Happy Customer, Happy Bank. Intercontinental Bank PLC’s (IBPLC) slogan.

In the words of Durella “shout alleluia Papa God e don do am”! Yes oh, I’m now more or less a staff of IBPLC! On Monday I along with over 40 others started a 10 week training (Intensive Orientation Programme) at their Garki II branch in Abuja. We’re what are called Executive Trainees, on that entry level ish; but what’s more it’s all on merit baby!

You see I’ve always loved IBPLC right from when I opened my first real savings account with them in my undergraduate days, so the step up to actually work with them is like on the dream-come-true level. This is how my journey went, it might have been quite long but it definitely was worth it:

1) October 2nd, 2007: submitted my CV to a very close friend who’s in the system already somewhere in Niger State.

2) November 17th 2007: along with over a thousand others I wrote the company’s recruitment aptitude test in Jos, Head Quarters of their North Central region. Rated my chances of making it to the next recruitment stage very high and had fun reconnecting with acquaintances from my NYSC, University and even Secondary school days.

3) January 18th 2008: Had my Interview and medicals along with 71 others in (a bloody cold) Jos. Rated my interview as having gone very well, and meanwhile enjoyed the youthfulness of the environment and the energy floating about.

4) April 21st 2008: after a very lengthy sometimes really crazy wait was finally called to start training/resume work with the bank.

Do you know that I almost completely missed the training save for a very good friend? It’s a long story sha. Anyway I know Banking’s not easy and I’ll now be having much less free time and lot’s more commitments but I’m highly positive minded and I’m ready to make every moment count. There are a lot of people I won’t forget in a hurry in my quest for the IBPLC job, I’m unable to name them all at this point in time but from the bottom of my heart I want to sincerely thank you all. Peace, love and respect; one!

I came back last week from a six day “working tour” of Mubi in Adamawa state and was only finally able to finish up Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a yellow sun” on my journey back! In summary I think it’s a great book, with an A plus writing, entertainment and educative value. To me it was a mighty step up of Chimamanda’s craft from mid-level champ to big stage conqueror; much respect woman! The only side effect was that the book brought out the Biafran in me. But now that the novelty has since worn off I’m happy to reiterate that I’m proudly Nigerian.

While on the topic of “Half of a yellow sun” have you realized that It’s only “the marginalized” that vent and feel a bond to communalize…be closely knitted. I’m talking about my Igbo people (Igbo Town Development/Improvement Unions), the Blacks in America (pro black brotherhood this and that) and our Women (feminist and women empowerment movement) etc; intriguing…

My Mubi sojourn was my first visit up north/to the core north, and I’m happy to say the stereotype I was working with about the North being backward but yet still getting the better deal out of Nigeria has been countered to a large extent. We’re all smiling (the human spirit in them is alive) or suffering (the roads in and around Mubi are fucked, the poor live amongst them) when need be as Nigerians together. Though I admit they’re still generally silent in scheme of things like entertainment, media and ICT. The trip afforded me my first opportunity to attend an Islamic wedding. Some top shot got married to his fourth wife to fulfill all social status and identifying with the indigenes righteousness/obligations. Uhm, Intriguing…

By the way my birthday’s less than a week away. 17th, a quarter of a century Traeday thing. But it’s no biggie really; I’m saving the funfair until “the call or sms” comes through.

Alhamdulillah…All praise belongs to Allah…Thank you Allah.