THE LAST DAYS AT FORCADOS HIGH SCHOOL

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTERS

Chapter One: the Return of Wole

This chapter began with Jimi’s encounter with Wole after he had been away from home. Jimi was woken up by Wole in the early hours of morning by offering him a vigorous handshake. Wole’s mother, Mrs Solade and Jimi, his brother were at least happy that Wole was back, but their father, Kola Solade would not like to set his eyes on him. This was shown by the reaction of their father   when he came to the sitting room that very morning and found Wole watching early morning cartoons on the television. He was about to call the police to arrest him when his wife, Kemi with Jimi intervened to plead on behalf of Wole. Wole was an irresponsible son of Mr Solade who had falsified their father’s signature and made away with a huge sum of money which has made his father perpetually angry with him. Nevertheless, Wole never took anything serious even his father’s reactions that morning meant nothing to him.

Chapter Two: The First Day of the School Year at Forcados High School.

This chapter talked about the First Term resumption day at Forcados High School after the long third term holidays. The students had assembled themselves under the co-ordination of the head boy, Seyi Lawal who had grown fat from the holidays. The principal, Mr Mallum welcomed the students and reminded them of the imminent challenges which include the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination for the final year students. After the assembly, many students came to greet Jimi and his friend, Ansa. More students clustered around Jimi who was an epitome of cordiality and versatility.  Nene Ekpo who lived in the same street with Ansa and Jimi also came and greeted them. After school, Jimi went behind the classroom to contemplate about his family situation. He decided that nothing would bother him again nor stop him from being the best student, both in sports and in academics. Suddenly, he was interrupted by the head boy who came to call him for a prefect meeting with the principal.

Chapter Three: Efua’s First Day at Forcados High School.

This chapter began with the arrival of Efua and her mother, Funmi at the house of her mother’s cousin, Moni. Efua was meant to stay there from where she would be attending Forcados High School, having been expelled from her former school, St. Catherine’s School in Abuja. Efua’s aunt introduced her niece, Efua to Nene Ekpo who had come to visit aunty Moni with her mother. The next day, Nene came with Efua to school. All eyes were on Efua, partly because of her very attractive appearance and also the fact that it was very unusual for someone to join the final year class at Forcados High School. Nene introduced Jimi and Ansa to Efua and vice versa. However, Efua received them coldly and reminded Jimi how he had placed a dead lizard on her table, some years ago. At the end of the classes, Efua went to the principal’s office feeling displeased owing to the several outrageous interrogations directed to her by the teachers during classes. No sooner had Efua left her former school than she began to regret. She felt isolated and began to cry having been separated from her mother, stepfather and friends at Abuja.

Chapter Four: Jimi’s Adventure with Wole

Mr Solade was looking for his briefcase when Jimi returned from school. He was very angry because he thought that Wole had stolen the briefcase with which he wanted to travel that afternoon. However, it was later found by his wife after a thorough search. Soon after Mr Solade had travelled, Wole came to the room. He was very happy that their father whom he referred to as an old lion had travelled and he shouted for joy. Wole changed his shirt and was about to leave and Jimi followed him because he thought that was a rare opportunity to spend time with his brother, Wole especially while he was in good mood. They went to the bar which was dark, crowded and noisy. Bottles of drinks were spread on the table surrounded by a group of irresponsible young men. They joined in the drinking and smoking though Jimi had not wished to do so but he could not resist the pressure. Jimi felt very uneasy in such an atmosphere of alcohol, cigarette smoke dim light and loud music. The police later arrived at the scene but Jimi had seen them earlier and thus ran ahead of them. Wole later came back after midnight.

Chapter Five: Efua’s Attitude and Experience at Forcados High School.

