School II (JSS II) pupil of Izon College, Bomadi-Overside in
Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
Though older than all the pupils, teachers and
even the principal of the school, Mr. Adalabu
Seribor believes ‘book’ is serious business.
“I don’t joke with my studies,” he stated
matter-of-factly.
“Why should I anyway, when I am already
old? In fact, I cannot afford to repeat a class. I
ensure I don’t miss classes and I take my home
assignments very seriously. Whenever I don’t
understand anything, I ask my teacher after
class to help me out. This method has been
working out well because all my subject
teachers are always ready to help.”
A wheelbarrow pusher, Adalabu, who is fondly
called Oyinbo, recounted how he was received
by his teachers on his first day in school.
“My first day in school remains memorable.
Maybe due to the fact that I am the oldest
person in school or because they knew me as a
wheelbarrow pusher, my entrance was marked
by a rousing welcome. Everyone, including the
principal, trooped out to have a glimpse of me.
I was dressed in the school uniform—a mint
green shirt, a pair of dark green trousers and a
beret to match. I had to hang my bag on my
back because I am a pupil. I had been
interviewed by the principal before my
resumption and during our interaction, he
considered me for JSS II instead of JSS I. He
knew I would cope very well,” he said.
Born of parents who were not literate—his
father was a hunter— Seribor dropped out of
school in his teenage years.
“I was in primary four when my father said he
could no longer afford to pay my school fees.
Then, I had lost my mother, who died during
child birth when I was a little boy. I was raised
by my grandmother but I was later taken to my
father when he remarried.”
At a point, he was taken to an uncle, who was a
magistrate in Bayelsa State. Seribor said he
returned to his father when he could not
endure the hardship.
He recalled, “I went through pains and
hardship from my early life to adulthood. I
went through struggles but I had the
opportunity to go to school when a relative,
who was a magistrate at Ekeremor in Bayelsa
State, took me to his house.
“But because of early morning beatings due to
my failure to greet him when rising from bed, I
went back to my father. I had no opportunity
to go to school since then. I continued to
labour for survival in life, which I am still
doing.”
But after many years through menial jobs,
especially wheelbarrow pushing and waste
disposal, which he engaged in order to earn a
living on his own, he arranged for a home tutor
who taught him both primary five and six
syllabus.
He said, “Through that, I sat for the primary
school leaving certificate examination and I
thank God I passed it very well. I have that
certificate already as a first step.”
But he was thirsty for higher studies. The fact
that he was a primary school dropout pained
him.
“I was not comfortable seeing myself in this
modern world as a semi-illiterate when I knew
that I am brilliant. Suddenly, something in me
told me that it was never too late to go back to
school if I so desired and was determined. That
was how I enrolled again in secondary school.
Luckily for me, education is free in Delta
State,” he said.
He is planning to be a teacher.
“I will ensure I further my education after my
secondary school to at least, a college of
education and obtain the National Certificate in
Education, and become a teacher. I just love
teaching,” he enthused.
But wouldn’t his going to school disturb the
business he has been doing for about five
decades? Seribor disagreed. He said he needs
the money to foot his bills and, therefore,
devised an after-school method.
“Many of my customers are aware of the new
development in my life and as a way of
supporting me, they wouldn’t mind waiting for
my services till I return from school,” he said.
Erasing any feeling of insecurity in a classroom
of children he could refer to as his
grandchildren, Seribor said he never
experienced any dull moment while in school.
“They all call me Papa. Some even call me
Daddy and I play with them whenever the need
arises. They all love me and we relate very well
with one another,” he said.
His class teacher, Mr. Edsemi Anesah,
confirmed Seribor’s zeal concerning his studies.
Already, he said, the 60-year-old’s performance
was very impressive.
“He is determined to graduate from secondary
school in five years’ time with good grades.
Seribor is not only committed and hard-
working; he is also humble and respectful. If he
should hold on to his dream and remain
committed as he is currently doing, he will
definitely become what he wants to become
after graduation—a teacher. That is why I see
him as an encouragement to many youths and
older adults, who had no opportunity of formal
education in their early life, to now consider
the second-chance option,” Anesah opined.
Interestingly, Seribor is still a bachelor.
At 60, why is he not married when his mates
are already grandfathers?
His response was quick: “No woman wants to
marry a poor man.”
Despite this, he expressed a desire to get
married before completing his secondary
education and also raise a family of his own.
“I have been suffering and I had no money to
marry. All the women I spoke to despised me. I
work hard to earn a living, looking for fortunes
with no help from anywhere. I will be living on
my own till God gives me a wife.”
With no helpmate, the 60-year-old pupil
revealed that he cooks his meals and washes
his clothes all alone.
He said, “I can cook well and I’m a good cook. I
wash my clothes, including my school uniform
(s). I know I will get a wife even though I’m
facing challenges currently.”
So, what kind of woman does he desire for a
wife?
Painting the picture of his woman, Seribor said,
“My ideal wife must be hard-working, very tall
and should be dark-complexioned. I don’t
mind any tribe as long as she is humble and
resourceful. She should be about 50 years plus
—I don’t want a small girl that will bully me in
the house. If I don’t find an older woman to
marry, then she should be in her 30s because
she must be able to give birth to my children.
She should also know how to cook good food
and take care of me.”
Are there other qualities he desires in a
woman?
“Yes, she must be educated but respectful,” he
said.
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