From Umuokoro in Abia State to Isale-Eko in Lagos: My Journey from Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School to Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos
By Mazi Godson Odoemelam Azu
MBHS: 148 Years of Quality Education, Discipline and the Development of Potential
My Roots, My Family and My Lagos Island Childhood
My name is Mazi Godson Odoemelam Azu, and I hail from Umuokoro in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria.
Mine is a story of family heritage, humble beginnings, educational opportunities, youthful struggles, personal growth and enduring gratitude to the people and institutions that helped shape my life.
My late father, Mr Paul Amanze Azu, came to Lagos around 1942 and worked with John Holt Company until his retirement in 1986–1987. Lagos became the city in which he spent much of his working life and raised his family. My siblings and I were all born and brought up in Lagos, particularly around the historic Lagos Island environment that shaped our childhood.
Although my ancestral roots are firmly planted in Umuokoro, Abia State, my formative years were spent in Lagos, where the experiences of growing up, going to school and navigating the challenges of childhood laid the foundation for the person I would eventually become.
My educational journey began at Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School (OMS), Elegata–Agbogbon, off the eastern end of Broad Street, Lagos. It was there that I received my primary education and began the journey that would eventually take me to one of the most distinguished secondary schools of its time.
Little did I know that the opportunities opened to me in primary school would become some of the most defining experiences of my life.
The Day Methodist Boys’ High School Became My Destiny
In 1982, I was among the pupils selected from Methodist Primary School to proceed to Methodist Boys’ High School (MBHS), Lagos.
For my late father, this was a moment of tremendous pride and excitement. Having worked hard to provide for his family, the opportunity for his son to attend such a prestigious institution meant a great deal to him. I can still vividly recall his happiness, and I was equally excited.
For a young boy, gaining admission to MBHS was more than an educational milestone. It meant becoming part of an institution with a proud history of academic excellence, discipline, character formation and service to society.
I still remember the excitement of receiving my new school uniform from the tailor. It consisted of two white short-necked jackets, two white short-sleeved shirts, two pairs of white shorts, two school ties, two pairs of brown stockings and two pairs of brown Bata school shoes.
In those days, Bata Store, near Mandilas, was one of the favoured places to purchase quality school shoes, particularly for families like ours living on Lagos Island.
The new uniform was a welcome departure from the brown khaki uniform I had worn in primary school. To me, the white jackets, school ties and brown shoes symbolised a new beginning. I was stepping into another phase of life, one that would challenge me, teach me important lessons and leave me with memories that have endured for decades.
My First Day at No. 11 Broad Street
I will never forget my first day at Methodist Boys’ High School, situated at No. 11 Broad Street, Lagos, in the heart of Nigeria’s commercial and banking district.
What a remarkable location for a school!
Broad Street was synonymous with business, ambition and opportunity. Amid the busy commercial environment stood an institution devoted to educating young boys and preparing them for the responsibilities of adulthood.
On that first morning, I arrived looking smart in my new uniform and joined the school assembly. To my surprise, the then principal, the late Chief A. A. Oshenye, singled me out before the assembled students.
He presented me as an example of an acceptable school dress code for both new and returning students, drawing particular attention to my properly worn white jacket and brown school shoes.
Imagine that! I had barely arrived at my new school, yet I had already attracted the principal’s attention.
That unexpected recognition made me something of a popular new student during my first year. It also left me with a memory that remains remarkably clear in my mind to this day.
Looking back, I appreciate the lesson contained in that simple experience: personal presentation, attention to detail and discipline can make a lasting impression, even when we least expect it.
Little did I know, however, that the years ahead would bring experiences that would test my character, challenge my behaviour and shape my understanding of education and life.
From Broad Street to Maroko: A Turning Point in Our School Life
My experience at MBHS took a significant turn in 1983, when the school relocated students in Forms One to Three to its new site in Maroko, then known as Victoria Island Extension.
For those of us who had begun our secondary education at the prestigious Broad Street location, the move represented a major change in our school environment.
We were moving from the established commercial centre of Lagos Island to a developing suburban environment on the edge of Victoria Island. For many of us, this was more than a change of school premises; it was a change in our daily experiences, our social interactions and our understanding of life beyond the familiar streets of Broad Street.
The transition was not always easy.
We suddenly had to adjust to a different environment, new routines and the everyday challenges of getting to school. The experience of travelling in molue buses, dealing with bus conductors, competing for space during crowded journeys and navigating the rough-and-tumble realities of public transport became part of our daily lives.
