Chapter 2: Empty Title, Full Wahala

Just as I finish debug the bug, email land: "Notice of Ifeanyi's Promotion."

My phone vibrate like say na urgent NIN registration message. I click the mail, dey expect good news—maybe finally, dem wan recognise all my late night wahala.

"Effective immediately, Ifeanyi is promoted to Partnership Development Ambassador, responsible for core business expansion at Zennex Group. The position of autonomous driving R&D supervisor will be concurrently held by Director Musa Bello."

Na wah o! As I read the title, e dey shine for eye, but I know say na empty shell. For our side, if dem dash you new title and remove all your power, na clear sign say your time dey count.

My eye just turn.

The office people wey dey near me notice, one lady, Ngozi, whisper: "Ifeanyi, hope say na good thing?" I just nod, but inside my mind, wahala full.

Partnership Development Ambassador—dey sound big, but truth be say, even stray dog no go want that work. Na that kain post wey dem dey use pursue person gently.

For Lagos, you go hear say person get big title, but if you check am, na so so waka-waka and begging for contract e go dey do. The way dem package am no mean say e sweet.

No say for project matter. At least 25 days every month na business trip, dey go drink anyhow for client side—if drink no kill you—Star, Gulder, or even that strong ogogoro—just continue dey drink.

If you no sabi manage your belle, na ulcer go finish you. Some people go dey buy sachet milk, dey swallow before every meeting, just to survive the next round of Alomo and dry groundnut.

The office self dey one corner, far from R&D, na with logistics people dem dump am.

You go just dey hear trailer drivers dey argue, "Who move battery go Apapa?" No single computer fit run simulation for that place. Dem just use style send me far from my people.

Worst part be say, salary reduce reach 30% less than wetin I dey collect before.

I check the HR letter twice, dey hope say na mistake. But as I see am, my heart cut. In this economy, who dey survive pay cut?

Promotion? Na demotion be this o.

I nearly laugh. For Naija, if dem tell you congrats, check your pocket first.

Na Musa Bello send the email, copy everybody for project team join.

E pain me say e no even get mind call me for office, na just one cold email. Everybody dey see am, like say na warning to others.

Na him be the oga chairman carry come to lead smart car business.

People dey gossip say the man sabi sharp mouth, but I no know say e fit do like this. Even the receptionist whisper say, "Make una careful o, this new oga na wah."

Na my direct boss.

If dem say person wey feed you na im go carry you go bush, e true. I just dey reason my next move.

I sabi say when new boss land, dem dey always wan show power.

People dey gist for canteen say new broom dey sweep clean, but this one dey scatter furniture join.

But to use me—person wey don dey loyal for ten years—as scapegoat on his first day? That one no pure.

My spirit no gree. Even elders go say, "No use person wey cook the soup take wash plate."

Anger just dey boil for my belle. I waka go director office straight.

I no even wait make anybody stop me. Na that time I realise say, sometimes, silence no dey solve problem for Naija office. I arrange my shirt well, adjust my tie, knock director door.