12/07/2024
Many years ago I was working as an apprentice at a popular Printing Press in Ghana, then I saw an advert for University admission, I have always loved to be a graduate so I applied, submitted my form and was called for admission examination. I had to travel to Kumasi all the way from Accra, I have a distant uncle that was resident there then. I wrote a letter (no telephone at the time) to my uncle that I was coming to sit for an exam in Kumasi and would love to stay in their house. I didn't get a reply to my letter even as my departure date was approaching. I became so worried because I needed to go anyway, as I was talking to a colleague in the office concerning my fear of where to stay, one office cleaner who was a Hausa man overheard us and in his broken English interjected that he knew someone in the University. Who could he know there? *Is it not a cleaner like himself,* I unintentionally said it out to his hearing. "Oga no o, the vice chancellor op za University na ma classmate and ma priend." In his bad handwriting, he scribbled the vice chancellors name on a piece of paper. "Just mention my name's por am, him go h**p you." I reluctantly collected the paper from him, not because I intended to make use of it but because I didn't want him to feel bad. The next day, I set out on this long journey by bus from STC yard, Kaneshie. I got to Kumasi at about 5 hours later towards evening. Upon getting there, I went straight to my uncle's house only to find out that they had relocated from that place and no one knew their new address. I became stranded and it was getting late. At about 3pm, I made up my mind to give my cleaner's contact a shot. I got to the gate of the University and mentioned the name I was given. To my utmost surprise, someone was promptly detailed to take me to his office. I gave the paper which Salifu wrote his name and that of his friends to the secretary who took it inside. On sighting the paper, the vice chancellor shouted from the office and followed the secretary outside to usher me in. "Where do you know Salifu?" "He's my colleague in the office, Sir," I answered.
"Where is he? How is he? Hope he's doing well?" This man was asking me many questions in an obvious excitement. The look on his face confirmed to me that Salufu was his beloved friend. He asked me what I came to do in Kumasi and I said it was for the entrance exams. "Wow, do you have where to sleep?" "No, sir." He immediately called someone to take me to his house. On getting to the house, I was lavishly entertained. This man came late in the night and he woke me up and took me up on tutorials for the next day's exams. After the exams, he personally drove me to the park the next day. When I got back to work, I began to look at Salifu with a different eyes. How on earth does this man know such a powerful person? Needless to say, my name was number four on the list when the results came out. Friends, I put it to you today that relationship is a currency. Every man needs another man to move up and that man may be the neighbour you look down on, maybe the taxi driver you so despise or even the house help you think is a nobody today. Relationship is a stream of income. Everything in life actually reproduces on the basis of relationship. Those we know in life matter. *Most of us are talented but we need a cupbearer that will tell Pharaoh that there's a Joseph that can interpret dreams.* we need our old school mates irrespective of their status today. Hook up with your class mates in the primary, secondary and tertiary schools alumni. There are some heights you may never get to in life until someone tells someone about you even in church or mosque. *Therefore, shut the door of your relationships gently*. You may need to use it tomorrow. Let us take our relationships seriously. Even if you meet online, don't look down on anyone. You never can tell which of the relationships is your own key to success.
Meditate on this today as you move on in this new year with fresh thought.
*RELATIONSHIP IS A SOCIAL CAPITAL*
GET IT AND MOVE FORWARD.
CHEERS!!!!!!
