THE COWBELL'S NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL'S MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

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.  

INTER HOUSE SPORT CONTEST

SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY, 2001

Today is the Inter-House sport competition. We woke up early morning to tidy up our hostels. The dinning was opened by 6:30 a.m. We went to dinning and had our breakfast of moi-moi and pap. No quantity, no quality in the food. We only eat just to fill up our hungry stomachs.

By 12:00 p.m. we had our lunch and marched to the field. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) came late to the extent that the matching parade was delayed. The real match begin after the matching parade.

The sports started with 400 metres race for girls, then for boys followed by the relay. At the end of the whole event our house "Flying Horse House" came first.

THE D-DAY: SPEECH AND PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY!

SATURDAY 8TH JULY, 2000

Today is the D-Day. Early in the morning the bell for compound work was rung. I decided not to go since I was in the company of an SS3 student Shettima. Later on Abu-Imam came to the hostel and wake me up, told me to run away, Mr Ishola is hunting for those that absconds from the compound work. I quickly walked out of the hostel and followed near Administrative Officers house towards the Assembly Hall where the compound work is taking place. 

After compound work I came back and went to the dinning hall for breakfast. A breakfast of eggs and bread was quickly shared before we were rushed out of the dinning hall. The bell for main event was rung at last. I was on my way to mosque to get some water and clean my face and feet when Senior Ziya-ulhaq (Annex B house captain) told me to go and get dressed up. I went to the hostel and with a little difficulty got an iron to iron up my clothes with. I borrowed iron from one SS1 boy and ironed my clothes neatly like never before. I shared a bucket of bathing water with my classmate Jimmy. 

On arriving at the assembly hall where the event is going to hold, I was told to sit at the front together with the rest of the students. The members of the Army Band were the first to arrive.  Then our Commandant followed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the Plateau Commissioner of Education who is representing the Executive Governor of Plateau State Chief Joshua Dariye. They all made speeches and the Chairman of the occasion made a donation of N25,000 to the Science Department.

The awarding of prizes began in earnest. I won six prizes in six subjects: Mathematics, English Language, Agricultural Science, Integrated Science, Hausa Language and I was the second overall best in JSS2. The prizes consists of textbooks, exercise books, mathes set and a towel. I felt so great when I shook hands with the Commissioner of Education, Plateau and the Chairman of the School's PTA.  
      

WONDERFUL!

FRIDAY 7TH JULY, 2000

Today 7th of July, 2000 and Friday have been one of the most interesting days I have ever witnessed in my life. We all went to the assembly early in the morning. In the assembly the Commandant, L.T. Colonel G.M. Ringim briefed us for sometime before reminding us again about the great event that is going to take place tomorrow-- the speech and prize giving ceremony. Then the names of the prize winners were called out to enable them prepare against tomorrow. The first name in JSS2 was mine. Names were called out according to prizes won.  Mathematics-- Ali Faisal, English Language-- Ali Faisal, Integrated Science-- Ali Faisal, Agricultural Science-- Ali Faisal and Hausa. I had six in all. I felt so much great. I thank Allah for making me witness a day that my name is called out in the assembly haven done something worthwhile. I happily wrote my Integrated Science examination after the assembly.

I was congratulated by some of my classmates. While some openly showed their envy.

ED-EL-KABIR IN SCHOOL!

THURSDAY 16TH MARCH, 2000

Today has been one of the days I will never forget in my life. It is the big Sallah which I shall unfortunately be celebrating in school!

I woke up very early feeling my body somehow but I still tried and woke up nevertheless and make for the mosque to say my prayers. I came to hostel, took my bath and wear Mufti (a Tohibo Kaftan) and Sadiq came so that we can go and pray Ed prayer at Kwanar Soja.

After the Ed prayers we went straight to Maman Hauwa's house. Maman Hauwa served us with rice and stew with fish and fried eggs. We then moved to Uncle Yaro's house where we helped with roasting of his sheep's head and legs. He also served us with rice and stew and told us to go and eat it with with Auwalu. Giwa came to bring Sallah food to Uncle Yaro.

In the evening we went back to Uncle Yaro's house and his wife Maman Bashari gave us some little meat too. Unfortunately for us, her little children came to join us eating.

I was contemplating in the evening about my future career; Should I become a doctor, army or airforce?   

DODGING THE PHYSICAL TRAINING!

WEDNESDAY 26TH JANUARY, 2000

Today too the bell for for morning P.T. was rung. I have made up my mind not to go. Together with Giwa, F.S., Hamza and co., we went to the school farm to dodge. We proceed to the mosque after we have made sure the morning exercise was over. We met Mushiri and Adamu on arriving there.

I went to hostel and prepare for classes. I didn't go to the dinning for breakfast since I was fasting. I used the breakfast time to read before the classes start proper.

After classes I went to mosque and and mistakenly drank some water. I went to the tuckshop and bought a file and typing sheet for Business Studies typewriting. I was shocked that a single plain paper is worth N1. Sadiq told me that Garba's father visited and gave him N20. I borrowed N10 from the money. He bought Sobo for me at Co-operative Shop. But the Sobo was hot not cold.

I broke my fast with N10 yam and N5 sobo.    

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL IT.

THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER, 2002

The morning physical training alias compound work's bell was rung 4:30 a.m. I just had to wake up and be there else my absence will incur punishment on me.

We worked after the morning P.T. till we can work no more. I was walking to class after breakfast when I heard a staff, Mr. Barnabas calling on us. We were instructed to accompany our students participating in debate and quiz competition at Command Day Secondary School and cheer them up. The competition was organized by NAWOA. I was about entering the bus with my school bag, when the Commandant shouted at me "where do you think you are carrying that bag to?" I told him I wasn't among the those debating, I am just part of those to cheer the students up. He shouted at me to get out. One teacher was laughing at me. I bowed my head down and heads towards my class when I heard Mr. Afolabi telling them, that I am a good student. The Vice Principal Administration told them she do recognize my face as one of the school's prize winners. Vice Principal Academics asked me to keep my bag with her and meet Mr. Sado for it afterwards. When I went inside the bus, Rabi'u Dauda narrated to me how Seun Taiwo and co. were discussing us, tagging us "Falgore boys".

We arrived Rukubah Barracks were the quiz and debate will holds. The barrack is more beautiful than Kano's. The event took place in a hall within the barrack. Seun Taiwo, Dele and Joy Egwa were representing my school. They really tried but in the end they won nought. We lost both the debate and the quiz competition.

What really annoyed me is when they come a time for quiz on Islamic Religious Knowledge, there was no any Muslim student in both our school and Command Day.

The competition was selfish as most of the Command Day contenders were merely repeating their points. We were served with refreshments but none of us bothered to touch anything. Not that I actually I ignore the refreshment out of anger of what has been done to us. I ignored it because everyone has ignored it. We only took the buns afterwards and moved out.

We came back to school and I was so glad that my school lost!      

LABOUR SECONDARY SCHOOL, JOS

SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER, 2002

Wow, today has just been a cool day, a nice day and the day my guts increases the more. I was unable to go to Qur'anic Studies, I had to stay behind to wash my clothes and trainers.

The guests whom Mr.Musa, the MSS patron has informed us of earlier, had arrived as early as possible. They were women dressed modestly and very fluent in English Language. They discussed on the conspiracies being carried out on Islam. Their sermon was quite interesting. I asked a question which they promised to answer later due to time factor.

Jamilu Shehu helped me install connection in my corner. We were also told to repair our toilet's door. I learnt that SS2 students were throughly beaten in the dinning hall. I was lucky I wasn't among. Benjamin Gboko the nominated Headboy was reported by some of my mates. He was reported to Mrs. Obande and later to the Administrative Officer.

I really like it this way and I made up my mind to report on my own part too! And to who? The Commandant. Since the name of the school is not "Labour Secondary School, Jos" and our motto is not "brutality and 'chesting'"
 

WHAT SORT OF DAY IS TODAY?

THURSDAY 1ST AUGUST, 2002

The previous day's night was so long! I kept stirring on my bed and woke up five times in the night to see whether it has dawn. In the morning we went to the dinning as early as possible all dressed up in school uniforms for our breakfast.

