From banker to school
proprietress
By BISI OLALEYE
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
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•Mrs
Adunola Kuforiji
Photo: The Sun News Publishing |
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Different strokes, they say, for different folks. Nothing
gives credence to this adage better than the story of Mrs
Adunola Kuforiji, who left a promising, thriving and urbane
banking career for the drab classroom work of head teacher
in a school she founded because, according to her:
"My love for children succeeded in pushing the craving
for material comfort to second place."
In the spirit of the materialistic tendencies of this generation,
it is indeed, a sacrifice many fail to understand because
to some, money and comfort remain the be-all-and-end-all.
Adunola, who was the Surulere branch Manager of the United
Bank for Africa (UBA), before she resigned ten years ago to
follow her heart says, she feels happier and more fulfilled
with the step she had taken, which she describes as "a
great turning point in my life."
Now, the proprietress of Toamy Private Schools, Egbe, Lagos,
Kuforiji speaks on the tortuous road she had to traverse before
getting to where she is now.
Starting
Actually, it was really interesting being a banker while it
lasted. The glamour, satisfaction and pride that flow like
current with being a member of a thriving banking establishment
is second to none in Nigeria’s peculiar environment.
But the stress and the heartache that go with it, is another
story on its own.
Challenges
As a bank manager, I was expected to be at my desk before
7 in the morning, and I must remain there till very late in
the evening. As a wife and mother, the real cost on my time
was too much to bear. Especially, when you consider that my
children as at that time were still at that stage in childhood
when the contribution of the mother is vital to their total
and even development. So, the children were really lacking
in motherly love and guidance. I just had to call myself to
order and rejuggle my priority, putting my family where they
belong, on top of my priority-scale, right ahead of my career.
So, I decided to chart a middle course between my career and
my concern for children’s development.
Love conquers all
Based on this love, I braced up for the challenge of running
a school for children. For once, I was able to put accummulation
of money on the back burner to my avowed interest and love
for proper children upbringing amidst a beautiful atmosphere
of love.
For eample, if you are engaged in general merchandising, you
will have a lot of quick turnover, your account will be rich
and even banks will readily assist you should you need their
help. But running a school, you will invest millions of naira,
put in all you have, really sweat it out, before you can get
a measure of tangible returns and even this will take many
years of hard work, back-breaking work. The gestation period
between starting point and break even points is longer than
that of any other business.
At last, the missing link - fulfilment
I thank God that it turned out fine, well beyond my expectation.
You see, immediately I left the bank, I went back to school
to get a degree in education. There is not much difference,
when you compare the management of money and development of
children except that the returns to one is great financial
income and the dividend to the other is a slight financial
benefit and a great emotional satisfaction.
Those children are human beings, they are capable of giving
you great joy, much real satisfaction than any amount of money
could ever give you. To be a part of a success story of any
human being is a great blessing that God can bring in anybody’s
way. So, I love the challenges of being a mind builder, of
being a mother to the children. They stimulate me and encourage
me, at all times.
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