Who is Innocent Obinwanne
Innocent is an easygoing person that is sometimes seen as a workaholic. Everyone tells me this but I still do not believe I am because I like to have fun.
Humans of Transcorp say you’re a stand-up guy and you’re not the usual HR we’re used to, how does that make you feel?
I feel happy because it shows that what I do is felt by the people around me. It is rare for you to hear HR get recognized because of our good cop, bad cop role but once you approach things in a humble, empathic, and logical way, you tend to stand out. I try to bring my difference in everything I do because, in the end, business growth is my priority.
In your own words, who do you think a stand-up guy is?
An equivalent of a stand-up guy is a go-to guy. This person is someone who stands out from the pack by just his appearance, his presence, his dress sense, his output or even his circle of influence and those they associate with.
Describe yourself in three words
Reserved, Detail Oriented and Pragmatic
What’s a day in the life of the Head, HR of Transafam Power Ltd like?
Imagine being responsible for over 200 employees, a fully functional 15-bed space clinic facility, a fully functional Nursery, a Primary and Secondary school with over 700 students, a Logistics Department and 2 residential camps with over 120 flats. I need not say more.. wink*** My day is always like a roller coaster with everyone trying to get a piece of my very non-existent time. Now when you combine that with my detailed personality and almost perfectionist nature, it becomes even more complex, to say the least.
Do you have any other nicknames?
I have two “Horsee” & “Skid” which span my secondary school and university life. But I will talk about “Horsee”.
I was a boarder; my hall had a mix of JSS1 to SS2 students in it. On a faithful day just two days into being onboarded as a JSS1 student, my house prefect needed someone to fetch 5 buckets of water (I was told he always did this and I felt he was just a dirty prefect to always bathe with five buckets of water). He marshalled out the entire hall and set us on a race on our 200-meter cricket pitch. I wasn’t going to be the last so at the blow of the whistle, I ran like my life depended on it. I came first by a long margin and to the irony of his intention, he wanted to punish the student that came 1st position. I later discovered how naive I was going into the race. Everyone ran strategically not to be the first or last. I learnt my lesson fast and got the name “Horsee”. Btw I got only three buckets and slept under his bunk for 2 hours (one hour each per bucket not fetched).
What drives you? The work you do, the man you’ve become?
My Father is my driving force in life. Everything I am today is a direct reflection of how my father trained me. My prudent nature especially is something he always instilled in me while growing up. Recognition is a second driving force for me.
How long have you been an HH Person and what would you say have been the highlights of your time at HH Group?
I have been a HH person for 1 year and 7 months now and the highlight for me is leading such a growing business and setting up several departments from scratch into becoming functional and delivering on results.
What’s one thing you’d want people to know about you?
I have a very confusing personality, which is a mix of being an introvert and an extrovert. My nature switches based on my environment. I am also all about family.
Are there other stand-up guys you look up to? Who are they?
Marius Oguama my colleague in Afam is also a Stand-up guy. So much so that he is the ‘Culture Ambassador’ for the business. I love his level of resilience and passion to deliver.
What do you do in your free time?
Watch movies, lawn tennis or play with my kids.
What would you like other men to know?
We always aim for the big picture, the big bang etc. But I always say this, it’s the little things that count in your job, family, and life in general. Reflect on those little things and amplify them. You will be shocked about the impact you tend to make.