Efua has adapted to her new environment. She wrote on her diary, expressing her regrets, and how she had missed her former schoolmates. Efua’s seemingly unwelcomed attitude at her new school had made her an object of discussion by many students. Though she appeared very attractive but her attitude was perceived to be the reverse, and the students had nicknamed her “The Witch”. Owing to her rare beauty, a lot of students had been trying to gain her attention including Jimi who had been glancing at her and was determined to win her friendship at all cost. In this bid, he had answered brilliantly a question on momentum by the Physics teacher, Mr Vann but Efua only perceived it as a pompous show off. Another student by the name Jolly tried to the best of his abilities to be her friend. He went to the extent of accompanying her to the guidance counsellor’s office but she blatantly refused and told him to get lost when he grabbed her hand.  This made Jolly furious and he was determined to deal with her. Nene had cautioned Efua to be careful with boys like Jolly who could get very unpleasant. When Caro who had been a friend to Jimi since class two had discovered that Jimi had been directing his attention away from her to the new student, Efua, she became hostile to Efua and Jimi.

Chapter Six: Efua Visits Nene

Nene having begun her chores for the day which started with taking her younger brother home from Mother’s Joy Nursery School. She was in the kitchen, cooking with her mother, Mrs Ekpo when Efua arrived. Efua had been alone in the house. She joined them in the cooking. Efua commended Nene’s mother as being a nice woman. Nene replied that her mother must be nice too and that Jimi’s mother was also nice. At the mentioning of the name Jimi, Efua showed a dark expression on her face and Nene wondered why Efua disliked Jimi. However, Nene was gradually becoming jealous of Efua over how the boys including Jimi were seeking her friendship.

Chapter Seven: The Mid-Term Dinner

A Youth Corper by name Miss Agbenenovi, shortly called Miss Novi came to Forcados High School. She was to teach English with Mr Salami. The hall was decorated in preparation for the Mid-Term Dinner Ansa had designed a big painting that was a centre of attraction in the decoration. Jimi was almost everywhere participating actively in virtually all things. In the midst of the preparation, a junior student fainted and was resuscitated by the corper. The masterly performance of Miss Novi during the resuscitation of the fainted boy deeply attracted Efua’s attention to the corper. Later, the party started and the students began to dance in pairs as ordered by the DJ. Efua danced with Jide who was very small and harmless. Jimi interfered and wanted to dance with Efua, but she refused and left. As she was leaving, Jimi inadvertently, bumped into someone carrying glasses of drinks and the content poured all over Efua. Caro laughed at her and only very few felt sorry for her. Towards the end of the party, Efua and Miss Novi got to know more about each other and they talked about charity work.

Chapter Eight: The Inter-house Sports Tournament and the Christmas Concert.

Towards the end of the First Term, there was inter-house sports competition among the four houses in the school namely: lion, tiger, cheetah and leopard. Nene was also organizing a carol night with the music teacher. She had asked Efua to join and sing in the tenor section. Initially, she did not consent due to her busy schedule with Miss Novi, but later accepted. Nene was with Efua when Jimi came to tell her that his house- Tiger house had won the basket ball match. Efua left abruptly. Though, Jimi thought that Efua hated him, but he never gave up trying to associate with her. When he discovered that Efua would be singing in the carol, he asked Nene if he could join the choir even though he was not used to that. During the inter-house competition, Jimi came first while Icheen Igbo came second in the hundred metres race. The Christmas concert took place in the hall which was well decorated with the help of Ansa. The choir group was beautifully organized by the music teacher. Nene, Efua and Jimi were all in the choir. Nene sang all the soprano solos while Jimi sang in the bass section. The music teacher commended them for their wonderful performances. At the end of the term, Jimi won the best athletes trophy and prize for the best exam result. The principal had also commended Efua for her excellent result. All were happy except Ansa who had failed his First Term exam.

Chapter Nine: Jimi’s Mother Falls Sick

On the night following the New Year Day, Jimi was at home all alone with his mother and their house help, Risikat. There was a sudden knock at Jimi’s door and it was Risikat who came to inform him that his mother had fainted. Jimi ran to the kitchen and found her mother lying helplessly on the ground. However, she came round after five minutes. She was persuaded by Jimi to go to the hospital for check-up and there, she was admitted. Mrs Solade was diagnosed of ovarian cancer but she kept on assuring Jimi that things would be alright. Jimi came to the hospital with his father to see his mother. Jimi’s mother kept on asking about everyone including Wole and how things were going on at home. When Jimi’s friends heard about his mother’s illness they came to the hospital to visit her. Ansa and his parents came likewise Nene and her parents.

