#20in2020: The Gratitude Series- Blessing Odigbo- A Recommendation That Changed My Story
My phone rang. It was a female voice on the other end. After exchanging pleasantries, she told me someone recommended me very highly and she would like to have a chat with me.
My phone rang. It was a female voice on the other end. After exchanging pleasantries, she told me someone recommended me very highly and she would like to have a chat with me.
She described her address- somewhere around Obasa Street in Bodija, Ibadan- and gave me an evening appointment.
I called my wife and told her. It was 2003 and I had been married for a few months.
I called my wife and told her. It was 2003 and I had been married for a few months.
I asked her to follow me for the appointment but she was to sit in the car and knock on the door if I didn't come out in 30minutes. I was really scared. I got there on schedule with my CV on a floppy diskette. There were no flash or thumb drives then.
I knocked at the door and I was ushered into an expansive sitting room by a very pleasant woman.
She took the floppy from me and printed out my CV. After a few questions, she told me she was the proposed Manager of a new branch opening in the city and she was hiring her staff.
She took the floppy from me and printed out my CV. After a few questions, she told me she was the proposed Manager of a new branch opening in the city and she was hiring her staff.
She would like to work with me. I asked her who recommended me but she refused to tell me. After that interview session with her, she referred me to Lagos that week for the conclusion of the recruitment process. I met the MD for a chat and got hired- all within that week.
On the following Sunday, as I left the church after service, a brother called my name. It was Blessing Odigbo. He has a driving school and taught my wife how to drive. He said he had something to tell me.
The previous week, he was on his way to work and suddenly saw a cousin he had not seen for a long time- 8 years then, if I recall correctly. His cousin- the woman who interviewed me- told him it was her first time in Ibadan and she was sent to recruit staff for a new branch.
She didn't know anyone and therefore decided to fast and pray that morning. She's a devout Catholic. She opened her door and voila- there was Blessing, her cousin passing by.
She asked if Blessing knew any good Account Officer (our Nigerian lingo) and he mentioned my name.
She asked if Blessing knew any good Account Officer (our Nigerian lingo) and he mentioned my name.
He gave her my number but pleaded that she should not reveal he was the one because he didn't have my consent. As he told me all that transpired that Sunday afternoon, I was so full of gratitude. I told him I had concluded the Interview and picked up my offer.
A little twist to the story. I resumed at the new office a few weeks later only to discover there was another Branch Manager and not the woman who interviewed me. I dashed to a corner, called her and was shocked when she told me she wasn't hired eventually.
She told me that God just used her to hire me and that I should ensure I put in my best and make her proud.
Anytime I recall this incident, it reminds me of the need to always value people and treat them well.
Anytime I recall this incident, it reminds me of the need to always value people and treat them well.
I never knew a brother that I see every Sunday in church could be my link to a better level. This evening, I called Blessing Odigbo to thank him for the role he played. I've not seen him for almost 8 years or even more.
I remain indebted for that recommendation which opened the door to a new season for me. My appreciation also goes to this wonderful woman, wife to a well known author, whom I choose not to reveal for now.
This is my gratitude.
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This is my gratitude.
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