By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
"I wish to say without fear of contradiction that
Peterside is a symbol of unity, a visionary, egalitarian and, most importantly,
a great patriot whose love for Nigeria and Nigerians is infectious.' Chief Eze
Preamble
According to one of the foremost philosophers, John C.
Maxwell, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”.
While to Stephen Covey, “Effective leadership is putting first things first.
Effective management is discipline, carrying it out”.
It is on these special quotes by these great minds that
could have had in mind my dearest brother and friend, Dr. Dakuku Adol
Peterside, when they made those great statements that I am set to unravel
another great feat of this enigma of a leader from Rivers State in Nigeria.
These quotes resonate again as Dr Peterside formally presents to the world one
of the most celebrated and revolutionary books ever presented which he authored
on 25th March, 2021. It is a book titled, 'Strategic Turnaround' aimed at how
Government institutions all over the world can be reformed and repositioned to
deliver effective and efficient services.
Dr Peterside is the immediate past Director General of the
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the book,
which chronicles the transformation of a strategic government agency), is
authored by this erudite scholar.
The Perception of the Book by a British Professor, Chris
Bellamy
The work has already become a world beater, acknowledged and
approved by great foreign Professors as a definitive case of successful
high-level change management and essential insight into the maritime sector of
an emerging maritime power.”
Prof Chris Bellamy is Emeritus Professor of Maritime
Security at the University of Greenwich United Kingdom, a former Professor of
Military Science and Doctrine at Cranfield University, and Editor-in-Chief,
International Journal of Maritime Crime and Security.
According to this great Professor who had the privilege to
preview the book, the work is recommended for Strategic Turnaround.
Professor Chris Bellamy further posited, “Dr Dakuku Adol
Peterside’s book, Strategic Turnaround, showcases the radical reform of the
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the entire
maritime sector in Nigeria by its leaders and key stakeholders”.
The story of how strategic change was initiated, instigated,
and successfully managed in the maritime sector in Nigeria has far-ranging
relevance within the horn of Africa and beyond. This story is briefly and
eloquently told in Strategic Turnaround.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the
seventh most populous in the world with 206 million people in late 2019. Its
maritime sector is highly significant: Nigeria has Africa’s largest economy and
the 24th in the world, with a GDP estimated by the International Monetory Fund
(IMF) at about $500 billion. Sometimes called the ‘Giant of Africa’ because of
its large population and economy, it is one of the MINT countries named in 2011
– Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey – having great potential and offering
potential great returns on investment in the next decade.
Nigeria’s maritime sector is of great importance, not only
for indigenous transport but global potentialities. Oil is one of the critical
cargoes. “Nigeria hopes to compete with the Philippines in provision of
seafarers. However, it also faces challenges. It lies on the Gulf of Guinea,
which in 2013 surpassed Somali-based piracy in the western Indian Ocean as the
world hot-spot for piracy and armed robbery at sea” argues Professor Bellamy.
Professor Bellamy, who had the opportunity to preview the
book, has praises for the story style writing of serious leadership,
management, and maritime concepts.
He praised the book for its straightforward narrative that
makes it easy for every scholar to understand how Peterside’s leadership team
applied leadership and management principles to change the maritime industry in
Nigeria.
Other Testimonials about the Book Strategic Turnaround:
1.
According to Forbes Magazine Africa, "A
number of reform principles are embedded in the method used by the Dakuku
Peterside team in NIMASA to lift the Agency from a mediocre local player to a
respectable global player in Maritime regulation".
2. While to Dr. Lasis Ologunji, “Reflection is good for
leaders if they must reach their full potentials. You’ve always known that
reformers are fishermen in crocodile-infested waters. They will suffer attacks
unless they get their acts together early enough and conquer the terrain with
deep understanding, superior wisdom and tact. You are now convinced that
managing government agencies expose leaders to challenges from external
factors, policy changes, changes in political leadership, poor leadership, or
just some internal crisis that could lead to poor performance."