Chapter Ten: Jimi’s First Friendly Relationship with Efua

During the second term when classes had begun in earnest, the Chemistry teacher Mr Edet asked Jimi to assist him in the laboratory after classes. Jimi had helped Mr Edet in the laboratory and was washing his hands at the tap when Efua who had also stayed behind with Miss Novi saw him as she was passing by. She felt an unusual tenderness towards him, having been told by Nene that his mother had been sick. She expressed her sympathy towards Jimi and both of them walked home together. There was a pandemonium on the road, sequel to the fight between the police and the area boys. They ran for safety in an uncompleted building but Efua seeing a disabled child approaching the scene of the incidence ran to rescue him for fear of being hurt. They took refuge at the ice cream bar owned by Samu until the uproar died down. They then took the boy to his boarding school and continued their journey, chatting until they reached Efua’s house. They bade farewell to each other as Efua went inside while Jimi continued his journey to his house. Despite the challenge of his mother’s illness, he went to sleep that night with some degree of joy and fulfillment.

Chapter Eleven: The Death of Jimi’s Mother

 Jimi had been missing a lot of social activities such as football practice and parties owing to his mother’s illness. The day he participated in the football practice following the Coach’s order in preparation for the forthcoming matches. He was not co-ordinated and thus was missing passes which made the coach send him out of the field. Efua had become friendlier with Jimi and together with Ansa and Nene visited Jimi’s mother at the hospital and Nene would always lead them in prayer. Eventually, Mrs Solade gave up the ghost on a Saturday morning. The doctor told his father that they had done their best but that the prognosis was very poor. Many of Jimi’s relations came to be with them including Jimi’s elder brother, Femi who had returned from the United Kingdom. Jimi’s mother was buried in a private cemetery and his school friends attended the funeral together with Ansa, Nene and Efua. He wept bitterly and wished that it was all a nightmare.

Chapter Twelve: Jimi and Wole Left Alone in the House.

Mr Solade had travelled abroad. He said he would be away for five months. He assured Jimi and Wole that things would be better and that Jimi should take care of his elder brother, Wole. After they had accompanied their father to the airport, Jimi had a strange feeling that his father might not come back. No sooner had Mr Solade travelled than Wole began his wild behaviour of smoking and partying. The noise from their apartment was so loud that Mr Izaegbegbe, Ansa’s father complained about it. Wole’s bad attitude had influenced Jimi. He had taken heroin and was feeling sick and sleepy in the class. He had also scored abysmally low in the last Mathematics test. Jimi’s change of attitude became a matter of great concern to his friends; Efua, Ansa and Nene that they decided to visit him. When they got to Jimi’s house, the door was open with dim light and loud music and people were partying and dancing while Jimi was sleeping on the armchair. They woke him up and began to talk with him. They advised him to stay away from Wole to avoid being corrupted further. Ansa suggested that he should come over to their house to stay with him and Jimi accepted.

Chapter Thirteen: Jimi and Efua’s friendly relationship grows stronger

Jimi was getting over his mother’s death and Wole’s bad influence as he stayed with Ansa. Jimi stood on the lines hailing his teammates who were playing a friendly match with St. Edmund’s Comprehensive School. At half time, he ran to Efua who was also a spectator of the match. Jimi was happy that she was getting interested in watching football match. Nene came across Ansa who was holding a large square of canvas bearing Efua’s image which he had made for her because she admired his art work and encouraged him. Jimi and Efua were talking at the food kiosk and she told him that she would like to be a medical doctor. She thought that Jimi would also think along the same line with her because of his intelligence, but Jimi was not interested in medicine. Later in the day, Nene visited Efua to reconcile with her in regard to the tiff they had and also to collect back her Biology textbook from her. Efua’s aunt complained to Nene about Efua’s busy lifestyle which she seemed to be finding intolerable. When Nene came back home she opened the Biology textbook and found a small dark booklet containing Efua’s letter to Miss Novi in romantic verbal expressions that would somewhat raise the suspicion of perverted lovers. Nene showed the letter to Jimi who had promised never to disclose it to anybody else.

