Henry Pender is a graduate of Political Science from the University of Ibadan. Pender graduated in 2000 and has worked as a banker, yet he is among the about 100 graduates undergoing training to become truck drivers; or rather logistics assistants. Pender is also the class governor of this first batch of trainees.
“After my service, I had the privilege of being retained at the Rivers State Primary Education Board where I did my primary assignment.
I was with them for about a year before I joined the All States Trust Bank, which is now defunct. I worked with them for three years before I joined the Ecobank, from there I moved to the Oceanic Bank before joining Ecobank again after the acquisition of Oceanic Bank by Ecobank.
“I had to leave the banking industry when I married my colleague, because the human resource policy then did not allow spouses to work in the same office. I felt that my wife should stay behind while I as a man would look around for something to do. It wasn’t easy, because the job was not forthcoming as I thought. I attended a couple of interviews at different places, but I didn’t get what I was looking for.
“When this opportunity of becoming truck driver with Dangote presented itself, I applied with open mind. I felt that this is an opportunity for a new beginning to move into a new paradigm that is not explored. We have just begun the journey in the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT). I was pleasantly surprised when I came here to see people from different backgrounds and professions.
“We are all getting along very well. I am looking forward for an experience that would improve our larger society. Dangote has put something in place that would turn out to be a revolution in the transport industry in this country. I think this programme would eventually become a model that all organisations of international standard would adopt in no distance future.
“From personal point of view, I like driving. I have driven a lot since when I became a professional driver and I like travelling. But by coming here, I have been exposed to the academic side of driving. I feel that whatever I do as a graduate, there should be a level of expected difference from what a layman would do. I think the objective of employing graduates as drivers is for sanity to be restored on our highways. Most of us are victims of the recklessness of heavy truck drivers and this is what this initiative wants to address. We are being trained here to become complete gentlemen as drivers,” Pender said.
He explained that he has, essentially, decided to join the truck driving profession out of interest not for material reward.
“As at the time we had our interview, there was no mention of any material reward. It is now that we are hearing that after a successful driving for a certain period, or covering of certain mileage that one would own a truck or things like that. No such thing was mentioned; there was no mention of special incentives rather than we would be employed and paid salaries.
“What I would say lured me into joining the truck driving profession is the name Dangote that is known locally and internationally. I bet you that if it were some other companies that came up with this initiative, some of us may not be here but the mention of the name Dangote, one would know that there is quality; there is a personality behind it; there is international recognition; that is what lured most of us here beyond any other material gain.
“We only discovered the entrepreneurial incentive of this programme when we came here; when most of us have completed their registration. Being somebody who had the experience of the banking sector, I would quickly join Dangote, because I know I would have job security and we are enjoying ourselves here in the NITT as the pioneer batch of this training programme. I never knew there is an institute like the NITT in Nigeria. We are grateful to them for the knowledge they are impacting in us.
“I want to also use this medium to urge the youth of Nigeria to work hard. We have to make names for ourselves by working hard as it is not all of us who are children of the privileged, therefore we are here as part of our dignity of labour. I would rather stay here and do this work than apply for visa to go abroad and face all kinds of humiliation by washing toilets or driving taxi while I have a similar option here, which I would do with dignity and leave a good example for the upcoming ones,” Pender explained.
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ReplyDeleteGuys, take it easy with your headlines.
ReplyDeleteIt does not capture the real story here.
I discovered over time that every opportunity prepares us for a better 2mor!
ReplyDeleteDangote has started it is hoped that other good spirited individuals and organizations will assist Nigerians and our governments ie three tiers by looking inwards and come up with similar programs. As a reminder there must bea strong will to succeed.
ReplyDeleteDangote has started it is hoped that other good spirited individuals and organizations will assist Nigerians and our governments ie three tiers by looking inwards and come up with similar programs. As a reminder there must bea strong will to succeed.
ReplyDelete@adewale why all dis long story? Start ur skilled training from d grassroot in OTA you claimed to be! I hope your family,friends,and people in your local govt area have been trained? if not, go back to ur drawingboard.however,Dangote Nigerians are proud of you!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't reconcile the headline with the body of the write up. What kind of junk journalism are we practicing here?
