PEN-DOWN FROM NICON INSURANCE CORPORATION (A PARASTATAL FORMERLY OWNED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA)
Preamble
If I was still with NICON Insurance Corporation, today, 2nd July, 2022, would have been my Pen Down ceremony. Because I don't have the opportunity to organize a 'Pen get-together', I wish to praise God through this medium.
Simply put, I give God praise for His love and mercy I have enjoyed all the days of my life and which I will still continue to enjoy by His grace.
I am writing this abridged personal experience to edify and encourage somebody out there, who might be passing through rejection and humiliation in their workplace, as an encouragement from the throne of grace.
I am shouting on the mountain top that almighty Father has been extremely good to me and I will not keep quiet.
Employment at NICON Insurance
After my graduation from UI in 1989 , I had my eyes on some corporate organizations especially the emerging merchant banks at that time but this never worked out .
Before I was employed at NICON, I did menial jobs, ranging from been a laborer on a research farm to primary school teacher, marketing officer, hawker of white marker boards, to been a PA and eventually, on 2nd July 1992, I joined NICON Insurance Corporation, where my cousin, late Pastor Fred Coker was instrumental to my employment (The family of the Cokers is bereaved at the moment. His mother was called to glory a few days ago).
My getting an employment in this corporation was nothing but a MIRACLE.
I joined NICON at the same time with the following former colleagues of mine, Franca, Silas, Niyi and Jude. My first office was Yaba branch office after which I was redeployed to Lagos Zonal Office, 118/120 Broad Street for some reasons, in 1995.
1st Breakthrough
It was at Broad Street my breakthrough started.
For those who are facing ‘perceived workplace persecutions', please read this carefully.
As a university graduate, I was given a seat at the front row of our office and using the furniture meant for a clerk.
With this of course, I was given the schedule of a clerk, which was, issuing of renewal notices for (lapsed) fire insurance policies.
Been treated as a clerk never bothered me. At a point, Jackson Aliu who sat behind me advised that I should change my seat to the backside of the office and that I should also change my furniture. I didn't know that there were different furniture for officers, senior officers and senior management staff.
I never knew that those were status symbols in the corporation or government offices etc.
Dedication to my job description, led to about 41% increase in income of Fire Department, Lagos Zonal Office, because there was an avalanche of payments of renewal premiums.
I was simply going to the policy racks, where policy folders were kept, to bring out very dusty lapsed policies of 'ancient' civil servants, who took the federal government building loans. These FG staff were compelled to take out fire insurance policies known as CFG. At a point my phlegm was thick and greenish.
I believe because of my dedication to my work, God in His infinite mercy compelled the management to appoint me as the Head, Departments of Fire & General Accidents in 1996, when Lagos Island Branch office was created.
In 1995(?), I did a proposal on how to turn the then Jos training school to a cash cow outfit, through aggressive and purposeful marketing. I did a reminder to Alhaji Mohammed Kari (MD) when there was no acknowledgment. After this, he asked his PA to send me an apology for late acknowledgement and response😀
2nd Breakthrough
In 1998, I came across a training document on Millennium Bug. A family friend, Mrs Fidelia Osime (an acting MD, Unilever) attended a training in London on the dangers of the Bug and I thought it wise to prompt my MD of such danger, which if not tackled or nipped at the bud, could cause the corporation catastrophic losses through claims.
I made copies of this training manual and sent to the MD, with a covering memo. As said earlier, the idea was to safeguard the corporation from losses in the event of Millennium Bug.
This envisioned advice earned me an instant recognition and I was appointed as a Branch Manager.
My joy over this appointment faded away almost immediately because the branch office was a non-performing one. But I went to God in prayers and pronto, our income rose from about N900,000.00/annum to about N4m/annum, in 2000. After I left the branch office, I was told that it started receiving aviation premiums.
My confidence in God resurrected😃
Sometime in August 2000, I got a call from the then DGM, Lagos office, Mr. Paul Olayinka saying that I needed to write an HR test at Phillips Consulting. While wondering why I was summoned to go write such test, one of Mr. Paul Olayinka's visitors (my predecessor in MD’s office) came in and said, "Femi, where have you been? Are you aware that you will be redeployed to Abuja, to work with the MD"?
Long story cut short, I resumed in MD's office in October 2000, a week after the arrival of my first son.
