ShortStory I Reality of Life

REALITY OF LIFE

        Mr. Jerry Odom had been reckoned to be a workaholic in the streets of Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria. Since five years back he inadvertently found himself in the aforementioned city, he had depended on all sorts of activities for survival’s sake. Notwithstanding, he had thought it wise to remain resolute and resilient in spite of the astonishing challenges, thus was damn determined to make ends meet.

        The intriguing and perhaps shocking part of the scenario was that he possessed a revered certificate in Master’s degree. He graciously obtained Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Uyo (UniUyo), Akwa-Ibom State six years back having bagged a Bachelor degree in Sociology from the University of Calabar (UniCal) Cross-River State, both in South-South Nigeria.

         Eight years back during his days in Calabar, prior to obtaining the MBA certificate, he was outrightly humiliated by an officer in one of his numerous job-hunting visitations at a production company of repute.

        “Yes,” the officer, Mr. Jude Akpan said the moment Mr. Jerry stepped into his office having been ushered in by the secretary. “How may we help you?” He reacted so strangely.

        The sociologist, Mr. Jerry Odom actually went to the firm upon an invitation as regards an application he tendered previously. But as he stood right before the Human Resources personnel, it seemed he erroneously visited the firm.

        “Sir..?” he managed to utter, standing.

        “I am sure you are not deaf?” quoth Mr. Akpan. “I said, how may we be of help?”

        “Sir, I was invited for an interview.”

        “Interview?”

        “Yes sir.”

        “What kind of interview?”

        “Sir, I got a notice from the company.”

        “Which company?” the boss drilled further in false pretences.

        “Your company, sir.”

        “What do you mean by my company?”

           “Catalog Production Limited, sir.” the guest answered humbly.

           “Are you sure about this?”

           “Yes sir.”

           “What kind of notice did you receive from us?”

           “A text message, sir.” he responded, stood still.

           “An SMS?”

           “Yes sir.”

             It is shocking to note that it was Mr. Jude Akpan who personally issued the said message to the guest, barely forty-eight hours back, requesting for his presence for a ‘one-on-one interaction’.

          “Can I see the message?”

          “Okay sir.” quoth the 30-year-old Mr. Jerry, moved closer to the boss as he tried to open his phone’s inbox.

           He quickly displayed the notice for the boss’ virtual consumption.

         “Oh,” exclaimed Mr. Akpan. “Now I remember.”

           Mr. Jerry stylishly smiled, stepped a bit backwards.

         “Please, sit down.” He eventually offered.

         “Thank you, sir.” Mr. Jerry appreciated as he put up a sigh of relieve, majestically sat on one of the seats cited opposite the host.

         “So, what’s the name?”

         “Odom Jerry.”

         “Odom Jerry?” reiterated the host who was in his late thirties.

         “Yes sir.” the applicant clarified.

         “Oh, I can now recall your nomenclature.”

           Mr. Jerry dished out a dazzling smile, displaying his 32 teeth as he clad in black suit, black plain trousers, white shirt and black plain shoes.

         “You are the man who read Sociology, right?”

         “Yes sir.” He affirmed, nodding.

         “So,” quoth Mr. Jude Akpan who dressed in grey native attire. “What can you offer us?”

         “Sir..?”

         “Didn’t you hear me?”

         “I heard you, sir.” he said. “But I couldn’t comprehend the question.”

         “As a sociologist,” the boss continued. “Of what use will you be to a manufacturing company?”

         Mr. Jerry was speechless, seemingly engulfed in astonishment as he stared at the boss’ table in silent awe.

        “Mr. Odom?” the boss awakened his consciousness.

        “Sorry sir.” He tendered, raising his head.

        “Sorry for what?” quoth Mr. Akpan. “Is that the answer to my question?”

         There was a brief silence.

        “I said, what kind of services can you offer Catalog Production Limited?” He reminded.

        “Eh-eh…” He stammered.

        “Eh what?” interrupted the boss. “Is that what you would offer us?”

        “Sir, I can fit in anywhere.”

