Today, Sunday, September 13 is a big day for the thrift business in Nigeria.
Quality Towers Business Services, a leading light in that grassroots sector of the economy, clocks 10 years.
The celebration “is going to be a big one,” said Dominic Onyenali, founder of the company, a marketing graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU).
“It is not easy to be in this industry for one year given that people come rushing and collect all their money (every year in December). There is no other bank anywhere in the world that will stand when all the customers come for their money in the same month,” he added.
“We are the only one who can do it. And we have to be given kudos for that. We have challenges but I am celebrating 10 years of overcoming these challenges.”
Customers will join the celebration.
“We have people who have helped us in this success story; we have the staff and of course, our highly esteemed customers.
“We have staff that have worked for us for over nine years … and we have loyal customers that have been with us in the last 10 years. It is not easy, we want to celebrate them.”
Onyenali disclosed that what will form part of the event at the Danjuma Hall of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi, Lagos, will be awards presentation to staff, customers, and leaders in the area the company operates.
“In this country, our problem is not resources, our problem is leadership. The success story of any country or industry to a large extent depends on the quality of the leaders.
“In the area where we operate, if there is no peace, a business may not succeed. We have looked at leaders in the areas where we operate, like Ladipo in Lagos. We will give the LACEC chairman there an award for his extraordinary leadership qualities.
“There are some markets that used to have problems, a man entered there and there is peace; we are giving him an award as a peace ambassador.
“There are some people we have seen with great leadership in terms of management. Because we are Quality Towers, we like quality; quality service, quality management; so we are giving awards to people.”
Customers who repay loans will be given Integrity Awards as examples for others to follow. The company has singled out one man who used to be a customer but is now a millionaire through diligence and integrity.
“We used to give him little money. So, we want to use him as an example to show others that you are not successful when you steal, you are not successful when you borrow money and fail to return it. You are not successful when you are corrupt.
“So, we celebrate real successful people who have a track record.”
However, no one will be left behind on the said day as there will be a raffle draw for customers to take home items such as pressing irons, recharge cards, and television sets.
Quality Towers was established on January 18, 2005.
Onyenali said its success is due to employees, customers, and good management. The employees include graduates, undergraduates, and people without formal education whom he encourages to go back to school.
The ceremony will feature performance by Gilbert Okolie who will launch his music album Ike’m Ji aba-mba.
