‘How I got Inspired’

Mary Ekah
It was amazing and thought-provoking when the Chairman of Stanel Group, Mr. Stanley Uzochukwu, revealed how his career was inspired by Chairman, United Bank of African (UBA), Transcorp, Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu.

Disclosing this during a recent courtesy visit to Elumelu by Uzochukwu along with a team of his staff in appreciation of Elumelu’s mentorship, Uzochukwu said he was inspired through Elumelu’s inspirational words when the duo met for the first time at a Maritime Security Retreat held at the Aso Villa, Abuja in 2012. The meeting also had in attendance the former President Goodluck Jonathan and the former Finance and Coordinating Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and Uzochukwu was just 28 then and also the youngest entrepreneurial-minded person in the meeting.

The courtesy visit, adjudged as a history-making event, took place at the Heirs Holdings’ head office, Ikoyi, Lagos and was spiced up with a colourful presentation of achievements by the chairman, Stanel Group, who showered appreciation on Elumelu while also acknowledging his mentorship.

In his presentation, the chairman, Stanel Group and popular philanthropist, Uzochukwu, noted that those inspirational words that triggered off his vision were, ‘believe in yourself…’ ‘Only entrepreneurship can create opportunities where non seemingly exist’, among others.
“Those words sunk into my head and motivated me to press further into investing in the oil and gas sector,” Uzochukwu said.

He also disclosed that, “Stanel Group is one of the fastest growing companies in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria as a result of those inspirational words. “Since inception in 2011, Stanel Group has expanded and diversified into rendering other basic services within the sector,” he noted.

Speaking further, he said, “Stanel Oil is not only rendering services but now also offering its products ranging from high standard and customised gas cylinders in different sizes affordable even to the poor. Stanel Engine Oil can now compete with any standard in the world.”

Congratulating the young billionaire on his impressive achievements and speed of success so far within the space of six business years in the highly competitive industry, Elumelu commended him for his burning passion to make a difference in his generation at his early age. “I like your humility. You are humble and I am proud to be your mentor as you have proudly identified with me as my young mentee. You started very young and you have gone this far because you are focused, passionate, disciplined and determined,” Elumelu said. “My advice for you is that you should remain focused, futuristic, determined and above all keep your discipline and integrity,” he added.