EDMARK Group of Companies, a multinational company present in 30 countries, on Sunday unveiled its state of the art International Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
The company also announced his venture into real estate business in Nigeria, stating that their 2nd project is currently under construction in Lekki, Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State to mark the flag off of the project.
The commissioning of the EDMARK’s D’Podium, situated at Aromire Avenue, off Allen, Ikeja, was attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Mr. Bolaji Are, Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Shirley Vicario and her Husband, Mr. Pascario Vicario, Malaysian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohd Yunus Bin Ibrahim and Kano born Nigerian Business Mogul, Alhaji Hassan Dantata.
Also present were Former Nigerian Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr. Ringo Bello, former Nigerian Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Mr. Akin Odunsi, top management executives of EDMARK led by its Founder/Chairman, Mr. Sam Low and many of the company’s distributors and guests alike.
Speaking at the official grand opening of the master piece edifice that was partially opened earlier in March, the Chairman/Founder of EDMARK Group of Companies, Mr. Sam Low expressed his happiness over the feats his organization had achieved within nine years of starting businesses in Nigeria despite the initial huddles encountered.
In his words, the Malaysian said “I am very happy to be in Nigeria to commission this multi billion naira edifice. Some years ago, I heard a voice in me, “Sam stop going to America to expand your business and go to Africa but i asked which part of Africa because at that time Africa was the last place I thought of investing.
“But finally, I found out from my map that Nigeria was in the centre of Africa and ironically was the biggest and the darkest part to invest at the time. After making up my mind to invest in Nigeria, we were faced with some challenges but we were not deterred, we re-planed and re- strategized and for this I want to say, I am grateful to my team who believed in our dream.
“Though our operation started in Ghana as a result of the initial challenges we faced when we attempted to set up our businesses in Nigeria; however, a year later, we moved into Nigeria after crossing the hurdles with the regulatory authorities and to cut the long story short; today we have eleven branches all over the major cities of the nation of Nigeria including Lagos and Abuja, where we have built up with employees from across the globe.
“Ours is a company committed to people’s well-being. We want citizens of Africa to live well and that is why our healthy supplement products help to tackle obesity and reduces the spread of cancer.” The joyous Low said amidst cheers from the audience.
He said that he strongly believe that the newest property which is humanitarian in approach, will enhance more businesses, open more opportunities, change the face of businesses and help boost the economy of Nigeria and other African countries.
In his opening remarks, EDMARK General Manager, Nigeria, Mr. Maurice Etim stated that the firm started the construction of the multi-billion naira building at a very trying period when recession was at its peak in the country and of course in Africa, but despite the economic challenges at the time that made so many investors to run away from Nigeria, his Chairman, Sam Low did not run away, rather, he invested heavily in Nigeria, creating over 5, 000 jobs in the process.
“Today, Edmark International is not only a success in Nigeria but a huge success in West Africa. Edmark International has helped to combat obesity in Nigeria as well as empowered many Nigerians and other African citizens.”
“I must also say that the success would not have been possible without our hardworking team and distributors. Today, we can see that Edmark International is a big success in Nigeria and the evidence is why we are in this multi billion naira state of the art edifice in the heart of Lagos” Etim said.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Edmark International whose office constructed the event centre, Mr. Bien Wapiano listed the several infrastructures embedded in the edifice such as offices in fourth floor, Staff House and Kitchen at the sixth floor, Modern Restaurant for Malaysia, Chinese, Philippines and Nigerian Foods, Seminar Hall and Open Roof-top with Waterproof Membrane.
Other features of the building are a Roof-top Cooling System for Fun Seekers, a State of the Art 2, 000 Capacity Event Hall, Well-Equipped Offices for all Employees of the Company in Lagos, a Micro Finance Banking Hall, Food Outlet, Office and Store Spaces for Rent, just to mention but a few.
Also present at the event were the President, Edmark, Philippine, Sir Joey Urquia, Chief Marketing Officer, Edmark International, Mr. Lynden Valdez, Chief Operation Officer, Edmark Nigeria, Mr. Bien Wapanio, Chief Operating Officer, Edmark to Everything (ED2E), Mr. Marc Camaligan and several other staff of the company from Ghana, Sudan, Cameroon, Togo, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Congo, Saudi Arabia, Philippines and Malaysia.