In this interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL, 83-year-old Daodu Cornelius, talks about teaching in his days and now
Where and when were you born?
I was born at Ewo Quarters, Egosi Ekiti now Ilupeju Ekiti on April 1, 1930 to late Mr. David Orisatimehin and Alice Daodu.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended St. John’s Schools, Araromi, Egosi-Ekiti (now Ilupeju Ekiti) between 1937 and 1946. I later proceeded to St. Paul’s school, Ikole Ekiti for my standard five. Thereafter, I was at St. Andrew’s College, Oyo between 1955 and 1958 for my Standard Six.
After your education did you go to university?
No, I did not attend a conventional university but I took correspondence courses in Education at College of Preceptors, London, in 1977. I took the course to be trained as a teacher.
What was your first teaching experience like?
It was very hard back then getting a teaching appointment but being a house boy to a pastor, it was easy for me to get a teaching appointment. My first employment was at Holy Trinity School, Ijesa Isu, on January 1, 1949. A day to resumption, my friends and I had carried our boxes on our heads and trekked to Ijesa Isu. When we arrived there at around 7pm, we were lodged in a room. We all lived together in that same room, slept on the same bed, cooked and ate together. It was a fun experience. Members of the community loved us. Every Saturday, we would go to their farms to collect yams for free.
One other funny experience was when I went home with a savings of £6 out of the €18 I earned for the year as salary. My father was annoyed that I had wasted a year’s money. The following year, he gave me the £6 that I had saved and asked me to bring home the €18 of the second year as saving. I did as he instructed. However, the £18 which I saved was handed over to me later in life which I used to purchase a Raleigh bicycle. I retired as a principal in 1984. Since then, I took to farming to keep myself busy. I did farming on a small scale before I stopped farming in 2004.
What motivated your decision to become a teacher?
Being a teacher then was a pride. Besides, it was the only job available after my Standard Six. Motivation for my decision also came from the way teachers dressed. I really admired their dressing. Then, teachers were also respected. In those days, churches and schools were revered in every community. Teachers were of great influence in the society then. My mother did not influence my interest in teaching, my father did.
Before your retirement did earn more certificates?
I did not study for more certificates.
Tell us about your childhood experience
In those days, social life was interesting; children could play about freely without fear of being kidnapped. I could eat in my friends’ homes without fear of being poisoned. Life then was devoid of danger. While growing up, I engaged in communal works. There were associations in charge of the social activities. Some of them were ‘Egbe Esas’, Egbe’ and ‘Agba Akins.’
People in my age group supervised the maintenance of a road leading to Oke Ewo situated on a mountain. We also cleared streams, debris and kept the environment in our area clean. Till date, I’m happy that I partook in those activities because it strengthened the bound between us as young ones.
How many children did your father have?
My childhood was full of evergreen memories; I grew up in a polygamous home. My father had thirteen wives and over thirty children.
What form of training did your parents give you and your siblings?
My father was a disciplinarian. He did not hesitate to punish any child who misbehaved. He trained all of us together. My father was fondly called ‘Baba.’ He was a man of few words and we all feared him. All his wives regularly cautioned their children against any misbehaviour.
What was your father’s occupation?
My father was a big-time yam farmer.
What is the difference between teaching in your days and now?
It is so difficult to compare. Back then, things were so primitive but now technology has taken over. Pupils were taught with slates with chalks. It was difficult teaching pupils to write with nib pens and pen holders because they had to be dipped in ink dissolved with water and poured into an ink-well, this was a tedious exercise. Unlike then, pupils have access to textbooks, good writing materials to aid the learning process now. In those days, we had to study with light provided with a wick dipped in palm oil in an earthen pot. Things have improved a lot as compared to the past.
How can government improve on education?
As a retired teacher, government should take the training of teachers seriously as the quality of teaching in the country has dropped drastically. Standard Six teachers could speak good Queen’s English in those days but not now, it’s almost impossible for them. Those who took up teaching in those days did so because they wanted to teach not nowadays, unemployed graduates take up teaching because there is no other job available. There is no commitment and job satisfaction associated with the profession nowadays. In those days, teachers were told that their rewards were in heaven, but now it is here on earth, they deserve to be rewarded here. I want the government to take the retraining exercise very seriously. Also, pupil-to-teacher ratio is widening, hence the load on teachers is getting too much and this does not make the job interesting any longer. The government should employ more teachers to bridge the gap. It should also do routine inspection of schools, and consider introducing free lunch in primary schools to augment the feeding of children, as poverty level has increased greatly.
