Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma was born in 1961 to the family of Mr and Mrs Chukwuma Mojekwu of Uru-Umudim Nnewi Anambra State. Born into a family of six children Innocent from an early age showed uncommon intelligence and a knack for enterprise. His business acumen manifested so strongly that after his primary education his elder brother Gabriel Chukwuma (Gabros International Limited) felt compelled to throw him into the world of business as soon as possible to give him opportunity to satisfy his intense passion for trading and marketing. Innocent precociously took to business like a fish takes to water, in this world he was in his natural element a giant amongst giants.
In 1981 Innocent set up what is now considered as Nigeria’s most iconic indigenous vehicle manufacturing plant, INNOSON NIGERIA LIMITED, a trading concern that later became a household name in the motorcycle business in Nigeria.
His astuteness and doggedness brought him to head on competition with some of the strongest brands in the business such that INNOSON became the third largest importer of motorcycles after the LEVENTIS Group and Boulos Enterprises to import motor bikes into the country. Following his unique ability to perceive business opportunities Innocent Chukwuma quickly went into the next phase of the motorcycle value chain by commencing a full scale assembly plant which produced motorcycles, tricycles, spare parts and accessories. In 2002 he established INNOSON TECH & IND. CO. LTD. , Emene, a mega plastic manufacturing company comprising over a hundred product lines.
In 2004, he finally raised the manufacturing bar and fulfilled a lifetime dream when he established INNOSON VEHICLE MANUFACTURING CO. LTD. At Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State. This was the topping of an illustrious career in vehicle sales and marketing that metamorphosed into a sprawling manufacturing franchise of both local and international reputation.
Chief Innocent Chukwuma by this feat became the first Nigerian to produce a truly made-in-Nigeria vehicle. Indeed Chief Chuwkuma became the first Nigerian to produce a range of vehicles that straddle commercial urban mass transit and private and corporate sedans. The range also includes Sports Utility vehicles, Garbage collection trucks and sleek executive wonders on wheels such as the, Fox, Umu and Uzo range of cars. In addition Chief Chukwuma set up a tyre subsidiary GENERAL TYRES AND TUBES CO. LTD which produces top class tyres and tubes for INNOSON’s various range of motocyles.
Diversifying beyond transportation Chief Chukwuma has proven to be an accomplished serial entrepreneur with interests in hospitality (BEVERLY HILLS HOTELS & RESORT) and wood processing through INNOSON WOOD INDUSTRIAL LTD.
He has been honoured with the national award of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and holds a variety of venerable chieftaincy titles. Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma is a living example of what can be done with a dream bigger than ones limitation, strength of character harder than titanium and an ability to persevere more patient than the crab by the seashore. This is man of inestimable compassion and unconquerable courage. He is indeed a worthy recipient of the 2014 Zik Prize, kindly welcome Okpuzu Ndigbo Innocent Chukwuma, INNOSON.
