The Story Of Two Friends – Ade & Emeka And Their Quest For Success.

The Story Of Two Friends – Ade & Emeka And Their Quest For Success.

Both Ade and Emeka were born in the digital age i.e. in the 90’s! Those who were born before this period had to go extra miles in achieving their aims in life, access to data and information were very limited and technology wasn’t advanced enough to aid individual desires – that is not the same for the 90’s kids.

They both attended same high school and were neighbours in Rukuba Barracks in Jos where their fathers are stationed as soldiers serving the nation. Emeka’s father was transferred over to Jos from Enugu and Ade’s father was transferred to Jos from Lagos, the boys were very young when they had to move to Jos with their parents.

It was so quick and easy for them to form friendship; they are not just neighbours but newbies and non-locals in the barrack where majority of the soldiers are local men from Lanagtang, Wase, Jos, Pankshin, Barkin Ladi, Shendam, Mangu etc. within the state.

As they grew older, their friendship grew with them.  After they left high school, they were lucky to be admitted into the prestigious University of Jos to study the courses of their choice. University life is a different life entirely; you are free, adventurous, full of energy and willing to fly as much as you can.

Sadly, in as much as it’s great to be free – an abuse of such freedom will redirect anyone’s path towards the wilderness and in most cases, many never return to the right path!

Emeka and Ade are now “Grown-ups” chasing and building their future as men! They get regular support from home and of course visit home regularly. Luckily, home is just across town within Jos!

While Ade is studying engineering, Emeka is studying History. Emeka always wanted to be a Lawyer but JAMB entrance examination was not that friendly to him and he couldn’t reach the cut off mark for law, he was disappointed but decided to accept the school offer of History as a course. Ade on the other hand is studying his course of Interest – Mechanical Engineering.

By nature, Ade is outgoing and Emeka is an introvert who enjoys his own company. After classes, Ade would head out with his classmates and Emeka would be indoor studying and researching further on his several subjects. Emeka would walk up to other students in his department who are years ahead of him to tap into their knowledge and experience. He would spend hours on the internet reading articles and printing off study materials.

Ade would party all night, hang out with mates and only come to class tired and sleepy, this lifestyle is his own way of life and nothing is changing anytime soon. Emeka did all he could to speak sense into his friend but he won’t budge, he is enjoying the freedom that he was robbed  of at home.

As time goes by, their friendship gets strained as they are beginning to be two different people with different interests – of course with new friends independently. Emeka became known as the “Solution head” – he has answers to most things and Ade is just there like another student and he is struggling heavily with his grades.

Their fathers are now retired and their families moved back home away from Jos. Emeka’s parents are now back to the East while Ade’s father is now back to Lagos to enjoy his retirement.

By their final year – it was evident within friends, families and the community who the successful one is. Emeka had it all going good for him, he is determined, dedicated and full of hope. Ade on the other hand had a carry over and had to spend another year in school to graduate. It was a challenge but he eventually made it out.  By the time he graduated, Emeka already completed his NYSC programme in Bauchi State where he was posted and now in the market looking for a Job.

Ade went for his NYSC – during the youth service, he was serving with a wood processing company in Kaduna and after the service, and he was retained as a field operations officer to oversee the casual workers. Emeka on the other hand has sent out applications to multiple companies with no response and he is at home waiting for good news.

It is now the second year, no news for Emeka and he decided to go for his Master’s Degree with the hope that it would change his fortune. He went back to school! Studied really hard and as usual became the toast of his class and lecturers love him for determination and ability to stand out among the crowd.

The two friends lost contact by now – Ade has been busy with work and his boss trust him, he is a hard worker who is in charge and delivers on his duty effortlessly, he has not been found wanting since he joined the organisation. Ade got sent on a crash course in England to understand the nitty- gritty of woods business and management.

Emeka is now an MSc holder looking for a job by all means but nothing is forthcoming. Ade got back from abroad and he was made a manager at his company, he was given a new home and a befitting car to match his status. He is now sorted and working harder than ever.

Couple of years down the line he started his own woods processing company with the support of his boss who needs a new arm of the business from another zone of the country but no other person is suitable but Ade. Ade is now a Managing director of his own company employing hundreds of people! Ade is now happily married and has two kids in the process.

Emeka is still somewhere in Jos attempting to get into the workforce but his luck has refused to shine – Ade is doing well for himself.

Then fate kicks in – There was an advert in the newspaper that a new company is in town recruiting for administrative staff and casual workers. Ade’s company just struck a new deal in a remote area of Plateau state and they require local staff to carry out their local commitments.

Emeka applied to be an office manager in this company; he has no clue about who owns this company! He successfully passed the first stage of the interview and got invited for the second leg; this is the closest he has got to any potential job in years! He has been fasting and praying for favour!

Because this role would bring him closer to the management, it was essential for the Director to review the applicants on the final stage. All files of the applicants were sent to the office of the Director who is not based in the local office.

