In this interview, Goje speaks to Chinweugor Nwafor, Head, Internal Audit, Transcorp Nigeria on the little things that inspire her.
Read below:
- What inspires you?
There is a saying by Mother Theresa which speaks to my heart and resonates in my mind as I go through each day. It says: Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
I should warn you though, this does not conflict with my role at work. When it comes to carrying out my duties at the workplace or as a parent, I think the saying would be, anything worth doing; is worth doing well.
My learning points from these two scenarios would be for everyone to learn how to strike a balance while pursuing excellence.
2. How do you unwind?
Hmm…soaking in the bath tub with warm water and soothing music playing on the background or watching cartoons with my son (PJ masks is his favourite). Oh yes, my all-time favourite would be watching movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I hope you’ve watched the 2018 releases …the Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War; Ant Man & the Wasp, while counting down to Captain Marvel and Avengers: Untitled to be released in March and May 2019 respectively.
3. Best book read?
I think I will pick: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.
4. Best film watched?
Hmm… tough one but I think I will still go for Men of Honour. The movie is based on a true story of the first African-American Carl Brashear to serve as a diver in the United States Navy. He was born to a poor farming family but wanted a better life for himself and decided to join the Navy. It starts with him having to contend with racism from the point of his application to sharing the barracks with his other white comrades but his sheer courage and determination saw him succeed to win his diving instructor over; and who then becomes his ally when coming face to face with prejudice, military bureaucracy and even a crippling injury just to realise his dreams.
5. Favourite football club or any other sport that strikes your fancy?
I am a die-hard Manchester United (Man U) Fan (coincidentally, my favourite colour is RED…so this makes for an easy blend).
I also love playing and watching lawn tennis …I wish Novak Djokovic could win all the time (that’s just how I feel; although my husband would prefer Nadal).
6. Most Embarrassing moment ever experienced
I was at a departmental store somewhere in Lekki with my husband when I ran into an employee of one of the banks I had carried out branch audits in; (this was back in the days when I was still in the consultancy world). Immediately our eyes met, she exclaimed to the hearing of all shoppers “Here’s the young lady who almost got me fired from my Regional Manager position at work.”
At that moment, everyone who had heard her remarks, turned towards my direction to catch a glimpse of what I looked like. Being an unexpected exclamation, I froze for a minute and thankfully, with my husband’s help, I recovered just in time to defend myself without giving away sensitive information. Even though she humbly conceded that I was clearly doing my job with the Bank’s interests at heart, I had to contend with the glances that came from time to time from passers-by till I eventually left the store.
7. Happiest moment ever experienced
I think for me, happy moments arise when I have a goal, desire or dream and achieve it… thus in my case, I have had several happy moments with each one in a class of its own; education, travel destinations, career, marriage, motherhood, family …the whole deal.
8. What is family to you?
In my books, family is not always about bloodline, I think it is about those persons who have committed to embark on life’s journey with you and never leave you no matter the ups and downs.
I have come to accept that family is an aspect of one’s life that is considered a constant…thus, your work place or career path may change, lifestyle and taste preferences too. People will come and go, even that sense of spirituality may falter and possibly be questioned based on life’s experiences, but your family…that ideally is and ought to be there to the end.
9. Turn on’s?
Fashion, good food, Maltesers, smiley faces, bright colours (RED predominantly of course), hearing Chris Breezy sing.
10. Turn off’s?
Eye service, shying away from work, physical and mental laziness, back stabbers and phonies.
