Making My Own Rules and Managing Risks in the Face of Disappearing Opportunities: How a Timely intervention preempted a planned Student Riot, thus saving graduation in the process.
YOU CAN SKIP THIS PART AND GO STRAIGHT TO "THE MAIN STORY"
My coming to Bendel State University (BENSU), now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Nigeria in the 1988/1989 academic year, nearly did not happen. Maybe it was meant to be. I took the Joint Matriculation Examination (JME) administered by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in 1988, and, as the tradition is, went to my first choice University – BENSU - to check my result when it came out. My score was 249, which was lower than the 256 points I got on the same exam in 1984. By the way, I did not choose BENSU that year, even though my cousin, who was then a final-year Political Science student at the same Institution, did everything to ensure my admission. In a similar vein, that Score was lower than the 265 points, I got in the JME of 1985. That year, my only choice of University, was the then the University of IFE. I traveled to Ife, hoping to become part of Great IFE that year on the basis of my high score at the JME. But it was not meant to be - they did not offer me admission. Not necessarily because I did not do well or meet the 250 general cut-off scores but on the basis of quota application. They told me point-blank at the Admission Office that my score did not meet the cut-off scores set specifically for Bendel State candidates. He said something else to support their decision that I do not want to repeat here. When I started to cry, the gentleman asked me if I want to transfer to English, instead. I declined. I cried, and cried, and cried. But no one could perceive the inner pain, the turmoil, or had a clue of the self-hatred that I was going through. Why can't I get into the University of my choice when I want to? I dried my face, took some pictures, and joined a ride to my cozy apartment in Benin City, blaming no one for my admission misfortune, but myself for all the hard choices I am making.
What made my situation most complicated, as was the case in my previous JME, was that I did not choose another University - no second and no third choice - just IFE. Similarly, with respect to the program or the course I want to study, my only choice was Law, and Law only. In other words, I have no alternative School, and no alternative course, as permitted by JAMB. Call it foolhardy and plainly dumb, you would be very right. That was what made it very difficult for my friends to help me secure admission. I stubbornly took that decision, confident and trusting that the JME Preparatory Class I took at the University of Benin, Ekenwan Campus, would do the magic for me. It did, but not for me. But for other candidates who did not choose the same University of IFE as I did. For them, it was admission galore. Almost all of them who were comfortable choosing other Universities - and who, in fact, scored lower than I did - were all admitted that year.
So, in September 1988, when the JME result came out, I went to BENSU, as expected to meet with the Admission Officer. The guy I met in the office told me he is not sure I would make it. Based on that information, I went back to Benin City, supremely confident that I would travel to the US or England for my University education. Luckily for me, by the second week of November 1988, I got a Visa to travel to England. My flight was to be on January 10, 1989. Unknown to me, a few days after my visit to BENSU, in September, my name appeared on the Admission Board as one of the successful candidates.
What made my situation most complicated, as was the case in my previous JME, was that I did not choose another University - no second and no third choice - just IFE. Similarly, with respect to the program or the course I want to study, my only choice was Law, and Law only. In other words, I have no alternative School, and no alternative course, as permitted by JAMB. Call it foolhardy and plainly dumb, you would be very right. That was what made it very difficult for my friends to help me secure admission. I stubbornly took that decision, confident and trusting that the JME Preparatory Class I took at the University of Benin, Ekenwan Campus, would do the magic for me. It did, but not for me. But for other candidates who did not choose the same University of IFE as I did. For them, it was admission galore. Almost all of them who were comfortable choosing other Universities - and who, in fact, scored lower than I did - were all admitted that year.
So, in September 1988, when the JME result came out, I went to BENSU, as expected to meet with the Admission Officer. The guy I met in the office told me he is not sure I would make it. Based on that information, I went back to Benin City, supremely confident that I would travel to the US or England for my University education. Luckily for me, by the second week of November 1988, I got a Visa to travel to England. My flight was to be on January 10, 1989. Unknown to me, a few days after my visit to BENSU, in September, my name appeared on the Admission Board as one of the successful candidates.
I spent Christmas in Benin City in the company of my girlfriend. For the New Year celebration, I traveled with my family and friends to their country home at Uromi in Esan (Ishan). I came back on January 2, 1989. As I was getting out of the vehicle at the Motor Park, I bumped into Joseph, the Senior Clerk at my firm. He told me that I have a “special letter” waiting for me at the office.
I have worked with a firm of Auditors and Chartered Accountants since my graduation from Grammar School. And I was at the Management Consulting Unit, headed by a British-trained Chartered Accountant. Joseph was the Chief Clerk at the firm. During that period, I was working on a project at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), with four other guys. Three of the four guys – Uncle Matt, Brother Patrick, and Brother Musa – went to School in England. I brought up this part of the story for a reason. As Joseph was about to go, he told me that he sent the letter to UBTH, thinking I was still there with my team.
Breaking Point: Travel to London, England, or Accept Admission to Study Law at BENSU!
The following morning - the 3rd of January 1989 - I went straight to UBTH, not to collect my so-called special letter, but to tell my colleagues that I am leaving for Lagos for my flight to London, England on the 10th. When I arrived, all my guys were already at work, and it was a happy reunion after the two weeks of Christmas break. When they gave me the letter, it had a strange look.
I could figure that the letter is the same stamped-self-addressed envelope that I included in my application package to JAMB for the JME. I opened it, but couldn't fathom exactly what it was about. Luckily for me, one student from Auchi Polytechnic, who was doing his Industrial Attachment at the Accounting Depart at UBTH, was in the room. He took the letter from me and said, hey men, congratulation! You've been admitted to study Law at Bendel State University, Ekpoma. And my mouth dried up instantly. The letter came directly from JAMB, informing me that BENSU offered me admission to study Law.
That is totally rare. You don’t stay at home waiting for JAMB to send your admission letter to you. As soon as you see your name on the Notice or Admission Board at your first choice University, you commence registration immediately, because it is generally assumed that you would be coming to the University every now and then to monitor the admission process and check for your name. That, I never did that particular year. Besides, it was a big surprise to my colleagues at work, as well as my friends and family members. None of them was in the picture this time about my admission or JME preparation. I did not tell anyone that I took the JME. I just didn't want anyone to be part of my series of JME missteps, sorrow, and sadness any longer. But at that moment, joy and confusion enveloped the room.
I could figure that the letter is the same stamped-self-addressed envelope that I included in my application package to JAMB for the JME. I opened it, but couldn't fathom exactly what it was about. Luckily for me, one student from Auchi Polytechnic, who was doing his Industrial Attachment at the Accounting Depart at UBTH, was in the room. He took the letter from me and said, hey men, congratulation! You've been admitted to study Law at Bendel State University, Ekpoma. And my mouth dried up instantly. The letter came directly from JAMB, informing me that BENSU offered me admission to study Law.
That is totally rare. You don’t stay at home waiting for JAMB to send your admission letter to you. As soon as you see your name on the Notice or Admission Board at your first choice University, you commence registration immediately, because it is generally assumed that you would be coming to the University every now and then to monitor the admission process and check for your name. That, I never did that particular year. Besides, it was a big surprise to my colleagues at work, as well as my friends and family members. None of them was in the picture this time about my admission or JME preparation. I did not tell anyone that I took the JME. I just didn't want anyone to be part of my series of JME missteps, sorrow, and sadness any longer. But at that moment, joy and confusion enveloped the room.
I sat down, totally confused, and didn't know what to do next – accept the admission or travel to England? That was the question. Uncle Patrick, the guy who fought relentlessly, but without success, for me to get into the same BENSU or UNIBEN in 1986, pleaded with me to accept the admission. Adding that going to England is replete with uncertainties. He added I might not be able to get through with a University education over there successfully the way I thought. Brother Musa echoed his view - stating in his thick British accent that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Uncle Matt - my mentor and comrade in crime - spoke last. He asked me if I know what Old Boys Network is. I told him no. He said, leaving Nigeria now will create a vacuum in your social, political, and business life in years to come in this country. In his summation, your University classmates and buddies will be there for you to hang around with and call on professionally and otherwise when you want to get things done in the future. Their wives and children are the ones to party with you, your wife, and your children. They are your brothers, and that is your base. He added, positions and opportunities may come and go, but Ol’Boy Network stays. Somebody like you, my friend, should be very close to home, not necessarily for the sake of your family members, but for the realization of what myself and every one of us in this room has seen in you and cherished; what we have grown to accept and love about you - big dreams, innate intelligence, ability to command respect and attention, and above all, your respect and trustworthiness. Accept the admission, Alex. Please. Get your degree; you can always travel after your program. And he concluded.
That was it. It was unanimous: all my four colleagues – who I look up to as Big Brothers, and who relate to me as their equal over the years - not minding the age gap - told me to accept the admission, and put the travel on hold for another day.
In hindsight, it has always been my dream to get my first degree in Nigeria. In other words, if I had wanted to travel out, I would have traveled long ago in 1984 or '85.
Just a recap: It was a hard decision to make. I have my visa that Bendelites spend thousands of Naira to obtain, and here I am about to let it go and go for my bachelor's degree that I was sure certain, if I stay away from the "journey just come" attitude on our campuses. I joined my class in January 1989, because I didn't know I was offered admission until January 03. Luckily for me, BENSU postponed its Matriculation from November 12, 1988, to January 06, 1989, following the students’ riot on November 10, 1988. That riot led to the indefinite closure of the University on November 11, a day before Matriculation. I was lucky, my admission did not lapse. In other words, the riot of November 10th saved my law degree in Nigeria.
THE MAIN STORY
So, when I eventually came to BENSU as an admitted and matriculated student for the 1988/89 academic year, I was already a "Big Boy" - behaving and dressing as if I have been overseas for years. Knowing the decision that I took regarding traveling to the UK, I made a resolution to stay away from Girls Hostel, Student Unionism, and membership in any club or association. Above all, I made a vow never to spend more than four years on the Faculty.
And it was so, until this particular Thursday afternoon about the last week of October 1992, a few days to our final exams and a few weeks or months to the twice postponed resumption date at the Nigerian Law School, in Lagos, Nigeria. That was when I had a chance to meet with Joe. Joe is a friend and a fellow Law Student, as well as, a member of the Student Union. In fact, being the Speaker of the Student Union Executive Council - is not a small job.
Pre-empt a Planned Peaceful Protest with Fiat
Indeed, it was a chance meeting, but one, ordained to happen by God. I was working towards my Hostel when I saw Joe, a classmate and a member of the Student Union, representing the Law Faculty at the Student Council. He was in a rush, heading towards the Student Union Secretariat. I confronted him as if I had a premonition of what is in the offing. His response was as I thought. They are having an emergency meeting at the Secretariat, to finalize what he described, as a planned peaceful protest the following morning from the campus to market square in the city.
My response was fierce and blunt: it is not going to happen. Okay, my friend, the protest is not going to happen. There is not going to be any riot or protest or match, whether peaceful or hostile. It will not happen. I repeated my lines over and over and over, to the amazement of my good friend, Joe
I reminded him that we have completed our entire syllabus, not just for the semester and for the year, but for the entire bachelor's degree program. I made him understand that I do not want to spend a day longer than four years in this town for any childish decision taken by professional students. He replied that the decision has been concluded and the meeting he is about to attend is just to finalize the logistic aspect - the route, time, and handling of errant students during the protest. When I heard that, I was furious within me, but resisted the urge to verbalize my anger.