Because of Ade’s schedule, he had to postpone the final stage of the interview to a later date (Weeks away) as he hasn’t found the time to review the files sent to him yet – Emeka got notified of this, he lost control and got extremely upset and came in to the office requesting to withdraw his application. Who could blame him; he has been praying and fasting for NOTHING!

While he was shouting and threatening everyone at the office to provide his file, they made a call to the head office and luckily Ade was on seat, he gave his aides the words to return his file but it will take a week to return it back to Jos.

Ade was curious on why the man could be this upset – he asked for all the files sent to him immediately and he asked for the name of the man that came to the Jos office. His PA said “His name is Emeka Anyim Nwakali”.

Ade said “Come again”! “Get me those files now”! – The only thing on his mind was “God, please don’t let it be him”, not because he doesn’t want to see him, he has been hoping to run to him on the social media or anywhere else as he was beyond convinced that Emeka must be working for the government now or somewhere abroad doing great for himself.

He wanted to see and reconnect with his friend but not this way! He opened the files ransacking through the names and found his file. He reviewed the CV and voila this is 100% match his own Emeka! He shouted that someone should put him through to Jos office –Phone picked and Emeka was gone, no one knows where to find him!

Ade mandated one of the local workers to go and find him by whatever means, he had his home address on the job application – the manhunt is on, Emeka is tired of everything and needed a break from it all, he was contemplating a suicide; he wanted to end it all! He went to a nearby branch of ECWA and slept off in the Church.

He was in the Church till late evening and left when the Church is about to close, dragged himself home to have his usual garri and kulikuli. He finished his dinner and about to call it a night when his neighbour knocked and gave him a later that was dropped earlier in the evening.

The letter didn’t say much but said a lot. The letter read as “Hello Emmy, we have a lot to talk about, come back to the office as soon as you can please” – Emeka was confused as the writer didn’t sign the note but the note was on a personalised paper of the wood company he just applied to and was hoping to work for! Again, the writer addressed him as “Emmy” – this was his nickname back in Rukuba Barrack and Unijos!

Emeka couldn’t sleep all night as nothing is making sense to him. What is going on he kept asking! He slept and woke up to realise it’s just 2am, tried again and woke up at 3.30am! Damn! He was so restless! The office won’t open until 9am and it takes about an hour to get there. He would be walking anyway so he got up to shower and get into his best shirt and trouser. Emeka was ready by 5am!

He sat there praying and hoping things work in his favour. He looked up to the sky and said “Dear God, you know I deserve this Job, you know I deserve peace and love. Go with me as I go this morning dear Lord”.

He left his home at 6am and started walking towards the company’s office. He got there at exactly 8am but office won’t open until 9am anyway – The night security man won’t let him into the compound. He sat out there.

By 9am –office opened and he was allowed in as other workers are arriving. He allowed into the canteen to have breakfast with the staff members. He needed the food and the warmth the office had to offer.

By 11am - he was called into an office and was told that the Managing Director will be in Jos next day and interested in meeting him. He was checked into a hotel in Rayfield –Jos and given a voucher to change clothes with access to other grooming services at the hotel.

Next day – Ade arrived the hotel with his entourage! Request to meet Emeka in his suite ALONE! Emeka was sent for and the two friends met after several years! Emeka was beyond shocked to see Ade as the MD he was expected. So many questions running through his mind but to shocked to ask him much.

They spent hours together going through all that happened and how they have been coping. Right there, Ade requested that Emeka join him in the business but not as a staff. He would support him to learn the trade and set him up within a year.

Their friendship reignited – Emeka is now heading the export arm of the business and learning the trade in the process. He is now doing well for himself and preparing to get married. He has been pencilled to take over the Jos processing factory and look into expanding it in that region.

Two friends with similar background but with different destiny and journey are now back again as friends.

Moral of this story:

·         We all have different paths in life

·         That you did it before me doesn’t mean I can’t do better

·         Success is not limited to how well we do in school

·         Destiny is paramount – Can’t be changed

·         No matter how hard life is, giving up is never a valid option

·         That we failed in one aspect of life doesn’t mean we can’t be a success in another

·         Never feel like a failure

·         Even when things are rough and tight, keep it going

·         Suicide is not an option either

·         A friend out of contact is manoeuvring through life too

·         Life is not a competition, run your race

·         Formal education is amazing but self-deployment is key

·         As you are focusing on the degree, do not forget to develop your talent too

·         Certificate/degree is not an automatic success activator

·         If you can’t find a suitable job, create a job or accept anything within your reach as a ladder. Do whatever that’s available until what is suitable finds you!

·         Do not envy or copy others

·         Be patient, it does take a while for things to work out

·         Do not be idle

·         That you are brilliant than others doesn’t make you a special one

·         That others are not doing well today doesn’t mean they are done

All in all – in the process of getting educated, do not bury your personal ability and talent. They do come handy where certificate fails!

Good Luck!

Big Daddy