The Bank

On Thursday 20 March 2008 President Dyreng had me walk with him to the Zenith Bank. First, we crossed Opebi, the large street in front of the Stake Building & Service Center where the Mission Offices for East & West Lagos Missions are. There is also a small Distribution Center for Church Materials, Garments & Scriptures. We purchased small Hymn Books for 1600 Naira, each. Across the street, we walked to a point directly across from the Bank. We dodged traffic to get to the center barrier, then walked on top of the barrier, then down and through the traffic to the front gate of the bank. Parking inside the gate for bank customers would fit 3 Honda Accord size cars. The guards allowed us into the yard. We walked to the front of the Bank. Facing us were 2 curved plexiglass doors. They were like transporter doors on a star ship and were dark, smoky green in color. To enter, one at a time, one pushes a button to the side of the door, like an elevator button. If the entrance is empty, the door slides around and opens. One of us entered, and the door closed behind, leaving the other outside. Once in, the inner door opened and allowed one of us into the small lobby. Then, the person on the outside could push the button and be allowed through like the first person. Inside, we approached a chest high counter, where a clerk indicated we had permission to approach. Pres. Dyreng had 2 checks, one for 100,000 Naira and one for 89,000 Naira. The bigger check was worth $839.00. The checks were presented, one at a time, upside down on the counter, so no one could see the amount. The clerk pulled them to her, one at a time, upside down and stamped them, returned them, up side down for President's second set of signatures, printed name and date written their way ddmmyr. Then the checks were cashed, and the currency counted by an amazing machine. On the top was placed a stack of N1000 bills. A button was pushed and whoosh, the machine spit out a stack of first, 100- N1000 bills and then a second stack or 89-N1000 bills. The machine has dozens of thin, flexible rubber fingers that do the manipulating of the bills. Upstairs, on the second floor, we changed 50 of the N1000 bills to 100-N500 bills for smaller change. Then up one more floor, President introduced me to the Deputy Manager of the bank, Nduku Egwuatu. We went back out and home in reverse with a stop to show me where a pharmacy was on the second floor of "Big Treats".He then took me next door to Osato's (very small) grocery to show me where to shop if we need something quick. That's the Bank.