The growth and development of institutions and establishments tend to be hinged on the vision mission and collective determination of the leadership of such entities. DAVID AGBA writes
In some organizations, if they are blessed with those leaders that have an abundance of the aforementioned traits, then the sky is the limit for them but on the other hand where such attributes are in limited quality, the opposite is the case and there are establishments that are stunted in growth and are totally undeveloped to the extent that stagnation and dereliction become the order of the day.
In essence, it is the vision, sense of mission, clarity of purpose, determination, tenacity and resoluteness of the leadership of an organization that can bring the much needed reforms and restructuring to take the business entity to a higher height and ensure that it takes its pride of place among the comity of establishments noted for their tremendous performance and record profits, greater productivity and ebullient sales records for years to come.
A case that comes to mind is the performance of Chrysler motors Ltd under the leadership of the CEO Lee Laoccoa, who took over the company when it was in dire financial difficulty, with profits legging and dismal sales records to match.
However, after a series of managerial, organizational and policy reforms, Lee Laococca was able to put Chrysler Motors back on its feet and today, the vehicle producing company remains among the big three car companies in the U.S. A together with Ford and General Motors.
Coming nearer home, the spotlight is on Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM) which has the statutory function of ensuring that there is adequate, seamless and stress free import and export financing that would duly encourage local exporters and importers to move their products thus enhancing the revenue base of the nation as well as encouraging local production, and manufacturing of diverse goods in the agricultural, industrial, commerce, domestic, fashion, cosmetic, and other sectors of the economy.
When Mr Robert Orya took over the reins of administration of NEXIM Bank
a few years ago, identified the agricultural, local manufacturing, Fashion and movie industries as vital areas where the Bank could assist local entrepreneurs and industrialists to export their products through increased and sophisticated financing platform that would be speedy, devoid of undue bureaucracy and also tailored to the particular needs of the particular exporter. But before all these could be achieved, there was first, a need to embark on a holistic and comprehensive restructuring, of the entire Bank’s administrative and managerial structures to ensure a more credible, efficient outfit.
The NEXIM Bank that Orya inherited was largely beset with all manner of sycophantic tendencies that tended to support cronyism, godfatherism, favoritism and all other negative ‘isms’ at the expense of competence.
The prevailing cabal tended to favour only their friends in the appointment, promotion, development and posting mechanism of the agency. Also the payment of staff salaries, allowances and other emoluments was unduly delayed and even denied and productivity was at its lowest ebb.
The award of contracts, procurements, prequalifications and tenders were controlled by the same powerful cabal at the expense of hardworking and diligent contractors/consultants. Without much ado, a steadfast Orya embarked on far reaching organizational reforms that was geared towards dismantling the cabal’s operations while totally stamping out indolent, stagnant and unproductive tendencies.
Those staff that were committed to the work ethics of the establishment were sure to be rewarded with commensurate promotion and administrative incentives, while those that were the clog on the wheel of progress and apologists of the old regime were cautioned or shown the way out of the system. Staff salaries, allowances and other emoluments were paid as and when due while posting, promotions, deployments etc were carried out in strict compliance with relevant public service rules and regulations.
Also contract awards and procurements pre qualifications and tenders were executed in accordance with the extant dictates of the Public Procumbent Act 8 as a result, staff morale and NEXIM Bank was gingered, re-engineered and repositioned for greater service delivery to the Nigerian people.
With a more responsive and resilient administrative, organizational and operational structure, the activities of NEXIM Bank have become more importer/exporter friendly, financing of the movement of goods and services assumed a more rapid pace and the volume of transactions rose to exponential levels leading to increased revenue and income levels for the national treasury.
Agricultural exports formed Orya’s policy thrust as he felt that the nation should return to the enviable position of a net exporter of agricultural products that was obtainable in the ‘60s’. Apart from agriculture, the export of products from fashion, cosmetic and movie industry was not left out and it also on record that a bank that was recording loss and perpetual deficit returned profit declaration status.