C4 Episode 4

Where you're administrating as the senior Prefects yet you did not know about it".

I knew that he had said this to make clear to our apprehended friends that we never gave them any information on the issue. We are observant, Sir Herbert explained to them. Actually, the Herbert explained to them. Actually, the masters were not pleased that we could not discover this by ourselves. Even though we tried to explain to them that we would not condone such evil of filling and entertaining the slum Book

stuff, they kept the game completely away from us. They never discussed it around us. Hence, we, and even I personally, didn't hear about or

see the Slum Book until that day I was interrogated about it.

After the interview that night, there followed some appetizing strokes of cane which

were given to the culprits to get ore facts from them. They were later told to await the next call for more interview and disciplinary measures.

The past night was long and tedious for the boys that were interrogated, including Samson Antonio and his colleagues. For me, it was an eye-opening night to the various ungodly and evil practices of these Class-mates of mine.

I became annoyed with everyone of them but as their leader, I did not scare them away as I Sought an avenue to speak with them After the long dreary night, l went straight to my bed and lay down, cogitating for several minutes as I heard them discussing. For that moment, I could not get to them because I was not happy with them and they saw me as their enemy who

reported them.

The discussion became so loud that there was a commotion, in my own hostel which Was the administrative quarters for the Students Government. In the early hours of the morning,

the students who just woke up were utterly confused not knowing the origin of the unusual

rowdiness in the hostel.

I was deeply lost in thoughts on my bed as I strained my ears to hear some of their

discussions and bragging. I also wanted to know if they would accuse me of the trauma that befell them.

Wetin dey shele? said among them in their usual slang and pidgin English. They knew that I had ceaselessly fought against pidgin English as a monster in the school. I had undertaken several measures to ensure that it was wiped out. However the more I hit upon new strategies, the more the students subverted

them.

On the worst note, Daniel Rufus, who was one of my higher executive members, was the ring leader of the gang. He spoke pidgi English

not minding his position as a sciool prefect.

Moreover, the gathering and chatting often took place in his corner.

I had reported to several levels of the school authorities including tne Prinaipal and finally to the patron of the Students Government, but no serious measure was taken and this

fanned the flame of pidgin English among the students.

I had also embarked on prize-giving to any person that fought against the syndrome and

would not speak pidgin English for one whole week. However, the effort proved abortive.

Omo, I still dey sleep, when Rober dem come call me, ROber was the nickname they gave to Sir Robinson. "They carry us go for outside come dey ask us say wetin be the meaning of BBC, came the voice of Jacob

Glenn. Many people were talking at the same time which made the whole room very noisy.

"Wetin you tell am? "Someone asked. "I tell am say na British Broadcasting Club". There was a chorus laugn for a while.

"I tell am say we dey read news". There was another brief laughter.

"Na so I take deny am", boasted Jacob Glenn.

"Make una see now, Rober come-dey ask mebsay wetin I dey do for the back of the

refectory. I talk say I dey discuss with the girls".

"Which girls?"a voice asked.

Glris' refectorian when im come for boy Side. I say we dey for tank for back dey discuss. E say make I tell am wetin we dey discuss, that e don know am already, im just won know whether l go tell an truth

Daniel Rufus narrated to the listeners who were so eager to hear the recent happenings.

Some listened with open mouth.

Melvin was there as well and he stood and boasted, "Them talk say I go go home go bring the slum book come back He pursed his lips disdainfully and added, "If I reach home, them go come carry me make I come back. I go just dey for house reach that day wey sohools go close".

As I was listening from my bed, 1 overhead Vincent Marvin advise Travis Steven not to return as he would be officially permitted to travel for health purposes during the day. I also

Overheard them saying that the book in question was in the school even though they cleverly

denied it. That was their joy.

I picked up every secret confession they made which they had denied before the masters

and every secret plan being made for the next move. They continued discussing and bragging as though they would be able to face the school authorities, if the opportunity was given to them

until the rising bell rang.

I got up from my bed in my pyjamas and went to the mob and said in a peaceful voice", It

is time for school morning devotion".

