Summary of the Lekki Headmaster Chapter two
Detailed Summary of Chapter Two: The Enticement
Bepo’s Emotional Struggles and Revelation
The chapter begins with Mr. Bepo in a state of emotional turmoil. For five days, he avoids revealing the cause of his distress, leaving colleagues and school management puzzled. Eventually, he discloses the truth: he is leaving Nigeria for the United Kingdom. This decision, however, is not made willingly. His wife, Seri, who is already in the UK with their two children, Nike and Kike, has been pressuring him to join them. Bepo’s reluctance to leave Nigeria and Stardom Schools had put a significant strain on his marriage, and he finally concedes to reunite with his family.
Bepo’s Dedication to Stardom Schools
Bepo’s hesitation to leave stems from his deep connection to Stardom Schools. Having worked there for over two decades, he cherishes his role and the impact he has made on students. He began his career as the Headmaster of Stardom Kiddies, the nursery and primary section, where he earned the nickname “The Lekki Headmaster.” This moniker reflected his ability to resolve conflicts among staff and his humorous imitation of characters from the popular TV series Village Headmaster. Even after being promoted to principal of the secondary school, the nickname stuck, symbolizing the respect and affection he garnered from students and colleagues.
Bepo views his role at Stardom as more than just a job; it is a calling. He finds meaning in nurturing young minds and helping them grow. Leaving his students behind in a developing nation while contributing to the educational system of a developed country feels like a betrayal of his principles. Yet, the call of family and the promise of a better future become too strong to ignore.
Colleagues’ Reactions
The news of Bepo’s relocation sparks mixed reactions among his colleagues. While some empathize with his dilemma, many find his reluctance amusing. The financial benefits of living in the UK are undeniable. Seri, his wife, reportedly earns £6,000 per month as a nurse, while Bepo’s new teaching job offers £3,600 plus benefits. This is a significant leap from his current salary of N400,000 at Stardom.
Teachers like the humorous Fine Arts teacher, Mr. Audu, joke about Bepo’s situation. Audu dramatically announces that if given the chance, he would leave immediately, humorously claiming he would beg Bepo’s wife to adopt him. His theatrics highlight the envy and curiosity among the staff, who struggle to understand why Bepo would hesitate to embrace such an opportunity.
Unfulfilled Entrepreneurial Aspirations
Bepo’s hesitation is also tied to his unfulfilled dreams of entrepreneurship. He had planned to retire from Stardom at 55—just four years away—and invest in business ventures. Over the years, he attended seminars on entrepreneurship and explored various ideas, including starting a private school, venturing into commercial transportation, or entering the food production and bottled water industries.
His dream of establishing a private school was fueled by his passion for education and his extensive experience. However, his past failure with a neighborhood school, co-founded after his National Youth Service, left him wary. The school had collapsed due to poor socioeconomic conditions in the area, teaching him the importance of location and financial planning.
Bepo also considered transportation as a viable business. He believed that buying a cab or bus and leasing it to drivers could generate immediate income. However, he was cautious about the challenges posed by dishonest drivers and maintenance issues, as he had seen colleagues lose money in similar ventures. Despite these setbacks, he admired the success of established transport companies and kept the option open for the future.
Preparation for a New Chapter
With his relocation now finalized, Bepo begins preparing for life in the UK. He is aware that teaching abroad will come with cultural and professional adjustments. Stories of disrespectful students, such as a Nigerian teacher being called an idiot on their first day, do not deter him. Instead, he views such incidents as isolated and manageable with diplomacy.
Bepo reflects on the realities of life abroad, acknowledging that no place is without its challenges. However, he is determined to make the most of this opportunity for the sake of his family’s future. Leaving Stardom Schools, his colleagues, and his students is bittersweet, but he resolves to embrace the new chapter in his life.
Here are 30 likely JAMB questions and their answers based on Chapter Two (The Enticement) of The Lekki Headmaster:
Comprehension-Based Questions
- Why did Mr. Bepo decide to leave Nigeria?
A. He lost his job
B. He was pressured by his family
C. He wanted to earn more money
D. He wanted to start a business
Answer: B - Who was already living in the UK?
A. Mr. Bepo’s wife and children
B. Mr. Audu
C. The school MD
D. Mr. Oyelana
Answer: A - What nickname was Mr. Bepo given during his time at Stardom Kiddies?
A. Lekki Principal
B. The Lekki Headmaster
C. Principal PL
D. Village Master
Answer: B - Why did the staff find Mr. Bepo’s reluctance to relocate amusing?
