http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/articles-comments/54538-comment-frank-nneji-salute-excellence.html

Frank Nneji: Salute to Excellence

If there is any man in the challenging Nigerian private sector that deserves to be celebrated on his birthday, it is Frank Uzoawuotu Nneji (OON) who turned 50 on April 30. This man of vision single handedly founded Associated Bus Company (ABC) Transport PLC, built it into a pace-setting flagship of the passenger transport industry and took it to the stock market in a move uncommon with Igbo entrepreneurs. By this achievement, he symbolizes the Nigerian Dream.

Born in Kaduna, Frank Nneji studied Biological Sciences at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) from where he graduated in 1982. Apart from a short stint as Director of Transport in the Students’ Union Government at UNN, little marked him out as the international road transportation revolutionary that he has turned out to become. His father, a retired soldier and his mother, a nurse who hailed from Ezuhu Nguru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Council of Imo State must have grappled with the challenge of bringing up their nine children of which Frank was one. But then, such large families were popular in that area at the time and monogamous families with eleven or more biological children were common place. Three more children and his mother would have qualified for the fertility feast known in local parlance as “igbu eghu ukwu”.

The first time I met this soft spoken innovator was in 1993. I had been elected into the Management Committee of Aba Sports Club as Grill Secretary and I was shopping for a particular notice board for the club kitchen to replace the obsolete one in use at the time. My search took me to Rapido Ventures Limited located in a flat in a busy block on Wetheral Road, Owerri. As the young man I met was showing me the interesting range of audio visual products on display, another young man came in. I only found out who was the boss when I pushed for a discount. I did not get the discount but I did secure a money-back guarantee – if I was not satisfied with the product. I returned to Rapido Ventures a few more times afterwards not to get my money back but to order more products!

The next time I met the visionary again was in 2004 when he had broken into the big league. This time, the meeting took place in his comfy office at the Corporate Headquarters of Rapido Group along MCC/Uratta Road in Owerri, Imo State which doubled as the command centre of his ABC Transport. He had been nominated for a Vocational Service Award by the Rotary Club of Owerri and his investiture was being planned as part of my installation as President of the club. The secretary had dispatched the notification letter to “Chief Frank Nneji” and the letter was returned to sender. Armed with another letter properly addressed to “Mr. Frank Nneji”, I took it upon myself to deliver it personally.

When I was ushered into his office, he was browsing on a laptop. “Why does your club want to honour me?” he asked immediately after welcome formalities. “Because…” I began as we gazed steadily at each other across his uncluttered desk “…you have revolutionized luxury bus transportation in Nigeria. ABC Transport is a trail-blazer. Your company has become the benchmark in the passenger transport industry. And you have consistently maintained high ethical standards in your operations. You deserve every honour: you deserve to be celebrated” He smiled and picked up the letter to read. I wondered what was going through his mind.

The story of Frank Nneji and ABC Transport is a vintage Nigerian success story. Here is one man that has displayed the right mixture of vision, resilience, discipline and dogged determination. Only those who did not experience long distance travel by bus before the arrival of ABC Transport in 1993 would fail to understand the need to clink glasses in celebration of this great leading light. Before ABC Transport, travelling in the typical “luxury bus” was a nightmare. The industry was dominated by pioneers and second generation operators like Ekenedilichukwu, Ifesinachi, We-We, Chisco, Promoter, The Young Shall Grow, E. Ekesons, etc. Apart from Ekenedilichukwu that tried to deck out it’s staff in blue uniforms and to organize it’s terminals, the industry was generally characterized by disorder, touting, rude and noisy workers. Overloading and reckless driving were the rule rather than the exception and itinerant vendors of cure-all remedies were a pestilence in every bus. Any passenger that tried to caution the driver or his conductor ran the risk of physical assault. And if any bus broke down in the course of the journey as they frequently did, the crew disappeared and passengers were left to face untold risks. It was one such personal experience at Ore that reportedly spurred Frank Nneji to seek a solution to the menace.

