Day Mandilas celebrated topflight women

Since Ms Ola Debayo-Doherty’s emergence over two years ago as the first Nigerian and first woman to lead Mandilas, the over 70-year-old conglomerate with vast interest in Nigeria’s fast-paced automobile industry among others, more women have risen to the pinnacle of their profession thanks to the company’s equal-opportunity policy for all. Top women achievers celebrated by the company to commemorate the International Women’s Day share their riveting stories with EVELYN OSAGIE.

As the Holy Book says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” This holds true for women in the employ of Mandilas. The company recently honoured womenfolk who are proving their worth and mettle in a male-dominated workplace as a way of rewarding hard work and diligence.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Daywith the theme #ChallengetoChange#, some of its top women achievers earned their deserved place in the company’s hall of fame as they were recognised and commended for contributing to the growth and stability of the over 70 years conglomerate.

Given the company’s long history of patriarchy, the feeling out there is that the friendly disposition towards the womenfolk is both heartening and worthy of emulation by other companies; a fact echoed by the majority of the respondents who spoke with our correspondent.

 

 ‘Performance has nothing to do with gender’ – General Manager, Mandilas Mobility Division, Kemi Koyejo:

Kemi, who has over 25 years post-qualification experience in the automobile sector, joined Mandilas Enterprises Limited as Public Enlightenment Officer in 1991, and later became the Business Development Manager and eventually National Marketing Manager.

For the younger Kemi, who grew up in a liberal family where there were no gender specific roles, finding herself in an otherwise male-dominated industry wasn’t a big deal at all.

A goal-getter, she holds the view and very strongly that, “performance doesn’t have anything to do with your gender. I love to take up challenges and never give up easily.”

Of course, she holds part of her success story today to the  opportunity she got at Mandilas.

“My story is incomplete without Mandilas. The company has given me a platform to express myself. I became the first female National Marketing Manager years ago amidst doubts and was able to make the best of the opportunity. The platform is currently further enhanced under the leadership of the current and first female CEO – Ms Ola Debayo-Doherty.”

Her advice to other women is to always hold their head high, no matter what. “If you know your onions, hold your head high, and do not look down on yourself, no one will be able to hold you down.”

 

‘Passion for the job my greatest asset’ – Branch Manager, Ibadan Workshop, Uzoamaka Fannie Nwakanma

Uzoamaka has over two decades experience in the industry. She began her career with Mandilas in 1997 as an Accounts Supervisor in Lagos and later moved to head the Ibadan branch, where she is the branch manager.

Although she acknowledges that nothing prepared her for the responsibilities she is currently saddled with but her can-do spirit has stood her in good stead all through.

Upbeat, she says, “Finding myself in a male-dominated work environment only brings out the best in me. I see myself most times challenging myself and always telling myself I can do it. As a fast learner, I watch my male colleagues closely as they do their job and apply same in my job as well as I try to build on top of what I have learnt to be better. I feel greatly honoured, highly motivated and exceptional; these have inspired me to adopt a combination of male and female attributes.”

Above all, working at Mandilas has made all the difference. “Mandilas played a major role in all of these by making available the platform for these to be achieved. Mandilas was able to identify the attribute in me and helped in developing it by giving me the appointment to display hidden talents and unknown skills and abilities.

 

‘My greatest motivation is satisfying customers’ – Branch Manager, Ilorin Workshop, Victoria Oluwaseyi:

Victoria, a certified Mechanical Engineer had stints with few of the major automobile companies for a combined 10 years before joining the employ of Mandilas Enterprises in 2015 as Workshop Engineer and later rose to the rank of a Branch Manager in 2019.

For Victoria, her journey into the auto world began when she went for the three months compulsory SIWES at the Warri refinery and she hasn’t looked back since then. As to be expected, operating in a male-oriented field comes with its hiccups but it feels good all the same, she says matter-of-factly.

The greatest motivation for her, she says, is seeing the look of satisfaction in the face of her clients. “The smile of satisfaction on my clients face has been my greatest motivation. Each time we turn out a job and the client is happy with what we have done, it gives me great joy to put in more effort.” She however owes her debt of gratitude to Mandilas for giving her the opportunity to excel.

“Mandilas has given me the platform to work as a manager and this has helped me develop my managerial skills. It has also increased my confidence level on the job.” For women who are planning to take a career in the automobile sector, focus should be their watchword.

“Women should stay focused because most women get distracted easily and also they should ensure that they spend quality time and resources to be the best at their profession. When you are the best at what you do people will go all out to look for you.”

 

 ‘Seeing others succeed inspires me’ – Branch Manager, Ebute-Metta Workshop,

Edna Poroye:

Edna has three decades experience having begun work at joined Mandilas Enterprises Limited in December 1991 as an Accounts Clerk. She later rose to the position of Senior Accounts Supervisor and presently the Branch Manager of Mandilas Enterprises Limited Ebute Metta branch.

Working in male-dominated field, sure feels great for her. Her determination and positive-mindedness has put her in good stead on the job.

Her greatest motivation is watching others succeed she believes she can too. “Mandilas has given the platform so mine is to strive to succeed. I do not feel intimidated because I do not see them as a threat. My advice to women working in male dominated environment is they should not see themselves any less than the male and try to stand out in any given task.”

 

‘I’m not intimidated at all’

– Head, Technical Sales, Mandilas Cooling Division, Cecilia Imomoh:

Cecilia with an academic background in both Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, have been able to prove her worth and mettle in Mandilas over the years.

The youngest in a family of four, her parents raised them to believe in their own choices and take responsibility for it.

For her, operating in an otherwise male-dominated field is quite interesting and challenging at the same time.

As she recalled, her first experience with a particular consultant on a massive government project in Abuja brought out the best in her as she was able to wow the client.

“My first dive into the building services industry was during my industrial attachment. I was privileged to work directly on projects with experienced engineers both within and outside Lagos. Being a one-man business at her growing stage, I was trained to not just be a design/project engineer, but as a draftsman, dispatcher, estimator, secretary etc.”

Her passion for deeper HVAC knowledge prompted her to approach Mandilas as an experienced corp member where she began a thriving career.

 

‘Challenging doing a man’s job but optimistic’ – Branch Manager, Port Harcourt Workshop, Juliet

Ama-Ajuoyi:

Juliet joined Mandilas in 2008, as Senior Accounts Supervisor and later rose to the position of the Acting Branch Manager in February 2019 ill date.

For Juliet, working in an otherwise male-dominated field is both challenging as well as optimistic.

“Having been in the floor for eight years gave me a great insight and knowledge of work activities. I believe in myself and optimistic that I can do it better and I also believe I can achieve whatever come I can defeat.”

Her greatest motivation on the job so far is seeing herself doing things differently better than her male counterparts.

Her advice for other women working in male-dominated environment is that they should have passion for their job. Her mantra remains, to “Be mindful in both personal and professional life.”

 

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