The Fulfillment in Solving People's Problems

In December 2024, during a conversation with the Head of ICT Directorate Adron Homes, "Mr. Mubarack Suleiman", in his office, he asked me a question that I found myself unable to answer: "How do you feel when you solve people's problems?" I remained silent, unsure of how to respond. He then said, "There is always joy in solving people’s problems unless you don’t love what you are doing."

At the time, I did not give much thought to his statement, but a recent experience made me fully understand its significance.

Overcoming a Major Internet Downtime Issue

Just two weeks ago, after migrating from a Starlink connection to a fiber-optic network at Trinity Tower, we successfully completed all installations. The connection between Adron Court’s server and the Trinity server was established using a transceiver and receiver, with a properly tested ISO-standard fiber-optic cable. Given the broadband upgrade to 150 Mbps—sufficient for any small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)—we believed that the internet challenges at Trinity Tower had finally been resolved.

However, shortly after the installation, we began experiencing severe and persistent internet downtime, which became a major concern for the ICT Directorate. Despite the successful connection and increased bandwidth, the issue persisted.

Determined to resolve the problem once and for all, I, alongside my colleagues Mr. Gabriel Ndak and Mr. John, decided to take a deep dive into the issue. We observed that the internet connection kept fluctuating every three minutes—an unusual and frustrating pattern. After spending four hours troubleshooting without success, we sought assistance from an external engineer, who also required some time to conduct his research.

Identifying the Root Cause

After extensive analysis, we discovered that there was a loopback in the electrical signals. This loopback continuously interrupted the outgoing signal, causing the frequent disconnections. The key to resolving the issue was identifying the specific port on the network switch that was generating the loopback. Once we located and disconnected the faulty port, the entire issue was resolved.

Though the solution turned out to be relatively simple, it took us four hours of intense troubleshooting to arrive at it. The moment the issue was resolved, I could see a genuine sense of relief and satisfaction on our faces. The pressure had been immense, but now we could finally relax. We laughed and celebrated our success as we moved through the three buildings to confirm that all areas were connected.

At that moment, my mind flashed back to Mr. Mubarack’s question: "How do you feel when you solve people's problems?" I now understood exactly what he meant.

The Deep Satisfaction of Problem-Solving

The fulfillment in solving people’s problems goes beyond simply completing a task, it brings a sense of personal reward, growth, and meaning.

Key Aspects of This Fulfillment:

1. Direct Positive Impact:

Solving a problem and seeing immediate improvements in someone’s situation creates a strong sense of accomplishment.

2. Empathy and Connection:

Understanding the difficulties others face and working to alleviate them fosters a deeper sense of connection and empathy.

3. Personal Growth:

Every challenge presents an opportunity to learn, improve problem-solving skills, and gain expertise.

4. A Sense of Purpose:

Helping others and making meaningful contributions provide a greater sense of purpose in both work and life.

I have seen Mercy, one of my colleagues, experience this firsthand. After resolving an issue, she often returns to the office filled with joy, excitedly sharing how difficult the problem was and how relieved she felt after finding a solution. She has also admitted that since joining the ICT Directorate, she has learned and grown significantly.

Taking Ownership Instead of Complaining

Unfortunately, many of us grumble about our jobs and feel burdened when given additional responsibilities. We believe that certain tasks should be assigned to others who have less work on their plates. However, I have come to realize that true growth comes from embracing responsibility rather than avoiding it.

A perfect example was when the CAPEX issue arose following the ₦17 million scandal in the ICT directorate. Many of my colleagues chose to distance themselves from the responsibility, but I decided to take it upon myself. Today, when new systems are supplied and assigned to staff to enhance workflow efficiency, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that my efforts contributed to that success.

While it is true that our salaries may not be as competitive as those of our ICT colleagues in other organizations, that should never justify fraud or extorting money from those we are supposed to help. Integrity and dedication should always come first. The rewards for hard work and honesty may not be immediate, but they will surely come in due time.

Final Thoughts

Solving problems for others comes with numerous benefits, even though it may sometimes attract criticism, insults, or a lack of appreciation. However, the true reward lies in the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference.

The moment a problem is resolved, your mood changes, your confidence grows, and you feel a renewed sense of purpose. This is the true essence of fulfillment in solving people’s problems.

By Raphael Chris