The situation changed dramatically when ABC Transport was born. From the outset, ABC Transport was set up to cater for discerning passengers comprising mainly of the middle class. With toilet facilities, air conditioning, on board entertainment, uniformed drivers and attendants, and modern terminals, passengers were given an unprecedented experience of comfort, safety, and courtesy. The industry was standardized through the introduction of speed control, safety monitoring, staff training, recruitment of graduates, etc. Rapid cash transfer (before integrated banking), parcel and cargo express delivery services, budget accommodation, passenger insurance, customer reward schemes, online booking platforms, Coach West Africa, intercity shuttles, etc were thrown into the bargain.

It takes a lot of passion and hard, excruciating work for any idea no matter how good to be transformed into reality in a country like Nigeria. Few private sector players have positively influenced their industry as Frank Nneji has done. And this despite the colossal challenges of insecurity, dilapidated roads, lack of infrastructure, etc. Few men have pursued their vision with such tenacity or shown such consistent high standards of corporate governance and innovation. He deserves to be celebrated. Shall we drink to that? uchebush@yahoo.com; 0805 1090 050

Awon omo ole!!!!

Juju scare at varsity site
20 May, 2010 08:45:00 VICTOR OGUNJE, Ado-Ekiti
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THE controversy surrounding the relocation of the University of Education, Ikere Ekiti (TUNDEK), Ekiti State, back to its former location has turned awry, as items suspected to be ‘juju’ has been placed at the site of the institution and some strategic locations in the community.

Gov. Segun Oni of Ekiti State in the heat of the crisis generated by the proposed relocation of the existing College of Education in Ikere Community to an undisclosed location, had ordered the temporary relocation of TUNEDIK to his country-home, Ifaki Ekiti.

The two institutions had co-existed since the establishment of TUNEDIK in 2008 by the Oni-led Administration, with the expectation that the existing College would metamorphose into a full-fledged University, while the College would be phased out and relocate to another town.

The relocation, said the governor was targeted at ensuring the security of over 500 students and staff of the newly established university, following the uprising that trailed the proposed relocation of the College that had been in existence since 1978.

As the State Government now making efforts to return the University to Ikere Community, the matter took a more dangerous dimension on Monday, the proposed day for the beginning of the relocation, as a small coffin with the inscription ‘RIP TUNEDIK’ was placed at a junction located in the heart of the ancient community.

Other charms placed within the site of the University in the College, said the Provost of the College, were a sculptured Idol and other materials suspected to be fetish.

Rattled by the development, the traditional ruler of the Community and the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adegboye Akayejo, had deployed a team of eight chiefs to the sites, where the Juju were placed to sanctify the environment.

A feeler in the Community confided in the newsmen that it took the chiefs, which constitutes the Ogoga-in-Council over three hours to complete the sanctification.

The Provost of the College, Dr. (Mrs) Titilayo Ogunmola, had, however, denied the allegation that the staff of the College in connivance with some desperate politicians, who are not favourably disposed to the impending fizzling of the College were behind the plot.

She said members of the College had since inception of the TUNEDIK showed good reception to the establishment of the University within the College and that the staff has no reason to fear or revolt since government have assured them that no job would be loss in the process of relocation of any of the institutions.

The fear, according to a reliable source, was occasioned by fear of job loss by many of the staff, especially the academic ones, who are not well equipped academically to take up a job at the new university.

The Vice-Chancellor of TUNEDIK, Prof Akin Ogunlade, who assumed office barely a couple of months ago, said the juj7u scare in Ikere have not created any fear into the minds of the management of the University, saying the relocation to the permanent site in Ikere was in consonance with the governor’s directive and the committee that was set up on the relocation.


Prof Oye Bandele , who is now the Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology in Ifaki Ekiti was the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University.

