Early 1990 I travelled to Kaduna after my Diploma in Secretarial Studies from Benue State University in search of a job. Not too long ago I got a job with Pentecost Advancement Commercial Institute as a Teacher. Teaching was not my passion, so I kept looking for another job. A few months later, I got a job with a paint-producing company, Powerseal Nigeria Limited, as an Administrative Assistant. Here, I was introduced to computer operations. That experience led me to enroll in a computer school to get a diploma in Computer Operations.
Within that period, the Kaduna Zonal Office of the defunct National Board for Community Banks offered me a job as a Computer Assistant, so I left Powerseal. Due to my experience, dedication, and commitment to the job I was promoted to Senior Computer Assistant. It was during this period that I got married to Grace.
Thereafter, a brother in my local assembly informed me about an opening in an Architectural firm. After praying about it, I was led to pick up the job as Office Manager. My duties were mainly in supply chain management and procurement to ensure seamless availability of building materials in project sites being handled by the firm. Apart from handling long and short term procurement needs of the firm and negotiating with vendors to ensure timely delivery of materials, I was in charge of paying daily workers and subcontractors their emoluments and fees.
In November 1999 my second son fell ill and for the next 11 years, we were battling to save his life until it pleased the Lord to take him home. This experience was the key to changing my career line. His deteriorating health led to my resignation from the architectural firm. After resigning from the job, I didn’t know what else to do afterward. But God in His infinite mercy showed me a way, which is the design and construction of Customized Ceilings for homes and halls. This was at the time PVC Ceilings were just coming on stream in Nigeria.
I started first by honing my skills with learning to measure. After learning how to measure, I started with the art of installing suspended PVC, Gypsum, and POP ceilings. Since 2003 this skills have enabled me to be enterprising, and exemplary of the teaching of the Christian Couples’ Fellowship. The skill is what the Lord has been using to put food on my table.
– Foster & Grace Okwu