Mrs. Dolapo Ajakaiye is a Human Resource Manager who trainsNigerians in diaspora and  a number of foreigners. She wrote a book “Searching for Greener Pastures” which was a reflection of the challenges she passed through in life. She is currently running a training and consultancy firm in the United Kingdom. In this interview with EBUN SESSOU, she explains why Nigeria as a country has not been able to practice good Human Resources Management.

Excerpt

Why are you interested in Human Resources Management?

I believe in developing people and that was a motivating factor for me.  I obtained a degree in Business Management at the United Kingdom. I realised that most people have the skills but lacked the capacity to manage people. So, I decided to study Human Resource Management which helped me in aligning business strategy with human resource strategy.

My desire is to ensure that employers get the best from their employees while employees are managed and represented well. For an organisation to succeed, the human resource department must be fortified with skilled and knowledgeable human resources personnel.

What are the challenges so far?

The first challenge is the attitude people put up in addressing issues. For examples, our attitude to work, time management, perception about people and value placed on people  as well as our attitude to corruption. Anyone who is rendering a particular service believes that he or she is doing you a favour and therefore he is expecting something in return.

But it is a different  ball game in the United Kingdom where everyone sees each other as partners and friends. The common words there are “please” and “thank you”. The truth is that the orientation that was imbibed into the people from cradle is a huge advantage.

The children are trained on how to be financially responsible. They live on the wages they work for. But in Nigeria, it is a different ball game. Nigerians do not think of giving back to the society while the leaders on their own part, do not set good examples for their followers.

*Dolapo

Ajakaiye…I believe in developing people

Perhaps, there are factors that are  making it impossible for this to be actualised?

The only factor you might probably  point at is corruption. Corruption is like a monster that has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’s economy. The truth remains that Nigerians must be accountable in everything they do.

It is a pity that Nigerian politicians or policy makers are only accountable to their godfathers instead of the people who voted them into power.  There should be freedom of information not just for the people to know but to take action whenever it is necessary.

In UK, it is a crime to plead with a police officer. You do not give people money for service they rendered, if not you have compromised the moment you give them money. In the advanced countries especially, United Kingdom government is socially responsible to its people. If you are out of job, there is provision for you to be fully catered for.

You can sign up for a job and in the process of getting a job, you will be given job seekers allowance. The government is also responsible to pay for the person’s rent unlike in Nigeria where measures are not put in place to look after its people.

Corruption exists in every section of the country and it seems it cannot be eradicated completely. But I believe it can be managed and controlled.

How many Nigerians in diaspora have you trained in the United Kingdom?

I have lost count on the number of Nigerians in diaspora I have trained. I specialise speech writing and presentation as well as interviews. I also teach them on how to write curriculum vitae, CV, as part of my vision and mission to impact positively into the people.

Human Resource Management seems to be more appreciated in advanced countries, how do you plan to achieve this in Nigeria?

Nigerians believe in hoarding information. There is also human tendency to resist change even when  it is necessary. But I believe there is nothing impossible. When the time comes, change will take its effect.

What was life to you growing up?

Growing up was beautiful. God gave me the grace to surmount every challenge that came across my path. I was brought up under a disciplined environment and that helped me the first time I  was employed as Secretary in Eko International Bank. After a while, I went abroad to study business management but came out as human resource manager.

In the school, I wrote a book, “Searching for Greener Pastures”. I was a student and at the same time, a  mother. Things were difficult because I had to do part time job in order to take care of my studies and children. I did that to nurture my children and train them in the right way. The discipline I had from home also helped me through tough times.

The discipline was how to manage my time, organise myself and adapt myself to a  new and changing environment. I also learnt how to use the computer and that helped me when I got to England. It was difficult to study without having the computing skills that would help in presentation using the power point.