ShortStory I Smart Genius (II)

SMART GENIUS (II)

         After Seun had been successfully interviewed, he waited behind all through the day till the team was done for the day so he could have a one-on-one conversation with Adamu.

         Though Adamu couldn’t graduate with him alongside his set but he (Seun) never had any intuition that he came into the company in disguise; rather, he was of the thought that he might had attended another higher institution after he left the University of Ibadan (U.I).

         He was preoccupied with the notion that if he familiarized himself with Adamu, it would serve as an aid towards his job hunt. Since he completed his National Youth Service programme in 1991, he had been managing with one of the small scale firms in the neighbourhood until he got an invitation on February 17, 1995 to come for an interview with Capricon Nigeria Limited where he had earlier applied for an employment.

        “Good day, sir!” Seun greeted the moment Mr. Adamu Danjuma eventually walked out of the complex room in the company of his co-interviewers.

          It was about some minutes past five in the afternoon. At the time, all the job seekers had already left the arena. Seun had been seated at the entrance to the room amidst some of the company’s staff; he had explained to them his motive.

          Prior to his greeting, he hurriedly stood up and stepped toward Adamu as soon as they walked out from the room.

         “Good day young man.” responded Adamu as his colleagues departed for their respective offices. “Were you not one of the applicants?”

         “Yes I am, sir.” replied Seun who was putting on corporate attire.

           Both of them were standing opposite to each other.

         “So, how may I help you?” Adamu enquired. “Mister Olatunji, right?” He recollected in a jiffy.

           He was able to remember Seun’s name because he performed marvelously when he was interviewed.

          “Yes sir, you are right.” quoth Seun. “Olatunji Seun.” He added.

         “I am all ears.” Adamu reminded, anxiously waiting for the response to his first question – ‘how may I help you?’

        “Please sir,” said Seun. “Don’t be offended, did you pass through UI?”

         It was unarguably a shocking question to Adamu. He couldn’t believe his ears.

        “UI…?” He asked under false pretence.

        “Yes, University of Ibadan.” responded Seun. “Public Administration  department to be precise.” He added, looking at his eyes submissively.

        “No.” he answered. “Are you mistaking me for someone else?”

        “Yes,” Seun replied. “Your face looks very familiar.”

        “I am sorry,” quoth Adamu. “I am not the one.” He added, quickly walked towards his office leaving Seun behind.

         Seun couldn’t believe it; it was not unlike a dream to him, though he never sensed any foul play. Consequently, he left the company’s premises within a couple of minutes disappointedly.

         As a result of the above scenario, Adamu being the leader of the assessment team ensured that Seun wasn’t employed by the company in order to avoid any future havoc. He foresaw that bringing Seun into the company would be at the detriment of his person.

         Adamu who was in his early forties and was happily married with three kids wouldn’t want any iota of saga to befall him especially at that point he had succeeded in proving his unalloyed competence and integrity to the company; hence, he saw Seun as a serpent.

        After the incident, Seun employed every tactics towards ascertaining the full detail about Adamu. In consequence to the quest, the former who hardly knew the latter’s name succeeded in coming up with his full name, position in the company as well as when he was employed.

         In the long run, Seun insinuated that Adamu must had forged his certificate for him to had gotten to the rank of Human Resources Manager (HRM). And, considering the time frame, there was no how he could have risen to that enviable height if he was not employed as a graduate or with a degree/HND certificate or any equivalent certificate.

         Two months on, the company’s Management received the unthinkable report on Mr. Adamu Danjuma via Seun who had patiently waited to receive his employment letter from the firm in regard to his remarkable performance during the interview to no avail.

         Two weeks after the report was received and it was confirmed that Adamu came into the company with the aid of a criminal mechanism having conducted all the needed investigations, the company’s Board of Directors (BOD) set up a 7-man panel to query Adamu.

     * * * * *

        “Mister Danjuma,” The leader of the panel called unfriendly after all the consequential introductions were made having read out the sole agendum for the gathering. “Give us one reason you shouldn’t be fired.”

         They were seated in a round table in the company’s conference room.

          It appeared such striking statement – ‘give one reason you shouldn’t be fired’ – was one of the standard and acceptable ways of querying any of the firm’s staff found wanting. That was exactly the language same Adamu used for Ken prior to his (Ken’s) dismissal.

          Adamu who was taken unawares hastily stood up confidently as if he anticipated the meeting as well as the question. “Greetings to you all” he said. “I shouldn’t be fired because…” the dark, plump and about 5.5-foot tall young man who was clad in ash suit and ash plain trousers proceeded in a meek but confident manner.

         All eyes were at this time on him. Every member of the panel was strongly looking up to his fierce-looking eye sockets.

         “One, I forged the certificate out of frustration and because I was financially handicapped, and not because I was a criminal.” he asserted, paused. “Two, I forged what I could defend…” He enthused frankly, looked around.

          They were all seated firmly at this point as the ‘culpable’ employee defended himself in strong terms.

