(Guest co-writer- Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe)

Bangani Bami,

We are cruising towards the Christmas celebration of 2017. It seems so short and at the same time, so long! We thank God for His mercies throughout the year. It shall all end in praise, and we shall rejoice. I just greeted you like a Zulu man from South Africa, saying, “My friends”.

I am delighted to be publishing a special edition with a Guest co-writer: Mr Jacobs Moyo Ajekigbe, the erstwhile Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Plc. The title of this edition is derived from his book titled Marching with the Elephant: Selected Speeches of Moyo Ajekigbe. JMA, as he is typically called, mentioned on several occasions in the book that there are “Salary Takers and there are Salary Earners”. Out of curiosity, I asked him for his definition and below was his explanation-

“Salary takers” take their salaries for granted. They care less about whether the company makes money; their salaries are guaranteed at the end of the month. They don’t put in efforts commensurate with the salary they take (receive) and don’t do much (in terms of their productivity).

We have salary takers in most large organisations- they are loafers or free riders or parasites- they continue to tag along. Most of the workers in the civil service are salary takers. How do you explain a situation where they are (on strike and) not paid for six or nine months, and they continue to hang on to their jobs, waiting for the day they will receive their salaries?

“Salary earners”, as used in the book, are those who earn their pay as a return for work done or services rendered. Organisations continue to do well (thrive on) the sweat of salary earners. In my opinion, salary earners are those who also move up the career ladder as they are discovered and recognised for the job well done. They equally derive personal satisfaction by adding value to the organisation.

So, it is all about employee productivity or lack of it.

I hope this special edition will help us become very productive employees in the New Year.

Cautiously enjoy the festive season.

Cheers!

Olutayo