Ayodele Omowunmi

Class of 1958-1962

Any young person that passed through Ekiti Parapo College will appreciate the lessons taught there, which have proved to be veritable tools for navigating the world later in life. At the time I was admitted to the College in 1958, the school was a boys-only institution. Many of us were fun-loving young boys who found the many rules quite unusual.

In the mornings, we were awakened by the bell. This was an unsavoury experience, as school then resumed in January, which was the height of the harmattan season. Immediately after the ring of the bell, we all scrambled to our “morning portion,” a piece of chore that everyone must perform every morning. Next, another bell sent us to have our bath while yet another summoned us to the dining room. We were all boarders in my time. Thereafter, the next ring of the bell would order us to the classrooms. The classes were a joy to attend, as we had dedicated teachers, even though many of them were improving themselves for higher education. And we had a principal in the person of late Chief Ade Akọmọlafẹ, a just disciplinarian, and a lover of breeding very high-quality characters.

At the end of classes, it was time for lunch, announced by another bell. The lunch was followed by a siesta. We must be on our beds, whether we liked it or not. This was a very awkward thing for young men who had hitherto been used to sleeping only at night. The siesta was followed by a study time known as “prep,” to be followed by a few hours of games on the sports field. No matter how uninterested we were in athletics, we must get ourselves engaged in one sport or the other. It was a case of grooming the all-round man. After the games, it was time for dinner, followed by another study-time – another “prep”. Another bell announced time to go to bed. And, no one dared to show any light when the lights out bell rang. Every day was a story of bells, bells, and more bells. The Timekeepers during my time must have had their jobs cut out for them.

For many, if not all of us, these bells have proved worthy. We were trained as young men that got to appreciate discipline, law and order, and fantastic team spirit. Good old days! How possible would it be for full boarding system to be restored! As many would have found out, friends that were made at tender ages have always turned out to be the best and truest of friends.

In my time, the use of first name was not in vogue. It was either Ọmọwumi or Senior Akinyẹde – all surnames. We only got to know the first names of those who were our close friends. What a joy to be trained in EKPACO. The College was a well-ordered place for learning, and socializing. And, I am sure that the system has endured, building able and competent men and women of our Land.

Space will not allow me to dwell on the “House System” by which students were placed in Houses of Residence – Kiriji, EPU, ENA, College (now Akomolafe) Houses – of my time. These houses engendered healthy competitive spirit in academics, sports, morals, and good upbringing amongst students.

Long live bells, bells, and bells.

Long live EKPACO.