Why I Dumped Teaching for a Career in the Civil Service

How would you describe your growing up?

I was born in Ire-Ekiti, Ekiti State 74 years ago. At age seven, I moved to Osogbo in the then Western Region to stay with my uncle. My father was a farmer and business man who was well to do. So I was very spoilt as a child. I remember all my contemporaries didn’t have shoes but I always had.

My father was also a polygamist with up to 10 wives but only three lived with him in the compound and my mother was the youngest wife. I remember each wife had their own flat and we lived in harmony in the sense that my father was in charge of his household.

What do you remember about your parents that have been quite instructive?

My father was a wealthy man. This has taught me to take the issue of money lightly. I don’t worship money. As a matter of fact, you cannot entice me with money. This also helped me when I joined the federal civil service. You know people would come and offer you money sometimes and even promise to build a house for you. I never fell for it because I have always been a contented person.

What was your experience living in Osogbo?

It was a wonderful experience for me. My uncle was a tailor; the type you call English tailor. He was also sewing dresses for the priests. Having observed the way I was being spoilt, he decided to take me along with him to Osogbo. Of course, I adjusted and continued my early education.

After my primary education I moved to Akure and enrolled at a Teacher’s Training College where I sojourned for four years. When I finished, I went to Ilesha as a Grade II teacher at Secondary Modern School. After two years, I was transferred to St. Charles Grammar School Osogbo as a teacher.

What was your aspiration as a child?

The only aspiration then was to be a teacher because it was in vogue. Again, in those days especially in the rural setting the only attraction then was teaching. I just thought it was normal for me to be a teacher and I embraced it. Again, once you are a trained teacher, the next aspiration was to get a wife. After sometime, my orientation changed, I quit teaching, came to Lagos and joined the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Why did you abandon teaching for a career in the civil service?

Two things happened that made me abandon the profession to look for a greener pasture. Shortly before I was transferred to Osogbo, we usually had parties at weekends. As a Grade II teacher, I was a king because girls would always come around me.

But on this particular weekend all the girls that used to come around me switched to a young dashing boy. I asked who the young man was and I was told he was a young graduate from the university who was a teacher at Ilesha Grammar School. He also came in a sleek car. You know I was flaunting my own Raleigh bicycle and I thought I had arrived. Right then, I vowed that I must go to the university.

Another occasion was when I was posted to St. Charles Grammar School in Osogbo. I had problems with the Bishop who was in charge of the schools in the diocese. The principal then was an Englishman. He said I would be in charge of sports. This principal now organised a sports competition without informing me. I reported him to the Bishop. He took sides with him. I saw it as a slap on my face and left.

What was your experience in the civil service?

I joined the federal civil service in 1962 where I worked for two years. I was lucky I got admission with full scholarship to study Economics in Canada. With the new aspiration, I jettisoned the idea of marrying a wife. I did my undergraduate studies at Lakehead University in Ontario and a post graduate degree in Ottawa.

After my studies, I got a job with the Canadian Federal Civil Service. But after the Nigeria civil war, the Nigerian government was looking for Nigerians to help build the nation. The Nigeria High Commissioner in Canada convinced me. I came back in 1972 and joined the Federal Civil Service. I moved through the ranks and retired as permanent secretary in 1994 at the age of 54.

Why did you quit without reaching the stipulated age?

This was also based on principle. About four of us had a disagreement with the Minister then. With modesty, I am highly principled. I don’t worship money. I had to retire. After retirement, I floated an economic consultancy firm. It was doing fine but again, I would not compromise so five years ago I felt I had had enough. I quit and I am currently enjoying my life in retirement.

At what age did you decide to give marriage a shot?

Having satisfied my educational yearning, I came back to Nigeria, got a job and got married in 1973. The marriage is blessed with wonderful children who are doing well in their endeavours.

If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score yourself?

I would score myself 10 over 10. I am fully satisfied and grateful to God that I was able to achieve my set goals. Again, some of these things depend on destiny. There were many occasions that my principle had pitched me against the powers that be but I would come out victorious. Instead of being persecuted, I was promoted. I was a local teacher but see how God worked my scholarship and surpassed my expectations. That was a miracle.

What lesson has life taught you?

Sometimes one needs to apply diplomacy in dealing with people. At the same time, you need to value integrity. Looking back, I don’t have regrets for being highly principled.