Reminiscing in the Air

We took off on schedule, headed for the nation’s capital. I was looking forward to meeting up with friends and school mates from 25years ago. Had it been that long? Really?

That I had pestered my mum to go and check my Common Entrance scores again because I was convinced I had done well. I could not have flunked that exam. We had been given answers to pass but some of the answers had been wrong and I had refused to fill them in, choosing instead to do independent work. So when we were told that everyone in the school failed, I refused to believe.

I gave my parents hell the first day of term. Weeping and wailing as if my life were over because I was to go back and read Primary Six. I wanted no part of it. And I told my parents this in no uncertain terms. Eventually, my dad drove me to school, as against me finding my way and I was greeted with a shout and ‘hailings’ as my entire former Primary Five class was there. I was the very last one. Many had speculated that perhaps I had passed and gone to Secondary School or something. They were very happy to see me but I remained dissatisfied until one day.

Mum and I had gone somewhere on the Island to do something and as we passed in front of a certain building, I looked up and read ‘Ministry of Education’ and decided I was not going anywhere till I saw my results. I made a terrible scene till my mum went in and asked where the last Common Entrance Exams Results were pasted. She looked and saw my score: 89.5%. Of course by this time, we had an audience who also were interested in the score. Upon hearing the score, many gasped and one woman said, ‘That is even enough to get into Queens’ College on merit list’. I said to my mum, 'we need to find who was responsible for me not getting into secondary school' or I was not going home and eventually, we left with an admission letter for my first choice of Secondary School: Federal Government College, Jos.

It was then situated on Bukuru Road and that is how I bade farewell to my entire class on the last day of first term Primary Six at ASCON Staff School, Topo Badagry and ‘ported’ to join the class of ’88 FGCJos.

I fell in love with Jos at first sight and loved even more, the opportunity it afforded me to be a loner. I loved walking through classrooms and reading wall signs and when we moved to the permanent site, I loved it even more. We moved in my second year and enjoyed priviledges like water being boiled for our bath and even no baths in the morning some really cold days. You could be severely punished on some days as a junior student if you were found bathing. And of course, it was how some became 'rub-and-shine' specialists and when I remember how some of my male classmates used to roll up their short shorts in that weather, I am just surprised we didn’t catch our death of cold.

Having been raised on a farm where we grew our own food and had no electricity, I did not miss any luxuries that my mates did. I thought school was glamorous and even though I missed my family while there, my overactive imagination and my letter writing skills were such that I coped.

As a senior student, I was acutely shy but no-one could have guessed as I had a fiery tongue that erased all suspicion of such. I remained a loner, finding male friendships preferable to the fickle female alliances that could change based on if you said good morning or not. The guys had no such issues. They hung out and did stuff and if they had issues with you, they told you and you sorted it out. But we females……? 

I was friends with everyone and so many of my friendships have endured. And I think many of my FGCJos friends know how lonesome I can be and tend to leave engagement to me. I found enduring friendships in Jos. That is an irrefutable fact. And as we approach Abuja, my heartbeat quickens because I will meet again with so many. 

Secondary School Education is supposed to do this for you. Bring you in your formative years with people who will remain your circle of friends, your go-to people and there will (sadly) be those who you will learn from their mistakes and choose different paths.

I am just thankful for the school that chose me 25 years ago.......