Okonkwo Samuel
By Uzoamaka Chinedu
When Prof Soludo ordered that those interested to be appointees in his administration should fill a form and apply for various positions they are interested in, I knew the numbers of people that we go through the process will be massive because almost everyone wants a well paid job. I equally remember he also asked those who wants to volunteer themselves to work with him should also do same..
Do You know that those who applied to be appointed for one position or the other is likely to be much more than the volunteers, reason is because nobody wants to work where he or she will not be paid…
Here in this part of the world we so much believe in pay as you go.. but is a pity that our mindset about such is very shallow…
I have never seen a anyone who volunteered himself or herself to serve left behind… It’s just a matter of time…
I remembered vividly in 2006 when I worked in stock broken firm, I wasn’t placed on salary when I started the job yet I transported myself far distance to my place of work every morning and must be in the office at 5am . Even without salary I was so passionate about the job and that moves me to do the unusual. I was always in the office even before the cleaners arrive and I will start cleaning the office till they come and join me then I leave the work for them to continue.
One very good morning, I stepped out of the house as usual at 4:15am so I can get to the office at Marina Lagos by 5am, my mom went after me and asked me to return home because it was too early. she has always been doing that but that day, she was indeed out for me. I ignored her, left her and went to the office. Arriving the office I started cleaning as usual suddenly the M.D came in and went straight to his office..
After a while, his P.A came to me and said to me that my attention is needed by the M.D, I was shocked ! fear gripped me because I thought I have committed. Getting to his office, he asked me who I was, I told him everything and I was among the 834 persons recruited by one of his managers. He looked at me and asked me when I started working, I told him him it was barely 1 month.
At that point he called in his P.A and asked him to bring him his cheque book, that day was the day I got my first 1million naira of my personal money and that was also the day he placed me on salary. But the message here is this, he told me that he always watched me through his CCTV everyday I come to the office. I was shocked because I never had in mind that any manager or M.D will be in the office at that time I come to the office though the office is always opened each time I get to the office.. He encouraged me and asked me to go continue with what am doing.
I left his office getting to the conference hall, behold my manager was around, I narrated all that happened and he was happy. When it was 9am I was to go to the field, mehn I went to the bank straight and collected my 1 million, instead of me to go field and meet my clients, I carried my money home to go and face my mom that nearly stopped me that morning. You need to see this woman the way she was happy; 1 million in 2006 is a big money you know.
The message here is this, rendering selfless service or volunteering yourself to work for someone or in a firm doesn’t make you loose out, it will only reveal the passion you have for the job and how well you can handle it. It also helps the employer to get his or her best team players he will work with. It’s in Voluntary service you know those who are passionate and willing to work regardless of what comes in but I bet You, I have never seen a volunteer who looses out in service.
Prof knows what he’s doing by asking people to apply for whatever position they need.. I bet You, he may likely start with those who volunteered themselves to work but they can never work in vain if they are passionate and knows what they came for.. Person wey work must chop.
Anambra is not a private firm to asked people to apply for whatever position they want.. only the sensitive ones can understand.
Congratulations to all the volunteers!