Chapter Fourteen: Efua and Miss Novi are accused of lesbianism

The next day, the news of Efua’s letter to Miss Novi had spread among the students. Efua was told on arrival to school by Joke about the terrible things the students were saying about her and Miss Novi which include that they were lovers and they kiss and hug each other. When Nene saw the students reading the letter, she almost fainted because she could not understand why Jimi should publicize what he had shown him in private even after he had promised never to do so. The news got to the principal who invited Efua and Miss Novi together with the vice principal and the guidance counsellor to look into the matter. Efua admitted that she wrote the letter and the corper stated categorically that there had not been any improper relationship between her and Efua. After many interrogations, they were dismissed and Efua was excused by the principal from school for the rest of the day. The principal also asked her to bring her mother or guardian as soon as possible. Efua was crying as she came out of the principal’s office but she suddenly stopped crying when she saw Jimi. She told him about what had happened. Instead of Jimi sympathizing with her, he was rather indignant.

Chapter Fifteen: Efua with her mother and aunt arrives at Forcados High School

The principal had expressed his disapproval over the students’ attitude towards Efua for her letter to Miss Novi. He stated that Efua Coker was a fellow student who deserved not to have been treated like an outcast and that Miss Novi should have been respected as a teacher. After that, he had Jolly Stephen flogged publicly with ten strokes of the cane because it was discovered that he was the one that collected the letter from Jimi’s locker and photocopied it out of a malicious desire to disgrace Efua. When Efua’s mother arrived at the principal’s office with Efua and aunty Moni, she unhesitatingly began to apologize to the principal concerning the matter even though Efua had claimed not to have done anything wrong but her mother would never believe her.  At home, Efua’s mother scolded her severely which made her stay quietly in her room without talking to anybody. She had refused to eat for three days and aunty Moni became terrified. During this period, Efua had several dreadful nightmares. She felt an impending harm and decided to leave her room. She walked along the Street of Lagos and due to lack of strength she fell and lay unconsciously on the ground from where she was taken to the hospital. When she woke up, she had been surrounded by doctors in their white coats and she was diagnosed of severe malaria.

Chapter sixteen: Nene Visits Efua at the Hospital

Nene felt terrible and guilty of all that had happened to Efua. She attributed all the faults to herself. She told her mother about that and she advised her to visit Efua and explain everything to her. Nene was initially reluctant but later accepted. Efua had received a lot of gifts and cards from her former school friends. Ansa had designed a card for her while her former school principal, Mrs Obange had sent her a warm letter. Efua was already feeling much better when Nene visited her in the hospital She had baked a cake for her. Nene apologized to Efua after explaining to her how her letter got circulated among the students. Nene confessed that she had been jealous of her but then she was deeply sorry for her action. As Nene was about to leave, Efua told her to wait and then began to tell her about her life experience with her stepfather who married her mother when she was twelve years. Since then, he had been making amorous advances towards her. He had had sexual affairs with Efua severally and threatened to kill her if she ever disclosed it. Even when she told her mother, she did not believe her. When she could no longer bear that, she stabbed him. Efua concluded that there must be something in her that always led to people’s destruction. She wept as she narrated the story. Nene joined her and cried a little and then re-assured her, telling her that it was not her fault and nevertheless she would become a great person.

Chapter seventeen: Jimi Returns to his House

Jimi could no longer stay comfortably with Ansa who had been finding fault with him over how he had treated Efua. Jimi tried defending himself by saying that Efua was not sincere with their friendship. Ansa reminded him of how Efua had acted kindly towards Jimi when he had trouble with his brother, Wole. Jimi was touched by Ansa’s words. Back in his home, Jimi lay on his bed contemplating about Efua even though he was trying not to do so. Then Wole came in, looking nervous and jerky. He had made away with the money of those whom he sold drug with and they were threatening to kill him. He had come to ask Jimi for money to reimburse them. Jimi was terrified when Wole narrated the story to him. Having been told by his parents to look after his brother, he was determined to do anything to safeguard the life of his brother. Jimi then gave him some money, shirts and watch and accompanied him to the bus stop. Wole bade farewell as he walked into the darkness.

