I am one that do not envy bankers in the Nigerian society. After graduation from school, my friends did all they could to get me into the banking sector, but I am happy I did not succumb to their pressure.

When we see modern-day bankers, we envy them without knowing what they go through. I remember sometimes ago when a friend got a state government job for a cousin, she refused to accept the job and finally settled for banking, but just three months into her new job, she came back asking for the one she previously rejected.

Have you noticed the way our young men and women resign from banking work these days? Recently, a friend resigned as she was about to be made a branch manager and when I tried to question her decision, she told me she doesn't want to live the rest of her life under pressure.

Banking used to be one job that had so much respect attached to it, but now, the opposite is the case as the sector has caused so much pain to people due to greed on the part of the owners/directors.

What are the negative effects of the 21st century banking style? I believe you, just like every other Nigerian, have your reservations on the banking sector.

Prostitution

This is no longer news to anyone; bankers are now placed on the same level as high class prostitution. The fact is that bankers now use their body to make it. Have you ever wondered why female bankers make it faster than their male counterparts? I agree there are some guys who use what they have to get what they want from those useless women.

Banks no longer employ people based on their qualifications and intelligence. Hard work, to our banks, is how much you are able to make in exchange for your body. A friend who works with one of the leading banks told me a shocking story before she finally decided to quit the job. This lady was so dedicated to her job with nothing to show for it. She later became the point of reference whenever the manager talked about low productivity.

A day came that she went to this woman, a married woman, to seek her advice and to her utmost bewilderment, the manager told her to go and do whatever her colleagues are doing to get money for the bank and if she needed to sleep with the customers, she should go ahead and do it. Without wasting much time, my friend resigned. I even I heard that they now provide them with condoms.

The big girls in banking now make it by selling their body to our businessmen. They paint their faces and carry very long nails and lace wigs/Brazilian hair as well as wear contact lenses, just because they must deliver. I thought there are what we call formal looks, but looking at the banking sector, I can say that semi-nude looks have taken over. That you wear suit does not mean you are formally dressed. You can wear your suit and still retain the look of a prostitute.

Even when men are not ready to sleep with them, they force themselves on them. Recently in Abuja, a lady was talking about her marketing experience. She was with a customer who agreed to give her what she needed to meet her target, but on one condition—she must sleep with him. She was still trying to convince the man to give her the money without asking for sex when another female banker from a different bank, a married woman, called to let the man know she was waiting at the reception and before she could say Jack Robinson, the man sent her away and ushered her competitor in, slept with her and gave her the account.

This is really bad. Why should the owners of banks set unrealistic targets for the ladies and how long are they going to sell their bodies because they must make money for the banks? The easiest way to get promoted in the bank is by joining the marketing department and ready to do what it takes to be there.

Failed Marriages

I really feel bad about this, but most times, I refuse to pity female bankers. A guy comes in from Yankee and opens an account with a huge sum (even when he is fronting for some politician) and the next thing is for the female banker to start making unnecessary calls to him. Before you know what is happening, she is pregnant for him because she must not 'let this one go.'

Then comes the wedding after which the man disappears to his base and never to return to her. Haven't you noticed this to be the lot of so many female bankers? I tried to find out why and this is the feedback I got from my male friends.

A young man who is struggling and working hard comes to ask for their hand in marriage or even a date, but as we all know, our female bankers have to check him out to know how much he has in his account, the designer he wears, the way he carries himself. But because this guy is genuine and has not come for games, he sometimes appears far below his real worth and being who they are, they miss him.

Deceit

I have noticed that people now go to church for different reasons. A good number of people now see the church as a place for connection. Bankers now go to church, not because they want to, but because there is a big fish to be caught. Some of them now go to worship in church just because they are in charge of its account.

Why is it that we don't have bankers as part of smaller congregations? All they do is sit in church and create a list of their potential customers who they approach after service for account opening. It works for them because brother/sister gets to open that account for them as some of them go through the pastors to get customers.

Fake Lifestyle

It may surprise you to know that most of the things bankers wear are bought on credit. Due to the constant struggle to keep the pace with fashion, they go beyond their salaries and are always broke before the end of the month. They acquire most of the things they have through loan just to remain on top.

This is because their bosses have made them to believe that all it takes to meet the set target is to look attractive and learn how to seduce men. I don't even know how to explain this, but banking, to me, is nothing short of prostitution.

Scarcity Of Husband

They say husband is scarce, but it is worse in the lives of our female bankers. I have always told people to make their choice between a super single life as a fulfilled banker and a moderately comfortable home as mother and wife. The fact is that banking gives you money, but keeps you unhappy all your life as money does not guarantee happiness. Getting married eventually to the biggest boy in town does not assure you of a peaceful future.

Bad Parenting

I have always heard my banker friends complain about their inability to enjoy the money they earn. How on earth will anyone get home at 12 midnight from work and wake up before 4 a.m. the next morning just because she must get to the office before 7 a.m.?

When was the last time you had family devotion with your children and read bed time stories to them before kissing them good night? Have your children finally accepted Aunty Ekaete or granny as mummy while your husband moves finally to the woman next door who cares about his belly? I hope you go on with your title as “the banker” when Ekaete takes over finally.

Nothing is worth trading your children for. I am one person who is not ready to trade the happiness and companionship of my children for all the diamonds in this world. Madam, the beautiful clothes, big-for-nothing schools, kiddies clubs, play stations and X-Box, will never take the place of a mother's love.

Before I go, I want you to take a look at this story. I met a 15-year old girl who couldn't hide how much she desires the kind of relationship I have with my children. She said, “aunty, I just wish my mom can relate with me this way” and I tried to convince her of the good life she has with her mom as a regional bank manager.

This little girl said it would have been better if she was motherless. She told me how much she hates her mother and the so-called goodies she gets from her.

In my usual nature, I strolled to their house late at night to see the mother and couldn't talk much, but said “madam, you have lost your daughter to your job. That little girl now regrets having you as a mother.” I also told her of how I have turned down big job offers just for the sake of my children. She hasn't resigned yet, but I know she will some day.

You can make all the millions in that bank and get to the top, but the greatest gift you can ever give to your children is the gift of your time.