You would have female admirers as a young man. How many girlfriends did you keep?
Yes, you are right. I had female admirers but I had only one girl I called my girlfriend before I met my wife. By the time she was ready for marriage, I wasn’t settled, so she decided to marry someone else.
How did you meet your wife?
I met her through my cousin. She introduced her to me during one of my holidays from school. The first time I saw her, I felt she was beautiful and fit to be my wife.
How did you propose to her?
I proposed through letter writing as that was what was in vogue then. In my letter, I used romantic words such as ‘I love you’, ‘You are as radiant as gold’, ‘I want you to be my only one’, ‘Wishing for a relationship that transcends friendship’ and so on.
Did she accept your proposal immediately?
Yes, luckily she accepted my proposal immediately by writing back through another letter.
How was your marriage?
We got married on October 25, 1962 and till she died, our marriage was beautiful and successful. We are blessed with six children; five sons and a daughter. My late wife and I maintained a joint account and supported each other’s aspirations. I thank God for her life.
How did she die?
She died on February 14, 2002 after battling with diabetes and breast cancer for twenty-two years.
What do you miss about her?
I miss her so dearly, particularly her companionship. She was a very diligent and loving wife, very industrious and prudent. She was a doting wife. She used to buy and sew my clothes. In fact, I miss her so dearly. She was a good and loving mother to my children and she accommodated everybody, even my extended relatives.
What were the fond memories you shared together?
We shared a lot in common probably because we were both teachers. We used to walk together to the train station. We both saved our salary to buy our first car and we learnt how to drive together, we were that close. Between both of us, I was the one that fell ill regularly, yet I still can’t believe she died before me. It is a big irony of life. Above all, she had a caring heart; she was always interested in other people’s problems.
How did you comfort yourself when she died?
I comforted myself by taking solace in God. Even on her sick bed, she said she was grateful for all I have been able to do for her. I believe that she is with Jesus, and soon, I shall reunite with her. I have already indicated where I like to be buried. It is a spot very close to her grave. I know she is sleeping and not dead.
Where are your children?
To God be the glory , we are blessed with six children, the eldest Adeleye resides in Akure, the twins Taiwo and Kehinde are based in the United States and Canada while Tunde, Tosin and Mrs. Biola Adeniyi reside in Lagos.
Were you also strict in training your children?
Yes, I was. In those days the policy was ‘spare the rod and spoil the child,’ we brought them up and corrected them in love under strict disciple and guidance. I know that the discipline instilled in them is responsible for why they are responsible children today. I am very sure of that and I give God the glory.
How do you relax?
I enjoy reading newspapers after my siesta. I relax better in the company of my children and late wife. I also enjoy sitting under the tree in front of my father’s house with relatives.
Do you have any special meal?
I had special meals – rice and plantain served with pork. That was when I was much younger. Now that I am old, I do not have any special delicacy.
Are you still in contact with your former colleagues?
Yes, I still keep in touch with my former colleagues; we exchange greetings both physically and on the telephone. I can still remember a few of them, Kabiyesi Olorin Odo, Oba William Ajisaye (Ikole), Afe from Uro Ekiti, Solomon Ojo and Samson Ajewole both are from Odo Ora-Ekiti.
Is there any lifestyle you maintain that keeps you graceful?
There is no special food that makes me graceful at my age. But I try to adhere to a strict diet. I also make sure there is enough fibre in my food. I also don’t eat seasoned foods; I rarely take salt except when making stew.
I try as much as possible to follow the Bible; Proverbs 31 vs 1-3, which says “Do not give thy strength unto women” so I do not indulge in fornication. I have other ‘don’ts’ – I don’t eat stimulants such as kolanut, I don’t consume alcohol in excess, I make sure I walk around to exercise daily and meet with people particularly my relatives to talk and reduce stress. I don’t attend social functions anyhow. I am a very religious person; I pray a lot and try as much as possible to fulfill all responsibilities to the church of God. This is a must and it has been keeping me going till date.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com