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The management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc has honored Mr. Everest Okpara a legacy staff of the organization who retired from PHED recently after 35 years of outstanding service.
Mr. Okpara during his days at PHED proved beyond any iota of doubt that professionalism, team playing, leadership, ethical behavior clothed with hard work, and persistence are the hallmark of his success in his career.
At a fiesta to send Mr. Okpara forth on November 19, 2021, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc presented him an award plaque and a giant plasma television (TV) in recognition of his 36 years (1985-2021) of outstanding and dedicated service to the company.
Mr. Okpara joined the defunct NEPA in the year 1985, and little did he know at that time that he will journey with the company for as long as thirty-six years. He began his journey as a clerk in the defunct NEPA, he later joined the Accounts Department and had stints in other job functions across different zones in the company over the years. The last position he held was the Zonal Head in Bayelsa, Zone One (1).
It is interesting to note that for every position he occupied, Mr. Okpara made a notable impact. Most deserving of his accomplishments worthy of a standing ovation, was the incremental growth of the strategic business unit in Bayelsa, Zone 1 from 39%. C.E to about 63% C.E. before retired.
In an interview with John Anonyai, the Head of Corporate Communications, Everest revealed that in a bid to succeed and break boundaries, he once branded himself a ‘failure’ after a terrible performance which saw him record an insignificant collection efficiency of 33% as a Zonal Head.
A peep into his time as the Business Head in Onyibo under the old business structure shows that he also posted a performance of increasing collections in his first month from N47m to N73.2m, he sustained this trend progressively until he was transferred from Onyibo.
It can never go without the saying that Everest must have applied strategies to constantly single him out as a peak performer even under the most difficult circumstances as extracted from his revelations.
Mr. Okpara was full of praise for PHED’s visionary MD/CEO, Dr. Henry Ajagbawa, for his support and finding him worthy to lead the business zone in Bayelsa. He also appreciated those that worked with him at different times for their devotion and team spirit.
Mr. Okpara traded on several other coasts during his service years at PHED. He headed the Final Accounts Department before swapping portfolios for Commercial/Marketing and Feeder Management. He was also a founding member of the Revenue Protection Department where he developed a standard operating procedure for their processes.
Mr. Okpara holds a professional accounting certificate (ICAN certified), a master’s degree in economics, and a host of other certifications he picked up during his career through training and retraining.
The management and staff of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc, heartily celebrate Everest Okpara for his thirty-six years of unwavering dedication and commitment to the growth of the company and wish him well in his future endeavors.