In 1936, Victor from Edo state had a career mindset. At age 20, he got to Lagos to find himself a job. Not minding the fact that education was of low quality then in Nigeria, or wasn't reachable to many of the populace. Victor had highly reached that point in his life where he thought he could just do something for himself. He had a goal, a define aim. Luckily, LIVER BROTHERS now UNILEVER were recruiting, and with the traditional method of hearsay still used till date, Victor gave it a try. The role was for laborers who would work in the production department. Victor got in on time and found 21 huge men. He was totally scared, he was the youngest among these men and he was sure he wouldn't get the job.
The interview process was done smartly because one of the then UNILEVER family was engaged, a cousin to the UNILEVER brothers called Mr Black. He was in a room, and a Nigerian working at UNILEVER was to conduct the interview. He directed them through to where the questions would be asked. And without offering them a seat, he asked them immediately questions relevant for the post. Some didn't know the answers, but when it got to Victor, luckily, he was asked 2+2 and other relevant questions. (you can confirm this story). After the interview was completed, a superior mechanical analyst walked in called Mr Akintunde and asked for the interview to be closed. He took these men and asked for a physical test. He brought out heavy equipment and asked them all to lift it. It was sad that Victor was not as athletic as the others. He was not so tall then, and as he tried to lift the items, he fell to the floor. Mr Akintunde decided to take those with the highest level of strength and asked the others to leave. Victor brought his face low and as he walked, Mr Black stopped him and said this man did pretty well at the interview and that he should be selected. Mr Akintunde said they only needed people who could lift heavy things. Mr Black had to remind Akintunde who was in charge, and then decided to employ Victor personally. Victor was to resume work at his office and work for him. He would pay him from his salary, cloth him and also train him personally.
Victor did this for a year doing nothing at Mr Black's office, but he was getting the needed training. He was surely paid, and he was living better than the rest who came for the interview. After a year ran out, Mr Black took Victor to the production department as he noticed that was where he would perform brilliantly. Victor did his job well, and always thanked Mr Black for the opportunity given to him. Mr Black assured him that he will do well, and that he should remain calm and do what he loves to do. 3 years later, the maintenance supervisor saw Victor and asked him why he was at the production department. He didn't wait to listen to Victor and dragged him by his shirt and took him to the maintenance department. Mr Shola, a younger brother to Mr Akintunde was the maintenance supervisor, and he just didn't like the fact that Mr Black embarrassed his brother that way. So, he took the blame on Victor. While Victor had no interest in mechanical things, Shola kept hitting the spanner on his head for not doing the right thing. 2 weeks later, Mr Black took a walk to the production department and he was adamant to see Victor's performance. He got there and didn't see Victor. He asked after him and he was told Victor had been taken by Shola to a different department. He was upset, and told everyone not to be involved with Victor, and that he should be left in the production department. Victor maintained his relationship with Mr Black, and as he grew to love his job, he became the production manager after 12 years of impressive performance. And as time went by, a lot of people wanted him down. And because of the trust and love Mr Black had for Victor, he gave him a lot of support all through. Mr Black was transferred back to his country and kept in touch one way or the other.
During Victor's time as the production manager, he met with Akintunde and they realized they could only gain something from Victor and stole some of the formula used in the production making. Victor only believed in doing what is right and what can be achievable. But his good person always lived in the heart of Unilever today. In his last words, he said, ''Time is only the most important thing to us all, but with time, everything can be or can not be achieved. The greed we chew, we absorb through time, we breath it calmly, it will forever live in us all''.(I wonder he meant) RIP Mr Victor Imuetinyan. May your soul rest in peace.
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