Minister of Enjoyment: I Grooved My Way From Security Officer to Admin Supervisor

HH People:

Tell us little about yourself

 Ibilolu:

My name is Ibilolu Monsuru but people fondly call me different names within the Group. To some I am Ibilolu, to others, Biloluuu, and then, some even call me Ibisco!  I consider myself a humble and free minded person. I love to groove and enjoy life, you know, with good food and good music. Unfortunately, these days I don’t have as much time as I used to have for enjoyment. But trust sha, I still take good care of myself, especially in the early hours of Sunday mornings when I know that our Oga at the top is either out of town or letting off steam. My Sunday morning enjoyment ministry begins with a cold drink and some good old music from my favorite people – Fela, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezar Obe and even Asa.

As a child, I was extremely stubborn (although some of my friends will tell you that this has not changed.) Back then, you could never meet me at home after school. I was either out on the streets playing football with strangers, or I followed my friend to hunt birds or tend to pigs in his father’s poultry farm.  My Father had nine sons, so our family was the original Fuji House of Commotion!  Of all my siblings, I was closest to my direct elder brother, so much that people used to say then that if you see him, you had seen me.

I remember how my rascally ways were interrupted by a new teacher we had in Primary school. This guy, Mr. Ogunbanjo had just returned from Canada or so, and he didn’t shy away from letting us know. Eventually, we all began to call him Mr. Canada. Now ehn, the problem with Mr. Canada was that he was also a Muslim and worshipped in the same mosque with us. I don’t know if it was over sabi or brotherly affection that motivated him, but Mr. Canada suddenly arranged for a meeting with my Father and reported all the mischief and trouble I was involved in. I have not forgotten the look on my Father’s face and the five long sticks of cane he bought on our way home. All in all, growing up was fun and interesting.

HH People:

So essentially, you were a little rascal? *laughter*

Ibilolu:

Yes, something like that. A good, little rascal. *more laughter*

HH People:

Well, we can’t deny the impact you’ve made in Heirs Holdings. Tell us how and when you joined the Group.

Ibilolu:

I have been in the Group since Day 1.  In fact, this question reminds me about the day Heirs Place was dedicated. On that day Dr. Elumelu was here (HH) with one Rev. Father who anointed every part of the building including the inner car park, drivers’ room, generator area and the whole perimeter fence. While rounding up the activities Chairman came in, and immediately he came down from the car he went down on his knee before the Rev. Father and he was fortified with prayers and he was blessed too. I believed the outcome of that prayer is what we are seeing today.

HH People:

Hahah, that’s an interesting perspective. So, what were you doing before you joined the Group?

 Ibilolu:

I was a security guard.

HH People:

Really?

 Ibilolu:

Really, Really o.

HH People:

You have to tell us a little about this.

 Ibilolu:

It was like actually very interesting. Being left to guard a security post gives you a certain kind of implied power. When you stand in that post, you have authority, outside of your Ogas, of course. But it is like a leadership role the way I see it. You deal with all sorts of people, some manipulative, some intimidating, some people who think they can walk all over you, but you maintain your ground on the due protocols because that is what you were hired to do.

I also like the fact that many times, we who oversee the gates are privy to lots of information, but there is also a certain implied integrity, you must keep your mouth and ears shut otherwise, na to find another work be that. I learnt from the experience, especially how to stand my ground and always be on top of the situation no matter how rough it looks.

 HH People:

Perhaps we should add manning a security post as a practical to our leadership training series.

Ibilolu:

Lol, that will be interesting.

HH People:

So how did you transition from security post in the Group?

Ibilolu:

I was employed as a security guard then by XL security, and then seconded to UBA 57 Marina. I spent some months in that station, then I was deployed to MacGregor Ikoyi when our able Chairman wanted to renovate his house. Owen called me and told me about the opportunity. That day, I nearly fainted.  After the renovation we then moved back to MacGregor and I continued as security. After some years, I was given a supervisory role and because I had trained as Facility Maintenance Manager with Tom Associates, I was later elevated to the position of facility officer which am doing till date.

HH People:

Wow. This is the stuff New Year motivations are made of.

Ibilolu:

Lol, I’m just a humble boy o.

HH People:

What lessons did you learn from this transition?

Ibilolu:

First, I know there are better ways of doing things. I have also learned to think and act very fast, on my feet as they say. And then, I have had the opportunity to learn from the incredible people within the Heirs Group. There are skills that I will always have with me, like problem solving skills. As a maintenance person, it is very important to know the best techniques for the issue at hand, so you don’t compound the situation and so you don’t fall prey to fraudulent artisans. I have also grown to appreciate the value of feedback which is very crucial while dealing with different stakeholders for job delivery.

HH People:

It all sounds really exciting. We are curious to know: What is the biggest thing that happened to you since you joined the Group?

Ibilolu:

Salary increment o! Bank alert things. You know I like to enjoy myself, so money is good for that. When Owen told me back then that my salary had been increased, I ran out of her office to meet Chairman in the gym. I took his hand to shake him and he said: “Congratulation Ibilolu, but more is expected.”

 HH People:

Well, that sounds just like Chairman. Always affirming his confidence in people.

Ibilolu:

That is true

HH People:

A little bird told us you are the go-to-person for sorting issues in Heirs Place. Lol. Can you explain this?

Ibilolu:

Hmmm, na so we see am o! Everybody always comes to Ibilolu for one thing or the other. Some will even call on Sunday morning to get one or two things from the store. Then there are those who will call and say, please Ibilolu kindly send me a mechanic, my car broke down on the road. Some call me for their back-pain issues, requesting for the assigned chairs to be changed. In fact, let me tell you, it got so bad that once, someone called me to taste her food but during the process of tasting, I finished the food.

HH People:

That’s wild. At least you have fun on the job

 Ibilolu:

Haha, yes, I do.

HH People:

What do you like about the job?

 Ibilolu:

The nature of my role is varied, as I supervise artisans from: Electrical, Painting, Plumbing, Welding, Aluminum work, AC repair, Furniture etc. The job gives me room to work with different kinds of people. I also like that the job keeps me on my toes at all times, because like I mentioned, I have to be on top of my game.  It also helps that I am an early morning person. I get to office early enough to ensure all the facilities are working optimally, do all the checking from generator to water plant, check all electrical appliances to the gym area, escalate snag area for rectification and follower up with the repair. Also supervise the vendors on weekend work and ensure the meeting rooms are ready for weekend meetings at all time.

HH People:

Wow, you are a busy man. What goal do you have ultimately within your role?

Ibilolu:

My role is to deliver excellence and do it consistently. I have experienced professional growth already and I continue to look forward to more learning and growth opportunities as I advance my professional life.