Monday 4 February 2008

AKEJU IN LAGOS

He looked at his wristwatch and shook his head like someone not satisfied by what he saw. He gave it a second look. The expression on his face was that of an alarm. He took another look: this time checking his watch against the ancient city-clock of monumental proportion. He smiled approvingly at his time-worn watch. “Tempus fugit!” he gasped. He quickened his pace toward the motor park…

“Ketu, Ojota, Mile-12! Ketu, Ojota, Mile-12!” the conductor announced into the empty air of the fledgling dawn. He thrust his filthy fingers into his customized pocket where he usually lodges fares collected; and brought out a sturdy stick. No sooner had he put the stick in his mouth than he began spreading spittle into the defiled air. And his coarse voice -no thanks to “paraga” and “ganja”- rang again: “Ketu, Ojota, Mile-12!” By now he knew where he was.

Lagos. Eko for show. Akeju tried to walk briskly as others were doing. The first step he took in that attempt landed him on the ground. He had just stepped on nylon of “pure water”. He cursed and cursed. People tried to raise him up but he refused. He requested for sacrifice to be made before he could get up. Those trying to help him get up burst into a lava of laughter and simply went away to mind their business.

Bracing up from his downfall and its consequent embarrassment Akeju got up. He tried to pick his bag that fell off his arm; the bag was no more on the ground. First, his mien was that of misfortune. It changed to bewilderment. And by the time he was on his feet there was fury foaming all over his body. His angry eyes caught sight of a man busy scrambling for passengers in the Onitsha-Owerri-Aba motor park. He seemed to recognize the man. He hurried into the nearby park and grabbed the man by the arm.

“Where’s my bag?” Akeju demanded. His hand now trembling as he feebly held on to the man’s muscular hand. The man took a scornful glance at him. “Yes. It’s you am talking to. I said where’s my bag,” Akeju said impatiently.

“Abi you dey craze?” the man fumed.

“You be thief. And na you dey mad,” said Akeju, tightening his grip now on the man’s shirt. This seemed to be another morning-show in Lagos. Crowd was forming like a thick mass of cumulus. Lagosians are reputed onlookers in this kind of situation. Even the police have a penchant for looking on when a scenario like this happens. A showdown was brewing. Could Akeju handle this man? Or would the man look at Akeju as a ranting ant? Before you could say “what happened?” the man thrust his clenched fist into Akeju’s midriff…a blow that left Akeju suspended in the air for several seconds. And, thud! He came down to earth. Again, the Lagos crowd had time for amusement even during a rush-hour. They laughed mockingly at Akeju and some said, “yeye-man. Abi im no know im size.”

This time around no one was willing to give Akeju a helping hand. He was stuck to the ground writhing in pain. He had never before been humiliated like this. He tried to stand up; he staggered, stumbled and was back on the ground again. Then something jolted him up. He heard a tingling sound coming from his pocket. O his cell phone, he reached for it. Before he could say “hello!” he felt a dulling sensation on his face as a hand from nowhere slammed on his bony cheek. He let go of the phone. His eyes shutting up as he went sprawling on the ground. The impact of the hard-hitting hand on his face was grueling. For Akeju there was no helper; there was no sympathizer. This is Lagos…Eko for show!

By the time he came to it was already afternoon. He looked like one dented by a bike. He murmured to himself, “What has happened? Where’s my bag, my phone?” he dipped his shaking hand into his pocket and reached for his diary. He staggered to a nearby call centre. Exhausted and disheveled, with his knees knocking each other he begged for a seat. He called out some numbers for the operator to dial for him. While waiting for the call, he requested for a bottle of Coke to cool off.

“It’s ringing,” the operator announced. Akeju held the phone against his face and for the first time felt an excruciating pain on cheek. It was quite difficult for him speak audibly enough.

“Kay, it’s me. Am now in Lagos. Where are you? Could you come and pick me up at the park? I’ll be waiting….”

He downed his bottle of Coke. He heaved a heavy sigh. He stood up. He sat down again. As if recovering from a temporary amnesia all that had happened to him earlier in the morning came flooding through his head. He shook his head wearily. He still could not figure out why he was looking so spent and haggard. He had yet not thought of his bag and cell phone. He made to leave the call centre and a voice halted him: “Oga, you never pay o!”

