Alhaji Wahab Adebayo Muibi, a London-trained Mechanical Engineer and the first workshop engineer of RT Briscoe Company Ibadan, Oyo State, clocked 90 recently. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, the nonagenarian speaks about his childhood, his experience as a young Nigerian immigrant in London and his greatest challenge in life. Excerpts:
How was your growing up like?
I was born in Ago-Owu and started my primary school education at St Peters School, Ago-Owu, Orile-Owu, Oyo State. After my primary education, I attended Aladura Mission School, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State, and from there, I went to Academy Commercial College at Ososami junction, Oke-Ado, also in Ibadan. However, I couldn’t do the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations because my dad said he was no longer interested in sponsoring my education, because I was old enough to get a job. He wanted me to join the Police Force and he introduced me to his friend who was an inspector at Dugbe Police Station. The man, after giving me a lecture, asked me to come back the following Monday. My father went back to our home town but he told me to go and see his friend. On Monday, instead of going to see the man, I went to UTC Motors to make enquiries on how to do apprenticeship. That was how I spent three and a half years there. When I qualified as a mechanical engineer, I was employed at the company. After working for them for three years, I left to join SOA Motors. I worked there for six months before joining CFAO Motors where I worked from 1956-1962 when I decided to travel to London in search of greener pastures.
How was your experience like?
I applied for passport, it was the principal of Progressive Primary School Aladorin, Mr Tella, who signed my form despite the fact that he didn’t know me from Adam. I got the passport, paid 30 pounds for my ticket, then travelled to London. Then, it was N1 to £1. I got to London on Saturday, the day my friend who I was to stay with was getting married. By Monday, I had to go out in search of a job despite being new. I went to Garbage and was employed as a packer. I joined them in November, but in February, we were sacked. I searched for job again, I bought papers looking for vacancies but was not successful. One day, I became so frustrated that I looked up to heaven and asked God to provide a job for me because I had almost spent all my savings. God answered my prayer and I got a job. By that time, I had enrolled at Paddington Technical College, that was where I studied Mechanical Engineering. I failed my first examination so I had to repeat. I eventually graduated with second class honours. I also did technical examination and also made second class honours. I worked with Speedy Motors in London for some years before deciding to come back home. My wife who had joined me by then already had two children. She wasn’t ready to come home yet, so I asked her to stay there and I came home with one of the children. That was how I returned to Nigeria in December 1970 by ship.
What happened when you got back home?
I stayed in Lagos and got a job at SOA Motors and was paid N600 per annum. I worked with them for six years before leaving. I left because the company didn’t fulfill its promise to make me an assembly manager at Apapa, when I was transferred to the station. Instead of making me the assembly manager, the company brought a white man to be the manager. When I protested, they threatened to transfer me to Jos. So, I resigned and returned to Ibadan. When I couldn’t get a job in Ibadan, I started my own company. I got a contract from an insurance company to inspect vehicles that were involved in accident. That was what I was doing until I got a job at RT Briscoe. I was the first workshop manager of RT Briscoe Company in Ibadan. I worked there for 12 years. When I reached the retirement age, I was given a contract job so I could continue working with them. After three years working as a contract staff, I left to start my own workshop. I did that for 10 years before I retired fully in my 60s.
You said you left your wife in London, how were you able to train your children while building your career?
I thank God for giving me the grace to take good care of my children. When I got back, I made sure all my children, including the ones I left in Nigeria while travelling abroad were staying with me. I used to buy goodies (ice cream, fish fingers and so on) for them when coming back from the office but I made sure they were not spoilt. To the glory of God, they are all graduates, the least qualified of them all had National Certificate of Education (NCE). I allowed all of them to choose their career path. That was the reason I closed the workshop, none of them was interested in becoming a mechanical engineer.
What were the challenges you faced in life?
I thank God for my life. The only challenge I could remember was when some people who were envious of my achievements wrote a petition against me that I was repairing vehicles for armed robbers and I was arrested by the police. When I got to the station, after interrogation the DPO asked them to release me because he could see that I was innocent.
How do you feel clocking 90 and what were the things you did to ensure you lived long?
I am happy. I thank God for sparing my life to witness this landmark birthday. It is by God’s mercy. I have always put my trust in Him. I made sure I watch what I eat, I don’t take alcohol or take drugs, I used to smoke but stopped it early. I also don’t womanise, that was the reason I married many wives.
How were you able to manage all your wives?
Though I didn’t let all of them live under the same roof, I ensured they were united. The one that lived with me when I came back did not discriminate, she ensured she treated all the children the same. I thank God for helping me to manage my wives and my homes.
How do you feel with the way things are in Nigeria compared to your own time?
I feel very bad, especially when I hear the exchange rate. I told you that when I travelled £1 was equivalent to N1. I pray for God’s divine intervention.
What advice do you have for our leaders?
My advice for them is that they should listen to the voice of the people. They should remember that they would vacate the seat they are occupying one day so they should treat their followers well. I pray God would have mercy on this country.
How do you keep yourself busy?
I make sure I read newspapers, listen to the news on radio, watch television then read the Quran. I love watching football. I still like cooking my own food,
What legacy would you like to leave behind after you might have departed this world?
The legacy I want to live behind is for my family to continue to be united even when I am no longer in this world. I want them to continue to be one united family.
What advice, do you have for the Nigerian youth?
They should work hard. Hard work pays. They should also learn a craft, in fact, that is better than being a salary earner. People will always pay you for your craft. They should stop engaging in Yahoo Yahoo (fraud) that will only end in tears. Everyone should learn a craft, that can even be an additional source of income. People with multiple streams of income are better off than those who rely only on salaries. Also, everyone, young and old should have the fear of God.
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