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JAMB
Chapter 8
Missions Unaccomplished
A Legal tussle between the families of two of Bepo’s pupils stood out among
matters he would leave unresolved as he stepped out of the country. He
wished the matter did not linger. What began as child’s play had lasted
three years. It seemed like a joke stretched too far, an unbelievable bitterness left
to fester publicly.
The school had launched the process of choosing a new set of prefects. As usual,
it would be elective. The Stardom management believed it was essential to
introduce the learners to democratic culture as early as possible. Even in the
primary section, the emergence of class representatives was democratic. Pupils
were encouraged to indicate interest and go through the process from start to
finish. They bought forms at costs that depended on the offices they were vying
for. Intent forms for the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl were sold for
N50,000; their deputies, N40,000; and N25,000 for all others that included Chapel
Prefect, Health Prefect, Social Prefect, Labour Prefect and Punctuality Prefect.
After purchasing the forms, the aspirants were screened by a panel
constituted by the management. The panel comprised academic and non-
academic staff and two observers drawn from the school’s alumni association. At
the screening stage, Stardom sought to ensure each intending prefect was above
average academically. He or she must also have a good moral history, especially
in school. The aspirant must have been in the school for at least two sessions and
was not expected to owe fees. The debt-free condition was golden, as far as the
management was concerned. For this, Mrs Ibidun Gloss had a witty saying: “If you
want a debtor to lead fee payers, ask a tenant to lead the landlord.” It needed no
explanation.
On the day the aspirants faced the five-member panel, each was expected
to read out his or her Expression of Interest letter and speak about it in about
three minutes. It was a way of gauging their power of communication. Once the
screening hurdle was scaled, the list of candidates would be read at the
assembly. This would enable the voters to know them and raise any objections
via letters to the panel, which, in turn, protected the identity of any petitioner.
The list would be posted on the school’s main notice board for two weeks, after
which the candidates would address the students at the much-anticipated
Speech Day. The election was held the following day.
Stardom Schools was sure it was following a cool process. But something
happened that terribly hurt the arrangement that year, and eventually led to the
suspension of the democratic tradition. On Speech Day, Banky, an SSS 2 student
contesting the post of Social Prefect, became so emotional that he employed
arguably vulgar language on his key opponent, Tosh, also in SSS 2. At a point
in his presentation, Banky said, “Instead of voting for the son of an ex-convict,
cast your vote for me. You will never regret it.”
The students cheered as he concluded the presentation until the principal
rose from the table, where he sat with members of the officiating panel. He was
disappointed at Banky’s choice of words: calling the father of a fellow student
an ex-convict. Before Bepo could talk sense into the contestant, Tosh stood up
from his seat and began stomping out of the hall. Three teachers rushed to
pacify and bring him back, but he was resolved, violently resisting as he
hastened away.
“Banky, why would you call the father of your fellow student an ex-
convict? That is morally bad,” the principal reprimanded.
While a child may have all the strength to fell a tree in a forest, the elders
can tell how the tree would fall. The managing director of Stardom Schools
found this adage most apt. Beyond the protests that followed Tosh’s exit – his
fans demanding the outright cancellation of the speech event until he was
reinstated – the rivalry between him and Banky predated the event. It ran
deeper than what played out because it involved their parents.
When Banky and Tosh were in JSS 3, they clashed in the Best Dancer
category at the end-of-year party. Both were finalists in the hip-hop category
and competed fiercely for victory. So outstanding were their performances that
the audience was sharply divided on who carried the day. The judges were also
stunned. Eventually, they crowned Banky on a 3-2 vote. But Tosh’s mum, who
was in the crowd (like Banky’s mother), felt slighted and complained bitterly
about the decision. She and her husband later wrote an official letter, protesting
that their son was robbed of victory.
The parents even threatened a lawsuit and swore they would withdraw
Tosh and his younger brother. Months later, the mothers again clashed during
the PTA election, when Banky’s mum beat the latter to become the treasurer.
Perhaps what escalated the rivalry was that both boys’ fathers were politicians
and belonged to either of the two leading and belligerent political parties – the
Progressive Congress and the Democratic People’s Party.
Tosh’s father, Chief Didi Ogba, was not an ex-convict. Years ago, he spent 36
months in detention, facing trial for alleged misappropriation of a N2.5 billion
government contract sum. The trial dragged on for five years. However, he was later
released while his company was ordered to refund the sum. The court ruled that he
was not directly guilty of the offence.
The school initiated peace moves, but Chief Ogba, also a top lawyer, insisted
that Banky and his parents write separate letters of apology to him and Tosh. He
also insisted that the letters be published conspicuously in the school magazine.
Banky’s parents, however, rejected the demand. Firstly, they requested the video of
their son’s alleged offensive speech, which their lawyer studied before concluding
that Banky never mentioned the name ‘Ogba’. Besides, they affirmed that Chief
Ogba’s demand amounted to the victimisation of their son.
