Op-ed Article
Jeff Godwin Doki Ph.D
‘Our matrimonial bed has been completely taken over by Books, Dissertations and Theses of various sizes to the extent that sometimes I could hardly find a space to lay my head’.
In these words, did Celine Adeiyongo (herself a Professor of Zoology), once to my hearing, agonized her pain as the wife of a studious husband, Professor John Akosu Adeiyongo. Celine’s words make a profound statement about the rigors of the chalk-and talk profession and the misery often associated with that trade. But most importantly, the statement sets before us a truth about someone who still regards teaching as a sacred trust and a means of molding minds whose vision will shape a saner future.
John Akosu Adeiyongo is a Professor of Literature at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and Orature is his special calling. Professor Adeiyongo has taught oral literature not just as an unwritten art form that relies mainly on performance but as a humanizing engagement. He fully understands the transformative power of arts and the vital role of culture in national development as well as its inevitability in the regeneration of the human spirit. A staunch believer in the universality of proverbs, Adeiyongo would not hesitate to state unequivocally that proverbs occur almost everywhere in Africa.
Most importantly, Adeiyongo believes that proverbs are a rich source of imagery and succinct expression on which more elaborate forms can draw. His favorite Tiv proverb conveys the theme of selflessness and it finds memorable expression in the words of the needle: ‘I care more about others and that is why I walk naked but sew other peoples’ clothes’. The needle has an eye which symbolizes its nakedness and it is through the eye of the needle that the all of mankind literally pass (insert) the thread to sow our clothes or at least a button on a shirt/skirt. The lesson is that, if the needle insists on covering its nakedness before that of others everyone would walk naked. This is a huge morale about selflessness which Prof. Adeiyongo has adopted as his life philosophy. And to demonstrate his conviction for culture, Prof. Adeiyongo fought tirelessly for and succeeded in incorporating Tiv language as a B.A. degree program in the Nigerian university curriculum in Benue State.
Undoubtedly, Adeiyongo is a man with a fertile mind and a brief chat with him is enough to reveal his solid classical background. For example, while introducing Drama to our class in 100 level, Professor Adeiyongo told us that certain ceremonies in Egyptian society which were repeated annually seem to have counterparts in later Greek rituals and drama. The most important and most impressive was a passion play that told the dramatic story of Isis and Osiris and the treachery of Osiris’ brother Set. Of course, this is the very origin of Greek and Western Drama. As my teacher, Adeiyongo was the first to expose me to the poignant, gripping tragedies of Aeschylus and Sophocles and to the mirthful satires of Aristophanes. In a word, Adeiyongo helped me climbed the pinnacle of Classical literature from which heights I caught glimpses of human capabilities and foibles that characterize human nature till this day.
As an academic, Adeiyongo stands stoutly for excellence and intellectual integrity but he is also extremely considerate and unassuming. He would always hop around with us from one part of the campus to another. And at meal time we will all troop into a lowly cafeteria and, like us, he too would dispatch wraps of pounded yam with soup served in plastic plates. So simple, so humble, so unselfconscious about his position or status.
Prof. Adeiyongo is a warm and effervescent teacher, always wearing a disarming smile. He trades jokes with everybody including his students and younger colleagues and whenever we tease him what we get back is a youthful laughter, the trademark of this doyen of loud banter. Until his retirement at the age of 70, he taught large classes like General Studies courses especially The Use of English with us his younger colleagues. He is a dedicated and highly diligent teacher. He served the University of Jos in numerous capacities including that of Deputy Dean of PG school, Director of Non-NUC funded programs and member of countless committees.
Adeiyongo had the opportunity of becoming a Customs officer in his younger days, in which case he would have been among the ‘wise’ ones with millions of naira to build mansions and ride in exotic SUV cars. He also had the option of becoming a soldier and in which case he would have been a potential Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and then retire as a full General, a millionaire, controller and owner of uncountable companies and multi-billion-naira ventures. He had all these options but he decided to become a common, honest, humane and strangely incorruptible teacher.
Again, Adeiyongo is a lecturer whose doors are always open to students, a work-horse who labored himself grey marking scripts, correcting countless dissertations, taking personal interest in the welfare of students. A lecturer who made teaching and research such a sacred undertaking. He never made a sinecure out of a serious job. It is therefore no surprise that, Celine his wife, once complained about the numerous books that have become Prof. Adeiyongo’s bedmates.
It is rather sad that many seasoned Professors like Adeiyongo are being forcibly thrown out for committing the unforgivable crime of turning 70 years. And this is happening at a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit new and competent hands for University teaching. It is clear that in the light of the harsh present social and economic anomie in Nigeria, only young men and women with inveterate suicide instincts still opt for University teaching.
The unhappy implication of all these, to borrow an image from the Nigerian poet Niyi Osundare, is that the Nigerian University system today is like a tree being simultaneously chopped at the root and the branch and the gardeners keep on wondering why it is not yielding its best fruit. Perhaps the whole situation is as it is because ours is not yet the era of genuine education.
Over and above all, Adeiyongo is a teacher with boundless forbearance and optimism. He remains a deeply generous and inspiring humanist averse to cant and easy compromise. He is never short of idealism even as a husband, father, teacher, friend or leader. To be three scores and ten in this moral and political abattoir called Nigeria and still remain steadfast, strong, healthy and with a lot of get-up-and-go is a feat reserved for long distance runners.
Prof. Adeiyongo, was a goal keeper during his childhood and perhaps that explains why he holds an Olympic medal in that event.
Happy Birthday Sir!
***Jeff Godwin Doki, one of the numerous students taught by Adeiyongo, is a Professor of Global Literature with the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Nigeria
ENDS***
