It was tough for me growing up, going from secondary school to university – High Chief Elvis Okonji

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s pregnancy is insuppressible so is a good man; his good works, his kind and large heart. This assertion finds meaning in High Chief Elvis Okonji’s life trajectory. This shrewd businessman wears no air and exudes none; he is as simple as air itself. He exudes a calm ambience that belies his war chest, yet the more he tries to remain unassuming by avoiding the spotlight, the more his selfless service to humanity and God; his kind and golden heart lay him bare and drag him to the public arena for recognition. This way, avalanche of unsolicited awards and honours from individuals, corporate organizations, religious bodies have come his way for recognition of his strides in the corporate world and contribution to the economic growth of the country and his town, Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. High Chief Elvis Okonji  holds a B.Sc in Banking and Finance from University of Calabar and an MBA from the University of Uyo.  He is an astute Entrepreneur with varied working experience in different business sectors. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of GPC Energy and Logistics Ltd since inception and under his leadership the company has grown in leaps and bounds. He is a man of integrity with a great passion for Logistics that has seen him travel all over the world, studying and conducting research on strategies and techniques to improve the business.

He has several training courses both locally and international to his credit and is a true visionary leader. In this interaction with Grassroots Publishers on his life history, High Chief Okonji related how he rose on his job, slept on the street, did all sorts of menial jobs before he got to the level he is today, but he is not the only one reaping the reward of diligence and hard work, but over 500 employees are receiving salaries under him today.

Excerpts:

Sir, can you tell us what really inspired you to render humanitarian services to people?

Hmm! Let me tell you something. My growing up was very tough. Infact, I would have been an armed robber or a thug on the street if I had wanted to because I was born into a poor home but amidst all these, I was determined to succeed. I worked so hard that I had to do all kinds of menial jobs in order to go to school. In my secondary school days, I had to do helper job at building sites in order to pay my school fees. With the savings I got while in secondary school, I got admission into the university and trained myself as well. At a point, my uncle reminded me of the poverty in my family’s lineage but I ignored it knowing fully well that I am determined to terminate that poverty in my family so I continued working hard. During the holidays, I go for painting jobs and other kinds of jobs. There are sometimes I don’t resume immediately after holidays because I didn’t have money so in that case I work harder and then resume almost one month to the examination.  At a point, I printed a business card with name Chukson Ventures. In everything I do in life, I put God first because I have this kind of the view that each individual, including the rich could encounter problem money cannot solve but God has all solutions to all problems. So, while I was in the university, I made up my mind that I would want to be a successful businessman and today, God has answered that prayer. It is neither my making nor my power, that is why I am giving back to the society.

I left the university in 1998 and went for youth service in 1999 after which I was retained. I worked in a Merchant bank. I worked for 11 years as a professional banker and rose to a Senior Management position within the period. I resigned from the banking job in 2010. During my working days as a banker, God was so faithful that he gave me opportunities to meet people who are very influential in the society. The bedrock of my success story is God Almighty and integrity. I believe God has answered me by blessing me and I have been trying as much as I can to give back to the society as I promised God. I have undergraduates and so many others who I sponsor in education because I don’t want these people to pass through my early ugly experience. This is the reason the name High Chief Elvis Okonji keeps ringing bell all over. I still owe God a lot because he has done marvelous miracles in my life.

Sir, why did you venture into Haulage and Logistics business?

When I was working in the bank, I was the Project Manager for a particular project that requires  trucks to evacuate the goods we imported through the port. At that time, it became very difficult getting trucks and I saw the opportunities in that market and I began to access the caliber of people who are into the business. Most of them are not educated, but they are successful. I then began to have passion for the business and thought that with my educational qualification, I can create a niche in it. During my career years, I noticed that middle men who are not even the truck owners were the ones bringing trucks to us and making their money. So, I began to contemplate about going into the business and I was able to create a niche. I will tell you today that in my next world, I would like to still be a Transporter. It is tough but a very interesting job to do.

Does that mean you have always been interested in trucks?

Yes, I was a bus conductor and even a trailer conductor when I was on holiday as a university undergraduate. I would come to the estate where my father worked and talk to the managers there to give me a vacation job.  My father was a mechanic, so I grew up in a workshop environment. It was tough for me growing up, going from secondary school to university. Not being from a rich home meant it was tough for us. But because of the environment I come from—my father was a mechanic who drove trailers—I had an interest in it. But I was looking at the capital-intensiveness of going into the business. It is not something you go into with N5m or N10m. It is a huge capital investment. I had the dream of going into it. How I would achieve it then became a problem. But because of my banking career, I was able to understand that you can go into a business with partners, friends and integrity because people believe in you. So before I came into this business, I went for 4 years rigorous training about haulage and logistics. I took my time to learn everything concerning the business. I went to the workshop, worked with them, stayed with them during those days. If a truck is faulty, I can access it and know the problem and even the cost of any parts of the truck.

