“Youngman don’t Bribe Me with your thank you Sir”: An Encounter with my Lecturer
Let me attempt to narrate a story of an encounter that taught me a great deal outside the walls of the classroom.
While as a 200 level undergraduate student in the Department of Mass Communication at the Benue State University, Makurdi, an interesting scenario played-out, during which a certain calm, unassuming, principled and yet an approachable lecturer, directed to me the words quoted above in the title of this essay.
What was this scenario in perspective? Let’s reflect on its context.
It was during the second semester examinations, and in one of the courses which we wrote, the course lecturer, had set the examination questions with the specific instruction that a certain question was to be answered compulsorily by all students.
Curiously, I never took close notice of the instruction and dangerously ignored it, perhaps in my naïve approach to write “sharp sharp” and produce a “marking scheme” for the course lecturer as students would always claim.
As we discussed among course mates, our performance and experience after the examination as we usually did, I realized that I never answered the question which was compulsory for all. I was visibly troubled with this discovery, as it was a question I could have answered very conveniently had I known.
Sharing in my worry, Jhonn… a dear course mate and close friend of mine advised I took it up to the course lecturer with the hope that he might address the matter.
I listened to Johnnie and approached the course lecturer immediately. In his office, he patiently listened to my concern as I carefully explained it to him, concluding with an unusual appeal as I said “Sir please let me sit right before you to answer and submit the compulsory question”.
When I concluded, the lecturer simply laughed at me saying, “Reading instructions carefully before answering questions is also part of the examination. What you are asking is impossible to grant.” He further concluded that even though I answered three questions in the course, he will simply mark and grade my script with only two questions, since the one which was compulsory was not among them.
I felt really sorry for my situation, but strangely I kept saying “thank you sir, thank you sir” repeatedly, as the lecturer passed his verdict. This was when the usually gentle and composed lecturer bluntly said “Youngman don’t bribe me with your thank you sir…you may now leave”. At this point, I stood up and left his office, feeling bad but consoling myself that at least my good performance in the continuous assessment, would make up for my deficiency in the examination.
As I kept reflecting on this scenario for the rest of my undergraduate studies, I drew some crucial lessons. For the rest of all the examinations I have written in my life, I have always read instruction meticulously.
In such a situation, this lecturer could have harshly ordered me to leave his office as some lecturers usually do, but no, he patiently listened to my predicament without rubbishing me for obviously been “stupid” as some other lecturers would have uncouthly done. Passively, he taught me a great lesson in good comportment, manners of approach and moral uprightness.
That “course lecturer” of the well-known and interesting COM 206 (Health Communication) whom I had this encounter with as I have narrated here is the inimitable, resourceful, good mannered, amiable and erudite Professor of Mass Communication, Andrew Ogah Ijwo, PhD who marks the auspicious moment of his birthday today.
I have therefore chosen to share this encounter and scenario, which goes to situate my perception of Professor Andrew Ogah Ijwo as a refined, decent, and forthright scholar whose academic and moral fiber is exemplary and suitable in moulding students both in character and learning.
In our Class Graduation Album, my course mates unanimously passed an eternal verdict that “…Dr Ijwo has a good memory and can teach anything without pedagogy.” May the enduring sacrifice of this great teacher with high moral integrity in shaping us into responsible citizens never go unrewarded here and beyond.
May I conclude as I say happy birthday to this great scholar and ideal model. Live long Prof, and reap the bountiful fruits of your several purposeful and unflagging years of intellectual labour.
