By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Staff of the FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited have charged them to uphold discipline, commitment, integrity, and continuous self-development in their service to the company and the public, always bearing in mind that they are in the service industry.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, gave the charge on Tuesday at the company’s headquarters in Awka Anambra State where he engaged with and treated the staff of Awka and Enugwu-Ukwu Districts of the company to a deeply reflective, recalibrating and motivational session.
The well-attended staff engagement session formed part of the MD’s ongoing leadership and motivational engagement and interaction with workers across the various operational districts of the company.
Speaking on the topic, “The Audacity of Hope,” Mr. Okafor drew inspiration from former United States President, Barack Obama —the first Black man to be the President of the country —and further noted that the same spirit of belief and possibility that changed Obama’s story should also inspire workers to believe in the future of FirstPower and in their individual potential.
According to him, despite public doubts and comparisons with the defunct EEDC structure, FirstPower has the capacity to evolve into a different and better company if workers remain more committed to the vision of transformation.
“Just as Obama refused to accept limitations placed on him by race and societal expectations, FirstPower must also refuse to be defined by public skepticism or comparisons with the old system, despite prevailing challenges in the power sector,” he advised.
Speaking on commitment and responsiveness in service delivery, Engr. Okafor warned staff against the habit of switching off their phones while sleeping, reminding them that they operate in a critical service industry where emergencies, operational issues and customer needs can arise at any time.
He also recounted some instances, including personal examples, where timely phone calls helped to resolve critical challenges, avert serious problems and reinforce people’s confidence in the company; as well as other instances where negligence and switching off phones reportedly led to serious damaging consequences, including the loss of jobs.
The FirstPower Boss also cautioned the workers against extortion, compromise, unethical conduct, and temporary gains capable of destroying their future, noting that genuine success comes through diligence, professionalism, integrity, and doing the right thing consistently.
He also emphasized the need for better customer relations, reminding the workers that every customer deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and professionalism, irrespective of status; as according to him, a customer neglected, ignored, maltreated, frustrated or extorted by a staff today could be that staff’s destiny helper tomorrow in one way or the other. He consequently warned the staff not to allow temporary gains or the little money they collect illegally from customers to destroy their entire future.
Regarding leadership and organizational culture, the MD described leadership as “a positive threat” that must challenge complacency, inspire accountability, confront mediocrity, and model integrity and vision within the system.
He also reminded managers at the various levels in the company not to compromise or lower standards because of sentiments or fear of criticism, even as he encouraged junior staff to see strict supervision and correction as part of leadership training for greater responsibilities ahead.
With relevant instances, the MD also encouraged workers to continue investing in themselves through continuous learning, discipline, personal development, as well as acquisition of relevant training and professional certifications, warning that anyone who stops improving faces the risks becoming obsolete and irrelevant in the changing world.
While also cautioning against any form of workplace intimidation and unhealthy conduct capable of affecting staff morale and productivity, Mr. Okafor further urged staff not to allow their social lifestyles to affect or destroy their professional future.
While reaffirming Management’s long-term vision, the MD explained that the company remains focused on modernizing infrastructure, embracing technology, empowering workers, and building a culture of excellence capable of transforming FirstPower into a highly-competitive and respected electricity distribution company.
The highly-engaging session that ended with a vote of thanks from the leadership of the Districts, attracted senior staff and key officials of the two districts, including the District Business Manager of Awka District, Mr. Samuel Ojiako; and the District Business Manager of Enugwu-Ukwu District, Mr. Izuagie Samuel Martins.
Others include the District Commercial Manager of Enugwu-Ukwu, Mr. Okeke Chinedu Peter; his Awka counterpart, Mr. Chukwudum Ejikeme John; the Operations and Maintenance Superintendent (OMS) of Awka, Mr. Ojukwu Chukwuemeka; and his Enugwu-Ukwu counterpart, Mr. Sopuru Daniel Oguejiofo, among others.
