Yobe Flour Mill GM seeks support from Potiskum traders for company revival
Story from Ibraheem El-Tafseer
The General Manager of Yobe Flour and Feed Mills in Potiskum, Alhaji Saminu Utai (Turakin Bai of Fika), has called on traders in Potiskum to join hands in supporting and advancing the company.
Alhaji Utai made the call during an exclusive interview with Neptune Prime, where he explained the long-standing contribution of Yobe Flour to food production in Yobe State.
“Our operations at this company include the production of flour, maize grits, maize flour, and maize bran animal consumption. Maize bran, is a byproduct of the grain processing, it is used for animal feed. We work daily, and if you ever find us not working, it’s likely due to a generator issue. In fact, at times, buyers are even waiting for us,” he said.
He further stated that, “Thanks to the efforts of the Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, to revive non-functional companies across the state, this factory is one of those that have been brought back to life. It had been dormant for years until I was appointed General Manager. Since then, the company has been running every day, sometimes we even work late into the night.”
He added that the company’s biggest challenge had been capital, but they have now received strong support from the Yobe State Government. “Thanks to God and the support from the Yobe State government, we now have capital and are running operations daily without financial issues. Our current challenge is rebuilding our customer base.
Because the company was inactive for a long time, we lost many of our customers. But now we’re reaching out to them and informing them that we’re back and operating better than before.”
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“Many customers have returned, and after inspecting our products, they confirmed that our quality now surpasses those they’ve been stocking in their shops. A few months ago, Potiskum traders weren’t buying from us as much, but with the improved quality of our products, they are now returning and buying in good numbers.”
Alhaji Utai noted that the Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, is committed to seeing the company thrive and has been giving strategic advice to ensure its continuous growth.
The General Manager, has called on traders in Potiskum to support and collaborate with the company to boost its productivity and contribution to the state’s economy.
According to Utai, the company is actively distributing its products to various towns such as Damaturu, Gaidam, Gashua, and Nguru, and also exporting goods to Maiduguri and Kano.
“Potiskum is the commercial hub of Yobe State. That’s why I’m calling on traders in Potiskum to come together with us to strengthen and move this company forward. This effort will benefit us all and the entire state of Yobe. Many people are unemployed. If they join us and we grow this company together, many will find jobs, and idleness will reduce,” he said.
Sharing a brief background about himself, Alhaji Saminu Utai said, “I was born in Potiskum. In the year 1980. I attended Central Primary School, followed by Fika GSS Potiskum for my secondary education. I obtained a Diploma from Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, and a Degree in Business administration from the University of Maiduguri.
I did my NYSC in Kaduna State with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Before my appointment by Governor Mai Mala Buni as General Manager of Yobe Flour, I worked at the Federal Character Commission in Yobe State.”
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