My life growing up always reminds me of the TV series in those days titled “Mixed Blessings.” I was born into a family of 11—myself, my 8 siblings and my 2 parents. We were a large but tightly knitted family. My parents ensured that any divisive tendency was decisively dealt with back then. I am the 7th child of the family, and I often teased about it that I belonged to the ‘middle belt’ of my family. That also had its own implications when it came to sharing of goodies in those days. The ‘middle belters’ had no special status to be protected. Lol.
My father worked for the Nigerian Prisons Service; that ensured that we had our own share of living in different towns – several transfers that came with his job. I had my primary school at Nsukka, and my secondary school at Kaduna, Federal Government College Kaduna, to be precise.
Tragedy struck at the age of 11 when I lost my dad. That was barely a month after I started secondary school.
Tragedy struck at the age of 11 when I lost my dad. That was barely a month after I started secondary school. My dad’s demise marked the beginning of the most formative and impactful years of my life. Then exposed to the vagaries and all the weather elements of life, my siblings and I had to ‘fight’ through life to make it, clinging unto the helm of tgarment he of resilience. At the end of my secondary school, I gained admission into the University of Lagos to read law. Unilag offered me another opportunity to rewrite the script of life that the tragedy of my dad’s death wanted to foist on me. After Unilag, I went to the Nigerian Law School. I graduated with a second-class upper-division and was subsequently admitted into the Nigerian Bar, thus qualifying me for legal practice in Nigeria.
Why are you not in a wig and gown screaming at a local courthouse? That is, how did you decide corporate law was for you?
Interestingly, active legal practice was always my first love while at the Law School, and even during our orientation at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp. I always saw myself leading a very big, successful corporate law firm with international affiliation. I started early working with corporate law firms, after about three active years of legal practice, an opportunity came my way to join the legal team of a new generation bank that had just opened its doors to customers in the year 2000. It was one of the most challenging decisions I had to make in my adult life. I eventually decided to leave the law firm of Paul Usoro & Co. to join the then Platinum Bank Limited. It was a unique experience as the Legal Department of the bank had just two staff; My boss and I. Being a start-up situation, we had the daunting task of setting up the bank’s Legal Department & Company Secretariat from scratch. Being the junior member of the team, there was nothing that was not thrown at me by way of deliverables. I was forced to learn fast; I gained so much knowledge and became so well equipped within so short a time that two years after, I found myself acting as the Company Secretary & Head of Legal of the Bank for about 4 months when my boss left. I think I must have handled the responsibility so well that my employers took note of my capabilities and would later take that into consideration in appointing me the substantive Company Secretary and Head of Legal of the bank.
Regarding my preference for corporate law (the body of law that deals with corporations and commercial transactions), it started in the university where I noticed that I had a flair for courses in the Commercial and Industrial Law Department. I was so cool with them that during examinations, I never worried much about them. They excited me and kindled a lot of interest in me. Those courses included Law of Contract, Sale of Goods, Law of Commercial Transactions, Labour Law, Company Law etc. But there was just one that I never liked – Law of Taxation. It was too dry for me then. But I still managed to pass it with a good score. Lol.
Tell us three random facts about yourself that no one would ever have guessed?
I can be very jovial. I can be very picky when it comes to food, and I am extremely a home person.
Tell us three nicknames you go by or have answered in the past?
Laughter! Ok, here we go. The first is “ECO Esq.” (pronounced Echo Esquire). That was my political nickname in Unilag. I was an active campus politician in Unilag and held many political positions back then. At some point, I acted as the Speaker of the Students Union Parliament. The second is “Lobo”. It was my nickname in secondary school. In those days, we had this chewing gum that came with pictures of artistes, actors and actresses. I saw the picture of one cute looking artiste named Lobo, and that was it. Finally, in Transcorp, they call me “King of Breakfast”. It is an appellation that has refused to go away, so I have learnt to accept it.
Tell us a little bit about how you received the announcement of your appointment as CEO of Transcorp power?
Honestly. I didn’t know how to react to it when the pronouncement was first made by the Group Chair in a closed meeting. I was somewhat sober and somewhat elated, especially by the words of entrustment that came with the pronouncement. I wasn’t ready for it at that point. Yes, it was one of the possibilities that in my personal moments of reflections, popped up as my next level in my career with our Group. But I never expected it could happen so soon. Later, typical of me, I tried to digest the implications of the appointment, and it dawned on me the enormity of the trust that had just been handed over to me by that singular act. I also realised that I represent a beacon of hope to so many constituencies and persons across the Group; especially given the significant position of Transcorp Power within the Group, and the exciting career trajectory that I have had in the Group. I remember getting home that day and walking straight to my room to kneel down and pray to God to be with me on the journey to “Ughelli.” And indeed, God has given me so much grace in my first two months in that office.
How did you feel having to navigate your first 100 days in office?
I decided to avoid all those niceties of 100 days in office and all that. I am in a hurry to fix things and change things. I want the narrative to change for Transcorp Power, especially regarding the financial performance of the company. At the point that I took over, the company was dealing with a lot of challenges that conspired to keep it in its worst-performing period since inception. So, there were no 100 days to wait for. The good thing for me was that by virtue of the supporting role I played from the Corporate Centre, I was aware of those challenges before I was appointed the CEO. Having been empowered as the CEO, I had to go to work immediately. I also did not like the level of harmony and togetherness I saw in the Team that I met on ground. In the course of my career evolution as an executive, I have always known that the greatest thing that could happen to a leader concerning his team, is to unlock the emotional energy of his team members and his critical stakeholders. It works like magic if you can achieve it. We are still on it, but the level of progress we have made is very encouraging. So, in effect, my first 100 days is still running, and there is so much to be done to have Transcorp Power take its rightful place in the Nigerian power space. The good news is that we have started well, and I pray to God to give us the grace to finish well.
I have always known that the greatest thing that could happen to a leader concerning his team is to unlock the emotional energy of his team members and his critical stakeholders. It works like magic.
What are your dreams for Transcorp Power?
To surpass the current strategic objective of generating 25% of the power needs of Nigeria and become the power behemoth of Nigeria, commanding a brand presence etched in the hearts of consumers.
What is a typical quarantine workday for you?
It has been ever busy. I am one of those who seriously look forward to returning to the office. The work pressure during the lockdown seems to have tripled. There are days I jump into work from 4.00 a.m., and the schedules become so tight that I get to shower very late in the evening. The windows of taking a break, taking a nap onboard flights and people respecting the fact that you are in a meeting have disappeared. But I count it all joy when I see the results reflect the energy that has been put in.
What is your personal work philosophy?
Focus on excellence. It can never be hidden or suppressed. Excellence will always rear its beautiful head to be acknowledged.
Who is your ideal worker?
My ideal worker is an individual star that is a team player. He/She realises that it is all about corporate performance but is willing to make those exceptional intelligent moves that make the team win on bad days.
It is Workers’ Day. In your opinion, how can Nigeria build a robust workers union?
First is for the unions to elect people with integrity to conduct their affairs. Second is to also have genuine labour people be in leadership positions in the labour unions. Three is that Labour should re-orientate its members on what their focus should be and what priorities they should pursue in the best interest of their members and the Nigerian masses. Labour needs to be more constructive in its engagement with the Government and other stakeholders. Labour union should go beyond wielding threats of strikes and shutdowns and begin to drive activities that would equip their members with the knowledge and skill required to succeed in harsh economic environments like ours.
How do you relax?
I listen to music. RnB does it a lot for me, including gospel. I love table tennis, but not much time to play these days, and I watch football to relax too.
What is the last book you read?
The book titled “Quiet”, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, written by Susan Cain.
Where was the last vacation you took?
Milan, that beautiful global headquarters of Pizza.
Who is your pop icon inspiration?
Whitney Houston. Evergreen!
What advice about work do you have to Nigerian youths feeling especially de-motivated these days?
They should never allow the circumstances of today cut short the promises that tomorrow holds for them. They should not wait for opportunities to come and meet them but rather have the eyes and perseverance to seek out opportunities and explore them even in adversity. The crowd never gets celebrated; it is only those that distinguish themselves from the crowd that gets celebrated. They should not despise any opportunity for starting small. Finally, the youth should know that there is a place for process. It is always tough to sustain anything achieved without process.
The crowd never gets celebrated; it is only those that distinguish themselves from the crowd that gets celebrated.
Always a pleasure to listen or read from Chris. What is the secret behind all those breakfast?
A very insightful read into the life of the “Man Behind Power” I thoroughly enjoyed reading the write-up. Since he had to pick only 3 nicknames, I can understand why he could not list them all. Chris is also referred to as the “wise one” by a number of us both within and outside the workplace. In just one message to the youth, you can already pick at least 6 lessons. Wishing Chris more grace and success.