Working The Process ; What Does It Mean To A Nigerian Youth

Yesterday I have a conversation with a young man that I have been counseling for some weeks now. He called me and said he wanted to see me, when I inquire if everything was fine, he started grumbling on how he was tired of his job and all... so I told he I will see him after work. 

After work I went to his work place and he met me outside and came into the car and we started talking. I asked him what the problem was with his work and he said he was tired, that he is always on his feet doing the work and afterwards, he doesn't have a place to have a good sleep and such things affect his mental state.

I asked a few question to know more about the nature of his work.

he earns N30k and he works shift ( 8am - 8pm or 8pm to 8 am) and they rotate them from time to time. from my findings the eatery didn't make provisions for a sleeping space, they provided a small space for them to keep their belongings and its not spacious enough to accommodate everyone.

I tried to speak to him and let him realize that we work the process until we breakthrough and break forth, there is nothing like over night success. as a secondary school leaver, what kind of job will fetch you millions of naira? if you leave this job now, what else would you like to do. The N30k is not enough because you claimed that you send some money to your younger one in secondary school, so what other jobs do you want to do?

I pointed to a uniform security man by the next building and I asked if he want this job? some of them earns N25k a month, some N20k a month, I saw the  surprise look on his face. I told him that I have a space for a security job and the pay is N30k, and you will have a room but will work everyday. I asked him if he wants it? he didn't respond.

When I mentioned having faith in serving God, because with God nothing shall be impossible, he immediately jumped in to tell me he has been serving God since and nothing has come through for him, so I told him, God is not someone you want to use or abuse. I told him I met him sitting under a tree and smoking... Is that your serving God? he was quiet, I told him that for he to get the best from God he will need to give God his best. He must be consistent with God and love him for who he is and walk the process.

I told him some of the rich men he sees today in church were once like him, some of them came to this city not knowing anyone, some slept in a an abandoned and uncompleted  building but today they own properties across still serving God in truth and spirit.

You must change to get a better result, aim to acquire more knowledge, get a degree or learn another kind of trade to help you achieve your dream. I realized that some of the things I was saying was looking like falling on deaf ears and I asked him, what do you want now? he was silent. I told look at me, I started with a job that I was paid N32k and I spent half of it trying to meet target but I have grown from there since... There was no way you will remain in that job, you must be patient to work the process, learn the lesson  it offers and one day, your next level will come. 

I encouraged him to pursue a degree. Nigeria Open University is just a stone thrown, why not get there are gather all the information you need and start saving towards. He complained of time and I asked what time do you go off and he said if he is on morning shift, he will work 8am to 8pm and if its night shift its 8pm to 8am and I asked him with anger in my voice, so what do you do with the 12 hours that you get when you go off, he said, look for food, wash his uniform and rest....

Some of the Nigerian youths have not been mentored, no proper upbringing absolutely nothing. we need to change the curriculum of our secondary school to help them establish themselves even if they cant afford university. 

At the end he agreed to check the admission process in the open university and will ask for a transfer from his supervisor after two months, to bring him to the open office where he will be seeing people and can make addition money from tips to help his salary.

Its well.

have you inspired anyone, please share.

LNB