We also encountered a different social atmosphere, including interactions and rivalries with students from some of the schools established during the Jakande administration.
For a young boy who had grown accustomed to the Broad Street environment, these experiences opened a new chapter in life. We were exposed to a different social setting, where we had to learn to adapt, assert ourselves and navigate new relationships.
In retrospect, I believe the relocation had a considerable influence on the attitudes and behaviour of many students. In my recollection, a substantial proportion of us experienced changes in our orientation, conduct and approach to school life.
The new environment was demanding, sometimes difficult, but also instructive. It taught us about resilience, adaptability, independence and the realities of growing up in a large and rapidly changing city.
However, not every lesson we learnt during that period was necessarily positive.
Some of us acquired habits and behavioural tendencies that did not always align with the standards expected of students at a school of MBHS’s reputation. The challenges of adolescence, peer influence and the desire to establish ourselves in a new environment sometimes competed with the discipline and academic focus our education demanded.
When we were given the opportunity to return to the Broad Street site to complete our Form Four and Form Five studies, some of us brought back behavioural habits acquired during our time in the suburbs.
For me, this became part of the complicated story of my secondary school years: a mixture of opportunity, adventure, mistakes, learning and eventual personal growth.
I do not recount these experiences to condemn the relocation or the students who passed through it. Rather, I tell the story as I remember it, because our school experiences were shaped not only by the lessons taught in classrooms but also by the environments in which we lived, travelled, interacted and matured.
Those years helped me understand that education takes place both inside and outside the classroom. The challenge is to distinguish between the experiences that strengthen our character and those that can distract us from our purpose.
A Student with Challenges, but a Determination to Succeed
My years at MBHS were not without difficulties.
Like many young people, I struggled at different times with behaviour, discipline and academic expectations. There were moments when I did not fully appreciate the consequences of my actions or the importance of making the most of the educational opportunity before me.
At some point, even my father became concerned about whether I would successfully complete my secondary education and perform well in my School Certificate Examination.
Yet, despite my shortcomings, I was fortunate to have teachers and a school administration that continued to give me opportunities to learn, improve and complete my studies.
I remain deeply grateful to the teachers who guided, advised and supported me. Although I may no longer remember every name, I have not forgotten their contributions to my development.
I particularly remember the teachers who taught me English Language, Economics, English Literature, Government and History. Their lessons extended beyond the subjects themselves. Through their guidance, I gained valuable insights into responsibility, perseverance, the consequences of our choices and the importance of seeing things through to completion.
Above all, I remain profoundly grateful to our late principal, Chief A. A. Oshenye.
Despite my behavioural challenges, he allowed me to remain in school, complete my Form Five studies and sit for my School Certificate Examination.
That decision made a significant difference in my life. He could have judged me solely by my shortcomings, but I was given the opportunity to finish my education and demonstrate what I could achieve.
When the examination results eventually arrived, I obtained good grades. The outcome was a source of pleasant surprise to those who had worried about my performance.
The principal congratulated me, and my father was equally delighted. The fears that I might struggle in the examination had given way to the happiness of seeing me achieve a respectable academic result.
For me, that was a defining moment.
It reinforced a lesson that has remained with me throughout my life: a person’s difficulties at one stage do not necessarily determine the outcome of their journey. With guidance, perseverance, opportunity and the determination to keep moving forward, it is possible to overcome setbacks and achieve meaningful results.
I was not the perfect student in terms of behaviour, but I completed my secondary education with good academic grades and a profound appreciation of those who refused to give up on me.
One of the greatest lessons MBHS taught me is that a young person’s potential should not be judged solely by the mistakes of the moment, but also by the possibilities that patience, guidance and a second chance can unlock.
A Proud Old Boy of a Distinguished Institution
My association with Methodist Boys’ High School remains a source of immense pride.
I am honoured to identify with an institution whose history, traditions and alumni have been associated with Nigeria’s development across many fields of human endeavour.
Over the generations, MBHS has been associated with distinguished public servants, military officers, political leaders, academics, jurists, medical professionals, bankers, architects, writers, entrepreneurs, traditional rulers and broadcasters.
Among the notable names I associate with the school’s history and alumni tradition are the following, grouped broadly by their contributions to public life and society.
Public service and political leadership
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first Governor-General and first President; Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, former Military Governor of Lagos State; the late Commodore Adekunle Lawal, former Military Governor of Lagos State; Chief Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State; and Senator Adolphus Wabara, former President of the Nigerian Senate.