        “Anywhere?” the boss culled.

        “Yes sir.” The applicant reaffirmed, nodding.

        “As a person, or as a professional?”

        “Sir..?”

        “Mr. Odom, why do you always want me to repeat myself?” quoth the boss. “Is that how you would be attending to your clients when  employed by this company?”

         Though the query was so challenging, the 30-year-old applicant was consoled by the last clause that sounded as if he would eventually secure the intended employment.

        “No sir.” He managed to say.

        “No what?” quoth Mr. Akpan. “Isn’t it obvious?”

        “It’s not what you think, sir.”

        “Please don’t divert my attention, Mr. Odom.” urged the boss. “I asked, will you fit anywhere as a person or as a professional?”

        “As a professional, sir.”

        “So, a sociologist can fit anywhere?”

        “Absolutely sir.”

        “You lied.” he thought aloud seriously. “Didn’t you?”

         Rather than frowning over the embarrassing interruption, Mr. Jerry was found smiling, though in false pretences. “I wouldn’t know what to say again, sir.” he responded.

        “I am afraid Mr. Odom,” quoth the host. “We don’t have space for you.” He frankly informed in a low tone.

         Mr. Jerry was therein overwhelmed by shame and humiliation as he felt like asking the boss why he was invited in the first place. “Okay sir.” He uttered calmly, quietly stood up and managed to locate the exit point.

        “Good luck, Mr. Odom.” the boss added as he watched the confused applicant depart.

         Ever since he had been in the labour market after his first degree, this was the greatest embarrassment he would encounter during a supposed interview. This very experience triggered him to proceed for an MBA programme in the UniUyo having sought the assistance of his parents who were still financially able to cater for his educational quest.

         It was after the Master’s programme he considered changing environment owing to importunities from his guardians, thus he chose Lagos. Yet since five years back the now 38-year-old Mr. Jerry Odom came into the said city, he had solely depended on menial jobs.

        To be continued, please!

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

  

 

                  

Tech I INEC, Card Reader And 2019 Polls

INEC, ELECTRONIC CARD READER AND 2019 POLLS

          

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can currently boast of the use of Electronic Card Reader otherwise known as ‘Smart card reader’ during elections in Nigeria. Since the inception of the INEC in the Nigeria’s political terrain, the leadership of the institution had been working assiduously toward ensuring that the country could boast of a credible and fair election. This may be the reason the former Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega thought it wise to initiate the Smart Card Reader prior to the last general elections, which has been in use till date.

        

Though Prof. Jega may have succeeded in coming up with a novel idea by introducing the aforementioned gadget, it’s worth noting that the current boss of the body, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has an enormous task ahead of him towards ensuring that the said laudable invention wouldn’t end up being a curse in disguise.

         

It’s not anymore news that the ongoing use of the device in question has been bedeviled by several shortcomings to include malfunctioning, inadequate power supply and what have you. The INEC, inaugurated in 1998, has since inception encountered too many controversies and predicaments in the run up to elections in the country, most notably the April 2007 and 2015 general elections respectively. The ongoing challenges faced by the use of card readers seem to have added to the numerous plights of the commission.

          

A Smart card reader is an electronic device that reads smart cards such as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and Voter’s card, as the case may be. There are so many forms of smart card readers used for different purposes. In the banking industry, we have smart card readers that read the ATM cards. But here, we’re concerned about the electoral smart card reader. The electoral smart card reader is a portable electronic voter authentication gadget, configured to read only the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) issued by the INEC.

         

The device, which displays the authentic information of the prospective voter via the use of fingerprint, was designed specifically for the accreditation process or authentication of eligible voters before voting. The machine is usually configured or programmed to only read the PVCs of a particular polling unit as well as work only on election day(s). The card reader has obviously helped in confirming the eligibility of the prospective voters. It has equally assisted in checking excesses as regards double/multiple registration.

