SHE IS A RITUALIST

This is becoming worrisome and unbearable. We can no longer tolerate the reprisal of this indecorous act. Na wetin self, ọkụ a na - eme kwa afọ.

It's so sad to witness life hard earnings damaged in a twinkle of an eye. The recent Balogun Market fire disaster saddens the heart.

A fabric store, in particular, was the point of attention. The building, and goods worth millions of Naira were razed completely.

While at the scene of the incident, I saw shop owners from closeby buildings throwing out their wares. They feared a recurrence of the Ochanja market fire disaster in Anambra state, where the whole market got burnt.

On one side, eyewitnesses were narrating how the heartbreaking incident started. Few commenters were also discussing how fetish the owner of the fabrics store was. They all claim the fire disaster is a way the said owner uses to fulfill her covenant.

Fulfilling covenant? Do you mean she does rituals? I was impelled to ask for proof of such a strong allegation.

An Igbo woman responded in a mixture of her dialect and pidgin. "My brother, ọkụ a na - eme kwa afọ. N'ụzọ dị ịtụnanya, she go just gather like say nothing don happen. If next month reach nau, ụlọ ahịa ya ga-ejupụta n’ihe ndepụta ọhụụ. I'm sure Ọ na-eji ọgbụgba ndụ ahụ weghachi nkwa ya na chi ọ na-efe."

Meaning, "My brother, this fire happens every year. Surprisingly, this woman always gets up as nothing has happened. Next month, her store will be full of new listings. I'm certain she uses the covenant to restore her promises to the gods she serves."

I smiled but was astounded at how people fail to understand what made victims get on their feet after such an enormous loss. Instead of yearning for the cause, they chose to resolve to spirituality.

Anyway, as for me, the spirituality in this context is INSURANCE. The woman in question must have insured her wares, hence her sudden rise.

As a business person, insuring your assets should be a top priority. Series of Accidents happened in big companies every now and then. Yes, some have been insuring for years without any critical issues reported. But did they lose anything? Definitely not. They are only sowing seeds that will eventually be reaped in cases of an unexpected incident of this magnitude.

My people, It is wise to ensure that your businesses are insured and appear like a ritualist than to lose your life hard earnings as an ignorant saint.

WALKING THE OLD PATH

Williams was a hard-working man with excellent potential to become one of the next under forty millionaires. Most of his friends envy his smartness and the style at which he provides solutions to taxing issues.

One day, Williams was sighted sitting at the corridor in a deeply sobering thought, he looked hopeless and helpless.

Although no one has an idea about his predicaments. All we could see was tears as it rolls down like raindrops.

He tried to narrate his ordeal but his trembling voice overshadows the sound. What we heard faintly was, "I can't help it any longer, my wings are down, I can't fly."

Of all I garnered, I saw a lantern that brightens things but couldn't see itself. Williams doesn't have a slight idea of how positive he has grown.

This is how most individuals fail to nail it. What they frequently see is a stagnant position of themselves, even when they are doing great.

Hey, you might still look haggard and scattered, the truth is, you are getting better as you walk through the old path.

Ride on, but don't forget to infuse the experiences you've gathered.

Beyond the old path lies success, fulfillment, and as well, new challenges.

Growing up in Balogun, a popular area in the heart of Lagos Island, Lagos state, engulf so many memories.

One of such was when I fruitfully maximized a part of numerous advantages enclosed. It was a lifetime learning experience and I won't be fair enough if I don't share it with the world.

The story about to be told was a tale when challenges sprout out of nowhere to obstruct a livelihood that was newly secured. It's one of the most pathetic moments for a young lad who tries to build a career.

It all started when I got an offer to work on contract as a biometric enrollment staff in an Access bank branch located at Lagos island.

On resumption, I met with the branch head to show a copy of the appointment letter gotten from the bank's licensed recruiting firm. Hereinafter, a short questioning section.

There are a few conversations before these below, but this is the part that is useful for this story.

Branch Manager: Where do you reside?

Me: My abode is a stone throw from here.

Branch Manager: Oh! That's nice. Did you relocate to this area because of the job?

Me: No sir; I was born and bred in Balogun, Lagos Island.

He looks flabbergasted as he turned to his assistant and ask, did you hear him?

In Surprisal, the assistant stood up and began to take photographs of me. This time, I wasn't too comfortable with what was going on. I thought perhaps, a former staff that resides in this location had done terrible things in the past (some Lagos islanders can be so terrible at times).

While still meditating, the Branch Manager said, I am surprised to have seen someone who grew up around here appear so calm and responsible. Anyway, congratulations and welcome to Access bank. I hope your performance will be convincing enough.

After all the paparazzi, I was introduced to other staffs of the branch. In the process, I underwent portal registration for new staffs as well as basic training on how to enroll a customer for biometric.

All through the working hours, I was able to register eleven customers and my heart was filled with gladness. I forwarded the treated customer's forms to the branch manager for authorization, but I was dismayed by his response.

With a face filled with anger, he said, " it seems you are not ready for work. You are expected to enroll a hundred customers in a day." As I was about to speak, he interrupted me, and said, go back to your table, write your resignation letter and bring it here". I was shocked.

As I walk off his table, I was overwhelmed with sadness and the fear of losing the job some hours into it. I began to ponder on what next.

Suddenly, the thought of who to seek advice from came to mind. The chief security officer (CSO) was the oldest in the branch, so I decided to approach him for guidance.

While having conversations with him, he said, "my brother, you are the fifth staff posted to this branch for biometric enrollment; you must buckle up if you wish to retain the job". Amongst other advice, he insists on me to contact my colleagues in other branches for guidance.

As I reflect over the CSO's advice, I remembered the story of Julaybeeb, a man who in the midst of utmost rejection showed maximum courage to fight for genuine acceptance.

A few minutes later, I mustered the courage, and walk up to the branch head to apologize for the low performance. I then used the medium to seek permission to understudy a biometric staff from another branch.

He looked straight into my eyes, kept quiet for a few seconds before he granted my request. I decided to choose a branch situated in the market environment, just as mine. The idea is to learn in details what the biometric staff in a similar market branch was doing right.

I visited the other branch and I met with a young smart lady. I told her my story and she was willing to assist. We had a long conversation on possible ways to meet the required targets and scopes to relate with the bosses.

Most importantly, she advises me to penetrate the markets around me. She was confident there are lots of market men and women who are yet to register for biometric.

While on the way to my branch, I began to contemplate on how to make use of what was learned. Then, a solution came through my mind. My mother sells in a closeby market, aside from that, she is also a member of the market committee. So I already had what to leverage on.

I got to the branch and gave the branch manager feedback of what was learned. Then, I requested to allow me to go into the market to fetch for unregistered customers. But he declined for reason best known to him.

I had to convince him of some facts. I explained that, aside from growing up in this locality, my mother sells in the Oke-Arin market. And I said with assurance, "I will convince market men and women to open accounts in this branch, and as well enroll multitude for biometric verification."

I felt he needed me to do that, he granted the request immediately after the assurance. But he warned me to be careful with my dealings. As I was about leaving, he reminded me that securing my job hangs on how better I perform.

The following day, I set out like a starving blue shark, dived into the nooks and crannies of the market to exhume unregistered customers for biometrics.

Though, I knew it will be very challenging for an individual like me who wasn't trained on marketing. But when challenges came calling, the brain works extraordinarily perfect. I braced up to secure my job and as well, a livelihood.

Few weeks into the new challenge was so hectic. Despite the leverage, I couldn't enroll beyond the previous. All the effort infused was to no avail. They all kept saying the same thing in their local dialect.

BI FI N? E WO TUNI BI FI N? AWON ARA BANK PELU ARA OTUN. EMI O SHEE OOO. Meaning, "BVN? which one is BVN? Bankers with different innovations. I'm not interested.

The branch head was on me to raise the bar or resign. My boldness began to fade off as I got lost in deep thought.

Then, here comes a night when I made a decision to quit. I prepared a resignation letter to be handed over the next morning.

Eager to know what happen next, click the link below � http:///2S8fzX1

The crazy moment I acted like a DON - Final Part.

The Lessons Learned.

Lesson one:

Concisely, I detest impersonation because it most times affect personality. But despite the discomfort of being an imposter, at that instance, I couldn't have thought of a different thing to do.

Growing up in Lagos is a lesson in itself. In this part of the world, I have learned that civilians have greater regard for military personnel, hence, the act of an impostor. Although it wasn't a better approach I must confess.

Come to think of it, what if there was real military personnel in that vicinity. But hey, something terrible might have happened too if I had decided to sit on the fence.

I had once sat on the fence and watch a life ruined. It still lingers and I can't afford to be guilt-sick anymore.

Lesson Two:

If I could remember, the first and only time I had the privilege to be trained by a soldier was in February 2013. And that was in parade sessions during NYSC, precisely the first three weeks in camp. So, how on earth do I acquire the skill to act as an undercover agent? Jokes.....

In life, you can only give away what you've previously acquired. Far beyond my relationship with soldiers years back, I have long made a conscious decision to always defend the defenseless no matter the circumstances.

The big question is, what deliberation have you made in support of the powerless?

All required from you is zeal, courage, and boldness. Not necessarily in physicality, but financial and otherwise too. Inasmuch as it won't disrupt your happiness and safety.

Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Take a step today

Lesson Three:

One good thing that amused me was when everyone at the park irrespective of tribe or religious beliefs stood to defend the broad-chested man from the hand of his tormentor. We all stood for him because we had realized that the conductor wanted to cheat and as well humiliate him.

Ask yourself, what type of person are you? Are you the type that waits to verify if the person in crisis is of your tribe or religion before you step in to help. Are you that person that has made a vow to never have anything to do with a certain tribe or religion, all because of your past experiences with a person or people?

You see, there is something you must know. At first, we are human beings before tribe and religion came visiting. So, don't allow a common visitor to separate you from another human being whom you are obliged to shared love with and be kind to. Remember we all emanate from the first man, Adam.

Final words....

The best of mankind are those who tolerate one another. Standing up for each other in time of crisis/need is the best way to continue to live in harmony. Let's shun racism of all kinds and respect each other's beliefs.

My name is Oyewole Moshood (Ankaurspeaks), I'm passionate to help the youths shun negativity, embrace positivity and lead a meaningful life of impact and value.

The crazy moment I acted like a DON - part 2

Just as the speed of light, my conscious mind whispered to me, Oga you don dey pass your boundary (you've gone beyond the limit).

But because I was born and bred in that part of Lagos, I knew what will happen if I had shivered.

So, I decided to maintain the status quo of still in charge. I collected all the money with the conductor, gave the chesty man his balance, and I handed over the rest to the bus driver.

Without wasting much time, I immediately signaled the guy to leave as I am also in a haste to disappear from the scene before they realize who I truly was.

It's the combination of funny, scary and terrible experience. I can't really quantify the level of my fear after that slap.

====================================

This wasn't shared because I want to be perceived as the DON, moreover, I wasn't one.

I shared the story mainly for us to learn a few lessons.

I will be sharing my thoughts about lessons I learned on this platform soon, but before then, I want you to share with us what you've learned from the story.

The crazy moment I acted like a Don.

A couple of days ago, while returning home after a stressful day at work, I got caught up in an ugly scene. A fight broke out between two individuals but my immediate action, like that of a Don saves a life.

From a little distance where I was, I saw two guys exchanged words angrily, and as I move closer I noticed it was a disagreement between the conductor and a passenger of a particular bus. The disagreements were based on a balance of transport fare.

Though, as Lagos is, someone must be very careful before intervening in an issue that doesn't much concerns you. Since none of it is my worries, I decided to keep my distance and watch.

While keeping a close watch, I noticed one of the guys (the conductor) was very slim and the other is the complete opposite, huge, tall, and chesty. In my mind, I had already felt pity for the conductor and I prayed the disagreement doesn't lead to a fight.

The disagreements went on before a fight finally broke up between them. But to my surprise, the huge chesty guy whom I had envisaged to smack down the conductor was seen been beaten up instead.

I was flabbergasted, the same as you are right now.

The other passengers quickly alighted the bus and began to accuse the conductor wrongly. It was then I realized who exactly was at fault, so I decided to interfere.

Here comes my act like a DON.

I started by acting up like an undercover agent, and in sub-zero's voice, I asked both of them to come over to where I am standing. They both approach me overwhelmed with fear.

While listening to what transpired and the thoughts of other passengers in the same bus, I was able to deduce that the conductor had refused to give the broad-chested guy his balance and still, he decided to intimidate him.

I got furious, and unconsciously, I directed a big slap to the conductor's cheek.

Yee paa, I'm done

To be continued........