26/05/2022
THE INSIGHTS WITH MR. COLLINS OSCAR, C.E.O MADE IN AKWA IBOM COOPERATION!
Moses Umoh
"I think my Father was the first person in Akwa Ibom State to start selling Electronics here wholesale as far back as 1995."
The maiden edition of "The Insights" with astute entrepreneur who has made a name for himself. A business man par excellence, Mr. Collins Oscar, the Chief Executive Officer of Made In Akwa Ibom Corporation; a company that produce, promote, and sell only made in Akwa Ibom products and services too ranging from consumables: processed and packed food items like Fufu/Cocoayam Flour, Crayfish, and Tomatoes. Non consumables like crafts: plates made from raffia and clay. Furniture; Cosmetics: body creams, soaps etc. Electronics: Yama, a rechargeable inverter that can power your devices for 8 to 10 hours. Services like a makeup and audio studio (for audio production of music and jingles), restaurant, and fashion houses.
E.M: "Hello Sir, how are you doing today?"
MR. COLLINS: "Hello, I am fine."
E.M: "Who is Mr. Collins Oscar?"
MR. COLLINS: "Mr. Oscar is someone's husband, he is someone's father. What people know about me is that I run a business called Made In Akwa Ibom. We sell 100% Made in Akwa Ibom Products. We also produce, brand, package, and promote the products too. I am an author of 5 books including 'Idiots with B.Sc'. Father to a young and very enterprising boy called 'Ikpa Ekpe"
E.M: "Where is Mr. Oscar from?"
MR. COLLINS: "I am from Oruk Anam Local Government here in Akwa Ibom State. A typical Annang-man"
E.M: "How was your childhood?"
MR. COLLINS: "I've never been a conventional person even as a child. I don't like the usual things, what people do the normal way. It used to be a problem right from my childhood starting with my siblings, my parents, and anyone who knew me then but now, that is what is making ways for me. I now commercialize it, this supposed bad behavior is even the reason people do business with me. People are seeing me as being different. The same difference that wasn't appreciated is the reason people do business with me.
E.M: "How did your Parents/Siblings accept you? Did you have someone that stood as a mediator as an unconventional child?"
MR. COLLINS: "Nobody stepped in for me. I was alone. My dad was a Customs Officer who was serving the country during our growing-up period. Even my mother, and siblings. Nobody stepped in for me. I was on my own, and they scolded and reprimanded me. However, I tried wanting to change my life to suit what was expected, but it became more difficult that way for me. It was a serious problem but as time went on, I've come to appreciate who I am and others too, admire my Rebellious personality. I love who I am now, before, I used to be apologetic about it. I used to feel I'm different negatively from other people but now, I realized that "one has to be odd to be number one" that's why I'm number one now"
EDUCATION
E.M: "Education must have played an important role in shaping the rebel in you to a better person you are now. Tell us about your Nursery, Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education"
MR. COLLINS: "Okay, I went to a Private Nursery School called "Mfonabasi Kindergartens School." I appreciate my parents for sending me there, it used to be one of the best Nursery Schools and I was doing well there. My secondary school was Government Technical School, Abak. I was a Boarder from Vocational1 to Technical3 (Equivalent of JS1 to SS3). From there to Abubakar Tafewa University, Bauchi. Then to the University of Uyo for a degree program in Sociology. But, I don't like talking about my academic background because I don't want people to think that who and whatever I'm today is because of that. I already knew while schooling that academics will contribute little or nothing to who I will become in life. I was just doing it to fulfill all righteousness, even till now because, even as a student; I was doing business, I bought my first car, I made my first 1 million naira turnover, I started employing."
E.M: "What inspired or made you delve into business? Because it seems like dad was a Federal worker and I'm not sure Mom was into business"
MR. COLLINS: "No, though my dad was a Customs Officer, my dad and mom and all of us have always been in business. I think my Father was the first person in Akwa Ibom State to start selling Electronics here wholesale as far back as 1995. I don't know who was selling Electronics in the state before then."
E.M: "What was the name of the business?"
MR. COLLINS: "The business was in Itam and he named it after my Mom, it was called Emmy and sons. He was doing very well, he had a lot of people working for him, a lot of them were Ibos almost 18 people living with us and serving him. He used to buy like half a container load of products, bringing them to Uyo, and people from all the Local Governments here will come to buy from him instead of going to Aba. However, even when my dad was doing business at that level, I was also doing my own business. In nursery school then, I used to sell Ice water because there was no pure water then, reason was that I strongly believe in making my own money rather than being a dependent even as the first son. I was doing all these against my father's wishes and knowledge but I derived so much joy in making those little 20 and 50 naira gains and I was fulfilled earning my own money till I started managing my dad's business because at some point, those working for him started taking advantage it and my father wasn't comfortable with that and he asked us to step in, at around 13, 14 years of age, I started counting and managing millions, taking like N200,000 daily to the bank, even at that, I knew it was my father's business so while running it, I told those people my dad bought from that I wanted to start a business for myself as well. They started sending my goods, while my dad was selling big things like Refrigerators, Air conditioners, and other stuff, I started selling small things like MP3 players, Walkman Disk, etc, to my peers. I was around 16 years then, and that was how I delve into business fully. At age 20, I was owing people in Lagos –people I don't know, who are my dad's mates (without my parent's knowledge). That gave me sleepless nights on how to pay those debts, that made me buckle up, and even till now, it is my style and driving force in doing business. Running a business with credit, investment money, etc and since then till now, I don't think have been out of debt –in a way– and I use it to do big things, most of the things I do including publishing books are from there. I know how to manage people's money in business to achieve my goals."
E.M: "Let's divert into something you shook the world with before we come back to business. "Idiots With B.Sc", what made you give it such a name? "
MR. COLLINS: "I started reading books in 2004 when I met a mentor that said, "you can't become something in life without being a reader" you must read at least, 100 books in a year, so I read wide so 2008, I published my first book titled "Mental Reconstruction" and in 2010, I started the second one "Idiots with B.Sc" and at this time, I've started hosting seminars to like 30 to 40, urging them to be productive and not to depend
on Certificate, Degree, etc. I'm so lucky that I had such understanding early because as I am talking, I'm so proud of myself. Sadly, some of my mates are yet to understand this but 15 years ago, I understood that degree is not a guarantee that you'll make it in life. I was about 21 or 22 when I started writing that book and I had to title it that way. I like creating controversies to steer curiosity and even when I have a message in it, I like making it look unconventional because, if it is given a diplomatic title, people may not pay attention to it but "Idiots with B.Sc" arrest the attention of people both the intelligent minds and those that are not. The intelligent ones will feel challenged. Whoever you are, the title will get to you. I was 24 years old when the book was launched and so far 87,000 of that book have been sold but, that's not my joy about it, my happiness is the calls I received (even till now) from people about how that book has changed them.
E.M: "What made you start a business that will have other businesses will grow and build their empire there? What gave birth to the Made In Akwa Ibom Cooperation?"
MR. COLLINS: "Okay, as I mentioned earlier that there was a season in my life that I used to go around hosting seminars and do what is known today as "Motivational Speaking", inspiring and telling them to be self-reliant; to do something with their hands. I realized that some people were becoming "Motivated Idiots" in a way, but that wasn't enough so, I started spotting people who were putting to practice what they were taught, from there I started synergizing with them on how to take that to another level, going global because it was not just enough to be patronized by people on your street or church members but producing things that can be exported. I met with these people and we started working together. We have about 250 of them currently producing their products. Some pay to be on the platform to learn and exchange values. We also invest millions into businesses we know, do have prospects. This was how "Made In Akwa Ibom Cooperation" began. We produce with our industrial machines for those who don't have, they bring their raw material there."
E.M: "How has it been running M.I.A and how has the experience been?"
