THE JOLLOF RICE PRINCIPLE

I was thinking this morning.... About 10 years ago, I was in charge of inducting all new staff and visitors at my organisation's head office. The implication was that, for years, I knew everyone around. Those years, when I walked into the staff canteen, everyone greeted me like I was Davido entering into the reception hall in Miami.

Years later, I moved higher and completely left the induction to a younger member of my team. Despite that, I can still boast of recognising over 90% of people at the location. Then came the COVID-19 lockdown years that birthed the new age of virtual working. I had not been in the staff canteen for years and decided to do so one afternoon. As I stepped into the expansive hall with at least a hundred people already having lunch, I was expecting to make my usual rockstar entrance. That day, I got the shock of my life. Every face was strange. Not one person recognised who I was. I collected my food and sat down like a prodigal son.

As I ate, I wondered what had happened. Am I in the wrong location? How is it possible that no one recognised me? Who are all these people? When did they join this organisation? There were so many questions on my mind. But then, it occurred to me that it wasn't a sudden change. The organisation had been employing new persons while others were leaving one person at a time.

It is the same principle in life and is called the Jollof rice principle, derived from the pidgin English proverb that says, "Jollof rice wey dey bottom pot today go dey on top cooler tomorrow." Everyday, someone is dying, while another is born. It's only a matter of time before every face would be new. The new or young colleague at the bottom of the food chain today could be the king of the jungle tomorrow. Life changes, one person at a time.

If, therefore, life is changing, one person at a time, why are we not humble? The organisation wherein you are acting like a demigod today, come back after 10 years, you will be a stranger. A celebrity today would be unknown tomorrow. The 'Pharoah that knew Joseph' will not be on the throne forever. You know why? Life regenerates. Life changes, one person at a time. Jollof rice wey dey bottom pot today go dey on top cooler tomorrow. The one wey dey on top cooler today na im go first end up for toilet. Psalms 75:7 comes to mind. Join me to pray to stay humble.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey