All of us walked through the gates of the great Aquinas College. We trundle down the Appian way, round the bend and see the great tower ahead. We imagine - this great school. In those days, as you head up straight after the curve is the cricket pitch to your left, the principal’s house slightly to your back on the right. You can see the sandy handball court and the geographical garden and to your far right, an incomplete building and the hall (later turned into the library. Coming back to reality, you notice the boys, all walking down, branching away towards their classes, the senior to the left and the juniors to right. Form 3, straight ahead. It was more of us going towards our class that intrigues me. Usually, in twos or threes, we are debating one thing or the other, but observing if there are papers around lest we get punished by not picking them but engrossed enough to enjoy the debates which range from yesterday’s night films to Africa cup of nation games or Nigerian league games ( not nowadays that it’s all European football), to homework. However, there is always this guy. Walking alone, always with very well ironed uniform, sometimes starched. His walk looks like military precision and his face, strong. He was in my class (1v) and always is very serious. Adefemi Obe.
Obe, as we used to call him was a smooth operator. Does his work, not to be messed with and jovial if you know how to press the right buttons. I think my admiration of him in those days came from the French classes. Mr klutse will turn up and teach and sometimes, check on those making noise. 98% of us dreaded his spanking as they hurt. I mean really hurt. I was lucky never to have to experience the spanking but Adefemi Obe. This guy!
Mr. Klutse will line people up to spank them for vernacular or for noise making. Some of the guys will be squealing, some crying, and some pretending to be dead before they have been beaten ( you know yourselves!). Not Femi. He will stand there with his hands in front of him and Mr. Klutse will give him six strokes of the “pankere” and this guy will not flinch. Most of us will watch with amazement. He will sit down as if nothing happened!
Over time and as the years went by, some challenged him to fights but once they feel his grip, most backed down. That led to his nickname Adefemi “Obe krakra”. The guy will solid bones from extraordinary calcium, Vitamin D from the African sun and hard labour in his early years... maybe he was older than we thought ... all I knew is that you mess with him at your own peril. I know he cannot that much older than us as his younger brother was a year our junior and despite the fact, his brother gave him a lot of respect, he was still “Femi” to him rather than Bros. Femi which was a cultural requirement when you were much older.
The best highlight of him that I can remember was when we are at assembly and we are singing hymns and we sang a particular one -
When we walk in the Lord
In the light of his word
What a glory he sheds on our way
When we do his good will,
He abides with us still
As for them who will trust and obey
Then we all turn and shout
Trust and Obe! (we will be looking at him)
For the there is no way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and Obe! (we will be looking at him)
Femi used to get angry initially because he claimed to be an atheist and studied astronomy did not sing with us and hated the connotation but later he softened and smiled... I can see his face now...
Adefemi Obe krakra... A loving guy, simple, strong, and yet humble. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Adefemi is the second from the left...
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