This article is to honour a noble man of grace and candour. An octogenarian, grandfather and a gentleman, who is respected for his character, not for his material success. A lawyer, an astute accountant par excellence, trustworthy businessman, teacher, coach and above all, a great mentor to many outstanding men and women in different fields of endeavour in Nigeria.
He is none other than the industrious Richard “Dick” Kramer, who lived in Nigeria for 41 years (1978-2019). In 1978, Richard Kramer established Arthur Andersen in Nigeria, an accounting firm, which has since been succeeded by KPMG Nigeria, Accenture Nigeria and Verraki Partners. Dick, as he is fondly called by all, has consistently played an active role in shaping the professional services landscape in Nigeria and mentoring many professionals who are currently leaders in the public and private sectors for the past 41 years. Dick celebrated his 85th birthday on 20 June 2019. It was also a day to send-forth Dick and his wife, Wanda, by the above-named firms. The crème de la crème of Nigeria’s business community and friends were in attendance to “celebrate a legacy of giving.”
I met Dick almost five years ago on invitation to the editorial advisory board of BusinessDay Media. Perhaps, I would not have met Dick, who until the time he left Nigeria was the Chairman, BusinessDay Editorial Advisory Board. A position he held for almost 14 years. Dick is an authentic leader and an achiever. The values that define Dick as an authentic leader are reflected in his extreme personal humility and professional will.
For a few decades, I have learnt the mechanics of measuring the worth of a man by his values and the objectives he pursues. Dick’s firm believe in Nigeria convinced him that creating an enabling environment and investment climate for the country were long term keys to success. With these beliefs coupled with the support of some close Nigerian allies, Dick was motivated to start the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria (HBSAN) and to strengthen the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC). Both institutions, according to Dick, provided the energy for establishing the Lagos Business School/ Pan Atlantic University, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), American Business Council and the Vision 2010 Project. These are some of the legacies Dick is leaving behind.
At the heart of his legacies was the need to build strong institutions and develop future leaders capable of projecting Nigeria as a great nation in the global arena. In any discourse, Dick will always listen to you but will subtly interrogate whatever you tell him. Dick never allowed his persona get in the way of his ambition to making change happen positively in Nigeria. That is why I see Dick as an epitome of humility.
From tributes flowing in from friends and colleagues, one could say that Dick has an honest relationship with all his mentees and business associates. A relationship based on ethical foundation. When I told an associate about Dick’s departure from Nigeria, he said: “I have known Dick for many years, he is a trustworthy man.” “If Dick was not trustworthy, he would not have been very successful in building professional leaders,” he continued.
As a rookie on the advisory board, I benefitted immensely from Dick’s immeasurable experience and wealth of knowledge as he demonstrates leadership and direction. He was always cool, calm and steady with unperturbed mien. A man of many accolades for his myriad contributions, I see Dickas a father and professor. Indeed, I was his student.You can never know it all. “What do you think BusinessDay should be focusing on,” Dick will always ask during editorial advisory board meetings. He took notes during meetings and I had to follow my leader as an obedient disciple. So at every editorial advisory board meeting, you will see notebooks on the conference table with most distinguished members of the board taking notes. In addition, Dick will confirm the genuineness of the source of any information during discourse. With listening ears, he graciously allowed distinguished members to purge themselves of necessary arguments. Before meetings come to a close, he will always direct the management of BusinessDay to present facts and “tell the good stories about Nigeria.”
Editorial advisory board meetings were always at his residence. His wife of sixty seven years, Wanda, who everyone calls “mama” would come down the stairs any day the meeting goes beyond the closing time. Wanda and Dick were both born in 1934 and they literally grew up together through common interest in schooling, church and multiple youth activities, according to Dick. As teenagers, both Dick and Wanda grew up as good students and were involved in leadership roles in a wide range of activities-church, sports, and scouting among others.
What will I remember Dick for exactly? He will be remembered for his legacy. St Augustine once wrote that thinking and reflecting on legacy is so important because it helps us think maturely about life. It helps us to reflect and reconsider who it is that we most desire to please. We need to realize how the issue of legacy can change the course of our lives individually and collectively if we are only willing to step back and ask two questions: How do I want to be remembered? And what do I want my life to have been about once it is over? Dick says he takes pride in developing nation builders.
All said, Dick has been able to groom at least 2,500 of the best professionals both still in practice and moving on to top leadership positions in public and private sectors in Nigeria. I hope all professional leaders groomed by Dick will be “oasis of sanity” wherever they find themselves as we continue to build a strong nation. What else can I say? It is my honour and privilege to simply say “thank you” to Dick and Wanda for their truthfulness and friendship. I join all men and women of goodwill to wish Dick and Wanda “Fair wind and following seas” as they leave Nigeria for the United States of America, after 41 years of giving. Thank you!
MA Johnson
