"Short steps, Short Steps, ele short steps" (ele meaning fine gyal). Those were the words we cried out as our "School Marchers" pounded the track at the Liberty stadium Ibadan.
They practiced and practiced and practiced!
At the helm of affairs was heysobay properly known as Nike Akinola and there was Yinka Fadahunsi Lumpy Fadi , Siyan Oyawoye Siyan Fayiga, Ama Adadevoh....Their Sunday uniform starched with Robin Starch to a point of no return, their berets measured and placed at the same point on each head no hair out of place, they had to have the style we called pineapple and brush in front.
I really wanted to be a "School Marcher" in my eyes they were the epitome of beauty and perfection. They moved in precision like one machine! It was a sight to behold!
Today is my good friend Adeyinka Adefope's diamond jubilee and someone posted this in our school chat and memories of the glory days of our country flooded back.
In the picture below is Tola Adetola Lawore Akinyele Dupe Arogunmati Modupe Bashorun and Olakitan Akinjagunla
Such were the times where children were taught discipline, hardwork, resilience and perseverance. We had 24 hours electricity but we had to learn to wash, Starch and iron with the 19th century box iron which used charcoal and oguso a local fuel. If you came to assembly with a blackened uniform you would be punished.
Nigeria was preparing Upright, hardworking, intellectual women to help lead the new nation for a boarding fee of N30 per term.
Such was the Western Region of early Independent Nigeria. #Nigerianostalgia
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