The Dean

A Sojourner's Return

The Dean

The Faculty Dean, a man of slight stature, immersed in chocolate rich complexion and bore a bald head. His silver rimmed frames were perched precariously on the ridge of his nose, shielding his eyes which roved at a quickened pace, his chin dotted with grey stubble gave him a distinguished mien. He wore an ash grey suit and spotted a black bow tie for some matching effect.  He had attained the heights of legal practice and was a recent recipient of the highest professional award in Law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was nestled comfortable in his leather bond swivel chair. The grandness of his table was betrayed by evidence of the mock wood used to construct it.  The floors of the office were immaculately polished given it a clinical feel and a flat screen television hung on the wall to his right.  Shelves with an array of books enveloped the space, and some sofas to the far end of the room for more informal encounters. A fridge unobtrusively lay at one end and Obad noticed a door, which led to an ensuite toilet. All around the room were exit doors, three in number and Obad wondered why that was the case.

Starring intently at the letter Obad had passed on to him, scrutinizing every word, and expressed the fact that he was oblivious to his appointment by asking “How do I know you are who you claim?’  Obad was taken aback and momentarily lost for words and then muttered “Sir, you are free to call the Human Resources for confirmation”.  After the conclusion of those formalities, Obad was introduced to the Faculty Manager Mrs. Tamiya. She has been veteran of the Faculty having served under two previous Deans, she knew where ‘the bodies were buried’ and how to make things work, she operated smoothly and efficiently and never betrayed any emotions. She was the archetypal administrator but she also wore elegance with great aplomb.  It was to her that Obad was directed. She spoke to him in a smattering of the local language but when Obad responded in English she effortlessly affected a polished British public school accent. Mrs. Tamayi had been a product of the Oxford University where she had studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics and wanted Obad who attained his doctorate from London School of Economics to realise he had encountered his match.

She took him on a tour of the Faculty facilities and introduced him to the available staff before allocating him to an office on the ground floor. Obad discovered that most offices were unoccupied and enquired from Mrs. Tamayi the reason for this. She replied in clipped tones that the Faculty had recently lost three of its lecturers in a vehicular accident whilst returning from the burial of a colleague’s father whilst two remain in hospital undergoing treatment.  A somber look slowly engulfed her person as she detailed her response.  It had now dawned on Obad the reason for his sudden and hasty recruitment from the London School of Economics where he had spent the last 20 years.  It was to address the recent staff shortage brought about by tragedy of unspeakable proportions.