By Dare Lasisi. I will personally encourage jobless graduates to take up the N50,000 bus conductor jobs that Governor Ambode of Lagos sta...
By Dare Lasisi.
I will personally encourage jobless graduates to take up the N50,000 bus conductor jobs that Governor Ambode of Lagos state is offering.My first job after my NYSC(with my Bsc Geography) was a Nursery/Primary school teacher with N2,000 monthly salary in 1998.I was teaching basic Computer Studies in village schools in Ogun state.(Obafemi-Owode,Odeda,Ilaro,Ifo etc).Imagine carrying desktop computers on motorcycle(Okada) to villages.I was nearly knocked down by a vehicle.God really saved me on that day.
My former school mates were earning above N20,000 in better schools as teachers but I was earning ordinary N2,000.I endured all the sh*t of life then.My neck was as thin as giraffe neck.I tried to work with both Ogun and Lagos state governments but nothing happened.NO CONNECTION.I did many aptitude tests of some banks.I was NEVER shortlisted for interview.I walked all the streets of Lagos looking for jobs.Nobody to help me.Life was so hard.
I later got N5,000 per month job to edit a journal(SHELTER WATCH) in Palm Avenue Mushin Lagos.From N2,000 job,I moved to N5,000 job.I was 'technically' homeless in Lagos.If I sleep in Agege today,I would sleep in Bariga or Mushin next day.I once stayed in Ojuelegba area with one nice friend.(I cannot even locate him again!)
To cut the long story short,my N5,000 per month job(as an Editor) crashed as the publisher won US visa lottery and travelled to USA with his wife and only daughter.Nobody to pay salaries.Nobody to run the organisation.The company finally closed down.Life was so hard.I started looking for job again.I did not wish to return to Abeokuta to my parents.I decided to fight my battle alone.
One Ibo lady(Chidinma)who knew me when I was an editor saw me one day in Obalende and asked why I did not come to media assignment any more.She was a Business Reporter then with Daily Times of Nigeria.(DTN)
I told her my media organisation collapsed and no job again.
She asked if I would like to work as a freelance reporter with DTN but I would be paid per story published.I said YES.
Next day,I went to DTN office in Agidingbi Ikeja.I entered the NEWS ROOM and I met Mr Chinaka Fynecountry(Editor,Lagos Weekend).I told him my mission.He gave me some scripts to edit and I impressed him.He did not even ask for my CV or certificates.
As a freelance journalist,you need to search for stories on your own.Nobody would invite you to events.You need to gate-crash many times to get your stories.It was a tough task.I was paid N250 per story published.I always try to publish 4 stories per week to get N1,000.I endured all the stress with low pay because I love journalism despite my degree in GEOGRAPHY.
I was investigating a story in Bariga on one fateful day.It was the story of one mad woman with four 'mentally-sick' children.I took a risk to enter her dirty room.I met two of her mad children.I recorded her voice on my tape recorder.I left her place to meet one old university pal who told me that THE MONITOR NEWSPAPER was going to re-open and they were looking for reporters.He gave me the address and the rest is now history.
While working at the Lagos office of THE MONITOR.I was reporting on many beats although I was assigned to Property/Environment desk.I met many important personalities during my journalism career in Nigeria(Late Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele and others).
On one fateful day,I was in a cyber cafe in Awolowo way in Ikeja, I saw an advert in an email that Commonwealth Secretariat(COMSEC) in London was looking for a young African journalist to work on their news website.I did not meet the basic requirement because it was clearly stated that applicants must have first degree in either English language,Mass Comm or Journalism.I only had my first degree in GEOGRAPHY.
I applied for the media internship programme with my Bsc Geography certificate with all my published stories.I took a risk because I knew I was not qualified.I told my late sweet mother.She predicted my SUCCESS.
I told her that I was not qualified because I did not study Mass Comm or Journalism.Mama Gani said I must not worry my head.
I looked for money to post my published stories to London.It was a big parcel.All my published stories in DTN and The Monitor.I attached photocopies of my university certificates.I went straight to post office inside the Lagos airport.I had limited money on me.
When I reached the post office,my parcel was weighed.I spent all the money in my pocket to send my parcel to Commonwealth HQ in London.Not a single naira to even buy pure water.
To get transport fare from the international airport to Ikeja bus stop was another problem because I had spent all my money to send the parcel to London.
I took another risk,I entered the bus with empty pocket.When the conductor was asking for money.I told him to relax.He suspected that I had no money to pay and attempted to throw me off the bus.After the long argument between me and this rude bus conductor,one old woman saved the day and paid for my transport fare.I was so happy because she saved me from further embarrassment.If not because I had spent all the money in my pocket to send my published work to London,I should be able to pay for my transport fare without any help.I felt like weeping.
It was a stupid risk which later took me to London without paying one Naira.Commonwealth HQ was requesting for graduates of English language,Journalism and Mass Comm for the internship programme.I just applied with my Bsc Geography certificate from the University of Ilorin,Nigeria.