3.Dr Maxwell Ubah in his view, "The book is more
than an account of stewardship embarked upon by Dr Dakuku Peterside and his
team in NIMASA; it is a corporate case study of how any leader can lead
large-scale transformational changes in any organisation. While your
organisational context might be different, the principles of leadership
contained in the book are relevant, practical, and universal in application.
Consequently, irrespective of where you are in your
leadership journey you will find in the book a treasure load of lessons,
examples, and nuggets to help you become a more effective leader and unlock the
greatness in your team or organisation."
4. Mr. Olukorede Yishua in his submission stated,
"The book comes in an easy-to-follow style. He deploys anecdotal technique
where necessary to spice up his narration and makes for engrossing
reading"
5. To Chuks Oluigbo, "Aside from the story of
bold changes, the 13-chapter book highlights challenges to watch out for when
embarking on the reform of any government institution. It navigates through
changes in culture, priorities, human resources, reputational positioning,
commitment ny leadership and stakeholder engagement'
6. Adeola Akinremi of Strategy Yard, USA captures the
book more aptly when he stated, "Any organisation, irrespective of how
badly run or underperforming, can be transformed to perform optimally to the
satisfaction of stakeholders. Every challenge can be overcome with the power of
possibility,” he writes, pointing readers in the direction of leading change
with a different way of thinking in an era of increasingly rapid change.This
book is like a reel with a thread of ideas on how to breathe life into a dying
agency of government or corporation."
7. To Don Baridam, Professor of Organisational
Behaviour and 6th Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, This
work is a masterpiece for students of strategic management and practising
managers who want to turnaround their organizations for effective performance.
8.Prof Banji OYELARAN-OYEYINKA, Senior Special Adviser to the
President, AfDB, Abidjan in his view, "This timely book by Dr. Peterside
details the deep-going reform that led to a huge transformation of a relatively
non-performing public organization into a high performance one. The steps taken
by the author who was the architect of the change holds useful lessons for
public and private sector enterprises alike. I recommend the book to academics
and policy makers desiring to learn more about the nature and nurturing
strategies for positive change”
9. .Dr. Marcel Mbamalu exposed his thought on the
book thus, "The trail of intellectuals in political and corporate
leadership is often blazed by strategic thinking and policy execution within
the context of sound governance. This is exactly what Dr Dakuku Peterside has
done. I am glad he has gone a step further to document his times at NIMASA in
Strategic Turnaround. The book is, therefore, a must read, not only for those
in Maritime sector but also for Nigerians who see value in strategic
leadership"
Over 1500 Copies Already Sold Before the Formal Launch
Great Nigerian Minds and Billionaires that have the ability
to smell gold no matter the distance have already purchased over one thousand
five hundred copies of the great book even before the formal launch.
Two Nigerian Billionaires Otedola and Dantata have already
purchased 1,500 copies of Dakuku’s book on strategic turnaround even before the
public presentation, apparently knowing what the book holds for the
emancipation and development of our great country if the principles are
carefully studied and implemented.
Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, and founder of MRS
Group, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, are some of the first set of Nigerian business
leaders to pre-order the book on Management and Leadership, ‘Strategic
Turnaround’.
Otedola who pre-ordered 1,000 copies at cover price for
distribution to selected institutions across the country expressed his belief
in the reformation of public sector institutions as an enabler for private
sector performance.
In his words, “I believe in the reforms of public sector
institutions for greater efficiency and effectiveness. If our public sector
institutions are functioning well like their counterparts in other parts of the
globe, it will lead to improvement in quality of services rendered and will
strengthen the private sector to create jobs. Job creation will address poverty
and accelerate development.
“I believe that what happened in NIMASA in the past four
years under the leadership of Dr. Peterside is a success story of institutional
reform which can be replicated in other agencies of government which is why I
am preordering this book so that more persons can read about it and be inspired
to also reform whatever government institutions they find themselves By this
logic, it means that Dr Peterside has not only reformed NIMASA but has reformed
or will reform many other government institutions and agencies indirectly by
dropping a book or blue print that may hand-hold other bureaucrats in reforming
other agencies.
On his part, Dantata, who has pre-ordered 500 copies, wants
as many aspiring leaders as possible to read the story of the transformation of
NIMASA through committed and visionary leadership.
