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The Story Of The Chemstar Group Boss
Today, in the Paint sector of the economy, Chemstar Group is a big firm that is doing so well. It is a well-run company headed by a silent achiever called Apostle Remi Awode who turned 60 a couple of weeks ago. That is why every 7th September is always special at Chemster Group of Companies, the makers of Finecost Paints. That is Remi Awode’s birthday. He is the Chairman/CEO. He usually doesn’t make noise about his achievements. He does not court publicity. He does not grant interviews. He prefers his success story to speak for him.
Let’s tell you more about this easy-going businessman, who is very focused on his line of business.He has never been distracted. He knows what he wants and he goes for it.
Apostle Dr Remi Awode is not just a businessman; he is also a man of God who has made a great impact on his generation. He is an Apostle at the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church, Divine Blessing Cathedral, Lagos. He is a graduate of Chemistry from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. As a creative and talented chemist, with a peculiar passion for paints, Awode has worked extensively, locally and internationally in the areas of building paints, industrial coatings, marine coatings, automotive paints, and wood finishes.
He demonstrated his outstanding performance while he was a Senior Chemist at the International Paints for West Africa (IPWA.) Awode has immensely contributed to the meaningful development of the Real Sector of the Nigerian economy. He has developed problem-solving paints and allied products, in addition to providing gainful employment to large staff numbers. He is widely travelled and married with children.
Emmanuel Aderemi Awode was born in Lagos on Saturday, 7th September, 1963 to Dr. Dickson. Adekunle Awode & Mrs. Delphine Modupeola Awode.
Remi Awode started his primary education in 1969 at Ereko Methodist School, Lagos and had his secondary education at the prestigious Government College, Ikorodu, Lagos. In 1982, he gained admission into The Polytechnic, Ibadan to study Chemistry and graduated with a Higher National Diploma (Upper credit)
In 1989, Remi Awode joined Bato Chemical Laboratories, Lagos as a Chemical Analyst and later joined International Paints for West Africa Plc (IPWA) as a Paints Chemist. At IPWA, he spearheaded the production of Industrial coatings used in the maritime and automotive industries. Remi Awode fell in love with the manufacturing of paints and he resigned from IPWA in 1994 to start Chemstar Paint Industries (Nig.) Ltd. with the sole aim of manufacturing paints and allied products. The brands are FINECOAT, SHIELD and FINEDECO SPECIAL EFFECT Paints. Remi Awode is a genius when it comes to business development and administration. He is the CHAIRMAN/Chief Executive Officer for Chemstar Group.
Chemstar Group’s businesses cut across Paint and Plastic Products Manufacturing, Agriculture, Trading, Haulage Services, Real Estates and Investments. He has set up companies not only in Nigeria but also in Ghana and South Africa. These include; CHEMSTAR INDUSTRIES GHANA LTD and SALES TALK 290 [Pty] SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED. Today, CHEMSTAR GROUP has engaged more than 1,000 Nigerians both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
A few of the numerous awards received by Remi Awode are mentioned below:
(1.) Fellow, The Polytechnic Ibadan: He was the first alumnus to be so honored in the history of the institution for over 40 years of existence of the old citadel of learning. (2.) Fellow Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria in 2012. (3.) Corporate Achiever Award, Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS). (4.) The Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Faculty of Science of the prestigious The Polytechnics, Ibadan. (5.) Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Excellence in Enterprise Award in recognition of his track record of outstanding performance in enterprise. (6.) INRI Widows Foundation Distinguished Philanthropist in Socio-economic Development Award. (7.) Role Model Award, The Chemical Society of Nigeria [Lagos Chapter] (8.) Meritorious Award, The Ijamido Childrens’ Home, Ota, Ogun State.
Remi Awode’s CSR programmes are being done under REMI AWODE FOUNDATION (RAF). In 2007, a fully equipped fifty million naira (N50 million) Chemistry Laboratory was constructed and donated to The Polytechnic Ibadan. The laboratory, commissioned by the then Governor of Oyo State, Otunba [Dr.] Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala on Friday, December 7, 2007. It was named after Dr. J. A. Adejumobi (the then Rector of the Polytechnic). Also, the Remi Awode Postgraduate School complex was donated to Joseph Ayo Babalola University in 2020.
Since its inception, RAF has been giving monthly allowances to widows, scholarships to orphans and underprivileged students in premium private universities within Nigeria and outside Nigeria. RAF has also carried out a series of empowerment programmes for more than 1,000 individuals since its inception. The latest was the empowerment of 250 individuals with the sum of N100,000 each in the year 2021. RAF has also sent more than 100 Christians to Holy Pilgrimage in Jerusalem.
Remi Awode’s objective is “to attain excellence in all that he does”. He has been keeping faith with his objective.
Lets tell you about the journey so far for Chemster Group. 1995- Chemstar Paints Ind. (Nig.) Ltd; the flagship of the group commenced its operations from a rented one room and a shop out of the 10-room apartment belonging to late Pa Henry Agbebaku at No. 26, Kayode Street, IjayeOgba, Lagos State.
2000- To meet increasing demands for its products, the production line was moved from No1, Bodunrin Caulcrick Close, Caterpillar Bus Stop, Ogba to 114, Oba Akran, Ikeja. However, sales and administrative offices remained at Bodunrin Caulcrick close. As part of the introduction of new products, Finecoat Wood Finish products were launched during the company 5th anniversary in 2000.
2001- As a result of increase in the volume of paints produced, Chemstar paints moved from 114, Oba Akran to a 4 by 8,000 square meter property at No 6, Obasa close, off Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja.
2002 – Premium Finecoat products were introduced to the consumers. The products include premium and Excel products, designed to satisfy the high-end consumers. Chemstar paints commenced the manufacturing of Finecoat marine coatings to the public.
2003- This year also witnessed the introduction of high-quality car paints, branded as Finecoat Automel. Finecoat POP Emulsion was added to the array of products produced by Chemstar paints.
2005- Chemstar Industries Ghana Ltd was established to manufacture Finecoat paint product for the West Afican market. -Finecoat Adhesives product (Hi-Bond) was introduced to the public.
2008- SHIELD PAINTS, the company’s Premium brand was unveiled to cater for consumers in that category. The brand comprises of Shield Excel, Shield Easy Living, Shield Gloss, Shield Satin Finish, Shield Industrial and MARINE products.
2010- On May 1st, 2010, Chemstar Paints Ind.(Nig.)Ltd, manufacturers of Finecoat&Shield Paintscommissioned her ultra-modern Corporate Headquarters at Km32 Caaso Bus Stop, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Alagbado Lagos State. The Company also markedher 15th year Anniversary on May 23rd, 2010.
2013- CPIN INDUSTRIES, Plastic Division started operations. The company was set up for the production of all the plastic containers for the paint products. CPIN INDUSTRIES, Chemical Division was set up for the importation of all chemical raw materials for Paint, Cosmetics, Polyurethane and Food Industries.
2018- FINEDECOR WALLCOVERINGS was set up washable Vinyl wall coverings, 3D Wall panels, Paintable wall coverings, etc.
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