*LEKKI HEADMASTER CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY* The chapter begins with Mrs. Ibidun Gloss, the Managing Director (MD) of Stardom Schools, seeking a brief moment of solitude during a long break. Despite her calm demeanor, she suffers from a painful medical condition that has plagued her for over 30 years. After resting, she decides to inspect a piece of land the school acquired two years earlier, located near the back gate. Upon arrival, the MD discovers that the land, which had been fenced off, is being used as a parking lot for about 17 vehicles. Shocked by the variety and quality of the cars, including Toyotas, Hyundais, and buses, she grows suspicious. The vehicles bore Stardom Schools’ stickers, suggesting ownership by staff members. Confused and angered, the MD wonders how these teachers, gardeners, and other staff could afford such cars. The MD calls for the principal, Mr. Bepo, and the school accountant, Jeremi Amos, to investigate. She suspects financial malpractice within the school. The accountant explains that many staff members purchased their cars through loans from the Stardom Cooperative Society, with repayments deducted directly from their salaries. Despite this explanation, the MD questions the cooperative’s financial capacity to support such expensive purchases. Further investigations reveal that the cooperative’s purse holds ₦95 million, with over ₦50 million already loaned out to staff members. Alarmed by this information, the MD calls for a meeting with the school’s board of directors, all of whom are members of the Bayo family. Chief Mrs. Solape Bayo, the board chairman, likens the situation to “hanging a snake in the roof and going to bed,” expressing concern that staff might misuse the funds to start a rival school. To address the issue, the board decides to implement stricter financial controls. They impose a ₦250,000 cap on staff loans and require the MD’s approval for all future loan requests. Additionally, the cooperative society must keep the management informed about its activities to prevent further risks. This chapter highlights themes of accountability, financial management, and the potential consequences of unchecked privileges. It underscores the importance of oversight in running an organization and the challenges of balancing trust with control.