My Voyage Comes to an End. (My Enactus Voyage)
By: Tech Misfit
Tags: Enactus, Entrepreneurship, Volunteering, Life

Enactus was more like a voyage journey for me but every voyage always have a starting point and an end..

I guess this is the end of my Voyage journey.. I would like to share some experience and talk about certain people..

The Beginning of a Voyage

I joined Enactus FUTO in year three because I thought I would be smart and good in terms of business acumen like Victor Bella, Oba Stephen and Mary Afolabi.. I joined because I wanted to be friendly and good at strategy like Mag, George and Daniella.. I joined because I wanted to be like a Nerdy like Philemon and Elena Christian.. I joined because I wanted to dress smart like Frederick.. I joined because I wanted to be able to speak like Esther Bamiduro. I joined because I wanted to be like the life of the party like Henry or Elijah.. I joined because I wanted to be passionate like Mascot and Emmanuel

Did I become all this? I guess maybe yes and no..

I spent the early part of my time on this voyage trying to fit in, I don’t dress the way they dress in terms of business causal type, I like polo more than anything, I was not the nerdy type. I was more like the guy would just want to do something.. I didn’t know half of the terminologies used in Enactus till Final year’s.. I still struggle at saying the pledge

Slowly, I realised that this Voyage was about finding yourself and being passionate about how “You” change the world..

Enactus FUTO gave me my current startup, already pledged to give back whenever we blow though. I think I didn’t understand certain things about Enacus till I became the Project Head.

WHEN THE SAILOR BECOME A CAPTAIN

At the beginning of this Voyage, I was confused because I was like should I have to build a business just for social problems but slowly realised that the world needs a lot of help. Why should students build a business just to help people and make less profit?

I didn’t understand the needs till I became a project head of a project called BAE (Becoming An Entrepreneur)… I was in charge of creating a project that would address starting a business, talents and building one..

It was then, I realised that people are quite hard to manage. There were days I would fix meeting and only me would be present or maybe John Godswill(I really missed those times I worked with him though). The biggest task I had was the BAE masterclass, it was the biggest thing I did in Enactus till date.. I had to handle logistics, trainings, food and customer support(people would complain definitely).. I did all this with a lean budget, even some of my money went into it but I was happy doing it. Learnt a lot.

Going for the National Competition, taught me human beings are complicated. You are gathering once a year to say you did the best in solving human problems still don’t understand the need or major focus of the competition but let leave that the sweet part of the competition was seeing students from others school doing same things you are likely to do. From the beautiful ladies from Esut(God bless that School) to the smart dressing of ABU and Bayero University students to the pop nature of Covenant University students down to naive people of FUTO and Uniport. The worst part is, i never got any beautiful lady number.

While everyone was enjoying the moment, I was doing some background stuff.. I remember when they left on the road of VI after picking the team polo.. I was devastated 😅😅, but it is part of those annoying things.. They forgot I exist when they left me..

During this Voyage period, I understood that actions are what makes things work over the noise. Taking responsibility for everything that happens when you are a leader is something you must be willing to do.

THE CAPTAIN IS AN PART OF THE COMMANDING TEAM

In a war, when the top people are either killed by the enemies or have an accident or retires.. The next in command is given to the next in command.

I was called to be part of the executive, I was given the title of Human Resources Officer, I was annoyed at first.. Why should I be given such a role after all the sacrifices I did. According to the rule book, I ought to be in the position of PM or TL by virtue.. I guess because I joke too much,they felt I should not be giving such post..

I accepted it and then came the biggest shock, some team members were not pleased with the succession plans..

I could remember the first meeting with the team and the second meeting. The second meeting was when a lot of people would say I changed but I never did. I was shocked people would be coming for the meeting by 2:45 and be walking freely, I couldn’t try that even I was in a lower level because of the executives then. Coming early makes me see the importance of understanding people time and valuing it. I would rather not come to the meeting that day. I try to enforce such rules of making people waiting outside and dressing well during the meetings. I ended up biting certain fingers that didn’t like me. Slowly, I realised and tried to adjust but realised that people like activities and doing nothing.. They also enjoy receiving a pat on their back for doing the bare minimum or nothing.

Our biggest achievement and challenge was building a mini-grid solar system during the pandemic lockdown called Solonocomy.

I could remember the calls that leads to that decision, I kicked against the idea. I remember Gift calling me bad belle indirectly. The project was too capital intensive, thank God Emmanuel Terwase ignored me and did the project.

We encountered a lot bringing that project to life, I really can’t say much but I realized that words could affect a lot of things.. I remember my status adding to a serious disagreement that nearly made that project to end..

