading us had many issues but the new administration is made up of younger people and we are waxing strong.

 

 

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What Programs do you organize in China as a group?

We organize workshops and seminars to educate our people on how to be good citizens in China and also how to invest their wealth at home here in Nnewi.  Most of our members, about 50% of them have investments and properties in Nnewi. We believe that our wealth should be invested at home.

How have your activities in China helped to promote and impact businesses in Nnewi?

The issue of promoting business is a personal decision of our members. Personally, I am into shipping goods and I used to ship to only Lagos but I am looking to include Nnewi this year. But as a group, we don’t have such plans. Although we are planning some activities that we will be doing in schools in Nnewi this year, we will not be sharing the details now until they are finalized. We are also planning to recognize prominent Nnewi indigenes that have supported the community through their businesses and activities, we hope to do all these this December.

 

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Tell us your plan on inviting the Igwe K.O.N Orizu to China?

Actually, the plan is for him to come over this year but we are having challenges with the invitation letter. We have contacted the immigration office but their requirement is too demanding, however, we are trying to go through the Chamber of Commerce. We will love him to come this October, we will finalize the plans here in Nigeria before travelling back.

 

Are there challenges for Ndi-Nnewi living in china in terms of Taxation; How are Nnewi people in china fairing in the business environment?

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In China, we are not facing the challenges of tax, though the nature of the Visa you use will determine if you will be hugely taxed or not, however, in general, there are no tax issues.  The issue we face generally is bad business in Nigeria, our clients in Nigeria do not order as often as they used to. Also, we face credit issues, our clients in Nigeria prefer to buy from the Chinese than from Nigerians in China and the Chinese company can give you credit waiver which Nigerians doing business in china will not give to you.

 

There is the rumour that the Nnewi economy will collapse due to the Okada ban, as a Businessman and as a leader of Nzuko-Ora community in China, what is your take on that?

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Well, we have had this discussion in our executive meetings, and we talked about getting a land here in Nnewi to establish phone accessory stores so that when the machine parts business depreciates, the phone accessory stores will be growing because the world is going digital. When we have something like this, some machine parts importers can switch to it. These are some of the ideas we want to share with the prominent men this December. If we can do something similar to what was done at the trade fair market in Lagos, it will help the economy.

 

Is there any partnership between Ndi Nnewi in China and the Nnewi Chamber of Commerce?

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No we don’t partner with them. They invited me personally to come to their office, I will make an enquiry on their requirements to see if I can register with them. I believe it can be an added advantage to our business.

 

Is there any platform through which Ndi-Nnewi or anyone who wants to order products from you can do so?

Presently, no medium except direct contact. Some people who know me as the chairman of Nzuko-Ora usually contact me, then I link them up to the people who can deliver the products for them.

 

Are there challenges facing as Nzuko-Ora chairman in China?

Yes, there are challenges especially from the elders and former executives who withheld money from Nzuko-Ora’s coffers. I tried to settle the issue amicably by inviting them for our programs but they refused to come. We will overcome and continue to progress.

 

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You were a co-sponsor of the 2018 Nwafor Orizu Unity Cup, what was the motive behind it?

It is important that young people support the activities in Nnewi. I saw the trophy and gifts rendered last year, it was too poor so I decided to do something about it this year.Doing these things are little ways of keeping the memories of our hero, a former Acting President and Senate president of Nigeria, Dr A.A. Nwafor Orizu alive. He was a great man. However, some people say it was for political benefit, but I am not moved by their hearsays. (Laughs)

 

Are you aspiring for any political position?

No. I am not interested in politics.

 

What is your advice for the younger ones in Nnewi?

My advice is whatever you are doing, do it well, one day God will see you through. For the lazy ones they should find something doing because Nnewi indigenes are not known to be lazy, for we always succeed in what we do.

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