         “Three, as I speak to you now,” he continued, took a breath. “I speak as a Masters’ degree holder in Public Administration…” He boasted eventually.

          Everyone was marvelled on hearing the revelation. They felt like clapping for him. Each of them wondered what kind of man he could be.

         It’s noteworthy that Mr. Adamu had enrolled for a part-time degree programme in a nearby university the moment he secured the employment. And he proceeded for his Masters’ Degree programme as soon as he obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc).

         “And finally,” he rode on. “Because I have given Capricon Nigeria Limited far more than what it expected from my person.” He concluded succinctly, though tentatively.

        “You may have your seat.” The panel chairman urged.

        “Thank you, sir.” Adamu replied, sat down.

          After all said and done within an hour’s time, the meeting rose without any tangible conclusion or decision taken against the seeming-guilty staff.

          Subsequently, Mr. Adamu Danjuma  was filled with mixed feelings accompanied with premonitory anxiety, not knowing what would become his fate soonest.

         One week later, rather than laying him off from the company or demoting him, surprisingly the smart genius was promoted to the rank of the General Manager (GM) of Capricon Limited owing to his academic accomplishments as revealed by him coupled with his outstanding qualities.

         The rest is history, please.

 

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

Opinion I 2019 Guber: If I Were Rochas Okorocha

2019 GUBER: IF I WERE ROCHAS OKOROCHA

      

The last time I checked, the 2019 general elections were fast approaching. In view of this fact, every political platform is seriously preparing or putting its house in order towards winning the attention of the electorate, and the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – isn’t exceptional.

       

It’s noteworthy that both at the federal and state levels, the APC is obviously in charge. And, considering that power is insatiable, the greatest pleasure of the said party come 2019 would be to remain at the helm of affairs. This is invariably the desire of every sane and rational individual or entity.

        

The subject matter is solely interested in the ‘2019 guber’; that is, the gubernatorial aspect – Imo precisely – of the awaited political race. And we are not unaware that presently, likewise in the past, several highly placed Imolites have directly or indirectly indicated interest in the race. The truth is that, every bona-fide Imolite is legible to aspire for the governorship position.

        

It’s equally worthy to note that an aspirant is completely different from a contestant. The former has to do with anyone within a certain political party that is nurturing interest to vie for any post; whilst, the latter is that person, among other aspirants, who has been eventually chosen by members of a particular party to represent them. A contestant is also known as the party’s flag bearer.

       

This piece is actually informed by the compelling need to discuss the APC in Imo State as regards the forthcoming 2019 guber. In the APC as a political family, currently, various stalwarts of the platform have disclosed their desire to vie for the number one seat in the state under the party’s auspices.

       

I have painstakingly earlier mentioned the names of the aspirants in question. However, their names remain: Prince Eze madumere, Chief Uche Nwosu, Sir Jude Ejiogu and Senator Ifenayi Araraume. In all ramifications, each of them is well qualified to acquire the party’s ticket or better still, emerge the state’s governor come 2019.

       

But the problem with the party at the moment is the obvious one-sidedness of its apex leader, Governor Rochas Okorocha. It’s not anymore news that the governor had publicly indicated interest to throw his weight behind one of the aspirants, Chief Nwosu. This open gesture of his person had tremendously raised dust and mixed feelings among onlookers and the party’s faithful in various quarters.

       

It would be recalled that Gov. Okorocha, upon his assumption of office in 2011 as the Imo number one citizen, disclosed his administration’s determination to end the lingered era of godfatherism in the state’s political terrain. In addition, he vowed that over his dead body would such syndrome resurface in Imo. The avowal of the governor implied that he detested godfatherism with passion.

       

Nevertheless, considering the present move by the governor, political spectators cum analysts are tempted to brand him a ‘chameleon’. In other words, they have found it difficult to believe that he could keep his words. Surely, the recent u-turn made by the Okpoko-born politician is enough reason for Imolites to become jittery or perturbed.

        

It might amaze you to note that the foreseen fate of the APC in the nearest future necessitated this critique. As a political analyst and rights activist, I have thought it wise to present what the true picture of the APC would look like soonest as well as to inform the need for every bona-fide member of the party to be treated as equal.

         

Believe it or not, no sane leader would like an association in which he leads to go into extinction or become moribund, and Gov. Okorocha is not an exception. Against this backdrop, it is highly consequential for the governor to do the needful towards averting any unfortunate fate that may befall the party’s structure. And, his Excellency mustn’t delay in doing this, because time is apparently no longer his friend.

         

The governor is required at this moment to handle the APC as a father. A true father is expected to treat all his children equally regardless of the circumstance. Even the prodigal son, as we were told by the Holy Bible, was eventually welcomed back home by his biological father having erred, and was fully reintegrated into the family. My candid advice to the father in question is that, he must be fair to all concerned for the family’s sake. Even if you love a certain son more than the other children, don’t make it open because it could spell doom for the family.

