In Nigeria, you cannot be a jobless graduate or job seeker in peace. There are some persons whose duty is likely to frustrate, exploit, and expose your situation to more danger and obscurity. They present themselves as better alternatives. They employ tactics to attract, weaken, and manipulate their victims. It is an organized establishment to wage war against education and the system.
This report not only shows how some individuals dubiously lure desperate job seekers to a ‘drug networking business’ but it also shows how these job seekers are manipulated, exploited in cash, and emotionally and mentally harassed to submit for a specific purpose.
In the first of a two-part series, WITHIN NIGERIA JOURNALIST, SODIQ LAWAL who went undercover as a desperate job seeker narrated his experience in the hands of ‘new life agents’ who want to lure him into drug-networking business.
In this second of a two-part series, the reporter narrated how a group of people identified as ‘new life agents’ use deception, manipulation and mental coercion to capture and rework their victims – secondary school leavers, fresh college intakes, job seekers and struggling Nigerians.
When I entered the Owa Odundun Royal Hall, I spotted a number of individuals, including two elderly men, malnourished looking housewives, and naive young girls and boys who had already taken up the wooden benches within. The man who invited me to the hall for prosperity, Mr. Segun, was not there as I looked around the hall. A 7-foot man in business attire, who was most likely in his mid-thirties, told me to take up a vacant seat in the third row. Please pay close attention and don’t bother people who are here to improve their life, he advised.
I was unable to initiate an eye-searching quest for my sponsor, Mr. Segun, because of a young woman wearing a white hijab, fading silver shoes, and an Ankara gown. They had begun the process by the time I walked into the hall. With a little bit of arrogance and terrible English, the woman on the podium was observed speaking to the audience in Yoruba. She was annoying and too loud, but I had no choice. They say the head who will wear the crown will face difficulties.
“You’ve come here to learn from us. You cannot make my life better. I am the person who can make your life better. Drop your shoulder pad, relax your muscles, and pay close attention to what I’m saying. “If you don’t listen to me, you will die poor,” the young lady warned attendees as I stepped in.
While rebuking the audience, she asked that any polytechnic or university graduates should raise their hands. I had scarcely sat down when I became engaged. I suspected Segun had alerted them of my arrival ahead of time. I indicated to identify as a graduate, and I observed that there were two of us in the hall. She directed that I sit in the front seat while the other individual sat in the middle of the women.
The engagement
The young lady revealed that she is also a graduate, but she is not arrogant or pompous. I was able to learn from my mentors in this hall because I was humble. She went on to say that if we could use our degree to achieve something big in life, we wouldn’t be in the hall. She described how she gave up her hard-earned certificate in order to pursue success.
“I feel better now. I am OK now. I am financially stable and self-sufficient. I don’t rely on a wage or any employer. At my age, I am now the CEO. You can become like me if you don’t let ego or pride consume your life. If you are willing to learn, my mentors can assist you. Look at the way I dressed. “Look at my shoes. Don’t you want to be like me? She inquired. We all chorused that No, we want to be like you.
The attack on education, NYSC and job
She reminded listeners that no siblings or relatives would help them achieve success in life, and she also urged them not to hunt for work or start enterprises, but rather to come and join them in achieving economic prosperity.
“If your ambition as a lady is to wake up and look good, then you’re done. If you’re a guy who only wants to wear nice clothes, you’re finished. If you’re seeking a job or wondering how to work in a company put up by anyone, you’re done. You must be your own boss. Do not work for anyone. “Your job steals your time, happiness, freedom, and enjoyment,” the lady admonished.
She approached my seat and instructed me to stand up. I stood up without reluctance. She asked me to explain the full meaning of NYSC as an abbreviation. I did – (National Youth Service Corps). She laughed suspiciously and asked the audience to clap for me. She felt sorry for me and stated that I had been confined by the system. She added that I needed mental release from the system since it prevented me from thinking and growing constructively. I maintained complete composure and did not allow her words to anger me. I felt embarrassed but I must not lose focus
She moved from my row to the podium. She informed attendees that the meaning I provided was irrelevant and did not convey real-life events. “NYSC means Now Your Struggle Continues,” she explained. In an attempt to support her assertion, the lady stated that there are many areas where people are unemployed and continue to suffer after serving their country. She added that if NYSC does not imply that the struggle will continue, corps members should not suffer after their service.
She pointed at a man in his mid-fifties. She humbly instructed the man to stand up and face the audience. What type of a job do you have? She asked. Before being relieved of my duties, I worked in the paint industry as a factory worker. How much money do you earn per month? He responded with a sum of N35,000. Does it pay your bills and keep you comfortable? she inquired. “No,” he said.
Real-life meanings of job, salary as abbreviations
The lady told the participants that the man would never be able to live well since he worked for the benefit of a small group of people: the factory owners. Do you understand the definition of salary? She asked. “Owo osu,” some women said in unison. She explained that SALARY denotes “something that is always low and reduces you”. You were given a salary to live and work for another month, she explained.
