How Bello Ojeifor Got His First Slap…and Other Inspiring Things We Didn’t Know About Him

By Goje Okamgba

I only read MILLS and BOONS to pick up lyrics to woo a girl that was almost twice my age and I got the very 1^st slap of my life.

Our colleagues can be so fascinating that a slice of their lives can keep our stomach in stitches for ages. Recently, I met our colleague, Bello Ojeifor, Transcorp Plc, who shared these tidbits about his life.

What Inspires You?

There is one thing amongst few that inspire me vehemently, and that is FAMILY (TEAMWORK). Working together has always been an ingredient that my parents especially my father instilled in us the children. We learnt to share the little available resources that present itself on daily basis; acclimatizing to the very situations as it is. Facing thunderous storms and dynamic tidal waves that might break some families, but yet we triumphed because we know the values of what the word Family entails. This has been an underlying principle and code of conduct I employ in all spheres of life to push through boundaries and accomplish the tasks and challenges therein.

How do you unwind?

Well, I will still take it as a sequel to the 1^st question asked; I love being around my family. Not just my biological but also professional one. I love music a lot and I love to Dance. I can say I am a chip of the old block when it comes to dancing; I was exposed to dance steps from the 80s (moonwalking, breakdancing, slides, electric man, soul train etc.); then to the 90s and 21^st century (Creep Walking, Makossa, Soukous, Galala, Suo, Shakiti Bobo, Shaku Shaku etc.). With all these blend of various dance steps, I can say I can rise to any occasion and rock steady as it is.

Best Book Read

I have always been an addicted fan of JAMES HARDLEY CHASE. Now, this Author brings up a level of Emotional and Intelligence Quotient because of its almost crime and intelligent novels. His novels make you smart and proactive. It also makes one a better decision maker and highly security and psychologically conscious. Novels like AN ACE UP MY SLEEVE, NO BUSINESS OF MINE, KNOCK KNOCK WHO’s THERE, TIGER BY THE TAIL, 12 CHINKS AND A WOMAN etc. I also like Mario Puzo Silician Novels (THE GOD FATHER) and Sheridan Novels as well. I only read MILLS and BOONS to pick up lyrics to woo a girl that was almost twice my age and I got the very 1^st slap of my life.

Best Film Watched

I have over 5000 movies on my hard drive from all Genres (Action, Suspense, Western, Musical, High School, Kungfu, Epic, Romance etc.). This makes me a Cinephile. I don’t go to cinemas to watch movies. I download my own movies in my leisure time.

I cannot really say categorically which movie is my best but I love movies that feature Jason Statham, Samuel L. Jackson, Russell Crowe, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, Djimon Hounsou, Will Smith and other American Black Actors. My best Nigerian Actor will always be CHIWETALU AGU.

Favorite Football Club

MANCHESTER UNITED Football Club

Most Embarrassing Moment Ever Experienced

I can never forget that. I was in SS2 I think when a teacher was trying to instil discipline in us ordered that all the boys in the class should come out and line up for 6 strokes of the cane. I was forming Vandamme that I will not shake at all because I had my babe back then, in front of the class watching me.

When it got to my turn, the very 1^st stroke sent some signals into my central nervous system that my brain could not interpret, I just FARTED aloud. Everyone including the teacher laughed heavily and my babe felt so embarrassed. That affected our relationship until we left school. She was a potential, but I thank God for that fart for it led me to my beautiful wife.

Happiest Moment Ever Experienced

That will be at the birth of my 1^st child, Serena. I was at Bonny Island at the time working. I was not allowed to demobilize until the maintenance shutdown outage on GE F7F was completed. I saw my daughter when she was about 2 months. As I was coming home, my wife was standing at the door entrance with my baby on her hand. She had my face and was looking at me in curiosity while she was waving her head sideways. I said to her yes, I am the man that did wonders and you are the resultant effect. The 1^st fruit of my loin, I welcome U.

What is Family to You?

Family is HEAVEN to me. They will always have your back when others don’t. Never trivialize the strength and divinity of your family, I always tell my subordinates and friends this.

TURN ONs?

Attitude, Humility, Enterprising and Intelligent Minds, Synergetic Display and of course Family

TURN OFFs?

Pride, Insolence, Greed, Laziness, Wickedness, Dirtiness, Disrespect