        

So, as an apex leader in the state, for the sake of the APC’s future, I urge Gov. Okorocha not to undermine the prowess of any member of the party. That individual who we think does not possess any political structure might be the major reason the party would reclaim power come 2019 as being eagerly anticipated by its overall members. When a group of persons are in a circle, they must acknowledge that everyone is important, though no one is indispensable.

       

At this juncture, if I were Rochas Okorocha, I will cuddle every dick and harry in the Imo APC with a view to giving each of them a sense of belonging. I must ensure that an all-inclusive administration is carried out henceforth toward gaining victory at the polls, which is the prime goal of every true affiliate of the party. No divided house has ever achieved anything tangible in the history of the human race. And, this is where my worry lies.

        

It troubles me because whatever affects any political party won’t augur well for the awaited general elections. We need all parties to remain healthy, to enable them compete vehemently and favourably for the good of the Eastern Heartland. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

     

Opinion I Dissecting Buhari's Fascinating Amnesty Proposal

DISSECTING BUHARI’S FASCINATING AMNESTY PROPOSAL

        

History could be made at anytime and by anyone irrespective of status or background. But it’s only brought to the public sphere when made by a remarkable figure. Notwithstanding, it’s noteworthy that a historic event could be commendable or condemnable.

        

On Friday, 23^rd March 2018, the Nigeria’s sitting President, Muhammadu Buhari made an obvious history. In the period in review, the number one citizen disclosed his plan to grant amnesty to members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect who were ready to drop their arms and embrace peace. By that avowal, he has become the first political leader across the globe to consider granting amnesty to a terrorist confraternity.

         

President Buhari, who revealed the plan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja while receiving the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls released on Wednesday 21^st March 2018, stated that his administration had thought it wise to extend pardon to the members of the Boko Haram who were truly willing to repent of their evil deeds.

       

Our inability to aptly define the Boko Haram’s activity is unequivocally the reason we could react wrongly. Years back when the sect was noted as an insurgent group, I personally decried the description. In consequence to the outcry, I categorically did a piece informing that the said sect was rather a terrorist group.

        

Perhaps our actual plight is inability to contrast between insurgency and terrorism. The former is the act of carrying out a just cause, though might involve the use of firearms or any form of weapon; whilst, the latter is simply the activity of brutally fighting against a certain government or the citizenry without any justifiable purpose.

        

The rudimentary difference between insurgency and terrorism is that the former is often necessitated by a just motive whereas the latter isn’t. Something that is ‘just’ is rational and fair. Hence, if you are into a fierce physical battle that isn’t justifiable, it is simply terrorism; it suffices to say that you are a terrorist, because you are unleashing terror unto the people’s existence for no just reason.

       

For instance, the Niger-Delta militancy could best be described as insurgency. The militants are insurgents owing to the fact that they are fighting because they felt maltreated or marginalized by the government. You would notice that each time they stage any combat, they only concentrate on properties or establishments owned by the Nigerian state, rather than directly unleashing violence on the people as it is done by the Boko Haram.

         

In a nutshell, terrorism and insurgency are two parallel lines that possess no meeting point. The persons involved in either cause have no similar ideology with those carrying out the other. So, making effort to equate the Boko Haram’s activity with that of militancy is uncalled for. War should on no account be equated with rebellion. Read my lips.

         

Since inception, the Boko Haram have murdered millions of Nigerians, maimed thousands as well as displaced countless of dwellers. On their part, the militants have mainly succeeded in vandalizing our common patrimony; nevertheless, this equally negatively affects the lives of the citizenry but it is on record that no direct mayhem is usually cast on them. Although no sane and rational being is expected to advocate for the prevalence of militancy, it’s worthy of note that the prime purpose of the cause is arguably just.

        

Besides, we are not unaware that the Boko Haram is a faceless group. No one knows the real identities of the individuals involved in the cause, or where actually they are coming from. Thus far, whatever identity they have been crowned with remains a mere speculation. In other words, no one could authoritatively state what or who they represent.

       

Hence, thinking of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram members isn’t unlike treading without caution, which is apparently unwholesome for the country at large. Amnesty, according to BBC English Dictionary, is a “period of time during which people can confess to a crime or give up weapons without being punished”. One may ask; which real terrorist would be willing to confess to crimes committed by him/her, or truly accept defeat?

        

Someone might claim to have repented of his or her sins but in the real sense, is up to something more deadly. This is the reason the Presidency must have an urgent rethink as regards the proposed move. We can’t consider having a talk over repentance with a group whose actual identity is yet to be revealed. Unless there’s something we aren’t being told.

        

It’s, however, mind-boggling to realize that this is coming from a government that vowed, on its assumption to duty, that all forms of terrorism would be tactically crushed headlong. It becomes more disturbing and saddening when acknowledged that it came just a few weeks after the army boasted that the Boko Haram had been completely defeated. How do we reconcile these?

        

With all due respect, as Mr. President thinks in this weird direction, I deem it fit as an activist to disabuse him of the impression that the Boko Haram is an insurgent sect, and not terrorist. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador