Primos Integrated Services Limited

"Heaven Helps Those..."

Many years after Nigeria's independence, the British officials in my dad's company, decided it was time for this autonomy to be reflected in their staff. So, many Nigerians in my father's company were promoted and replaced positions that were formerly only occupied by the British. My father was one of them. He was given a new position and an office of his own. However, sometime elapsed and my father was not given any responsibilities to suit his job. Many times, he would be in his new large office with nothing to do. He decided to go to the 'oyinbo' and ask for some work to do, but they brushed him aside. While he had nothing to lose, my father kept insisting. Eventually, they started to give him tasks. He would complete them and ask for another. Like I said, there were other Nigerians who were similarly promoted. Another was a lady, who had taken to the phone. She would be on the phone from morning until she left at the close of work. Her British boss never complained. So she persisted.

Unknown to the staff, the few remaining foreigners, decided to return to their native land. They had a meeting on who should be left at the helm of affairs. My father was unanimously chosen because he was earnest and showed initiative at the workplace.

When the announcement was made, the other lady went to them to ask why she was not chosen when she was also qualified for that position. The British man responded that she should go back to the phone she loves so much.

This was how my father became the first African and Nigerian Managing Director of NEM Insurance. He remained in this position for about 20 something years. Before he resigned and went to assume the same position in Universe Reinsurance for about six years before retiring in 1999.

Maria Efunbo Lawson-Adeyeba