Business, enterprise and public administration
Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank; Dr Akinola Maja, associated with the establishment of National Bank in 1933; Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, former minister, economist and playwright; F. B. Cardoso, former Accountant-General of the Federation; and Chief Olabode Ogunlana, associated with the World Scout Foundation.
Law and the judiciary
Sir Louis Mbanefo; Sir Kofoworola Abayomi; Chief H. O. Davies; Justice J. I. C. Taylor, former Chief Justice of Lagos State; Justice Fatayi-Williams, former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Justice G. B. Coker; Justice F. Dabiri; and Justice Y. A. Jinadu.
Education, scholarship, medicine and the arts
Professor Ola Rotimi, renowned playwright; Professor Oladele Ajose, pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University; Professor E. Latunde Odeku, a pioneering Nigerian neurosurgeon; Professor A. B. Aderibigbe; Professor B. A. Williams; Professor G. O. Olusanya; Professor Femi Kujore; Professor Sofowora, former Nigerian ambassador; Professor Osunkoya; Professor Monekoso; Professor Salako; Professor Afolabi Toye; Professor Ogunlana; Dr O. Obasa; E. J. Alex Taylor; Pa M. O. Onafowokan, identified in the school’s historical tradition as an early Nigerian architect; Dr L. A. Balogun; and Dr A. Olabimtan.
Military service, traditional institutions and other distinguished fields
The late Air Marshal Nureini Yussuff, former Chief of Air Staff; Vice Admiral Babatunde Elegbede; Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, the Akarigbo of Remoland; Oba Samson Adekoya Adesanya, the Onijagba of Ijagba, Sagamu; the late Oba Olufunso Adeolu, the Alaaye Ode of Ode Remo; His Royal Majesty Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla II; Sir Greg Enahoro; Akin Laguda; M. K. Gbajabiamila; Professor A. B. Aderibigbe; Rev. Tokunbo Jayesimi; Pastor Dr Olukoya; Bishop Emmanuel Adelaja; Bishop Esingila; and Fabio Lanipekun, the renowned sports broadcaster.
This is a remarkable tradition of public service, professional accomplishment and contribution to society. It reflects the important role that education has played in preparing generations of Nigerians for leadership, scholarship, enterprise and service.
For me, however, the significance of MBHS goes beyond the accomplishments of its most prominent alumni. It is also found in the countless personal stories of students who entered its gates with different abilities, backgrounds, ambitions and challenges, and who left with lessons that helped shape their futures.
I am proud to be one of them.
The Memories of My Classmates
Beyond the classrooms, teachers, uniforms and morning assemblies, school life was also about friendship, youthful adventures and the relationships formed along the way.
I still remember some of my classmates, including Femi Akinfenwa, Idris Owokonirn, Tosin Awoleye, Ajose, Howell, Fuama, the Bakare brothers, Sola Akinkugbe, Adamson, Di-Santos and Pereira, among others.
Their names bring back memories of a formative period in our lives, when we were young boys learning to navigate the demands of education, friendship, discipline and growing up.
We were at an age when the world seemed full of possibilities, yet we were still discovering ourselves and learning how to deal with the responsibilities and expectations placed upon us.
Our experiences were not always the same, but we shared the classrooms, the school environment, the challenges and the memories that became part of our collective story.
Life has since taken each of us along different paths. Nevertheless, our association with MBHS remains a bond that connects us across the years.
The friendships, laughter, youthful mistakes, lessons and shared experiences are woven into the fabric of our school memories.
To my classmates and fellow Old Boys, I salute you. Wherever life has taken you, may we continue to uphold the values of brotherhood, service, excellence and mutual respect that our school represents.
Beyond MBHS: My Quest for Higher Education
Completing my secondary education was an important achievement, but it was not the end of my educational journey.
Like many young Nigerians of my generation, I aspired to proceed to university. However, gaining university admission in Nigeria proved difficult, and the path to higher education did not unfold as I had hoped.
There were moments of uncertainty, but I refused to abandon the dream.
I continued to believe that education would open doors to greater opportunities and enable me to make a more meaningful contribution to society. The resilience I had developed through my experiences at MBHS became an important source of strength.
Eventually, my journey took me to the United Kingdom, where I found new opportunities to pursue my academic ambitions.
