Frank Okafor: Redefining service delivery in the real estate industry

Chief (Sir) Dr. Frank Okafor, the Managing Director/CEO of Marcopolo Properties Limited and Marcopolo Hotel and Suites is a pointer to the great success of private entrepreneurship in the murky Nigeria business environment. With over 15 years in the real estate business, Onwa Ojoto as he is fondly called, despite daunting challenges has become one of the smartest business minds in Nigeria, a mind that has helped him to become one of Nigeria’s fast emerging real estate developer and hospitality icon, sitting atop a multi-million Naira business empire. In this interview with Nnamdi Nwokolo, the recipient of so many chieftaincy titles including Ikenga Idenmili, spoke on the Focus of a CEO.

What informed your choice of business?
AS a young man, I noticed that the true test of manhood is the ability to fend for your family and put a roof over your head. Upon leaving school, I started importation of sundry goods which to the Glory of God and in line with my vision was hugely successful. As a restless and serial entrepreneur, I started the manufacturing of baby diapers and iron steel. Having attained manhood, I pursued my desire to help other Nigerians attain manhood by putting a roof over their heads. This desire gave birth to Marcopolo Properties Limited and Marcopolo Hotels and Suites. In line with my vision, our operations cut across different class as we develop housing for the small, medium and high net worth individuals and corporations.

What has been the biggest challenge of achieving your goals?
Challenges gravitate towards their solution. My upbringing and philosophy are geared towards seeing challenges as opportunities o get to the next level. It is not easy setting up an enterprise in this country. The challenges are too daunting because you’ll provide your own infrastructures like power, water and security etc. Ironically, most countries of the world have moved beyond the issue and complaints of energy. It is a big challenge that government must tackle.

I know the present administration is doing something about it but they need to do more to tackle the issue as that is the reason most companies are leaving Nigeria because the cost of providing your own energy is usually very high. Luckily for me, I’ve come this far by applying the principles of perseverance, honesty, hard work, faith and a strong belief in God. To get funding to start a business has been identified as a major challenge to most entrepreneurs, but in all I advise budding entrepreneurs to start small with whatever they have and build it from there.

How were you able to cope in terms of technical knowhow of the business ventures you are into?
The fact remains that to succeed in anything you do, you must first of all articulate your vision. With dedication, trust and perseverance, success is always assured. Even though I started with importation, I looked at the economy and made up my mind that the best way to make an impact by creating jobs for our teeming youths is through manufacturing. Youth empowerment is the factor that led me into manufacturing. What I normally do is to assemble experts in any industry I want to go into and sell my vision to them and work out a strategy to operate and succeed in the business. Creativity is at the heart of our operations, and the power to deliver on our offering is brought about by having a renowned collection of experienced experts and passionate professionals under one roof.

On the challenge of human capital:
I believe that human capital development is the best strategy for business success. At Marcopolo group, our employees are inspired to challenge the status quo, finding ingenious ways to find efficiencies and engage with the world at large. We constantly train and retrain our human resource for the global challenge ahead. We equally drum it into their ears that as much as we need them, they also need us; so we have a symbiotic relationship, like a family for the success of the organisation. It has not been easy but Marcopolo employees are totally committed to be the innovation partner of choice in offering customers superior and sustainable solutions in the industry.

What stands your organisation out of the competition?
At the forefront of innovation, we explore and uncover new and exciting solutions using technologies to add to our vast portfolios. At Marcopolo Properties we customize orders to suit specific construction requirements from clients. One of the remarkable and unique projects of the Marcopolo Properties is the Cruz Garden; an architectural and aesthetic masterpiece located in the high brow area of Lekki in Lagos. The garden provides breathtaking serenity, class and is tastefully designed to give value for money. Our business model revolves around the partnerships we have with our customers and doing our utmost best, at every step along the value chain, to create innovative solutions that surpass their expectations. Recent studies have shown that Nigeria has about 17 million housing deficit and the primary focus of our organisation is to help in bridging this gap by redefining customer service in the industry.

What can government do differently to help enterprise development?
I think the government should look inwards, by partnering with indigenous people to invest in the country rather than spending huge and scarce resources to look for foreign investors. They should believe and work with locals first because nobody can develop our country more than us. Remember that when things are working well, you don’t need to look for investors, they will come themselves. They should work with serious minded Nigerians as they say ‘charity begins at home’.

The government should try as much as possible to provide infrastructure like energy, roads, water and security to allow for robust indigenous participation in the economy. I commend the government for the efforts they are making to stabilize the power situation, but they need to do more. I encourage them to work hard to get it right so that the economy will be better than what it is today. Taxes should be harmonized to reduce the incidence of multiple taxation as well as the high interest rate of getting facilities from financial institutions.

What drives you?
My driving force is always God as He is behind everything we have achieved both as individuals and as an organisation. Our belief is in God, who makes all things possible. I also draw inspiration from the life of my hardworking mother. I don’t want to be associated with failure and the desire to contribute to the development of the society is a key driving force. Each time I’m called upon to receive an award or title, I feel so much honoured because it shows that people recognize our hard work and zeal to make the society a better place. These recognitions humble me and make me work harder towards the development of the society. Unfortunately, young people are not interested in working hard any longer but I tell them that there’s no short cut to success. Whatever success anyone achieves through cutting corners is for short term benefit as it cannot be sustained.