One dog can sell for more than N500,000.
2 min read
The youthful Raphael Onyekachi Akubuike a native Akwakuma Owerri in Imo State who lives in Alimosho Lagos, really spent several years of his life looking for a job. After his education, he made several attempts to secure a good job to no avail. The jobs he was getting could not in any way provide the needed solutions he sought for, over his stupendously poor financial status. According to what he told Umuaka Times, his salaries during those days, were not enough to pay for his transport, let alone feeding and other human needs
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About 12 years ago, almost frustrated Raphael Onyekachi Akubuike met one man who introduced him to dog ownership and dog breeding. After noticing his keen interest and dedication, the man went further and built his capacity towards the business side of dog ownership. From what Umuaka Times gathered from Akubuike, his dog firm, Ralph’s Little Paws, has since then sold over 4,500 dogs since inception. His business contacts and clients cut across Nigeria and countries like Ghana, Benin Republic, Mali and more. While speaking with an Umuaka Times reporter who visited the premises of Ralph’s Little Paws in Lagos, “To be good in dog breeding, you also need to have the knowledge of dog treatment and training.. As at today, there is no dog disease that I cannot treat.”
The training, selling and treatment of dogs are always available at Ralph’s Little Paws. Akubuike told Umuaka Times that it is still like a dream to him that he who had searched for jobs for several years without success is someone who at his young age, has employed 4 workers and pay them as at when due. On that note, Akubuike had this advice to the youthful job seekers across the nation. “My advice to you job seekers is to swallow your pride, bend down and create the job you seek. You need to start something that will bring out the best in you. Can you imagine that I now make up to 5 to 6 million naira a year? Ordinary me?”
How did Akubuike get to the stage he is today? Hear him:
“I started with one female dog and today I own several breeds numbering more than 25. So far, I have trained 10 graduates and ready to train more.”
On the characteristics of dogs and their social and spiritual behaviour, Akubuike confirmed to Umuaka Times that, dogs see spirits, and “when you feed a dog for three days, it will never forget you for three years. When they see dangers, they start barking”.
This year, Raphael hopes to start expanding his business tentacles. He hopes to open another branch of the business in about two areas of Lagos and Imo State as well. He has already started making moves to actualize the project.
