‘Local content development not viable without enabling business environment’
Until the business environment in Nigeria is created to the point where production becomes cheaper than importation, local content development may not be viable, Michael Owolabi, an entrepreneur, has said.
Owolabi, managing director, Black Pelican Limited (BPL), gave this hint at the launch of Technogym products which his trading company, BPL Wellness, was recently made official distributor in Nigeria.
‘‘The business environment is still not conducive and enabling for local manufacturing. It will be difficult to produce locally without power. Without adequate power supply, manufacturers will crumble under the weight of electricity bills’”, he said.
Owolabi, who is also the managing director of IL Bagno, the regional distributor of sanitary wares trading under Black Pelican Limited, stated that with the Technogym ecosystem, his company intends to offer wellness solutions to keep people motivated and healthy.
‘‘Technogym promotes wellness in every aspect of human life; from organised exercise to staying healthy behind their desks at work. We strongly believe that Wellness is an opportunity for governments, companies and individuals,’’ he said.
He added that Technogym offers a corporate wellness programme that assists employees to voluntarily make choices that improve health and productivity.
‘‘Workplace wellness programmes focussed on prevention and intervention can benefit employees and employers by reducing employees’ health risk factors, reducing health care costs, and improving employees physical well being’’, he said, listing other benefits as improving recruitment and retention, reducing absenteeism, improving production and satisfaction.
Owolabi said there would be opportunities for governments, corporate bodies and individuals to take advantage of wellness products such as treadmills, abdominal crunch, excite climbs, kinesis stations, bikes and multistation walls, among others.
“Technogym is a world leader in fitness solutions. It has equipped over 65,000 centres and 100,000 homes globally. It is estimated that approximately 35 million people use Technogym products every day in over 100 countries.
‘Technogym offers you a unique fitness experience. Our exclusive gym equipment, personal training and wellness solutions are designed to help you exercise in a stimulating environment and to create a fitness programme that suits your specific needs and targets’’
IL Bagno is the regional distributor for the world’s leading manufacturers of sanitary fittings, kitchen, tiles, doors and other interior solutions. It excels in the provision of total bathroom solutions, creating unique and innovative bathroom themes for both the domestic and commercial markets.
“Our competitive edge also lies in our deep and unrivalled knowledge and understanding of these products and the alignment of our customers’ needs,’’ Owolabi said.
With a team of over 120 staff including interior architects, engineers, gym instructors and installers, the company was incorporated in Nigeria as a private limited liability company, under the name ‘Black Pelican Limited’ on November 11, 2003, and commenced operations in May, 2004.
CHUKA UROKO