The death of Architecture…
Here is an account of the worrisome discussion I had with an old acquaintance on the evening of the first day in September.
I had to wait in the car for "my babe" that went back in to pick what she dropped. On looking out to my right, I saw this my rugged looking acquaintance (even more rugged than the way he used to look way back in Uni days) and for a moment I thought "he must have seen me and just intentionally decided to evade"
After letting the 'overkaku' mind do the maths, I got out to yell his name twice in his direction as he had hurriedly passed by within the few seconds of this my deliberation process.
He immediately looked back towards my direction after the second call and then we exchanged all the necessary pleasantries and he said "Oluwa o se, mo ti ri eyan ta fun mi lowo moto de Yaba" as he was initially supposed to trek down. I asked after his work (the new Architectural firm he now works in Lagos after he left where he was in Ibadan because they were owing about 6 months salary).
He narrated his ordeal to me and told me the new office too is owing them (himself and one of the best students in the undergrad class then) in this new office again. It was at this point I realised it's not based on work done or undone as I trust the other guy to deliver under any circumstance.
Upon further inquiry, he continued that the office had been getting commissions but the pay isn't just flowing down to the "hands" doing the jobs and so he's had to resign again from the new office because he has a teaching job interview to attend the coming week.
I couldn't help but imagine all the demanding sacrifices, rigorous drills, tough times, sleepless nights, expensive purchases we were made to go through in school all because we were studying Architecture and that is how 'Architects' are groomed. I thought of the several deformities from pens and cutters; the times you would have to starve because you need to print or buy materials for one of the several assignments and the times we would either have to remain in school after exams to prepare for jury after every other student must have travelled home or have to draw for the 10-12 units design courses and still write tests like every other student.
All these to get a degree and someone still refuses to pay the meagre (less than 40k) remuneration after graduation. It's just completely unfair to treat people babdly because you were at some points or the other treated same way.
The only justification for requesting professional fees is if you pay some yourself.
PS: I had to find a way to let it out of my head as the thought isn't letting me rest.