The day I put my name for my friend and almost lost my job

Two years ago, my childhood friend Emeka come to Lagos. He say he no get work, he dey suffer. I tell am no worry, I go help am.

I dey work for industrial equipment company for Yaba. I talk to my manager, I put my name for Emeka. I say this guy good, he fit sell, he honest. My manager trust me so he hire Emeka.

First two months, Emeka dey do well. He dey bring clients, he dey close deals. I dey happy for am. But after that, things change. Clients start to complain say dem pay but no get equipment. Small small, we find out say Emeka dey take client money and give dem fake receipts. He dey skim from payments.

When my manager call me for office, e pain me die. He say "Chidi, you bring this thief come my company. Na your name I take hire am." I try to talk to Emeka, I tell am return the money. He say I no get proof. He say I dey lie.

I get option. Cover for am and lose my job. Or tell the truth and lose my friend. I choose my job. I show my manager everything. Emeka get fired. Police come for am but he run back to PH.

Since that day, Emeka no call me. He tell people say I betray am. My own friend. But I learn say when you put your name for person, you dey gamble with your own future. No be everybody wey you grow up with fit be trusted.