A few years ago, a young struggling musician in Abuja gave a friend of mine his demo CD.
She listened to it & gave me to listen to also.
We borh believed he was talented.
She decided to help him birth his music career.
She spoke to a Senator to help the young man... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙂" title="Leicht lächelndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Leicht lächelndes Gesicht">

The Senator listened to the CD & asked my friend to bring him for a discussion over lunch at 8:05 Restaurant, Wuse.
This was a talented young man in his early 20s who had been trekking around Abuja, hoping & praying for a breakthrough.

And his prayers were getting answered... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏🏾" title="Folded hands (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Folded hands (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

During their discussion, he took pictures with the Senator & my friend (she was a journalist, a media consultant to a few senators, ministers & governors then) & posted on social media. He wrote, "Just had lunch with Senator XXX at 8:05 Restaurant, Wuse. I& #39;m living the dream!" https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍🏿" title="Thumbs up (dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up (dunkler Hautton)">

When they were done at the meeting, the Senator gave the young man some money- about 50k.
He was impressed with the boy& #39;s talent & sincerely wanted to help him grow.
Later that day, my friend saw his post on social media.
She was livid!
She called him: "what& #39;s wrong with you?" https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😡" title="Schmollendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Schmollendes Gesicht">

What is the problem with you young folks?
Why do you always seek external validation?
You& #39;re living the dream?
You want people to think eating lunch with Senators is an everyday thing for you!
You& #39;re not serious!"
She told the Senator not to bother anymore: the boy is stupid!
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The boy begged her profusely.
She was adamant.
He came to me to help him beg her.
I asked what happened.
He told me.
I called her up, she said, "Harry, he& #39;s living his dreams, let him continue living it! I can& #39;t waste my time on that idiot!"
I couldn& #39;t change her mind... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😖" title="Verblüfftes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Verblüfftes Gesicht">

That was how the young man lost the opportunity.
This happened in 2013, thereabouts.
I ran into him again today.
I didn& #39;t even recognize him, but he recognized me.
He& #39;s not any better than he was when I saw him 7 years ago.
He& #39;s still looking for a break.
I felt sorry for him.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😟" title="Besorgtes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Besorgtes Gesicht">

I imagine how his life would& #39;ve panned out if he hadn& #39;t posted those pictures?

Youth,” said Bernard Shaw, “is the most beautiful thing in this world: what a pity that it has to be wasted on children!”

Youth is wasted on folks who are just too stupid to enjoy & maximise it...
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