Chapter Eighteen: The Theft at the Lab and Efua’s Return to School

It was on Monday morning that the head boy Seyi Lawal told Jimi about the burglary at the Chemistry lab and the stealing of the new microscope and other items from the school laboratory. Jimi ran to the laboratory and saw Mr Edet, the Chemistry teacher and the Lab technicians looking in utter bewilderment. One of the lab technicians stated that the stealing must have been done by someone who had access to the lab, since there was no evidence of break in the key, windows or doors. This made Mr Edet, request for the key he gave to Jimi on Friday prior to the incident. Jimi rummaged through his bag, but could not find it. Little did he realize that his brother, Wole took the key from his bag, and made away with the lab equipment. That same morning, Efua returned to school with Nene, having been discharged from the hospital. Ansa came to welcome her.  Jimi also came and told her that he was sorry, but she paid no attention to him but told him to go away and Caro, Jimi’s former girlfriend was laughing maliciously. The next day the principal asked Jimi to provide the key, but Jimi having searched every nook and cranny could not find the key. The the principal broke the news that the thieves had been caught by the police, while trying to sell the equipment. He further stated that the leader of the culprits was Wole Solade, who claimed that Jimi Solade was the person that masterminded the whole affair. Within a short time, the news spread round the whole school and Jimi was taken to the police station.

Chapter Nineteen: Jimi’s Apology and Efua’s Defensive Speech in his Favour.

 Jimi had gone to the police station, and saw Wole in the cell behind the counter. The principal contacted their uncle, Kazeem, and Wole was granted bail.  Just before Jimi left the station with his uncle, Wole called him aside, and told him to accept that he – Jimi, was the one that masterminded the whole thing that led to the stealing of the lab equipments. In the belief that Jimi could be easily forgiven by the principal who held him in high esteem whereas Wole would be locked up in the prison for years. Jimi, moved with compassion for his brother accepted, and said yes to the police that he was responsible for the theft. Everybody was shocked especially the principal and the teachers who expressed their great disappointment to Jimi. However, Jimi thought, though he had disappointed everybody but much more important to him was that his brother would not be locked up for years. Following this incident, Jimi’s friends deserted him except Ansa and Nene who came to encourage him. Jimi was like an outcast as he served his punishment of cutting grass and being banned from all social activities. At this juncture, he began to understand how Efua had felt during her period of predicament. In addition, Mr Mallum had requested that Jimi had to apologize publicly to the whole school. On that day, the whole students gathered and Jimi began to speak. He went straight to the point, asking the school to forgive him that he was wrong, and had no excuses. Hardly had he finished when Efua took permission to speak. Everybody was inquisitive to know what she was about to say especially Jimi. Then she began to speak. First, she expressed her approval for the recovery of the stolen equipment and the arrest of the culprits. Secondly, she asked the principal while he was always in a haste to accept any information that does not speak well of a student without adequate probing. Since Jimi had been a student worthy of character, right from his junior secondary, how then could he, the principal easily believe the testimony that said that Jimi was responsible for the stealing. She pointed out that it is a real proof of lack of care and concern on the part of the principal towards his students. Finally she challenged the principal to investigate the matter again, for he would surely find a victim. Then Ansa shouted that Jimi was innocent. That he was only taking the blame on behalf of his brother, Wole. In a moment, the students burst into applause. At this point Jimi could not withhold his emotion as he said in his mind- Efua stood for me while I did not stand for her. Suddenly, he burst into tears and began to cry before the whole assembly.

Chapter Twenty: The end of the School Year and the Release of the Final Year Results.

The result of the final year students of Forcados High School came out in the month of October.  Most of the students had come off with flying colours especially Jimi Solade who had won a scholarship to study electrical engineering in the University. Jimi had also collected prizes in Chemistry, Physics and Technical drawing during the valedictory service held on July. Jimi’s friends –Ansa and Nene had also done well and had the ambition to study Architecture and Accountancy in the University respectively. Efua had travelled abroad from where she wrote a letter to Jimi. In the letter, she told him that she was looking forward to studying Medicine in the University. She also told him that what he intended doing for his brother was wonderful (the sweetest thing). After reading the letter Jimi realized that he might not see Efua again but would never forget her. He felt both happy and sad as he thought of her. Then Ansa came and they began to express their joy for the glorious year as they laughed copiously.