We went to assembly but we were returned back to the hostel to come and tidy it up. Mr. Olubodun caught I and Murphy to clean the Flying Horse House hostel's toilet. The toilet was so bad but the bathroom is worst. Someone had excreted on the floor. I tried and cleaned the first four bathrooms, but the fifth one, I ran away. I do not believe it is a human being that did that shit.

There was a long prayer led by Mr. Moru the Physics teacher and Mrs Habibatullahi Salako. They prayed and wished us journey mercies. After the assembly we went to our classes for our results. Our results were sealed in envelopes. I went to the field afterwards for my luggage. I didn't wait for Muhammad and Abdullahi. I was very happy that my friend Abdulsalam has promoted, even though it were on trial.

I went to Bauchi Park to board a cab back to Kano. My transport fare was incomplete. I had to beg them to accept my N300 to allow me sit on the engine seat of the bus alias "maleji". I had a "hot" journey back home. I arrived Kano at exactly 7:00 p.m. 

Everyone in the family was happy to see me back home safely.

PACK YOUR LOADS AND GET OUT!

WEDNESDAY 31ST JULY, 2002

Well today is a day to the D-day. We are to collect our results the next day. RSM announced that there is going to be assembly by 10:00 a.m. We should be ready to pack our loads and get out.

There was a lot of wide spread rumors on our results. It was alleged that only a person promoted to SS2 from SS1 Marble. Incredible! I do not think it is possible since there are people like Abubakar. It was alleged that 9 repeated in my class, 10 in Gold and 10 in Diamond. 

Many SS1 students have started thinking of alternative-- transferring from the school. It would really be so sad for me to miss my friends like Abdulsalam who has already started thinking of transferring from the school. Well I pray that I am amongst the people that have promoted!      

16TH'S SPEECH AND PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY

SATURDAY 6TH JULY, 2002

Today is the main day! It is the 16th Annual Speech and Prize Giving Day. It is the 16th Annual Speech and Prize Giving Day. We first of all had assembly on the assembly ground before proceeding to the assembly hall. Speeches were delivered and some form of entertainment took place like the cultural dance.

Prizes were then presented to the awardees. I had four prizes and a certificate of merit in each of the subjects. Every mum hug her child while collecting his/her prize but my mum coudn't hug me due to our shy nature. I was a bit jealous since Sherif's prizes were more than mine. I made up my mind to beat him off in the next class SS2. My mum told me that Sagiru is outside with a camera. I wanted to go out to meet him but Mr. Ibrahim prevented me from doing so. 

I took my mum and my brother Sagiru to SS1 Emerald after the speech and prize to stay and chat. We ate together and chat for a while. We chat, ate and snapped pictures before they took their leave back to Kano, home.   

I went to Sadiq's room to only discover that he has travelled back home Kano. I received a note from Mahmuda to give Lawandi his locker and mattress and to Muhammad his juggers. I should also carry a Fuji film and give to Lawal. I saw my camera in Senior Abdullahi's hand. I wanted to collect it back but he refused to give me back.     

PEAK'S DANCING COMPETITION!

SATURDAY 29TH JUNE 2002

Today is the Peak Milk's dancing competition day. We went to the field where the competition will be holding. Various schools were invited.Our school was the second contestant.We were represented by two competitors. The first is the miming of the Independent Girls and another girl who who mimed Celine Dione track "Thats the way it is" then other school were called who sing, mime and danced. Also a school displayed a cultural dance by "Omo Oduduwa". Micheal Jackson's songs were also mimed like "You Rock My World" by Airforce Boys. Refreshment were shared at the end of the competition. I couldn't get either the minerals not the meat pie. I was very unlucky. I have seen dancing today, how Airforce Boys were sliding they really impressed me. The Primary Schools student were also not left out. They displayed their constructed models like canoe, Fulani settlement, Junior Engineers etc. There was also my name sake a boy called Faisal Haruna who constructed the canoe.

By 2:00 p.m. the competitions was brought to an end. The winners were announced. In the Primary category those who constructed the model of Junior Engineers came first, then that of Fulani settlement and that of canoe. In the senior category the winners were called from the rear. Airforce Comprehensive Girls came first, Airforce Boys came second then our school who came first with the mime from one of our student. Although in my opinion Saint Marumba deserve the first position. The judgement is actually unfair in my opinion. In the Primary Category the first was rewarded a cash prize of N25, 000, second N20,000 and third N15,000. In the senior category the first won N30,000 the second N25,000 and the third N20,000.