Working with the MD
It was an amazing experience working with the number one citizen of NICON Insurance, especially a beautiful woman with 'plenty' of brain.
My MD was a thorough professional. I was surprised one day seeing her checking or consulting dictionary before writing an official letter...😁
An English language graduate, she was 👌
As one of the key staff of the MD, it was normal to close late and we were expected to put in our best.. My MD was a strong person who loved and enjoyed her job.
Well, I tried hard to offer my best and enjoyed the spoil of office as well.
Madam had a way of approving moneys/funds on memos. She was very careful and meticulous. I can never forget her style.
Before Working with the MD
My former boss at Lagos Island Branch office, my lovely Ẹ̀gbọ́n, Boda tèmi nìkan, advised me on how to discharge my duties as MD's staff . I tried my best and really God helped me.... Honestly, I can never forget this my Ẹ̀gbọ́n tèmi nìkan.. He was God sent.
In this abridged experience, I had both exciting and unpleasant experiences, but God helped me to overlook all the unpleasant ones. They were tonic to strengthen me. I can't forget some 2 incidents, though I sincerely don't bear any grudge AT ALL against any soul!
A senior officer entered the MD’s office on the 9th floor and 'queried' me for seating on MD’s Secretary's table😀😀... I just laughed and said, "I am sorry madam".
At another time, another senior office asked me if I've ever gone to London on training... I answered no... I'll not say more than this... 🤦♂️🤦♂️
On few occasions I joined the MD’s entourage on official trips within and outside the country.
Do not worry, Be happy
At every office I found myself, my first point was to make friends and it helped me greatly.
I never saw nor treated junior staff as such... I loved everybody and treated everyone as an important personality. I respected junior colleagues, mates and elders with utmost respect.
Of course, I received such treatment from my senior colleagues as well.
God gave me the grace to blend with all manners of persons.... I'm not blowing my trumpet but that level of humility was beneficial in no small measure.
When I was in MD's office, I made sure that any individual who came to my office with a heavy heart must leave with a smile and be relieved. It was a vision and I worked towards achieving it.
Some of my memorable days in NICON
I remember the days of Luncheon Voucher, 13th month salary, furniture allowance, hustling for trainings outside our stations, so we could earn inter/estacodes etc... NICON was 'sweet'... I collected my first salary (a bank cheque) on 25th July, '92, though dated 23rd.
My first salary was about N3,800.00, while my last salary before joining NICON was N980/month.... What a' breakthrough'😁
I remember my first day on Broad street. At about 4pm, Cornelius Ndukwe who sat behind me tapped me and said, "oga, we close at 4pm". I didn't listen to him. I continued studying some underwriters' policy files. This was the advice my cousin, Fred Coker gave me, when I resumed at Lagos Zonal office, Broad street.
A few minutes later, he tapped me again and said, "óga, staff busses will be waiting at Marina car park oooo". I rushed to the car park and what I saw dazed me! I saw staff busses neatly parked with staff gailey seated without any stress at all waiting for departure.... This was a huge departure from the private sector where I came from.
In the last office (factory) where I worked, it got to a point that we were closing by 11pm. This is the gospel truth! In fact, my aunt I lived with on Sam Shonibare warned me not to come late again otherwise, I should just sleep in the office. The following night, I had to scale the fence, even when it was raining cats and dogs.
Fortunately, I got employed at NICON Insurance after two months.
The following day after my resumption at Broad Street, I only trekked from my house at Sam Shonibare to Lawanson bus stop and lo & behold, staff bus was waiting. This is one of the differences between working with public and private sectors.
The owner of the plastic manufacturing company where I worked, would come to Marketing Department at about 5pm to hold marketing meeting with us, after which we would follow him to the factory to inspect all the blow and injection machines (about 24 machines). Who are you to nudge him that you wanted to close?
My advice
1. Wherever you are or find yourself, please endeavor to make yourself very very happy...get excited. Ensure you discharge your duties with utmost excitement.
2. Wherever you are, endeavor to help people in need. I did this to a very lavish extent.
3. Office largesse is not your right. It stops the moment you leave office.
As MD staff, I never allowed lift operators, security men etc to carry my bags for me.
Of course I was ‘just’ a Senior Officer, but enjoying the clout of the office of the MD.
