Tough Times Don't Last

This year has been one of the toughest years of living on planet earth. My hopes for this year after the cross over from 2023 was huge. But it almost got dashed. On the eve of February 8th, I got a call from the directors of my place of work. And usually, when such calls are made it is either for promotion, a new task or for reprimand. I was hopeful because as far as I was concerned, there are no record of ill doings. I wore one of my best shirts, ready to see my honourable board of directors.

By 2:00pm of the said day, I dusted my shoes and walked down to the board room only to meet my wife sitting and waiting for other panelists. I was shocked to the brim and forced to ask her what she was doing there. But she couldn't tell me anything because of those who had already sat in the room.

A few minutes later, the chairman of the board walked in and refused to sit. He stood behind his supposed chair and started speaking at one.

Oga-chairman. Please, by tomorrow morning, tender your resignation letter and hand over all official materials in your possession to your deputy.

He said, directing his words to me. Goosebumps covered my whole body. I raised my hands to ask a question but he turned it down. My wife just bowed her head, confused as I was.

Well, since he had said what he wanted and did not make room for questions or responses, I asked my wife to be on the way with me. She was furious, I was too. I have served twenty-one youthful years with the firm and now, without a month or two notice I was been forced to leave.

Dear friends. That night, my wife and I found it difficult to eat. As the man of the house, I encouraged her to eat something as starving herself cannot overturn the already made decision.

The next day, I wore one of my best clothes to my place of work being my last day in the office. None of the over thirty staff who were under me knew what was going to happened. I ensured to put everything in my office straight. Under one hour, I completed the task.

Then, I called for an emergency meeting to announce my exit from the firm. The workers never expected it. I was the oldest serving employee and I can tell that I have served well, contributing my quota to the growth of the firm and through my influence, a lot of client have come to do one business or the other with the firm. But now, I would bow out honourably.

Once the news spread to all the clients that I was no longer in charge, they started putting calls across to me to find out what happened and how I was fairing.

Since I had no other job doing, I concentrated on my internet presence and made a lot of money, higher than my earning while in the office but I still was not satisfied. I want to wake up in the morning and prepare for work like my neighbours and them return in the evening.

Luckily, I spent just one week and few days without a job. And that has been the most for me not being employed. For those few days, I engaged myself in farming of cassava, maize and melon which have been harvested.

The new job came on a platter of gold. The salary was tripled that of my first job but I would have to wake up very early in the morning and travel for like two hours to get to my new place of work. The company took care of my daily transport and I had an opportunity for free lunch. Seriously, the lunch was superb. Unfortunately, I spent only one month there.

Another job came through on the recommendation of one of the client of my first place of work. It is a supervisory job. All I needed to do was to take records of the number of production of pigs, chicken and crops of a number of farms in Lagos and Ogun state. The offer came with a car, accommodation and a huge pension and health insurance scheme and today the rest is story.

One thing that kept me in my first place of work was the fear of what will befall me if I leave without first getting another job. My friends, let me tell you that once you have a good connect with your client, you can find your way around with ease. Today, I am glad that though the beginning was rough and tough, the later end has been sweet and swift.
Images are mine