As a child, Chief Modupe Jemibewon, wife of Major-General David Jemibewon, former Minister of Police Affairs, was always enthralled by the wonderful world of teachers, and she looked forward to the day she would stand before a group of children to impact knowledge into them.
The daughter of two teachers, young Modupe had the opportunity to learn the art of art of teaching early in life. “I am a product of two teachers, so teaching had always been part of me,” she told The Nation.
Expectedly, she proceeded to study French Language at the University of Ibadan, with her eyes fixed on a future in the teaching profession. But shortly before entering the university, she fulfilled her childhood dream when she taught for one year at Hope Grammar School in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“I am an educationist by training. I have a degree in education, principally in French Language. In my younger days, I was a teacher. I taught in Hope Grammar in Ibadan after my A-levels. That was before I entered the university. I am practically an Ibadan person. My father was a principal of St. Patrick’s Grammar School and I went to St. Theresa’s College and later University of Ibadan.”
Though her father would have loved to see his first child become a teacher, but her proficiency in French, a foreign language, would take her away from her most cherished profession-teaching, taking her into the corporate world where she cut her teeth in diplomatic circles, shuttling world capitals on behalf of the then very vibrant Nigeria Airways.
“My father would have loved me to be a teacher. But in life, you don’t have to be a classroom teacher to teach and impact knowledge into people. By your lifestyle and attitude, you are always mentoring those around you. In that wise, I believe I am a teacher, though I have not been able to pick a chalk and teach.”
Talking about her childhood, she went into a brief deep silence as if something was amiss, and said:
“Mine was a very structured home. I happened to have parents who were much ahead of their time. They nurtured the future of their children according to what they thought each child needed. It was not a home where they forced on you what they think you should do. Very early in life, my father was able to differentiate the strength and wisdom of each of the children, six of us. So, we never had a situation whereby our parents dictated to us what they wanted us to do. And whatever we became was out of our own volition.
“From the word go, I always knew I was a humanity person, while the men that followed me were medical. Among the six of us, I am probably the only illiterate who does not have a PhD after the first degree.
“I think we had an Eldorado growing up in those days in the South West. As students from the Western Region in the University of Ibadan, we had scholarships. We collected our bursary every month without any hassle. It is very unfortunate that our children are not enjoying all those benefits. We lived like any other child of our time anywhere in the world. Believe me, I am very proud of my Yoruba heritage.
“As students, we were made to listen to the redifusion in Ibadan. We were made to listen to the proceedings at the parliament. And as young as we were, we were able to differentiate between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Ladoke Akintola or Chief Adegoke Adelabu.
“I can tell you where I was when John Kennedy was murdered. It was on the redifusion. And our school, being a Catholic school, we were ordered to start praying. All the things happening in the US were broadcast to us live, that was the kind of beautiful growing up that I had in the Western Region.
“We were taught that wealth was not the accumulation of what you have acquired, but an aggregation of what you are, what you own and satisfaction. It was how you are able to impact on the society, no matter how little you have.”
As the first child of her parents, Modupe had a huge responsibility thrust on her lean shoulders. According to her, her position in the family meant she had to be hard working.
“My parents were disciplinarians, but they were also very friendly. It was not a regimental kind of discipline. But, as the first child of the family, the responsibility to do well was always on me. I had to prove myself, so the ones after me would have to follow suit.”
Widely travelled and fluent in French, English and Yoruba, her stint with the Nigeria Airways saw her represent the nation’s airline across the world and opening new doors and frontiers for her.
“I used my French as a staff with the Nigeria Airways. I represented the airline at IITA in Geneva, and you know that you had to be proficient in French to do that. I also did same across the west coast, I mean countries like Togo, Benin and Cote Devoire. It was my ability to speak French Language that gave me those opportunities.”
But even with the several years she worked, she always had it at the back of her mind that she would one day go back to invest in education. Her desire to give back to the society, she claimed, was influenced by the belief that the society gave her a lot as child.
“Even while I was working, I always knew that I would one day be a proprietress. I always had the desire to give something to the society that has done so much for me. I knew that in whatever I do, I had to do something cognitive. We cannot continue to complain that the educational system is going bad. Governance in Nigeria has gone so wide. During my time, we had three regions, so you had to be very excellent to get somewhere.
“You know one thing, I am always happy when I see these kids run to me and hug me. Such scenes give me joy. But you see, there should be cause for concern. In Kogi State where my husband comes from, they are people noted for excellence. There you find parents who would sell all their possessions to send their children to school. But today, it is surprising that what you see the young children aspiring to become is to buy an okada that they can use for business. You see young men who would rather be political thugs than go to school. That worries me and I think we have to do something.
“It is for reasons like these that we have Boko Haram with us today. The other day, I watched an interview by one old politician and minister from Maiduguri. His father was a teacher, and he spoke about how he and others trekked very long distances to get to Nguru, where he schooled. He said the people had to write the District Officer, who later provided the funds to build a school that was not too distant from Maiduguri.
