I want a president that will fight corruption — Teacher, 83

Eighty-three-year-old Oresanya Ewedemi, tells ARUKAINO UMUKORO about his life and career

When and where were you born?

I was born at Ikangba, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on October 5, 1931. I’m 83 going on 84. My father was a local policeman, although he was not educated. My mother was a farmer and petty trader.

How does it feel to be 83 plus?

I’m glad I enjoy good health and stability. It’s by God’s grace. I haven’t been feeling anything strange, although I get tired often now than before. But there is hardly anything I did before that I cannot do now. I just thank God.

How was it growing up in those days?

It was very interesting. My father died in 1938, and my mother stayed back at Ijebu. My uncle brought me to Lagos from Ijebu Ode in 1938. We lived at Apapa road then. I grew up as a normal child and don’t remember experiencing any particular hardship. My guardians and parent were always there for me. I belonged to Ijero Boys Club in those days. One of the interesting things was participating in the annual festivities in the area, when children from the neighbouring communities came to join us during the Egun (masquerade) festival. The Egun came out on Easter Monday and all the children would come around Oyingbo and we had a good time playing together.

Where did you school?

I attended Ijero Baptist Day School, Apapa Road, Lagos, and then Baptist Academy. I left Baptist Academy in 1953 and went to Baptist College, Iwo, between 1954 and 1955, where I obtained my teacher’s certificate. I then went to the University of Ibadan from 1957 to 1958 where I bagged an associate diploma in education. I got a scholarship to study in the Martin Luther University in the then German Democratic Republic (now Germany) where I got a M.Sc. in management cybernetics. I spent five years in Germany. In fact, after I completed my programme, I brought back to Nigeria the 10 shillings I took with me there. Germany was a socialist country then. I managed the amount I was given, because I wasn’t a frivolous type.

Was there any difference between the education system in Germany and that in Nigeria in those days?

In those days, there wasn’t much difference. In Germany, the library facility was so good, that one could study throughout using the library. The teachers were so close to students and there were other programmes for those of us who were from developing countries. I had very friendly classmates who took me to their villages during the holidays. Also, in those days, our education system was also very good. I remember when I was in UI at Sultan Bello Hall, each of us had a room and we had people coming in to clean the room for us. All one had to do was carry one’s books and go for lectures. We also had good house tutors. We usually had hall dinner almost every Wednesday, where everyone wore a dinner suit or jacket. I don’t know if they still do that today. Also, there was nothing like electricity cut in those days. I took part in Shakespeare plays—Merchant of Venice— in the university. In that particular play, Prof. Wole Soyinka took part. He was then in his final year. The son of the first Nigerian artist, I can’t remember his name, a Yoruba man, the one who drew the picture of the Queen of England, and Senator Chukwumerije also took part in the play. In the university, there were associations. Although I was doing a diploma course, while they were doing degree programmes, we all belonged to the same associations and mixed with them. I didn’t know them personally though.

How was your working experience as a teacher?

I completed my Teacher’s Certificate course at Iwo Baptist College in 1954-1955. In those days, on the completion of your course, the principal would request where you would be posted to for your teacher’s training. My principal then, Rev. Dr. J.A. Adegbite, requested that I should come back to Baptist Academy. I was there till 1957 when I went for the associate diploma course. I was the first house master at Obanikoro in 1959. I was there until 1960 when I left for another course at UI. As a teacher, I enjoyed myself. In 1956, the Queen of England came to Nigeria and we took all the students to welcome her to the country. I still have the pictures. We saw her from a distance at Tafawa Balewa Square. I taught English, Religious Knowledge and Latin. I was a teacher for 13 years. Afterwards, I was a research fellow at the Department of Economics, University of Ife, for six years. We had lecturing slots but my job was that of a research fellow. I got the job after I returned from Germany, and because of my training as a management consultant. Prof. Sam Aluko, then the Head of Department of Economics, was the one who appointed me in 1976. I had a very interesting stay there. We represented Ife small scale industries department at the University of Georgia, US, in 1977. When we returned, we started a small scale industry programme all over the Western region. We had depots in Ibadan, Ife, Ilorin and Lagos. I don’t know whether they still exist today. I travelled to Sussex University in 1979 to do a technology, planning and development course. We were the ones who established the technology, planning and development unit at the University of Ife. Dr. Babatunde was our Chief Executive Officer.

