SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY, 2002
I woke up as early as possible to iron my uniform and Compound Wear/House Wear. I took my bath and dressed up. My mummy sent me to call Manniru to accompany me to the park.
At the bus park, we met Abu Imam, our dinning hall prefect. They exchanged greetings with Manniru. He asked me of Sadiq. I replied to him that I don't know whether he is returning that day.
We started our journey at 1:30 p.m. The driver was an elderly man, so he didn't drive recklessly. At one checkpoint at Falgore Forest, one of the soldiers said that he would like to check one of the passengers bag. The man begged him that there is no any contra band but the soldier insists. The man called him aside and bribed him and he let us go.
We continued with our journey. The driver told us to that the soldiers inspite of the fact that they collect bribes, their presence stopped armed robbery. He narrated to us his numerous escapades in that forest as he was once attack by armed robbers. He told us most of the armed robbers are not citizens of Nigeria. He claimed they are from countries like Chad, Niger etc but there are still some that are indigenes.
We stopped on the way to pray Asr Prayer before continuing with the journey. The weather was somehow chilly, there was no sun. So I thought I will be late to school. I was a bit scared. On arriving school, however, I noticed that it wasn't yet 6:00 p.m. and I was glad. We took our roll call and went to the class for night prep.
THURSDAY 27TH DECEMBER, 2001
Today is my birthday! But as the the saying goes work before pleasure, I first of all read my books before celebrating. This is my 15th birthday.
I listened to some music from FM stereo. Manniru brought me some questions in General Knowledge to help him tackle. I was a bit confused before getting it right.
I had nothing to do in the evening, so after feeding our animals, I went to my brothers house to watch some movies or a music channel. But I found out that Samina is watching one foolish Hausa movie "Hali". I just sit down to watch it to keep myself busy.
Sama'ila our houseboy was leaving the next day. He is not coming back again. Everyone is so sad to miss him. At night I remembered those hostel items Senior Mutiu, Tiger House Captain has asked us to resumed with.
SUNDAY 23RD DECEMBER, 2001
In the morning, I went through my syllabus book to check the topics I was unable to cover and go through them. I listened to a special request programme "send down your love" from FM Kano Radio. I took my bath with cold water inspite of the cold weather.
We went to my brothers house Kabiru to watch a football match between Chelsey and one other country on the free to air satellite. Chelsey scored 5 to 1. I wanted to watch Cartoon Network but Sagiru refuses to tune in to that channel.
After that we watched a Hausa movie "Badali". Manniru told my brother's wife that it will be better if she schedule everything in favour of her children. As all they know is watching movies.
FRIDAY 26TH OF OCTOBER, 2001
I woke up as early as possible because today is assembly day. I was unable to take my bath early and I became a victim of prefects chasing. Senior Moses, labour prefect was on duty, so he is the one chasing. I begged Kamal to save me from him. He however flogged me once and let me be.
After classes we went to mosque to pray Juma'at prayer. After we have finished praying, I went straight to dorm to change to my compound wear before proceeding to class. Abubakar, however asked me to sweep the hostel and before I finished Senior Junior asked me go to the corridor. I was very annoyed. In the corridor Kayode started to trouble me. We almost fought before senior Kingsley came and asked us to lie down that we are distracting his attention. I told him I am innocent but he still insists on my lying down.
Kamal Garba came to intervene. He asked us what happened and Kayode lied that I was insulting him in the dinning the previous day. I denied what he said, I explained everything and Kayode was punished in the end.
After that we were assigned work in the sideways to scrape the ground. The day was so annoying and laborious. I wrote a letter home and gave it to Abdullahi who will be sneaking out to help me deliver it.
FRIDAY 25TH OF MAY,2001
We went to the assembly as early as 7:00 a.m. In the assembly the Commandant advised us to enroll in a vocational institution so as to spend our four months effectively. We closed from assembly and we were allowed to go to hostel to carry our luggage. Lawandi accompanied me to Farar Gada to board Bauchi Park bus.
I boarded Kano bus by 8:45 a.m. and we commenced journey by 9:00 a.m. We arrived Kano at 12:00 p.m. I found it difficult finding the bus to Yankura because the Friday prayer is being conducted along the way. Luckily enough, the bus I boarded at last, is going straight to Bachirawa. I gave the bus conductor N40 as the fare. I arrived home at 2:30 p.m.
On arriving home, Abba and Jamilu my nephews ran towards and welcomed me back home.
SUNDAY 22ND OF APRIL, 2001
I woke up as early as 5:45 a.m. I said my Subhi prayers and by 6:00 a.m. I started reading my books. I revised some topics in JSS2 English Language and Mathematics. I went to my eldest brothers house Kabiru to collect fruits for my sick daddy. When he came to greet mum and dad, I let him know that I shall be resuming school on Monday or Tuesday.
My daddy collected my result that he wants to show to his friend. I had 10 A's and 1 credit in Mathematics but I prayed to God to let me have 10 A's in my JSCE. I also remember that I promised my God four days fasting after my JSCE, at home or school.
I went to my sister Mannira's house and show her my results and school magazine. She promised to give me the money she purchased my toy telephone as soon as we are about to return school. My paternal aunty Hajiya Shatu also visited to see my niece, Samina's daughter Rahama.
SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY, 2001
Today is the Cowbell's National Secondary School's Competition. I was unable to bath before 8 a.m. because there are plenty of people in the bore-hole, and the other bore-hole has spoiled. At 8:00 a.m. our Maths teacher, Mr Lekmark sent Galadima to inform me that we are going for the competition at exactly 8:30 a.m. so I should dressed up quickly.
I dressed up quickly and before you know it, it was late and the Maths teacher was disappointed. We entered the school bus and made for the examination center at Saint Marumba's College.
We registered our name and school and we went to the class where we are writing the exam. They give each everyone of us a Cowbell's pen. We started the exams at exactly 10:00 a.m.
The questions were very simple but they give us a limited time 1 hour 45 minutes. I was unable to do the whole questions, so I just guessed the answers. The essay question were very confusing, but I know that with Allah (S.W.A) all thing will be possible I will pass the exam.
