By Jemi Ekunkunbor

Deacon Chris Iyovwaye is the MD/ CEO Wellmann Group of Companies; a leader in heavy lifting, modular weighing and jacking systems, as well as marine and land transportation.

A product of the famous Urhobo College, Warri, and an International Studies and Diplomacy graduate of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Deacon Iyovwaye is widely travelled and has traversed all continents of the world.

For a man who built an empire from the ground up, transforming a zero-capital venture into a multi-million-dollar organisation, his looks and mien belies his business achievements as he has curated a lifestyle of simplicity and humility which he wears like a cloak.

Easily moved by the sufferings of others, he is deeply given to humanitarian activities; provides clean water to communities, built shelters for the less privileged, supported countless people in business, granted scholarships to numerous students and continues to extend benevolence to widows and the elderly. A devout Christian and a member of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), he has held various key leadership positions including Chairperson of the Local Church Council. But how did this father of four, husband of Leri Iyovwaye, and advocate of local content development go from an auxiliary nurse in Warri, to become the CEO of Wellmann Group of companies? As he turns a year older tomorrow, we went down memory lane to ask how it all started. Enjoy.

You began your career journey as an auxiliary nurse; how did that happen?

In the early 80’s when I came out of school, for some reasons, I was not able to further my education. And with the kind of parenting we had, you cannot sit at home doing nothing. So, my big auntie who was a nurse then, invited me to start auxiliary nursing. A lot of  hospitals had programs to train auxiliary nurses. So, I signed up with a specialist hospital in Warri.

How was the experience for you?

It was a wonderful time; the feeling of being able to add value to life and see people happy, that’s something that naturally gives me joy.

How did you move from nursing, quality control to business?

As soon as I left nursing, I went into the Delta Glass Company as a Quality Control Inspector.

When I made up my mind to start business, it was to probably sell refined petroleum products, and get allocation from here and there. What I’m doing now came by providence. I stumbled into a man who was my namesake, Chris Ogiemwonyi— a Director in NNPC at that time. He was able to give me the support that was needed to get into what I’m doing today.

A lot of young people seek to have somebody like Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi in their lives; what was it like having that man give you that needed push?

I will share one experience with you that the man himself told me. There is this global oil and gas inventors conference called the OTC which happens between April and May in Houston. It’s more like a Mecca of some sorts, where oil and gas operators converge every year. Chris told me that he was there one particular year with his daughter and you needed to see the number of people who were saying: “Ha, Oga you’re here. You helped me. You helped me!” Before the daughter knew it, she burst into tears, asking: “How could you have helped all these people?” He said he was moved to tears. So, he provided the required mentorship when I needed it, when he said to me, “Chris, you can make this happen.”

He’s selfless and just has that thing for providing mentorship.

Are you mentoring others now?

To be honest, it’s been a way of life for me. The things that move people, like wanting to have houses, big cars and wealth everywhere, do not move me at all. That’s the truth. I’m only moved when I can add value to somebody and the person smiles. That’s what gives me joy.

Take us through the process of starting a zero capital business?

We started from ground zero looking for contracts here and there. There was no money anywhere until breakthroughs began to come. This should be a learning point for those coming behind. As soon as proceeds began to happen, we didn’t get into in a hurry to change lifestyle. Every single kobo that came into the business went back into the business. We didn’t change houses or cars. We were building gradually and that’s why we have arrived at where we are today. I can’t count how many times people have walked into my office and said: “Where is your boss?” Because I don’t look like it. It’s same in the industry. When we turn up, we don’t look like what people expect to see until we begin to operate before they realise our value.

Your company is involved in heavy lifting. How easy was that for a local content development company?

For us, that’s something the world needs to hear. In Nigeria then, heavy lifting was done primarily by a company called Panapina. So, when you have a job to do, you have to go and consult them and queue. And they will tell you: “Wait, we don’t have time.”

It was when they came for one job in Warri that we now saw this modular trailers for the first time — what we are using today. We were given the marine bit of the contract to move those modular trailers from the port of Warri to Dawoos’ facility. It was quite fascinating for me and I asked the operators of the equipment who happened to be from the Middle East about how to own the equipment. I was given a complimentary card of a company in France called Nicolas. But then, I had also made some research in which I saw a company in Suji in China. I flew to China, went to the facility and was given a proforma invoice. Remember, this was a company that was evolving from Warri. On my way from China, I flew into France to Nicolas where I met and spoke with Pierre Berret. They gave me their own proforma and I showed them the price from China which seemed less. They, however, assured me of an unbeatable aftersales service. Within one week of my leaving France and arriving in Warri, the sales guy from France was at the door of my office.  That was a deciding factor for me and we are in this business today because of that Nicolas company. Till tomorrow, they continue to give us the aftersales service.

When it comes to local content, how would you say we are doing in Nigeria especially in your sector?

Some people feel that the industry is not ripe enough, especially with the PIB law.

But we must get to a threshold where Nigerians begin to take over because there’s so much at stake for us. If you have a nation like Iran taking over their oil and gas business, then you know it’s not rocket science.

We have to discourage capital flights by owning our equipment and personnel rather than contractors coming from outside when we have local capacities residents in Nigeria.

Your company Wellmann has become the go-to company for heavy structure movement; what is the largest structure you have moved?

The largest structure ever moved in Nigeria and the entire Gulf of Guinea was moved by us for Chevron. It’s called the Meren/Sonam topside. It weighed 3,500 tones!

Host communities are often on war path with oil servicing companies; what has your experience been like?

I’ve never had any problems with any community. If you have genuine community engagement and you are really truthful to the people, you get them involved and employ some of them and do some community PR and make sure the people are happy, you won’t have any problem.

You do a lot supporting widows, orphans etc; what is the inspiration behind it?

I was brought up by my maternal and paternal grand mothers. I belong to that generation of children who were raised by grandparents.

My paternal grand mum is a traditional birth attendant. So, she always does things for the people. There are people who glory in cars, houses, but this value of bringing something to the lives of people gives me joy. Wherever there is a need, I step in. It’s a way of life. I have widows and orphans that we minister to on a regular basis. It’s a way of life.

It’s your birthday tomorrow are you planning to do something?

I’m not really a birthday person as it were. But one thing of note that I do is to go to hospitals to minister to children born on that day. I pay their bills and give them fresh supplies. When I do that, I am satisfied.

I know my wife will want to spring a surprise, but I’m equal to the task.

Your work takes you to countries in different continents; where is your favourite travel destination?

One of my favourite place remains Rotterdam. There is a way that city resonates with me; the calmness, everything is just next door–train, tram, underground, shops and the place is also very serene.

What country has made the most impression on you in course of your travels and why?

I’ve done more business in France than any other country.

But in terms of Aesthetics, I’ll give it to Singapore for the kind of value they bring to the table. The place is clean. It is so clean that you can’t find chewing gum there. They see it as a dirty habit. You see people cleaning flowers as if their lives depended on it. Everything is clean; their airport, taxis, environment, everything. It’s a clean and fine country.

Who taught you your biggest lesson in business?

I would want to give it to a man called Pierre Berret. He doesn’t work for Nicholas anymore but till today, if I’m going to any European embassy, he still sends my letter of invitation and once I arrive in France, he pays my hotel bills.

What is the next level for Wellmann?

That question is quite good because we have come full circle.

When you are not working what do you like to do?

For me most times, it’s all work and church. I really find time for socializing so because I travel a lot, I’ve turned my travels to socializing and use the time to ventilate.

Men like sports and toys what do you like?

I’m a different kind of man. I have friends who support Arsenal, Barca etc, I’m a fan of good football and can analyse good football but I don’t have allegiance to any particular club.

I love the game of sports; sports itself is life. I’m a good fan of the Italian league.

Then for toys, I have some good mobile phones but it’s just for text messages. I don’t have any app on my phone.

Recently Wellmann clocked 20, how did you celebrate?

Rather than making a lot of noise, we had a colloquium with speakers from around the world. The place was jam- packed and people came to share ideas.

What would you say life has taught you?

Life has taught me to be humble, and if you are honest and sincere, identify a cause in life and pursue it. What the world is seeing today as far as Wellman is concerned is that company that started from a humble beginning, from the city of Warri proving that anything is possible with our faith in God.

In recent times, you’d notice the God factor is being removed from many things because of terrible experiences with men in the gab. What would your comment be?

Getting to know God is not more of a relationship than experience. You follow God to a level where there is an experience, where you are sure that help is coming from somewhere. That is the experience that we have. Take God away and we are completely flat. The only thing that we try to guard against is people professing God without work. They put enterprise aside and say it’s about prayer? No!

Even Jesus said “I must work the work of my father while it is day.” You are talking about Christianity without work, no. They’ve made it seem like magic. There must be a corresponding amount of work before you begin to see the glory of God. There is something you are doing, or something in your hand that God will bless. If you don’t do that then you are making a mockery of God.