A
60 year old man Mr. Adalabu Seribor may as well be the oldest JSS 11 pupil in
Nigeria.
The
old man is a student of Izon College,
Bomadi-Overside in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
He
was cornered recently by newsmen wearing his school and he narrated why he
decided to go to school at such an old age.
Hear
him, “I don’t joke with my studies,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Why
should I anyway, when I am already old? In fact, I cannot afford to repeat a
class. I ensure I don’t miss classes and I take my home assignments very
seriously. Whenever I don’t understand anything, I ask my teacher after class
to help me out. This method has been working out well because all my subject
teachers are always ready to help.”
A
wheelbarrow pusher, Adalabu, who is fondly called Oyinbo, recounted how he was
received by his teachers on his first day in school.
“My
first day in school remains memorable. Maybe due to the fact that I am the
oldest person in school or because they knew me as a wheelbarrow pusher, my
entrance was marked by a rousing welcome. Everyone, including the principal,
trooped out to have a glimpse of me. I was dressed in the school uniform—a mint
green shirt, a pair of dark green trousers and a beret to match. I had to hang
my bag on my back because I am a pupil. I had been interviewed by the principal
before my resumption and during our interaction, he considered me for JSS II
instead of JSS I. He knew I would cope very well,” he said.
Born
of parents who were not literate—his father was a hunter— Seribor dropped out
of school in his teenage years.
“I
was in primary four when my father said he could no longer afford to pay my
school fees. Then, I had lost my mother, who died during child birth when I was
a little boy. I was raised by my grandmother but I was later taken to my father
when he remarried.”
At
a point, he was taken to an uncle, who was a magistrate in Bayelsa State.
Seribor said he returned to his father when he could not endure the hardship.
He
recalled, “I went through pains and hardship from my early life to adulthood. I
went through struggles but I had the opportunity to go to school when a
relative, who was a magistrate at Ekeremor in Bayelsa State, took me to his
house.
“But
because of early morning beatings due to my failure to greet him when rising
from bed, I went back to my father. I had no opportunity to go to school since
then. I continued to labour for survival in life, which I am still doing.”
But
after many years through menial jobs, especially wheelbarrow pushing and waste
disposal, which he engaged in order to earn a living on his own, he arranged
for a home tutor who taught him both primary five and six syllabus.
He
said, “Through that, I sat for the primary school leaving certificate
examination and I thank God I passed it very well. I have that certificate
already as a first step.”
But
he was thirsty for higher studies. The fact that he was a primary school
dropout pained him.
“I
was not comfortable seeing myself in this modern world as a semi-illiterate
when I knew that I am brilliant. Suddenly, something in me told me that it was
never too late to go back to school if I so desired and was determined. That
was how I enrolled again in secondary school. Luckily for me, education is free
in Delta State,” he said.
He
is planning to be a teacher.
“I
will ensure I further my education after my secondary school to at least, a
college of education and obtain the National Certificate in Education, and
become a teacher. I just love teaching,” he enthused.
But
wouldn’t his going to school disturb the business he has been doing for about
five decades? Seribor disagreed. He said he needs the money to foot his bills
and, therefore, devised an after-school method.
“Many
of my customers are aware of the new development in my life and as a way of
supporting me, they wouldn’t mind waiting for my services till I return from
school,” he said.
Erasing
any feeling of insecurity in a classroom of children he could refer to as his
grandchildren, Seribor said he never experienced any dull moment while in
school.
“They
all call me Papa. Some even call me Daddy and I play with them whenever the
need arises. They all love me and we relate very well with one another,” he
said.
His
class teacher, Mr. Edsemi Anesah, confirmed Seribor’s zeal concerning his
studies. Already, he said, the 60-year-old’s performance was very impressive.
“He
is determined to graduate from secondary school in five years’ time with good
grades. Seribor is not only committed and hard-working; he is also humble and
respectful. If he should hold on to his dream and remain committed as he is
currently doing, he will definitely become what he wants to become after
graduation—a teacher. That is why I see him as an encouragement to many youths
and older adults, who had no opportunity of formal education in their early
life, to now consider the second-chance option,” Anesah opined.
Interestingly,
Seribor is still a bachelor.
At
60, why is he not married when his mates are already grandfathers?
His
response was quick: “No woman wants to marry a poor man.”
Despite
this, he expressed a desire to get married before completing his secondary
education and also raise a family of his own.
“I
have been suffering and I had no money to marry. All the women I spoke to
despised me. I work hard to earn a living, looking for fortunes with no help
from anywhere. I will be living on my own till God gives me a wife.”
With
no helpmate, the 60-year-old pupil revealed that he cooks his meals and washes
his clothes all alone.
He
said, “I can cook well and I’m a good cook. I wash my clothes, including my
school uniform(s). I know I will get a wife even though I’m facing challenges
currently.”
So,
what kind of woman does he desire for a wife?
Painting
the picture of his woman, Seribor said, “My ideal wife must be hard-working,
very tall and should be dark-complexioned.
I don’t mind any tribe as long
as she is humble and resourceful. She should be about 50 years plus—I don’t
want a small girl that will bully me in the house.
If I don’t find an older
woman to marry, then she should be in her 30s because she must be able to give
birth to my children. She should also know how to cook good food and take care
of me.”
Are
there other qualities he desires in a woman?
“Yes,
she must be educated but respectful,” he said.
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