chapter five

In 1924, Obafemi's eyes widened with excitement as he received the admission letter to Baptist High School, Abeokuta. Having been promoted to standard four in 1920, he was eager to dive into new challenges. However, upon arrival, he was placed in the same class, and his initial enthusiasm began to wane. Despite his best efforts, he struggled to meet expectations in most subjects, except Arithmetic, where his numbers wizardry shone through.

Each week, Obafemi carefully set aside one precious shilling for school fees, determined to make the most of this opportunity. But fate had other plans. One fateful morning, while rushing to school, disaster struck. Obafemi was involved in a horrific accident, leaving him bruised, wounded, and battered.

A deep gash on his kneecap gushed blood, and his world spun around him. The headmaster, a stern but fair man, soon learned of the accident and rushed to Obafemi's side. After administering first aid, he gazed at Obafemi with a mix of concern and disappointment.

"Obafemi, my boy, you deserve punishment for jumping off a moving vehicle," the headmaster said, his voice firm but measured. "However, the bruises and wounds you've sustained will serve as a harsh lesson. I hope you'll be more cautious in the future." Obafemi nodded, still reeling from the pain and the headmaster's words. Though shaken, he vowed to learn from this close call and make the most of his time at Baptist High School.

Obafemi's face lit up with relief as the headmaster excused him to return home. He limped the two-and-a-half miles to Ibara, his residence, still reeling in pain. This marked the end of his time at Baptist High School. Undeterred, he sought admission to other schools to continue his education.

In July 1924, Obafemi enrolled in Salvation Army School. He knew friends who had attended the school and worked to pay their way through. Emulating their example, Obafemi took on various duties to make ends meet. He carried sheaves of dried elephant grass for local potters, earning six pence a day. For half a day's work after school, he made two pence. He also assisted potters in pounding raw clay with a pestle, a laborious task that left his palms sore. Occasionally, he worked as a laborer on farms.

However, Obafemi soon discovered that the standard at Salvation Army School was not high. In some subjects, he found himself more knowledgeable than his teachers. Dissatisfied with the poor quality of teaching, he sought admission to Imo Wesleyan School.

There, he met Mr. J.A. Keleko, a trained and upright headmaster who emphasized discipline. Mr. Keleko was a strict taskmaster who frowned upon untidiness and rewarded it with lashes on the palms or back. Obafemi was fortunate to have found one of the best schools in Abeokuta.

His admission came with a condition: "If you fail the first weekly test, you will be demoted," Mr. Keleko warned the new pupils. Obafemi rose to the challenge, securing third place in the first weekly test, second in the second, and first in the third. His friends from Salvation Army School were not as fortunate; they failed to meet the standards and eventually left the school.

Obafemi lived with his grandmother and spent time with Mr. Mould, who introduced him to a new vocation: selling water. He sold water to clerks and civil servants for a farthing per gallon. Mr. Mould utilized Obafemi's education by having him take dictation and write petitions.

Obafemi's uncle visited him at Mr. Mould's house to congratulate him on his academic success. He offered to pay Obafemi's fees, but Obafemi declined the offer.

In June 1926, Obafemi passed the government Standard Five examination. Though he felt he should have achieved this milestone earlier, he was happy to have met his father's expectations. Obafemi continued to fetch water to earn money and assisted Mr. Mould with letter writing.

Obafemi stood at a crossroads, weighing his options for the future. He could seek employment as a junior clerk, shop attendant, or pupil teacher. The legal profession also beckoned, with its impressive wigs and gowns. As he pondered his next step, Mr. Keleko summoned him and offered a position as a pupil teacher at his alma mater.

Mr. Keleko, Obafemi's mentor, advised him to apply to Wesley College in Ibadan, where he could receive a free education for four years. Obafemi seized the opportunity and began his tenure as a pupil teacher in July 1926, earning twelve shillings six pence per month.

Since he worked only half the month, Obafemi received six shillings three pence. He used this amount to purchase a "Tutorial Arithmetic Book," which cost exactly what he had earned. With his sights set on Wesley College, Obafemi diligently prepared for the entrance examination.

Obafemi Awolowo's salary increased to fifteen shillings a month in August 1926. However, the school management didn't think he was ready to take the entrance examination to Wesley College. Mr. Keleko, his mentor, intervened, convincing the manager to let Obafemi take the exam. Although the school couldn't cover his fare to Ibadan, Mr. Keleko persisted, and Obafemi was allowed to take the exam.

To earn his fare, Obafemi was tasked with cutting weeds in the overgrown cemetery at Ogbe, Abeokuta. This was a significant challenge, but Obafemi was determined to succeed. 

"I am prepared to do that, sir," Obafemi replied, undaunted by the task. For a week, he labored, cutting weeds in the cemetery, earning five shillings for his efforts. Obafemi didn't view this menial job as beneath him. He was resolute in his pursuit of education and willing to make sacrifices to achieve his goals.

His hard work paid off when he sat for the entrance examination to Wesley College. Out of eighty candidates from various parts of the Western District of the Wesleyan Church, Obafemi emerged as the sole successful candidate from Abeokuta.

In December 1926, Obafemi visited Ikenne, where he was heartened to discover that, despite his financial struggles, he had made significant progress. Among his peers, only one had attained a similar level of achievement. Overjoyed, Obafemi gave thanks to God for His blessings.

Obafemi began his studies at Wesley College in January 1927, pursuing the Higher Elementary Teachers program. He was thrilled to receive a free education, with all expenses covered, including tuition, books, room, and board, uniforms, and even travel costs during holidays.

However, in return, students were expected to contribute to the college's upkeep through various chores. This included collecting firewood, drawing water, cutting grass, emptying latrine and urinal pails, and digging trenches for night soil disposal, all of which were done on a rotational basis.

The monitor stood before the new students on their first day at the college, his voice firm and authoritative. "Your seniors are to be respected and obeyed at all times," he emphasized. "Discipline is of the utmost importance here, and it will be a crucial part of your training during your time at this institution."

Obafemi quickly discovered that life at the college had its unpleasant aspects. The final-year students, in particular, wielded an air of superiority, dominating every aspect of college life. Their authoritarian attitude towards juniors was oppressive, and they reveled in their power. What Obafemi found even more distasteful was the tradition of assigning new students to serve as personal servants to the final-year students. This meant that he would be at the beck and call of a senior student, forced to run errands and perform domestic chores for them.

Obafemi despised the unpleasant tasks that were part of his college life, particularly the removal of urinal pails and the digging of trenches for waste disposal. However, he had no choice but to accept his responsibilities and perform these duties whenever it was his turn, no matter how distasteful he found them.

As time passed, Obafemi found himself at odds with a final-year student, who accused him of being rude and disobedient. Determined to clear his name, Obafemi presented his case before a panel of senior students. With passion and conviction, he argued that he had done nothing wrong, and that his only desire was to see justice and fairness upheld. His eloquent defense impressed the panel, and they came to understand that Obafemi's intentions were genuine and pure.