Posers of the Day:
One: ‘The Boss, I have a problem and I know the solution. But, I am handicapped in making the solution to work’.
Two: ‘The Boss, do you think the present national government and indeed all administrations since independence in 1960 are any different from that of our colonial masters in terms of education, youth empowerment, corruption, freedom of speech and security of lives and properties, etc.?
Introduction: I am elated to return to our virtual rendezvous. ASK THE BOSS is the go-to confidant-cum-solution-provider. You simply garbage in any socioemotional challenge you face complete with your portrait or a plea for anonymity. Subsequently, you have me garaging out an answer you can’t ignore, even if I say so myself.
2.0 Today, we serve a double-barrelled entry. The first question speaks to what I call mental or personality crisis. The second is too political for comfort. However, since my duty here is to field questions, let’s do it.
3.0 Here’s how the questions tumbled in. i) ‘The Boss, I salute your efforts and ingenuity in this course. I have a problem and I know the solution, but I am handicapped in making the solution to work. Just what do you think is wrong with me?
4.0 ‘I am very enterprising, hardworking, and industrious. Each place I have worked, I am always loved and wanted by all. When I decide to leave, people will be crying, begging for me to stay on. But why should I keep leaving where I am loved and cherished?
5.0 ‘Very low remuneration; not commensurate with the work I do; all because of lack of paper qualification. My parents passed on immediately after I finished secondary school. So there was no one to push me further academically. That is why I always strive on my own.
6.0 ‘I am not always well paid compared to the quality of my work which most times is better than that of so-called professionals. I can teach very well, sell, do computer work, write very well, handle all kinds of clerical work, and most office work, etc. But who will employ me and pay well? Besides, where is the money to start a business of my own?
7.0 ‘This becomes a problem. And this is where you, The Boss, come in for suggestion(s) or possible advice. Many thanks, Sir. Please keep me anonymous’.
8.0 My Take: Dear Anony, I like how you started out: ‘I have a problem and I know the solution.’ That sounded so compelling, so surefooted, so businesslike. Alas, it was so spasmodic; you cut it off even before I had settled down fully. Thence, all the way to landing; everything was faulty.
9.0 You turned it into a ‘Lamentation of Jeremiah’-like prose: weeping over poor pay; being orphaned; lack of education, etc. You got it all mixed up. See, nobody who is somebody today will tell you they didn’t go through horrible turbulence. This is not about me but you may like to know that I, Michael BUSH, used to hawk banana, garri, coconut, batefoot in the streets of a Cameroonian fishing port.
10.0 I carried those wares on my head, or pushed a truck containing them. And, my biological parents were both alive at the time. Unfortunately, one, my father, is gone now. I traded for them.
11.0 Most successful people today went through ten times what you are shouting about. So, I charge you: keep quiet and enjoy your bumpy ride through the inevitable wilderness of Life. Look only to God. He alone shall fix you in due season.
12.0 Change your mindset, quit that entitlement mentality because, really, even God owes you nothing. You must shut up and sit up; through the toughening session understanding that even I, Michael BUSH, am going through mine; you, go through yours. And please don’t make a noise anymore otherwise if I allowed the person you see smiling to step forward to share their story, you would see that what you the cock saw and crowed, is child’s play vis-a-vis what the goat saw and kept mum. May God grant you wilderness grace!
13.0 Quickly, quickly, let’s flip the page to the second entry. ii) ‘Hello, The Boss. Please permit me once again to use this platform to ask you a very vital question. How do you compare the present administration (and indeed all administrations) since independence in 1960 with that of our colonial masters?
14.0 ‘I mean that, in terms of education, youth empowerment, corruption, freedom of speech and security of lives and properties, etc.? Have we made any progress at all? Or do you think that the problem of Nigeria is in itself? This is Chrissy Michael in Abuja: The BUSHiest Fan 2014′.
15.0 My Take: No, The BUSHiest Fan 2014, no. Your question far transcends the core mandate of this series. I am afraid, I may only be able to tackle your question in a future series; not this. I hope you forgive me!
Conclusion: Please keep inboxing questions that border on life experiences. Plead anonymity if that is what you want, or attach your photo. Let’s talk the talk. A problem shared is halfway solved.
God bless Nigeria!
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