A. He had a high-paying job waiting abroad
B. He did not want to leave his students
C. He refused to listen to his wife
D. He claimed the UK was overrated
Answer: A - What was Mr. Audu’s reaction to Bepo’s relocation decision?
A. He criticized Bepo for leaving
B. He joked about taking Bepo’s place
C. He supported Bepo wholeheartedly
D. He asked to accompany Bepo to the UK
Answer: B - How much was Mr. Bepo earning as a principal at Stardom?
A. N600,000
B. N400,000
C. £3,600
D. £6,000
Answer: B - What salary was Mr. Bepo offered for the teaching job in the UK?
A. £3,000
B. £3,600
C. £6,000
D. £4,000
Answer: B - What did Mr. Audu say about Bepo sending money back to Nigeria?
A. He would save over N1.7 million monthly
B. He would send nothing back
C. He would invest in transportation
D. He would retire early
Answer: A - What past TV series inspired the nickname “The Lekki Headmaster”?
A. Village Master
B. Lekki Teachers
C. Village Headmaster
D. Lekki Chronicles
Answer: C - Why did Mr. Bepo consider entrepreneurship before his decision to relocate?
A. To earn a better income
B. To retire comfortably
C. To create jobs and contribute to society
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Character and Context-Based Questions
- What is the name of Mr. Bepo’s wife?
A. Seri
B. Nike
C. Kike
D. Beke
Answer: A - How did Bepo feel about leaving Stardom Schools?
A. Excited
B. Reluctant and emotional
C. Angry
D. Indifferent
Answer: B - Why did Mr. Bepo feel a strong connection to Stardom Schools?
A. He had spent over two decades there
B. He was passionate about teaching and molding students
C. He had built strong relationships with his colleagues
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What was one of Bepo’s entrepreneurial aspirations?
A. Starting a bottled water business
B. Establishing a private school
C. Venturing into transportation
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What challenge did Bepo associate with transportation business?
A. Dishonest drivers
B. High maintenance costs
C. Poor management by vehicle owners
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What previous business venture of Bepo failed?
A. A bottled water company
B. A neighborhood school
C. A food business
D. A transport service
Answer: B - What financial lesson did Bepo learn from his past failed business?
A. The importance of starting small
B. The need for a good location
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above
Answer: C - What was one reason Bepo found teaching in the UK challenging to imagine?
A. Stories of student disrespect
B. Lack of teaching resources
C. Cultural differences
D. Poor pay for teachers
Answer: A - What did Bepo believe about business success?
A. It requires patience and trust-building
B. It starts small but grows with effort
C. It provides opportunities to help others
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What did Mr. Audu jokingly claim he would do if given the opportunity?
A. Marry Seri and move to the UK
B. Quit teaching and start a business
C. Accompany Bepo to the airport
D. Take over Stardom Schools
Answer: A
Theme and Analysis-Based Questions
- What motivated Seri to pressure Bepo to relocate?
A. Better financial opportunities
B. Family reunification
C. A more stable life abroad
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What was the salary disparity between Bepo’s job in Nigeria and the UK?
A. N400,000 vs £3,600
B. N600,000 vs £4,000
C. N500,000 vs £5,000
D. N1 million vs £6,000
Answer: A - What type of business did Bepo consider most practical for immediate returns?
A. Bottled water
B. Farming
C. Transportation
D. Retail
Answer: C - Why did Bepo hesitate to relocate despite the benefits?
A. He felt loyal to his students and colleagues
B. He doubted the sustainability of teaching abroad
C. He wanted to retire in Nigeria
D. Both A and C
Answer: D - What did Bepo consider as a key principle for starting a business?
A. Begin small and scale up
B. Focus only on profit
C. Avoid working with others
D. Prioritize risk over stability
Answer: A - What cultural adjustment was Bepo concerned about in the UK?
A. Different teaching methods
B. Managing student behavior
C. Adapting to a new school system
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What humorous claim did Mr. Audu make about Stardom management?
A. They bewitched Bepo to stay
B. They underpaid staff intentionally
C. They discouraged staff from traveling
D. They bribed Bepo to stay
Answer: A - Why did Bepo admire big transport companies like ABC Motors?
A. They overcame challenges he worried about
B. They operated successfully despite risks
C. They demonstrated good management
D. All of the above
Answer: D - What was Bepo’s ultimate reason for leaving Nigeria?
A. His family’s wellbeing and unity
B. Better job prospects
C. Pressure from colleagues
D. Fear of losing his marriage
Answer: A - What does the chapter highlight as a significant theme in Bepo’s life?
A. The conflict between personal desires and family obligations
B. The lure of financial prosperity abroad
C. The challenges of entrepreneurship in Nigeria
D. All of the above
Answer: D