Two months later,I received an email that I was shortlisted for the telephone interview from London.I was asked to provide a phone number to call me with.I was shocked beyond words.Telephone interview with my Bsc Geography?Maybe all my published stories really impressed the Oyinbos?I submitted my best news stories.It was my first time of speaking on phone with white people.I tried to speak as clear as possible with my Nigerian accent.It was a privilege to own a mobile phone then in Nigeria.It was a status symbol.
To cut the long story short,I was selected as the first young African journalist (not even first Nigerian)to work at Press Office of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.I was sponsored to England by ComSec. I travelled from Muritala international airport via Virgin Atlantic airline.I was received like a VIP at London Heathrow airport with my name boldly displayed on a sign post. I lived briefly in one 'bed and breakfast' hotel in Lancaster Gate in West London.I was later paid 'cool pounds sterling' to look for accommodation plus regular salaries.
My late sweet mother only demanded for only one thing : SPONSOR ME TO HAJJ.I sponsored Mama Gani to Hajj in 2003 as she requested.She was so grateful for my kindness till her last day on earth.Few days to her death on 28th June,2012,she still expressed her sincere gratitude for sending her to Mecca.She 'over-prayed' for me for the last time.That was her first time inside an aircraft.I made it possible for her.The rest is now history.No easy way to breakthrough in life.
Almighty God really rewarded all my struggles in life.I am giving back to the society in my own 'little way'.I am trying my best for people around me.
N50,000 as a bus conductor(or driver)in Lagos?Still a good deal.As Uncle Tai Solarin once said :"If devil offers you a scholarship and you have no alternative, just accept it".I started with N2,000 per month job with my university degree in 1998.Forget about your certificates for now.You need money to survive as human beings.Please accept the offer with both hands.That's your stepping stone to higher glory in life.Learn from my personal experience.I wish you best of luck in life.Safe journey!
To Be continued......
P.S : Two applicants from Nigeria.The other guy is a Nigerian journalist working in SPAIN(non-Commonwealth country).I was a Nigerian journalist working in Nigeria.(Commonwealth country).I also learnt that I was nearly dropped last minute for one Indian journalist.Nigeria was preparing to host Commonwealth Summit 2003 in Abuja and ComSec must just select a Nigerian journalist and no choice than to select DARE LASISI because my published essays and stories really impressed the panel of veteran Commonwealth journalists.I emerged the overall WINNER out of 65 applicants from Commonwealth countries.The rest is now history.
I will personally encourage jobless graduates to take up the N50,000 bus conductor jobs that Governor Ambode of Lagos state is offering.My first job after my NYSC(with my Bsc Geography) was a Nursery/Primary school teacher with N2,000 monthly salary in 1998.I was teaching basic Computer Studies in village schools in Ogun state.(Obafemi-Owode,Odeda,Ilaro,Ifo etc).Imagine carrying desktop computers on motorcycle(Okada) to villages.I was nearly knocked down by a vehicle.God really saved me on that day.
My former school mates were earning above N20,000 in better schools as teachers but I was earning ordinary N2,000.I endured all the sh*t of life then.My neck was as thin as giraffe neck.I tried to work with both Ogun and Lagos state governments but nothing happened.NO CONNECTION.I did many aptitude tests of some banks.I was NEVER shortlisted for interview.I walked all the streets of Lagos looking for jobs.Nobody to help me.Life was so hard.
I later got N5,000 per month job to edit a journal(SHELTER WATCH) in Palm Avenue Mushin Lagos.From N2,000 job,I moved to N5,000 job.I was 'technically' homeless in Lagos.If I sleep in Agege today,I would sleep in Bariga or Mushin next day.I once stayed in Ojuelegba area with one nice friend.(I cannot even locate him again!)
To cut the long story short,my N5,000 per month job(as an Editor) crashed as the publisher won US visa lottery and travelled to USA with his wife and only daughter.Nobody to pay salaries.Nobody to run the organisation.The company finally closed down.Life was so hard.I started looking for job again.I did not wish to return to Abeokuta to my parents.I decided to fight my battle alone.
One Ibo lady(Chidinma)who knew me when I was an editor saw me one day in Obalende and asked why I did not come to media assignment any more.She was a Business Reporter then with Daily Times of Nigeria.(DTN)
I told her my media organisation collapsed and no job again.
She asked if I would like to work as a freelance reporter with DTN but I would be paid per story published.I said YES.
Next day,I went to DTN office in Agidingbi Ikeja.I entered the NEWS ROOM and I met Mr Chinaka Fynecountry(Editor,Lagos Weekend).I told him my mission.He gave me some scripts to edit and I impressed him.He did not even ask for my CV or certificates.
