THE Dr. GABRIEL OGBECHIE WE KNOW.
PART 1.
By EA. Uzumnism
Historically, entrepreneurs have added value beyond the wealth creation process through the ability to hit purple patches even in most difficult economic climes.
In our clime, success is not complete without a human face. This underscores the views of classical intellectuals and humanists that “Capacity, ability cum enablement without positively changing human narratives cannot add value”.
In Delta state and by extension Nigeria, there is a growing trend for successful entrepreneurs to develop their own philanthropic agenda, with local and international dimension. There is always economic and social issues to attend to at all times.
When we think about famous entrepreneurs and captains of Industries, many of us have had thoughts of the likes of Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, the Jim Ovia(s) of our world etc.
“I want to be the next Bill Gates,” or “I want to be like Oprah Winfrey”.
The above posers or clarion outburst have been answered even within our Anioma Jurisdiction by the likes of Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, Chief Sunny Odogun of blessed memory and more.
Today begins a series of articles that will focus on our own Stars and Brightest; with special focus on their corporate social responsibilities, their organisations, their success and mileages accrued, wealth created, socio-economic impact which underscores the need to jealously protect these rare species within the local and global space.
The focus on Dr. Ogbechie is timely as we believe in appreciating a bad situation, rather than apologizing for acts against humanity. This goes without the proponents and their paymasters (if any) understanding the contextual legal, social and economic implications of their ignorance or sheer “pull him down” mentality.
Within the last few weeks, the social media has been plagued with some of the most malicious, unprintable, poorly written scripts geared to smear, pull down, malign, and ridicule one of Anioma’s finest exports to the world.
Why?
The progressives will not stand and stare!!
This “pull him down” syndrome accounts for why some Anioma top eggheads in Law, Politics, Academics, Business etc have not fared beyond the midlife of their careers. Interestingly and most painfully, the traditional proponents of PHD (pull him down) have no rules of engagement nor do they fathom the consequence of what their ill-conceived victory would have meant for Anioma and Nigeria.
These actions are most malicious, wicked and repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
Todays piece is not about the fact that Dr Gabriel Ogbechie graduated from University of Benin where he studied Production Engineering. It’s not just centered on the fact that he started work with Sharada Edible Oil Company Limited Kano where he rose to become a senior Factory Engineer and a valuable staff member.
This article is not just a review of Ogbechie’s smart discovery on the internet that changed his career trajectory forever. This epistle is not just that he observed that car sales was growing by 1300% monthly, which he analysed to mean that in the nearest future, people will be buying more fuel for their cars. It took his smart initiative to discover this entrepreneurial opportunity and took the leap of faith.
Today, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie owns Rainoil Limited with almost three decades of experience in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. This is a throw up of passion, commitment, hard work and not the blood of any one as shamelessly being imputed by mere mortals swimming against the ride in sheer ignorance.
Dr. Ogbechie passed thru the university (Uniben) and the university passed thru him. Steve Jobs dropped out of college after six months. Mark Zuckerberg did the same. Richard Branson never even graduated from high school. It therefore means that if you did not make the grades, you can still consider starting your own business; but our Gabriel did make the grades.
A visioner cannot be a perpetual victim because he/she is successful.
This brings us to the matter of “visionaries”. For society to move forward through this survival process, the need for visionaries/leaders cannot be overemphasized. The need for visionaries that can envision into the future, take concrete steps so we don’t all perish becomes evident and compelling.
Ogbechie’s quest for knowledge and professionalism took him to Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a leading firm of Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants, where he worked from 1991 to 1992. In his desire to push himself towards greater excellence and self-development, he has also attended several management courses (locally and abroad), and is a pioneer member of the Lagos Business School Owner Manager Programme.
Gabriel rose because he invested in his passion, created an enabling environment to be trusted, hence they gave him the chance to write the beautiful story we all now read and marvel at.
Watch out for Part 2.