You also worked as a training manager?

Yes, I later pursued a career in management and economics, because in later years, I left the university and returned to Lagos as the training manager at CAPL. I was the one who established the training department of CAPL. I was there for seven years as a training manager. It was a very nice period. I had many opportunities travelling around Nigeria to see my workers at different place. I visited Kano, Zaria, Abuja, Aba, Calabar and many other places. I have experience in education and management in industry.

How is the state of education in Nigeria now when compared to your days as a teacher?

Education is a bit relaxed nowadays. Teachers are having a lot of difficulties, but the pupils are not as hard working as we were in our days. They appear to be more relaxed, the stoic methods of those days are no more there, I would say, but that does not mean that education is not making progress in the country, maybe not as much progress as people would want it to be. Also, teachers are not as respected as they were before. In those days, teachers were almost seen as lords by the pupils. The education system in Nigeria is good, but the government needs to spend more time and money in the training of teachers and compensate them well.

Also, in our time, industries were performing. Most of us working in industries in those days also had opportunities to go for training overseas. I benefitted a lot from that. Within the seven years I spent in CAPL, I went for training at least thrice in the UK. I suppose such training is still going on, but I’m not conversant with industry practices today. But from what I read, I think there has been a lot of improvement. There is hardly any industry anywhere in the world that does not have a branch in Nigeria.

How did you meet your wife?

My wife and I were members of the same church. Our parents attended Ijero Baptist church. I was a choir master there for many years, while my wife was a member of the choir. I suppose it was there that our love blossomed. We dated for seven years. Both our parents knew us as playmates and that we were going to get married to each other later. We did our engagement three months before the actual wedding. We got married in 1962. We have five children and they are all doing very well in their respective fields. I have many grandchildren. I think it is better for the man to be older than the wife. In our days, that was how it was, unlike today. I had an uncle who tutored me in those days and told me I should be about eight years older than my wife, because when we start to age, the women age faster than men.

What’s your favourite meal?

I like hot eba with vegetable soup.

Do you like watching television?

Yes, I do. I like watching the news also, provided there is electricity.

What do you think about the state of the nation and the elections?

We are praying that God should solve that one for us. It defies my discerning ability. I was there at the gathering of Independence Day in 1960 when Tafawa Balewa lowered the flag. As a nation, we have been unfortunate with our leaders. I think we were developing before oil was discovered; and we thought having oil was the end of the world. Only God would help us not to regret because oil prices have depreciated. But I hope things in the country improve with time.

Will you vote in the elections?

Yes, I will. I have always voted.

Who will you vote for?

I’ll be voting for my conscience. My advise to voters is to think about Nigeria and the quality of service that we can get from the two candidates. They should vote for the person they feel would serve Nigeria better.

What kind of president do you want for Nigeria?

I want a president that will fight corruption, one that will prevent the wasteful spending of our national revenue. I want a president that can secure the lives and property of Nigerians and can inspire confidence.

What are some things you wished you had done as a youth?

I wished I was good at playing a particular music instrument. Even when I was abroad, I tried my best to do that. I started it a bit at Baptist College because of my interest in music. I like the saxophone and wish I could play it.

What are you most fulfilled about?

I’m quite fulfilled about my relationship with God. I’m also happy about my marriage, my children and the community and philanthropic work that I do.

What are some of those things you still do at your age?

I wake up around 5.30am; we have our prayers around 6am. Throughout the day, whenever I need to go out, I go out. I go to the bank mostly, but most other things are done for me. I do my studies, I attend meeting at my church regularly. I still do some exercises. I do aerobic exercises. I have also been attending some gym classes recently, but for some time now, I’ve not been able to go there.