“Oh! Am so so sorry,” he apologized as he reached for his wallet at the back-pocket of his trousers. The wallet was not there. He shook his head in disbelief. He searched the other pockets. The wallet had been stolen. This made his chest ache with anguish. He shook his head again and slumped into the chair he was sitting on before. The creaking, rickety chair gave way…. Akeju trying to hold on to mid-air crashed to the ground. He passed out. Everyone around took to his heels. The shop-owner was confused. She stood over Akeju for several seconds calling, “Mr. Man. Mr. Man. Oga, get up now!”

“Wetin come be all this?” she queried.

She looked around as she frantically closed and locked up her shop, and took to her heels. Akeju was still lying death-like on the floor.

***SKILL ENHANCEMENT CENTRE [HR OUTSOURCING PROFESSIONALS (SEnCe)] ***

At SEnCe we are not concerned with what grades you made in school or what blue chip company you worked for but rather with your attitude to work, passion for results, excellent learning abilities and a strong desire to make your company happy. If you can demonstrate the following:
 An ability to write and speak well
 A passion for customer service
 A desire to make a change
 Innovative ideas and solutions
 Passion for result
 Great attitude to work
Then you are the ideal candidate to join our organization which provides HR Consulting Services to a select group of customers. Our aim is to make work fun in an atmosphere that is result oriented yet relaxed, interesting and knowledge-based.

What we are looking for

1. HR COORDINATOR [REF:SE01081[
 Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University [a postgraduate degree in Human Resources Management will be an added advantage]

2. MARKETING ASSISTANT [REF:SE01082[
 Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University [an MBA will be an added advantage]

3. HR RESEARCH ASSISTANT [REF:SE01083[
 Minimum of a Higher National Diploma and 2 years experience in a research function

4. ACCOUNTANT 1 [REF:SE01084]
 An Account degree from a recognized University plus 2 years audit experience and knowledge of relevant government regulations and accounting packages [ICAN qualification an added advantage]

5. ACCOUNTANT 2 [REF:SE01085]
 A Chartered Accountant with a minimum of 7 years audit experience plus knowledge of relevant government regulations and accounting packages.

With SEnCe, you will be on the road to exciting professional challenges and opportunities. You will find that we offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and rewarding environment.

Contact us by:
Sending your CV and a short write-up not more than two pages long on “why I believe I am suited for this job” to:
THE MANAGER
SEnCe LIMITED
P. O. BOX 51397
FALOMO IKOYI
LAGOS.

The reference of the particular job you are applying for must be clearly stated on the right hand corner of the envelop. This vacancy closes February 11, 2008.


OUR CLIENT IS A DIVERSIFIED AND A LEADING NAME IN THE OIL & GAS SECTOR WITH LARGE BRANCH NETWORK. CONSEQUENT UPON GROWTH AND EXPANSION WE NOW SEEK SMART, SKILLED, RESULT-ORIENTED AND HIGHLY MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS TO OCCUPY THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

Marketing Manager-
A good first degree/HND in Chemical Engineering, Social Sciences, or other related discipline with a minimum of 6 years practical experience in Sales/Marketing.
Possession of an MBA is an added advantage.
Age: 35-40 years

Business Development Manager-
A good first degree/HND in Chemical Engineering, Social Sciences, or other related discipline with a minimum of 6 years practical experience in Sales/Marketing.
Possession of an MBA is an added advantage.
Age: 30-35 years

Admin/Personnel Manager-
A good first degree in law or social sciences with minimum of 6 years experience in a well-structured organization. Possession of an MBA or any other professional qualification will be an added advantage.
Age: 35-40 years.

Production Chemist-
A good first degree in Petro-chemistry or Industrial Chemistry.
Age: 25-35 years.

Accountants-
ACA, BSC/HND in Accounting.
Minimum of 8 years, of which 3 years must be in manufacturing organization.
Computer literate, good financial planning ability, proven professional and interpersonal communication skills, business and finance acumen skills.
Age: 25-35 years.