I took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes and made the following declaration: In the history of students’ unionism, no peaceful protest has ever ended peacefully. There are always miscreants here and there ready and willing to capitalize on the vexing situation to vent their anger on innocent drivers, businesses, commuters, and public and school properties. And at the end, Police are always invited, tear gas and bullets are freely used by the Police, students are apprehended and arrested, and followed by indefinite suspension of the entire student body. Then I paused and pleaded with Joe to go back and tell the Student Union President and the Executive that the peaceful protest should be confined to the inside of the University Campus and to support his motion with what I have been telling him since the beginning of this discussion. Also, they should invite all the leaders of the different associations to address the rally, for legitimacy purposes.
I took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes and made the following declaration: In the history of students’ unionism, no peaceful protest has ever ended peacefully. There are always miscreants here and there ready and willing to capitalize on the vexing situation to vent their anger on innocent drivers, businesses, commuters, and public and school properties. And at the end, Police are always invited, tear gas and bullets are freely used by the Police, students are apprehended and arrested, and followed by indefinite suspension of the entire student body. Then I paused and pleaded with Joe to go back and tell the Student Union President and the Executive that the peaceful protest should be confined to the inside of the University Campus and to support his motion with what I have been telling him since the beginning of this discussion. Also, they should invite all the leaders of the different associations to address the rally, for legitimacy purposes.
Most importantly, I reminded my friend, that our final exams are about to start any day and he shouldn't do anything to jeopardize our chances of proceeding to Law School. Joe is a tough dude, intelligent, outspoken, and boisterous. He is an active and quintessential Student Unionist. But at that moment, I was talking to him, not as a colleague, but as if he is my junior Brother or a subordinate at the workplace. My demeanor was he has to do it and do it successfully, without excuse. We shook hands on that and parted ways.
Instead of going to the Library, I went straight to my room to pray for a favorable outcome.
About three hours later, there was a knock on my door. It was my guy. He was pensive but supremely relaxed. He handed me the Flyer, said I will see you later, and went away. He did it. The protest is going to be peaceful and it is confined to the student center, close to the Boys' hostel. And it is happening that very evening, instead of the next day.
They invited all leading members of the different associations within the University to address the student body as I suggested. As expected, it turned out to be a huge rally. The President of the Student Union made a long speech, followed by Man-O-War President and others. In the end, all of us dispersed, without any fracas. I went to bed thanking God for his intervention. But there is a big surprise in the offing.
They invited all leading members of the different associations within the University to address the student body as I suggested. As expected, it turned out to be a huge rally. The President of the Student Union made a long speech, followed by Man-O-War President and others. In the end, all of us dispersed, without any fracas. I went to bed thanking God for his intervention. But there is a big surprise in the offing.
The following morning, it was Professor Aihe (the Dean of the Law Faculty) who took Law Students by surprise. It was on Friday morning and students were greeted with the exam schedule for the semester, starting the following Monday and ending in two weeks. We have been studying for the past weeks and most of us are tired and want to get done with our Bachelor's degree and get out of the University. But there is yet another big surprise in the offing.
A week later, the Nigerian Law School, Lagos came out with their resumption schedule for the 1992/1993 academic year, making the first day mandatory for every successful student. As it turned out, the resumption date at the Nigerian Law School is the Monday immediately after our final exam on Friday. In other words, our exam ends on a Friday, and the following Monday was the beginning of Law School in Lagos. The resumption date was postponed twice to give Law Faculties across the nation the opportunity to graduate their students due to protests and riots over the year.
Our last exam came on a Friday morning in November and I got to my Cousin's house in Benin City that evening. On Saturday morning, I left for Lagos. On Sunday, I was enjoying myself, wining and dining with my elder Brother, friends, and family members for making them broad. And the following morning – Monday - I was a student at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, Nigeria. Nothing could be more dramatic. Sadly, our Sister University was not that lucky.
Our last exam came on a Friday morning in November and I got to my Cousin's house in Benin City that evening. On Saturday morning, I left for Lagos. On Sunday, I was enjoying myself, wining and dining with my elder Brother, friends, and family members for making them broad. And the following morning – Monday - I was a student at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, Nigeria. Nothing could be more dramatic. Sadly, our Sister University was not that lucky.
