Sunday, July 21, 2013
TIME TO COMPROMISE IS NEAR
TIME TO COMPROMISE IS CLOSE
In life, what we often plan, does not often see the light of day. You plan to be a doctor, but end up a conductor, or better an instructor. Why is life heartless? Probably because it is not just about me and my ability to keep my words? Maybe it also about others being faithful to the creed that binds every two?
At the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-meta, I was mad at the way people jumped queue and people who just came will go to their partners in crime who is a staff to grant them a favour of forwarding their files at the expense of the anxious masses diligently waiting to see the doctor.
What if I was employed here, would I join others in this favouritism? Can I be a crusader for justice and fairness? Even if I want to be, once I see my people (parents, wife etc) being cheated and waiting endlessly on the queue, I will compromise.
Later that evening, I was in the sitting room bored with the power outage and looking the picture of my beauty queen. I had just changed her name from sweet aduni to Aduni on my contact. I searched my phone to check for another image in order to change the image I will be seeing when she calls. I was okay with the captivating sight of hers in her sky-blue lace and blue gele.
Satisfied with the selection, I decided to go through the images again. I had to do that to ensure that she was all I had in my memory. I deleted every contact of any lady that could tempt me except Dolapo-that is in my head and will be hypocritical to delete.
I went through the pictures again; I saw the sky-blue shirt on tight skirt. Hummmm, I could feel the sexuality in the picture. ‘All these for me?’ I thought of asking her to delete it, so that I will be for my eyes only. The pictures were basically to show me that her butt had become bigger and her breast was still intact. ‘The female teacher that snapped these must be bad. A photo section of clear pornography in clothes, strictly for me, she must delete it. I will be the one that will have it alone.’
Calling her was impossible, my battery was flat. PHCN was grateful to restore the light. I charged my phone and with the thought in my head. ‘For my eyes only’. Switching on my phone Aduni called, I was mad with joy. After the greetings, few information and all the paparazzi. I asked her who snapped the sexy pictures.
It was as if a curb harmer hit my head when she said it was a man. A teacher, and she posed flaunting joyfully. She never told me before now. A guy snapped her full back view, saved it on his phone and sent her a copy. What is she? Who is she? Can I ….? Isn’t my life a waste? Anyway, she said sorry. She didn’t mean it. How ridiculous.
When on earth have I ever allowed a woman to snap me reflecting my shape or in singlet? Well, I can’t doubt her. But this is the 9th time I’m getting to know something about her not directly from her. I must be a fool to think a man can leave his entire life with one woman and vice versa.
My parents started with joint account. Mummy felt, dad was cheating and spending money on girls outside and decided to quit the joint account. How foolishly stupid! Every man will not pay evil for evil, but evil for greater evil.
Now my Aduni is following suite. Men pour over her, I absolutely isolated. Maybe that was the reason I can’t touch her, she has back up? Of course not. Sure, you don’t trust a woman that betrays your trust. I wouldn’t have believed if I was told. I hate revealing dresses, she wore one that the life of her breast was revealing on Saturday. This babe no send me.
Anyway, I am human, I can presuppose that a woman with revealing dresses wants sex. And a woman that will allow a man to snap her breast and butt, save it to his phone, collect to her phone and send to her mugu’s phone must be ….
My sincerity within the marriage wed-lock is anchored on my partner’s sincerity. In the court of law, ignorance is not an excuse. If she wears revealing clothes, I will start wearing ring, drinking, smoking and having stylish hair cut. If she says it is time to play games, who am I not to? I might have planned my life one way. But what if, my partner is ‘smart’ what the hack will I do?
You plan, you wish, you pray. Others determine if you will compromise or not. The time to compromise is close.
Just a story.
08036126690
Afolabi Ajibola ONI
15 June 2013, 10:08pm
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
MY BOSS
My Boss
Tade, a very good friend of mine walked into me, uneasy. He was sweating harder than expected and I was a bit worry. I doubted if Tade had impregnated a colleague of his, like most of my peers- working class people with blood boiling quite hot. I inquired about what the matter was but he wasn’t in a hurry to tell anyone. I looked deep into his eye with the well drafted silent query, ‘-not even me?’
He looked into my eyes and sigh. I knew the problem could be a little mind blowing and I pestered with an expectant silence.
‘It is all these management people- my boss, the director, all of them. I told them that I had started my Masters degree at the University, but it is on weekends. They asked for my admission letter, I gave them. Asked for every other detail and I volunteered it sincerely to the best of my knowledge. I was interested in full time before that cost 150, 000n and lasts for a year, but because of work, I change to part time that is for a period of two years and costs over 320, 000n. Now my school needs my weekends again as they organised a seminar recently for teachers. I wrote a letter reminding them of my engagement on Saturdays. Only to come back and my principal started ranting that I won’t go scot-free.’ He concluded with yet another deep breath.
