Mary Nnah
Anasami Construction Nigeria Limited recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with awards to some staff that have been part of Anasami’s success. The awards were aimed to recognise their hard work and dedication.
Speaking during the 20th anniversary and awards ceremony, President/CEO of the company, HRH (Dr. ) Appolus Chu, said he started business as a young man in his teens while still in secondary school, adding that by the age of 18 in 1988, he registered his first company, Appolus Akeju & Co.
“Appolus Akeju was into civil jobs and supplies with the Rivers State government and wherever else we had opportunity to render services. My business started with building relationships and maintaining relationships with people. We were in business for about 13 years before we metamorphosed into Anasami Construction Nigeria Limited in November 2001.
“Since then Anasami has been growing in leaps and bounds, handling projects in different areas of pipeline construction, maintenance, fabrication and installation. In all the years of our operations we have never had an unsatisfied client or any complaint about the quality of our jobs. It can only be God”, HRH Chu recalled.
King Appolus Chu who is the Oneh-Eh Nchia X and Egbere Emere Okori of Eleme Kingdom, Rivers State, further noted that “As a company, we are grateful to God for how far He has brought us. It is His mercy and grace that have kept us. Many companies were registered the same day with Anasami but they are not in existence today.”
According to him, people connected to Anasami have been blessed in so many ways, adding that a good number of the staff who joined Anasami as tenants are now homeowners, singles are now married with kids, students have graduated through the scholarships the company awarded, adding that Anasami employs and has taken so many Nigerians out of the labour market, regardless of their tribe and religious inclinations.
His company, he revealed further, has also supported the growth of Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector, by encouraging many indigenous subcontractors.
“On a personal note, I cannot thank God enough for how far he has brought us. I was not yet 20 years old when I began pursuing this vision of running a world class company. At that time, very few people believed in what I was building, but God sustained me and kept leading me from one stage to the next, and bringing the right people and wonderful staff my way.
“Today, by His grace and mercy, that vision is still alive and speaking. God has given our company global relevance and influence. I am so grateful for what God is doing. I do not hesitate to return all the praise and glory to Him.”
On the 20th anniversary/awards, HRH Chu said, “It is worth noting that I have been actively involved in business for 33 years but nobody can be successful in business or any other venture, without the support and encouragement of other people. That is why we have used this 20th anniversary to present awards to some of our staff, beginning from the drivers, security, engineers, to those in management, who have been a part of Anasami’s success.”
He assured those who did not get any awards that they are still appreciated by the company. He urged them to continue to work hard and in due time, they will be recognised.
“We value and appreciate every single staff member, whether you receive an award today or not. You are all part of the Anasami winning team.
“By the grace of God and the support of my wonderful team, I look forward to our Golden Jubilee and many more years of greater impact, relevance and influence in global business; learning, adapting and improving in line with dynamics of business, while contributing our quota to the overall development of our great country, Nigeria.”
Present at the event were friends, staff, subcontractors of the company and distinguished industry practitioners from the oil and gas sector including Engr. Mrs. Martina Atuchi, General Manager (Joint Venture) National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS), an arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, who delivered a keynote address on Nigeria Content and its Effect on National Development.
The second keynote address on Safety, Environment and Community Relations was presented by Engr. Obi Onochie, Nigeria Content Development Manager of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Producing Company, an arm of Shell Petroleum Development Company who represented Mr. Griffiths Christopher, Pipeline Manager of SPDC.
