Niger Delta crisis has boosted business climate in Imo – Ikoku
By CHRISTIAN OCHIAMA
Thursday, March 13, 2008

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Obiron Group of Companies, Evangelist Myke Ikoku has added a new twist to the crisis in the Niger Delta with the claim that it has actually given a boost to the economy of Imo State.

To him, the crisis, sad and unfortunate as it is, might have become a blessing in disguise for the business climate of the South East state.

The problem in the Niger Delta has really given a boost to the business environment here because people find it more conducive, safer, more convenient to live in Owerri and then go for their businesses in the South South,” he said.

Ikoku who owns the five-star All Seasons Hotel, Owerri said “You see, mainly, the people that stay here are people from multi-national companies and most of them have their businesses in the South South, Anambra and elsewhere in the zone.”

The Chief Executive who sits on a multi billion naira business empire which also include real estate, electrical, electronics and manufacturing spoke on the cost of funds, exchange rates, interest rates as well as policy fluctuation and its impact on business practice in Nigeria.

Business climate in Imo State

To be honest with you, I think the business in Imo has improved tremendously when compared to what obtained when we started in 2004. It was not the same thing as today. People were not very keen on bringing investment down here because, may be, they were afraid of the profit margin which could be low or marginal. But we took the bull by the horn knowing fully well that a good product can sale no matter where it is. Good things must attract their own patronage. That gave us the vision to come here and we did it and we are not regretting it.

Now, things have improved very well. Even the problem in the Niger Delta has really given a boost to the business environment because people find it more conducive, safer, more convenient to live in Owerri and then go for their businesses in the South South. You know, Owerri is strategically located. It is like a hub in the South East. It takes less than one hour to get to every other South East state and South South. That means you can live in Owerri and do business in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Rivers. Owerri is very safe. Night life is fantastic and that’s why we are really making it great here. In our kind of hospitality business, we not only give you accommodation we also give you happiness

I once schooled here and I agree that the Night life is fun!