MBE-COLLEGE MAHA CENTRE – A PROSE POEM

Within the grounds of Apata-Ganga W Crest rests centrally at the Main Gate With manicured lawns either side of the road leading into the school. From time immemorial, School of our pride, Built on the Rock Created excellent pastures, polishing boys to men.
For students, ascending the heights Brought forth desire of excessive might, A hidden promise of future ecstatic delight.
In our time, the interview for boys of the future, Was a 3-day affair, with Latin added to the mixture. Laying the foundation of learning by adventure.
The Grass Cutting Institute Was a less glamourous title suggested as a substitute, By few who shied away from GCI’s structured instruction without gratitude
Life at The school was not without manual labour, It was perhaps a minimal rigour After all, keeping our immediate environment sparkling was a badge of honour
As a GCI student, your time was defined by a school number and a
Primary colour Life was a continuously competitive endeavour, The House was defended with maximum favour.
Every Pursuit triggered intense fervour Victory was celebrated with much glamour, Your School number defined you as a Man of Valour.
The School met for General Assembly once The House met at daily prep, twice And the students met in the Dining Hall, thrice.
Days were structuned for maximum interactionClass periods were allotted with precision Extra-curricular activities were inter-spiced with academics to achieve wholesome education.
Written history was gathered by School and the House Traditions that distinguished Houses were embodied and preserved on House Boards of Honour New entrants were tutored and tested on House history.
Gossip and Folklore provided unofficial comradeship Generating accolades of leadership Spanning decades beyond tenure of direct discipleship.

In 1972 & 1973
Boys were treated to extra bulk of nutrition Provided by an off-radar vendor for free market consumption Armed at a defined audience, but boys showed up without invitation
As long as buyer was armed with a very basic fee.
Up to 3 accomplices could (share) maha and enjoy a meal for free,
No credit was obtainable within this transparent market,
motto was pay and flee.
The make-shift canteen was a model of efficiency,
Designed to feed construction workers to minimize truancy,
Aroma of the delicacy generated a neighbourhood currency.
Mbe is short for Mama Ibeji (Mother of twins)
She was a solo buka-like entrepreneur,
Very business-like/order/pay/collect

Service was swift
Over in 5-10 minutes an intensive culinary gift,
Avoiding any student versus workman rift
No doubt, the communal spirit was boosted at Mbe Whether or not you had cash for a portion, You left Mbe with your belly full.
The Menu was Dundu (Roasted Yam) and fried peppered stew,
Four pieces served steamy hot
Forget the meat, sharing a piece of ponmo between four was an
Impossible task
The portion was shared
As soon as it was served
And contents immediately devoured.
The other delicacy on the menu was boiling ofada rice and dodo with peppered stew Only more senior boys could afford this, as well as seek appropriate venue to consume contents in peace.
Students enjoyed Mbe food, Without interference from the authorities But it was rumoured some senior girls from Queens School also enjoyed the largess.
No one ever got punished for patronizing Mbe We never got to know the famous twins We enjoyed the food, it was cheap and had no consequences.
You didn’t have to tell others when you visited, The smell of its wood smoke was distinctive, It hung on customers for the rest of the day
To us, it was good food to nourish Communal activity that spurred us to flourish, Creating life long memories to cherish.

Culled From: Our story (1972 Set Anniversary book)
Sumbitted By: OLUFEMI ROTIMI (SN 2495, Swanston House)