Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the success of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, manufacturers of Coleman Wires and Cables, as a model of sustainability and corporate resilience.
Speaking at the company’s 50th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Night, held in Ogun State, Obasanjo said the company’s management has been able to sustain a legacy of family succession and visionary leadership that has kept it thriving for five decades.
He praised the company’s founder, Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, and his family, for building a generational enterprise that continues to expand under the leadership of his sons.
His words: “I commend you and congratulate you. When you go to the cemetery, you don’t see it written that a man tried and died. You only see that men lived and died — and many died for one reason or another.
“But you have done something different; you have ensured your business continues to thrive while you are still alive and not in charge. That is wisdom and foresight.”
The former Nigerian President urged other Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially owners of family businesses, to emulate the Onafowokan family’s example by establishing strong succession plans.
Earlier in his address, the company’s founder and chairman, Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, reflected on the company’s 50-year journey, attributing its success to divine grace and strategic succession planning.
He expressed gratitude to God, his family, and the company’s workforce for their role in building the Coleman brand.
He said, “It’s not by my might but by the grace of Almighty God. I was deliberate about succession because when you have a mission, you must ensure those who will take over have the same determination to succeed. I am proud that my sons are ready to take this company to greater heights.”
Managing Director, Coleman Technical Industries Ltd, Mr. George Onafowokan, in his speech, celebrated Coleman’s transformation from a small trading firm established in 1975 to a manufacturing giant recently commissioning Africa’s largest fibre optic cable facility and the continent’s first fibre-reinforced plastic production factory.
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He said: “Coleman today is on track to becoming a N15 trillion enterprise, with over 50 per cent of revenue expected from exports. Our journey reflects a strong belief that Nigeria can build, innovate, and compete globally.”
The evening also featured awards and recognitions, with Obasanjo presenting the Excellence Award to Mr. Femi Adeleye, a top distributor of Coleman products, while Ogun State Deputy Governor presented the Long Service Award to Mrs. Adefemi Grace, who has served with the company for 38 years. Mr. Ikini Enahoro was also honoured for his 21 years of service.
Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Ogun State Deputy Governor; Pastor Tunde Bakare; the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; and juju music legend King Sunny Ade, who thrilled guests with a live performance.
The management of Coleman also presented a Rolls-Royce gift to the Chairman of Coleman, Dr. Solomon Onafowokan, which was formally handed over by former President Obasanjo.
The celebration marked not just 50 years of corporate success but also the triumph of faith, resilience, and the enduring Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit that has positioned Coleman as a continental leader in cable and fibre technology.
