The Mattering’s of Tosin

I was waiting outside the classroom for the Naira and Kobo class to end, as I was the only student in Class 4 not taking Economics. While I stood there, Mr. Imobhio approached me and asked who I thought was better between Tosin and another classmate (name withheld). Without hesitation, I said Tosin. His rise to prominence was nothing short of remarkable—a true odyssey.

In Class 5A, during one of Mr. Ajayi’s mathematics lessons on mensuration, I struggled to follow the concepts he was explaining. However, Tosin and Femi actively engaged with him, demonstrating an understanding of the problem’s approach, though they missed a few steps. Mr. Ajayi remarked that with a bit more effort, they would figure it out. Unlike me, who sometimes distracted myself with a Walkman during Mrs. Olatunbosun’s extra biology classes—generously offered in preparation for our certificate exams—Tosin was deeply immersed in class activities.

I suspect Mr. Akingbade, our geography teacher, may have been Tosin’s favorite. I recall an instance where Tosin playfully measured his height against Mr. Akingbade as he walked by. It was done in good humor and without any disrespect, and the teacher didn’t mind.

I never saw Tosin studying intensively. There was one occasion, shortly before the certificate exams, when I spotted him sitting on a bench near the old Jakande buildings, holding a chemistry textbook. He was simply ticking answers in the book while watching a football game. To an observer, it might have seemed like a lack of diligence, but the results he produced were extraordinary. Perhaps he studied late at night, but it seemed as though learning came naturally to him.

Tosin’s unique habits were notable. He was fond of fish heads, earning him the nickname “Ori Eja,” and there were whispers of his culinary experiments with beans and eba. One can only wonder what creative dishes he might invent if he were a chef!

Tosin’s resolve to succeed stood out. I recall a time when discussions circulated about discontinuing Nigerian scholarships in Eastern Europe. Somehow, Tosin managed to navigate those challenges. He didn’t succumb to despair but instead found a way forward. Tragically, while he was abroad, his beloved mother passed away, though the news was withheld from him to avoid disrupting his studies. Despite the difficulties he endured in Europe, those experiences shaped him into the gentleman he is today—a person whose life has positively impacted others.

My hope for Tosin is that, at the end of his journey, he will hear the ultimate commendation: “Well done, faithful servant.”

Uwem Sampson