Chapter 20
The Thought
Of Tomorrow
"Another niggling consideration that nearly prevented me from accepting Jerriman's offer was this widespread allegation of tribal intrigues that might surface at the level of my proposed involvement. So also the power-struggle that would continue to mark every rung of advancement that would depend on the powerful people one knew."
Education, My First Priority
I became aware of United Christian Secretarial College's (UCSC) existence through misadventure. I had paid for an examination of the Institute of Phonographic Society, London, with my centre at UCSC. However, on the day of the examination, I could not trace the college; so I missed the examination altogether. I had been devastated, and so became emotionally connected to it. Coincidentally, the following year, 1980, I saw the college's advertisement in the “Daily Times” newspaper and consequently applied for admission. It set the stage for my successful career development. One may wonder how I went about it despite the restrictions of my job.
My Jerriman Travels Experience
Because I was the only Confidential Secretary with Jerriman Travels, Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos, which I joined on March 1, 1980, I soon realized that it would be difficult for the Company to grant me any study leave. Infact, neither the company nor my co-workers had been aware of the arrangements I made to secure admission into the college. I merely hoped that all would be well in the end. The only way to overcome the difficulty was to seek alternative employment. Even though the human relations aspect of Jerriman Travel was excellent, the volume of typing work I coped with was far too much for one person to discharge effectively. We did not close earlier than 7.30 p.m. daily. In fairness to the small but dynamic company, it was a progressive organisation that accepted and implemented good suggestions with the utmost speed. An example of this outlook was when my manual typewriter was replaced within one week of my asking for a new electric one.
So too, it accepted my re-organised administrative procedures within the month I joined the company. Another noteworthy example of its dynamism was the speedy implementation of my request for a supporting Typist. Indeed, within one and a half months, the company took full advantage of my administrative skills. In fact, the Chairman, Mr. L.O. Ukeje (now of blessed memory), had already discussed with both the Managing Director, Mr. Jerry Nwosu and myself his intention to convert me to an Administrative Officer. But my reaction to this laudable plan was to decline the offer because I knew it would be a serious obstacle to my academic plans with its attendant responsibilities. I was determined to attain the pinnacle of the secretarial profession, broaden my work experience and make myself financially strong to be able to pursue my first-choice career of law (practice) and then other studies.
Tribal Considerations
Another niggling consideration that nearly prevented me from accepting Jerriman's offer was this widespread allegation of tribal intrigues that might surface at the level of my proposed involvement. So also the power-struggle that would continue to mark every rung of advancement that would depend on the powerful people one knew. While I did not rule out those possibilities, I have since seen that it was not always the rule from my experience while working with Dr. Uma Eleazu (Igbo), Mr. E.U. Okeke (Igbo), Mr. Christopher Ikwele (Edo) and Mr. Ene-Obong (Efik), all of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, as well as my pleasant previous experiences with all and sundry in Jerriman travel (who were predominantly Igbo). Experience had also established so far in my life that what mattered in the work-place was one's productive capacity and competency, not tribe, colour or religion per se.
So I realized that safety and assurance lay in a new job. I attended three interviews subsequently. The first was with the Nigerian National Shipping Line (thanks to Stella Njimezi). I lost the opportunity of joining that company as a result of its insistence that I must produce a separate certificate in Office Practice; otherwise I should accept the lower job of a Senior Typist as against the position of Confidential Secretary (Grade III) for which I applied. To avoid future disappointments, I later went ahead to write the examination in Office Practice and obtained a certificate with credit.
The second interview was with Lintas Advertising Company. Lintas was prepared to pay me well above my Jerriman's consolidated monthly salary of N300.00 (three hundred naira). But I could not take up the job because of the company's long working hours of between 7.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. daily. It did not correlate with my study programme and I foresaw no likelihood of obtaining any study leave too.
I Joined The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
Thirdly, Sunday Olayinka, who was living with me then, had introduced me to a Mr. Adeaga (both of P & T), who, in turn, introduced me to one Mr. Tunji Olajide, the Administrative Manager of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. He subsequently offered me employment as a Stenographer on a consolidated salary package of N204 per month, way below the N300 per month that Jerriman was paying me. I accepted the offer thoughtfully.
When I told some friends of my decision to accept the M.A.N's offer, they thought I was a fool. Only one of them, Makaiva, saw my point of view. In my consideration, time was of the essence. I would resume duty at 7.30 a.m. and close at 4.00 p.m. daily, Monday to Friday. It was an hour better than Jerriman's and one and half hours better than LINTAS. The advantage could be judiciously deployed for my studies.
Second, United Christian Secretarial college's study time began at 1.30 p.m Mondays and 3.00 p.m (Tuesdays-Fridays). M.A.N., I hoped, might make a time-allowance for me to start my lessons early. In any case, notwithstanding its poorer conditions of service, it portended the fairest opportunity of achieving academic success, while working full time.
I Gained Admission to United Christian Secretarial College
I resumed with M.A.N. 1st April,1980 or so. Within one month, my admission to UCSC came through, signifying some crisis, because I was still on probation and to be confirmed after six months of service. It turned out that M.A.N. had no study scheme for its staff then. If I had to resign, which I was prepared to do to achieve my academic ideal, I had no financial base to weather the storm of inevitable unemployment while studying. I had only a paltry sum of eighty naira as savings in the Federal Savings Bank, Ikeja - an account I had already decided to close down. My only recourse was, as usual, to God who had never failed me and had always been my succour. Coupled with this constant resort is my characteristic style of satisfying my conscience that I have done all I need to do on my part at any level.
I Sought God's Help
I believed, and still do, that if one's conscience was free, with prayer and determination, one could move mountains. Many of our projections in life fail because of lack of strong desire and faith in God and in ourselves. You must dare success and work hard to succeed in life. I had prayed personally and took the matter to a vigil of brethren where the children of God added their own fervent supplication. The result was miraculous! The Monday after the night prayer meeting, I went to see Mr. Tunji Olajide, my Administrative Manager, in humility and meekness yet confidently, to discuss my problem. I began by expressing my deep appreciation for his past assistance generally and apologized for bothering him about a favour that I knew would be difficult for him to help me secure, considering my newness in the company. But I told him that I knew that God might use him to uplift me and that, if that happened, I would forever be grateful to him.
As I presented my case before him, I could observe his attentiveness and reflection as to what I was leading up to and whether it was in his power to do. Everybody knew Mr. Olajide to be very strict and prudent.
Like a salesman willing his customer to buy his goods, I concluded my pleading by presenting to him the original letter of my admission into UCSC for a one-year course. While he scrutinized it, I put in his hands the N50 (fifty naira) receipt of the deposit I had been required to pay to signify my willingness to attend the course.
The Great Dialogue
After examining the papers, Mr. Olajide looked at my face thoughtfully and, for about three minutes, he did not say a word. At last he said, “You know this yourself, that you are still new in the company. You also realize that you are yet to be confirmed. We could have talked freely if that had been done. Besides, we do not have schemes for programmes like this, yet…”. He was silent. “I find it difficult to recommend your request to the Executive Director for approval,” he concluded.
While he spoke I quickly recited my petition at the vigil and wondered whether, for once, God would not grant my prayer. I re-assured myself with the knowledge of His constancy and past dealings with me. Then I said “Sir, I realize your position and would say the same thing myself if I were in your shoes but…” I paused, then continued, “Since I am highly determined, I bank on God's ability to effect this seemingly impossible task through your goodself and I …” I stammered as I searched for the appropriate words to express myself.
He finally cut in, “Leave your file with me together with the letter and I'll see what I can do about it”.
I Obtained Study Leave
When I went back to Mr. Olajide's office 20 minutes later to clear his tray, my file was no longer there! That sent me into a turmoil as to what he had written to the Executive Director and what the reply might be. But I had no reason to doubt God who was in charge, as always.
The course was to begin almost immediately. The file came back to Mr. Olajide and the Executive Director's reaction was positive and with no strings attached! I remain very grateful to Mr. Olajide and Dr. Eleazu for the wonderful ways God had used them to uplift me. Their support was invaluable during my course. May God continue to bless them in all their endeavours. (Amen.)
I Started Part-Time Schooling
My days in the UCS College improved my career indeed. That was not all. My one academic year there witnessed a lot of zeal in Students Union activities. Yet when I got to the College, there was no Students Union Movement. I had been surprised because the benefits derivable from positive students unionism in a college cannot be gainsaid. Apart from being a forum, in the broadest sense of it, by which to foster a domestic community, purposefully unionized students made a better and more focused school. An organized union of students also is an enduring and active link between the old and the new students. I believed therefore that United Christian required such a body to enhance its status of being the first Secretarial College (of a Mono-technic nature) established since 1964.
United Christian, unlike other newly established secretarial schools, was a well-equipped and well-staffed college. The teachers were very competent, experienced and dedicated to their duties. They ensured discipline and orderliness, and it has become the alma mater for many highly placed personnel in the Nigerian labour market.
I Became a Unionist
I was among those determined to establish an active students union, no matter how short my stay would be in the college. I consulted with my fellow students, the majority of whom, particularly the men and some enthusiastic ladies, agreed to its formation. My next step was to organise all the class monitors into a committee, which we called the “Organising Committee”, for which I was appointed the Chairman.
I Was Elected President
After several meetings and approaches, we succeeded in getting the school management to support and approve it. We individually conducted awareness campaigns in our various classes to sensitize students about the objectives of the Union.
Finally on 6th March, 1981, at 3.30p.m, a full-fledged union called “United Christian Secretarial College Students Association” was born. As the Chairman of the Organising Committee, I delivered a speech on the occasion, after which I was formally elected the President of the new Association. I quickly swung into action; with my cabinet, we drew up a constitution and functioned faithfully according to its enshrined objectives.
Our Successes, Our Failures
During my tenure, the teachers were regular in classes, the students were very conscious of their rights while the college authorities were strictly alive to their responsibilities. We waged a campaign against the lukewarm attitudes of students to studies and fought for their welfare. We established a news forum (in the form of weekly circulars and monthly general briefings) through which students were kept aware of developments. We ran relevant articles on how to succeed in the Secretarial Profession and in other professions too. Our active unionism helped the school authority to secure the recognition granted its Diplomas by the then Lagos State Government (letter ref. NO. LED/EDA/64/S.90/108 of 14th January, 1983 and circular LED/EDA/64/90/114 of 4th January, 1983).
We were judicious in our spendings to the benefit of all and transparent with a comprehensive report of all our activities, including financial management which we presented to both the School's Authority and to the succeeding UNICSA Executive Committee after our tenure. We had a rousing end-of-the-year party, which was attended by our Principal, Mrs. Sanusi, the Head of Secretarial Department, Mr. S.A. Bakare, as well as all the school's teachers and students. We were able to present the college with a souvenir worth N400, in form of a public address equipment comprising a Kenwood Amplifier, two giant speakers, a microphone, etcetera. We had also organized a fashion parade. Above all, our final results (internal and external Pitman/RSA) witnessed remarkable improvement over the previous years.
Our failures were a product of time-constraint. These included inability to conclude arrangements to open a bank account and settle our printer's bills in full for the publication of our constitution. Our successors, the 1981/82 session executive, did it. We had been handicapped by the low sales of the constitution as the session was moving to an end. Despite being the inaugural Student Union with the normal slowness to establish norms, we were able to achieve within nine months what older organisations could not do in the same period. One Mr. Wilson Udu succeeded me as President.
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