In the quest to make ends meet of enrich ourselves, sometimes we find ourselves in a situation that makes you want to do things against your morals and upbringing. If one is not mindful and self-disciplined one might find himself on the wrong side of destiny.
I had just finished with my final exams, and awaiting mobilization to go for NYSC, a mandatory Federal Government program for graduating students of universities and Polytechnics. I decided to go work for Pa Adede in his cement and building material shop. I initially applied to work as a work as a sales person. Pa Adede's shop was close to where I lived. He fondly called me “Oga professor” and always engaged me in conversations anytime we met.
“Oga Professor” He always called first.
“Pa Adede, good morning”
“Oboy, how na?” He would ask in pidgin English.
“Pa Adede I dey o. How is business Sir?”
“My dear, Na God hand o.” He would reply with his hands raised.
Pa Adede was in his late 60s. He was one cheerful man I know. There was never a time he complained or yelled. His workers usually misbehaved but Pa Dede never shouted at any one. All he would say is, “Continue. You sef go old (you will grow old too)”
It always sounded funny whenever he said it, but I always pondered on those words.
Uyo is the capital city of Akwa Ibom State in South Southern Nigeria. A very peaceful place to live and do business. Pa Dede once told me he chose to come to Uyo because of the peaceful nature of the place, although it is not a commercial hub. He himself is from Delta, another state from the same region. I lived and schooled in Uyo. I had relocated to the street where Pa Dede's shop was situated during my third year in school.
Before I started my final exams, I met Pa Dede and disclosed my intention of working for him before going for NYSC.
“Professor, you sure. You go fit work for here?(can you work here?)”* He had asked, expressing his doubt and confusion as to why I would want to work in his shop.
“Sir, I'm very sure. I mean, it won't take long before mobilization and I don't want to just idle away at home.” I explained.
“Ok. I don hear. That is why I like you. You are a sensible person.” Pa Dede said.
He went on to tell me how he couldn't go to school because of the difficulties he grew up in. But he has trained his three children through school.
“Kunam! Kunam! Where is this boy? Kunam!” He kept calling one of his apprentices.
“Let me go and call him Sir.”
“Don't bother yourself. He has heard me. He will soon appear”
Just at that moment, Kunam entered.
“Oga…Na you call me?(are you the one who called me?)” Kunam asked, sweating all over.
“No o. Na your ghost call you (it is your ghost that called you)” Pa Dede replied. He had a funny way of speaking to his workers.
“You see Oga professor here? He will be working with us soon. I want to let you know so that you will guide him when he starts. You don hear?”
“Haha, bros mi, you wan follow us do boi-boi work?” Kunam asked me, expressing his surprise.
“Shut up that your mouth. Who told you he wants to do boi-boi?” Pa Dede interrupted. “Comot for here joor (leave here immediately)” He ordered Kunam, and then turned to me.
“No mind am(don't mind him). He is an unserious fellow, but I like him because he understands my business. He will be the one guiding you when I'm not around.”
“Thank you so much Sir.” I said, excited.
I started work at Pa Dede's shop the following day after my final exams. He didn't come early that day so I was with Kunam and the other boys. Though I didn't study business in school, I observed some irregularities and unethical practices in the dealings of Kunam and the other boys. I wanted to keep quiet but somehow I found myself discussing it with Pa Dede when he came to the shop.
“Good afternoon Sir.” I greeted him, after he had settled in his office.
“Good afternoon oga professor. How e dey go? (how is it going?)”
“Fine Sir. You didn't come early today, I hope all is well?” I asked.
“It is well, my dear. I went to my other shop at Iffa to check how they are doing?” Pa Dede explained. “These boys of nowadays, when you leave them they will just be doing anyhow.”
“Talking about anyhow Sir. Don't you keep track of your daily transactions?” I asked
“We have receipts and invoice books where we record and follow up business” Pa Dede answered. He perused my face for a while. “Why you ask?”
“Hu, I noticed that… erm…Never mind Sir…” I felt embarrassed, trying to report issues to Pa Dede on my first day at work.
“No, no, you can tell me anything”
“Sir…”
Kunam entered just as I was about to give my exposé. I didn't know he was eavesdropping.
“I will come back, Sir.” I said, and went out.
I don't know what transpired between Pa Dede and Kunam there, but Kunam came out later looking furious and cornered me.
“Shey na work carry you come or na spy you come do?” He asked.
“It's not like that bro… I saw what you boys are doing and it's not right. If Pa Dede discovers your fraudulent activities he will send you away.” I tried to persuade him.
“How is that your business? Look mind your business o.” He said and walked away in anger.
The other boys learned about it, and some of them started being mindful of their activities. It dawned on them that my presence means they are being watched. Two of the boys, Aben and Chineme confessed to me all the fraudulent things Kunam made them do, and tried to persuade me to conform or better still, keep a blind eye.
I explained to them that Pa Dede was a responsible and respectable man, and that he was old enough to be our grandfather. He has provided them with an opportunity which they could make good use of in order to carve a future for themselves. Would they rather blow this opportunity by being fraudulent?
”So how we go do now because, bro, we need money?” Chineme asked.
”How many years you don serve?(how many years have you served?)” I asked him.
”This year go make am four years.(this year will make it four)” He answered.
”So that means you have three years left?”
”Yes…”
”And you want to risk that? If Pa Dede discovers all your dubious practices and decides to dismiss you without any settlement, what will you do?”
”Na wa o.” Aben, who was silent all this while, retorted.
”You see?” I continued. ”If you are not mindful of your service here, you might go empty. Pa Dede might even be aware of your fraud but pretend not to know.” I counseled.
”Choi!” Aben exclaimed. ”You mean say, that old man fit dey watch us so?”
”Pa Dede is not old. That man is a businessman, and you don't expect him not to monitor his business.”
”Hmm..” Chineme mumbled. ”So how we go do now?”
*”My friends, all you need is focus and self-discipline. Pa Dede provides you with food, at least breakfast and lunch. That's sufficient for your daily upkeep till your service term is complete. After all, you're all here to learn this business for your own establishment. So don't involve yourself in any dubious practices that will jeopardize your opportunity.
”Chai, I see why Pa Dede likes you. How I wish I go school.” Aben said, lamentingly.
”Hey c'mon. It doesn't matter who likes you, or whether you are schooled, as long as you know what is right to do, and do it. You will have your dignity and respect.” I concluded, feeling like their master already.
”Thank you bro. Me sef go dey call you Oga Professor like Pa Dede.” Chineme said, and we all laughed.
Pa Dede later put me in charge of that shop to supervise the activities of the boys. All of them complied and turned a new leaf except Kunam who was hell bent on ruining his opportunity. I received news that he was arrested by the police eight months after I had left for NYSC camp.
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