Chief (Dr.) Uzoma Obiyo is a man that needs no introduction as far as Imo politics is concerned. A business mogul and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo state. He also runs one of the leading companies in the telecommunication sector- Multi-net Group Ltd. In this special interview, Dr. Obiyo bares his mind on the developments in the telecom sector, his political ambition and the chances of the party in the 2015 elections.
Excerpts:
Sir, just for the records, your name and what you do for a living?
I am Dr. Uzoma Obiyo. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Multi -Net Group Ltd, a communication company. Coming to what we do, we make the difference as a Nigerian company in helping to bridge the information technology and telecommunications gap with a great deal of expertise. By so doing, we help develop the GSM companies by ensuring visibility in all parts of the nation. That is our call. We have also contributed to the economic growth of the country through the telecoms sector.
What are your challenges in the telecommunications sector so far?
So far, the challenges are inbuilt but are still being managed; take for instance, high tariffs from the GSM companies as claimed by subscribers and the issue of power. The GSM companies expend a lot of money to generate power to set up their infrastructures and systems to ensure full coverage all over Nigeria. It takes a couple of years to stabilize a very effective GSM Network.
The GSM companies suffer other potential risks and threats like vandalization of infrastructure, equipment, and tools by hoodlums. These are part of the handicaps that leads to poor network quality and are yet not considered.
Without a solid telecommunications infrastructure the country will not attract the right level of urgently needed local and foreign investment to build our economy.
Bringing it downstream, it is difficult to develop entrepreneurship skill in Nigeria. We are still learning on how to do things properly, corruption is still very high in the country and that makes it difficult for us to thrive. The high cost of living is also a problem. We are still struggling to develop trust. Now that the power sector is unbundled by President Goodluck Jonathan, we believe that young graduates will start setting up small scale businesses and develop their entrepreneurial skills using this infrastructure. Power is a major aspect that is further required to develop the Nigerian economy.
I still commend the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in the area of power, because he has expended more effort in correcting the erroneous aspects of the sector. Linking it up with the communications project by former President Obasanjo in 1999, it will be recalled that the impossibility of achieving the development of the telecommunications sector to the height it has attained today was conspicuous. It was seen as a faux pas. But later, he was successful and Nigerians applaud him for that today.
The running cost of business in Nigeria is very high and we need power to do a lot, hence it is a major challenge in the country. That is why we should rally round the president and ensure that he continues to do the needful. It is important that we continue to encourage him to look into this sector and if positive transformation is achieved, it will be a milestone for Nigeria. On the other hand, if his re-election is not supported, the achievements so far recorded in that sector may not be consolidated. He has done over 50% of the work in the sector and the lives of our youth will be positively affected if power is stable.
So, you’re an advocate of continuity for Jonathan come 2015?
Yes. I am an advocate of Jonathan’s re-election come 2015, but not an advocate of continuity for every politician. I only support those who are doing well, I don’t advocate for continuity at all times, but for some political office holders who have continually ensured the dividends of democracy to her electorates. We should provide a platform for such persons to complete their tenure.
But some people are of the view that he should not continue because of security problems in Nigeria?
I do not subscribe to that. The security problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone; there are issues of security everywhere and even in the most civilized countries of the world. Most countries of the world have their peculiar security challenges. What we only have to do is to deploy a measure to take care of our own challenges. It is not a one-man job.
Still on the president’s visit to Imo State, would you say that PDP is still in control of the State?
Well, I know that Imo State is a PDP state, everyone saw the mobilization and level of sensitization done by the PDP during the visit. The large turnout of people who came to welcome Mr. President justified the fact that PDP is fully in control of the state and I am very sure that the People’s Democratic Party would regain their mandate come 2015.
What are the prospects of the party at the national and state level come 2015?
Every political party has to work hard to ensure that they win the elections, whether APGA, PDP or APC. What matters is for the party to source credible candidates, and at times, it doesn’t matter the political party you belong to. Imo people are very intelligent and would like to vote for a credible candidate irrespective of party affiliations. What matters most is the personality of the individual that would fly the party flag.
So, you think PDP has credible candidates come 2015 guber race?
