Job Alukulu Kuje: Diamond Yet Unmined

You may not know this yet but Job Alukulu Kuje and Leonardo Da Vinci share something in common. Job can be likened to diamond that is buried under the earth waiting to be mined.

Born in the year 2000 in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State to the family of Akawu Kuje and Laraba Kuje, Job is a fine artist. He could almost be described as a born artist considering his background.

He walked in to our office one fateful morning carrying some of his works (pencil drawings of Governor Abdullahi Sule and our Editor Mr Matthew Kuju and also a beautifully designed miniature building) and in the company of his elder brother. Even from just looking at him, one could see in him passion to share his beautiful talent with the world.

Job Alukulu Kuje first came in contact with fine art when he was in Primary Three about eight years ago. According to him, he just saw a family friend by name Josiah, drawing and something just drew him to it.

Job said: “When I was born, when I grew up and I was in Primary Three (3), between 2012 and 2013, I saw a family friend that was an artist. So, he was drawing and from there I developed the passion to learn that artwork.

“Then I started to practise some of it. I started by drawing some cartoons before I decided to start drawing real human beings.”

It would seem fortune was not on this young aspiring artist’s side because soon after he developed the passion for art, there was no one around him with the skills and the willingness to mentor him. Even that family friend was nowhere to be found.

Job was however not deterred by this challenge. He kept on practising on his own.

Many creative-minded persons in Nigeria have the misfortune of not getting support from their parents. Job Alukulu Kuje’s story was not like that. His father was impressed with his son’s talent and encouraged him.

According to Job, “At that time, my father liked it and he went and bought some art materials for me.

“I don’t even know when he started to notice what I was doing. I just saw him bringing some of the materials for me. So, I started to use the materials.

“He then promised that when I finish my secondary school, he will take me to technical school. But when I was about to finish my primary school, he died. Since then, it has been tough.”

Because of the unfortunate demise of his father, Job could not get into a technical school as the father wished. And to make matters worse, the secondary school he gained admission to, Government Secondary School Tudun Kauri, Lafia, did not have a fine art teacher. He had to continue teaching himself by constant practice.

“When I even got into my current secondary school, I realised they don’t even do anything about arts in the school. I have only been using the talent that God has given me. I have been using my imagination. When I see some artwork, it inspires me to learn about it.”

Job is yet to enjoy any significant financial benefit for his craft. Over the years he has taught himself how to do sculpture, and also inscription on T-shirts and designing signboards. He still works from home since he cannot afford a shop.

He wants to learn painting while also improving on his pencil drawing.

Here is how the interaction went with him:

Introduce yourself

My name is Job Alukulu Kuje. I am from Lafia here, Gimare. I was born at Obi. My father’s name is Akawu. My mother’s name is Laraba.

I was born in 2000 and I am in SS2 going to SS3 now.

When did you start this art?

When I was born, when I grew up and I was in Primary 3 (between 2012 and 2013) I saw a guy that is an artist. So, he was drawing and from there I developed the passion to learn that artwork. Then I started to practice some of it. I started by drawing some cartoons before I decided to start drawing real human beings.

Who is that person you saw drawing that aroused the passion for drawing in you? Can you remember his name?

He is my cousin. His name is Josiah.

That time you were drawing cartoons, do you still have some of those drawings?

Yes.

When your parents saw what you were doing at that time, what was their reaction?

At that time, my father liked it and he went and bought some art materials for me. I don’t even know when he started to notice what I was doing. I just saw him bringing some of the materials for me. So, I started to use the materials.

He then promised that when I finish my secondary school, he will take me to technical school. But when I was about to finish my primary school, he died. Since then, it has been tough.

When I even got into my current secondary school, I realised they don’t even do anything about arts in the school. I have only been using the talent that God has given me. I have been using my imagination. When I see some artwork, it inspires me to learn about it.

What is the name of your secondary school?

GSS Tudun Kauri.

As it is now, what kind of arts can you do?

I can do sculpture, pencil work. I also write names on t-shirts and signboards.

Do you have any shop?

No, I live at home. I work from home.

You said your father, before he passed on was encouraging you. Right now, do you have anybody encouraging you? Your cousin who was the one you saw drawing and you picked up interest, is there anybody that is encouraging you? Is anybody teaching you some things?

No. Nobody!

Do you know any famous artist that you look up to? Do you have any role model?

Sometimes I see on the internet, works by other artists.

Right now, as you are, what do you want? What is your heart desire especially as it concerns this art that you are doing?

I will love to learn it more. I want to go to school and still learn more about it because I love it. I know I am destined to be an artist. 

Is there any particular type of art that you want to get into?

I want to learn painting. I also want to improve on the pencil work.

Editor’s Note:

As it is, Job needs to be encouraged; he needs to advance his knowledge and perfect his skills in the vocation God has endowed him with. His family background is such that he cannot move on.

It is on this basis that Eggonnews appeals to public spirited individuals to sponsor this poor little but naturally talented artist to attain his goal and earn a living vis Fine Art.

For any enquiry, contact can be established through Eggonnews office.