In our first year of secondary school, most kids were trying to find their feet - academically, friends and understanding the rules of engagement. But as years passed and looking back in our early senior years retrospectively, there were patterns that I saw:
- The kids from 1U but moved into 2P,3K ,SS1:1-SS3:1 were usually good kids and were always protected
- Those of us that fell in between my two extremes
- The kids from 1X but moved into 2T,3O ,SS1:2-SS3:2 were usually hard kids and had the toughness to them
However, we have a classification of students; at least from my class (From 3O) perspective.I am classify them into these groups:
Leaders: They were ones that were seen and represented the group in different roles. They portrayed their strength being the face of the class, group or set. They had backers but they understand what it takes to lead.
Enforcers: When decisions were made, they were the ones that are given the information to ensure that the doubters or the fearful ones tow the line that has been agreed.
Class members: These are the guys that were in the class and went with the flow. Some of them knew what was going on but do not know how to get involved. Some were oblivious of what was happening around them and stuck to they they loved or buried their head in the sand.
Decision makers: I call them the special breeds. They knew the landscape, understood what it takes to make things happen. They understood people and what makes them tick. They knew what the teachers needed to hear, they played the corridors of power within the class and between other classes. They transcend what what I call the norm amongst their mates.
Ola Ogundipe. Seyi Ajayi. Adu Akinwumi. Lateef Adebayo. Yinka Onifade. Kazeem Sanusi. Guys that had skills horned in different areas of speciality. They could smell the kill, control the crowd, direct the narrative. Strategic points were made. Sides were taken. Discussion were had. There were sub plots, back stabbing, betrayals... All on simple agendas. The game was played and the winners celebrated their wins, losers accepted their loss and regrouped. But never was there a last longing war on any event.. or maybe there was 🤔...
Taking 3O for an example, there were strong factions in trying to get things done. In electing a captain, there were certain people that will have been expected to get this role. Usually, there were unwritten rules of the criteria of a class captain. But when the afobajes had decided the class needed a leader that did what the class wanted and not the teachers. They reviewed and hand picked those that will contest; ensuring there was a nominee that met the teachers criteria. They eliminated all the omo teachers from the contest and ensured whatever the outcome, it will be someone who did the student’s bidding.
Rotimi Abitoye was elected our class captain (yes he was! ) so he was the leader. There were enforcers like Boniface, Niyi Falade, Sope Adeniyi and others who were in the face of the doubters or weaklings may want chicken out or not conform, you get sorted out.
However, the fiercest wars were between the decision makers; who had their candidates and their reasons. These are the guys that debate what needs to be done and who can achieve it for them. They debate what will be accepted, what will become the way forward. When there are disagreements, they played the field. They used their leverage,used their connections. And there will be winners and losers .
Reflecting, One thing I knew was - there were those that it came naturally to them when it came to these games. Some acquired the skills and knew the rules. Politics. Nature or nurture; it is a mind game and in some cases, a game of chess. Pawns were sacrificed to get to the ultimate goal. Sometimes, sacrificing a promoted pawn to be a queen backfires. That was the story of the JSS leaders election. We thought the leaders will come from our class, 3O. What a mistake! We were no where near it in the end and they came from Class 3K. That, is a story for another day.
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