CHINEDU OKAFOR

September twenty-second every year is the birthday of a great entrepreneur, Sir Kevin Chukwumobi, founder of APAMS Funeral LTD. Born into the family of Chief Ben Chukwumobi Ifediba (Omeokachie) & Lolo Elizabeth Amuche Ifediba from Umunuko Ukpor in Nnewi South L.G.A in 1970, Kevin attended Umuwaya Road Primary School, Umuahia. He proceeded to Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ahiaeke, Umuahia for his secondary school. On completion, he secured admission into the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where he obtained HND in Mass Communication.

Sir Kevin thereafter forayed into pharmaceuticals and coined the name of his business APAMS, which stands for Amuche Pharmaceuticals and Medical Services, a name that eventually became a national brand. A visit to Dons Funeral Home, in the United States of America revolutionized his passion for the funeral business. Offering innovative services in the funeral industry became his compelling desire.

Like every great venture, APAMS had its own teething problems and challenges. Sir Kevin had daunting challenges getting his staff to share in his vision of honouring the dead. But with laser focus and unparalleled determination, he was able to overcome all that and emerged a trailblazer in the industry.

With only one panel beaten vehicle at inception,  APAMS has grown in leaps and bounds, offering exotic funeral services with not just state of the art automobiles, but with chariots and helicopters as well, while giving the dead a grand entry into the world beyond.

The company’s profile reads like a litany of big names. The company has handled the burials of several crème of the society. From Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu to Prof Dora Akunyili, Senator Chukwumerije, Chinua Achebe and several others. The list is endless. The company has also extended its services beyond the South East and has made inroads into the Niger Delta, even the Western part of the country.

APAMS is one stop shop funeral home, offering twenty-six different funeral services, ranging from the sale of high end caskets to repatriation of corpses from anywhere in the world etcetera. The company that started with one man has grown into over 280 staff and 450 contract staff.

Sir Kevin is a staunch believer in human development.  He has made it a cardinal principle to develop himself and this is shown through the numerous funeral services seminars, programmes and business development courses he has attended abroad. The results show in the unmatched successes his company records and the innovations he introduces in the business.

Sir Kevin believes in humanitarian causes and this is evident in his philanthropic gestures.  His clientele are not just the high and mighty. Occasionally, he offers funeral services for free to the indigent. Furthermore, he belongs to several organizations like Catholic Men’s Organization CMO, Nnewi and Onitsha branches, Knight of Saint John International (KSJI), Ukpor Improvement Union among others. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Anambra State Ambulance Owners Association, People’s Club of Nigeria and several other clubs.

Because of his commitment to the causes of these reputable bodies, he has received numerous awards and special recognitions from several organizations. Sir Kevin Chukwumobi is happily married and the union is blessed with children.

The fiftieth anniversary of Sir Kevin Chukwumobi (APAMS) is remarkable this year. The main event has been slated for December 26, 2020 at his hometown, Ukpor. The main event will be chaired by Right Honourable Uchenna Okafor, speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly. However, there is very low key celebration today, Tuesday, being the birthday proper. Happy birthday, Sir Kevin!