In 2010, I was downsized by Oceanic Bank. They called it the "Oceanic Tsunami". It was a very big blow. I had worked with them for almost 2 years, and I can tell you by myself that I worked hard. But somehow, my name was on that "black list". I honestly can't explain how I felt, because I still don't understand my feeling at that point. In a cloud, I cried because I felt that I had somehow I had "failed". How do you explain the fact that it was just 2 of us in a whole branch? I really felt bad because I knew how long it took me to get the job. (omo, no be small tin ooo), and then overnight, poof, the job developed wings and flew away. I just told God to deal with it. (thank God for family and friends- that's another story by the way) Exactly one month after that, I got another job.
This week, I heard that a second Tsunami had occurred. I know a lot of people who got affected, and I may understand a bit of what it is they are going through right now. It's not funny at all. Many of them have families... and I'm not talking about Oceanic alone, but also people who got downsized in other banks as well.
Now, what I really want to say is this, be careful to remember people when the going is good, because life is a circle...one minute its one side and the other minute, its the other side. Most times bankers are too busy being bankers to really have a life. Its really not their fault, but sometimes they get carried away. Yesterday, I got a call from someone I used to work with, telling me he needed a job and asking how I got my job after I was downsized. I politely told him I submitted my CV to job search sites, recruitment agencies and what have you and wished him luck. Suddenly, my chats with some people has increased as well.
Before I got my job, the impression I had of some of my former colleagues was that I wasn't trying hard enough. They probably felt I was just crossing my arms. I don't blame them anyway. I felt that way about someone too when he was job hunting.
1Cor 10:12 says be careful when you think you are standing firm, that you don't fall. That's something we all need to take seriously.
Please help people if you know you can and don't judge, because you'll never know when the unfavourable circle of life will revolve... #just saying.
To those affected, I want to tell you that "everything good will come, just hold on to the one you call God and look deep inwards...its an opportunity to do what you really love. I know because I was once in your shoes. Just be determined and you will succeed.
Now another thing I want to talk about is the effect this Tsunami (not just the Banking Industry) this will have on the economy. Already, standard of living in Nigeria is low. There are so many unemployed people who have families and look to the employed to feed daily. With the number of people out of jobs on the increase, tell me how individuals and families will survive. The other day I heard of a girl (she had been laid off earlier) whose husband was laid off. Where do they go to from here?
I sincerely hope the government has a plan, because a massive wave of revolution is on its way right now. The rate at which robberies occur this days is quite alarming. And you guessed right. Graduates are fast becoming thieves to "survive". The other day, I was in a bus and the conductor was "spreeing". I felt so sad. He just had to survive. Now more people with certificates are on the streets... We keep hearing the government say they will create jobs, if that doesn't happen soon, I fear that #occupy Nigeria will be child's play compared to what will come up. There are unemployed youths everywhere, and we know what idleness does...
God save Nigeria!!!
I sincerely hope the government has a plan, because a massive wave of revolution is on its way right now. The rate at which robberies occur this days is quite alarming. And you guessed right. Graduates are fast becoming thieves to "survive". The other day, I was in a bus and the conductor was "spreeing". I felt so sad. He just had to survive. Now more people with certificates are on the streets... We keep hearing the government say they will create jobs, if that doesn't happen soon, I fear that #occupy Nigeria will be child's play compared to what will come up. There are unemployed youths everywhere, and we know what idleness does...
God save Nigeria!!!
