TAYO BANJO'S WIT

Field House was situated just before Grier House with Hockey Pitch and the Administrative Block of the Principal and Vice Principal's Office a stone throw away. The house had a rich diversity in the 1969 set; we had our Moore Plantation boys of Banjo, Oyelade and a later addition to the duo was Osibodu; we also had Oduwole and Aborishade. Aborishade, despite his diminutive stature always made sure that he was heard: LOUD and CLEAR. There were also Oyesina, James and Akinkugbe; not to talk of "Modu" later "Stag" Adesida all had skills to liven up our lives at various times.

Yet the wittiest among us all was, without a doubt, Tayo Banjo. All manners of wisecracks and quips reeled off his mouth all the time. And it was impossible to catch him off-guard: he was always quicker to the draw! There was this time I took him on. Tayo has big eyes: I mean, VERY BIG eyes so, I called him "Oju" (i.e. eyes). Before anyone could pick it up and dissolve into hearty laughs he had replied by calling me "sinde" despite my not too prominent forehead. And then, "ete" (lips) for having a jutting lower lip. I quickly gave up. Yet, interestingly, none of his retorts stuck on me for too long but Oju couldn"t live down being known as "Oju" (ED"s Note: add: "KONGBA" for emphasis) by his mates. However, you called him that to his face at the risk of a whip-fast, razor-sharp retort from him. Tayo was always fun to be with but you had to have a sense of humor; he never took anyone or anything or himself too seriously so it was impossible to annoy him with any verbal jab but you must be ready for his wicked retort and deflection and to take it like a man because, senior boy or not, he would reply.

I don't know if he will remember the "sweet licking days" with Laitan Awokoya (Gary) in the Old Dining Hall adjourning room of Field House. Oh! Boys will always be Boys!

Ayo Mosuro ("69 - Field House)