I can remember the days we scrapped other projects and decided to pursue one project, the face of the members.. I could remember when people don’t want to present because of Donaldson.. Sorry, Blessed, Obim Obama and Benedict that I was a pain in the ass.

The interview process I did, I was could see people were shocked they could not answer certain questions.

MEMORIES I CHERISED DURING THE VOYAGE

Every sailor has good and bad memories, but here are my top memories:

I remember having my birthday on the third Enactus Meeting as an executive. I remember this because, you guys ate the cake me and Elijah did.. The first time, I saw a reason to buy cake The day before the 2019 Competition journey, that everyone was thinking of stupid ideas on how to make the VC release money for our trip. I laughed that night and found out my name was not on the list of people going 😁😁 The day we held Startup Weekend at FUTO guest house and I won. Emmanuel won all the polo at that event. The days we went to pick plastics and had mad fun.. I was super happy those days doing that. The days we were at Eziobodo Market fixing wires on the stalls and climbing the top of the stalls with PM, TL and the engineering team. Going to visit the Traditional rulers with Christopher and Chioma.. Meeting those women, I nearly cried hearing their stories Interview days for intending members, the response I got then from some are really hilarious The team forgetting me at the Venue of the National competition and heading to the hostel room Our first executive meeting and last executive meeting Our last meeting, I am trying not to cry but I would cry because I didn’t cry then. Staying in the hostel room with Henry and Emmanuel Kornjor, I was laughing all thought out the night. National Competition 2019 Send forth day and Induction, seeing people happy. Every meeting were memories I would cherish. The days I handled RunAm deliveries and rain beat me.

THE END OF THE VOYAGE

So it is time to end this voyage and move to the next phase of my life.. We handed over to the best people that are capable and fit for the job, still scared but I believe in them from Olivia, Chidinma, Damien, George Akor, Temple, Henry, Marvelous, Joel, Hossana and Chiagoriem.

They would do great things, there were things I wished I did while being the HR:

Trainings

Attract Funding and partnerships

A project that offers credit for low income earners

Poach some amazing talents.

Turn Soloncomy into an ecosystem that provides credit, electricity and handles deliveries

I hope the next HR do more than I did or even better.

I would like to appreciate :

Emmanuel Terwase (TL): Thank you for being a great leader and doing things I could not.. One thing I learnt from him take action and avoid.. I would always work with you anytime

Esther Bamiduro: You were an amazing lady, thank you for accepting my behaviour and being the best at what you do.

Gloria Kaduru: I thought you were hausa at first but you are proper Igbo bae, thank you for always supporting and calling me out.. You rocks, I love forward with working with you.. Still accept my marriage offer

Hosanna and Chidinma: You guys are the best, I have not seen anyone as dedicated and passionate.. Chidinma, I would try not to be annoying.. But here to say, you guys don’t kill your spirit

Christopher and Benedict: Both of you are good and dedicated at what you do, sometimes I would be like this guys are the best and most valuable people in Enactus.. But, I would rather never say this face to face.. You guys are good, thank you for being part of my voyage

Juliet and Zubby: Amazing ladies, Juliet has been with me since the days of me as Project Head and Zubby has been a pain in the ass and a supporter. Love both of you dedication.

Joel and Philemon: Amazing guys, but opposite human beings but I would say if you are looking for people dedicated to a cause of action..

People like Chioma, Goodness, Alozie twins, Engineering and marketing unit, John Godswill, Nwike Chisom, Marvelous and everyone

Godsglory ,Elijah, Precious, Chidinma, Emeka, Chris Emeka and Victor Chidera : These are people, Enactus gave me as Friends for life.. Amazing people.. So sorry I no write much about you guys

Finally, everyone at Enactus..

FINAL WORDS

To those reading this, remember that the passion that drives you should be about changing the lives of people and making the world a better..

A body of determined spirit can always do impossible and great things.. Don’t give up!!!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Don’t diminish your light for anything, you can do powerful thing just believe!!

The Cup is just a cup but the lives you can change, the fact you could make a generation becomes better lies in the action you take for Enactus, your personal life and your team participation.

Be dedicated and passionate about changing lives and you would see yourself at the top!!!

Find what drives you and be passionate about it!!!

Enactus! Seeing possibilities!

Enactus!! Enabling progress!!

Enactus!!! Enabling progress!!!

Yes!!

#We All Win.

*crying and clicking publish while drinking coke*

N.B: I would be editing and be adding images later and giving context later, I just had to publish it faster.