I remember an incident when we were moving from our old office to the new NICON plaza. A colleague commented that, "Mr Ogunmola, you're the only person who hasn't gone to inspect the new office". My response was, "I don't care about the beauty of any office, because it's not my personal property. All I need are a table, seat and a bulb."
Don't kill others because of official bounties and do not kill yourself fighting for office bounties.
I had a chauffeur as a Branch Manager, but today, I cannot afford hiring one; life continues without an iota of stress.
4. Ensure you use your skills to increase the income of your organization. I did it many times.
The first time, Alhaji M. Kari sent me a personal letter to appreciate my envisioned acumen. The second opportunity was when I was rewarded with a Branch Manager appointment, which translated into my working with the MD.
5. Ensure you befriend, if possible, everybody in your establishment. It might not be easy, but it's the best.
To the best of my knowledge, I bore no grudge with anyone.
I built a personal relationship with almost everybody I came across. This is one of the reasons, why I will not want to mention names of those I came across in NICON Insurance, except where it is absolutely necessary. I do not want to miss out any name.
6. Ensure you bond with your family. I never neglected my family. We had exciting experiences. Traveled to places like Enugu, Jos, Kaduna etc. My wife was always with me. When the first son came, we tripped together as well. Your family will stay by you when everyone disappears. Avoid SIDE CHICKS ooo... They will ruin you and spit on your grave 🤦♂️
7. Ensure you hold on to God at all times very tightly. God has been unbelievably good to me. Well, maybe it is because Oluwafemi is my name (This is translated, God loves me).
I just have to stop at this point but to Ẹ̀gbọ́n tèmi nìkan, Mr. 'Tunde Arifayan, I say thanks... You are indeed a man of immense wisdom. You tolerated me when I misbehaved and corrected rightly, though. (It was later I learnt he graduated from Aquinas College Akure, where I also graduated from in 1979). INTEGRITAS!!!
You gave me an advice that made my reign as a branch manager, a huge success.
You told me not to remind my branch staff that I was their boss, because they know I was their boss, the management knows, so also God knows. I took to this advice and I was able to glide over the tides of insults and confrontations. At the end, we moved😃😅
Ms P.M.G. Soares, a 70 year old lady with a look of youth, thanks so much for giving me an opportunity to work with you, my very ogas, Mr Sunny Adeda (ED, Technical), all the DGMs, AGMs, Senior Managers, Managers, my friends and colleagues, I sincerely love you all.
There's no how I can mention the names of everyone I related with while in NICON Insurance.
Uhmmm, I traveled with one of the AGMs on official trips to places like Port Harcourt, Markudi, Kaduna, Sokoto. One day, as we checked out of our hotel rooms, I wanted to seat in the front with the driver, this my boss called me, “F-e-m-i, come here!” I went to meet him at the back seat and he said, “that is the way to travel”.
Any time, we traveled together, he would make me comfortable despite the fact that I collected my estacode. WOW!! Uncle Sam Nyagba, God bless, sir.
This doesn't mean that one person is better than the other...
I met and interacted with sweet and pleasant persons in NICON Insurance.
Dedication/Thanksgiving
Since I cannot hang out with friends as I Pen Down, I wish to therefore dedicate this write up to any person who needs an encouragement at this time in their workplace.
Don't worry, your time to shine shall come and God almighty will hasten it, in Jesus name - Matthew 24:22.
Father, I give you praise, now and forever and ever!
Friends and families, in all sincerity, Jesus propelled me no be small! That's my secret ooo
Why not give Him a space in your heart today?
Don't allow civilization etc to deny you fulfilling your destiny....
He's waiting for you - John 3:16.
Vow fulfilled
When it was obvious that getting a good corporate job was becoming a mirage, I entered into a covenant with God.
I vowed to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord if He could give me a good job.
On 2nd July, which was a Thursday, I resumed work at NICON Insurance and on 5th July, a Sunday, I walked down the altar in fulfillment of my vow at Foursquare Gospel Church, Karimu street, Surulere.
30 years of unbroken relationship with Jesus. It can only be God. Friends, there's nothing like this!
Note: let no unbeliever give conditions to God before accepting Jesus Christ. What worked for me might not work for you.
Peace and peace always.
Pastor Bamidele Olufemi Ogunmola
Foursquare Gospel Church
Golden Jubilee Assembly
Arab Road. Kubwa.
jesus.well@yahoo.com
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