During the night prep, there was no electricity in our classroom block and I therefore went to JSS3 Gold to study. One girl nicknamed Malle came to disturb me. I told her to leave me alone, yet she refused. I was insulting her when one SS3 girl talk to me asking that why do I hate girls. I told her that I do not hate girls. She then asked why do I always frown at the sight of girls. I remained mute. She asked whether I have a sister. I told her I have sisters not just a sister. She asked whether I do not talk to my sisters. She asked me to change that it is not the right thing.             

TO ALLAH BE THE GLORY!

WEDNESDAY 27TH MARCH, 2002

I woke up happily and anxiously because today is the vacation day! This is  the day we have all been looking forward to. We were told to tidy our hostels. I did my hostel chores and went to the mosque. I asked Muhammad to lie down as he was provoking me.

In the afternoon, I took my bath and dress up in the my uniform. We went to assemble at the assembly ground. At the assembly ground the Administrative Officer (A.O.) reminded us on the items we should ensure we resume with in the upcoming third term. We went to our classes to collect our results. I collected my results and so much amzaing! I had 9 A1's (distinction) and 2 C5 (credit) in English and Chemistry. I didn't know my result would be that good.


In the hostel I met Senior Viola who saw the result and congratulated me saying "shun sir". I packed my loads and went to Farar Gada. Lawandi helped with my loads as there were too heavy. We got a car at Farar Gada to Kano at the rate of N400. We entered I, Boze, Muhammad and Abdullahi. We had a very nice journey. We arrived at Kano around 7:00 p.m. I arrived home 7:40 p.m.   
 

MORTAL COMBAT BEGIN!

THURSDAY 21ST MARCH, 2002

In the morning we had our breakfast of Akara and Acha. We were then told to go to our hostels and change into our sports wear and proceed to the field. In the field the RSM came to call the SS2 boys to assemble at the centre of the field after we have had numerous exercises on the field. The acting prefects were called amongst them and were told to go and prepare for their interview. Four people were shortlisted for Flying Horse House Captain and Assistant. Amongst them were Jamalu, Jibrin, Tunde (Eba), and Tichiye's corner mate. Jibrin and Tunde were at last selected. Most of the prefects were not Muslims only the head girl, Nafisa was a Muslim.

In the evening the bell for compound work was rung to enable the newly interviewed prefects address us. At the compound work ground we were asked to plant, then later asked to kneel down. Tasks were shared. I was amongst the people asked to clean the assembly hall toilet. However, there was a conference going on in the assembly hall. So we were unable to tidy it up. We were then reassigned to clean our blocks.       

At night, during the night prep, the newly elected came and start flogging us for nothing sake. We beg them to let us free but they gave us deaf ears. Luckily, I managed to dodged being flogged. Suru was shouting "first person! first person!!". He started flogging Abdul-Qudus who yelled in Yoruba begging him to let him be. This very much annoyed Suru. I said in my mind, "the mortal combat has commenced".  

THE DAWN OF A FRIGHTENING DAY

SATURDAY 2ND MARCH 2002

Today is an inspection day, the day that have been frightening me since the previous day. In the morning, I went to the toilet to relieve myself. While I was in the restroom, Tunde (Eba), an SS2 student asked me to go to the corridor after I have finished with the restroom.

I went to pray Subhi prayer as soon as I came out of the toilet. I came back to hostel to work. I am the hostel sweeper, I and Dayo. I swept and mopped my own row. After I have finished working, I came back to tidy our corner and carry all our bags and boxes to the boxroom.

After the inspection, we were called to the corridor. Our house captain flogged us six each, that we refused to work, although it is backyard boys that refused to sweep. After that Jamalu asked us to do frog jump. I just left them with God.

The bell was rang for compound work. I refused to go. I stayed in the hostel to wash my clothes. I later went to there. We swept, washed and mopped the assembly hall, only ten of us. We were not released till 2:00 p.m.

We went to the dinning hall. After eating, I took my books and then went to class to study. 

We had our night prep, and after prep, I went to mosque to pray my Isha'i and Maghrib prayer and afterwards went to bed. I was throughly exhausted and therefore slept immediately.