I remember boxing day last year. I woke up around 12:00am, the start of the day, and stayed till 3.28am. I had spent over four hours travelling from Benin to Lagos. I needed rest but wasn't taking it just yet.
I didn't look forward to Christmas day like I used to as a kid. As a kid, I would get new clothes, accessories, go out to the amusement park, a restaurant which was only Mr Biggs in those days (now you can walk into any eatery anyday, anytime ( to be truthful, it spoils the fun).
Today, its different. Its time to work.
So far, its been seven months at Benin Electricity Distribution Company, the electricity distribution company that caters for Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo States. I've been at Benin throughout this period.
The plan when I got the offer letter was to spend three months on field training and three months in a classroom training. It didn't work out that way. I've spent seven months so far on the field training. Even signed a new contract that would extend the training by five months.
The seven months has been great, scary, challenging, revealing and fun. I've had the privilege of seeing the Bini people, Deltans and the people of Akure through work travels. I've not had anything to do with people in Ekiti. One thing about the people of Benin. Something I cannot express well in English. Let me put it this way. "Their Blood dey hot". Aggressive is the word. At least a large proportion of them. And if you grow up here irrespective of your tribe, you might as well be like them.
I spent about five months on an enumeration exercise, taking down the assets of the company and relating with the people of Ikpoba Hill and the Government Residential Area of the state capital. Two different places with people of different mindsets. It was easier working at the Government residential area. Safer. An angry customer wanted to stone me at Ikpoba Hill once as I carried out the exercise. He was drunk I must add (I got to know on a close chat) . He chased me out of the street, bending down to pick stones as I walked away. I didn't run. A street of Oba Erediawa street, off Street 2. I still remember. John, my colleague laughed at me as I told him the story.
I spent about 6 weeks with the Technical department. The Protection, Control and Metering team, the Planning and Construction team, the Operations and Maintenance team and the GIS team. The technical department afforded me the opportunity to travel around Edo, Delta and Ondo. I love travelling but it could be exhausting if you are not comfortably sited. I've had to sit at the back of a Hilux truck from Benin to Issele-uku and Asaba, sit with two other folks at the front of a Hiab truck apart from the driver from Benin to Akure. Not convenient but was fun seeing the places I saw. And learning too.
I've been in the Commercial department since last week, precisely the new service section. A section in charge of the CAPMI. Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation.
Today, I've got a meeting with the Managing Director of the company, Mrs Funke Osibodu. Alright, not just me (at least for now). She's meeting with the First batch of trainees today. About 30 of us. I mentioned earlier that the plan didn't go as we expected. There have been speculations that we would start the classroom training this May at Elizade University. I guess that's what she wants to brief us on.
I didn't look forward to Christmas day like I used to as a kid. As a kid, I would get new clothes, accessories, go out to the amusement park, a restaurant which was only Mr Biggs in those days (now you can walk into any eatery anyday, anytime ( to be truthful, it spoils the fun).
Today, its different. Its time to work.
So far, its been seven months at Benin Electricity Distribution Company, the electricity distribution company that caters for Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo States. I've been at Benin throughout this period.
The plan when I got the offer letter was to spend three months on field training and three months in a classroom training. It didn't work out that way. I've spent seven months so far on the field training. Even signed a new contract that would extend the training by five months.
The seven months has been great, scary, challenging, revealing and fun. I've had the privilege of seeing the Bini people, Deltans and the people of Akure through work travels. I've not had anything to do with people in Ekiti. One thing about the people of Benin. Something I cannot express well in English. Let me put it this way. "Their Blood dey hot". Aggressive is the word. At least a large proportion of them. And if you grow up here irrespective of your tribe, you might as well be like them.
I spent about five months on an enumeration exercise, taking down the assets of the company and relating with the people of Ikpoba Hill and the Government Residential Area of the state capital. Two different places with people of different mindsets. It was easier working at the Government residential area. Safer. An angry customer wanted to stone me at Ikpoba Hill once as I carried out the exercise. He was drunk I must add (I got to know on a close chat) . He chased me out of the street, bending down to pick stones as I walked away. I didn't run. A street of Oba Erediawa street, off Street 2. I still remember. John, my colleague laughed at me as I told him the story.
I spent about 6 weeks with the Technical department. The Protection, Control and Metering team, the Planning and Construction team, the Operations and Maintenance team and the GIS team. The technical department afforded me the opportunity to travel around Edo, Delta and Ondo. I love travelling but it could be exhausting if you are not comfortably sited. I've had to sit at the back of a Hilux truck from Benin to Issele-uku and Asaba, sit with two other folks at the front of a Hiab truck apart from the driver from Benin to Akure. Not convenient but was fun seeing the places I saw. And learning too.
I've been in the Commercial department since last week, precisely the new service section. A section in charge of the CAPMI. Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation.
Today, I've got a meeting with the Managing Director of the company, Mrs Funke Osibodu. Alright, not just me (at least for now). She's meeting with the First batch of trainees today. About 30 of us. I mentioned earlier that the plan didn't go as we expected. There have been speculations that we would start the classroom training this May at Elizade University. I guess that's what she wants to brief us on.
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