Mr Emmanuel Njoku, Entrepreneur and Managing Director/CEO of Prezzo Shed Investments Ltd, has urged workers across all sectors to shun ‘African time’ syndrome to ensure productivity in their organisations. Njoku gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of End-of-Year Party and Awards ceremony organised for company’s workers in Abuja on Sunday. According to him, a situation where workers justify lateness to work and other events hinders organisation’s growth and national development. He said that lack of discipline in keeping time was a major cause of delay in accomplishing tasks within stipulated period. This, he added, impaired progress, growth and development. ‘Although, the African time is now normal in our system because when we go to meetings abroad, people talk about African time that we do not keep time. ‘ I mean it should not be seen as an African thing, we should change the narrative. ‘There should be an act of discipline, people should be punctual, because it is an act of discipline,’ Njoku said. According to him, Prezzo Shed is a leading provider of health equipment for humanitarian purposes, with a workforce that is committed to timely and effective service delivery over the years. He said the End-of-Year party/Service Awards was to celebrate outstanding members of staff and inspire them for renewed commitment to duty in the coming year. According to him, the categories of awards for staff include Punctuality Award, Long Service Award, Best Dressed Male and Female Staff of the Year and Accident-Free Award for the drivers. ‘Today is the end of the year party for the workers and it is traditional, as they say all work without play makes Jack a dull boy. ‘So, having worked from January to December, we have a way of coming together by reuniting the company with the families of the staff, our clients and our friends. ‘In line with global best practices, we have a way of rewarding workers. So, for us, it is always saying kudos to people who are doing well because they say one good deserves another. ‘Among others, the long service award is a way of motivating some members of staff so that they will do better in the coming years,’ he said. Also speaking, Ms Paschaline Akaleke, Administrative/Human Resources Manager of the company, said the recognition was a motivation for workers to resume duty on time, dress well to work, be of good behaviour. ‘The award is to appreciate staff who have stayed with the company for five years, 10 years and 15 years to tell them that the company appreciates their input and dedication to duty. ‘This will boost their moral, because in the next year everybody will be thinking there is something to look forward to at the end of the year,’ she said. Also, company’s General Manager, Dr Albert Anusi, who received the Long Service Awards, expressed appreciation to management on behalf of other recipients. He said that the honour should be seen as a call for renewed dedication to duty. NAN reports that highpoint of the event was the presentation of monetary rewards and plaques to all awardees.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria