EVOLUTION

Junior Forms (1 & 2)
These years, for me, were a blur. More like being herded around, controlled by senior boys and being strictly regimented along the lines of time to sleep (lights out) and wake up bell at 6 am, sweeping chores till 6.30 am, hurried bath (or not) and dining hall at 7, assembly at 8, classes at 9, lunch at 2, siesta at 3, afternoon prep 4-5; then 5-6 as the only free time to play football or see your paddies in the other region before supper time at 7 pm and then evening prep from 8-9 before lights out again.
One major thing learnt in the junior years was the knowledge of rooms to avoid within Field House, houses to avoid (Carr and Grier, where they had some wicked senior boys) and generic summons like “Omo kan” meaning “One boy”. You’d be stupid to answer such a call because you might be sent to buy bread and Geisha without being given any money, or asked to go and get gari and sugar or cornflakes and powdered milk for the senior boy using your own ingenuity. Returning without said materials could land you in big trouble and make you acutely aware of the meaning of injustice in the world. We also leamt how to cut grass, pinch carelessly left cutlasses, buckets, and how to read James Hadley Chase/Nick Carter novels.
We were allowed to go home (or out) officially one Saturday in a month when we would obtain an exeat signed by the Head of House and House master. Actually, we went out almost every Saturday, exeat or no exeat, and if you were caught in town without an exeat you know you will cut grass (School punishment).

Middle Forms (3)
At last, we were introduced to physics, chemistry and biology. Now we were getting somewhere. Our load of subjects had increased but we knew we would drop several subjects by the time Form Five came. We were not fully “senior boys” but we had 2 levels of junior boys we could lord it over! Rather heady stuff and a totally enjoyable period. No more sweeping but you had your own portion of grass to cut and keep trim. Not a problem at all.

Senior Forms (4 & 5)
Senior boys, we were. We could now revel in talking about Queen’s school, Saint Anne’s (Annze), Saint Theresa’s (Terey) and Saint Louis girls. We became excited about literary and debating society parties, end of year parties (Endo) where girls will be present. These were the years we became fashion-conscious. Wellastrait your hair, put on slim-fitted shirts, Oxford bags (baggy trousers), platform shoes (platy; the higher the funkier!), Right Guard deodorant sprays and even perfume (whether masculine or feminine didn’t matter!). Bolting (going out illegally) to nightclubs (Chrisbo most notorious), Scala Cinema to watch Chinese movies (Bruce Lee, Chen Xing, Wang Yu) and Black movies (Black belt Jones, That Man Bolt, Cleopatra Jones).
Very soon, our WAEC exams started looming. This was scary stuff. Our new principal Mr. Olafimihan (aka papa de bull) was not happy at our general performance in English and Maths, so he arranged an extension for us in which there would be no second term holiday and we were to spend that in school taking extra lessons in English composition and Maths. It was a great time. Although a few boys got flogged mercilessly during that time (won’t mention names though), I believe that was the time it dawned on me that if I did not study then I would have nothing in my head. That period was my turning point of shedding childish ways and applying myself (somehow) to my studies.

In our Form 5, A-Levels had been suspended thus we were the most senior boys in the school. It meant we could wear our grey trousers to school events. It was a grand time. You could finally hide your yammish, hairy, skinny legs from the chicks. Super!!
Landmarks of Our Time
Nigeria changed from driving on the left to driving on the right on the 2nd of April, 1972.
Naira and Kobo replaced Pound, Shilling and Pence in January 1973
School term was changed to semester. It made our Form 2 rather short. Thus we had long summer holidays after June: to start first terms in September instead of January like before.
The coup d’état that ousted Yakubu Gowon occurred on 29th July, 1975. There followed a short-lived Murtala Mohammed rule who was assassinated on 13th February, 1976, four months to our WAEC School Certificate examinations (Certy). Colonel Bukar Sukar Dimka, said to be the mastermind behind the botched Murtala Mohammed coup was executed on 15th May. 1976 along with 38 other military officers, one month to our "Certy".

Culled From: Our story (1972 Set Anniversary book)
Submitted By: DAVID IRABOR (SN 2457, Field House)