ABUJA AWAY DAY
What does the British High Commission do? Ask that question in most Nigerian cities and you will come back with different answers. In Nigeria diplomatic missions are known for the number of visas they grant or the numbers they reject.
But the fact remains that thousands of British taxpayer money is pumped into worthy causes other than visa issues all over the world. They include grants to governments and non-governmental organisations, schools as well as other causes like deepening the new found roots of democracy in countries like Nigeria. In all, only a small percentage of what the FCO does get into the mainstream press. And that is the way it is designed to be.
As the adage – all work and no play goes, management usually set aside one day in which it allows its staff to bond away from the usual laws that guide the office environment. This is the concept of the Away Day, a day set-aside for staff to work as team, build morale, break down grade distinctions, have fun away from daily office routine and end up with a great sense of achievement. In Abuja one of the two posts operated by the FCO in Nigeria, the Away Day took place on May 14 with an early morning trip to the Karu Children’s Village.
The first set of workers rose early to meet the 7.00 a.m. bus and drove against the usually chaotic traffic build-up into the city. Dressed in very colourful T-shirts and face caps bellying the strenuous work envisaged. The over 170 workers have been broken into groups of ten and led by a staff who is usually not a line manager. This reversal of role is meant to add to the fun of the day.
Prior to the day, no group except the Film and Logistics Crew knows what its task is. They discover that after a lucky dip and have no option than to do the task that the papers they have picked up say. With each team now sure of what to do, they set out to the gruelling but fun task and work for eight solid hours before, tired and exhausted they begin to make their way back to town for a tiring evening rest. Work continues the next day, but then another day of fun, food, music and laughter awaits them on Friday – all funded by the management of the British High Commission.
Camera – The Queen Lizzy Film Crew
Logistics Team Leader – Tima Mmakwe & the faithful nine
Red Team Leader – Donna Oakley
Purple Team Leader – Winnie Neyland
Burgundy Team Leader – Maribel Ogbedeagu
Baby Pink Team Leader – Anselm Nzeako
Electric Blue Team – Binta Garba
Yellow Team leader – Godwin Moffat Etim
Green Team Leader – Gavin Duck
Orange Team Leader – Ezekiel Aworinde
Lilac Team Leader – Godwin Onyejiaka
Sky Blue Team Leader – Martin Neyland
Amber Team Leader – Linus Idoma
White Team Leader – Isaac Nwanedo
Granite Team Leader – Iye Ali
Light Green Team Leader – Charles Adeyemi
Lime Team Leader – Chidi Jonah
But the fact remains that thousands of British taxpayer money is pumped into worthy causes other than visa issues all over the world. They include grants to governments and non-governmental organisations, schools as well as other causes like deepening the new found roots of democracy in countries like Nigeria. In all, only a small percentage of what the FCO does get into the mainstream press. And that is the way it is designed to be.
As the adage – all work and no play goes, management usually set aside one day in which it allows its staff to bond away from the usual laws that guide the office environment. This is the concept of the Away Day, a day set-aside for staff to work as team, build morale, break down grade distinctions, have fun away from daily office routine and end up with a great sense of achievement. In Abuja one of the two posts operated by the FCO in Nigeria, the Away Day took place on May 14 with an early morning trip to the Karu Children’s Village.
The first set of workers rose early to meet the 7.00 a.m. bus and drove against the usually chaotic traffic build-up into the city. Dressed in very colourful T-shirts and face caps bellying the strenuous work envisaged. The over 170 workers have been broken into groups of ten and led by a staff who is usually not a line manager. This reversal of role is meant to add to the fun of the day.
Prior to the day, no group except the Film and Logistics Crew knows what its task is. They discover that after a lucky dip and have no option than to do the task that the papers they have picked up say. With each team now sure of what to do, they set out to the gruelling but fun task and work for eight solid hours before, tired and exhausted they begin to make their way back to town for a tiring evening rest. Work continues the next day, but then another day of fun, food, music and laughter awaits them on Friday – all funded by the management of the British High Commission.
Camera – The Queen Lizzy Film Crew
Logistics Team Leader – Tima Mmakwe & the faithful nine
Red Team Leader – Donna Oakley
Purple Team Leader – Winnie Neyland
Burgundy Team Leader – Maribel Ogbedeagu
Baby Pink Team Leader – Anselm Nzeako
Electric Blue Team – Binta Garba
Yellow Team leader – Godwin Moffat Etim
Green Team Leader – Gavin Duck
Orange Team Leader – Ezekiel Aworinde
Lilac Team Leader – Godwin Onyejiaka
Sky Blue Team Leader – Martin Neyland
Amber Team Leader – Linus Idoma
White Team Leader – Isaac Nwanedo
Granite Team Leader – Iye Ali
Light Green Team Leader – Charles Adeyemi
Lime Team Leader – Chidi Jonah
