Lecturer wahala
Emeka was a chronic “late comer”. Not because he was lazy. Danfo traffic in Lagos doesn’t respect anyone.
One Monday, Dr. Bello announced: “Pop test by 8am. No entry after 8:00. Sharp.” Emeka set 3 alarms. Still slept off.
He woke up 7:45am. Ran. Bus. Jump. Sprint. Reached faculty gate 7:59am. Sweating, shirt inside-out. He dashed to hall. 8:00am on the wall clock.
Dr. Bello was at the door with a marker. “8:00:01. No entry.” Emeka begged, “Sir, please! My bus broke down. I was here 7:59am.”
Dr. Bello looked at him. “Rule is rule, Mr. Emeka. If I open for you, 50 others will have ‘bus wahala’ tomorrow.” Door closed.
Emeka sat outside, defeated. 30 mins later, the test ended. Dr. Bello came out, saw him still there. “You didn’t leave?” Emeka said, “Sir, I just wanted you to know I tried.”
Dr. Bello stared, then sighed. “Come to my office 2pm.” Emeka’s heart sank. “Expulsion?”
2pm, Dr. Bello gave him a different paper. “You’re not getting free marks. But I saw effort. Life rewards people who show up, even at 7:59am. Do this one. Pass, and we move.”
Emeka passed. Not because of mercy, but because he refused to leave after the door closed.
*Moral: Lecturer wahala is real. But sometimes the test after the test is “Will you still try?”* 📝
