My Honeywell journey started in November 1990 – fresh from school on National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) deployment. As a young corps member, full of energy and the zeal to succeed in life and wanting to conquer Lagos, l was approached in NYSC camp by a friend that a company, Metropolitan Trust Limited, had requested corps members for employment, with promise of a great career and bright future. 

I wasted no time in signifying my interest to explore the opportunity and insisted that I be posted to the company. l am happy to say that l have not regretted my decision. I started work and by providence had an encounter with the Chairman during the week I resumed; and from there my journey started. My initial plan was to spend about 5 years, get my professional certification and start my own practice of Estate Surveying & Valuation as an estate surveyor. 

Working with the Chairman, my job was challenging and interesting at the same time. I worked with the Chairman directly for 12 years, among other assignments. That exciting period was responsible for my long stay at the Group. And a total of 28 years after, I can’t remember a dull moment. There is always a new project to manage and develop in the real estate sector of the business, which was my primary function. 

A cherished feature of my long career with the Group is the opportunity to witness the birth and growth of many businesses within the Group. That opportunity reinforced my belief that to succeed you just have plan, start and remain steadfast to your plan. Once you start, no matter how small, you lay the foundation for growth and development. That has remained my motivation. 

The example of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc readily comes to mind. When l remember the support my team provided to the acquisition team that got the Tin Can, Apapa Port land on which the factory was built, I look back to those days with pride.

The career growth and development system within the Group is also worthy of commendation. l started here as a fresh graduate of Estate Management and having undergone various professional development programmes, with the support of the company, I have attained the highest professional recognition which is a FELLOW of the profession. This would not have been possible if the work environment was not enabling. The Company gave both financial and moral support towards the realisation of that career landmark. 

The almost three decades of working within the Group have given me opportunities to work and relate with different people and this has greatly assisted my social interaction and networking within the Nigerian professional space. I have had opportunity to relate with people from different tribes and parts of the country; an experience that might not have come easy if I did not work in a company like Honeywell Group. 

I didn’t plan it this way but twenty-nine years on, I will choose Honeywell Group again and again!