The PDP stakeholders in the state and the centre need to work hard to ensure that very credible candidates emerge at the end of the day. Everyone needs to be at work, you take advantage of synergy when people work together. That’s exactly what we need to do in 2015. There is need for the party to provide a robust platform where candidates need to be profiled, and be given the opportunity to do an intellectual presentation of their manifestos to members of the party on how they intend to run the affairs of the state if opportuned to occupy a public office. The profiling must start from the Councilor to the highest political office.
Sir, every political party has its own way and the system with which it does things, but in PDP there is the saying and insinuation that Senator Hope Uzodimma controls the PDP and that the Imo PDP chairman Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie is his personal friend. Don’t you think that will affect the party’s selection process?
Well, I do not have to believe that, because party issues are not a “one-man” thing. It is wrong and out of place to say that Senator Uzodimma controls Imo PDP even if the party chairman is his friend. That cannot affect the selection process. PDP is a large family. Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie is a very enlightened young man who is civilized as a politician and understands the modalities of due process. In Imo especially; the stakeholders, the elite group, and the integrity group must come together to put up an intellectual brain work on providing a credible procedure that would showcase qualified aspirants. This is what the party must do to cleanse the system.
There has always been this issue of imposition of candidates in the party. How is the party going to deal with the issue this time around?
I think today’s politics has gone beyond adoption or imposition of candidate. There must be a credible selection process that is transparent, we need people who are credible to represent the masses and I think, our party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will absolutely take care of that.
Sir, Imo people seem to be at sea over your political ambition for 2015. Are you going for Governorship or senate?
A lot has been said about my political ambition in the last six months. Well, Ab initio I wanted to context for governorship and have been trying to work on it, but there is a whole lot to do in the development of the telecommunications sector and our entire business group. Going into elective office now will be a major distraction to my business prospect and will also affect the private sector.
The Office of the Governor needs no distraction and should be held by an individual who can actually present solutions that would change the state for the better. This state needs a drastic new approach. If things are done the way they have always been done, then things will remain the way that they’ve always been. And that, at this point, means a continued decline in the quality of livelihood and affairs of the state. Not meeting state standards is gross negligence and is completely unacceptable. We must not let things get any worse or get to the bottom of the totem pole.
“The telecoms sector is a jealous goddess… She does not tolerate infidelity.” The world is fast becoming a global village and a necessary tool for this process is communication of which telecommunication is a key player. The quantum development in the telecommunications industry all over the world is very rapid as one innovation replaces another in a matter of weeks. Communication without doubt is a major driver of any economy. Emerging trends in socio-economic growth shows a high premium being placed on information and communication technology (ICT) by homes, organizations, and nations. Nigeria however, is not left out in this race for rapid development.
Without doubt, our country has made tremendous progress in telephony penetration over the last 14 years. Over the years, Nigeria has significantly impacted the nation’s economy in a variety of ways, besides enhancing personal and corporate communications and generally improving quality of life across the country. Today, we are moving from connect Africa to transform Africa and Nigeria being the business hub of Africa is important in this transformation, and it has taken the lead for this in many respects.
I have as an accomplished entrepreneur, risen to be the starlight in this highly competitive industry through willpower and sheer hard work. Efficiency and demonstration of excellence have birthed the massive growth that the industry witnesses today. In spite of the progress, I cannot say that I have arrived when there is yet more to do.
Going by the modalities of the telecommunications sector, socio-economic and environmental issues that are important to our stakeholders, and have a material impact on the long-term sustainability of our business are adequately addressed; and these procedures present time consuming factors. I have walked through the corridors of this sector and in their success story as a major player. With much toiling and undivided attention, I have controlled and nurtured the affairs of this business to the height it has attained. Being in the telecoms sector comes with dedication, determination, and hard work.
One doesn’t have to force himself on people no matter how rich you are. In most civilized countries of the world being an elite or acquiring huge fortune does not guarantee a political office; but in Nigeria, the system is not the same. Most Nigerians go into politics using their wealth as leverage and also in the bid to acquire more.
Is there any crisis in Ikeduru PDP?
