Quote Me Not; No Whine Me (Part 1) – Why Pride Is Important
He knew that finishing National Service (NYSC) wasn’t worth anything. He was sadly aware of the millions before him and many more after, all sitting hopelessly and waiting for a miracle. What seemed to always baffle him about Nigeria was the undying hope of its citizens; he had grown up in better circumstances but – along with the rest of the Nigerian populace – had watched things get worse in the country each day and seen people still yell “E go better!” At what point uncle Sandra!?
“OG! What’s the level na?”
“Omo I just dey like Dele o, you Sabi the matter na.”
“Sure, my G! Ehen, I get one small opening wey I see for Ibadan here, you go dey interested?”
“If the offer make sense no lele na.”
“Bros the offer nuh too make sense o… Na 15k per month o and the working hours na 7am-6am”
*Insert uncontrollable laughter*
Settling has become a major virus in the Nigerian system, with people unconsciously losing their right to something better, due to the availability of a manageable option in the interim. This option often becomes so comfortable that they begin to wonder if they weren’t silly for aiming higher, thereby leaving them complacent.
A primary school graduate doesn’t get admitted into a federal school of her choice so she settles for a close replacement, the jambite passes all exams but is given the wrong course in the university so she settles for it becomes it is better than being at home, fresh out of NYSC another person accepts a 15k job that will obviously not cover running costs all in the name of not being idle. The common man loses his voice because he has been paid by the same people looting public funds and somehow feels he hit the jackpot.
The lack of pride or an understanding on self-worth is an important topic of discussion missing in most conversations. The new age has shifted the focus of most of the generation to irrelevant things like appearances and not actual substance, peopled bothered about how they look to the public as opposed to what is actually right for them.
A not-so-wise man I came across a few years back made a statement which still sticks, he said; “Pride is good, because if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. It is the level of your pride that determines what you will or will not accept”.
Consciously accepting less than you deserve is not humility, it’s stupidity– The Arubayi Keme (2019)
About Author:
The Arubayi Keme is a Writer, Editor, Journalist, Content Revamper and lately, a Social Commentator. Though in his mid-twenties, his media career spans over 8 years; and he prides himself in studying human behaviour and interaction.
Instagram – @thearubayikeme