Lagos State University, popularly known as LASU, was shut down. They went on protesting and rioting the very weekend we were to embark on a peaceful protest, which Joe and I averted. The University was shut down and students were sent home. At the time the Nigerian Law School opened its door to new students, LASU students were still at home. When the institution eventually re-opened, it was too late for the Law Students to take their final exams and join their fellow law students at the Nigerian Law School.
I don’t know what would have
happened if Joe and I did not meet to take action. All I know is that the planned peaceful protest in the City did not happen. And I did not spend a day longer at Ekpoma. I am not going to dwell on what if it had happened. What did not happen is irrelevant. It is about decision-making and taking action. If leadership is failing, it is a function of faculty deficit. It is about wisdom, a creative mindset, and the ability to dream big and take bold action. Call it risk, if you like, that is the beginning of greatness.
Addendum: the US vs Nigeria in Terms of educational aspirations.
I don’t know what would have
happened if Joe and I did not meet to take action. All I know is that the planned peaceful protest in the City did not happen. And I did not spend a day longer at Ekpoma. I am not going to dwell on what if it had happened. What did not happen is irrelevant. It is about decision-making and taking action. If leadership is failing, it is a function of faculty deficit. It is about wisdom, a creative mindset, and the ability to dream big and take bold action. Call it risk, if you like, that is the beginning of greatness.
Addendum: the US vs Nigeria in Terms of educational aspirations.
(So, at the time I eventually came to BENSU in the 1988/89 academic year, the 1984/85 JME candidates had graduated, while the 1985/86 sets, were in their final year. In the US, it is a different story. If you work hard, nothing could prevent you from matriculating to the University of your choice, or stop you from pursuing the course of learning that you desire to pursue.
While in the US, I met a Harvard Professor at a Barbing Shop in Boston, Massachusetts, who told me - after much discussion - that if I really want to go back to Nigeria, and hope to enhance my practice or job opportunities in the public sector back home, and at the same time, do not want to spend more money, I should apply to Harvard University evening program. He recommended the Administration and Management Masters level program at the Extension School, under the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His reason was that in that particular school, I would be able to take eight graduate-level courses in Law, Business, Communication, and Computer Sciences, while still working.
The program is pay-per-go. In other words, you pay for only the classes you are taking, and there are no school fees to be paid. It is one year of full-time of studies - four courses every semester, and up to five years of part-time studies.
I applied and was accepted. And I drove a Taxi in the City of Boston in the daytime, while I attended classes at night. I started the program in 2001 and completed it in 2003. A few years later, I decided once again, to go back to graduate school. This time to have a Master of Law degree (LLM), specifically in Energy and Mineral Resources/Environmental law. Two Universities came up on my Google search - the University of Houston, Houston, Texas, and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Denver, Colorado. I applied to both schools, and both of them offered me admission. I went to Denver, not necessarily for academic and related reasons, but to have experience with different environments or weather conditions in the US. Now you know why America is God's own Country. Your educational aspiration is not limited by where you come from or the color of your skin, but by you and you only. I wasted four good years of my life trying to get admission, without success. In spite of the fact that I had the correct number of credits, and was scoring higher than the national cut-off score in the Joint Matriculation Examination. In a similar vein, when I was processing my application to the University of Houston and the University f Denver, the Nigerian factor came up again. My transcripts from Harvard were processed the same day and arrived at the two Universities within three days. It took me one whole year to get my transcript out of Nigeria; otherwise, I would have graduated in June 2010, instead of June 2011.
The patient dog, they say, eats the fattest bone. I never give up on the goal that I set for myself, no matter the hardship. It might be slow, but I have no doubt in my mind that the dream will eventually come to pass as planned. I believe in taking action. I confront situations, issues, people, and institutions in ways that people least expect. I do so, not to impress anyone or prove a point, but to satisfy my conscience. That is who I am. It is about doing onto others what you would expect others to do to you. It is about live and letting live.
Watch Out for Parts Four, and Five
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