Six Years Later
Apex University of Science and Technology (AUST), Lagos State, Nigeria.
Week 2: Tuesday
********
Alex stared at the signboard in annoyance, frustration clearly written all over him. He adjusted his glasses and wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. He couldn't decipher any useful information from the so-called 'school map,' as two-thirds of the board had been covered by the notorious reddish-brown oxide of iron. Navigating his way around the school had been a Herculean task since he started his clearance process yesterday. Most of the students he had asked for directions had looked at him suspiciously before speaking to him, offering little useful information. A particular group of mischievous students whom Alex believed had sent him on a wild goose chase.
Even the school administrative staff weren't much better; most of them were very condescending.
Just yesterday, he had no choice but to sweep the office of the administrator for physical clearance because, according to the short, plump woman:
"The cleaning staff hasn't resumed yet, and I can't attend to you in a dirty office."
Then another admin staff at the ICT centre had critically cross-examined him. Alex had answered the man's series of questions about his former school with insightful, well-thought-out responses, but the man seemed to think Alex was trying to come off as a know-it-all. Irritated by the assumption, Alex decided to take a different approach for the next round of personal questions, responding with intentionally vague and straightforward answers, no longer bothering to elaborate.
"So your name is Alexande Johnson?" The man had asked as he typed on the computer.
"Sir, that's a typo. it's Alexander. There is an 'r' at the end." Alex had corrected.
The man lips had curled downwards. "Do you want to teach me my job!"
"Sorry Sir," Alex had apologized, biting back his frustration.
The man had given him a condescending look before typing, "Alexander Johnson."
"Yes Sir."
"You don't have a native name?"
"No Sir."
"Your parent did not give you a native name or you don't know it?"
"I don't have one Sir."
"Why didn't they give you one?"
"I don't know Sir."
"Does your father have a native name?"
"Yes Sir."
"Then why don't you have one?"
"I don't know sir."
"Which one is yes-sir-no-sir?" the man pressed, his tone dripping with annoyance. "Why can't you give reasonable explanations?"
Alex's response was detached, his mind elsewhere. "Sorry Sir, I have no idea why my parents didn't give me a native name."
The man's frown deepened. "Do you think you're still in primary school, answering questions like a 10-year-old? This is a university, young man. You'd better wise up!" His voice took on a patronizing tone. "And do ask your parents to remind you of your native name. I'm certain you have one."
Alex had also stood under the scorching sun in a series of queues with First-Year students before he could be attended to. On several occasions, he had tried to cut the line by introducing himself as a transfer student, but the officials gave him the same rude reply each time.
"So what if you're a transfer student? This is still your first time attending this school. You're just like every other freshman here. Please go back to the end of the line and wait your turn."
Fortunately, all that was now behind him. His current predicament, however, was locating the Computer Science Departmental Office. After completing his college clearance early this morning, the official who had attended to him instructed him to proceed for his departmental clearance. When Alex asked for directions to the office, the man had told him to use the school map posted outside the administrative building.
Alex turned away from the signboard as he noticed a student clad in designer clothes walking by. He quickly hurried towards him.
"Excuse me, can you point me in the direction of the Computer Science Departmental Office?" Alex asked.
The guy absentmindedly pointing behind Alex's shoulder. "There," he muttered, already walking away.
Alex turned around, following the finger, and frowned. The Student Bursary office.
He had already visited there the previous day to stamp his receipts. Great! Another dead end, he thought, his frustration mounting.
He hissed in frustration and walked toward the building. He asked a few students standing in a queue outside the office, but none of them had any idea. They were mostly freshers.
Alex spotted a tall young man standing at the far end of the building, chatting with a female student. He had a tag pinned to his shirt that read, "ASK ME ANYTHING. SUG Walfare Committee."
As the lady left, Alex quickly approached the him.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Computer Science Departmental Office is?" This was the ninth time he had asked someone that question today.
The SUG student smiled politely. "Sure. Just cross that road. Can you see that parking lot over there?" He pointed to a parking lot in the distance.
Alex quickly nodded, glance in the direction the guy had indicated, finally feeling a flicker of relief.
"Good, beyond that parking lot is where all the College of Science departmental offices, lecture halls, labs, and even the library are located. Once you get there, just ask around for the 'CSC GLH' hall or use the signs hung at the top of the halls. Or better still, just ask for 'Big John'. He's a very popular guy in that department, and he'll be able to help you with everything you need."
Alex gratefully thanked the guy and began to leave when the guy called him back.
"You're a new student, right?" he asked.
"Kind of, I'm on transfer," Alex replied.
"Nice! What church do you attend?"
Alex paused, momentarily thrown off by the question. What's with the sudden church talk? he thought. He decided to play along, after all, the guy had been helpful.
"I just came to Lagos recently, but I used to attend a Catholic church at my former campus."
"Wonderful! Well, I won't waste much of your time since I can see you're in a hurry. I'd like to invite you to our weekly student fellowship. You know, school isn't just about books, studying, or going to Sunday-sunday church. You also need Jesus on the other days of the week. You need your Salvation. I mean, what will you gain if you get a First Class and lose your soul? I'm not saying that..."
And that was how Alex found himself standing there for another five minutes, giving his fake attention by nodding and maintaining eye contact.
Great, now he was stuck listening to this guy's sermon, Alex thought to himself, feeling the minutes drag on. Is this what this school was all about now? Wasting people's time?
When he had had enough, Alex decided to cut the conversation short.
"Sorry, but I need to leave now. I still have other clearances to take care of," he said, his tone polite but firm.
"Okay, just give me your number so I can remind you," the guy said, pulling out a jotter and a pen.
"I think it's better if you just dial it now, so I can save your number. I don't pick calls from unidentified numbers," Alex said smoothly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"That's a wise policy," the guy replied, impressed, as he fumbled for his phone.
Alex read out his digits, and the SUG guy typed them in. Ten seconds later, Alex's phone rang. He quickly showed the guy the incoming call before slipping the phone back into his pocket.
"Thanks for your time, and as you come, may God richly bless you," the guy said.
"Amen," Alex replied, already turning to walk away.