Jude Idada (R) |
(By Jude Idada)
Three times I warned them.
Yet they persisted.
Yet they persisted.
Not these ones, but the ones
like them.
Dressed in uniforms.
They are supposed to guard the
estate in which I live.
But they conducted themselves
like motorpark touts.
There was the first time.
I was walking to the elevator
and the uniformed guard who usually sits by the elevator said to me...
"Sir, please find me
something. Owu dey blow."
I warned him to desist from
begging and bringing dishonour to the uniform he wore.
He apologised.
Next day I walk to the
elevator.
He greets me with a welcoming
smile.
I get into the elevator and as
the door is about closing, he blocks it with his hand.
It opens.
"Sir, you say make I no
beg you for money again, say na you go decide to give me. See na I no beg you
and you no drop anything for me. Abeg pity me."
I was flabberwhelmed.
Once again I warned him of the
dire consequences of incessant begging even more so while on duty and the
impression he is passing across.
He apologised.
Two nights ago.
My friends and I were driving
into the compound and the guards at that gate, four in number crowded around
the car.
Their hands held high above
their heads.
"Senior Fathers! Nothing
do you. Your boys loyal."
"Bros anything for the
boys!"
"Bigga boys. As we see una
e mean say dis night don done be dat. Awon sure boys. We dey hail."
"Lekki Husbands, na una
senior Ambode pass. Jagabans in the making. Pesin wen know una no fit
hungry."
We were shocked.
The audacity.
Once again I spoke to them.
They apologised.
This morning I go for my power
walk.
As I walked in I heard them
whispering behind me.
"Na im be dat"
I went upstairs, showered and
came back down.
And I spoke to them.
Candidly.
Deeply.
Far-ranging.
Told them what it meant to
stand guard and be given the onerous responsibility of protecting people and
property.
I told them about
professionalism and favour.
I told them about the poverty
mindset, the pity syndrome and addictiveness of begging.
I empathised with them as to
their not earning enough to give them a good living but explained to them that
he who begs so incessantly will do graduate to embezzlement and thievery when
saddled with position or power, since the act of taking for self will be the
bedrock of their personality.
I told them that the best
service possible and the ability to put your all into whatever you do, without
currying favour speaks volumes in the presence of men and God.
I explained to them that Angels
walk amongst men and you never know when you will come across one but if you
are always giving your best, you can be rest assured that the Angel will meet
you at your best and because they will then any blessings coming forthwith is
yours.
I then hugged each one of them
before I asked them to promise themselves that they will aspire to be their
best and give their best.
They did.
And I asked them to take my
message and shsre it with the others in the shifts that will replace them.
They promised.
After that I gave each of them
some money before I left.
They were thankful.
Thirty minutes ago I came down
via the elevators.
The guard who sits by the
elevator stood up once I stepped out.
He smiled and said.
:Afternoon sir, I apologise for
how our staff behaved. I pormise that we will give our best at this job."
"Did the other guards
speak to you?"
He nodded.
I smiled.
Hugged him.
Gave him some.money.
He looked at the money and
shook his head.
I insisted.
"I am giving you of my own
volition. It is called a gratuity. It comes after service as a reward and not
before service as a ransom. Take it. I appreciate your service."
He smiled and collected it.
"Thank you sir and have a
wonderful sunday."
"You too."
And I left.
Happy.
The message is spreading.
Lagos.
Lol @ senior fathers and na una senior Ambode pass. Chaii, I can't stop laughing. Nice one.
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