We all set out to have an amazing year, but we must now admit that this year has been very chaotic so far.
There was a lot of positivity; our people on Twitter tagged it a year of “No gree for anybody,” but it’s as if 2024 decided not to gree for us too because the level of ‘gbas gbos’ we have been receiving is not for the faint-hearted. But we are Nigerians. We always find a way to stay happy.
On this note, we decided to feel the pulse of people within the organisation, just to know how the year has been for them. Even though for us at Africa Prudential, the spirit has been high with our very own mama (Catherine Nwosu) resuming and taking the realm of leadership, we are positive that this year will smile at us and our bank accounts.
I have with me Gift Esinulo, our very beautiful and dedicated Legal Associate, and she shares her experience about the year and her excitement about joining our Africa Prudential family.
Keren for HHPeople: Hey Gift, how are you doing? Please, the MCC team would like to spotlight someone from AP for HH People magazine, and we nominated you. Don’t worry, the questions are easy.
Gift: Pauses and then smiles and graciously accepts.
Keren for HHPeople: How has Q1 2024 been so far?
Gift: Q1 has been a roller coaster! Life after NYSC is so different, from job search to little emotional Higgy Haggers. It’s been a roller coaster, to be honest.
Keren for HHPeople: That’s very understandable. Q1 has been chaotic for me as well. You think you’ve overcome something, and you’re hit with something different. So, tell me what’s the one thing that shocked you?
Gift: Getting accepted to come to work at AP. Before I applied, there were already 29 applicants, so getting accepted was surprising, even after the rigorous interview. Not that I am not confident, but then it is what it is 😂.
Keren for HHPeople: I know, right! Interviews can be so scary. They will make you doubt yourself, especially when you don’t hear back. Thank God your case was different, and it’s good to have you here at AP. Please share with us January 1st vs. now, how do you feel?
Gift: I feel hopeful because life is getting better! Where I was some months, back is definitely not where I am now, and I will keep moving up!
Keren for HHPeople: Amen to that! Are you still following your New Year’s resolutions?
Gift: Oh no, I am not fully following them. It’s not like I stopped totally; things have changed a bit, so I am trying to fit in and follow through differently.
Keren for HHPeople: I totally understand this. I wrote down my goals at the beginning of the year, and I read them every other day just so I won’t forget. It’s difficult to keep up, but it’s all about baby steps. We want to know, have you agreed for anybody? Who/What?
Gift: I have not and won’t agree for anybody 😂.
Keren for HHPeople: Correct, babe, no gree for anybody oh. Remember the mantra “Emi lo kan.” What did you set out to achieve this year?
Gift: Getting a good job and a major kick-start in my law career. Well, my law career is just starting, and I am glad it’s starting here at AP. Truth is, in everything I do, I always aim for the highest. So, I hope to get to the peak of my law career. That’s all I can say.
Keren for HHPeople: Aww, well done, the sky is your starting point. Would you like to share your life hacks: How do you deal with the pressure?
Gift: Eat, sleep, and face it!
Keren for HHPeople: Do you need to vent? Let’s have it.
Gift: Naaah, nothing to vent about for now.
Keren for HHPeople: Are you sure there is nothing to vent about? It doesn’t have to be about work; it could be something happening in society.
Gift: Pauses and smiles again, then says, “I hate Lagos buses! God Abeg bless me with my car!!!!!!!!!!!”
Keren for HHPeople: Omo, Lagos bus is draining! Don’t worry the car will come. How do you rejuvenate?
Gift: I rejuvenate by going out to chill, going for a spa and beauty care day, going to the movies, and eating every finger food I can find!!!
Keren for HHPeople: What advice do you have for people going through it?
Gift: Know that there is time for everything; pain does not last forever, and Jesus listens.
Keren for HHPeople: Amen. So, tell us, what are your thoughts on therapy?
Gift: Oh, I love therapy! It helps a lot.
Keren for HHPeople: How do you keep the faith?
Gift: Words of affirmation go a long way. It can encourage, and it can light up a person’s mood. I recommend it.
So that’s it from the stable of AP’s MCC team. We hope that, like Gift, you can stay positive, use words of affirmation, get a lot of sleep, take beauty days seriously, and remember not to gree for anybody. Congratulations! We survived Q1; now let’s crush Q2.
