Ask Chuka

  Many years ago, as a Supply Chain Data Officer at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, I had a boss who did not approve of the customised database management system we used for inventory management and other logistics activities in the department. Before pushing for change, he took time to understand the system, holding several meetings with me and the team. He even requested reports, which I could generate in minutes using Microsoft Access. But ultimately, he advocated for a simpler system—Microsoft Excel—perhaps because he wasn’t familiar with Access. When he insisted on the switch, I refused. I had strong reasons, but he was adamant. Without much discussion, he proceeded with his plans—conducting stock counts, restructuring inventory categories, and implementing an Excel-based management system. He even instructed the warehouse team to exclude me from data-sharing and rerouted all requests through another staff member. For weeks, I sat at work doing nothing but observing. ...

Reading The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler reminded me of a simple yet powerful truth: We rise by lifting others. George, the giant, was the scruffiest person in town—his old brown sandals and patched gown made sure of that. Wanting a fresh look, he visited a shop and bought himself smart new clothes: a crisp shirt, trousers, a belt, a stripy tie, diamond-patterned socks, and polished shoes. Feeling good, he strolled through town to show off his new look, leaving his old clothes behind. But soon, he met a series of animals in need: 🦒 A giraffe, shivering in the cold—so George gave up his smart tie as a scarf. 🐐 A goat, whose sail had blown away—so George offered his shirt to catch the wind. 🐭 A mother mouse and her babies, left homeless by a fire—so George gave them his shoe for shelter. 🦊 A fox, who lost its sleeping bag—so George handed over his socks for warmth. 🐶 A dog, stuck at the edge of a muddy bog—so George used his belt to help it across. By...