         

Among all, it enables the electoral exercise to be carried out faster since it can accredit as many intending voters as possible within a shortest interval; suffice it to say that it saves time. In addition, it enables the officials of the INEC to conduct the election easily or at ease unlike the manual system whereby the personnel would be required to put in or exhaust all their energies, thereby creating room for effectiveness and efficiency. This implies that, if properly utilized, it warrants the electoral umpire to engage fewer individuals or ad-hoc staff for any incoming election. Hence, the card reader isn’t just labour effective, but equally cost effective.

           

Although the benefits inherent in the use of the smart card reader cannot be overemphasized, it’s worthy to acknowledge that the challenges that accompany it cannot be overlooked if truly we are concerned about embracing a society that can wholly boast of free, fair and credible polls. It’s not anymore news that, while in use, the card reader has reportedly malfunctioned in various quarters across the federation ever since it came into existence in Nigeria, thereby making the INEC officials in charge of the concerned polling units to resort to manual voting.

            

To this end, there’s need for creation of a special technically-inclined unit within the INEC quarters. Such unit/department to be manned by an expert must contain all it takes as regards servicing or sustenance of the said gadget. The unit would go a long way to eradicate ‘fire brigade’ approach, which isn’t unusual in the Nigerian society.

           

It would as well help to create a mobile technical committee that would monitor the functionality of the card readers throughout any election as well as ensure that the various polling units involved are well equipped with the needed materials including electricity supply gadgets prior to the election. There would also be need for the unit to be more concerned about providing special electronic chargers or charging devices at the various voting centres so that the card readers wouldn’t need to depend on power supply as long as the voting lasts.

         

Above all, there is need for the device to be manufactured in the country henceforth. There are capable hands that can actualize it; all the government needs to do is to empower them via the proposed technical unit. We can’t continue to import what we can produce, especially at this moment we are concerned about diversification. I therefore call on INEC to embrace the fullness of technology so that the awaited society would be embraced soonest.

          

We must note that the fast approaching 2019 general elections in the country can only be a thorough success if the INEC succeeded in making the card reader a device to reckon with prior to the said polls. Think about it!    

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

-Tech Expert, Analyst & Activist - 

___________________________ 

Twitter: @mediambassador        

ShortStory I Compromise

COMPROMISE

       

        That very way a warrior would feel having won a fierce battle at the warfront was exactly how Engr. Akin Balogun felt the moment he walked out from the ‘dreaded’ office in that fateful morning of Tuesday in the company of Mrs. Ann Oyibo.

        The office in question, which was situated in Abuja – the Nigeria’s capital territory – was his prospective benefactor. He had upon request been invited on merit for a holistic scrutiny; the invitation arrived his desk five days back. Having successfully responded to the call made by the office that could best be described as dreaded, he was thereof felt like flying far beyond the sky.

        Engr. Balogun was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a reputable engineering construction firm – Cartez Nigeria Limited – domiciled in the city of Lagos, Yaba precisely. He had few weeks back, on behalf of the said company, submitted a quotation, requesting for an award of a contract regarding a proposed road construction. His demand was informed by a memo published in one of the national dailies, asking interested corporate organizations to apply for such vacancy within a week from the date of the publication.

        That very Tuesday being 10^th July 2012 was exactly the day his firm was asked to report to the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja to face a panel for onward assessment. He had embarked on the trip via air with the company’s Secretary, Mrs. Oyibo who before the day had been profusely jittery over the anticipated outcome of the interview. But at the moment, having stepped out of the office after all said and done, the duo could perceive success. From their feelings, it seemed every required condition surrounding the awaited contract had been met by the revered Cartez Limited.

        “That was wonderful.” Engr. Balogun whispered to the hearing of his employee as they graciously walked towards the reception room.

        “Yes sir.” Mrs. Oyibo concurred. “I quite agree with you.”

        “I pray everything works fine.” The boss thought aloud.

        “Same here.”

        A contract worth of seventy-five million naira was involved, thus it was not needful to assert that such job was the dream of every promising entrepreneur, and Engr. Balogun wasn’t exceptional.