Bepo was close to both families and hoped he could pacify the aggrieved
parties. But his moves were futile. Now, as he planned to relocate, the legal action
instituted by Ogba was nearing conclusion. He believed there was still room for an
out-of-court settlement, having persuaded the management to explore alternative
dispute resolution.
Bepo was also upset that he would miss the Invention Club. He was particularly
worried about the fate that would befall the five-year-old Breath Project, the club’s
phone-making initiative, using recycled panels and chips. He was an active patron
of the club, even though he was not a scientist. Bepo always argued that invention
was not necessarily limited by discipline. The project attracted media and
government interest, with the school and an NGO called Life Grid committing funds
to its development. Bepo anticipated the day his students would conclude research
and production so that the school would announce to the world that it had
manufactured a phone. He feared that if he left Nigeria, the project could derail. But
if it cruised to completion, Bepo swore, he would do everything possible to fly in
from London and be part of the launch.
Here are the 50 possible JAMB questions and answers for this chapter
Instructions: answers each question are in bold form.
THE LEKKI HEADMASTER – CHAPTER 8: Missions Unaccomplished
What was the main unresolved issue that lingered for Bepo as he left the country?
A) A dispute over school fees
B) A legal tussle between two families
C) The failure of the Breath Project
D) The suspension of democratic tradition in the school
Correct Option: B
How long had the “child’s play” between the two families lasted?
A) One year
B) Two years
C) Three years
D) Four years
Correct Option: C
What process had the school launched to choose new prefects?
A) Appointment by the principal
B) Election by students
C) Selection by academic staff
D) Nomination by parents
Correct Option: B
Why did Stardom management consider it essential to introduce learners to democratic culture early?
A) To reduce the principal’s workload
B) To prepare them for political careers
C) To enhance their moral history
D) To familiarise them with democratic principles
Correct Option: D
Which section of the school also had democratic class representatives?
A) Senior secondary
B) Junior secondary
C) Primary section
D) All sections
Correct Option: C
The cost of intent forms for prefect positions varied based on the:
A) Student’s academic performance
B) Office being vied for
C) Student’s family income
D) Principal’s discretion
Correct Option: B
How much did the intent form for Head Boy cost?
A) N25,000
B) N40,000
C) N50,000
D) N60,000
Correct Option: C
Which of these prefect positions cost N25,000 for the intent form?
A) Head Girl
B) Deputy Head Boy
C) Chapel Prefect
D) Social Prefect
Correct Option: C
Who constituted the panel for screening prefect aspirants?
A) Only academic staff
B) Only non-academic staff
C) Management, academic and non-academic staff, and alumni observers
D) Parents and teachers
Correct Option: C
What academic requirement did intending prefects need to meet during screening?
A) Be the best in class
B) Have an above-average academic performance
C) Have no failing grades
D) Be excellent in all subjects
Correct Option: B
Besides academic performance, what other personal quality was crucial for prefect aspirants?
A) A good moral history
B) Leadership experience
C) Public speaking skills
D) Athletic ability
Correct Option: A
How many sessions must an aspirant have been in the school?
A) At least one session
B) At least two sessions
C) At least three sessions
D) At least four sessions
Correct Option: B
What “golden” condition was non-negotiable for prefect aspirants, according to management?
A) Being popular
B) Being an athlete
C) Not owing school fees
D) Being from a wealthy family
Correct Option: C
What did Mrs Ibidun Gloss’s witty saying imply about debtors leading fee payers?
A) Debtors make good leaders
B) Those who owe cannot effectively lead those who pay
C) Financial status should not affect leadership
D) Landlords should always lead tenants
Correct Option: B
What was the first task for aspirants facing the five-member panel?
A) Answer impromptu questions
B) Debate a current issue
C) Read their Expression of Interest letter
D) Conduct a mock election
Correct Option: C
How long were aspirants expected to speak about their Expression of Interest letter?
A) About one minute
B) About three minutes
C) About five minutes
D) About ten minutes
Correct Option: B
What was the purpose of the speaking task during the panel screening?
A) To test their memory
B) To gauge their power of communication
C) To assess their general knowledge
D) To see if they could follow instructions
Correct Option: B
After screening, where would the list of candidates be read?
A) In each classroom
B) At the assembly
C) In the staff room
D) During the PTA meeting
Correct Option: B
How were objections to candidates raised, and whose identity was protected?
A) Verbally, the objector’s
B) Through letters to the panel, the petitioner’s
C) Through a public debate, no one’s
D) Via email, the school’s
Correct Option: B
Where was the list of candidates posted for two weeks?
A) The school library
B) The principal’s office
C) The school’s main notice board
D) The school website
Correct Option: C
What event did candidates address the students at before the election?
A) Debate Day
B) Speech Day
C) Talent Show
D) Open Day
Correct Option: B
What significant event led to the suspension of the democratic tradition that year?
A) A fight between two students
B) A teacher’s resignation
C) Banky’s vulgar language during his speech
D) Low student turnout for elections
Correct Option: C
Which post was Banky contesting for?
A) Head Boy
B) Head Girl
C) Social Prefect
D) Labour Prefect
Correct Option: C
Who was Banky’s key opponent for the Social Prefect post?
