HISTORY IN MOTION: A STORY OF CHRIST'S SCHOOL GREAT SENIORS OF 1960s

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HISTORY IN MOTION:
A STORY OF CHRIST’S SCHOOL GREAT SENIORS OF 1960s

By Diipo Fagunwa (68/040)

In 1968 when I arrived at the Agidimo Hill, I met virtuous pubescents who kept the world on its stride. Time stopped whilst the glory of God beamed.

Chief Ogunlade conducted us in like jambites whilst we looked confused like jebusites marveling at the God of Israel. Ogunlade looked old but smart in his bùbá and ṣọọrọ. He wore Zẹbòó trainers, trudged into the chapel shuffling side to side like a train on a delicate rail line whilst we looked like confused Isaac being led to the slaughter by his father. But No!!!

We soon realized, we were not ushered onto a slab. We were haremed into decency, mothered by efficiency, tractored by industry to drink from the chalice of Solomon. No wonder anytime one of us goes, the world notices.

It seems like the end time is here, and the world is empty. We look up like psalm 121 wondering whether the keeper of Israel is sleeping. But the messiah is not dosing. Though He is yet to arrive let us keep on singing ‘Christ is our corner stone, on Him alone we build’ in a world where others sing ‘money is our corner stone and on fraud alone we build’.

I remember our Initiation to Christ’s School as new students. It was called ‘O Watanas’. We were told we shall be having party with visiting Professors from all over the world. We bought our cutleries. Some missed supper. We did not know all the Professors were fake and our seniors. They included Moyo Ogundipe himself who I did not recognise even though I was with him that afternoon and he told me nothing. Senior Aríbátiṣé (RIP) was the Professor from Siam. This ‘Fugi Wonder’ dancer in Mason House who became the Senior Prefect two years later always mesmerized me with his Queens English that was so big.

I believed his mother had an accident with Dictionary when she was pregnant. Elvis Adeoye (Ogbonna) acted the Professor from Calcutta and baptised me with the name ‘Farruuguunwah’ whilst Senior Longe taught us about King Watana of Ziam. We did not know we were learning to sing ‘Oh What An Ass I Am’ using the British national anthem tune.

Senior Victor Oluyemi (Permutation) was the Senior Prefect then. He had beards like Moses and was serious like Joshua. I remember he was forever reading detention that contained Seniors Ajibade (Jumbo), Fabunmi and Asebiomo (Achebe)’s names. Senior Olorunniwo was Permutation’s Deputy, Babamboni House Captain and Dining Prefect.

I can bet he was a member of Celestial Church. His prayer and dining hall bell rang like that of the Shepherd waiting for Oshoffa at Ìmẹkọ Sanctuary.

Just imagine the National award winner Senior Níyì Ọsúndáre. Ólù Rasco himself with his delicate eyes under glasses eating ẹwẹ (beans) with me so I a miserable ajẹbọtà from Òkèigbó can be convinced that kὸkὸrὸ is a delicacy more delicious and nourishing than àgìdímọ in the gala of protein.

Those were the days Senior Kὸfό Ọlọrundá looked like ṣasawọ (broom stick) and kì í ṣèpè (it’s not a curse) even if he eats elephant sandwiched with hippo his destiny is to be lighter than blade but heavier than cotton.

If you know him advise him to stop wasting his money on Dr Homels Haematogen. President Jonathan took it but his weight is still below 90kg inspite of Ásò Rock.

Senior Ssigala was ‘Ọmọ Ìta’. He was very smart even though he walked bent like Bendel trailer cruising pass roundabout at Ikpoba slope. Discus belonged to Senior Garrick (Black Russia) whilst Uncle Ray Ogunleye (Brother Lékan Ògúnlẹyẹ) nearly threw our javelin into Kàfé. Senior Fáwọlé had muscles like Mighty Igor and Senior Wasco had Tissue anointing that Bùnmi Ọpẹdáre inherited.

I don’t understand Senior Bode Oyewole. The man was so generous he even gave away all his hairs leaving himself only five that he counts every morning after reciting Psalm 24. Comb sellers in Ọjà Ọba are his enemies while his wife enjoys the colour plasma that shines on his head everyday to anoint a wonderful union.

Senior Macaulay Iyayi (Makosa) was the football captain. The man is still keeping goal but money is now his football. He kept the football goal clean except in Thermogene finals when Abass of Methodist High School Ibadan used Kurubé to pass him twice while Senior Yọlóyè (Snr) the defender was smiling.

My College Brother Senior Túnde Fámodù (Adohan) played like Messi to dribble into Sista Ìyábọ Ògúntúsà’s diary so she ended up being my College Sister. I was embarrassed when I last saw Sister Ìyábọ at Bayo Babalola’s daughter’s wedding in Lagos. I looked so frail and hungry and almost twelve years older than her whilst she still retains her beauty and dignity and is a replica of Aphrodite the goddess of beauty and love.

Such are the ladies from Christ’s School; they are confident, full of blessings, radiate dignity, walked with purity and basked in integrity.

Ah!!! Christ’s School reminds me of those days when men were men and women thanked God that men were men. Those were the days boys of virtue cultivated character of decency and leadership and girls floating with morals and honor wore skirts of nobility that covered their knees rather than Bόńfὸ whilst none of them sang ‘Ó fόnká síbẹ’.

It is my pride to belong to this education patrimony with this grand ancestry where only the favored is present. Indeed there are only two schools in the universe, Christ’s School and the Rest.

Diipo Fagunwa writes from Lagos