According to him, “I want as many persons as possible to
read about the success story of how one of the most important agencies of
government in Nigeria was transformed under a period of four years. If NIMASA
can be effectively reformed then all other agencies can be reformed. All we
need is visionary and focused leadership which Dr Peterside gave while at
NIMASA”.
He said that the pre-ordered copies would be distributed to
selected public universities and libraries across Nigeria.
But who is Dr. Dakuku Peterside
Dr Dakuku Peterside is an alumnus of Okrika Grammer School
(OGS), University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, University of Port
Harcourt, Georgia State University Atlanta, and Harvard-Kennedy School,
University of Harvard. He earned degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences
(Haematology), Business Administration (Management) and certificates in
Leadership and Project Management respectively. He has attended several oil and
gas courses globally. He is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management
(NIM), fellow of Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMCN) and
member, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria.
A former House of Representatives member and past
governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State,
Peterside has demonstrated a sterling leadership quality that is by today
acknowledged by the world and African leaders to warrant his elevation as Africa’s
No. 1 Maritime Administrator.
Dr. Peterside from his early years in politics to date has
remained focused and unwavering in his determination to provide service to
ordinary Nigerians as a politician whether in the Nigerian lower legislative
chamber where he earned a reputation as a progressive and broad minded
legislator whose views were always respected or in his former position as D-G,
NIMASA where he brought in words and actions, integrity, panache, compassion
and intellectual dimension to bear in tackling tough issues of the agency..
Peterside has been a most sought-after resource person in
international conference: he was a major speaker at the 2013 Middle East
Downstream Week held in Abu Dhabi in May, 2013 and the 2013 World Refining and
Petrochemical Technology Summit in Doha, Qatar, among many other speaking
engagements around the globe. I have no doubt in my mind that he will excel on
any assignment given to him.
Dakuku is faithful to friends and friendship and wears
loyalty as a Royal robe and in this regard his mentor and boss Rt. Hon. Dr.
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi went further to explain that, “I remember when I was
told that Dakuku will be a sell-out when we were vying for governorship under
Dr. Peter Odili. Today, he is the only one remaining among those I can call my
political allies.
During his tenure as the DG of NIMASA he reduced running
costs significantly and improved revenue generation to the Federal Government
simply because the man, Dakuku, is not corrupt. He is not greedy, and he is a
content fellow. He is a transparent character and fits perfectly well within
the common agenda of any assignment”
He has lived out the thinking of John C. Maxwell by
demonstrating that he is a leader who not only knows the way but goes the way
and shows the way.
He has truly established himself at this young age
as an icon, an enigma, a study in resoluteness, benevolence, audacity,
resourcefulness, a consummate administrator, a humanist, creativity and
has easily positioned himself as one of the new faces of Nigerian politics and
most importantly an emerging force in the global Maritime Industry particularly
in Africa and becoming the first Nigerian to be elected the President by 34
countries that are members of the Association of African Maritime
Administrations (AAMA).
An Astute and charismatic politician, a seasoned and
consummate administrator with an amiable personality, a phenomenal
reformist whose cult-followership stature particularly among the youths that
puts him as a leader to be admired, watched and associated with.
The leadership quality of this resolute revolutionary and
visionary democrat is reflected in the words of many outstanding great leaders,
such as: Carl von Clausewitz, a Prussian General and military theorist, who
stated: “If the leader is filled with high ambition and if he pursues his aims
with audacity and strength of will, he will reach them, in spite of all
obstacles.” One-time President of the USA, George W. Bush: “Leadership, to me,
means duty, honour and country. It means character, and it means listening from
time to time.”
His Feats as Director General of NIMASA
Since Dakuku’s appointment as Director-General of NIMASA in
March 2016, a lot of reforms have been initiated, including the new Cabotage
Compliance Strategy, which has created more employment for Nigerians in the
maritime sector and significantly grown the maritime sector’s contribution to
both the Federation Account and the Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
As a tested and trusted reformist-minded administrator, who
has all it takes to reform and transform NIMASA into the pride of Nigeria and
Africa, Peterside has proven that his appointment was not misplaced.
