Still on Some of Best University Teachers... CHARLES, A CHALLENGING CHALLENGER! Charles was a challenging Challenger. He found delight in challenging his students to success. Success beyond the classroom. Success that would earn you fame and fortune. Success that will bring food on your table. Success that will earn you the respect and admiration of the society. Success that will make you become the pride of your family. Success that will make you become a role model to your contemporaries and those coming behind you. He was to us not only a Lecturer but a mentor. He did not only teach us the ABC of communication but taught us the basic things we needed to know about life. Charles was a motivator, an inspirational figure, a Counselor, and to some in my time, a friend. I will ever be grateful to Charles for his kind advice, wise counsel and inspiration. That was Dr Charles Obot in our time. He believed in our future. He spent almost every time to advice us for good and to criticize evil. That was because he really desired the best for us. He was also a stretcher. He knew how to stretch us beyond limits. There were deadlines for his assignment or any academic task. You risk deductions in marks if you do not meet the deadlines. That is, if only he would collect the assignment from you. He was a strict disciplinarian. He stands on his words and hardly wavers. That was because he wished and wanted the best for his students. ‘’Is this how you would behave when you get to the industry?’’ He queried our Class Representative, then, when he went to submit our group work late; few days after the deadline. We pleaded and almost went on our knees. Finally, he reluctantly accepted the work but still deducted the marks. I would not define him to be wicked or inconsiderate. He knew what he was doing. Himself a Professional, having worked in the Information industry (NTA) before he left for lecturing, he knows what is obtainable there. He simply wants his students to do well when they eventually get there. I owe my ability to meeting deadlines to Dr. Charles Obot. I did not know that I would find myself in a broadcasting station, one day. I am a print person. My major is Newspaper and Magazine production. Today, I am reminded by those words of Charles. ‘’You never can tell where you will find yourself tomorrow.’’ Charles is a Seer. A Prophet in form of a Lecturer. His prophecies and predictions truely come true. Dr. Obot was also dedicated and painstaking in our time. He does not miss his period. He takes time and pains to teach. You could see him ever demonstrate with his hands, look in and out of the class at intervals, use many examples and illustrations, just for his students to understand. Charles taught well. He taught right. He was a pragmatic teacher. Less wonder, he often asked us to do Television, Film and Documentary productions. Had we ever embarked on Radio Productions? (Laughs) Admitted! We spent time, energy, money and other resources each time we embarked on each of those productions, but the knowledge and experience gained in the process were priceless. For his students’ sake, Charles was a Researcher. It was obvious in his notes. He gave bulky notes; notes that consumed pages of our exercise books, the higher education form. Lazy students hated Charles for this reason. Charles like Grace, detested indecent dressing and poor habits. He was an unrepentant critic of those who refused to dress good. He loved simplicity and modesty. Once, he commended me in class for my simple and modest dress sense. Another time, he rebuked me for chewing my finger nails. That day, I would never forget. We used the spacious CBN hall for his lecture. The hall was filled to capacity. There were also other students who were not a part of our business who sat behind. Perhaps, they were listening to us. Busy me, I was chewing my nails. I did not know Charles had been observing me. Suddenly, he called my name ‘’Tony’’, and asked: ‘’ those nails you are chewing; are they sweet?’’ I did not have an answer for him. Rather, I covered my face in shame. But I learnt my lesson. Since then, I stopped chewing my finger nails in public. But that was Charles for us! He loved good and hated evil. A few times he had commended me in the open. During our project defence, Charles and other Lecturers were pleased and impressed at my performance. Charles was the first to commend me. He prayed me to become their Ambassadors. His encouragement keeps me going. He loved my friend, Godswill and I. Often times, he called us to advice us. He would always plead that we return for Masters after first degree. He took delight in sharing his life stories; His successes and sorrows, his pains and pleasures, his gory and glorious moments with his students. I love Charles for his encouragement. I love Charles for his inspiration. Whatever is right, whatever will bring good report, Charles will always support it. I miss his tiny voice. That voice of reason. That voice of truth. That voice that condemns evil and praise good... Charly boy, you were a good Teacher. Keep teaching. Keep on with your attitude of never missing lectures. That attitude of always going early to class, sometimes, before your students. That attitude of always condemning evil and ever praising good. Charly, Charly!
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 10:56:35 +0000
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