A) Bepo
B) Tosh
C) Mrs Ibidun Gloss
D) Chief Didi Ogba
Correct Option: B
What did Banky call Tosh’s father during his speech?
A) A corrupt politician
B) An ex-convict
C) A tenant
D) A debtor
Correct Option: B
How did Tosh react to Banky’s insult?
A) He ignored it
B) He stomped out of the hall violently
C) He immediately retaliated with insults
D) He reported to the principal calmly
Correct Option: B
What was the principal’s initial reaction to Banky’s speech?
A) Amusement
B) Disappointment
C) Pride
D) Indifference
Correct Option: B
The principal reprimanded Banky, stating that calling a fellow student’s father an ex-convict was:
A) Politically incorrect
B) Morally bad
C) Against school rules
D) A sign of weakness
Correct Option: B
What did Tosh’s fans demand after his exit?
A) Banky’s disqualification
B) A re-election
C) Cancellation of the speech event until Tosh was reinstated
D) An apology from Banky
Correct Option: C
The rivalry between Banky and Tosh predated the speech event and involved their:
A) Siblings
B) Teachers
C) Parents
D) Friends
Correct Option: C
In JSS 3, Banky and Tosh clashed in which category at the end-of-year party?
A) Debating
B) Hip-hop Best Dancer
C) Academic Quiz
D) Sports
Correct Option: B
How many votes did Banky win by in the JSS 3 Best Dancer competition?
A) 2-1
B) 3-2
C) 4-1
D) Unanimous
Correct Option: B
How did Tosh’s mum react to the decision of the Best Dancer competition?
A) She accepted it gracefully
B) She felt slighted and complained bitterly
C) She congratulated Banky’s mum
D) She organised a protest
Correct Option: B
What action did Tosh’s parents take after the JSS 3 competition result?
A) Requested a recount
B) Wrote an official letter protesting the decision
C) withdrew their son from the school
D) Started a rival competition
Correct Option: B
The parents threatened a lawsuit and swore to withdraw Tosh and his:
A) Younger brother
B) Older sister
C) Friend
D) Cousin
Correct Option: A
The mothers clashed again during which school event months later?
A) School carnival
B) Inter-house sports
C) PTA election
D) Graduation ceremony
Correct Option: C
What position did Banky’s mum win in the PTA election?
A) Secretary
B) President
C) Treasurer
D) Vice President
Correct Option: C
What escalated the rivalry between the boys, according to the text?
A) Their academic performance
B) Their fathers’ political affiliations
C) Their differing social statuses
D) Their athletic abilities
Correct Option: B
Tosh’s father, Chief Didi Ogba, was associated with which political party?
A) The Democratic People’s Party
B) The Progressive Congress
C) It is not explicitly stated which of the two leading parties he belonged to
D) He was an independent candidate
Correct Option: C
How long did Tosh’s father spend in detention?
A) 12 months
B) 24 months
C) 36 months
D) 60 months
Correct Option: C
What was Tosh’s father facing trial for?
A) Fraud
B) Misappropriation of a government contract sum
C) Tax evasion
D) Assault
Correct Option: B
How much was the alleged misappropriated government contract sum?
A) N250 million
B) N2.5 million
C) N25 billion
D) N2.5 billion
Correct Option: D
How long did the trial of Tosh’s father last?
A) Three years
B) Four years
C) Five years
D) Six years
Correct Option: C
What was the court’s ruling regarding Chief Ogba’s guilt?
A) He was found guilty and imprisoned
B) He was found not directly guilty, but his company had to refund the sum
C) He was acquitted with no conditions
D) He was fined heavily
Correct Option: B
What did Chief Ogba demand from Banky and his parents as part of the peace moves?
A) Financial compensation
B) A public apology at assembly
C) Separate letters of apology, published in the school magazine
D) Banky’s withdrawal from the prefect election
Correct Option: C
Why did Banky’s parents reject Chief Ogba’s demand for published letters of apology?
A) They didn’t believe Banky said “Ogba” and viewed it as victimisation
B) They refused to apologise to Chief Ogba
C) They believed the school should handle it internally
D) They felt it was unnecessary
Correct Option: A
What was Bepo’s role in the conflict between the families?
A) He instigated it
B) He was an impartial observer
C) He tried to pacify the aggrieved parties
D) He took sides with Tosh’s family
Correct Option: C
What school club was Bepo upset about missing due to his relocation?
A) Debate Club
B) Chess Club
C) Invention Club
D) Drama Club
Correct Option: C
What was the “Breath Project” within the Invention Club focused on?
A) Developing new teaching methods
B) Building a sustainable energy source
C) Phone-making using recycled materials
D) Creating a new school curriculum
Correct Option: C
What was Bepo’s ultimate hope for the Breath Project, which would make him fly in from London for its launch?
A) That it would win a national award
B) That the students would conclude research and production of a manufactured phone
C) That it would attract international investors
D) That it would be integrated into the national curriculum
Correct Option: B
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