By Valentine Amanze
The founder of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji, has lamented the poor state of Nigerian roads.
Nneji spoke in Lagos on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at the official launch of his book, “Who Says You Can’t?”
While advocating introduction of modern and effective rail system of transport in Nigeria, Nneji said that it was unfortunate that the people with the responsibility to fixing the roads were traveling by air.
He also advised the Federal Government to urgently fix the roads, which have become death traps.
While counselling the younger ones to work hard, Nnejisaid that his curiosity to change a bad situation motivated him in 1999 and 2000 to produce a documentary on the State of Nigerian Roads, which he submitted to the Federal Government through the then Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anini.
According to him, the acceptance of the document by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo led to the formation of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) by an Act of the National Assembly in 2002 and Amendment Act of 2007.
“The younger ones tell yourselves that you can do it. Ask, ‘how can we surmount this problem even though it is not our immediate concern’?
“I started ABC Transport Company when I had a bad experience during one of my journeys on the road. After that I decided to float a transport company that could compete with the airlines in terms of services and comfort. That was how ABC Transport started with initial capital of N750,” Nneji said.
Nneji, who is governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Imo State, also advised the younger generation to dream to become successful in life.
Certified Speaking Professional/Dean, School of Eloquence, Lagos, Nigeria, Ubong Essien, who gave the keynote commended the entrepreneural skill of Nneji, stressing that his book would motivate anybody who wants to be successful.
He said that people who lack initiative and creativity have flooded the Nigerian businesses.
According to him, such people without original ideas, prefer adopting others’ success story. He praised Nneji for thinking big and creating jobs in West Africa with his unique business style in ABC Transport.
Besides, the former boss of Diamond Bank, Pascal Dozie, lauded Nneji’s foresight in business, and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The book was unveiled by Dr. Ije Jidenma who represented the Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited, Stella Okoli surrounded by the Chairman of the Board of Fidelity Bank, Ernest Ebi, former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Reginald Ihejiahi, Chairman of ABC Transport Plc, Olumide Abayomi, among others.
Dignitaries who attended the book launch were drawn from the business and political class.
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