Were you financially stable while you were working? She further asked. No, I borrow money from friends and family to pay my bills, he said. “You will always borrow as a worker since the system is designed in such a way. The definition of JOB is ‘Journey of Borrowers’. You will always borrow to exist in order to do your job,” she explained.
She told the man to sit down and was going to bring up another issue when a man in his mid-thirties Iater identified as Busuyi Oluwafemi interjected. He praised the lady and asked everyone to cheer for her. He also asked them to greet her in their traditional slogans. They saluted her as she departed the podium to join her colleagues at a corner in the hall. Busuyi and some attendees – regular customers, including his colleagues, engaged in fun banter by making statements and responding as a group. I saw that all of the statements were purposefully made to belittle schooling, job hunting and encourage people not to waste their time in becoming civil servants.
Meeting team members who ‘appear’ seemingly rich on ‘cheap’ clothes
Busuyi invited all team members to the podium and asked people to greet them. A squad of seven people, four men and three women. They dressed corporately. I noticed that they dressed differently on purpose to indicate their position in the team structure.
The first person to speak was a woman named Joy. Listening to the manner she spoke, it was clear that she was an illiterate who had only crammed normal slang or words during meetings. The Ondo native described how her old employment as a bartender made her unhappy. She also explained how she was unable to complete her secondary education due to a lack of funds and financial support. Joy claims that her life story altered once she met someone who introduced her to this business.
Joy described how she progressed from selling drugs for little money to becoming a manager and now a senior manager. She boasted that she is now financially independent and cannot be a slave or employee of anyone because she is now a CEO. She thanked the facilitator and sponsor. As Joy recounted her incident, I couldn’t take my gaze away from her appearance, particularly her damaged shoes. Is she truly a millionaire? If I had argued loudly, they would have dragged me out of the hall.
Another team member stepped out and boasted, much like Joy. Other members of the squad emerged and addressed the audience in turn. I watched and listened to each team member brag about their fortune while telling their sorrowful past, particularly how they were impoverished until being introduced to a new life – a networking business. They were attempting to sell themselves to the naïve and frustrated participants, presenting the business as a better alternative. The only thing they didn’t promise was heaven.
Do you recall Segun showing me a diary or jotter with images of a mansion and two luxury vehicles supposedly owned by one, King Alhaji Diamond Afeez Adekunle Amoo Tijani, in the first part of this two-part report? They also reminded participants that Tijani started off as a nobody in the business they are introducing us to and worked his way up to his current position via dedication and determination. Do you want to be like Alhaji Tijani or not? Another team member inquired, and everyone said ‘Yes’.
Busuyi walked the podium and began singing their team leader’s praises. He told the audience to keep clapping while he used strong adjectives to highlight the man’s wealth, generosity, and intelligence. Busuyi and other members greeted the team leader while the audience clapped. He entered the hall in grand style. He was dressed in a blue long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, with a black suede shoe. He wore two necklaces around his neck and wrapped wrist watches and bangles around his hands. As he walked his way to the podium, he waved to the audience to greet them. He danced for a few minutes with his team members before instructing them to sit.
The team leader, identified as Sheriff, told participants that he is from Ede. He said that he is illiterate, but he is the richest member of their family. He boasted of feeding educated individuals in his extended family. He claimed that his siblings would always wait for his advice or command before doing anything in the household. He also claimed that he provided funding for his siblings’ enterprises. He introduced his younger brother who is now a senior manager in the networking firm. He asserted that his younger brother is wealthy, but not richer than him. As he pointed to his brother, I looked at his appearance. Two buttons were missing from the shirt and trousers that had been stitched together with needle and thread. In his narration, he revealed that he was introduced to the networking business some years ago.
“I’ve accomplished a lot since then. My friend, who ignored the advice, now relies on me to support his family. I get my monthly salary in dollars. I don’t care whether the Naira improves or not. I am wealthy since I did not turn down the offer to join this business “I earn close to N1 million per month, and they will still raise my salary,” he boasted.
Do you remember the young lady who left her job as a private school teacher to join the company? Sheriff told guests that he was the one who suggested her retire and join the firm. Sheriff boasted, “She is now richer than the school owner, despite the fact that I earn more than her.”
He told one of the senior managers to bring a file containing some documents. He took out a notepad and summoned two people: an elderly guy and a young lady. He pointed to a portion and asked the elderly man to read it aloud. ‘Dear Sheriff, you have been paid the sum of N650,000 as June salary,’ the old man announced. He asked them to return to their seats.
The business
A young adult, presumably in his early thirties, raised his hand, and the team leader called on him. He asked the team leader, Sheriff, to go into depth about what they would do to earn money like him from the business because they had places to go. What have you accomplished thus far in your job? A rather enraged Sheriff enquired.
He rebuked the man and advised participants to submit and learn from successful people like him.
After rebuking the young adult, he revealed that it is a drug networking company called New Life.
According to Sheriff, drugs would be distributed to interested attendees for sale, but these drugs are expensive and scarce.
“They are supplements and may not be used by any distributor. You will go to public places to sell these drugs and there will be a commission for each drug sold,” he said.
Sheriff added that they will also try to attract people into the business.
