Escaping JBO's cane

Escaping JBO's cane -

sunday evenings at GCI were well known for the "succulent Dodo" that was the meal in our dining hall. The other feature of Sunday evenings was the presence of the Principal at meal with us. The GCI rule was to eat with fork and knife. However, In my Lower Sixth Form, I had developed a bad habit of eating all meals with one small spoon. One Sunday evening in 1970, I was busy eating Dodo with my spoon, as usual, when Ogundere (a School Prefect. I don't remember if he was Head of Carr House) went round the dining hall and noticed my choice of cutlery. He demanded I handed over the spoon. Of course, I refused in order not to be disgraced in the presence of junior boys. He reported to the then Principal, JBO Ojo, who told me to see him in his office the next day, Monday morning. The Principal mentioned that he had asked Ogundere to announce that it was forbidden for anyone to use spoon to eat after seeing me a week earlier. Unfortunately, I was not in the dining hall when the announcement was made.

Monday morning, I reported to the Principal's office as he was going to attend to some issue, so he said I should wait for him. I waited for about 30 minutes and took a very atypical gamble by leaving JBO office. My gamble paid off, our dear JBO had forgotten and he never remembered the issue anymore. Narrow miss!! -

By: Olasimbo Yomi