Drawing on the lessons, resilience and determination I had developed over the years, I continued my education at two distinguished London institutions: Birkbeck, University of London, and London Metropolitan University, pursuing studies in International Relations and Politics.
This was a significant chapter in my life. The young boy who had once faced doubts about his academic future had continued to learn, develop and pursue his ambitions beyond the shores of Nigeria.
My journey reinforced my belief that educational setbacks need not bring an end to personal aspirations. Sometimes, the road may be longer than anticipated, and the destination may differ from the one originally imagined. What matters is the determination to keep learning and moving forward.
Beyond my academic pursuits, I went on to publish three books and establish a consultancy business, applying my interests in politics, international relations, leadership, governance and development to professional and public engagement.
Looking back, I can see how the different stages of my life connect: my childhood in Lagos, my education at Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School, my years at MBHS, the challenges I faced as a student, and my subsequent pursuit of higher education in the United Kingdom.
Each stage contributed something to the person I am today.
I do not tell this story to suggest that my journey was without difficulties or that every ambition was achieved easily. I tell it because I know what it means to encounter obstacles, to have people doubt your potential, and to keep going until another opportunity emerges.
My life has taught me that perseverance does not guarantee an easy journey, but it can keep hope alive when the road ahead appears uncertain.
Gratitude, Reflection and the Journey Ahead
As I reflect on my journey from my ancestral home in Umuokoro, Abia State, through my childhood in Isale-Eko, Lagos, to my educational and professional experiences in the United Kingdom, I recognise that life is shaped by much more than individual ambition.
It is shaped by family sacrifice, educational opportunity, mentorship, institutional values, personal decisions and the willingness of others to give us room to learn from our mistakes.
My late father gave me the opportunity to pursue an education. My teachers guided me. My principal gave me a chance to complete my studies. My school provided an environment in which I could discover my strengths, confront my weaknesses and begin to understand the value of perseverance.
My subsequent experiences in the United Kingdom gave me further opportunities to pursue my academic interests, publish books and develop my professional path.
I cannot tell my story honestly without acknowledging these contributions.
I remain grateful to my late father, Mr Paul Amanze Azu, whose years of work and sacrifice helped create opportunities for his children. I remain grateful to the late Chief A. A. Oshenye and to all the teachers who contributed to my development at Methodist Boys’ High School.
Their influence reminds me that education is not merely about passing examinations or obtaining certificates. At its best, education equips people with the knowledge, values, discipline and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society.
My journey continues, and I remain conscious of the responsibilities that accompany every opportunity to serve, lead and make a difference.
MBHS at 148: Celebrating a Legacy, Inspiring the Future
As Methodist Boys’ High School celebrates 148 years of educational heritage, discipline and the development of potential, I join fellow Old Boys and well-wishers in celebrating an institution that has played an important role in the lives of generations of students.
For me, this celebration is deeply personal. It is an opportunity to revisit my childhood, remember my family, honour my teachers, appreciate my classmates and recognise the institution that provided an important foundation for my life.
My journey at MBHS was not perfect, but it was meaningful. It taught me that mistakes need not become permanent limitations, that discipline and guidance matter, and that an opportunity to complete one’s education can make a lasting difference.
I entered MBHS as a young boy from an Igbo family with ancestral roots in Abia State, growing up in Isale-Eko, Lagos, carrying the hopes of my family and the possibilities of an uncertain future.
I left with my School Certificate, cherished memories and a lifelong connection to an institution whose influence I continue to appreciate.
My journey beyond the school gates was not always straightforward. I encountered challenges in pursuing university admission in Nigeria, but I did not give up on my ambitions. My eventual move to the United Kingdom enabled me to continue my education, study International Relations and Politics, publish three books and establish a consultancy business.
When I reflect on these milestones, I am reminded that the seeds of perseverance, resilience and personal development are often planted much earlier in life than we realise.
For me, MBHS was more than a school. It was an important part of the foundation upon which subsequent chapters of my life were built.
As the institution celebrates its 148-year legacy, my hope is that it will continue to inspire young people, nurture their potential, uphold the highest standards of education and discipline, and prepare future generations to serve their communities, their country and humanity.
May the school’s proud traditions continue to guide students towards responsible citizenship, professional excellence and meaningful contributions to society.
Methodist Boys’ High School nurtured my yesterday, helped build my today and continues to inspire my future.
Long live Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos.
Long live the spirit of excellence, discipline, service and brotherhood among all MBHS Old Boys.
This is my journey. This is my story. And MBHS will always be part of it.
