New People Rice Farms 11 &12

Draft
CHAPTER 11

Gloria Bejide, five and a half foot, svelte and fresh dark skinny lady of about 47 years wore serious countenance, sort of self defence against ambitious men who would readily take advantage of her readily available warmth and kindness. She had always lived in Lagos changing residence between the two sides of Ibadan road in Ketu. Gloria’s personality and feminine psyche prepared her job initially as an executive secretary in Global Cereals Ltd. The highly committed lady had responsibilities for correspondence, management of the chief executive tenure whenever the boss was visiting Lagos. Gloria had also established a dependable network of clients in government, organized private sector and the immigration service with the view of sustaining the competitiveness of her employer.
‘Prrrrrrrrh – the telephone rang
“Halo, Global Cereals” Gloria answered
“Suma Benu, How are you Gloria, I will arrive Lagos 10:00 am tomorrow morning, please confirm my hotel reservation” instructed Suma.

Suma had some assignment requiring contacts in Apapa Port.  He was to inspect the quality of chemicals that had been shipped to Global from United Kingdom. He was to ensure that the imports met proforma specifications.

“I have reservation for you in Ikoyi Hotel” Gloria confirmed.
“Thank you. I hope I will be in good hands,” Suma had the characteristic of changing into humorous mood whenever he was operating outside th rice plantation.  Gloria had acquired specialized courteous ways of handling the nature of encounter.
With confirmed hotel reservation, Suma settled down to review the documentation for the expected imports in the Office along Sapara Williams, Street, Lagos
“Let us know the position of the letters of credit on the fertilizers, chemicals and herbicides,” Suma enquired from the Shipping Officer who confirmed that Gloria collected the documents.
“We have forwarded the letter of credit to Agromat Chemical and the consignment had been identified at the port.  Mr. Gromadi has forwarded the shipping documents which we received late yesterday” confirmed Gloria
“I don’t need to reveal much to you but Gloria, the Board will consider you for movement to position of manager. Let us hope we don’t have resistance at the meeting,” Suma whispered to Gloria
“Thank you, Oga” Gloria replied in realization and appreciation that the Field Manager recognized her dedication to the company especially her transparent ways of handling cargos and consignments.
The following day at Board meeting, Gloria was confirmed the manager in charge of the Lagos office, Global Cereals Ltd.
The Board lunch eventually followed at the end of the meeting. Eko Le Meridian was the consistent venue for major functions of Global Cereals. Without doubt, that day, dishes were extraordinarily sumptuous.
Gloria did sit with the Directors at the main reserved table but the humble but assertive lady regarded this particular Board lunch as her promotion treat. Gloria felt proud for the appreciation given to her effort by the prestigious Board of the company.
Rebecca Martin, a tall beautiful light skinned lady in her late thirties had studied management courses at about four colleges in USA and Canada. Fluent speaker of Yoruba and Hausa language she was particularly  proud of her North American training and diction.
“I don’t like the Nigerian way of doing things. How can the world be moving forward and we pursue the opposite direction” Rebecca stuck to her view with broad smiles.
“There is so much progress in this country. My dear lady you are behind times” Claudius Badaru retorted.
The thirty two year old, short and stout man hailed from Karara , one of the riverside communities situated between Lokoja and Jamata along the busy road accessing the Northern part of Nigeria.  Badaru has been employed  as store officer in Global Cereals for about six yeas. Energetic and ambitious Badaru had taken some professional courses in purchasing and supplies. He loved his job and aspired to a higher position in the company. He flaunted his cultural flexibility from time to time.
“I am not one of those people who swear that they will never work south of River Niger. I know people of Southern origin who would not accept to work in the northern parts of the country while some people of northern extraction vow that they will not accept jobs in the southern parts of the country.
Badaru often teased colleagues who he categorized as ethnic chauvinists.
Sylvester Okomadu, a bulky gregarious thirty five years old Niger Deltan, as he preferred to categorise himself also worked at Global Cereals, Lagos office. Sylvester had slugged in eight years, learning the art of administration and relationship management on the job. He was rather single minded as he mobilized local and overseas resources for the company.  Sylvester defined himself as a global manager who would not only work in any location in his country but that he would adapt to a cultural environment anywhere in the world.  Rebecca had always admired Sylvester’s comportment.  On her own part, Rebecca possessed the charisma to earn favour from notable members of the Board. She nursed some jealousy for Gloria for her rapid growth in the company.  Indeed Rebecca believed that her own ambition was not misplaced but that she was not willing, for reasons of promotion, to sacrifice the boisterous life in Lagos for the serene life in Aluju Estate. Nonetheless she was aware that there was no room at the top for her in the current location”.
“In America, Board decisions are dynamic and bold. You cannot put investors’ stake at great risks. Put square pegs in the right places” Rebecca was insinuating that her academic attainment placed her on greater pedestal.  She did not understand why she could not earn promotion while she continued to work in Lagos.
Lady and gentlemen, we have had a good lunch.   We give glory to God, We thank Le Meridian and our own staff”, declared the chairman, Chief Kabiru Madami. 
The restaurant had been specifically reserved for Global Cereals Board. Highly attractive wood carving had been strategically distributed around the expansive space of the restaurant.  Movable partitions demarcated areas of the restaurant and sizes of reserved spaces.  The size of space varied with the number of guests targeted and agreed with management of the hotel.
Kabiru Madami enjoyed the full privileges of an expanding commodity company .  in his own right he maintainedlarge commercial farms between mokwa and bida in niger State of Nigeria.  He was born in Northern jebba where he spent his early years.  Madami, soft spoken, charismatic, sixfooter, was respected for his business expertise and command of English, Hausa and Yoruba languages.  His farm projects had been successful, shifting between corn, soya bean, and sorghum cultivation.  Burdened by sizeable bank loan at the early stages of his farming enterprise, Madami had been well established, emerging as the bride of commercial banks that were eager to post reasonable high lending as meaningful support to agricultural sector.
“We need to complete todays meeting by consideration of management proposals for staff elevation.  Members are advised  to table their comments,’’ Madami addressed his colleagues without focusing attention on a particular member.
‘’Mrs Lagarty, may be I should give you the first opportunity, it appears, I can see you raising your hand,” Madami suggested.
“well, Mr Chairman, I observe that only two ladies enjoy management support for movement into senior positions.  It is important we know how many women occupy management positions in the company. We must be gender sensitive,’’ Mrs Lagarty contributed.
Mrs Stephanie Lagarty, a tall svelt well dressed lawyer who represented an international investor, Farmyard Trusts SA, had consistently promoted gender mainstreaming in public organizations.  She emphasized that eligible women must enjoy the opportunity for competitive positions in dynamic sectors of the economy.
Gloria Bejide had performed impressively over the years, strengthening the company’s position with government and with technical partners in the supply chain abroad.  The procurement and logistics operations of the company had improved considerably since she was assigned coordinating responsibilities about two years earlier.  She maintained extraordinary relations with the company’s banks.  The new position proposed for her as Assistant General Manager will enhance decision making status, empower her and of course enhance her morale.
“We were earlier advised earlier in the year that the scope of the proposed position has expanded considerably, with increasing numeracy.  No evidence of competitive selection has been indicated.  Memebers of the Board need not be emotional about the familiar faces we encounter in the course of our assignment. We must insist on geeting tasks performed by suitable and competent staff, Rolland Adamu, a diminutive but articulate accountant from the Shippers Council advised the Board.
It was believed that considerable brainstorming by members on the promotion exercise had preceded the meeting of the board.  Gloria Bejide though superior in rank and long serving in the system, had encountered opposition since her colleagues in the office acquired new competences that had not been accessible to her due to numerous circumstances.  Rebecca, Martin, Claudius Badaru and Sylvester Okomandu had laid claims on technical skills  they had all learned from Gloria Bejide whose passion was focused on superior service delivery and sustaining high reputation for her employer.  It was expected in situations of competitive differentiation of talent, subordinates would aspire to perform the boss’s job with greater finesse.  Gloria appeared to exhibit  weak defense mechanism in spite of forthrightness.  She recognized threat but she was undaunted.
”We may need to reconsider the options.  Management must re-examine the demands of the senior position, assess all possible candidates, explore possibility of recruiting competencies from the wider job market,” a slow speaking director, the oldest member of the Board, Samiu, Rafadi suggested.
“It appears members are satisfied with almost all the recommendations except Gloria’s movement to the position of Assistant General Manager.  While specific opposition has not been directed at Gloria’s elevation, the job is expected to be performed with appropriate knowledge including desirable leadership capability.  Could we advise the Managing Director to represent the proposition during the next meeting of the Board?” the Chairman, Madami suggested.    
Some prolonged dialogue ensued between members of the Board, at the end of which approval was given that Gloria Bejide be promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager, Value Chain Service. She was to proceed on two months training tour with the major suppliers of the Company prior to full assumption of office.  It was agreed by the Board that the elevation would be effective from the date the promotion decision was taken. 

CHAPTER 12

Fifty eight year old Samson Ndanusa had been retired for two years from the Army.  Retiring as a Sergeant, Ndanusa moved to Aluju where he settled with his wife, Ruth.  The couple lived with two children, Clara, and John of ages six and nine years respectively.  Other five children have grown up and left home.  Ndanusa maintained a subsistence farm where he grew yam, maize, cassava and rice during suitable seasons. The news had spread that processes for payment of pension to officers and ranks in the army had begun.  Sergeant Ndanusa informed his wife of thirty-two years, Ruth that he was traveling to Lagos to pursue the payment of his pension entitlements.

“I have to move immediately. We need the pension money which will be our major income.  Farming and your small trade will increase what we earn and improve our standard of living,” Sergeant Samson explained to his wife.

 “You are embarking on a dangerous journey. You do not have enough money for transport and feeding. You may end up on the street like many others,” Ruth was apprehensive.

“Let me start packing the few belongings for the journey. I will not stay at home to watch our financial position deteriorating,” the pensioner insisted.

Sergeant Samson  stared curiously at his wife as he swallowed morsels of cassava food, along with guinea corn soup, no fish, little oil, sign of hard times.

After many years of marriage and in spite of the culture, Sergeant Samson resisted tough pressure to take another wife.

Ruth plunged her head in her two palms, lamenting and praying aloud for security of her children.

 “I know that these days pension queues are longer than fuel lines,” Samson lamented

Cecilia: “When you see real pensioners, I mean the ones who have not seen money since leaving work, they just forget they have families,” Ruth expressed deep concern..

Before the implementation of the provisions of the Pension Act, throughout major towns in Nigeria, pensioners wandered around individually, in small groups and occasionally in large formations.

Sergeant Samson was determined not to join this category of retired people.  Indeed he had taken a wise decision to settle in a farming community when he left service.

The following morning Samson caressed his wife, Ruth, pecked her cheeks, making her grab the little money he has left for the family.  Sergeant Samson left the village early in the morning while the children were in bed.   Tall and emaciated, the ex service man held a small old traveling bag exhibiting Mak’s logo along with a mid sized propylene bag containing his military raincoat and a few personal effects.

Since retirement and joining the civil community in Aluju, Sergeant Samson had towed the path of a loner trying to understand civil society again.  At the motor park in a nearby village Orehi, Samson met Garba another pensioner of his acquaintance who was also traveling to Lagos but for a different purpose. Garba was attending the annual pensioner party organized by his former employers, a large Brewery.

The old friends exchanged salutation, banters, each searching the other with apt observations by making sarcastic remarks.

“Are you still taking all those drinks from your employers?   You are shinning,” Sergeant teased his friend who, previously, took delivery of complementary products from his employer.

“Well, thank God I breathe fresh air now. You are looking like

a fighter that you are.  You are strong” Garba observed.

“This pension thing is driving us all mad. I have not received one kobo

from the office since I reached the village two years ago, we hear  promises, they make us collect ID card (showing it with effort).  But thank God, relief is coming our way.  We are being invited to complete our documentation for payment,” Samson tried to explain the development.

 “In our case, we have been lucky.  We collect our pension entitlement when due.  May be this was because our employer had always operated the contributory pension scheme which has been integrated in the Pension Act.  There is no doubt that the implementation of provisions of the Act by employers across sectors will be of great benefit to all pensioners,” Garba assured his friend.  

Samson disembarked from the bus by evening in Lagos and he immediately joined all pensioners in the pay office. The ex ­soldiers who had not presented their ID cards were advised to do so as a condition for payment.

An Officer addressed the pensioners, "we do not intend to keep you here continuously. You must go back to your families with money.”

The pensioners cheered, trying to perceive some hope.  The Officer continued,

“Pension is reward for long and loyal services. Your successful retirement from the service makes it automatic for you to enjoy pension entitlements provided the documents you present to us are certified authentic.” The officer discontinued his speech while raising a large well bound book. He confirmed that authentic lists of all beneficiaries through out the country are contained in similar books prepared for the purpose..

“Read out Sir,” one voice echoed,

“Not possible,” the officer retorted, closed the book and left the crowed.

Some ray of hope emerged for those pensioners possessing approved ID card.  Sergeant Samson settled dawn to the new life in pensioners’ Camp, made a few friends while adapting to normal daily life.

Adama Shugaba, a sharp faced man had just arrived from Adankolo in Lokoja, situated at the confluence of rivers Niger an Benue in Kogi State of Nigeria.  Adam,  tall and young was seeking for assistance

“Good afternoon, Sir, I am looking for one Sergeant Samson from Adankolo,” Adama enquired from another young man.

“I do not seem to know him but since he is from kogi State, you may ask that man sitting near the large rubber container.  He arrived yesterday and he appeared to have spoken Kogi language to somebody,” Adama was advised by his listener.

Adama accosted the old man who ignored his approach.

“Good afternoon, Pa,” Adama greeted and introduced himself to the old man.  Adama claimed to be an indigene of a village near Lokoja but indicated that he had settled on a street which sounded familiar to Sergeant Samson.  Adama was dressed in a clean long flowing blue kaptan with cap to match.  He was in his lat 20s.

‘Welcome, my son, are you from home?” Samson enquired.

“Yes sir,” Adama replied with assurance that he was meeting the right person.

Sergeant Samson stared trustingly at Adama.  The old man was enthusiastic about news from home.  However he could not really recognize Adama as a neighbour.

“papa, I knew you well but I always traveled so I understand why you cannot recognize me.  Anywa, I will travel to Adankolo tomorrow.  You may have something for Mama, your mother and Uncle Nda Ali, your brother,” Adama suggested

Sergeant went into deep meditation, two days in the camp, he had barely encountered any sympathizer who could extend generosity to him.

“I have nothing on me but nothing is ever too small, my young boy,”  Sergeant Samson sighed but dipped his fingers in his right pocket and pulled out five hundred naira and continued his address, ‘’give this money to Mama but tell Nda that he will hear from me.”

Adama had been ten time lucky in the camp with pensioners.  Adama lived on this simple trick of ethnic affiliation.  He spoke many local languages changing his story as he accosted each victim.

By the end of the week, Sergeant Samson had shifted his location in the camp, changed his dress and a clean shave.  Indeed, Sergeant Samson had met generous Samaritans with whom he succeeded in negotiating small loan with which he started a petty business by selling recharged cards by the major road.  Sergeant Samson summoned all the strength available to him, he would not allow age to suppress him.

By Sunday, Adama, adorned in suit and a face cap appeared before Sergeant Samson in his new location.  After salutation, Adama claimed to known the old Samson in Makurdi.  The young narrated a long winded story about rural development, real cock and bull story apparently.

At first, Sergeant stared at his acquaintance, presuming he had suddenly become a lunatic based on the young man’s story.  The old soldier, recollecting physical characteristics, definitely recognized Adama who he now branded a lunatic based on the disjointed story emanating from the young man.  Sergeant realized that Adama had earlier played pranks on him and raised alarm.

Before Adama could readjust himself to scheme a stratagem on Samson, the young man was surrounded by pensioners and some of their visiting relations.  Indeed Adama had collected various sums of money  from several victims, framing different stories each time.  It was serious confrontation between the young rogue and a disciplined but ferocious angry mob of old pensioners.

Adama pleaded in all the languages that came readily to him.  A police officer had by now intervened as Adam desperately for leniency.  The young trickster was whisked away by the police officer.  Numerous pensioners were astonished that a ragamuffin could infiltrate their ranks and inflict such losses on them.  Victims were furious and dumbfounded.

  

   

It was obvious that pensioners from security services encountered challenge at stages of processing their pension entitlements but it was not a unique occurrence.  Beneficiaries in other services including railway, shipping, airways and private sector organizations experienced delay in settlement of pension entitlements prior to the passing of the Pension Act into law.

It must be emphasized that with improved longevity, the population of pensioners have continued to grow rapidly in most countries.  Analysts observed that pension budget competes vigorously with provisions for development in key public services.  However it was envisaged that integration of contributory pension scheme with existing private sector investment vehicles and assurance policies will strengthen capability of Administrators to settle entitlements in favour of beneficiaries.

Sergeant Samson and many pensioners whose documents were certified

complete and authentic survived on high expectations especially when payment advice was being released.  Indeed Samson eventually returned to Aluju where he intensified activities in multi crop and all year farming.