I was silent for a while. I knew that he wanted my take on the matter as I pondered real hard on the matter. I looked at the entire situation from both ends. First, the school management, who have spent a lot to get the seminar ready, they even provided two complete meals and did their best to make the ambience cosy. Only for the indigent son of a bitch to waste their hard earn resources. He should be asked to tender his withdrawer.
From the other end, I see this young man who doesn’t want to be stagnant and wants uncompromising adjustment for the better.
I told him at last; if you think your education comes first, go for it. It is always difficult. It is like sleeping ravenous today for a better tomorrow. Don’t procrastinate, don’t let go of your master’s degree, do that which people rarely do. Anyway, when one door doesn’t close, another wouldn’t open, because when two doors open, there lies perplexity or the need to seek the face of God.
That was my advice for Tade. What is yours? Add your comment please.
Monday, November 26, 2012
TEACHING METHODOLOGIES; THE ESSENCE OF VARIETIES
‘Variety is the spice of life’ so the sages say and the essence of using various or different methodologies to teach does not only makes learning more interesting but also better enhanced. According to Longman Active Studies Dictionary 5th Edition ‘education is the process of teaching and learning.’ According to Wikipedia education is a form of learning in which knowledge skills and habit of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, and research or simply through auto didacticism. It occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way we think, feel or act.
We have various methods of teaching can be divided according to the age of man. These notwithstanding affect the learning process and are all important. Learning according to experts has not taken place except it affects the three domains which are the Affective, Cognitive and Psyco-motor domain.
The early age of man, the learning methodology was SELF-REFLECTING approach. This approach allows the early man to think on his own.
The later age, SOCRATIC METHOD OF ELENCHUS, was employed. It can also be inquiry, debate, questioning method. This allows the learner learn through questions posed by the teacher.
In the early 18th Century man employed CLASS PARTICIPATION or group discussion, also called COLLABORATING, Group or project work. This builds the team leadership skill, presentation abilities in student. It can be called fishbowl discussion or well Learning by teaching. This can take various shapes (Where the students have their take on the topic and the leader is the guide).
DEMONSTRATION also called connective learning. This has equally taken diverse shapes and can be through practical or experiment, storytelling or acting.
Other method used for ages are RECITATION, MEMORIZATION or ROTE MEMORIZATION, EXPLAINING OR LECTURE METHODS which is factual presentation to the students. This helps the teacher to cover a wide range of curriculum in short time.
INQUIRY LEARNING METHOD featured in United State National Science Education Standard in 1996, investigation, collection of data, application in other subject areas where people are developing critical thinking and investigation skill. Robert Bain proposed through inquiry people will develop skills and factual knowledge that answers to a question. They will form a hypothesis, collect and consider information and revisit their hypothesis as they evaluate. This is also called OPEN LEARNING.
If one takes a critical look at the diverse methodologies, one can be said to be absolutely independent of the other as they are complementary. Learning may not be complete if on dogmatically uses just one of this teaching methodologies. While some are more important at some age grade and subjects others cannot but be emphasises in other fields. While Mathematics needs more of demonstration or solving the sum independently, Agricultural Science’s farm work needs more of group discussion as English is more prone to Lecture method. Yet these subjects are best when the methods are combined and used interdependently. This will make learning better, easier more interesting to both the teacher and the student. Any teacher that is stereotyped with one method creates room for boredom in the class. Variety is indeed the spice of life, and the classroom is not an exception.
MR. ONI AFOLABI AJIBOLA
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER
EDIDOT SCHOOL AWOYAYA, LAGOS
08036126690
oniafolabiajibola@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Eulogy to Dr. Mrs. Edith Okubanjo
A eulogy to Dr. Mrs. Edith Okubanjo
Isn’t she a diamond?
That glows beyond comprehension
Isn’t she a mountain?
Never shaken despite ocean surge
Death murdered her husband
Yet she remains a mother
Even more caring than ever
And look more elegant than the latest bride down town
We welcome back our hero
Who started from zero
Who took no short cut in life’s race
And rose to grace
We all at the college in Edidot,
That I represent right on the spot
We say welcome back to Edidot
Indeed we missed you
Welcome ma,
Doctor Mrs. Edith Okubanjo
We love you ma,
Sincerely, we do.
Composed by ONI Afolabi Ajibola 16:20pm, 02/10/12, Edidot School
Monday, July 23, 2012
SEVENTY VIRGINS
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
OUT OF THIS WORLD REDEEMER’S DAY
The Redeemers’ day celebration or better called founder’s day for the year 2011 was such that was superb. The event that was greeted with much enthusiasm by the enter teachers and students of RIS.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
Monday, June 6, 2011
OUT OF THIS WORLD REDEEMER’S DAY
The Redeemers’ day celebration or better called founder’s day for the year 2011 was such that was superb. The event that was greeted with much enthusiasm by the enter teachers and students of RIS.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
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