ADENIKE OGUNLESI CEO RUFF AND TUMBLE
One can only imagine the turmoil of seeing so many years of sweat and toil go up like smoke in just a few hours from carnage and destruction. How do you even put into words what this loss means to you?
The impact of the loss is felt right across our supply chain. On the retail end, with the use of technology, we were able to put the value of losses at about N120M from our three locations.
With three Ruff and Tumble stores down, it also means we will reduce our production as we no longer have those outlets to feed. We will be reducing our production capacity which may result in temporary lay offs in production and logistics. This creates a viscous cycle of jobs cuts (which are really needed now), that can very easily spiral out of control.
This is the second time we are experiencing this! The first time was during the xenophobic attacks.
Psychologically the impact on our entire staff is very negative. We have had to counsel and address our teams on how to cope as well as to understand the impact and it’s implications.
Is your anger directed at the looters or those who put them in that condition?
I have very mixed feelings and a cocktail of emotions! Firstly I must thank our amazing customers! Wow. They have been supporting us with words of encouragement! All our other stores nation wide are open to serve.
My heart goes out to all who have had to go through this, most especially after the impact of Covid on our businesses. We are collateral damage, we are bearing the consequences of the social inequalities and injustices in our society.
What happened is a true reflection of where we are as a nation. We must sincerely commit ourselves to building a nation that works on all levels for us all. The industrialization of Nigeria is no longer negotiable. This must be on the front burner. Jobs must be created and fast. Developmental capital must be made available to develop the infrastructural networks for our industrialization. Finance must be provided at zero percent interest rates, along with incentives that encourages genuine manufacturers. It’s never been a better time to support Nigerian Manufacturing. This is not about trader money, it’s about factories from Lagos to Sokoto serving as the West African/African and indeed, the global supply chain.
Nigeria can no longer just be a juicy market, we must become a manufacturing nation. We who are part of the solution are seen as part of the problem. We have invested in our country Nigeria. We are job creators and innovators. We deserve better attention and support from Govt.
Are you aware of any channels the government has put in place to help you financially recover some of your losses?
After
We are working on this. As we are part of the solution and not the problem, Govt must put in place a compensation plan to cushion the impact on businesses so this incident does not lead to further losses. I am believing that Govt can see the value we create and will therefore help us all get back on our feet ASAP.
In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?
Our Ecom site is up. We are already directing our customers to shop their favorite looks online. Brick and mortar presence is proving to be high risk unless we can improve on security. We are also ensuring insurance policies are in place to support when things like this happen.
What ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?
Dialogue. We must learn to listen to each other, understand the language of the youth and engage. They are almost 70% of our population, they must get involved and must be given the chance. They are the future. Let’s listen to them. I would like to see more engagement, more trade and technical schools helping the youth become more employable in the 21century Nigeria.
Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing business owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage?
All businesses affected must be supported.
We for one, need the support. This is another curve ball we didn’t see coming, it’s impact is devastating on us socially and mentally.