*Prepares to host the world Friday
Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) has started a week-long programme of activities to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a thanksgiving service in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt.
Founded in 1986 by renowned shipping mogul and maritime professional, Engr. Greg Utonwem Ogbeifun, SICL has over the years grown to become one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous ship owning companies.
Apparently pleased with the strides SICL has made over the years, Ogbeifun who is presently the Chairman of its Board of Directors stated that the firm owed its success to divine intervention.
Speaking during the thanksgiving service which attracted several clerics, music ministers, staff, family members, friends and well-wishers, Ogbeifun who is the founder and Chairman of the Starzs Group, attributed the company’s success over the past four decades to God’s faithfulness and genuine Christian values upon which SICL was built.
He revealed that the company would not have survived the challenges of the last 40 years without divine intervention and guidance even as he recounted his early journey in life and the ordeals he passed through.
The renowned ship owner and pioneer President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) was emphatic that God has been the reason for his success.
Among other things, the thanksgiving service featured soul-lifting worship and praise sessions led by ace gospel artiste Moses Bliss, the Afiba Music Academy Choir, and Minister Emmanuel who ministered to the congregation in an atmosphere of gratitude and celebrations.
Enveloped with humility, the shipping magnate however declined to begin his speech until SICL first staff, Helen was invited to the podium.
Said he: “Helen is my first staff from 1987. Hitherto, I was a one-man company. I just want to thank God over the last 40 years”.
According to him, the men of God who spoke earlier in hymns and songs while attendees danced had hit the nails on the head. They have said it all. I am glad to listen. I just want to say God, I bless you! But was it easy? Did I have capital? Did I have a vehicle? We started with nothing. First of July, 1986.
While dovetailing into a history of remarkable perseverance, faith and discipline, Ogbeifun recalled a history that actually began on the street with only his brain, faith, grit and about a hundred Naira in the pocket.
His words: “I want to just talk about the beginning. I would not say more. Mine is a story of a determined son of a poor carpenter and a petty trading mother who got a wonderful opportunity to be trained abroad, emerged the highest Nigerian in a British company. The opportunity was unfolding. The company had decided to send me to the UK for two years of post-posting, and I would come back to become the General Manager of the company”.
According to him, it was an answered prayer as he sold everything he had, rushed down to Benin City and built a small hut to provide reasonable shelter for the poor parents.
He was mentally and emotionally set for the trip but two days before the trip, he was invited to the office and forced to resign his appointment.
Said he: “Two days before then, they called me that I should come back. Somehow, I said okay. I was confused. So I went to my office. Do not forget that I was one of the highest Nigerian people there. Amidst the shock and confusion, I took my pen, resigned after a mild drama and collected a Social Security that was handed over to me. It was in this crucible fire, that the foundation of my future success was baked. At that time. I needed to believe God. God was no longer a name or game. At this point, I must caution Christians against believing that God exists or answers prayers only when things go as they wish.
He revealed that he would not have survived the travails and challenges of the past 40 years without divine intervention and guidance just as he recounted his journey and the ordeals.
According to him, God has been the reason for his success. Unexpectedly too, it was within the five years down the lane, that I got born again. A period marked by God’s unique mercies, guidance and faithfulness.
Continuing, he said: “That is the message. How many times did I fall? So many times. How many times did I have depression? So many times. It is so easy to remember the previous days. How many times did I weep? Do not forget that I had nothing. It was like I was taken to school. I charge anyone going into business in Nigeria, particularly the youths to first mentally prepare adequately against the temptation of wanting to cut corners!
“Nigeria is a difficult place to survive in terms of business. The system makes you to fail. The biggest thing that will however make you fail is not to be true to yourself. How many times did they try to lure me with sweet things from the world? Illegal things that will only bring you temporary reliefs! Let me say that again. So five years down the line, I got born again. And I thought it was two years after being born again, that I lost everything. So in two years, I lost everything.
“So I went to God and I said to Him, but when I was a non-believer, I was making so much money. And now, how can this be happening? And that was when He started talking to me, for the first time! And God to me. I told you that you were going to lose everything. I was going to empty you out and start a new walk. That is the walk we are still doing now!”
With all sincerity and humility, praising God with genuine emotion, the pioneer SOAN President said: “Father, I give you all the glory. I give you all the honour. I give you all the adoration. In 40 years’ time, I do not want to be here. I want to be in a better place. But in 40 years’ time, all of you (the staff/ audience), most of you will be here. And you will be doing, 40 times, greater than what I am doing. In Jesus’ name!”
Speaking earlier, the General Overseer of King’s Assembly, Pastor Chris Ugoh had prayed for SICL, Ogbeifun, stressing that 40 years is both symbolic and noteworthy.
His words: “Today we would like to celebrate the visionary chairman that God has used to give birth to this vision. We need to honour God in the life of the Chairman. This is because you did not have everything when you were starting. That is why I usually encourage visionaries. Especially, because of the future and people that are going to be counting on our success, we must not give up”.
The cleric compared Ogbeifun’s efforts to that of good mothers whose strong faith often mastermind their sacrificial instincts, to nurture kids till they become somebody.
Said he: “You see mothers, they have captured it. See all the sacrifices they do. Weeping may be all, for a night but in the morning, that same child turns around and he is great all over the world! So they bear the pain, they bear the disappointments, they bear the pressure. So as we celebrate today, let us salute the chairman, the visionary leader. Let us do it together!”
Ugoh thereafter led other clergy in the venue to an inspired bouts of prayers for Ogbeifun, as well as the board, management and staff of SICL.
The thanksgiving service also featured soul-lifting worship and praise sessions led by Moses Bliss, Afiba Music Academy Choir, and Minister Emmanuel. They ministered to the congregation in an atmosphere of gratitude and ecstasy.
More activities to commemorate SICL 40th anniversary celebration is expected to continue throughout the week with the showcasing its contributions to the maritime sector of the economy and beyond.
