"How many years has it been since Mr. Sadiku used those words on me?" I sat in my chair facing my desk, where my PC awaited. My hands rested on the keyboard, ready to start writing, but I couldn’t seem to begin. I was trying to remember how many years had passed. Since Mr. Sadiku, no one has ever called me that. In that moment of reflection, the memory came to me, and I began typing, excited to write an interesting story.
Image source
Young me, dressed in corporate attire, stood in front of Aiico Pension Company, ready to begin my first day in the office. I wore a black suit, black pants, and a blue tie. I felt excited and full of confidence, eager to start my new life as a working professional.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to complete my one-year compulsory Industrial Training (IT) at Aiico Pension, so I was determined to look good and presentable on my first day. After arriving at the department where I would be working, I was welcomed by a high-ranking official in the company, as I would be learning from them. With such experienced individuals around me, I was optimistic about gaining valuable experience and having an easygoing time. However, everything turned out to be different from what I had anticipated.
Mr. Sadiku was the head of the department, and he was a good man. Most of the time, I had to buy food for my colleagues since they were all my bosses and older than me.
"Fash, come and buy me food. I am hungry," Mr. Shola would say, then another voice would say, "And me too." "Buy for me." "Is he going to get the food now? Where is my plate?" and that was how I would get everyone's food daily. Life of an IT student.
In the midst of handling these tasks, I was given various responsibilities from which I learned a lot. This continued for several months, and after three months, I became an expert in my duties at the office.
One fortunate month, I overheard a discussion between HR and the survey department. "You will be revalidating all the customer information we have in the company because Pencom is coming for an inspection. This means you will go through the customer data, confirm the provided details, and correct any errors you find. Do you understand?" The entire survey department responded, "Yes, sir," and then I walked back to my office.
2 days later, the Pencom officials came around and visited each department to greet and ask some questions about the activities of the company. I was siting down, with my laptop in front of me, trying to check for the state bond and federal government bond price so I can hand it over to Mr Shola before he request for it.
“Ko ko Ko” was what we heard coming from the office door before I walked over to open it. If it were people from another department, they wouldn’t wait to be invited in before entering. I opened the door and saw a not-so-talkative man standing in front of me, wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a tie that looked peach-colored.
Everyone in the office stretched their necks to see who was standing with me at the door. My colleague, Mr. Sadiku, was the first to recognize the man’s voice. “Oh, Mr. Akinyemi, please come in,” Mr. Sadiku said. After they had discussed a few matters, he began introducing everyone in the office and explaining the roles they played.
When it was my turn, Mr. Sadiku said, “This is Demola. He works in IT, but he is still under training.”
“Hello, Demola. How are you doing?” the man replied. “My name is Jake. Do you know what customer revalidation is?” With that, Mr. Sadiku added, "Oh, sir, you shouldn’t ask him. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. Besides, this is just his third or fourth month.”
As Jake was about to leave, I spoke up, “Excuse me, but I know what it means.” I then went on to explain it. Mr. Sadiku and Jake were surprised and started asking me more questions, which I answered confidently.
The worried look on Mr. Sadiku's face disappeared as he left with Jake to his private office to discuss matters with me. As Jake was leaving, he gave me a handshake and said, "You might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but you are sharp enough to be in the shed. Keep up the good work." He then went to another department.
After he left, Mr. Sadiku looked at me, smiled, and returned to his office.
I made sure to study everything I needed to know so that no one could ever use those words on me again. Since that day, no one has ever said anything like that to me.
The End.
Bzzzrrr! Ah, mais um episódio divertido da vida de @fashtioluwa! Eu adorei como ele contou a história da sua experiência no escritório. Quem não se lembrava de ter que comprar comida para os colegas de trabalho, né? Buuuuz, isso é uma história de aprendizado e crescimento. Ficou curta e funny, perfeita! #hivebr
AI generated content
Delegate your HP to the hive-br.voter account and earn Hive daily!
🔹 Follow our Curation Trail and don't miss voting! 🔹
Your post was manually curated by @crazyphantombr.Thank you
Obrigado por promover a comunidade Hive-BR em suas postagens.
Vamos seguir fortalecendo a Hive
You’re welcome
My sharp alien bro 😂😂😂
Whether or whethern't you are still in the shed 😂😂😂. That's cool too
Yeah
That’s the most important 🤣🤣
Of course 😂
Thank you for posting in The Ink Well. We would like to share our standard reminders. Please note these important community guidelines:
Ok
I believe I followed the rules but note taken
Your story appeared in our AI test as 100% like written by AI, @fashtioluwa. Please see our latest newsletter for more information.
Whaoo, Ok. I will read the newsletter. Thanks as always
“……….sharp enough to be in the shed.”
That was the highlight for me. Wonderful piece dear
Thanks for reading. I am glad you enjoyed it.
You’re a sharp man. One thing I dislike is the way companies or workers send IT workers errands. They are supposed to be learning from you but you send them only to buy food for you
It is what it is, and we have to go so we dont end up on their bad side.
Turn into a courier the harsh reality of some organizations. Sometimes they don't even put please. They just use you as they like.
Wow, it is best to surprise people when they think you can't do it
I love your story. 😊
Why did you love it
I love the fact that you portrayed the reality of how some people who claim to be older staffs or best in the system tend to downgrade those who are probably new and learning how the system works, in front of other high ranking officials. I've had a similar experience and I proved myself to be an excellent personality beyond their expectations.
Sharp Fashti, nice post man.
Top notch exposition. Nice perspective and context and crucified in sophisticated manner.
100foryousir. Keep the blow.