As a freelance journalist,you need to search for stories on your own.Nobody would invite you to events.You need to gate-crash many times to get your stories.It was a tough task.I was paid N250 per story published.I always try to publish 4 stories per week to get N1,000.I endured all the stress with low pay because I love journalism despite my degree in GEOGRAPHY.
I was investigating a story in Bariga on one fateful day.It was the story of one mad woman with four 'mentally-sick' children.I took a risk to enter her dirty room.I met two of her mad children.I recorded her voice on my tape recorder.I left her place to meet one old university pal who told me that THE MONITOR NEWSPAPER was going to re-open and they were looking for reporters.He gave me the address and the rest is now history.
While working at the Lagos office of THE MONITOR.I was reporting on many beats although I was assigned to Property/Environment desk.I met many important personalities during my journalism career in Nigeria(Late Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele and others).
On one fateful day,I was in a cyber cafe in Awolowo way in Ikeja, I saw an advert in an email that Commonwealth Secretariat(COMSEC) in London was looking for a young African journalist to work on their news website.I did not meet the basic requirement because it was clearly stated that applicants must have first degree in either English language,Mass Comm or Journalism.I only had my first degree in GEOGRAPHY.
I applied for the media internship programme with my Bsc Geography certificate with all my published stories.I took a risk because I knew I was not qualified.I told my late sweet mother.She predicted my SUCCESS.
I told her that I was not qualified because I did not study Mass Comm or Journalism.Mama Gani said I must not worry my head.
I looked for money to post my published stories to London.It was a big parcel.All my published stories in DTN and The Monitor.I attached photocopies of my university certificates.I went straight to post office inside the Lagos airport.I had limited money on me.
When I reached the post office,my parcel was weighed.I spent all the money in my pocket to send my parcel to Commonwealth HQ in London.Not a single naira to even buy pure water.
To get transport fare from the international airport to Ikeja bus stop was another problem because I had spent all my money to send the parcel to London.
I took another risk,I entered the bus with empty pocket.When the conductor was asking for money.I told him to relax.He suspected that I had no money to pay and attempted to throw me off the bus.After the long argument between me and this rude bus conductor,one old woman saved the day and paid for my transport fare.I was so happy because she saved me from further embarrassment.If not because I had spent all the money in my pocket to send my published work to London,I should be able to pay for my transport fare without any help.I felt like weeping.
It was a stupid risk which later took me to London without paying one Naira.Commonwealth HQ was requesting for graduates of English language,Journalism and Mass Comm for the internship programme.I just applied with my Bsc Geography certificate from the University of Ilorin,Nigeria.
Two months later,I received an email that I was shortlisted for the telephone interview from London.I was asked to provide a phone number to call me with.I was shocked beyond words.Telephone interview with my Bsc Geography?Maybe all my published stories really impressed the Oyinbos?I submitted my best news stories.It was my first time of speaking on phone with white people.I tried to speak as clear as possible with my Nigerian accent.It was a privilege to own a mobile phone then in Nigeria.It was a status symbol.
To cut the long story short,I was selected as the first young African journalist (not even first Nigerian)to work at Press Office of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.I was sponsored to England by ComSec. I travelled from Muritala international airport via Virgin Atlantic airline.I was received like a VIP at London Heathrow airport with my name boldly displayed on a sign post. I lived briefly in one 'bed and breakfast' hotel in Lancaster Gate in West London.I was later paid 'cool pounds sterling' to look for accommodation plus regular salaries.
My late sweet mother only demanded for only one thing : SPONSOR ME TO HAJJ.I sponsored Mama Gani to Hajj in 2003 as she requested.She was so grateful for my kindness till her last day on earth.Few days to her death on 28th June,2012,she still expressed her sincere gratitude for sending her to Mecca.She 'over-prayed' for me for the last time.That was her first time inside an aircraft.I made it possible for her.The rest is now history.No easy way to breakthrough in life.
Almighty God really rewarded all my struggles in life.I am giving back to the society in my own 'little way'.I am trying my best for people around me.
N50,000 as a bus conductor(or driver)in Lagos?Still a good deal.As Uncle Tai Solarin once said :"If devil offers you a scholarship and you have no alternative, just accept it".I started with N2,000 per month job with my university degree in 1998.Forget about your certificates for now.You need money to survive as human beings.Please accept the offer with both hands.That's your stepping stone to higher glory in life.Learn from my personal experience.I wish you best of luck in life.Safe journey!
To Be continued......
P.S : Two applicants from Nigeria.The other guy is a Nigerian journalist working in SPAIN(non-Commonwealth country).I was a Nigerian journalist working in Nigeria.(Commonwealth country).I also learnt that I was nearly dropped last minute for one Indian journalist.Nigeria was preparing to host Commonwealth Summit 2003 in Abuja and ComSec must just select a Nigerian journalist and no choice than to select DARE LASISI because my published essays and stories really impressed the panel of veteran Commonwealth journalists.I emerged the overall WINNER out of 65 applicants from Commonwealth countries.The rest is now history.
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