CORPORATE
DECEPTION
Mr.
Olusola was the oldest and eldest Head of Department (HOD) in the revered
ancient establishment, which I graciously joined four years back being 2010.
I
recently assumed office as the HOD of the Engineering and Technical Services
Department, two weeks ago precisely. On assumption to duty, I was briefed that
the said HOD who was heading the firm’s Finance Unit, knew the nitty-gritty of
the company, thus was a staff to reckon with; without being told, I was not
unaware.
Few seconds ago, I received his Secretary in
my humble office. The lady had come to notify me that I was urgently needed by
the boss in his office. Since she left, my mind had been troubled, though never
felt guilty. The jittery mood was not unconnected with the fact that Mr. Shina
Olusola was reckoned to be a no-nonsense administrator who apparently could not
tolerate professionalism adulterated with prangs; he was ostensibly a hard nut
to crack, to assert the least.
Karlos Enterprises Ltd., a
manufacturing consortium that majored in production of plastics, was a
well-known firm that did not joke with well-experienced staff; hence, the
46-year-old Mr. Olusola was conspicuously one of the first in the list of the
company. In view of this, we the junior ones accorded him the deserved respect
as the custom of the company required. In spite of the indisputable fact that
we were both HODs, or of the same cadre, I knew fully well that he was quite
and reasonably far ahead of me; there was no how one who joined an organization
barely four years back would be competing with a fellow that had spent over
fifteen years in it.
After all, it was just hard work and
sheer luck that catapulted my promotion to that level. It was no doubt a
geometric promotion, so I wasn’t meant to forget in haste that the aforementioned
man was simply like a father to me as far as the firm’s modus operandi was
concerned.
It would interest you to note that Mr.
Olusola was already a HOD prior to my employment by Karlos, although of a
different department. He was formerly manning the Marketing unit before he was
redeployed about three years back to super head the ‘almighty’ Finance and
Accounts department. I learnt that his wealth of knowledge cum experience
necessitated the transition, which seemingly received everyone’s nod. Records
had it that he had Master’s degree in Business Management to his credit having
bagged a bachelor degree in Banking and Finance, all from the reputable
University of Ibadan (U.I) in Oyo State, Nigeria.
There, in my office, I was deeply
preoccupied with series of thoughts. I then asked myself what could warrant the
urgent and unforeseen invitation. The riot act of the organization had been
read to my hearing for the umpteenth time, so I saw no reason I was needed in
his office at that time of the day; it was a few minutes past nine O’clock in
the morning, the time when most senior officers were yet to report to their
respective duty posts. Besides, even if there was need for reminder as regards
the said Act, he was not the apt personnel to do so; rather, the Human
Resources Manager (HRM) as the tradition demanded.
“Good morning, sir.” I greeted as I
walked into his office which was about ten metres away from mine, and closed
the door behind me.
“Hey Comrade,” exclaimed Mr. Olusola.
“Good morning, dear.” He added cheerily.
Aside being a tech expert, I was widely
recognized as a core unionist and activist even in Karlos, thus everyone often
addressed me as a ‘Comrade’.
I stepped closer to where he was
seated. “You sent for me, sir?” I said in a jiffy, standing about fifty
centimetres apart.
“Yes I did.” He responded, disclosing
his seeming white teeth. “Please, sit down.” he offered, gesticulating with his
left arm.
“Thank you.” I said as I sat on one of
the three backseats sited at the opposite side of the executive chair in which
he was seated.
“First,” he began. “I want to join
others to congratulate you.” He dished out.
I was quiet, couldn’t wait to grab the
real message.
“I know, management has already done
that.” He recalled. “But, there’s need for me to present a personal
felicitation…”
I smiled, but remained speechless.
“So,” he added. “Congratulations once
more for emerging as the HOD of one of the most challenging departments in this
establishment.”
“Thank you, sir.” I eventually said
cheerfully. “Thank you; I appreciate.” I supplemented immediately.
“You are welcome.” He said, placing his
fisted right hand under his lower jaw and kept the left one on the table.
I seemed very attentive at this point as I
placed my both arms respectively on my thighs.
“I actually called you on a friendly
ground.” he continued. “I, Mr. Shina Olusola would like you to excel in this
organization.” He claimed, placing his left hand on his chest and then returned
it to its initial position.
I
became more attentive as I sat firmly on the seat, appeared like an ancient
professor in the grey suit I wore.
“So, I have called you to tell you
that,” he rode on. “You are required to take this position very seriously.” He
supplemented hesitantly, paused. “So that, you wouldn’t be found wanting in any
way.”
I
nodded continuously in a frank mood as I was engulfed by his enticing counsel.
“I am the oldest HOD in this firm.” He
affirmed. “So, I am in a good position to remind you that this company does not
tolerate any form of nonchalant or dubious attitude.”
I adjusted myself in the seat, though remained
calm.
“So
be very careful, dear Comrade.” He landed.
“I
have heard you, sir.” I replied. “I promise, I won’t disappoint you or the
management as a whole.”
“It’s
alright.” quoth Mr. Olusola. “You can take your leave.” he enjoined, paused.
“Because, I am aware many may be wanting to see you in the office right now.”
He imagined, loosened his fisted right hand and finally placed it on the
executive table.
“Thank
you once more, sir.” I said as I stood up.
“You are welcome.”
I graciously walked to the door and
took my leave. When I got to my office, I felt so relieved because little did I
imagine that the invitation was on a lighter mood.
Therein, I vowed that I would
invariably remain loyal to Mr. Olusola, and would not cease to confide in him.
In other words, I decided to see him as a mentor and role model.
The honour I bestowed on his person
proceeded unabated not until one fateful day when news broke out that the man
in question was found guilty of financial misappropriation and gross
misconduct. Everyone could not believe that a man recognized as a saint by all
and sundry could make attempt of indulging in such corrupt act let alone being
found guilty by a reputable panel set up by the firm’s management.
Thereafter, Mr. Shina Olusola was fired by the
company having undergone a certain period of suspension.
I outrightly tendered my resignation
afterwards towards avoiding honouring another monster as a mentor, not to
mention a role model. Hence, I waved goodbye to Karlos Enterprises and thought
it wise to establish my own consortium, so that, I wouldn’t fall victim of
being answerable to a fake officer.
FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
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