“Doesn’t it surprise you that if those people who lived during the colonial period would suffer that much just to get educated, what has now happened to the children who would rather embrace violence and Boko Haram instead of education? That is my fear. How do you situate this, that the grandchildren of people who gave so much to get educated are now saying education is a taboo. It is a dangerous trend. We all cannot fold our arms.”
For her, getting involved in the promotion of education, she said has come at a price. According to her, when the decision to start the school was made, she and her husband had the option to cite the school in Lagos, Abuja or Kogi. But after due considerations, the couple decided to cite the school in their local Iyagbede in Kogi State.
“When we were planning the school, several people advised that we cite it in either Lagos or Abuja. They said that would enable me to carry money home in baskets. But we had other ideas. I said I would love to carry the success of the children with those baskets instead of the money. And I tell you, that is what is happening now. Those children are those who would lead this country in the future.
“I must confess to you, that is my joy. True, I am a ‘city girl’ by all ramifications, but all of us cannot be in the city. Some of us need to go back and develop the rural areas. In the last Olympiad Mathematics competition, one of my students came third among the pool of students from all over the country. No joy can be better than that.”
Determined to give the best, she said she made trips to some schools in the US and Europe to see first-hand how their schools are run. Those trips, she said yielded positive results, as she met heads of institutions who were willing offer assistance, including donating precious books to her library.
“Even before we started the school, I had the privilege of going round the world. I went to schools in the US. For instance, I was at the school where Chelsea Clinton was. At that time, the Obama kids were there. I met the departmental heads of those schools and they were happy. And through a friend, I was able to get some books from them, voluntarily donated to us. All they asked us to do was to pay for the shipping cost of the books, and they are here with us now as I speak. Those trips gave me useful tips on how to run things here.”
As part of her quest for excellence, the school is run by the Lokoja Diocese of the Catholic Church. Her experience growing up in a Catholic home and Catholic schools for both her primary and secondary education, she confessed may have informed her decision to let the Catholic run the school.
“Though a non-denominational or religious school, our school is run by the Catholic. The principal is a Catholic sister. You see, whether you like it or not, the Catholic system of education is holistic, it is wholesome. We had to bring them in to run the school. It is a partner that has worked very well. The truth is that I am willing to work with whoever is able to give me the best, and the Catholic has given me that.
“Mind you, we have lots of Muslim children in the school. We also have Arabic Language as one of our subjects. All this has nothing to do with your religion, all we want is what is best for our children.”
Getting the best for the children, she said, would involve teaching the children foreign languages, which she said would equip them for leadership roles in the future.
“Apart from the common languages like English and French, we also teach Arabic Language. You know, the way the world is going, you need to speak a bit of Spanish, a lot Chinese and other major languages of the world. By next term, our Chinese teacher will arrive.
“I want my children to be citizens of the world. I want them to go to any country without any encumbrance. I want them to be ambassadors in the United Nations and be ambassadors of peace.”
With a tinge of passion permanently pasted on her face, she referred to the students as ‘my children’ as she rolled out her dreams for the school. The reason for this, she said, is because of the close relationship between her and the students.
“Wow! You asked to know why I call the kids my children? Of course, that is what they are to me.”
Looking into the future, Modupe Jemibewon would love to hear the children say she gave them her best. “I would love the children to say I gave them by best. You know, as Africans, we say a child is trained by many people around. I want them to say that I did all I could to give them a future, I mean a future that is secured.”
Apart from ensuring a standard education for the children, she is also particular about the need to educate the female child. The girls, who she described as future mothers, she said need specialised training to prepare them for the difficult task of home building.
“It is particularly unfortunate that you get to see girls on the street hawking when they are supposed to be in school. Many fathers would rather send their male children to school at the expense of the females. Such parents don’t know that they failed to prepare these girls for their future responsibility as mothers and home builders.
“I travel a lot by road. I am sad that each time I travel, I see these girls hawking along major roads. Such things were not possible in those days when parents would sell off their property to send their children to school, not minding whether those kids are boys or girls.”
Interestingly, apart from the children, she also speaks affectionately about her father and her husband. She told The Nation that it has been tough for her getting over the recent loss of her father. And she indeed proved how tough it has been when she barely summoned up courage to say a few words about him.
“My dad was my friend. But I don’t really want to talk about that now. He was my confidant. There were secrets between him and I that I dare not let my mum know about. I was very close to both of them, but like I said, I was closer to him than mum.”
Asked if it was her beauty that attracted her husband to her, Chief Modupe Jemibewon burst into a prolonged laughter, then shot back, “I don’t know. You may need to ask him”. After a little pause, she looked up as if trying to remember something very important. Then with her eyes like those of a teenager who has suddenly found love, she said: “I knew many soldiers, but David was one soldier that respected his mum. That was what made the difference for me. The fact that he respects his mum won my heart. For me, I respect my parents a lot, and I knew that any man that respects his parents, especially the mother, will definitely respect his wife.
“Though it was tough, but I thank God for everything. I must tell you that I have no regret at all for making that decision to give my heart to him.”
Not even age has taken away her love for preparing her husband’s meals whenever she had the opportunity. “Yeah, whenever I have the opportunity, I still make sure that I prepare his meals. But that is not often now because I travel a lot these days.”
