Eighty-six-year-old Olanike Adejunmobi talks about her 35 years experience in teaching in this interview with GBENGA ADENIJI
Where and when were you born?
I was born on May 13, 1927 in Ogbomoso, Oyo State where my parents, Olanrewaju and Grace Dairo, came from. My parents raised me in a Christian way as Baptist. Few weeks after my birth, they moved to Lagos State. My father later bought a land around Igbosere and started developing it. He was a customs officer while mother was a teacher who dedicated most of her time to the training of her three children.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended schools established by the Baptist Mission. The first was Baptist Academy Nursery and Primary School which was then on Broad Street, Lagos. During that time, we were taught by Americans because few Nigerians were in the teaching profession. I left the school in 1939 and moved to the Baptist Girls School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State which my mother also attended.
I later went to Baptist Women’s Training College. I was among the first set of students to sit for the higher teachers’ training education in the school. Other students only sat for the elementary examinations. I graduated from the school in 1947.
After graduation, what did you do?
Those of us who did well in the examination were posted to different schools.
Where were you posted?
I was lucky to be in Lagos because I had hoped to return home. In 1948, I was posted to Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls School, Yaba as a Grade Two teacher. There, I taught in the infant section of the school. This was so because during my time, we had two methods: Infant and senior methods. I was interested in the infant method but many of my colleagues did not pick it because the school’s principal at the training college, May Perry, who taught the method was very strict. She was very thorough about it.
Each time we showed her our work, she would not be satisfied because she was extremely diligent. I thank God today because what she taught us then is what I am benefiting from now.
Why were you not discouraged since it was tough learning the method?
I love teaching children, since when I was young. I know that they are not easy to teach and one needs to master the methods to use to teach them in order to achieve the best. One cannot teach children the way you teach learners who are adults. All that is required to do in their adults case is to read and explain during the class.
What was your first teaching experience like?
It was a memorable one. I used the method that I had learnt. The parents of the children commended me and the school principal was also impressed with my teaching. I was in the school for some time and taught at some other schools which included Ade-Oshodi Memorial Baptist School. I taught for 35 years before retiring as Head of School Three now known as Eko Akete, which has been relocated to Campbell on the Lagos Island.
Before your retirement, did you acquire more academic certificates?
I did some courses in Nigeria before travelling abroad to study at Bristol University, United Kingdom. I studied a childhood education-related course. I am an expert in that field. Children are the foundation of any family. If a child is not given the right foundation, he or she will grow up and become a burden to the society. Children are like buildings. If their foundation is not solid, no matter what is erected on them, they will eventually collapse.
What is the difference between teaching in your days and now?
I always complain to those close to me that many of the teachers now are not dedicated to their duties. Many of them are not prepared to teach. They only love money. I think what is responsible are the crash programmes run under the guise of satellite campuses. It is all about money and no serious academic work.
Did your mother influence your interest in teaching?
It was not that she influenced my career choice. I love teaching. I like being with children. Before I went to teachers’ college, I was also around children in church and took interest in their activities. My mum was more of a businesswoman. She did not teach in many schools. But I can also say I got encouragement from her because each time I came home on vacation from school, I noticed that she was very hardworking. She used to sell pap and we usually went to Ebute-Ero to assist her to carry corn which she would use to prepare pap. She was also a very neat woman. I also remember that my father used to tell me whenever I came home that I must try my best and perform well.
What kind of training did your parents give their children?
My parents were disciplinarians. They did not compromise home training. My mother, in particular, ensured that we imbibed good habits and proved to be good children anywhere we go. She also emphasised cleanliness and diligence.
How did you meet your husband?
We met when I was still in the school. He was then attending Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State. My school and his, used to engage in music exchange. Adekunte Adejunmobi was a member of his school’s choir and they came to perform in my school the day we met. We were in our own chapel and I never knew that he took notice of me. It was after the performance that his elder brother, who was a teacher in my school, invited me to his office to help him close his office windows. Without knowing that there was a plan, I entered his office and as I was about to close the windows as instructed, I saw him seated on a chair in the office looking at me.
What did he say to you?
He told me that he loved me. Since I was still in school, I did not show any interest in what he said. In fact, I was then not ready for any relationship. I decided not to say anything because of my teacher’s presence. Immediately I got to where my friends were, I narrated the story to them in details by making mockery of the entire situation. He was however persistent in sending messages to me through his brother until he left the school. He was later trained as a druggist and chemist.
And because he worked for the government, he was always transferred from one place to another. His brother became very close to me to the extent that people thought he was the one courting me. But between us, we knew the person I was actually dating. We got married in 1951 and many people were surprised that it was not the brother I married.
Why did you later accept his proposal?
I was out of school then and of course, I had become mature. Besides, there were some other suitors. I don’t know if I accepted to be his wife because he was the son of a church cleric or because of the kind of schools he had attended.
How was your marriage?
It was a blissful union because he was a very loving husband. He cared so much for his children until his death. My husband was transferred to different countries before his retirement. When he retired, he worked for some pharmaceutical companies with his certificate before his death. Our union was blessed with three children: two boys and a girl. The eldest son resides in Lagos, the second son is based in the United States and the last of them is also a teacher who is taking care of the school I established.
How did he die?
He was down with stroke and it later resulted in his death. My husband was a very intelligent man.
What do you miss about him?
I miss his caring nature and gentleness. I cannot remember any day we had an argument over any issue. If there was an inkling of disagreement, my husband would wear his clothes and walk out of the house. He never gave room for any argument.
Were you also strict in training your children?
He was a gentle father. I emphasised cleanliness and orderliness in the house. I never allowed the children to dress irresponsibly because we were never allowed to dress shabbily or irresponsibly during my time. We were smartly dressed in a modest manner.
Since your retirement, what have you been doing?
Immediately after retirement, I established a children school and it is what I have been running for the past 31 years.
How do you relax?
My form of relaxation is by attending church activities. I derive joy in doing that. Also, occasionally, I attend social functions such as weddings and funerals. For weddings, the host must be close to me. I do not like wearing aso ebi at all.
Do you have any special meal?
I like amala and gbegiri because of where I am from. But I do not like pounded yam. Rather than eat it, I prefer to eat yam.
Are you still in contact with your former colleagues?
I do not see them but I belong to a union of old people. We try to engage in humanitarian services and help one another.
What is your advice to the government concerning education?
I want the government to ensure the return of teacher training colleges where teachers will receive quality training to improve education. That was the way it was in the past. Teachers should also read broadly in order to add value to education.