MR. COLLINS: "There are 257 Businesses under M.I.A and I won't say it's been easy especially here where we don't appreciate our things, people still ask the questions like "are you sure this will work for me?", "are you sure this thing will not purge me?", all because they are locally produced here and they may know the producers but so far, we've been able to change the minds of people in that regard as people, no matter their exposure, would want to identify with made in Akwa Ibom Products. Unlike before when they used to brag about what they bought elsewhere, now they are proud that they got their products from Made in Akwa Ibom with much pride. Now, people use our Zobo, Tigernuts in their marriage ceremonies as against the other drinks they use to serve their guests. Event organizers do the same thing as well. Some take pictures of them having those products and post them on Social Media. This is what M.I.A has achieved and nobody can want to take that glory from us."
E.M: "What does it take to be a member of M.I.A"
MR. COLLINS: "The only thing it takes to be a member is to have your product also it must be registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Other things we do will be to advise if the products are not well packaged because that can be a limitation for it not to fly, all for free. We will tell you that you need to register with NAFDAC, SON, etc to avoid issues. We encourage people to do business from that birdseye angle and not the myopic mindset"
E.M: " What does it take to invest M.I.A"
MR. COLLINS: "We also open our business for investors to come in although we are careful not to make it look like a quick cashing out kind of investment, that is why we are not too loud about it. But some people have excess money and they pump it into M.I.A, that is what we use to run our businesses and we are owing them that money and they become our partners, we pay them 2.5% ROI every month. As for the principal funds, refund it to them whenever they need it. We have been doing this for 2 years now and we have been successful at that."
E.M: "How has the acceptance of M.I.A been?"
MR. COLLINS: "Well, first of all, from the investment angle, it has been good and even investors do give the suggestions too because they are all on the platform where we discuss the way forward of the business, what to invest in and what not to. We started with 1 person as an investor but there are 121 persons currently so, that is acceptability for me and from the patronage angle when we started, we used to sell about N450 only, daily but now, we sell times a hundred of that. it shows that people are buying. Not just the walk-in customers but we have people place orders from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, etc. We make millions of turnover here monthly."
E.M: "How are Akwa Ibomites investing in M.I.A, especially the "Old Monies" and big people investing?"
MR. COLLINS: "Well, I don't have any of the "big people" and whatever picture they have painted in our hearts to know has big people without calling it out, I don't think I have any of them here as an investor. None of them. I know my investors, and all of them are my direct friends and contemporaries and they are about 40% of them. Others are friends of those, my friends, too. 50% of the investors are Akwa Ibomites. I have investors from the UK, US, etc who are observing me and the efforts we put here."
E.M: "In the nearest future, where do you see M.I.A?"
MR. COLLINS: "In a year from now, M.I.A will be in some key cities in Nigeria, before September next year (2023) we will have M.I.A in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. In the next 3 years from now, we will have M.I.A in South Africa, London, and America (USA). That is the intention so that when you get there, you can conveniently ask for "Ekpang-nkokwo", our clothing, etc and you'll find it there."
E.M: "In making that happen, do you have affiliation with AKISAN?"
MR. COLLINS: "Yeah, some time ago, their president visited however, the truth is that we don't like depending on people, we like looking inward to see what we can do. I wouldn't want to make it look like it's because of the AKISAN promise but with or without them, we will still establish our brand around the world however, we will appreciate their support and partnership too."
E.M: "You seem not to be too loud about your marriage, tell us more about it and how you manage it with a business like M.I.A? "
MR. COLLINS: "Okay, for those who know me, they can attest that it is very difficult to marry me. Somehow, my marriage has turned out to be a business too and thank God for the kind of person I'm married to. We see ourselves more like partners and not just the regular married couples. If it were to be a regular marriage, there are some rights and privileges that they enjoy but it is different for us. I wish you would understand. Our emphasis is on building the business first and we remind ourselves that tomorrow, we will enjoy. We have deprived ourselves of so many things even the enjoyments that with marriage and sometimes our son too is a victim just because we want to grow business. I am grateful to my wife for her kind of understanding. An example is when we had to postpone our marriage that was to hold in September 2018 because we needed to use the money and pay for a shop, open M.I.A and do other things. Imagine planning a wedding and all of a sudden, an idea of such came and the lady easily accepted it, that is the kind of extreme sacrifice we make and even till now, we are still going through a lot as a couple, all because we want to make this work. We do all of this with the understanding that we will enjoy in the future.