Accounts Officers-
HND Accounting or any equivalent professional qualification.
Age: 25-35 years

Marketing Executives-
A good HND or first degree in Marketing, Social Sciences and Chemical/Mechanical Engineering.
Age: 25-35 years

Send CV to:
EKO PLAZA PLOT 12, ACME RD. OFF AGIDINGBI RD. OGBA IKEJA
Or,
42 TAFAWA BALEWA CRESCENT OFF ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA STR SURULERE LAGOS
Or,
PLOT 1709 OLUGBOSI STR OFF BISHOP OLUWOLE STR VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS. Vacancies close: 11/02/08



Applications are invited for the following vacant positions for immediate employment:

General manager-
Nigerian/Expatriate Electrical/Mechanical Engineer
BSC/HND with 10 years experience
Must be computer literate
COREN-registered, an advantage.

Electrical Engineer-
BSC/HND – COREN registered an advantage
10 years industrial experience

Electrical Installation Technician-
Trade Test Grade 1 with 10 years practical experience

Diesel Mechanics-
Trade Test Grade1 with 10 years practical experience

Air Conditioner Technicians-
Trade Test Grade1 with 10 years practical experience

Accountant-
ACCA/ICAN qualified; must be computer literate with 5 years experience

Computer Analyst-
BSC/HND in Computer Science with 5 years experience

Confidential Secretary/P.A.-
BSC/HND in English/Secretarial Studies. Linguistics, an added advantage with 5 years experience.

Send detailed CV, hand-written application, and photocopies of credentials to:
THE MANAGER
P.O. BOX 353
SURULERE, LAGOS.



CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN MICROFINANCE BANK

HEAD, BUSINESS DEVT AND MARKETING [REF: GTMfb/BDM]
BSC honours in any field
Minimum of 5 years experience in the credit and marketing department of a financial institution
Good experience in retail or consumer marketing
Good knowledge of retail product development
Must possess strong business development and leadership skills


MARKETING OFFICERS [REF: GTMfb/MO]
BSC/HND in any discipline
Basic Knowledge of IT
Minimum of 4 years relevant experience with strong marketing skills


MARKETING/OPERATIONS SUPPORT STAFF/TRAINEES [REF: GTMfb/MSS]
BSC/HND [Upper Credit] in Business Studies and related discipline
Basic knowledge of IT
Excellent communication skills


HEAD OPERATIONS [REF: GTMfb/HOP]
BSC honours in any field
Minimum of 5 years experience in banking operations
Must have sound knowledge of banking operations processes
Must exhibit quality supervisory, organizational and leadership skills


HEAD OF ACCOUNTS/FINANCIAL CONTROL
HND/BSC Accounting; Professional qualification in ACA, ACCA [or equivalent]
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint and any accounting software
At least 5 years experience in a financial institution
Excellent written and oral communication skills


INTERNAL AUDITOR AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER [REF: GTMfb/ACO]
A good honours BSC or HND in management, finance or any social science discipline
Relevant professional qualification
Minimum of 5 years experience in the audit/internal control department of a financial institution
Deep understanding of the rules and regulations guiding microfinance banking operations
IT literate


CREDIT OFFICERS [REF: GTMfb]
BSC/HND [second class/upper credit] in banking, accounting or social services
Basic knowledge of IT
Minimum of 3 years relevant experience


QUALIFIED & INTERESTED CANDIDATES SHOULD POST DETAILED RESUME INCLUDING MOBILE PHONES TO:
info@gtmicrofinance.com not later than 10 days [7/02/08]

NIGERIA CAREER FAIR NEW YORK CITY 2008

***NIGERIA CAREER FAIR NEW YORK CITY 2008***Bring them back home …

Presenting a platform for Nigerian corporate bodies to hire skilled Nigerian professionals abroad planning to return home.

Venue: Sheraton and Towers, 53rd Street and 7th Avenue, Manhattan, New York.

Date: March 22nd, 2008.

To participate please contact: New York City: Funmi- +1-8456591172
Lagos City: Ignatius- 0802 710 8744, 46`7027; www.careerfair.com