The Managing Director of ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited (AGPC), Mr. James Makinde, has challenged young professionals in the company to move beyond conventional thinking, embrace innovation and become active contributors to shaping AGPC's future.

At the inauguration of the AGPC Young Professionals Network (YPN) held at Seplat House, Lagos, Makinde delivered a defining message to the newly established network. It was titled: “I just want you to happen".

He urged the young professionals to see the YPN as more than a platform for social interaction, networking or personal development, stressing that its real value would be demonstrated through the ideas, innovations and solutions it brings to the business. He challenged members to bring the energy and creativity of youth to the workplace, question conventional practices and offer fresh perspectives capable of improving AGPC's performance.

Makinde further challenged the young professionals to think beyond AGPC's present operations and begin to envision the company they would want to see in the next 10 years. He urged them to think boldly about possibilities such as expansion, increased processing capacity, power generation, data centres, partnerships and other opportunities that could potentially shape AGPC's growth trajectory.

The AGPC MD also encouraged the YPN to contribute to strengthening the company's external visibility, communications and social media presence, noting that young professionals have an important role to play in projecting the Company's achievements, capabilities and aspirations.

In a further challenge, Makinde urged the young professionals not only to respond when Management challenges them, but also to constructively challenge Management with credible information, innovative ideas and practical solutions.

He congratulated the newly elected YPN executives and reminded them that leadership was not about being “in charge”, but about leading peers with humility, responsibility and inclusiveness. He also encouraged those who contested but were not elected to remain engaged and continue contributing to the success of the network and the company.

AGPC's YPN was established to harness the energy, capabilities and potential of the company's young workforce while creating opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, innovation and leadership development.

Its mission is to build “a connected, engaged and high-performing community of young professionals who contribute to operational excellence and AGPC's long-term success through leadership, collaboration and innovation".

The network will pursue this mission through five key pillars: Learn, Lead, Innovate, Connect and Impact, under the broader imperatives of Connect, Grow and Contribute.

The General Manager of Human Resources, Mr. Kabiru Koko Rabiu, encouraged members to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the YPN, noting its potential to strengthen coordination, unity and collaboration among AGPC's young professionals.

Also, the General Manager, Commercial, Mr. Chris Iwhiwhu, challenged members to develop the ability to 'influence without authority', stressing that the YPN should not become a union or an agitation platform, but a purposeful community focused on collaboration, innovation and future leadership.

He encouraged members to learn from experienced colleagues and use the Network to bridge generational gaps rather than create them.

The inauguration formally established the leadership of the AGPC's YPN, with the Managing Director serving as sponsor and the General Manager of Human Resources as Mentor, alongside the elected YPN executive committee and its wider membership.

The Network is expected to serve as a platform for leadership development, innovation, knowledge sharing, collaboration and value creation, while preparing young professionals to take on greater responsibilities in the future.

The inauguration may have formally launched the AGPC's YPN, but the challenge from the MD has set a much bigger agenda.

•PHOTO: AGPC management team and inaugurated YPV Executive Committee members.

Front row: (from left) Ashimedua Chukwura, Olumide Olanubi, Oluchi Arji, Engr. Chimezie Egbuna, Robert Amako, Olusegun Orojinmi and Nnaemeka Onu.

Back row: (from left) GM Commercial, Mr. Christian Ihwiwhu, MD, Mr. James Makinde; GM Finance, Mr. Danladi Sulieman; and GM Human Resources, Mr. Kabiru Koko Rabiu