His turnaround and re-engineering strategies and efforts in
NIMASA have given a facelift to not only just the Agency but the maritime
sector- With NIMASA now attracting commendation from the Federal government,
through the Minister of Finance and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as the
highest revenue remitting Agency in Nigeria.
“Under the watch of this reformer and revolutionist, NIMASA,
with its record-breaking income generation into Nigeria’s coffers, received
presidential commendation and dusted other similar agencies to top the chart on
Port and Flag State Control in the West and Central African sub-regions. The
maritime regulatory agency outranked other maritime regulators in the region,
in the inspection of vessels calling at Nigerian ports, according to the latest
report by the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for
West and Central African Region, otherwise known as Abuja MoU.
All these were part of the fruits of reforms initiated by
the agency and deliberate investment in enforcement equipment. The fact remains
that the management team of NIMASA is conscious of global best practices and is
determined to rid our waterways of all substandard vessels, with the ultimate
aim of ensuring a safe and robust maritime domain. This afforded the agency the
capacity to be a competitive player in the global maritime space, giving her an
edge in the community of maritime investment destinations.
“NIMASA under Dakuku then engaged in deliberate efforts to
protect the country’s maritime assets and environment by building up response
capabilities under the Deep Blue Sea project. The Agency acquired special
mission aircraft, special mission telecommunications gadgets, and 17
interceptor special mission vessels. It has also, in conjunction with the
country’s security services, set up a Command and Control Centre, with a
complement of armoured vehicles to patrol littoral states, and a standing
military force to deal with criminal activities at sea”, .
Dakuku left the Agency on March 10, 2020 in a touching
moment of camaraderie. A colourful and historic pulling-out ceremony held in
his honour at the end of his tenure brought together history, legacy, and
lesson for the future. He says, “Serving in NIMASA was fulfilling; leaving was
breath-taking. Now, I feel elated to watch my successor, Bashir Jamoh, a man of
phenomenal institutional knowledge, advancing the spirit of excellence that
guided our collective tenure.”
More Facts about the Book
The Strategic Turnaround – Story of a Government Agency, by
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has 13 chapters spread in 302 pages. It is published by
the Safari Books while the forward of the book was written by the Vice
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Prof Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser to the
President on Industrialization, African Development Bank (AfDB), Abidjan is the
Chief Previewer of the book.
The Book to be formally launched on Thursday, March 25
2021 by 11am with the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
VP Yemi Osibanjo, as Special Guest of Honour with Rt. Hon. Dr. Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi the Minister Of Transportation will act as the Chief Host with Prof
Babagana Zulum the Executive Governor of Borno State.as the Keynote Speaker.
Conclusion
Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside is a true reflection of what
audacity, resoluteness, resourcefulness and creativity are all about no matter
the field he decides to work upon or the odds. I wish to say without fear of
contradiction that Peterside is a symbol of unity, a visionary, egalitarian
and, most importantly, a great patriot whose love for Nigeria and Nigerians is
infectious.
Here is a man who is reputed as a charming, charismatic and
disciplined leader; creative and hard-working, a broad-minded fellow with
strategic insight. He brings integrity, creativity, compassion, and
intellectual dimension to bear in tackling tough political and administrative
issues. He is truly a bridge-builder and loyal to friendship. He boasts
credible credentials as a renowned resource person on petroleum matters,
leadership/management expert, motivational speaker and a respected authority on
corporate political strategy and private-public interaction in Nigeria.
I am glad at this juncture to join the entire world to
celebrate my dearest brother and friend, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside the Golden
Boy of Niger Delta Politics and one of the best products from Rivers State to
the world on this auspicious occasion of presentation of his great book aimed
at reviving, reforming and repositioning most dying government Institutions in
the world. He has by many feats proved himself a world beater in all
ramifications
With Dakuku Peterside succeeding to achieve what he set out
to do in this book and for turning around an underperforming state institution
into “a model maritime administration for developing countries, I highly
recommend this book to State Governments, students of Management Studies,
Leadership Studies, policy makers, politicians and academics alike.
Chief Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State and can be reached via ezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com
