By JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

Imagine you studied at the prestigious University of Ife, graduated first-class in Computer Science with Economics in 1998, got hired immediately by Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited with mouth-watering remunerations even while still a Youth Corps member, got employed again by Citizens International Bank Limited in less than two years, and in less than one year, was hired by Zenith Bank Plc.

‘God’s on my side!’, you definitely must have begun to think. Now, imagine you gradually rose meritoriously to a managerial rank with all your needs at your beck and call and suddenly, you inevitably have to resign. That’s Fumbi Faneye’s tale. After scouting fruitlessly for a new job, Fumbi who had just bagged an M.Sc in Finance from the University of Lagos eventually settled for farming on a six acre land in Ota, Ogun State. Now the executive director of Joshella Farms Services Limited where he focuses on livestock and crops, Fumbi who also qualified as a chartered accountant (ACCA, UK) shared his story in an exclusive en
counter with Vanguard.

He had been an efficient employee all along and least expected to be jolted by the rightsizing his 11-year employer, Zenith Bank Plc., was going to embark on in April 2012. Fumbi Faneye was at that time heading its Card Operations (Card Admin, ChargeBack, Pin Control and Reconciliation Units). Eventually, he had to put in his resignation when his fate became uncertain. Being a former top echelon employee, securing a new job became almost impossible and he had to take his destiny in his hands because he very much dreaded the deprivation that surrounded his childhood.

*Fumbi Faneye

Childhood deprivation

For one who had been on the breadline, not even a wee taste of poverty must be given a second chance.

“I lost my father before age three and my mum was a very junior staff in a Federal Government establishment. As the first child, I went through school with so much deprivation. Luckily, God gave me one asset despite the fact that I grew up in Somolu area of Lagos where you popularly find touts; I was exceptionally brilliant! My mum had just me and my younger sister for my dad but remarried after his demise and had three more kids.

Unfortunately, every responsibility was virtually on her. My mum had to sacrifice virtually all she had to see me through school; it was so bad that she could not afford a TV throughout. I couldn’t even afford a single textbook throughout my degree programme but always had to borrow from friends to read. Luckily, I had some textbooks from someone that was a year ahead of me.

I was studying Computer Science but when my mates were buying desktop computers, I could not even dream of owning one! I however knew where I was going to and therefore did not allow my situation determine my disposition; everyone who knew me would tell you I was always a happy person. That was why I was able to graduate first-class. In the real sense, my predicament was so bad that I could not afford money to transport myself to Zamfara where I was posted to for my National Youth Service Corp-NYSC; a cousin had to lend me money”, he recollected.

Venturing into farming

Sure, nobody would suffer all that and allow poverty a second chance! So, shortly after his resignation, Fumbi met a former junior colleague who was already a farmer. He visited her farm and was convinced about the line of business. Without seeking further opinion, he delved into the world of agriculture, acquiring six acres of land and a truck.

Internship on farmland

“Meanwhile, I consistently went to this lady’s farm for six months for a form of internship. I would drive down from Lagos to Ogun state, change my dress and then join her workers as if I was one of them. I never failed to ask questions when necessary. After gaining enough knowledge, I operationally started Joshella Farms in January 2013, beginning with 6,000 laying birds.

I also got 500 cockerels which I sold off during the festive period. I’m presently breeding more cockerels for the end of year sale too. I actually fabricated the first cages. Now, I’m in the process of procuring cages from China and by the grace of God, they will soon arrive Nigeria. I’m also venturing into plantain and cassava production”, Fumbi said.

Challenges

“God has been faithful. We’ve been heavily into the supply of eggs and a major challenge now is meeting up with demand. Already, the demand is almost thrice our supply and I’m seriously planning to boost the supply. As I expand, the next line will be to venture into feed mill production, so as to reduce cost of production.

Optimism

“If some of those who built conglomerates had left business in frustration, such conglomerates would never have existed. Big farms like Obasanjo’s would not even have been in existence! When I tell people I’m a farmer, they laugh at me; it even took my own kids a long time to internalize the fact that their daddy now farms! It’s a little beginning but I’m trusting God that by this time next year we will be greater. So far, He has been faithful because apart from creating employment for myself, I have been able to create employment for seven others who work for me.

Advice

“Don’t get too comfortable with life. I’m not insinuating you leave your job, but if you’re working under anyone, have alternative sources of income. If I had started something like this while in the bank, it would have been easier to fall back on. Also, save for the rainy day because I would not have survived if I were a spend-thrift”, Fumbi enthused.