“…Today, those treasures and footnotes Mr. Okpanachi has left behind, will continue to speak for his coming days of greater upliftment”.
By Mark Columbus Orgu
Just as Nicollo Machiavelli (1469-1527), tried to teach his followers and admirers that “ you must not look for hard-and –fast rules, but learn to think your way subtly into each different political situation and its requirements” Insisting that no single quality could be identified as ‘virtue’ and pursued in every situations. Like Machiavelli, so Mr. Tony Okpanachi’s principles are; focusing on what is realistic and obtainable. A man with inestimable executive banking experience and exposure, who leaves no one in doubt- that he is equal to any task- especially on the areas of policy analysis, methodology, translation and implementation.
This has given him edges among his contemporaries. In fact, enviable. Not because of his intellectual capacity in evaluating things but, of his simplicity, deep understanding, and natural endowment in achieving sustainable goals and objectives, wherever, he finds himself-leaving indelible mark on the sands of time.
Many of us who call him as “Big Uncle Tony” were not surprised at his elevation as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), a year ago. Before then, it has always been in our prayers that someday, he would become the MD/CEO of his former organization, Eco-Bank, Nigeria, where he was the second -in –command and worked for many years there, but like Machiavelli puts in his book titled ‘The Prince’ that, while fate and fortune characterize half of our life, the other half would certainly depend on it. That was the testimony of Mr. Okpanachi, after his appointment. He is a man characterized with affluence and legacy.
At the time, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration announced his advancement, as the head of the bank, clouds were already rejoicing, because, it is a divine- merited and, well deserved elevation, especially when our economy dwindled, and seems, irredeemable. Interesting, the bank head has not disappointed his critics and those who may be looking for a gaffe.
Meanwhile, in the bank strategic effort towards reducing the rate of unemployment in the Country and encourage entrepreneurs (Small and micro businesses), as enshrined in the establishment of the DBN- as a primary objective have so far, disbursed 35, 000 end borrowers through commercial and microfinance banks, and indeed, 23 financial institutions, which are same microfinance banks and commercial banks on boarded for un-lending activities. Interestingly, 73% of the micro loans given, are women.
It could be recalled that the bank’s target as at then, was to disbursed 20,000 end borrowers, but ended up giving 35, 000. This was based on a high demand and to also salvage the dwindling economy. Yes, all over the world, Development banks are established primarily to provide long-term finance (debt or equity) which commercial banks and the capital market will not provide.
And one of the major objectives of Development bank is to open up access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises and encourage entrepreneurial activities, including diversification of industry with the purpose of creating opportunities and job. This is what the bank MD/CEO with his strategic team have done for the past one year.
Mr. Okpanachi who resumed office in May, 2017, and immediately swing into action by repositioning and mapping out policies I refer as “ Policy and practice” started the bank lending activities in November same year, which has recorded tremendous success.
Most times, I have tried to compared the contrast the similarities between the ideology of Ho Chi Minh Vietnam, of a blessed memory in a book written in his honour by N. Khac Huyen, titled ‘Vision Accomplished, The Enigma of Ho Chi Minh, said of him, “Minh certainly thought of himself as a dedicated man in the service of a good cause, his appearance denoted the simplicity of a man devoted to the service of his people and a total disregard for unnecessary comforts. These are also the attributes of Mr. Okpanachi for those who know very well. A man with a large heart, who accommodates and encourages one’s vision in life
His legacy of transformation of banks in African cannot be quantified. Instructively, his achievements especially when he was in Malawi, for two years, and Kenya, four years remain a record to be broken in Eco-Bank. Today, those treasures and footnotes Mr. Okpanachi has left behind will continue to speak for his coming days of greater upliftment.
The purpose at which DBN was conceived in 2013 under former President, Goodluck Jonathan, with the setting up of a working group under the National Council on Privatization (NCP) can now smiled because their effort is now fruitful and resourceful.
However, recalling the conclusion of a former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, on her address delivered during the launch of DBN at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on March 23, 2015, noted : “Our collective determination to see this vision (DBN) succeed is evidence of our belief that the greatest wealth of this country is in the ingenuity of our people, the creativity of our youths, the industry of our women, the resilience of our men and the dynamism of the average Nigerian citizen who is out there, trying to take charge of his or her destiny’.
Yes, we cannot but accept the fact that Mr. Okpanachi’s achievement in this regard, is now a testimony and a prophetic vision projected by the former Minister. Indeed, the shared vision and foresight demonstrated by Mr. Okpanachi ,with his utmost articulation of ideas towards fulfilling the federal government’s purpose of DBN, is of no doubt, becoming an enviable financial Institution. Machiavelli again in same “The Prince” tells us, “the bold would succeed better than the hesitant, corroborated by the immortal Cicero who insisted in a book titled “De officiis”, that a virtuous man should gain his ends by communication and persuasion rather than force or treachery” Therefore, it is my prayers that you will become one of the most celebrated bank chiefs time to come. God bless you.
Mark Columbus is editor, Afrikanwatch, social commentator, and public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos
