₦airaland Forum

freakyamanda: Hi folks, thnks for creatin dis thread cos i av a lot of questions on dis career as am just going into it. I studied ind physics in skul but am enrolin for a mazters at SMC cos i love media but i dont know d professional structure of d career, i hope am doin d right thingthing

Ikenna351: Am not sure am comfortable with this your suggestion o! I have done it for people for free. But am begining to be discouraged, especially for Nigeria used cars. I once helped someone bought a Peugeot 406 D9 Nigeria used. Weeks later after the purchase, i crawed under the car to replace oxygen sensor for the fellow, only to realise that some wires were disconnected, folded and hidden directly under the engine/gearbox. At a point, the electrical abuse started to affect the BSI unit, such that it one time lock the engine ECU and stopped it from sending ground pulse to the injectors until it was unlock with PP2000. Since then, i stopped inspecting Nigerian used cars for people. Because no matter how good one is, some abuse or issues may be hidden , considering how Nigerian clowns love abusing EFI systems.

Ikenna.

oyb: I am going through the crucible. Get burned or get tempered time. No one said mgt would be like this

AjanleKoko: Maybe. They are local entrepreneurs. And remember the labour laws in Nigeria don't exactly protect the employee from a lot.

AjanleKoko: @Emperoh,
Pretty sure that the chairman knew nothing about what happened to you, or maybe they put the blame for the whole printing fiasco on you. It's always like that when you work with all these larger-than-life figures. They are always surrounded by sycophants and yes-men.

Not to worry, the best still awaits you. If I guess right, I believe I know that chairman you refer to. A close friend of mine was once fired from his bank (his previous one before he merged it with a bigger legacy one) just because the HR person did not like the look of him. Yes, she said he was smiling too much

In fact, there's another story of a mass purge of technical staff at that same bank, because the generator gave out one night during a late-night board meeting. The entire technical staff were let go. So, not to worry. If it is the same guy, your case is not the first of its kind.

Emperoh: Ok guys, i think a new career era is about to open for me and i am excited about it.
If you look back through my post, or followed through my comments on this topic, you should be able to place where i am coming from.
But for those who don't know, i will do a little chronicle and then allow it dovetail into the current situation.

I graduated in 2006 and finished NYSC at the foremost Newspaper house in Nigeria; 2007.
Almost immediately, i went to work for the Nigerian based alumni association of the most prestigious Business School in the World.
I spent 3 years with them. When i felt chances where passing me by in other sectors, the need to upgrade academically set in.
I left in 2010 to do an M.Sc in Media and Communication with a bias for Marketing Communication at the best PG university in Nigeria
Yes best!! Is it not. . . . cues but we should be able to place it right?

Anyway, fast forward a year later, September 2011 and i was done with my thesis and defended as well
and back i went into the job market, while waiting for the graduation ceremony. I knew it won't be easy but i didn't expect it to be as hard as it became.
I did a couple of consultancies for A media group and the owners of the popular Youths Award brand. I also worked briefly with them in helping with publicity for the launch of a popular satellite music TV channel in Nigeria as well as publicity for a reality TV show.

Well, i had to leave them December last year when i got an adhoc job with a multinational consulting firm.
It was meant to dovetail into a permanent job in a research and market intelligence role since i wrote a test and went through the interview processes.
Well, long story short, after documentation and filing, including continuous submission of my research reports, i was asked to start February 1st but lo, story enter oh
One British Oga, as dem talk, withdrew my offer and they won't be going ahead with recruiting me any more. Devastated? More than. . . but i had to move on.

Little businesses here and there as well a small offer from a relatives agency kept me going while my business proposal was in the works
as well as applications. I also lost another offer with a digital marketing company and turned down 2 offers since it didn't meet my career objectives and target as well.

It all looked like good things were not meant for me until last week, God popped up and said it's my time.
I did a CV broadcast to my 'friend' at the alumni association i worked as well as contacts i met from other companies i worked with during my time there.
Well, one better, past Oga of one of Nigeria's big banks got in touch on Saturday night and asked to see me the following day at his office.
We had a chat (over 2hrs of interview) on Sunday. . . . .i was invited to come and work with him. . . . i picked my offer letter last night and i am going to be working on a brand management role.
What i have always wanted and what i concentrated on in my M.Sc!!

I am really looking forward to the job. The office ambiance, relationship between staff and the whole set-up is just awesome.
I hope the external looks are or can be equated to the internal issues.
I resume Oct. 2nd. . . . . . more gist by then and maybe will answer questions!!

My career story from the post above is yet to end. Maybe from now but at least, i have something i am happy to work at every morning.

Continuing from the above, i have to do some more story telling.
As expected, i resumed on the 2nd of October as my offer letter indicated. And i couldn't have imagine the warm welcome that awaited me. It was as if everyone was waiting on me. Resumption modalities over, i sat down to a heap of documents i had to attend to. Develop or fine tune brand management policies as well set design parameters and bench mark. It was really a challenge. I expected it though.

Monday flew past and Tuesday came. I sat in two meetings including that of a team of sport promoters looking for sponsors for some celebrity athletes coming to Nigeria. Now, within the two days i spent here, i discovered a trend. All decisions even as little as procurement of brand paraphernalia must have the approval of the group Chairman before it flies. I am talking of issues like procurement of banners, roll up banners etc. You just needed to conceptualize it, do a business case for it and send to your supervisor/line manager for approval. This will eventually get to the Chairman. I also realized that in as much he has empowered a lot of young people, he still has the final say. His decisions are also erratic. He could say one thing today and reverse it tomorrow. I also realized that there were 'favoured' employees especially the senior people he brought from the bank where he was last GMD and as if the Nigerian system, everyone worked to please him.

Well, i didn't mind. It is his business and moreover, I had a job to do and i was more than excited about it. Just a brief overview. The group serves as the Chairman's holding company for his interests in the bank he last worked as GMD, his investment in a conglomerate that he also almost owns -at least up to 80 percent- and some other investments unbundled from the bank including real estate, financial markets, oil and gas, Health and Health insurance etc. It was quite big.

Wednesday came and his wife who manages the hospital does a memo to him asking him to help procure medical case note files for the hospital. It's basically a file folder used in keeping record of patients in the hospital. The request goes to my line manager and then as expected, lands on my desk. Now, this wouldn't be a normally difficult task, as i thought. But a couple of things made it hard.

A couple of printer vendors didn't like working with them since they had a high premium on standard and won't pay if you don't meet up. Hence, they will either print from UK or US for external documents. This has cost a couple of the printers to lose money for jobs cancelled. However, this being an internal document and given the urgency of need, i had to do it locally. Well, i called for quotations and got 3 or 5 vendors. I also included the agency i last worked with since they do printing. They submitted theirs. The really good sample designs were expensive and the printer wanted some upfront payment as a security. The not so good ones were ok price wise but the quality wasn't 'world class'.

By Thursday, the pressure was much so i sent in the designs and their prices since my line manager was going to see the Chairman. The files were re-designed by Oga's wife and sent back to me. I contacted the printers notifying them of the change. Prices changed with the new design. In any case, by Friday, after plenty pressure, i recommended the guy with the highest quality and high price, since they know him and have worked with him. My line manager citing the high price said she didn't want to work with the guy and in turn recommended another person to the Chairman copying me in the mail. It turned out it was my former company she recommended.

In between all these, the hospital as of Thursday, sent in a quote from their printer which looked ok price wise but since we hadn't seen their design, we couldn't decide whether to use them. My line manager asked me in a mail, if i had seen their sample design and i responded emphatically, NO!. In that response, i copied the hospital contact person asking him to get the printer to send me a design ASAP. My line manager responds with a warning to me not to CC 'external contacts' in internal mails.

Friday night around 8pm, Chairman responds, asking if we had seen the sample design of the hospital printers. My line manager responds, No! Her response was at about 10pm. 5.00am Saturday morning, Chairman ask that we, 'See hospital printer's sample for completeness'.

We will normally have a knowledge sharing session with the whole group staff members on every first saturday of the month. I arrived the office early and did the set up for the event with the communications assistant. We shared some issues, discussed group problems and also some accomplishments including the issuance of a license for Health Insurance business. I alongside two others where introduced as new staff and was congratulated.

After the event, during the cocktails down stairs, i was on my desk doing some work when the Hospital contact comes in to introduce himself. We exchanged pleasantries and discussed about the sample. I also queried why they needed to
go through us just to procure such a small set of files. We laughed over it and he left. He comes back a couple of minutes later with a disturbing question. That he understood i had made efforts to contact their printer. To which i responded to the negative. This was aside the request i made through him. Sounding surprised he then said that Madam, 'my line manager' - she is also a director in the company so everyone respected her big time - wanted to see me.

Before her, she queried me for giving her the impression that i had samples from the printer whereas i didn't have and as such made her lie to the company chairman that she had the samples. Confusion took over me. I tried to recollect in that instant if i had made any submissions to her to the effect that i had the hospital printer's sample. I couldn't remember and told her as such that i can't remember telling her so. She wasn't satisfied and immediately questioned my integrity and how i may not be a trustworthy person. Hmmm! Well i looked bemused but all the same apologised for the wrong impression assured her i didn't mean any harm. I however suggested that even if i had told her any such thing, it was an honest error as i hadn't. Before her, i asked the Hospital contact to please expedite action. She dismissed us. I thought the case had ended and naively left.

Monday morning which was meant to be induction for new staff. I came in quite early and attended to a few mails including that on medical case files. I saw her enter the office, greeted her and she didn't respond to me. I didn't bother.
9am, i went in for the induction program which is a week long affair. After the first session and mid way into the second, the HR Director comes in and calls me, asking me to come with all my belongings. I thought an urgent external assignment was in the offing. I proudly strutted off the room behind the lady. Only if i knew what awaited me in her office.

In her office, the group COO was seated and motioned me to a seat. He then asked me to recount what went between me and the line manager which i did. Well, they all sounded like i did something wrong; in actual fact, the case was apparently presented like i lied and was covering it up. Well, the worst i suspected at that point was a stern warning. But when the COO asked me to go get company stuff in my possession, i knew the game was up.
I went to my desk, got all their docs and stuff in my possession and handed it over to the COO. And then he goes, 'U are such an intelligent chap and if your interview performance is anything to go by, i know you will go places. Unfortunately, management has decided to terminate your appointment. We wish you all the best. . . . . i didn't pay attention from this point since i was dazed. All i could mutter was; Just like that? No effort to hear my own side of the story? To which he answers, yes, just like that.

Oh well, after a few moments after he left the office, i stood up, took my things and left. Crest fallen, badly shaken and totally bereft of any ideas as to why this was happening to me. I fought back tears particular because i loved the job so so much!!

Three protest letters to the chairman and till date no answer. I counted my losses and moved on. But the shock as yet to leave me. Whatever be the reason is left for you readers to deduce. One thing was clear, my story wasn't complete yet and back into the job market i went.

October flew past, November followed it and then December. How i survived those months, only God knew. After the xmas holidays, i was returning to Lagos with no idea of what could be next. I just trusted God and believed in my abilities. Well, he never fails. Middle of January, browsing through Nairaland, i saw the opening! A popular UK culture and art organization!!!! They were managing a program for DFID and needed someone with my profile. I did the application in 5 days and submitted 5 minutes to deadline. End of January, after i had forgotten, their call email come through inviting for a chat in Abuja. Within the same week, i did two other interviews with LBS and an FMCG conglomerate.

Of all three, two came in successful. I made my choice and relocated to Abuja. Painful as it was leaving Lagos, i had to since the exposure was worth it. I found myself in the developmental and aid sector with plenty foreign aids left right and center. I am currently working on a 5 year DFID funded program managed by the UK organisation with benefits slightly better than the company where i was sacked. But i still think i prefer that job to this one given the large portfolio under me. I also think that job would have given me more opportunities to do new things etc. But who can question God. I am really grateful for where i am and will do my best to discharge this role creditably well.

So for now, my story has an end; i hope!!

Emperoh: Cool, i accept. But why is it the Japs don't do well at curves COMPARED TO GERMAN MACHINES?

The, gimme you idea on this even though you are die hard Audi fan.
At a much younger age, say 06-08 era, i was dead in love with the Audi A4 1.8 liter engine turbo-charged.
But my coming in contact with BMW changed my love. . .

Now, this thread made me go thru some Audi pics i reserved. I intend a german ride soon.
So between an Audi A4 1.8 liter engine turbo-charged and a 318i both of 2003 - 2005, which would you advice for a rookie like me and then which can tolerate abuse more?

yungboss: okay got that. Well i haven't accessed the sound quality from the Accord's speakers, but i do know the that the one in my e46 is very powerful, better than a corolla's. If you know the clk 430's sound system it is close to that,atleast that's the one i know. I dont know about the 318...unless you want me to compare that of the accord with the bmw, i'l do that before i leave office as my colleagues have the accord you refered.

That will be cool mehn! Do the comparison and revert please.
That Accord dey do me many things. I see it in my dreams. The other car i like that much is the 2003-2005 Audi A4.
The Audi Symphony Sound System on it and the interior design gives me hard on
These are the only two cars standing between me and my BWM 325xi or 330i
03 - 05 Station Wagon!

Emperoh: Now that's my main worry. I do love the performance but i am conscious of fuel.
In fact, my initial idea was to do a 2007 Accord; the beauty and engine sound as well as handling was just irristible,
How good is the E46 sound system compared to the Accord?

How poor is the 318i E46?

Siena: Okay, let's leave FI cars out. A Lotus Elise 340R weighs about 715kgs, and still sticks to the road like glue. It's not weight that keeps an automobile on the ground, it's the way the suspension's designed, the track as well as aerodynamics and downforce.

Big trucks weighing in excess of 17 tonnes still roll over, so the weight analogy goes out the window.

Cool, i accept. But why is it the Japs don't do well at curves COMPARED TO GERMAN MACHINES?

The, gimme you idea on this even though you are die hard Audi fan.
At a much younger age, say 06-08 era, i was dead in love with the Audi A4 1.8 liter engine turbo-charged.
But my coming in contact with BMW changed my love. . .

Now, this thread made me go thru some Audi pics i reserved. I intend a german ride soon.
So between an Audi A4 1.8 liter engine turbo-charged and a 318i both of 2003 - 2005, which would you advice for a rookie like me and then which can tolerate abuse more?

yungboss: why go for the 323/5? The 330i is faster...if you are worried about the consumption, the difference isn't much. The 323 gets 12l/100km, the 325 should be the same...i can hold up with the V8 Audi in a 335i, trust me. Siena knows this...