The Test 2

The sight on Bayo's face wasn't worth looking at, it made me remember the wrinkles on my late old Granny. His once joyful and exuberant body was no longer ready to dance to life's tantrum, seeing myself unable to do anything helpful to the situation hurt me the most.

After the test yesterday, expectations were high, boastful words poisoning even those who had nothing to say. I stayed a little or rather long while after my test just to see Bayo flare up telling me how simple and bold he was to the task just like old times, what I saw and heard rather was the opposite. Telling me he "has done his best", "God will take control" was unlike Bayo, "something was indeed wrong" I said to myself.

We were told while in the hall to expect an interview message for those of us who did well. Through-out the day, I prayed, made supplication (there was no Fasting), Sang all the hymns I could remember and finally heard the beeping sound of my phone with hopes high and a bit frustrated that it shouldn't be from those nonsense Telecom Providers who had sent 6 messages already.

At 9:33:42 pm, the subject of the message wasn't too catchy but my jubilation made people around me think I had won a Jackpot, "well maybe I have" the heart spoke, the grin on my face was so good and immediately I remembered 'Aaaaaargh Bayo'....

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The Test 1

"Storytelling isn’t my thing, I don't think I am one of those guys who would send you on a wild goose chase with my story, helping you rack your brains. No I offer no help for your problems, or whatever that might beset you in this hall. All the rule on this board are strictly to be adhered to. A slight breakage in any, would cause me to throw you out.."

Those were the words of the hall invigilator where I was to write my test, I wondered what must have provoked him in lashing out those words on us.

Well before all this jamboree of varying and inconsistent use of words, different in meaning to us. Large crowd of appreciating individuals ( appreciating in the fact that they listened to the call for a changed Nigeria, with little concern for what they'd get in return) filled the building of the government owned establishment to undergo the planned exercise required for their intake.

All that was required was a O-Levels then you can imagine the number of turnout, and yes the supposed planned pay. By merely looking at the faces of those present for the test I could guess that ⅔ (two-thirds) of them were degree holders ( I could even swear that I saw a doctorate degree holder, lol). From discuss of some test writers who were Orimaic by there activities (I mean those who acted as if they owned the establishment, those who knew virtually every existing employee by name), I was told the pay is #15,000 monthly, plus daily and regular meals at lunch.

For #15,000, graduates like myself left the comfort of my home, swallowed the insults of the bus conductor I entered (a story for another day), listened as one short, fat, and yeye man lashed out words on me.
It made some of those orimas, some I learnt had undergone the programme before come to do it again.

As of the date of this write up, fifteen thousand isn’t going to be enough for 2 weeks for a Pro Manager (details done in this link).  Yet people churned out in their numbers.

O my Country Nigeria, can't you see how blessed thou art.

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The Test-Poetry

A Poem written to express how I feel as regards the alarming rate of unemployment in Nigeria my Country, Nigeria.

************.                            .****************

***************The Test **********************

Nothing more than Just O-Levels
Come see men and women of Ranging peak,
People strong and bold with High levels
Vying for positions a little boy like me seeks.

What do I do then?
I feel belittled with how things seem
Why this much competition?
From men and women well dressed than I am,
So you also want the little 💰, this position gives.

Life ain't fair that I know so well,
I should not even be in their league,
I've got no choice but to mount a challenge like no other,
One which would ensure I come out victorious.

Just like the Eagle I too want to soar
Flapping my wings and beating the wind thereof
Threading paths even the angels ain't aware of
And coming out victorious with a loud roar.

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