What are some of the challenges?

This journey started with five trucks in November 2010 but in five years, we have been able to build a multibillion-naira business. It is a tough experience because we see the ups and downs . most of the trucks we bought between 2013 and 2014 were purchased with a European credit facility. Today, look at what the euro and dollar are doing. Most of them were structured for four-year payments. We pay every six months in euros; meanwhile we are being paid in naira. In 2014, we had a devaluation (of the naira). In 2016, we had a second devaluation. There was a deal we struck in 2014; it was around N156 to the dollar. By December 2015/January 2016, it came to about N197. By June, it had gone to N282. As of today, it is N310 and above. We can’t plan with government regulations and policies. It is a big problem for us.

There are other challenges. For instance, your truck is on the road, you are in your house sleeping and you suddenly get a phone call that your driver had an accident because of the bad roads we have in the country and there is no safety rule in the country. When you go out of the country, you see the concrete (roads) they set have safety regulations everywhere. You see demarcations and signs. On Nigerian roads, it is not the case.

State governors see your trucks on the road and believe that the owners have a lot of money, so that is where they want to generate their revenue from. The local government also wants to generate their revenue from there. It’s a mess.

Recently, the Traditional Ruler of your town, Prof. Chelunor Nwaoboshi, Obuzor of Ibusa, conferred on you the “The Ikeji – Ani of Ibuzor” title. How do you feel sir?

In Ibusa town, there is only one Ikeji-Ani and the title is lifetime. When the person conferred with this title dies, only then can it be transferred to another person. When I was notified about it, I was not keen because I believe God has been helping me and so I didn’t want to engage in some things. But after series of notifications and consultations, I equally consulted my father who encouraged me to go ahead as the title signifies an honour to someone who has contributed so immensely to the development of the community. So, I am really happy and overwhelmed with the title and pray that God will continue to give me the spirit to do more.

What can you say about the Obuzor of Ibusa?

I must say that Prof. Chelunor Nwaoboshi, the Obuzor of Ibusa is a very humble, sincere, and wise man. He is a very learned man and I think he is planning to take the town to the next level and our duty is to assist and support him. He is a man who has the peace and progress of Ibusa town at heart and I cherish him for that.

Can you highlight some of the positive impacts you have made in your community?

Apart from giving scholarships to undergraduates and less privileged, I empower the widows and assist the traders in my community and I also ensure that the community is in peace. I give employment to people who deserve it in the community. In my company, there is room for any of my community youths who wants to become an artisan to come and learn. I think my company, GPC Energy and Logistics Limited has employed over 500 Nigerians and we are still pushing. Each time I sign salary cheques I get inspired because I feel very happy putting smiles on people’s faces and adding value to their lives too. In this festive period, we have been sharing all sorts of foods and cash gifts to the less privileged, widows and orphans in the community.

Sir, briefly run through your company’s profile.

GPC Energy And Logistics Limited was incorporated on the 9th of November, 2009 to transact business in Oil & Gas and Logistics Services. GPC Energy And Logistics Limited whose vision is to be a global leader in products and services anchored on innovation and sustainability has been organized and positioned to take full advantage of the various opportunities in Nigeria’s downstream Oil & Gas and Haulage Services portends. The quality of management, consultants, suppliers, lenders and staff working with the company enables us acquire a highly effective global intelligence capability and as such guide us to predict shifting socio-economic forces and respond appropriately in good time. This has seen the company experience an unprecedented level of success and rate of growth throughout its period of existence.

What is your advice to the Youths of Ibusa town especially in this period of general election?

Ibusa youths should desist from cultism. I am always very surprised each time I come to Ibusa and hear of cultism. It’s not just about cultism. They should also withdraw themselves from being used as election thugs. I know I am contributing my own quota towards reducing the increased rate of social vices in Ibusa community by organizing sensitization programs where motivational speakers are invited to talk on the effects of cultism, drug abuse etc on their lives. I will say this to the youths anytime, anywhere that I am not a cultist, or a fraudster to be where I am today. Only hardwork, commitment and integrity pushed me to the level I am today.

What is your legacy sir?

If I leave this world today, I think I have left a foot print. I am someone who cannot be happy when my neighbour is sad. I cannot be eating while the other person is hungry. That is why I engage in humanitarian services. I want to be remembered as a man of integrity .

Thank you sir.

By: Ike Abiagom & Maduike Ifeoma