E.M: "Tell us about how Fatherhood has been and your fascination with your son even how the name Ikpa-Ekpe came about?"
MR. COLLINS: "First of all, let me start with the name, I sometimes like taking things to the extreme even when they aren't comfortable but because I want to send a message. Remember when I used to sell Zobo at the traffic lights, not that I couldn't have sold it on my social media platform, but I wanted to make a statement that one can drop his or her pride and start a business at that level. When I got married, we didn't wear the normal wedding attire but we wore traditional attires to promote Akwa Ibom and that got featured in 17 newspapers. That wasn't our intention, we just wanted to send a message that you can wear your suit and be fine but I will wear my traditional attire and it will be fine too and it will be talked about. My philosophy has always been that "you have to be odd to be number one." For my son's name, there are other conventional Akwa Ibom names like Ubong, etc but I had to push it to the extreme. No one hears the name (Ikpa-Ekpe) and does not ask questions in fact, everything about me has been that way, even the titles of my books "Mental Reconstruction", "Idiots With B.Sc", "19 Business Lessons I Learnt From A Thief, "Emotional 419", "The Rebels", all of them have questions mark, none of them sounds normal, same for my son's name and even when I have a daughter even though having this my son is so satisfying to me. He has been the greatest reward I've ever gotten in this life because even when I was happy my business was going well, the joy of my son in my life can't be compared to that. I used to do business to motivate others or push Akwa Ibom but all I'm doing now is for my son. I'm saying this to express how much I love my son and how I am ready to sacrifice for him."
E.M: "We understand how this Social Media age is slowly trying to deter kids from the ways their parents raise them, in the case of Ikpa-Ekpe, how are you going to train him not to go away from your ways?"
MR. COLLINS: "Well, my son is 8 months old and I can say that I have one of the most intelligent and smartest kids in the world and this is because, right from his pregnancy stage, I have been intentional about how I train him and I don't care about what the society does, I believe in the Bible that says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it". I believe any child that deters from the way the father raised him or her, didn't respect the father. My son so loves me because I don't need to be told as I can feel it. I spend most of the time with him. I bathe, feed, and change his diapers and no one can come and tell me "what if"; "what if", to me, it's a weak statement. Those saying such don't understand parenting as I am intentional about parenting. Just that, as a person, I don't believe in "what if's" even in business. I was on air some time ago and someone asked "what if's" and I like giving one answer and that is "It will not" tho it sounds religious but aside from that, I know what I am doing and it will not fail because with the little I know about life and I have been intentional about it to that point. My son will so love everything that I represent. He won't be one of those that when they are 20 plus and I've put in all of this effort he will be using the Governor's or an Aspirant's face as his profile picture when he has not used his father's picture before. The little opportunity he will ever have to address the whole world but he will be mentioning their role model and not the father, the children of nowadays are the ones that will be challenging your efforts and be asking what if. They have been failed, their father has failed them so they should not bring to me. My father has not failed me and I love my father and my father loves me so much. Maybe my siblings will get to read this but I always tell them that I think my father loves me more than anyone else in my family and my siblings might also say the same, even my mother but for me, that is the love and feeling I have about my father that he loves me more than all of them. But when you have a kind of father you can not say that about, why won't you be saying the "what if?" and why won't you be questioning other person's inputs in his son's life? I'm not from that kind of background. My father sacrificed so much for me. I told you about the basics nursery school I went to, my father was intentional about it. Even in this place here, my father was using his car to be packing woods, cement, etc, my father drives Corolla. My father will be packing all those things on top of his car. My car had a problem because I was fixing here (Made In Akwa Ibom Cooperation), my father used Keke and handed over his car to me for over 2 weeks to run around and fix this place. Some parents would not have done that. Why would someone do that for me and name me "Fish" and I will try to change the name? I will bear it because it is not about the name but who gave it to me. Whatever I try to put my hands into, my father will always go in for it.
