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The Executive Director, FG Onyenwe Motors, Mr. Pascal Onyenwe, speaks to TOBI AWORINDE on his passion for the business of transportation
How did you get into the transportation industry?
I got into the industry through my dad. He’s been into transport for a while. He started the company in 1978 and he bought his first luxury bus in 1991. Growing up with him, as the first child, I had to go into the same business. It was something I couldn’t stay away from.
Were you interested in transport from childhood?
Like Igbo people do, if your father is a farmer, you end up being a farmer. It is something I have always liked. I have always loved transport, not because of my dad. Even if I didn’t come through him, I would eventually be in this business.
If you or your father was not in the transport business, what else would you be doing?
Generally, I love business. I always love to interact with people, exchanging one thing for another. I would still have gone into business.
How early did you discover your entrepreneurial side?
During my early years at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, at times, I would use up my pocket money buying things like laptops. I had a friend in America that I would send money to and he would come back with laptops, which I would then sell to my schoolmates. I would sell them, not as if I didn’t have enough (money), but I just liked business. I didn’t let it interfere with my education though.
What were your favourite subjects?
In secondary school, Government and Agriculture were my favourite subjects. I had this love for agriculture — not that I would like to be a farmer. I loved, for instance, the botanical names; they were so sweet to mention. That was why I liked Agriculture. But then, I also loved Government. That was why I studied political science in the university. I would say (my favourite subjects were) English, Government and Agriculture.
Did these subjects influence your career path?
Not really, but they have been instrumental at one time or another in my career.
Were you a competitive child?
Yes, I was. Generally, everybody wants to win. The same goes for me. I always want to win. I always want to be at the forefront of everything, whether in football, academics, or even in business. I always try to have an edge over other people. And that is why I advised my company to get our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter buses that we bought from Jetvan Automobiles, because everyone knows transportation is very competitive in Nigeria now.
Toyota HiAce buses are everywhere now. That is the main vehicle we use for transportation in Nigeria. The Sprinter buses go a long way in giving me an edge over other companies because they are not very common; there are only a few of us that have them, like FG Onyenwe Motors, God Is Good Motors and Fair Plus Limited. And with that kind of vehicle, you can meet expectations at any level of transportation. People love the vehicles. They are Mercedes-Benz; they are expensive. It is everything you want in a vehicle. That was why I advised the company to get them, so we could have this edge over other companies that operate with HiAce buses.
What then distinguishes you from the other companies you mentioned?
Everybody operates at his own level. As a businessman, I always have this belief that I have something unique that no one else has because when we were dealing with luxury buses, when people hear the name FG Onyenwe, they are always very happy; they are wowed. Everybody wants to patronise us. In the northern part of Nigeria, that is where we do very well. The northerners don’t joke with us. People always want the best, so we ensure that we are the best at what we do.
What do you do to unwind?
I do many things. I play video games when I want to relax. I can go swimming; I swim very well. I could just sleep. But mainly, I prefer playing video games like car racing and football especially.
If cars were human beings, do you think they would be women or men?
Of course, they would be more like women because when you own a car, you maintain it. And you maintain women as well. When you own a car, maybe once a month or once in two months, depending on how frequently you use the car, you check the oil and gauge so many things. You do that to women as well, unlike guys. So, when you spend to maintain a vehicle, it is almost the same thing you do to women. You have to spend to maintain them.
What is the most memorable international auto event you have attended?
I think that was in London. My aunt took me for a Rolls Royce unveiling. I was little then. The car was unveiled that day and I attended the event. It was cool. It must have been about 15 to 18 years ago. I can remember that there were so many people there. I saw the car and got into it. We drove around in it and the car was wonderful. But when I heard the price, back then, it was just too much.
Describe your perfect car.
I would obviously go for a car that can fly, so I would be able to beat Lagos traffic because right now, I don’t think there is any kind of car that can fly. But I would prefer one that can fly, so I would be able to beat the traffic; specifically for Lagos, because of the traffic we have here.
Do you have any unforgettable experience as a passenger on any means of public transportation?
There was a day that one of my friends drove me to a hotel, White Castle, in my hometown Neni, Anambra State and I had forgotten something at home. So, I sent him back home to get the stuff I forgot. They went without the house key, so I had to rush home immediately — also because I remembered something else that I forgot that I didn’t tell my friend to get. So, I hopped on a (commercial) bike. On searching the village square, a Hilux van from nowhere collided with the bike I was on. I fell on the road and was injured. It was very bad; I got a scar on my leg and that was the day I swore never to use a bike again. The experience was very tragic. It is something I won’t forget.
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