SMART GENIUS
“Mister Ken,” Adamu called. “Why
were you not on seat yesterday?” He furiously queried.
Mr. Adamu Danjuwa was the Human
Resources Manager (HRM) of Capricon manufacturing company.
Between late eighties (1980s) and early
nineties (1990s), Capricon was undoubtedly a very notable firm across the
federation that everyone, even an imbecile that existed within the stated
period, could testify to the fact. Even beyond the period in question, Capricon
Nigeria Limited as it was fondly called based on what was inscribed on its
major signpost in line with its incorporation, never relented in making the
general public and the society at large feel its impact to the extent that it
was rated and widely recognized as the best among equals. To say the least, it
never tolerated any excuses from its staff when it called for business right
from when it was incorporated in 1985, June precisely.
The
company, which was mainly into cosmetics production particularly soap, cream
and perfume, understood that the consumers come first before any other person
or thing. This was why their products which were popularly known as Danza soap,
Danza Cream, Danza perfume as well as Danza body spray remained cosmetics that
any rational being wanted to behold.
To assert that Adamu was one of
the brains behind the prospect of the company is an understatement; Adamu who
was one of the pioneer members of the firm, was one of the best three
personnel, if not the overall best, the company could reckon with owing to his
outstanding and brilliant contributions toward its enviable growth.
On his part, Mr. Ken Okafor who
joined the firm barely a year back was a staff of the Marketing department. On
that fateful day, he was being queried due to truancy; he couldn’t make it to
the office the previous day as a result of circumstances beyond his control and
Mr. Adamu Danjuma was really mad over the attitude. Ken was actually ill on
that day, so he decided to take a rest without even making effort to notify the
management.
“I was sick, sir.” He responded
apprehensively.
He was standing directly opposite Adamu who was seated in his office.
“Sick…?”Adamu ranted.
Mr. Danjuma’s furious
physiognomy was not really prompted by Mr. Ken’s absence but owing to the fact that the
management was kept in the dark by the man in question. He absorbed the
nonchalant act as a letdown which was tantamount to dismissal based on the
company’s rules.
“Yes sir,” Ken replied, remained jittery. “I suddenly fell ill and there
was no way I could reach the company.”
Though there was nothing like
GSM during the era but Ken was meant to send a message across through any
available means, probably a relative or friend. The fact was that he took the
consequence of the act for granted.
“You amuse me, Ken.”
Ken
quickly adjusted himself, stood still.
“To start with,” Adamu rode on. “Were you not supposed to be treated by
the company’s clinic?”
“Sir, I didn’t even have the
strength to…”
“Will you stop amusing me?” interrupted
Adamu, kept mute. “If our staff don’t use the clinic, then what was the essence
of establishing it?” he supplemented after a brief silence.
Ken remained speechless and
calm.
“When you came into this
company twelve months ago, February 1994 precisely if I am not mistaken,” Adamu
rode on. “I painstakingly read the riot act to you.”
Ken became jitterier.
“And in that very act, you were
categorically informed that this company doesn’t condone truancy or laxity.”
Ken who was dressed in corporate attire felt like defecating in his
boxers.
“And as I speak to you right now,” Adamu
proceeded fiercely. “I want you to know that you have abused that directive.”
At this juncture, Ken needed not a
seer to disclose the fate that awaited his person.
“The most confusing part is that,” the boss said, paused. “You are yet
to realize that you belong to one of the most sensitive departments in this
highly reputable firm.”
There was maximum silence.
“It will interest you to know
that,” he continued. “Since 1986 I joined this company till date, I have never
for once missed my duty post.”
Ken couldn’t believe his
ears.
“The records are there,” boasted the HRM. “You can check for yourself.”
“I am very sorry, sir.” Ken hesitantly dished out, lowering his head.
“There you go wrong,” Adamu
chipped in. “In this company, you don’t rob Peter to pay Paul.”
“Sir, it won’t repeat itself.”
He assured fearfully.
“Mister Ken Okafor,” Adamu
called ruthlessly in a high tone, hitting his right hand on his table.
Ken became extremely attentive
and perturbed on hearing the mode of the call.
“Give me one reason you shouldn’t be fired.”
At this point, Ken was actually seeing a
totally different creature, which implied that the HRM had been speaking in a
friendly manner all those while he was revisiting the company’s Act.
The unexpected oral query wasn’t just confusing and devastating but
threatening; it was no doubt a rhetorical test no matter how clever the
offender was. Hence, there was an undiluted tranquility.
“You can leave.” the angered boss instructed, demonstrating with his
left arm.
Ken who was dumbfounded, stood still, appeared like an electrocuted
gorilla.
“I said, leave my office.” shouted Adamu who was also clad in corporate
attire.
Consequently, Ken complied, thus left for his office in the marketing
department.
First thing in the morning the following two days being 15th February
1995 – barely one year after he received his employment letter, Ken got the
sack having attended to the written query issued to him on the day he left
Adamu’s office; he received the disengagement letter in his office from his Secretary.
The scenario yielded a very painful
mood, but all he could do was to move on with his life; after all, life
continued.
* * * * * *
“What’s the name?” Mr. Steven
verified as soon as one of the interviewees assumed his seat.
Steven was a member of the 5-man committee set up by the Management of Capricon
to conduct an oral interview for their prospective staff. The company’s HRM, Mr.
Adamu Danjuma was one of the members of the committee and happened to be the
head.
That day being 2nd
of March 1995 marked the commencement of the assessment exercise.
“My name is Olatunji Seun.” The
interviewee replied.
Seun who walked in with a plastic file in his left hand happened to be
the third applicant to be assessed by the team. The team was already with a
copy of his Curriculum Vitae prior to his entrance, and they were perusing it
right before him.
Something remarkable transpired on
that very day; the moment Seun walked into the complex room, he observed that
Mr. Danjuma’s face was very familiar, but on the contrary, the latter never
recognized the former.
Adamu happened to be Seun’s course mate in the University of Ibadan
(U.I) nine years back but the fascinating part was that Adamu was a dropout. He
quit his studentship during his first year (100 Level), which was 1986, due to
financial challenges.
He secured his job same year with a
forged degree certificate but since his engagement with the company, he had
never been found wanting in any way because of his natural brilliance.
While the interview lasted,
Seun continued to look at Adamu who alongside his junior colleagues was dressed
in the company’s white T-shirt, black jeans and black plain shoes, with a view
that the man in question would reciprocate to the gesture, all to no avail. Hence,
it became obvious to him that the boss didn’t recognize his face even a bit.
To be continued, please.
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
Executive
Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
