I am so glad that my story will be put out for others to read and get inspired. It was not an easy experience though, but the adventure was worth it as my aim was achieved.
It was in 2008, thirteen years ago when I just finished my Youth Service in Ogun state and was jobless while squatting with a friend in Lagos to see if I can secure a job or just go back to the east where am based.
That year, the popular jobs available were bank jobs and the desire of any fresh graduate. This was due to the flashy lifestyle of bankers and the salary being paid.
I saw a job advert for Management Trainee at Bank PHB (now Keystone) and I quickly applied. Two weeks after my application I got a text message from Bank PHB inviting me for an aptitude test at the University of Lagos (Unilag). I read and practiced the GMAT book for the test.
On the test day, I went to Unilag and behold I saw an intimidating crowd of young graduates that came for the test. It somehow turned out to be a meeting point as I saw some classmates both secondary and University as well as a few I did my NYSC with while in Ogun state.
It was time for the test and we were called into the hall in batches due to the crowd. We all went in and sat for the test and I did very well as most of the questions were lifted from the GMAT which I have practiced before the test.
Two days after the test I got an SMS from the bank that I passed the test successfully and invited for an Interview on a scheduled date at their headquarters in Victoria Island. This was just mind blowing for me. I started contacting some of my classmates that sat for the test with me. Fortunately, some were invited for the interview while some didn’t make it.
I didn’t have any corporate cloth in my collections so I had to go to the popular Balogun market to get a good suit and shirt for the interview. I had to meet some of my bank friends who coached me as to the possible questions and how I will respond.
On the scheduled interview day, I was mentally and physically ready. I left very early because of the usual Lagos traffic so as not to arrive late and probably miss the job. I arrived by 7:45am at their headquarters, identified myself with the protocols and was directed to the floor for the interview where a few others have arrived already.
When it was exactly 9am, a beautiful well-dressed lady entered the room, addressed us and immediately started calling us individually, directing us to different rooms. My name was called and I was directed to a room. Immediately I opened the door, I saw a man seated alone in the room who welcomed me. I observed the office protocols of not sitting down immediately but he obliged me to sit. He asked for my credentials and threw some questions at me and I responded very well because honestly I was really prepared. After the interview, he said they will get back to me in a month’s time and I left.
After the interview and since I was told they will get back to me in a month’s time, I needed to travel to the east and see my parents because immediately I passed out from NYSC, I moved to my friend’s place in Lagos. So one week after the interview, I travelled to Abia State. Now this is where the story becomes interesting.
Two weeks of my stay in the east, it was a very cool evening when I got a surprise call from Bank PHB to come for a second interview by 9am the next day. I was shocked to my bones, became confused and started panicking. I placed a call to a friend I met at the interview and she confirmed she got a call and is currently in Aba Abia State.
It was evening already so we sprang into action. I packed my things and we went to the park to see if I can get a night bus to Lagos but none was going. We tried to check online for an evening flight to Lagos from Owerri airport but it was not available as the airport was on renovation.
Port-Harcourt airport was the available one for 7;30am Arik but I couldn’t book online likewise my friend in Aba. So we decided we will leave very early for Port-Harcourt airport. Exactly 5am the next day me and my parents were on our way to PH not minding the risks associated with that express road. Thank God it was a safe trip.
I got to the airport before my friend but as I was booking for my ticket, she arrived with her father at exactly 7:15am. We booked and were paired together. I was already dressed in my suit but my friend left hers in Lagos. She had called her cousins to get her suit and credentials to the airport and wait for us while my friend is to bring mine. It was not funny at all.
Exactly 7:45am, we took off and landed exactly 8:35am. Her cousins were on ground already with her suit and credentials. My friend was on ground with mine. She changed to her suit and when we were about to leave, her cousin’s car refused to start. He tried and tried but we had to get a taxi and leave so as to catch up by 9am. The devil is a liar.
Exactly 9:15am we arrived Bank PHB headquarters in Victoria Island. We already knew our way so we passed through the protocols and rushed to the floor. It was like a miracle as immediately we arrived, my friend was called for her interview and mine followed. This was just an act of God for us. We did well as usual and we left.
One week after this second interview, we got another call from the bank that we were successful
and told to come any day within the week for our Appointment Letter. It was a miracle for us, we were so happy and excited. We have gotten a bank job in Lagos. We picked our letters and were told the day we will resume for a 3 months training.
We started the training and got to know all the banking operations as Management Trainees. Our batch was named Stream-18 and it was wonderful meeting other trainees. After the training, we were posted to branches based on our applications. I was posted to the branch in iLupeju here in Lagos City while my friend was posted to a branch in Aba, Abia State.
This story or testimony as you may wish to call it has been one of my success stories in Lagos for each time I remember the adventures I passed through and how it turned out to be a success, it gladdens my heart.
Indeed “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”
Thanks so much for reading my story, I hope it made you smile and inspired you to break grounds and not allow any challenge stop you from getting your desired targets.
My name is Tony and I am writing from Lagos Nigeria.