        Cartez Nig. Ltd. had spent over ten years in the system and had remarkable antecedents to boast of. Although every other firm invited for the interview could as well have such records to its credit, the said boss saw his as the most outstanding, probably owing to a few convincing responses he provided aptly while he was being screwed in there some minutes ago alongside his secretary. However, since the other firms seeking for the contract were not invited same day with his, he wouldn’t say for sure his chances of securing the ‘hot’ job.

        Therein, the duo headed for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja en-route Lagos State with heart full of joy, though apparently surrounded with mixed feelings.

        “Hello dear.” Engr. Balogun answered the moment he took a phone call from his wife.

        “Honey, how are you?” enquired Mrs. Balogun.

        “I am fine.”

        “Are you through with the interview?”

        “Yes, my dear.” he said. “As a matter of fact, we are on our way to the airport.”

        “Really?”

        “Yea.” he clarified. “We are already in a cab to the airport.”

        “So, how was the outing?”

        “Fantastic!”

        “Are you serious?”

        “Sure.”

        “Oh, thank God.”

        “Yes oooh!” the boss concurred, glanced at Mrs. Oyibo who was seated right beside him.

         The secretary smiled, nodded passionately in appreciation to the exclamation.

         “So, how is Lagos?” Engr. Balogun supplemented.

          They left for Abuja in the previous day being Monday, precisely at noon, so the few hours off the city of Lagos was a good reason to assert that a lot may have changed thus far in such populous and popular territory.

        “Lagos is still hot as you left it.” the wife replied.

        “Alright,” said the boss. “I will reunite with her soon.”

        “With who?” Mrs. Balogun inquired, couldn’t comprehend the figure of speech.

        “I mean, Lagos.”

        “Okay..” she responded cheerily, heaved a sigh of relieve.

* * * * * *

        “Hello sir.” Engr. Akin Balogun said as soon as his call was taken by the supposed recipient.

        It was about two weeks after his last trip to Abuja. He had called the office of the Minister of Works to confirm the fate of Cartez Nigeria Limited.

        “Hellooo,” said the call receiver. “Who is this, please?”

        “This is Engr. Akin Balogun,” he said. “One of the applicants for the proposed Ojoteka - Ifite road construction project.”

         “Okay,” quoth the receiver. “I think I can recall the name,” he added, took a breath. “You are from Cartez Limited, right?”

          “Yes sir.” answered Engr. Balogun. “Please, am I unto the director of works?”

         “Yes, you are.”

         “Okay,” he said. “I actually called to find out our fate.”

         “Mr. Balogun, right?”

         “Yes sir.”

         “I must confess,” quoth the director. “Your company did very well during the screening section.” He enthused.

         “Thank you, sir.”

         “You are welcome.” He responded, paused. “But, there is a little mix-up.”

         “What kind of mix-up, sir?”

         “Something really came up,” the director hinted. “And, it is beyond my control.”

         “Engr. Balogun was silent, remained attentive.

        “A serving senator is desperately interested in the contract.” He eventually disclosed.

        “A serving senator?”

        “Yes.”

        “So…?”

         “I am sorry.” uttered the director. “My hands are tied.”

         “What..?” exclaimed the applicant. “You mean, I can’t have the contract?”

         “Exactly.” The director bluntly clarified. “I am really sorry.’

          It would interest perhaps shock you to take into cognizance that the Senator in question, or his candidate, never appeared at the interview section neither could he boast of any engineering construction firm let alone a qualified one.

         “Sir, I can do anything to have the contract.” said Engr. Balogun. “Please, help me out no matter the conditions.”

          “It seems you don’t understand, Mr. Balogun?” replied the director. “I am referring to a man that brought me to the position I am now.” He added.

          At this point, the reality dawned on Engr. Balogun; hence, he became astonished, couldn’t utter not even a word.

          “Like I said earlier,” the director rode on. “My hands are tied.” He reiterated, paused. “I am sorry, Mr. Balogun, have a nice day.” He supplemented in a low tone, cut the call without much ado.

         The rest is history, please!

FDN Nwaozor

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