HOW LIFE WENT FOR ME AFTER NYSC (NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS) IN NIGERIA (part 3)

This is the continuation of Chukwuma Ngozi (Not real name) story. She’s  a graduate of English & Literary studies/History & International Relations (combined Honours), UNN. To read the first part of her story, click here

To read the second part click here

LAST PART OF THE TRAINING PERIOD

It was a tough period for me, I never thrived where there was chaos. I am one to do everything and anything to keep peace even if it means displeasing myself, because chaos drains me and it affects my mental health; but toxic people were inevitable. It got bad… I soon became a shadow of myself. I learnt that it took a great level of maturity to entertain people’s opinions and feedback even when it wasn’t favourable. I learnt that some people are not going to be okay with you not being okay with their verdict or opinion and some are going to want to make you think with their mind not yours. It was a totally different style of leadership, I couldn’t cope and I wasn’t the type to express how I felt at such times, plus I didn’t want it to be said that I reported my boss so I tried my best to endure.

I was tolerating so much so I often called the toxic boss out, expressing how I felt, but like every toxic person, it only made matters worse. I could no longer ask questions, I was no longer allowed to make mistakes like a learner. It got really boring for me and the once bubbling happy girl disappeared. I was no longer learning, I couldn’t because I was so scared to make mistakes so I rather do nothing. It was going to affect my sign off. Luckily for me our general manager in one of his visits noticed and I was transferred to another store. Guess whose store? The store of the manager I dreaded most, the one I heard a lot about at the earliest stage. Ah… From frying pan to fire, cry baby like me… I could remember how I cried when I heard the news and when I had cried my fill, I left it for God. One thing was certain, this job came to my door step, I didn’t beg ot ask for it; so I was convinced there was a reason God wanted me there and there was a reason things were as they were, and since God gave me the job, no one can take it away, so I resolved to follow God’s guidance and let him lead.

All thanks to another guy, manager IK and Williams my paddy, they were soft spoken, so I could learn some other things like running control from them. I dressed up and entered the store that day guarded to my tooth. I had to adopt Essiet’s style of masking up.  It was I and another colleague, Deborah. She was masking up too. He walked in and fear gripped me, then he smiled… hmmm, so this one sef dey smile, I said in my mind. He called us out and started his briefing. Told us his rules and regulations and some extra advice on how to cope with him. I went home, wrote those down and memorized them. I was determined not to ever step on his toes. I didn’t want any more friction. It seemed to have worked for a while partly because he was not really around and didn’t lash at us directly most times. He was focused on his own trainees, Kosi and Gideon. Again I could learn from him because he wouldn’t teach you the same thing the second time, so I learnt most times from Gideon; a fellow trainee.

I am not a slow learner, in fact I am a very fast learner, I only asked to ensure I am getting it right so I needed a patient person to take a look and confirm I was doing it right and Gideon did a good job at that. He was soft spoken and had a good sense of humour so we were close.

My trying to obey laws unfortunately didn’t stop me from getting a lash. It was the first time of getting a lash from my boss I dreaded. I was sick, seriously sick that day and our generator was having issues. I was the only one on duty. So while they were working on the gen, I came into the office to bend my head a little, I was having serious headache. I didn’t want to sleep, I couldn’t have, even if I wanted to because I was feeling so uncomfortable. I just wanted to rest my head a little bit. I had bent my head for just like two minutes when a shout jerked me from seat.  It was my boss, “Madam are you sure you are okay? How dare you seat here sleeping while we are having sales issues, why are you so lazy? Come on will you stand up from there and go and look for something doing!” All of you in this store, Clueless! Very Clueless!” It wasn’t what he was saying, it was the shout… The louder he talks, the more it registered in my headache, I couldn’t hold my tears, I started crying, but he didn’t notice. I remembered I told Gideon, he laughed at me, but told him and I was surprised he sounded shocked that such stuff could make me cry.

Somehow, he avoided apologizing for it, he instead told me I was too soft. I forgave him because I felt the store was passing through a lot and he was just reacting to the pressure. Maybe really I shouldn’t have been found sitting at that point. I let it go and life continued. Whenever there was issue, I would hide under Gideon and Kos, they will chest the shout. I forgot they will one day go to their own store… Well good news, sign off finally came, and guess what, I passed. The difference between his store and my former store was practical. I knew theory already but never got chance for practical and then I cae to his store and I am grateful he thought me that.

Gideon had a double promotion, he got shift manager and assistant restaurant manager at once. I was so happy for him, he deserved it. Now a new phase of life started, we no longer wear red, it was now white and that meant more money. I was happy and proud of myself, and I vowed to make the most out of it. I had gotten the job so easily and had gotten to this level despite the hurdles, so I was going to appreciate God by giving in my best, because you see, to whom much is given, much more is expected.