The only skill I had was swimming – Jobless Nigerian man, Philips Michael, narrates how he rose to become a marine officer in DubaiA once jobless Nigerian man, Philips Michael, has shared the inspiring journey of how he rose to become a Marine officer in Dubai, UAE.
In an interview with the Gulf News, Philips said when he landed in Dubai in 2013, the only skill that he could offer for a job was swimming.
That too was not a formal training, but just a skill he acquired on the side while growing up in Nigeria. Little did he know that it will open up a new life for him in Dubai. 10 years later, he is now marine officer with World Security, a DP World company providing in security solutions for a number of firms in UAE.
Philips grew up in a remote area where fishing, timber, and agriculture were the major occupation. His father was a timber dealer and after the school, he used to assist his father in the business. Philips belongs to the ethnic group Ijaw and is from the Arogbo clan in Ondo, the southwestern coastal state of Nigeria.
After high school, he wanted to focus on playing football. But there were financial challenges as his father was not able to shoulder all the burden himself. Philips also started taking responsibility and he wanted to leave the country in search of better chances.
It was then that his uncle Love Torulolo hooked Philips up with his friend who works in the UAE. Philips flew in to Dubai from Lagos on a two-week visit visa, with no particular intention of a long stint. It was in January 2013.