By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, on Tuesday formally welcomed the company’s newly recruited staff, charging them to be customer-focused, uphold integrity, embrace continuous self-development and contribute meaningfully to the company’s growth and transformation.
Addressing the new intakes during an onboarding session at the company’s headquarters in Awka, the MD described their recruitment as a deliberate choice based on their exceptional talents, unique perspectives and potential to add value to the organization.
He emphasized that they were not merely employed to fill vacant positions but to become integral parts of FirstPower’s mission of powering progress, supporting businesses and improving the daily lives of customers and communities across Anambra State.
According to him, the electricity sector is rapidly evolving, making it imperative for every employee to remain innovative, adaptable and committed to delivering reliable and sustainable power solutions that will keep the company at the forefront of the industry. He further encouraged them to continually develop and improve themselves and their values by undertaking higher professional courses, acquiring new skills and obtaining higher certifications to avoid becoming redundant.
The FirstPower CEO also urged the new employees to approach their responsibilities with passion and professionalism, while remaining empathic, responsive and solution-driven in their interactions with customers.
He stressed that the company’s success was anchored on a shared culture built around safety, innovation, collaboration, integrity and accountability, urging them to make those values the foundation of their careers.
Engr. Okafor particularly highlighted the importance of safety, reminding the employees that no assignment is so important that it should be carried out at the expense of human life or safe work practices.
He also encouraged them to bring fresh ideas and creative problem-solving approaches to the workplace, noting that innovation remains critical to addressing the changing realities of the energy sector.
Highlighting the need for teamwork, the MD urged the new intakes to break departmental barriers, support one another and work collectively towards achieving the company’s corporate objectives.
He further reaffirmed FirstPower’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, bribery and financial misconduct, stressing that integrity remains the company’s licence to operate and that no business opportunity, shortcut or performance target should come at the expense of ethical standards. He charged them to comply strictly with anti-corruption laws and uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
The MD also warned against what he described as the “bystander culture” or the tendency to ignore wrongdoing, urging the employees to promptly report safety breaches, unethical conduct and financial irregularities through the company’s confidential reporting channels without fear of victimisation.
He maintained that ethical leadership begins from the first day of employment, irrespective of position or department, and encouraged the new staff to take ownership of maintaining a healthy ethical environment within the organisation.
Describing the current period as one of expansion and opportunity for FirstPower, Engr. Okafor told the employees that the company offers enormous prospects for career growth and professional development, encouraging them to remain curious, ask questions and continually invest in improving themselves.
“Your growth is our growth,” he said, assuring them that their contributions would play a vital role in helping the company attain greater heights while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
He urged the new intakes to maximise the opportunities presented by the onboarding programme, build strong relationships with their colleagues and never hesitate to contribute ideas that could drive innovation and improve service delivery.
The Managing Director concluded by thanking the employees for choosing FirstPower and expressing confidence that their talents, dedication and commitment would strengthen the company’s mission of delivering quality electricity services and powering a brighter future for the people of Anambra State.
The onboarding session was also witnessed by some Management staff and senior officers of FirstPower.
