The pioneer President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Engr. Greg Ogbeifun has stated that the number of persons he has succeeded in taking away from the labour market gives him joy.
He averred that if he has not provided opportunities for people, especially young persons to be fully engaged in the various firms he has established over the years, these persons would have been roaming around the streets seeking for non-existent jobs across the country.
Ogbeifun who is a renowned ship owner and operator of the oldest privately owned indigenous shipyard in Nigeria argued that profit making was not the basis of the various businesses he is running.
Apart from being the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Starzs Investments Company Limited, Ogbeifun is also the brain behind Starzs Marine and Engineering Limited, Eaglewatch Security Limited, Diverse Engineering and Supply Limited, Starzs Gas Limited, among others.
Ogbeifun stated this in the Edo State capital, Benin City when he had a media parley with select journalists in commemoration of his 75th birthday recently.
The ship owner had earlier in the day taken the journalists on an inspection tour of some of the business premises in the ancient city.
At Diverse Auto Centre which is located at Block 3, Bay 3, Edo Production Centre, along Sapele Road, Benin City, he was emphatic that the centre which renders engine diagnosis and repairs, automobile services, genuine spare parts, electronic wheel balancing among other things has what it take to precisely handle any challenge in vehicles.
His words: “What gives me joy in this centre is the fact that our young people are given opportunity to exhibit their talents and skills instead of roaming around the streets, constituting nuisance to society. This is what gives me joy because I know that long after I am gone, I have succeeded in impacting positively on many persons lives.”
He revealed that no fewer than 100 vehicles have been converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) since Diverse Auto Centre was appointed by the Federal Government through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).
He also disclosed that Diverse Auto Centre remains the only approved centre for CNG in Edo and Delta States.
According to him, there is no room for guess work in the centre as every challenge on any vehicle presented by any client is subjected to series of tests with the state of the art equipment and facilities.
Continuing, Ogbeifun said: “Nothing is left to chance. In fact, even if there is any check, we ensure accuracy, quality and standards, no matter what it takes. This way, the customer is not left in doubt on the exact issue plaguing his or her vehicle. We do not give rom for guess work or trial and error.”
The Deputy General Manager, Auto Diverse Centre, Mr. Emmanuel Oboh and the Assistant General Manager, Mr. Babatope, Omogbayi corroborated Ogbeifun’s assertions as they took turns to explain the various processes involved in the centre from the point the customer get to it from the General Services Reception to the Delivery Unit.
According to them, the centre which prides itself as the first and the best of its kind in Edo State in particular and South-south geo-political zone in general has what it takes to handle any automobile problem.
Maritime Bits checks revealed that centre was commissioned on February 11, 2022 by the Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council of Nigeria, Mr. Jelani Aliyu.
There is no doubt that the centre is gender sensitive organization as many female employees are in charge of several units including spare parts, reception, and paint mix bank.