Ogunlade said he was not deterred by the antics of those he described as ‘mischief makers and misguided miscreants’, whom he alleged were bent on frustrating the efforts of the State government to effect the relocation.

He assured that the University Management is up to the task , even in the face of this raging controversy surrounding the acceptability of the University by Ikere people, who were said to be entertaining fear that losing the College population of over 20,000 and accept the University of just 500 capacity is suicidal.

The Vice Chancellor though said the management is not in a hurry to leave the temporary site in Ifaki Ekiti, since they were not under any pressure to do so, just as he allayed fear that the security of the students and staff may not be guaranteed at Ikere Ekiti.

"I want to tell you that Ikere people are ready to receive us and the College Community. But we are not unaware of the efforts of some people to deter us from coming and that was why they resorted to placing fake juju in the premises and the way leading to the College to create the impression that people did not want the University.

~Bluetooth:

so you would rather believe the okiro report when the fbI investigation didnt mention obasanjo name.hypocrite like you

Let's see the FBI report. Is FBI now investigating from Nigeria?

TewMuch:



Speechless,

Mekus is Nairaland's number one nuisance.

Of course, I am a nuisance to a ritualist and skeleton worshipper like you.

Obasanjo
Kupolokun
Quite familiar names. No

Obasanjo, Atiku, Kupolokun Got $74m – Okiro Report

Mon Apr, 19 2010


By Daily Independent



Nigeria’s own internal inquiry shows that those who benefited from the Halliburton bribery scandal include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the man who trumpeted an anti-corruption hurricane that swept away the jobs, the integrity, and the reputations of mainly his political opponents when he was the king in the Villa.

The first list of 80 beneficiaries compiled by American law enforcement agents was published exclusively by Daily Independent last Thursday.

Another report, an interim one by the Presidential Panel of Investigation headed by former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, said Obasanjo; his former Deputy, Atiku Abubakar; and former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Directors, Gaius Obaseki and Funso Kupolokun; jointly got $74 million (N1.77 billion) from the slush fund.

The Okiro Report, obtained exclusively by Daily Independent at the weekend, was sent to President Umaru Yar’Adua in May last year.

It elongated the list of 80 persons, foreigners and Nigerians, alive and dead, among them four former Heads of State and two of their wives, as well as former Governors, and Ministers – indeed the highest reaches of the country’s political and military establishments, including technocrats – indicted by the United States law enforcement officials for partaking in the N27 billion bribe Halliburton gave to win juicy oil contracts in the Niger Delta.

Though the Okiro Report was submitted almost a year ago, it was never made public and is shrouded in secrecy, some say because of the caliber of Nigerians alleged to have been involved in the scandal.

Members of the panel included Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Farida Waziri; representatives of the National Security Adviser; State Security Service (SSS) Director General; and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director.

It was raised by Yar’Adua to, among others:

• Probe the scandal in the Bonny Liquefied Natural Gas project.

• Liaise with agencies within and outside Nigeria to disclose the names of those involved.

• Establish the extent of their involvement and the amount collected.

• Liaise with the Swiss authorities to trace and recover any money stashed in that country’s vault.

To do this, the report said the panel reviewed documents, such as court proceedings in the United States, and documents retrieved from key suspects and banks.

It also interrogated identified suspects, searched offices and homes of suspects, and interviewed persons linked to the saga.

The bribe was at the instance of Albert “Jack” Stanley, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KBR, a subsidiary of Halliburton.

Stanely reportedly met Obasanjo’s predecessors, Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar, for the same purpose.

The Okiro Report said the panel relied on Stanley’s depositions before the U.S. District Court in Houston, and documents provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

It revealed that Obasanjo, Atiku, and Kupolokun, another former NNPC helmsman, Gaius Obaseki, received their own share of the bribe between 2001 and 2002.

Stanley, who has since been jailed seven years for the offence, according to the report, met Obasanjo and Obaseki in Abuja on November 11, 2001 to negotiate the bribe in respect of Trains four and five of the gas project.

