FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

A Time To Believe

Today, we have crossed the most important moment so far in the life of our company. We have concluded our Initial Public Offer (IPO) and now await the favourable verdict of history. We thank the Almighty God for His faithfulness and grace. We also thank all Management and Staff for their full support, encouragement and faith in our company.

It is natural to have self-doubts, sometimes. It is also natural to lie back in the arms of comfort, and clap one’s hand for a job well done. But the truth of the matter is that the greater challenge lies, not in achieving success, but in maintaining it. When you achieve success, it depends on how you hope to keep this success. And this shows how truly successful you are. That is why we have cases of “flash-in-the-pan” people, who succeed today and fade away tomorrow.

At this point in time, it is important that we believe in ourselves, our capabilities and our strengths. Brian Tracy said that “whatever you truly believe, with feeling, becomes your reality.” We always act in a manner consistent with our beliefs colour our thoughts and actions. In fact, beliefs shape our behaviour. So, we ought to wipe away those beliefs and self-doubts that want to make us take our vision for granted; that even though we have crossed one very high hurdle, will want to make us relax.

Remember, other hurdles will arise. But what matters most is that we should not waver or turn away from our goal. Some members of the public or organizations will be watching to see if we would fall from our enviable heights so they can laugh at us and say: You see, ABC Transport Plc is just like any other transport company. No difference!

Therefore, we cannot afford to lose sight of our focus, of where we are going to, the uphill climb to the realization of ABC Transport Plc as the most dominant West African Road Transport Operation. Indeed, we just cannot lose our heads, particularly now that every one of us has a greater stake (as we are all full-time shareholders), unlike before, when we would have believed that “I am only a staff. I don’t have any share or stake in the company.”

May I remind each and every one us that many of the customers we will be meeting at the terminals and outside have become part owners of our company, by virtue of their shares – just like you. Bear in mind that whatever we do will now be in the eye of the public; our attitude and behaviour will come to the quick attention of customers who are shareholders, and do not want to lose their hard-earned money – just like you. And such customers have the right to get angry at us, because their money is INVOLVED. Such customers also have the right to tell Management that they are not satisfied with the services they received or make strong case against any staff who fails to meet expectations.

So, this is just the time to turn a new life; the time for every staff to be more thorough, more conscientious and more efficient in the discharge of their duties because so many people have invested in us. Now is the time to change any harmful beliefs because the success of any organization is based on the way most of the employees think, or the dominant thinking among the staff. This is why people often say that if you want to succeed, change your thinking!

Let us dream bigger and believe steadfastly in what we set out to pursue. Bigger projects, stronger challenges, will come our way. So, should I say, tighten your seatbelts, while we drive up, up, up, until the sky is just within our very reach.

Let us believe. Today, always.

Frank Nneji, OON