“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions – in a way that serves the world and you.”
—Richard Branson
By Enyeribe Ejiogu
Writing in a report published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNESCAP, Chief (Head) of the Poverty Reduction Section of the specialized agency based in Thailand, Yap Kioe Sheng, made a fundamental statement central to the UN’s advocacy for good governance, especially in Third World countries.
He said: “Good governance is when institutions and processes produce results that meet the needs of society while using resources wisely.”
The recognition that the resources available to individuals, families, corporate bodies, sub-national states, nations and the world at large are not inexhaustible is the primary driver for things to be done in prudent and cost-effective manner.
One globally renowned entrepreneur who has espoused this belief in his quest to build businesses is Richard Branson, known for his willingness to take risks and innovate.
He is a creative thinker who has never wavered at any reasonable opportunity to create value by getting into new ventures. One of the notable successful ventures of Richard Branson is Virgin Atlantic, which is marketed with the slogan “Touching the Right Spots” by which shows that the airline is focused on providing exceptional customer service and attention to detail.
In essence, the phrase is a play on words, suggesting that Virgin Atlantic is able to identify and cater to the specific needs and desires of its passengers, thereby creating a more enjoyable and memorable travel experience.
Through his leadership style, imbued with a unique sense of entrepreneurship, Branson has in his own way affected a growing population of senior corporate executives, several of who have at different times gone into government for to sabbaticals, as it were, and to try to infuse private sector best practices in how government works, to deliver good governance to the people.
In Nigeria, we have seen some instances of this kind of foray into government to create value, build legacies that impact society in positive ways.
Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah is one such persons from the private sector now engaged in government.
Mbah’s previous exposure to governance enabled him to see how the government works from the inside. He saw it was possible to blend beneficial, cost-effective, purpose-driven private sector practices with the machinery of government.
His entry into politics was marked by his appointment as Chief of Staff to Governor Chimaroke Nnamani in 2003, and later as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development. He has also served as a member of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, the Enugu State Executive Council, and the State Security Council.
As governor of Enugu State, Mbah has shown that he has learned from previous engagements in government to touch the right spots that will make the people of Enugu satisfied with the operational activities of the administration.
Consequently, he has outlined his vision for the state, which includes making Enugu the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.
His mission is to deliver quality, people-focused governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people.
Since he became the governor, it generally believed that he has demonstrated a strong commitment to good governance by “promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government,” Wikipedia noted in an article, adding, “This move showcases his understanding of governance nuances and his willingness to take bold steps to drive positive change.
Again, a post on the state’s website (enugustate.gov.ng) stated: “Mbah’s administration has also prioritized making Enugu State more attractive to investors. He has engaged in investment drives, both locally and internationally, to promote the state’s economic potential. This proactive approach to economic development is a hallmark of good governance, as it demonstrates a commitment to creating opportunities for citizens and driving growth.
Furthermore, Mbah has emphasized the importance of putting the people at the centre of his government’s policies. This people-centric approach is a key principle of good governance, as it ensures that the needs and interests of citizens are prioritized.
Overall, Peter Mbah’s actions and policies as Governor of Enugu State reflect a strong commitment to good governance. His efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and economic development, as well as his focus on putting the people first, are all key indicators of his dedication to serving the best interests of Enugu State and its citizens.
Perhaps, the ultimate goal of making the state the preferred destination for investments informed the decision in October 2023 to set up an airline. To begin actualising that purpose, the state has set about acquiring four aircraft for the airline which will commence operations in 2025, for which the sum of N41,132,463,000 has been provided in the 2025 budget titled, “Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity.”
People have the pleasure and opportunity to fly to the London or United States on Virgin Atlantic, will attest that Branson places a high emphasis on customer satisfaction and experience. He believes that a happy customer is the best business strategy and often gets personally involved in understanding and enhancing the customer experience.
As Governor Mbah moves ahead to achieve the set goal of setting up Enugu Air, he would do well to keep in mind the success recorded by Branson with Virgin Atlantic, which he established to give serious competition to the established major airlines.
As Branson counselled in an interview, “Don’t be afraid to be bold, and even to be wrong. People tend to remember brave risk takers more for their successes than their failures. If you are of an entrepreneurial mindset, you probably have a strong gut instinct for what will work. Trust that instinct and commit to your big ideas. Rewards and accolades may follow but even if you get it wrong, at least you had the courage of your convictions.”
Evidently, Mbah, going by the deft moves he has made in the less than 20 months he has been at helm of governance in Enugu has shown that he has imbibed that spirit of bold pursuit of good ideas and initiatives.
The new airline must a keep a strong focus on customer satisfaction. The bottom line is important, but a happy customer remains the strongest asset of an airline. A happy customer is a repeat flyer that contributes to a steady cash flow and in some sense becomes an unremunerated brand ambassador. With a long experience of bad customer experience in airlines services, if the incoming management of Enugu Air gets the marketing mix right, the airlines would be sure snatch away customers from the existing airlines that currently fly into or out of Enugu to Abuja, Lagos and other destinations. By even going into alliances with other international carriers, the new airline can even have passengers flying to Enugu from outside the country have a seamless booking all the way to Enugu from anywhere in the world.
From available record, Mbah has surrounded himself with excellence and expertise, but to get the best from them, he needs to pay attention and listen to his advisers unlike a former president who once said that his advicers were free to advise but he was not bound to accept their advice. Taking good advice is vital to success.
In other ways, Governor Mbah has touched the right spots in education (260 smart schools and hundreds of IoT compliant teachers), health, roads, security and rural development.