Someday last week, I received a call from Daniel, a former colleague that I haven't seen for three years, though we've had a few virtual interactions in between.
He called to specifically request my presence at his business launch, adding that he'd welcome my advice on how to better run his business after I might have caught the scope of the business during the launch.
Owing to my innate inclination to celebrate and positively contribute to people's success, I accepted his request without much hesitation, only demanding that he send me a reminder on the eve of the slated date, which he obliged.
The day arrived, and I beat all odds and showed up. I envisaged a blend of pleasure and business-type events. So, I tried not to be too dressy—a pair of trousers, a long-sleeve shirt, and a pair of sneakers were just perfect.
However, my arrival was well below the scheduled time because I was greatly delayed by heavy showers from heaven, a sign, I believe, that was trying to restrain me from going, which I didn't pay attention to.
If not for my host's incessant calls, maybe I would've paid attention to the restraining factors. But I interpreted his calls to mean that my presence was of the utmost importance to him. Of course it was.
On arriving at the venue, I was led to the middle floor of a three-story building before being directed to a spacious hall.
There were several work spaces—office desks and chairs arranged in a U-shaped pattern some inches away from the walls of the hall.
A large space was left in the middle of the hall, with chairs arranged facing the only wall with no office desks attached to it; a large television screen and whiteboard were rather hinged to the wall.
As I was looking around and taking mental note of my environment, Daniel, my host, strode towards me, wearing a black suit that created an air of bossiness around him.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, I voiced my admiration of the work space, and he thanked me as he led me to one of the office desks and asked, while also gesturing with his hand, that I sit on a chair that was positioned in front of the desk.
After I must've sat, a smart-looking young lady, who was sporting a grey suit with a name tag around her left chest region, was invited to sit across the desk—just directly opposite me—while my host brought a chair and sat beside me.
It turns out that Daniel briefed her about me. That's the only way she could have called me by name, wearing an enchanting but mischievous smile, before extending her hand for a handshake and simultaneously introducing herself. As expected, another round of brief pleasantries was assured.
After a short pause, she quickly recited inquiringly what Daniel told me over the phone to be sure that I knew why I was invited. I nodded and made a deep, inaudible sound to express my agreement and a little confusion.
She went on, suggesting that I watch a 30-minute video on her phone to know what business my former colleague is in so I could advise him accordingly. When she said that, the puzzle I was trying to fix in my head fell into place, but I'd still go ahead and receive the phone innocently and watch the video. A few seconds into the video, if I ever had an ounce of doubt concerning my earlier suspicion, the doubt was cleared. I knew what the business was all about.
At this point, I could've walked away, but I continued watching, not out of courtesy but because I love watching persuasive talks. Occasionally, I do find myself going through sales funnels purely for entertainment purposes without any intention of making a purchase or enrolling in a scheme. I'm fascinated by the gradual process of captivating people's attention before ultimately introducing a product.
This video wasn't too different, just the normal cliche of poverty to affluence well laced with a good proportion of "aspire-to-acquire-so-that-you-will-not-end-up-like-Maguire" kinda stuff.
The video showed people who'd been successful through the scheme. But that wasn't the most interesting part; it began to list public figures who are part of it. Worthy of mention is Professor Osibanjo, the present Nigerian vice president. Many other notable politicians and celebrities were also listed. With the kind of profiles they had as members, I was disappointed that Buhari, the current president of Nigeria, wasn't mentioned as one of them.
Gradually, the time to call for action arrived. A registration fee ranging from fifty thousand naira to over a million naira was mandated. The higher the registration amount, the greater the benefits.
After registration, the members are to do nothing but simply connect others to the system and earn over a hundred thousand naira a day as commissions.
When I heard the amount of money my host was making from his business, I couldn't help but take a surreptitiously close look at him again. That was when I noticed that his black suit was faded—it looked overwashed. It could've been fashion, though. Who knows? His dress sense could've been inspired by his fellow billionaire, Ye.
The video is finished. I carefully handed the phone back to the lady, who asked me what I thought about the business. Acting as though I wasn't aware that they were trying to buy me over, I told them that the business is good. I told my friend to go ahead with it since he has the energy for it.
Seeing that their subtleties weren't getting them results, they openly asked me why I didn't want to join. I told them that my energy is reserved for carrying another cross.
Though they didn't say, it was a multi-layer marketing business, a.k.a. network marketing.
But my question is, Daniel, if it isn't the church of Satan, why were you trying to trick me into joining?