SO WHY DID I NOT CHANGE JOB?

The very simple answer to the question as to why I did not change job is that it took me that long to discover myself. Not a very lucid answer, is it ?

I find myself spotting a wry smile each time I think on this theme. The reason ? When I took up this job, my intention was to be at it for a maximum of 5 years ! Twenty seven years on, I am still at my desk ! So what happened ?

No, I did not hate the job from the beginning ! I rather liked it. The World Festival of Black Art and Culture which held in Nigeria in 1977 and is popularly known as FESTAC '77 was a great influence in my life. It helped to decide my choice of profession . While undergoing the course of study itself, I studied under people like Prof. Dapo Adelugba, Prof. Zulu Sofola, etc who further deepened my love for the Arts and Culture. By the time I was through, culture was for me a sacred calling.( I had gone in at age18 -highly impressionable !)

Far from hatred,therefore, I adored the job . The intention to leave that soon was premised on the desire to pursue art and culture administration at an entrepreneural level. I even had my company name ready - Santhea Producttions ( Sanya Theatre Productions ). I described it as a Leisure Company - modelled after a Daily Times of Nigeria subsidiary and meant to encompass not only the arts but also sports .

Alas, even the money for a proper incorporation of the company was not within my reach, not to talk of the cost of basic tools and equipments.

My five year sojourn in the Civil Service was therefore meant to enable me garner a take-off capital .

Barely a year into the service, I proceeded to Bulgaria for further studies under a Cultural Exchange Program. The focus of study was to be Puppetry so I felt convinced that rather than being a distraction from my initial plan, it was going to further qualify me for private practice.

From there onwards, fate took things out of my hands through a series of events ! Oh, yes - you shall hear the details of these events , but certainly not today .

How often should one change job?

That very comment on my not liking my occupation leads to the next subject of this blog.It pertains to a very fundamental question of my life. Can I conscientiously claim not to like a job that I have worked at for 27 years - since October 1981 ? The truth , I suspect, is that it is not my occupation that I do not like, but rather the basic idea of a salaried engagement. I have come to understand the idea of a JOB - just over broke. I am not taking anybody's word for it. I have half a century of experience to back up my view .

Here, probably, is the place to share with you, the position of my late friend's father. Says he : " I know how to deal with a salary - dependent man ! If he owes me, I never ask him at the beginning of the month. I simply wait for the 15th of the next month,knock on his door and make my demands. Salaried men don't wate time in begging for forgiveness from that date onwards. Job is for feeding; business is for wealth building "

I never found a suitable case against the man's position. Maybe you have one !

So,to the raised question ! Am I in error not to have changed job at least once in such a long period? What are the best reasons for job change?

As it is, I am biding my time, determined not to move from this job into any other salaried engagement. Part of my search for non-salaried alternatives brought me to the internet !

Can you identify with my position ? Do you have any suggestions ? Do you have something to share with me that this touches in your personal experience? Let' hear it !

Who am I ? What am I ?

What does a peep into my life yield ? Well, you see a 48 year old father of two, a Nigerian public servant living in Nigeria, although fairly well travelled. He loves his profession but does not love his occupation (ha,ha,ha!), so he entered into internet marketing. Not a guru yet, alas, but won't give up !

Love Nigerian culture, love the theatre, love internet marketing, love stamps and stamp collecting, wealth building etc . Then let us meet here regularly, because these are the summary of my life.

Real name : Oludotun Akanni Timothy Osunsanya.