E.M: "Are we expecting more to join Ikpa-Ekpe?"
MR. COLLINS: "Well, if they come, I will appreciate that but right now, Ikpa-Ekpe is more than a million children to me"
E.M: "Let's talk about Social Media, how has it helped you and your business?"
MR. COLLINS: "Okay, first of all, let me give credit to Mark Zuckerberg though he may not get to see this. I've used his platforms to boost my business. I think 90% of what my business is, is because of Whatsapp and Facebook, I think they belong to one person. I would have said he has helped me more than the government but that will be a wrong comparison (laughs)"
E.M: "What are the challenges that come with it and how are you able to handle them?"
MR. COLLINS: "Well, it is not that a challenge to me, because I know when you are on top of your game people, will criticize you sometimes I noticed people will come on social media and say "this guy always puff up", "I saw him at so so place and I greeted him and he refuses to answer." This is someone you don't even know their name. Even if it's true, how is that an issue? Who doesn't enjoy greetings? it's okay for you to know me, I may not know you. Do you know the number of people that are in my head? Sometimes when I meet people, I still greet them as if I know them. It's not even an issue because even if there were no social media, that would still happen and as far as you are on your game, you must always attract such kinds of people. Ripe fruits, people must throw stones at it."
E.M: "As we are coming to the of the program, let's talk about Politics. This is a Political season. Do you have who you are rooting for?"
MR. COLLINS: "Okay, every businessman should be politically interested in the affairs of his state and nation. Yes, I am and I honestly wish the right candidate or right-minded person will occupy the position which is not always what turns out to be because of how the country is so soiled. it all remains a wish"
E.M: "For the President, do you have someone you'll like to mention?"
MR. COLLINS: "Like I earlier said, everything just remains a wish because it's not the best candidate that always wins over here. Like in PDP, I've listened to Peter Obi, that man has something to offer. I wish he could be because it is not for the best people, it's for the most corrupt person. I don't think Obi can become a President because he is too good for us. Everything remains a wish. For APC, although it has not been satisfying like that on his part, (not like I an APC or PDP fan, I'm non-partisan actually). For Osinbanjo, have heard him I also remember how he led this country when the President was not around for like a month, I felt Leadership although he has been failing me because, there are a lot of things he should be vocal about especially, the killings in the North and sometimes I do excuse him because he is human, maybe because he is VP or because he has the intention of running for the office of the President so he is keeping quiet to earn the support at the detriment of people's blood. No problem. Do I know what he has in mind? But somehow, when. I see him from afar, he used to look like he may have something to offer. Not because he is a Prof because of his charisma. I see him as "Star boy" someone that can shine."
E.M: "How about the state level?"
MR. COLLINS: "Well, I will not want to comment on that because they are too close to me. I can say all I have said because that was for the National and they can't do me anything if they fail but I can't try it here because this state is politically sick, we don't have that liberty to mention names and say all this I'm saying for the National level, if you try it and that person mistakenly win, you are out of business. They will so deal with you even ignore the essence of them being Governor and make sure they fight you. It is wise to keep quiet. However, I've listened to some of them and there is someone that seems to have what to offer though I can't mention the name because it will be at the detriment of my business."
E.M: "There is a trend in Akwa Ibom where successful Entrepreneur makes a turn into Politics and their business suffers at the end. For you, will you at any point consider Politics?"
MR. COLLINS: "That is how this nation is designed. This has so deteriorated that even if top world leaders come here, they may not succeed. The system is so bad that even Obama can not fix it if he comes here. Even if Dangote decides to be president, by the time he is done, his business will go down because that's how the system is. If you are in business, concentrate on it and leave Politics. Politics was for impact and not to make money but look at how it is now. Look at me with where I am, I am making impacts, what again should I look for? so I destroy what I've built? I don't want it. it is greed that will take me there. if you are in business and you doing well, steer clear from Politics. that's my belief. Make friends with Politicians but don't go in there if not, everything will crumble."
E.M: "Be for we go, let's talk about Yama. How has it been?"
MR. COLLINS: "Yama is a Portable inverter that gives you light when there is a power outage. It was commissioned in February (2022) and in just one month, people all over the world started requesting it, paying money even without getting it yet. we've received millions of Naira for Yama products, It's also a challenge that the demand is too high. I try as much as possible not to sound helpless in any situation. But we are trying to live up to expectations. imagine producing up to 10 in a week and the money for 40 has been paid and while you are trying to sort that out, the next week, you've gotten money for 100 orders so both the manpower and components have been a challenge but so far, we have tried to be on top of that."
E.M: "Since this seems to be a "good challenge" are the provision for partnerships with other people that are in such field?"
MR. COLLINS: "Yes, it's a Made in Akwa Ibom and everything has to be done here. We are currently open for partnerships in that field."
E.M: "What are your aspirations after all that you've achieved so far with M.I.A?"
MR. COLLINS: "The ultimate goal is to have plenty products that are global where you can find yourself in India and you can find Made In Akwa Ibom products and the next ten, fifteen years, there will be big companies (with complex like the 21 storey building which is even small and owned by the government) and not my name on it but I'll have a stake in all of them. A lot of people will be coming to do business in Akwa Ibom because of those companies and the leaders of those brands will be shortlisted in the Forbes list and not my name but I'm owing 20 to 25% of that company. That is the intention."
E.M: "With such intentions, I think it won't be out of place to call you The Father of Modern Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurs"
MR. COLLINS: " I think they are already calling me that and more."
E.M: "Final words for those that want to be like you and those that want to invest in M.I.A?"
MR. COLLINS: "For those that want to start a business, it's Consistency and not the money. You may do business for 1 year, or 2 years and the money may not come just keep the passion. If you persist long enough, they will come for you. I am a testimony.
For those that want to invest, this is the right opportunity to invest, our shares are still available and affordable. Shares mean that you become part of the owners of the company. I remember when 1% of our shares was N200,000 but right now, 2 million naira can not buy 1% of our shares and people are buying. That means, 2 or 3 years from now, it will be from 10million so if you can key in now, you won't lose."
E.M: "What is the minimum now?"
MR. COLLINS: "The minimum shares now is a quarter. That is we divide 1% into 4 places but right now, I can't mention the amount because we declare twice a year. Our last declaration was December (2021) and the next will be June (2022) when we have our shareholder's meeting, we declare the value of the company and people will then buy within a week or two and when they finish buying, we close it till December, then June. So, next month (June 2022) we are selling again after it has been declared.
E.M: "Are there expectations of what it will be?"
MR. COLLINS: "I will have to put a value on it, and negotiations will take and they beat till we arrive at a figure that everyone agrees and it will be open for sales."
E.M: "So people should pile up their money?"
MR. COLLINS: "People are already pilling up their money through investing so when we make the declaration, they convert their Monies that are already with us into shares and we then give them share documents and certificate."
E.M: "Differentiate between the Investment and Shares?"
MR. COLLINS: "Investment means we pay you every month you are not a shareholder, you don't have a say in the company. Yours is to get your ROI monthly and when you need your principal, we pay you back while as a Stakeholder, you can not get the money back, you become an owner of the company and you receive your money yearly, on ike investors that receive monthly. If the company loses, you lose though we've not lost before and if the company is making profits, you also gain too, your stake increases in the company. Some people bought shares here for N200,000 now, that share is worth over N2,000,000.00, in case they want to pull out or sell, they have the option of the first refusal. That is what we will pay them to get our documents from them. I think is a very good business for anybody to get 10 times what they invested in just 2 years. That is what happens."
E.M: "Thank you very much, Sir, we had a nice time with you."
MR. COLLINS: "You are welcome."
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Moses Umoh is an Entertainment Journalist. he uses words the create an image of what is spoken, in the minds of his readers.
He is a Promoter and Service Provider too. He works with E.I.M. He will help you with any of your entertainment needs like Profiling, Interviews, Documentaries, Analysis Copywriting, etc. He makes one of the best Fish Barbecue in the world.
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