The report disclosed that, “On December 20, Obaseki reportedly met with (Wojciech) Chodan and Stanley in London over lunch in furtherance of discussions. In March 2002, TSKJ won the Train 4 and 5 contracts for $3.6 billion.”

Obasanjo collected a minimum $4 million, according to the report.

Atiku’s link to the scam is said to be through his company, Intels Energy Limited, believed to have managed slush funds on behalf of Marubeni Corporation, a trading company with headquarters in Japan, which allegedly paid over $50 million to bribe low-level Nigerian Government officials.

In August 2002, Jeffrey Tesler, a British lawyer, said to have acted as intermediary with the Nigerian Government by Halliburton, reportedly wired $5 million into Intels’ account in Citibank in Port Harcourt, meant for a top government official.

The Okiro Report stated that $1 million of this amount, in $100 bills, was given to NNPC officials at NICON Hilton Hotel in a “pilot briefcase” for onward delivery to Bodunde Adeyanju, said to be Obasanjo’s former aide.

According to the report, the balance was delivered in the same manner and in bullion vans in Naira to Adeyanju.

“Reports suggest that Stanley met with Obasanjo and then (Obaseki) in Abuja on November 11, 2001 to negotiate pay-offs in respect of Trains 4 and 5.

“On December 20, 2001, Obaseki reportedly met with Chodan and Stanley in London over lunch in furtherance of discussions. In March 2002, TSKJ won the Trains 4 and 5 contracts for $3.6 billion.

“Allegations are that Obasanjo may have received a minimum of $4 million as pay-off.

“According to Tesler’s indictment papers, Obaseki’s meeting with him in London in 2001 served to negotiate pay-offs.

“In August 2002, Tesler is reported to have wired $5 million into the Citibank Nigeria account of Intels Energy Limited, Port-Harcourt, destined for a top government official.

“Reports suggest that $1 million in $100 bills was deposited with ‘the NNPC official’ at the NICON Hilton Hotel in a “pilot’s briefcase’ for onward delivery to Bodunde Adeyanju.

“The balance was delivered in the same manner and in bullion vans in Naira to the same Adeyanju, said to be one of the Special Assistants to Obasanjo.”

• More Stories on the Okiro Panel's report tomorrow.

Junk news. Even Dora herself will not accept a position that will potentially ruin what is left of her image. Nigeria's electoral failures is actually not about INEC alone. It is more about the politicians who do any and everything to win.

bk/babe97:

Oh boy, Mekuysshixt where u at? Oh, I see u cleaning the pie off your face. Dude, why u got bandage around your leg? Oh, u shot urself in the foot too? lol. I see u and your hardcore Biafrans dont like this topic too much!!! lol. No way to twist the truth on this one, huh? lol





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oITkADdaa0 (I invited Dede1 to a restaurant pretending I wanted a truce. . . then I bodied the fool.)

I got only 2 words for you: Read this

maxsiollun:

The great Zik. Father of Nigerian unity.

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/max-siollun/nigerias-forgotten-heroes-nnamdi-azikiwe-father-of-the-nation-part-2.html

Katsumoto:

I have often wondered myself.

OLOSHI, do I look like a tiger claw-faced Yoruba?

lizzybabe1:

I wonder why Mekusx** deliberately ignores all the News of Igbo brothers committing various crimes and only sees when Yoruba brothers do. Hmmm Igbo-tinted glasses maybe? Or is it just an obsession with Yoruba people?

Igbos commit 1 % of the crime that Yorubas do. So which is easier to observe, big and small?

Andre,

Thanks, but please do not allow Yoruba, Yoruba imbe-ciles like Katsumoto rile you. I am here as always to whip his straw-clutching, fire-catching, lie-filled, false-claiming ar-se. I am a lone fighter and can whip him alone without anyone's help. Thanks. Let him claim I have not been criticizing Igbos. He only needs to dig up all my threads with all my Ids to find out. But would he?