Ikeduru is a local government known for peace and oneness. There are no accounts of crisis in Ikeduru PDP. Hence, the ‘divide and rule syndrome’ is non-existent in Ikeduru PDP.
As an outstanding son of Ikeduru, what have you contributed to development of your area?
A lot has been done. I don’t see a need in taking stock of what we’ve achieved or to what extent we have contributed. The lives we touch through our philanthropic gestures and human capital development leaves us fulfilled.
What do you have to say about your foundation?
We transform the lives of the youth for a better tomorrow. This is the core component of the foundation. We strive towards making a positive, exponential difference through inspiring, strengthening and supporting the people. The Foundation embraces far-reaching aspirations, innovative ideas and measurable change. In accordance with our values, it will serve as a pillar of support for its beneficiaries so that they can, in turn, make a difference themselves.
Does this foundation have any alliance with your political ambition?
Not at all, I have come to know that in life everything is not politics. This foundation project was set up to cater for people. My mother of blessed memory was an ardent educationist and care-giver who believed in touching lives through this foundation. We have rolled out these programs as a road map to serve for her memorial service scheduled for the 21st of April, 2014; the football competition kicked off on Saturday, 15th March, 2014 for LGAs in Owerri zone and is on-going. We’ve also organized a quiz competition for some junior and senior secondary schools in Owerri Zone come 25th March, being the preliminaries and it would elapse on the 9th of April, 2014. In addition, we intend to do a memorial lecture on how to treat certain diseases and this will be very educative and interactive. We also have a free eye medical treatment program for the orphaned, less privileged, widowed, and the aged on the 28th March. And all of these events have no link to political games or ambition.
Sir, will there be subsequent events of this kind in time to come?
Yes we will continue to do it concurrently, and all the time. Good people must do things better to serve the society.
What do you have to say about the zoning arrangement?
Yes, there should be a degree of equity in the zoning arrangement to create room for every zone to participate in leadership. I think going by the zoning formula, Owerri Zone is to produce the next governor of Imo State. It is very adequate to go back to Zoning; Zoning does not promote mediocrity, but rather gives a sense of belonging to everyone.
There has been a rumor making the rounds that you stepped down for others. What is your reaction to this?
That is not an issue at the moment. I have taken a second step back to carefully examine the situations on ground. I have several roles to play in setting up sustainable and efficient structures in the telecoms sector and other areas in the private sector. Within d corporate community, expectations are high from the telecoms sector, oil and gas sector, banking institutions, private sector and the power sector as a new area we want to explore. It was a solemn decision after consultations with all the players in our conglomerate.
My attention is still required to drive the expansion of all these sectors within the next years and build more capacities. There is nobody to step down for bearing in mind that there were no public declarations of political interest. In the next four (4) years, I intend to play and maintain the leadership role of a king maker to help ensure viable candidates are sourced and profiled accordingly in order for us to enjoy good governance and respect for rule of law in our state and Nigeria as a whole, bearing in mind that the current PDP leadership in Imo state will play civilized politics. Political parties must shop for credible candidates to get elected into elective offices. People don’t struggle for political offices. The decision is therefore not foreclosed, as it may be re-opened as we progress, if our country adopts fully, civilized politics. It is also important to note that in other advanced countries, entrepreneurs and business men are deemed highly rated individuals as a matter of fact, first class citizens of their country and earn sufficient recognition in public. We should not always cling to the theory that a non political office holder does not earn national or public recognition as the case may be in Nigeria. There’s need for us to change our mindset and encourage entrepreneurs and business men to work hard and earn recognition as our country progresses.
As a public servant how do you relax?
There is a little or no room for relaxation. Every man will always strive to be on the move at all times so as to help in promoting the society.
Lastly what is your word for Imo people, election contestants and the electorates?
There are rivers of possibilities and those who achieve success never stop. They never become complacent. They keep learning. It is God who gives power, it is God who decides who should rule at any point in time, so politicians should avoid rancor, strife and thuggery; and for the electorates, they should vote for the credible candidates. They should keep their minds opened to new ideas and ways of doing things. A closed mind is one where you only see things your way. I wish us all good luck on the road to 2015.
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