STARZS INVESTMENTS BEGINS WEEKLONG CELEBRATION TO MARK 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN PORT HARCOURT

The Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) on Saturday, commenced a week-long programme of activities to celebrate its 40th anniversary, with a Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the Chairman, Engr. Greg Utonwem Ogbeifun stressing that the SICL owed its success to timely divine intervention and Providence.

Founded in 1986 by renowned shipping mogul and maritime professional, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Starzs Investments has actually grown to become, one of Nigeria's foremost indigenous shipowning companies.

Speaking during the thanksgiving service, which attracted an assembly of clergymen, music ministers, staff, family members, friends and well-wishers, the founder and Chairman of the Starzs Group, Engr. Ogbeifun, attributed the company's success over the past four decades to God's faithfulness and genuine Christian values upon which the organisation was built.

According to him, the company would not have survived the challenges of the last 40 years without divine intervention and guidance.

He recounted his journey and the ordeals adding that God has been the reason for his success.

The thanksgiving service featured soul-lifting worship and praise sessions led by gospel artiste Moses Bliss, the Afiba Music Academy Choir, and Minister Emmanuel, who ministered to the congregation in an atmosphere of gratitude and celebration.

Thoughtful and humble, the revered shipping magnate however declined to begin his speech, until the company's first staff, sister Helen came on stage.  

"Helen is my first staff, from 1987; up to then, I was a one-man company. 

"I just want to thank God, over the last 40 years", he said, stressing that the men of God  who spoke earlier had hit the nail on the head.

"They've said it all. I am glad to listen. I just want to say God, I bless you!

But, was it easy? Did I have capital? Did I have a vehicle? We started with nothing. First of July, 1986", he remarked, dovetailing into a history of remarkable perseverance, faith and discipline. He recalled that Starzs actually began on the street, with only his brain, his faith, his grit and about a hundred Naira in the pocket!

"I want to just talk about the beginning. I won't say much more...", and then, he unveiled the story of a determined son of a poor Carpenter and a petty trading mother, who got a wonderful opportunity to be trained abroad, emerged the highest placed Nigerian in a British company.

An opportunity unfolded and the company had decided to send him to the UK for two years, thereafter he would come back to become the general manager of the company. 

To him it was an answered prayer. He therefore, sold everything he had, rushed down to Benin, and built a small house to provide reasonable shelter for the poor parents. Mentally and emotionally, he was now set for the trip!

But, two days before the trip, he was invited to the office, and forced to resign his appointment.

"Two days before then, they called me, that I should come back. I said okay. I was confused. So, I went to my office. Don't forget that I was one of the highest Nigerian people there", he stated, explaining that amidst the shock and confusion, he was asked to resign by his British bosses.

He resigned after a mild drama- the British boss refused his resignation letter because he stated the company asked him to resign. Ogbeifun’s boss ended up scribbling down the resignation letter which he was asked to sign thereafter.

Ironically, in that crucible of fire, was the foundation of his future success baked. 

"At that time. I needed to believe God. God was no longer a name or game", Engr. Ogbeifun stated, and cautioned Christians against believing that God exists or answers prayers only when things go as they wish. 

The Company according to him, would not have survived the travails and challenges of the past 40 years, without divine intervention and guidance, he said  asserting that “God has been the reason for his success.”

Unexpectedly too, it was within the five years down the lane, that he got born again! A period marked by God's unique mercies, guidance and faithfulness.

"That's the message. How many times did I fall? So many times. How many times did I have depression? So many times.

"It's so easy to remember the previous days. How many times did I weep? Don't forget that I had nothing. It was like I was taken to school", he posited, charging anyone going into business in Nigeria, particularly the youths to first mentally prepare adequately, against the temptation of wanting to cut corners!

"Nigeria is a difficult place to survive in terms of business.

"The system makes you to fail. The biggest thing that will however make you fail is not to be true to yourself. How many times did they try to lure me with sweet things from the world. Illegal things that will only bring you temporary reliefs!"

"Let me say that again. So, five years down the line, I got born again. Two years after being born again, I lost everything.  

"So I went to Him (God). I said to Him, but when I was a non-believer, I was making so much money. And now, how can this be happening? And that was when He started talking to me, for the first time!"

And God to him:

"I told you that you were going to lose everything. I was going to empty you out and start a new work.

"That is the work we are still doing now!", a very emotional Ogbeifun said with all sincerity and humility, praising God.

"Father, I give you all the glory. I give you all the honor. I give you all the adoration.

"In 40 years time, I don't want to be here. I want to be in a better place. But in 40 years time, all of you (the staff/ audience), most of you will be here.

"And you will be doing, 40 times, greater than what I am doing. In Jesus' name", he prayed.

Speaking earlier, the renowned General Overseer of the King's Assembly, Pastor Chris Ugoh had prayed for both the Company, SICL and its Founder and Chairman, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, stressing that 40 years is both symbolic and noteworthy.

"Today we would like to celebrate the visionary chairman that God has used to give birth to this vision", Pastor Chris said, stressing the need to honour God, for the life of the Chairman.

"Because you didn't have everything when you were starting. That's why I usually encourage visionaries. Especially, because of the future and people that are going to be counting on our success, we must not give up".

He compared the Chairman's efforts to that of good mothers, whose strong faith often mastermind their sacrificial instincts, to nurture kids till they become somebody.

"You see mothers, mothers have captured it..See all the sacrifices they do. Weeping may be for a night but in the morning, that same child turns around and he is great all over the world!

"So they bear the pain, they bear the disappointments, they bear the pressure. So as we celebrate today, let's salute the chairman, the visionary leader. Let's do it together!"

Shortly after, the entire Centre, guided by revered men of God said prayers for the Starzs Investment Company Ltd SICL, its founder and handsome Chairman, the Management and the Staff.

The thanksgiving service featured soul-lifting worship and praise sessions, led by gospel artiste Moses Bliss, the Afiba Music Academy Choir, and Minister Emmanuel.

The anniversary celebration is expected to continue throughout the week with a series of activities commemorating the company's four decades of operations and contributions to Nigeria's maritime and business sectors.