Deipreye Leghemo: Driving business with vision
It was John Johnson who said “the only way to get ahead in the business world is to live and sell dangerously. You’ve got to live beyond your means. You’ve got to commit yourself to an act or vision that pulls you further than you want to go and forces you to use your hidden strengths.”
That best describes Deipreye Abaye Leghemo, chief executive officer of Pervy Teriel Nigeria Limited with a subsidiary of others businesses, ranging from oil and gas, real estate/construction to photo services. With a few years in business, Pervy Teriel is already proving its potential through its quality services.
Founded on a strong desire and passion to serve and uplift lives, Pervy Teriel is set to leave its mark in the sands of time. Established from the on-set as a multi-purpose business, it houses various principal businesses such as, Pervy Oil & Gas, Teriels Fotos and Teriel Real Estate Construction.
Set up in 2010, Pervy emerged with a vision to grow and become a first choice service delivery company, providing high quality services rendered through its subsidiaries. From it little beginning as a mid-size business, the company in just a short period has grown into a respected company that offers specialised services laced with significant quality.
Between oil and gas, construction and photography, there is no known connection whatsoever; yet Pervy delivers in the different professional services. The company’s multipurpose ability is something Leghemo takes pride in. According to him, “much as each business is created to serve a specific need, I blend it perfectly well. One basic cord holding each of the businesses together is the passion with which it was set up, coupled with a sincere desire to deliver unique quality and affordable job with excellent results to our numerous clients.”
Managing one business is no walk in the park and can be a pretty tough endeavour. Thus running and managing several businesses can be totally overwhelming. But for Leghemo it is an achievable feat, especially if some pertinent points are taken care of. Two major factors that have helped him grow his business are prioritising and setting up a weekly, as well as, daily schedule to which he strictly adheres.
“As a CEO, if you want to live long and grow your business, you have to learn to manage your time effectively; a To-Do list should be your friend. Whether it is a scrap of paper with a quickly-scribbled list of priorities or a specific notebook; having a-to-do list is an essential part of running multiple businesses successfully. And excellent time management can make all the difference, I have learnt to live on this rule but then hiring the right set of people is also very essential,” he says.
Leghemo’s views regarding the building and construction sector, is one filled which a huge dose of optimism. He believes Nigeria has the potential to be one of the biggest construction markets on the planet.
According to him, while the world is still struggling to emerge from the global economic collapse, Nigeria’s construction industry is expanding and likely to grow astronomically over the next decade with a population of approximately 160 million.
“Urban development as well as basic construction and development are in high demand. This is why Nigeria, like India and China, is enjoying higher growth in their construction output. For us at Pervy Teriel Nigeria, we are focused on residential and business real estate. In both areas, we are in high demand, which is good for us and a positive indication that Nigeria’s economy is growing. Leghemo sees the construction industry as an essential factor in the development of any city or community. The economy relies on construction activities for progress and growth. He explains that the construction industry makes it possible for the public to thrive as it meets the need for shelter; one of the basic necessities of life. Business owners need buildings and offices from which to work, people need homes to live in, and children need school buildings for learning”, he explains.
“Our role is to erect structures that offer safety, protection and convenience. Beyond that, we hold three social values dear to our heart. Firstly, giving back; we have adapted and maintained an affordable rate on all our properties. Social; this is about people. It enables us to use our profit to affect not just the communities we do business in but also affect the lives of individuals. The last is environmental because people in the construction industry are not known for their environmental sensitivity. But at Pervy Teriel we build with the environment at heart, and not to destroy it.
The construction industry or sector, according to him, is one of the pillars of growth in any developing nation, such that other sectors rely heavily on it. “The construction industry is divided into three major categories; construction of buildings: residential, industrial, and commercial. The second category is the heavy and civil engineering construction, which sees to the construction and building of roads, bridges, tunnels, and others.
The third is the specialised category of construction which involves skilled workers in such fields as carpentry, painting, plumbing, tillers, electrician, and to heavy earth equipment operators, which includes plant and machineries for construction purposes,” Leghemo says as he explains the dynamics of the industry.
“Presently my company focuses on construction of residential and commercial buildings. However, whatever your focus is, the challenges are still the same. From high cost of procuring raw materials, especially, cement and then labour. The thrust therefore is an efficient and sustainable government policy that will address issues such as raw material pricing.
“There must be a pricing regulation which will be responsible for checking stability of price, not just for cement but of all raw materials needed for construction,” he says.
He also cited fuel and transportation as other factors which greatly impact the industry. “If there is no stability in the price of fuel, it will obviously translate to an automatic increase in transportation, which will in turn affect the production cost”, he laments.
His views on young entrepreneurs are greatly influenced by his background and experience. Leghemo says it is wonderful to have a business idea, but it is hard sustaining it, as well as, getting it started. Business usually starts with an idea but without being fanatically obsessive and passionate about it; a person will fail almost as soon as they start.
He attributes his success to being completely committed to the venture and also to continuous research. Alluding to the fact that without a proper understanding of the area of business one intends to venture in, success would be a mirage. His motto for success is to “sell people what they want, not what you think they need.”
However, it amazes him that: “contrary to my perspective, some elites feel reluctant for various reasons to empower skilled and genuine talents. Coming from a humble and rough background I was down there too, so, I am quick to assist people if their mission is genuine”.
This solely owned company with four subsidiaries in his kitty has over a hundred highly qualified personnel manning its workforce. Leghemo’s desire is that Prevy-Teriel Nigeria Ltd becomes a household name and reputed among the biggest companies globally.
Diepreye Leghemo, presently in his late 30’s is a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Port Harcourt. When he is not at his drawing board in regards to construction, or in meetings striking new oil deals, Leghemo is busy overseeing the delivery of quality photographs to clients. His photographic studio with branches in Bayelsa, Uyo, and Abuja has just pitched its tent in Makurdi.
His preference for Makurdi as the location of the new photo studio is based on its status as an emerging economy worthy of note in Nigeria and also its peaceful ambience. “Personally, I love the challenge to seek out where there is a need and meet it; there is money to be made there. For the kind of service we offer at Teriel Photo Studio, Makurdi will definitely welcome us.”
Mabel Dimma