Felix Chidi Idiga (born June 30, 1963), is a Nigerian Business Mogul/Entrepreneur/Administrator and Politician. He is the Chairman/CEO of JAFAC Group of Companies. Born: Felix Chidi Idiga, June 30, 1963 (Age 54). Dim-Oma Ofeahia, Amifeke, Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. Nationality: Nigerian Occupation: MD/CEO JAFAC Group - Involved in Dredging, Marine Logistics, Asphalt Production and Sales, Road/Bridge Construction, Equipment Sales/Leasing, Building Construction, Offshore Services; Vessel, Tanker Vessel, Tug Boats, Barges, Security Boats services, etc. Agriculture - Rice Farming. Hospitality Industry, Aviation. Corporate Head Office: Km. 18, Airport Road, Igwuruta, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Political Party: All Progressives Congress (APC) Alma mata: University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria Parents: Chief Felix Okoro Idiga and Late(Mrs) Theresa Ukachi Idiga Spouse: Chief Lady Mrs. Chinyere Idiga Children: Four (4) - Dr. Juliet, Sandra, Felix (Jnr) and Sharon Religion: Christianity - The Roman Catholic Church Philanthropy: The JAFAC Foundation Website(s): www.jafacgroup.com ; www.jafacfoundation.org E-mail:
[email protected] GROWING UP AND EDUCATION Felix Idiga attended St. Mary's Primary school, Amaifeke, Orlu, 1972 to 1977 and later proceeded to secondary school. He was unable to complete secondary school in one stretch due to his natural quest for business and entrepreneurship. Consequently, he ventured into the business world in 1984. With the help of his father, he was provided him the initial capital to start up a house utensils business in Onitsha. Inevitably, in June 1987, he went over to Lagos State, Nigeria to seek for greener pastures and to diversify his growing business. Later, he ventured into importation by traveling to Europe to import certain goods like designer shoes and apparels. Felix later went back to school, Pre-Varsity Education Centre, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja in 1990, to complete his disrupted secondary education. He later, sat for his GCE/O'Level Examination. In 1992, he proceeded to University of Lagos, Akoka for his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. ENTREPRENEURSHIP/BUSINESSES A) JAFAC Group of Companies As chairman /CEO of JAFAC Group, which is made up of the following companies : 1)JAFAC Auto 2)JAFAC Wine 3)JAFAC Construction 4)JAFAC Investment Company 5)SWAT LINK 6)JAFAC Aviation 7)JAFAC Hospitality Industry Felix is sitting atop of these seven incorporated limited liability companies with a staff strength of 538. In 1989, he established and incorporated JAFAC Data Systems and JAFAC Car Accessories, being his first two companies. He also incorporated JAFAC Automobile in 1990 and in 1990, ventured into wine production, excelling in all. In 1997, he spread his business tentacles to Palm Dale, Los Angeles, United States of America, where he opened JAFAC 98 Cent Groceries store. The same year, the ship of JAFAC Conglomerate birthed in Victory Boulevard, Los Angeles, USA via JAFAC Auto Company. In America, Felix found a home and carved a business niche in a foreign land. His businesses progressed, as his chain of enterprises flourished and expanded geometrically in America. Encouraged by his business successes, he opened Lady J's Beauty Spa (Hair Center) in Palm Dale, Los Angeles, which eventually expanded to Beverly Drives, Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Lancaster, all in Los Angeles, California, USA. In 2001, Felix opened American Unique Staff provider, a staffing agency in three different locations : City of Van Nuys Boulevard, City of Santana and City of San Bernardino, all in California, USA, with a staff strength of 138, comprising of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, Elderly /Child Care Workers. Between 1998 and 2000, Felix took the following courses in Southern California USA : 1) Business Administration 2)Human Resources 3)Anger Management 4)CPR/First Aid i) JAFAC Construction Company In 2008, Felix opened JAFAC Construction Company Ltd, with cooperate office at Km. 18 Airport Road, Igwuruta, PortHarcourt. Today, the company has built very solid and durable roads, bridges and executed electrification projects in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Ondo and River States. ii) JAFAC Oil and Gas Felix is also a major player in the Oil and Gas sector, where his company - SWAT Link Limited is a supportive instrument to both indigenous and multinational Oil companies, offering the following services : 1)Dredging 2)Marine Logistics 3)Offshore Services 4)Vessel and tanker vessels 5)Tug boats barges 6)Security boats 7)Shore Protection 8)Asphalt production and sales 9)Equipment leasing 10)Procurement, etc. iii) JAFAC Aviation The JAFAC consortium ventured into aviation -Aircraft leasing and general aviation. The operational base of JAFAC aviation is in the East Africa. iv) Agriculture In Nigeria, Felix has also helped to develop a policy of achieving sustainable agricultural and food security. In 2006, he collaborated with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cultivate and produce rice massively in Ini Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State. In the process, he also helped to develop a policy that encouraged human capacity development. The success stories of this rice farming in Akwa Ibom led to the extension of the project to five other Niger Delta states, empowering over seven hundred(700) men and women and laying a solid foundation for sustainable development in agriculture/rice farming in the region. Sir Felix Idiga has helped to articulate Federal Government /NDDC Rice Revolution Project, building a mega Rice Mill in 2010, the biggest Rice Mill in West Africa. HUMANITARIAN SERVICES In 1999, he founded JAFAC FOUNDATION, a nexus through which he and his wife, Lady Chinyere Idiga extends caring arm of hope and empowerment to the needy and less privileged. Offering scholarships to indigent students, from primary to university level, providing free medical care, equipping the youths with skills and capitals, empowering market men and women. POLITICS In 2015, Felix contested for the Imo west Senatorial Zone under the Accord Party . He holds the following grassroot positions in the State (Imo) : 1)State Leader, APC (Imo) 2)Amaifeke ward Leader, (APC) 3)Patron, Orlu Zonal Youth Movement AWARDS AND HONOURS Sir Felix Idiga holds the following awards and Honours : 1) Award of the prestigious 2001 California Businessman of the year Award by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a top United States Business Leader who successfully integrated business and financial success. 2) Orlu Zone Youth Movement, Philanthropist of the year Award - 2005 3) Imo Business Forum, Industrialist of the year Award - 2010 4) Nzuko Odimma Igbo Forum, Pillar of the Igbos Award - 2007 Felix Idiga is a holder of other several titles and honours, among them are Akuatuegwu 1 of Orlu, Nkwa Chukwu Kwere Orlu. He's also a knight of St. Mulumba of the Catholic Church.