Today marks the second month working for the Executive chairman of Ilaje local Government area of Ondo state as his assistant and an extra pair of hands for his secretary. Prior to the beginning of this amazing journey, all I wanted for my service year was to work as a teacher in a decent private school but to my greatest disappointment I was posted to the local Government Secretariat in Igbokoda. The thought of working in a sensitive office under close supervision really scared me and for the first few weeks, I made countless errors that made me look incompetent in my own field of study. However these shortcomings did not restrict me from dedicating everything I have into becoming productive and validating my eligibility for the position.
Days turned to weeks and weeks slowly evolved into months and so far the experience has been worthwhile. The knowledge I have acquired in just two months of working in this environment is something I have been deprived of in all five years as a student at the university. All I ever truly did in school was the theoretical part of my discipline but working in this office, the practical has also become a part of my resume and to that I will forever remain grateful I was not thrown into the education sector to tutor just like I had initiated hoped. I am not just a political practitioner but also an administrator capable of problem solving and managing office affairs even with the absence of my superiors.
The chairman has been quite helpful since I got to the office even taking out time personally to explain any necessary information that might help make my stay comfortable. For over two weeks, there has been an ongoing renovation happening in his office to make it more befitting of a man of his status. While the laborers were still hard on their jobs, the chairman came to inspect his office and during this visit he walked up to me and asked if I was facing any difficulties, my response was brief and simple as I told him "No but it would be nice if our office was made as beautiful as his". To my greatest surprise he told me he was going to work on ours as well and today marks the end of the entire process. Due to the constant complaints of heat in that office, the chairman installed an Air conditioner, removed the old curtains to replace them with window blinds, bought us a beautiful standing fan, changed the ceilings to a P.O.P and painted the entire office white.
Working directly under someone who genuinely cares about your well being has to be one the biggest flex in life. It makes your job feel like a recreational activity and a quite enjoyable one at that. I am super excited for this opportunity that once started as a nightmare but is currently one of the best things at this phase of my life. Thank you to all the new family members I have adopted here at the Secretariat, I really appreciate all you all have done for me. This feels so much like a fairytale story one bound to have a happily ever after.
PS All images are mine