“The more people you bring, the higher your earnings or commission. If you bring 20 individuals at once, you can become a senior manager and outperform those you met on the ground. “You will sell drugs and recruit people to join the business,” he explained.
How to become a member
According to Sheriff, forms are not free, but we have lowered the cost to a reasonable and significant amount.
“The form is worth one million naira, but we genuinely need to help people. I spoke with our mentors, and they agreed that we should distribute a form for N50,000,” he revealed.
He also mentioned that there is a rare opportunity to pay in installments if you are unable to pay in full.
“If you can afford N5000, pay it now and bring the balance to our next meeting on Saturday. You can roam with us if you pay a part of the cost, but we cannot give you medications to sell at this time. Do not let your siblings or friends influence your decision. They can abuse you for selling drugs, but don’t worry about it. “You, too, can achieve success,” he concluded.
The breach
I requested permission from the team leader to ease myself. He denied me. I insisted, and he eventually let me. I looked back and saw Mr Segun, my sponsor. He followed me outside to get my thoughts on the entire episode. I accused him of lying and deceiving me. Is this a company? I questioned him.
Segun told me that income would not address my situation as a deportee, so he decided to lure me into the networking company, promising that I would recover what I had lost in one month. I informed him that I wasn’t furious with him because I’d learned a lot.
How much do you plan to pay for the form now? A concerned Segun enquired. I didn’t have much cash here, but I’ll deposit N500 or N1000 till the next meeting or transmit the money to any account I can access, I replied. Segun was unhappy, but he had no choice. He told me to go and deposit any cash I had on hand to demonstrate my commitment.
The dispute
I proceeded to empty my bladder. I collected the sum of N2000 from the nearest POS operator and walked to a corner inside the hall. I met one of the senior managers who handed me a paper to fill in my details and the amount I intend to deposit. When I told him N1000, he was dumbfounded. Are you serious? He asked. I told him about bank issues I’ve been battling with and he allowed me to enter my details and collected the N1000 from me. I made moves to join others but the team leader did not allow me. He said I have gone out and I can only join them next Saturday.
But I just left the hall to urinate now, I explained. He looked away and resumed addressing those who had paid nicely. While I was trying to voice my concerns to one of the senior managers, I overheard him chastising and using me as an example to others, warning them that if they don’t follow simple instructions, they will end up like meAs I was trying to persuade another senior manager, I noticed a 3kg gas cylinder, buckets, used pots and plates in one of the hall’s corners. I also noticed three Hausa mats and three Ghana must-go bags, which were probably full of clothes. They didn’t properly cover them. The senior manager who caught my glimpse, requested me to follow him outside the hall, where he asked me to return next Saturday.
The call
I contacted Mr. Segun and informed him that I had exited the hallway. I conveyed my dissatisfaction with the way I was treated, and he begged me. He said that the team leader was most likely under pressure, which is why he was treating me so poorly. I informed him that I would reevaluate my position and look for a job where I would be treated with dignity. He persuaded me, but I persisted on going and looking for work. I had trekked for 10 minutes when an odd number contacted me. I answered the phone, and the person described himself as Segun’s mentor, who lives in Osogbo.
He told me that he is a successful man by all criteria, but he had to stop what he was doing when Segun informed him that I was insulted during the event, prompting my choice to depart the hall. He tried to persuade me for 15 minutes that the job would simply exacerbate my problem rather than solve it. I appreciated him and vowed to call him back when I got home. He thanked me sincerely and informed me that he would be on my case to ensure that I quickly reach prosperity under his supervision.
The mobile phone disturbance
Segun and his boss did not allow my phone to rest. They will call me in the morning, afternoon and at night. Segun became a serial caller. He would call me countless times until I picked his call. He would beg and assure me that things would get better. He told me on a particular day that the team leader who insulted me has been suspended by the council of mentors in the business.
Segun was capable of speaking for several minutes without interruption. Sometimes I’d attach him to my deck so that I could do other things. He was tireless, tenacious, and had a tremendous desire to capture me as his objective. The findings revealed that Segun would receive a certain sum if I completed the payment of the N50,000 form fee.
When Segun calls, he always asks about my current situation. Have you got a job? Is your employer treating you well? Is your new work not overly stressful? Do your bosses respect you? Can you eat and pay your rent with your salary? Segun would ask me a variety of questions, including these. I’d also offer him incriminating responses.
He informed me that if I hadn’t backed out, I’d start selling drugs. He went on to say that if I hadn’t left, I would have brought people into the business and begun making money from them. He asked me to return and ignore what happened between the team leader and me.
When I narrated my experience with Segun to a friend, he said if Segun could apply his determination and efforts in networking to genuine enterprises, he would undoubtedly become successful and better.
Not yet a bad bye?
I didn’t block Segun. I would put my phone on airplane mode anytime I wasn’t ready to talk to him. If Gbenga phones me today, he will be begging or advising me to join the drug networking company. Who begs or forces someone to run a profitable business? Is Gbenga truly a wonderful man who encourages me to pursue the same business that did not bring him success? Is I merely a target that he didn’t want to miss? Hopefully, I will receive answers one day.
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