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 .
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