ReplyDeleteFirstly, the headline is a mismatch with the story. The first impression we get here is that Henry Pender withdrew his service from a bank to apply/opt for Dangote's job; that's not good enough, Nigerian Eye!
ReplyDeleteI salute Dangote's initiative. More grease! I should like to state, however, that Nigeria's most desired infrastructure is a national railway network, which Dangote himself might be averse to because it will displace the utility of his trucks. Railway is a critical infrastructure which partly accounts for the world power status the UK, USA, Russia, France, China, have attained. Dangote needs not fear because, like in the USA, he and other "wealthy" Nigerians who are responsible for our current underdevelopment woes can own equity and partner with the FG to run it. It will earn them more money than any air and road transport combined. Nigeria owes its amalgamation to railway; the US intercontinental railway line played same role, more or less.
The benefits of railway in terms of employment are multiple. Given its national scope it will employ Nigerians in all the 774 local government areas during construction, laying of rails, etc. With a functional railway network, many Nigerians will remain in their homesteads to produce food for city dwellers and raw materials for industries. Transportation of raw materials (Primary produce) in tonnes to cities for further production will be cheaper, rather than exporting cheap to be re-imported at higher prices for our consumption. If the British took advantage of this in the mid 19th century, why shouldn't we?
Railway transport helps workers save money. How? With a rapid means of transport (railway network), workers will leave in far flung places where house rent is comparatively cheaper, and de-congest the cities. They will pay cheaper fares too. In the end, our banks will have the capital to loan out to entrepreneurs to further industrial growth. This translates to more employment!
Railway will help our infrastructures like roads and bridges last longer because there will be less wear and tear from driving pressures, thus save the FG needed cash. Accidents will also reduce. National railway services employ more people than all the government ministries combined. Indeed, it is a ministry in its own right. The much needed unity in diversification we trumpet can only be realized when there is ease of contact among Nigerians; when I can decide to visit Borno, Kano, Ebonyi, Eket, Oshogbo, Lokoja with my family at anytime of my liking. I saw this in Brazil. Brazilian tourism generates equal if not more money internally than internationally. The only advantage over internal revenue generation in Brazil tourism is foreign exchange. Needless to add that a functional railway network is the panacea for comprehensive human security -- internally and externally. Take heed, Dangote and co.
Safari, nice analysis. I think I'd like to be ur friend; You will be among the thought leaders of tomorrow & I'm sure your contributions will advance the economy of the nation some day. Don't mind NigerianEye, I've learnt to take their news with a pinch of salt. I at least verify every story by visiting other sites they might have copied them from, cos their journalism is far below standard.
ReplyDelete@Safari, well said, I support your view on this matter and good luck to Henry Pender as well..
ReplyDeleteGood woork
ReplyDeleteWhy are Nigeria leaders not thinking about Nigeria rail system? Nigeria leaders visit London, Paris, New York, Munich, Rio, Toronto and Rome everyday yet they have ignored the efficient rail systems.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of Dangote is good for his business empire but an efficient rail system will benefit every Nigerian.
Our leaders wake up!
Our leaders please employ Nigerians who know the job, rather than who know man.
Am really proud of u safari. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHun, reporters, ...the guy left because of the fact that the policy of the bank does not allow couples to work together in the same bank and not because of Dangaote Job.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of misleading journalism is this? He was a driver with a bank and not a banker... Anyway. best wishes bro..
ReplyDeleteHi Guys, indeed I am sorry to correct those of you who criticised the heading of this write up. There was nothing wrong in the heading at all. You will need to be exposed and read well to let you know how english is spoken or written by the original owners. Did the man not have a job in the bank he left? Again in journalism or as a writer, you need to capture the attention of your readers and that is what occured here. I am not into journalism but I read a lot and try to learn how well to communicate and write.
ReplyDeleteThank you guys. God bless you all and God bless the Republic of Nigeria.