13/08/2026
The Baikie Brothers
The first thing Adam noticed when they resumed school was that Mr. Lanre seemed completely unconcerned about whether he attended school or not. The second was even more disturbing: Nasiru had never been enrolled in school at all. Punishment was meted out to the boys at the slightest mistake, and life under Mr. Lanre was becoming increasingly harsh and unpredictable.
The boys were made to join Mr. Lanre’s servant, a man named Musa, who was Igala, in the arduous work on the farm. Together with Mr. Lanre, they spent six days a week on the farm, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Their meals were sparse, often consisting of roasted yams or cassava eaten only once a day and washed down with water. Fortunately, there was a fruitful mango tree close to the farm. Its juicy fruits provided some nourishment for Adam, Nasiru and Musa and were perhaps their only welcome relief during those long, exhausting days.
The journey to and from the farm was another source of anxiety for Adam and his brother. The distance from the farm to Lokoja was considerable, taking them through long stretches of farmland and undeveloped areas. It was not uncommon for them to make the journey on foot between 5:30 and 6:30 in the evening. The stillness of the surrounding landscape frightened them, while the haunting calls of baboons echoing from the mountains made the journey even more terrifying.
It was a chilling experience for the boys. Yet, despite their exhaustion and fear, they were still expected to return home and attend to their regular household chores.
A few weeks after their parents had left, Adam developed a high fever. He became so ill that he could barely move. Rather than taking him to a hospital or seeking medical attention, Mr. Lanre became furious. He accused Adam of contracting the fever by swimming in the River Niger.
“Because you are a novice at swimming, you must have gulped lots of dirty water. That must be responsible for your high fever.”
Adam was stunned. Even if he had fallen ill through his own fault, his father would have first ensured that he received medical attention before reprimanding him. But the truth was that Adam had never swum in the River Niger. He was too frightened even to stand by the riverbank, let alone enter the water. Mr. Lanre, however, chose not to believe him.
Instead, he punished the sick boy with hot strokes of the cane, apparently to teach him a lesson never to go swimming again.
By Providence, Adam eventually recovered from the fever and was expected to return to school. He managed to attend for only a day or two before another interruption came. Mrs. Lanre announced that Adam would accompany her to visit her relatives in the Bassa-Nge District.
The journey was long and arduous. They spent virtually the whole day on the road, walking and sometimes stumbling along the difficult terrain. They crossed mountains, thickly forested valleys and streams, passing through numerous towns and villages before reaching their destination. They stayed there for a few days and then proceeded to another village, repeating the same exhausting journey.
Sadly, such journeys soon became a routine for the entire family.
Adam was always at the front of the little convoy, carrying Mr. Lanre’s personal clothing, provisions for the day and water on his head. Mrs. Lanre walked immediately behind him, carrying her baby on her back, with a bundle of the child’s clothes resting delicately on top. She was pregnant with her second child. Mr. Lanre usually brought up the rear, giving directions about the turns they were to take.
Adam never understood the purpose of these frequent visits to the Bassa-Nge area or why he had to accompany the family on such arduous journeys. One thing, however, was becoming increasingly clear to him: his schooling was being irretrievably disrupted.
Amazingly, his frequent absence from school did not appear to affect his academic performance. Adam remained an A student.
Then came the school’s speech and prize-giving day.
Adam was completely unaware that he was among the students who were to receive prizes. So when his name was announced, he could hardly fathom what the prize could possibly be for. He was certain, however, that it could not have been for punctuality or regular attendance.
As soon as his name was called, the students began to clap, recognising and encouraging him as he made his way towards the podium. He had no choice but to find his way through the crowd to collect his prize.
It was only then that he became painfully conscious of his appearance.
He was almost half-naked.
His shorts and shirt were in shreds, with dangling pieces of fabric held together by tired-looking threads. Suddenly conscious of the eyes upon him, Adam became deeply ashamed and was too embarrassed to continue towards the podium.
His predicament was noticed by one of the senior boys, Ajayi Adejumo. Ajayi was always neatly dressed and was a favourite among the pupils, partly because he was the school’s band leader. Seeing Adam’s embarrassment, he quickly beckoned him over and handed him his jacket so that he could proceed to the stage reasonably covered.
It was immediately obvious to everyone that the jacket was not Adam’s. It was far too large for him. It hung almost to his knees, while the shoulders were unusually broad. Yet, for Adam, it was a lifeline. It gave him enough dignity to walk to the podium and receive his prize.
Mr. Lanre, of course, was not there. There was no parent or guardian in the audience to cheer him on, pat him on the back or share in his moment of triumph.
The prize was a book titled Dr. Livingstone in Africa.
Adam treasured the book beyond measure. It became one of his most prized possessions. He carried it with him everywhere, including on his numerous journeys through the Bassa-Nge area. He scribbled notes in the margins and on whatever blank spaces he could find at the end of the chapters. The book became his inseparable companion and, in many ways, his refuge from the harshness of his circumstances.
When he eventually lost it, Adam wept.
While Adam continued to cling to his education whenever circumstances permitted, Nasiru could no longer bear the suffering.
The frequent beatings, the neglect, the hunger and the general hardship had become too much for the young boy. Unlike Adam, he was not even enrolled in school. Whatever hope he may have had of a different life seemed to have disappeared. Eventually, he apparently decided that he had had enough.
One day, Nasiru disappeared from the house.
He was barely seven years old—a fragile little boy at an exceedingly vulnerable age. When he failed to return by sunset, Mr. Lanre showed no sign of alarm. His response was remarkably casual.
Nasiru, he said, would return when he became hungry enough to want to eat.
But sunset became night. Night became another day. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.
Nasiru did not return.
And, astonishingly, Mr. Lanre made no effort to look for him.
Culled from Against All Odds by Prof Adamu Baikie
