By Dennis Olisa
Dear Duke of Shomolu,
Esteemed thespian and writer
Permit me to add the following comments to the discourse shared above. I firmly disagree with the suggestion put forward above. The suggestion is the same old theory that we have postulated and implemented over and over again in time past, but with no result. Should we not change?
My suggestion:
Define a business, define a service. Separate the business from the service. Let the business run as a business but with sole objective of providing a service/product. A small example is the Lagos “keke maruwa” transportation system. The “keke” provides a service – transportation, but the owner runs the business. If the service is not properly provided the business will not succeed. It works both ways, if you don’t have a good business there will be no service, in this case transportation. Sir, this concept can be applied to almost all facet of our private and public life.
National theatre as a case in point.
Drawing from your example of the Muson Centre, “the owners” are running a business but maybe not “a for profit” business, but a business all the same. So what are the necessary elements of a good business:
- A strong and reputable board of directors must be in place
- A qualified and effective management team to handle all aspects of the business. Putting round pegs in round holes in all matters relating to employment.
- A strong and strategic oversight system that will ensure internal and external checks and balances at all times.
- A strong reward and accountability mechanism for all stakeholders with appropriate disciplinary procedures for infringement.
- A periodic review of the organizations performance and compliance standards executed by qualified audit firms.
For the national theatre, the business possibilities are endless, is it in building guest chalets all around, a state of the art play ground suitable for parties “owanbe” outdoors and indoors, is it state of the art movie theater, etc… Bro all of us can do much more than just postulate. It’s has become sound and fury signifying nothing.
Without putting these in place our quest for success particularly in the nation’s public service, will be like pouring water into a brand new basket.
Thank You
