The Prized Fight

The 1988 graduating class of Ojota Secondary School was a remarkable group of young people who worked hard to succeed academically despite numerous challenges. One notable challenge was our Physics teacher, whose inability to effectively teach the subject led to widespread dissatisfaction. In response, our principal, Mrs. Ogunbamise, stepped in to teach us Physics herself. Additionally, a teacher, possibly named Mr. Ezurike, was engaged to assist in his spare time. I vividly recall one of his lessons on calibrating thermometers. Despite the hurdles, we managed to get through. Personally, I barely passed with a “let my people go” grade, while some classmates, like Jide and Aremu, excelled with distinctions. Tosin, undoubtedly, was among the top performers—perhaps due to their ability to achieve great results with less effort, a “higher mechanical advantage,” so to speak.

Looking back, I exerted myself more in classes one and three. In class four, I transitioned to Government, aiming to claim the top prize. This decision was partly influenced by the absence of formidable competitors like Femi Daro and Tosin Idowu in the class, leaving me to focus on outshining Tony Monye. However, Tony proved a formidable rival. In the first term, he scored 88%, Tunde Danisa followed with 84%, and I trailed with 80%. I’m uncertain about Taiwo Akintajuwa’s score, but Tony was the clear leader. My performance in the second term didn’t improve, leaving me discouraged. Despite my doubts, I persevered and was even appointed the class captain for the subject. As the Yoruba saying goes, O ye a pe lori (“It is fitting to endure”). Ultimately, Tony deservedly claimed the Government and English prizes that year.

Class four also marked my singular position as the sole Economics student. By class five, others, including Eyitayo Balogun, Aremu Saheed, and Tosin, joined. However, I struggled to apply myself fully that year. Financial difficulties at home weighed heavily on me. My parents were in the lower rungs of the economic ladder, and I often missed classes. Femi Daro noticed my absences, and Mr. Akinseye even asked Kemi Adebayo (Abidogun) about my whereabouts. Unfortunately, I lacked proper guidance during that period.

In class 3C, our cohort included intellectual giants like Jide, Tosin, and Tony. I still remember Tosin reviewing my first-term Geography script. While he scored an impressive 52 out of 60, I managed 55. His repeated glances at my script hinted at curiosity about how I outperformed him. Mr. Sina Akingbade, our Geography teacher, was excellent at his job, though I’m unsure if he personally marked our scripts. Perhaps the examiner appreciated the depth of my essay on the functions of settlements, deciding to reward my efforts. Unfortunately, my test scores didn’t secure me the prize that term—possibly Tosin or Femi claimed it.

Tosin was also a force to be reckoned with in Chemistry. It seemed almost inevitable that Mrs. Ogunbekun could have pre-allocated the first position to Tosin and left the rest of us to compete for the remaining spots. Ironically, today Tosin has nothing to do with Chemistry. Who knows? He might have become a professor of Nuclear Chemistry, aiding Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Ultimately, the awards and accolades we earn in life pale in comparison to the importance of conquering the battles within ourselves. True success lies in winning that internal war.

Uwem Sampson