It was as though I was not talking to anyone. However, I was not harsh on them seeing the state of their mind. In a minute, the hostel Master, Sir Ronald came With his cane and

they swaggered out of the hostel, claiming to be above flogging.

Later, after the morning devotion, one of the students, Anthony Kenneth whose name was mentioned along the line that night came to me. I had preached to him and tried to convert him to be a born-again Christian. However, he had not

actually shown much interest even though he responded each moment I called on him. "Nnaa,

Thomas, I am in big trouble o! he sald.

"What is the problem?"I asked him.

"They told me that my name was called and an allegation was laid against me so I thought it wise to let you know my offence

they misunderstood, he explained.

"What happened actually" I curiously inquired.

"It happened that I met a girl in the School by name Joyce. She takes the same Subject as me, so I borrowed her notebook to copy had not copied the note. 1he boys in my class saw the book with me and began to call me Joyce to make jest of me. Maybe the girl misunderstood the whole thing and began to

think of something else; probably, thati was in a relationship with her.

Again, my friend Clement Bassey, took my picture and put it in his album. I do not know how the album got to the girls hostel, but Clement said he gave the album to his sister. I don't know how even Joyce got my picture but after a while, she returned it with a message that she did not like me again. Daniel Rufus who brought

the message said it in such an amusing way that

everyone in the class began to laugh at me. Christopher paused and then continued,"What I heard now was that she told Sir Robinson and his group that Daniel and I were fighting over her he concluded waiting for me to speak. I didn't know what to say at the moment, so I kept silent.

After some seconds, he broke the silence and said, "Since you preached to me, I stopped

following Daniel's group, that was why they kept opposing everything I do".

There was silence again as I kept thinking of what to say in the matter. Joshua continued, "I

want you to help me and explain these things to them since they will believe you. let them know that I have stopped talking to thie giri for a long time especially after you preached to me", he

pleaded. I was thinking how difficult that would be. It was just like hitting ones head against a

brick wall. But I knew I had some privilege which I could call on to speak on anyone's behalf.

"Well, I am pleased that at least you respected me and told me this. However, I don't know exactly what to do but I'm sure that with God all things are possible. I am going to see

what I can do about that", I promised. Then I began to chide him.

"This is why I keep warning you about the kind of companý you keep". Actually, Cement is

not bad sort but because of his past conduct, the school looks at him with a suspicious eye. Some

staff had wanted to find out from me if Clement was a troublemaker. Well, from my own point of view, he has no problem with me and the prefects. However he defaults in some minor issues such as flying out his shirts when it is supposed to be tucked in and putting on bathroom slippers instead of sandals on school days.

"Joshua, what I am trying to say is that your relationship With him would make the school see you as a bad boy because it is

generally believed that birds of a feather flock together, show me your friend.....", I paused giving

Joshua the opportunity to complete the adage".....

and I will tell you who you are", he completed and I continued.

"So it would be a good thing for you to make friends with boys of reputable character. l don't mean that Clement should become your enemy. No, but at least, a person is influenced by

his friends; the company he keeps influences all aspects of his life. That was why you also started putting on slippers to school even when your wounds which was your initial excuse for putting them on, were healed. Again, you began to fly out your shirt and so on. These were the

unwholesome influences of your friendship with Clement including Pidgin English". I explained a

lot of things to Joshua and went ahead to counsel him as a friend even though our lifestyles were

different. I tried to tolerate some of his shortcomings and consistently advised him to

live a righteous life. I promised Joshua to do everything within my power to help him but we

must wholly lean on God for help. His will alone would be done. I said a few words of prayer with him and then gave him some instructions.

" I want you to leave that hostel where you are, I said and then began to explain when I

noticed his look of puzzlement.

"This is to curb the level of your association with these friends who have nothing good to impart to your life. So are you going to do it?".

He nodded his head and said, "Yes, I will do it"

"Okay, I will get you a bunk very close to my cubicle. Meanwhile, get your belongings to this hostel this morning". Joshua left for the hostel where he was residing to transfer his belongings to my corner.

To Be Continued...