My first year as a fine art student, a friend came across an artist somewhere not too far from campus. His drawings were great so a few of us decided to go learn from him.
After a while, it was down to only 3 of us which is not unusual.
He was in the habit of always reminding us how we are not serious as the level of suffering he went through while learning is nothing compared to ours.
The few days we miss because we couldn't afford transport, he'll narrate how he climbed unto the back of commercial bus and sandwich himself between goods sometimes.......then berate us for not being 'serious'.
One day I bare my mind "bros because you suffer no mean say we must suffer like that before u know say we serious"
Unknown to him, half the times we came to the studio, we trekked.
I have witnessed it with some other artists too. Those who hold on to some knowledge like it's the keys to paradise and remind you how much they "suffered" and how your suffering not having reached their own level denies your the right to know.
I have witnessed it in every sphere of endeavour.
The constant romanticism of suffer_head and its enthronement as hardwork or seriousness.
You meet someone for help with a business idea.
They look at you......then start narrating how they "suffered".
They trekked from Airport road to Uselu...and you are taking cab.
They drank sachet water and you go about with bottle water.
The justaposition is glaring.
Did this and that to raise money before telling you they can't help you. You know they can. You're certain.
They just don't want it 'easy' for you.
It's a subtle conclusion that you should go and " suffer" too.
I suffered.
You must suffered.
It's cultural.
When you discuss how to make things easier, a Nigerian immediately labels you a lazy person....you don't want to suffer, but you want to enjoy.
Our idea of hardwork is skewed.
Go to various skills acquisition centres close to you, and witness firsthand how many of these interns are treated by their Oga's/Madam's. They deliberately suffer you as an appeasement to their own suffering. Some go forward to dehumanizing you under the guise of character building....like you were there to learn morals in the first place.
It's the reason why a lecturer will remind you how long it took him to get his PhD and why you just can't pass his course just like that.
Our entrepreneurial ecosystem is pervaded with this Mindset.
Even our motivational speakers too.
Once a Nigerian suffered to make it in life.
He ensures everyone that comes after him must suffer too.
Is this the ideal thing?
Let's support #NPC..