Akunyili, Ndukwe are my leadership models – Hon. Jime, NEPZA boss

The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, Friday broke with tradition by looking inwards and declaring the late Prof. Dora Akunyili and Dr. Ernest Ndukwe his leadership models.

Jime, who made the declaration Friday while holding his Maiden Meeting with the management and staff of the Authority, said public office is an opportunity for public service, and anything short of that should not be accepted by Nigerians.

Both the late Akunyili and Ndukwe are adjudged by Nigerians to have left lasting impressions at National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) respectively where they served as chief executive officers.

His words: “We have our eyes on history.  We have a clear vision of where we want to take NEPZA. We won’t be here forever, but while we are here, we intend to transform this place; we plan to make a positive difference. And we are looking at models right here: models like Dora Akunyili, Ernest Nduke etc, and their salutary or transformational leadership.

“So, the challenge before every staff is to key into this transformational vision, to become marketers of NEPZA and her mandate at our individual levels. We need to explain our mission and mandate to ourselves. In effect, we are not only the creators, facilitators, regulators of the Free Zones concept, we are also marketers in our own rights.”

Reiterating his commitment to staff welfare, the Managing Director said: “I am excited that all of you are excited and have welcomed me warmly. But it would be naïve of me to think NEPZA can incentivise investors without incentivising staff. Once again, I assure you that a package of incentives is coming.”

He added: “There is a report before me right now, which I am studying. I could have announced to you right now that this is your new package of incentives, but we we want to do things right. This is why I am looking at the big picture, and seeking clarifications here and there.”

On his background as an outsider to the civil service protocols, Jime said although it had its draw backs, it conferred on him the advantage of being guided by the rule of law and due process rather than sentiments. 

He sued for the cooperation of all, saying he intends to run an open-door policy where staff could make suggestions via the the Suggestion Box or the official e-mail.