In the month of October, 1980, about a month before I turned 19, while living in Calabar, in a newspaper called “Daily Sketch”, I saw an advertisement for a vacancy by Nigeria Airways. It read “See the world and meet people, be a Nigeria Airways Flight Attendant.” I became extremely interested and saw myself travelling the world, a dream come true. The interview was to be held in Port Harcourt for those from the Southeast. The interview date was October 22nd. I knew I must attend the interview, because I knew with my experience and qualifications, I could get the job. By then I worked at Metropolitan Hotel as the Manager’s assistant, a new position that was just given to me by the Scottish Manager – Mr. Shield, who did not like my earlier designation as an “Office Boy.”
I booked my flight to Port Harcourt, the ticket cost me N28.00 (twenty-eight Naira). On the 21st of October, I flew for the first time ever in my life to Port Harcourt. It was a 20-minute flight. On arrival at Port Harcourt, I was shocked to realize that the airport was about 45 minutes away from the city and would cost me lots of money to take a cab. I did not have much money, so I went to the airport manager’s office and asked for a ride to town. I told the manager that I had come for a job interview with the airline. The manager was so impressed that I flew into town on my own, he did not only give me a ride to town but told me to stay at his house till the following day of the interview. I cannot remember the manager’s name, but I do remember that he was an Hausa man. I am forever grateful for his kindness. The following morning, he had his driver drop me at the Air Booking Center, where the interview was being conducted. I was about the 300th candidate interviewed that day. I was told, if selected, I will receive a letter from the station manager of my city.
On Thursday, October 30 during the evening hours, the airline vehicle stopped in front of our house, I knew exactly who they were looking for, I ran to the vehicle and signed for the letter. They letter advised that I needed to report to Lagos on Monday November 3rd for training, a flight ticket to Lagos accompanied the letter.
Credit: Toyin Fayose, Facebook