Chapter One

The students of the Nigerian Montessori Group of Schools had began the new academic session just like the previous ones, the gathered in their gigantic Alumni built auditorium, the school was known as the Nigerian, reason was the rich and the famous had their children enrolled in the school, including Senator Marcus Ugochukwu, the father of Chika.

He was a towering 6'4 inches, muscular physique, a charming smile and most adorably, his outstanding character, some would say he was as humble as a lamb, little wonder his dad held I'm him in such a high regard.As he alighted from the vehicle that brought him to school that morning, made his made to the auditorium and took a seat in the midst of his class mates, who were now all in the 11th grade, more students made their entries into the hall buzzing with excitement as friends hugged and shared stories of their long vacation and at exactly 7:45 the opening assembly of the session began. Six figures came through the main the door, as if pre-organised they went straight to the stage in front of the hall, among them were the Assembly Prefect, the Head Boy and Head Girl, Vice Principal of Academics, the Vice Principal of Administration and of course the Principal of the school. They took their seats after which music from outside the hall was played and the school anthem followed suit

NIGERIAN MONTESSORI GROUP OF SCHOOLS

NIGERIAN MONTESSORI GROUP OF SCHOOLS

A PLACE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

THE BEDROCK OF ERUDITE SCHOLARS

A PLACE OF HOPE AND DREAMS

HOPE AND DREAMS!!

NIGERIAN MONTESSORI GROUP OF SCHOOLS

MY ALMA MATER, OUR ALMA MATER!!!

WE LOVE AND CHERISH YOU.

The music stopped and everyone took their seats as a stocky and short woman in her late forties took the the podium, her tribal marks evident of what part of country she came from, her name, Dr(Mrs). Taiwo Akinbola, the Vice Principal of Academics

"Observing all protocols, good day to you all", she said instead refined English tone

"Good day, Mrs. Taiwo", they echoed back

"As you all are aware the new academic year as begun and so has it's demanding schedule too, I can see a lot of students coming in now, Duncan no need to dodge your face ", she said pointing to a 12th grader running in, who happened to be an Albino." And due to it's stressful callings, we would be replacing our current functionaries with a new set from the 11th grade and all those interested should meet Mr. Kehinde, the Vice Principal of Administration, pick up forms and fill out three posts in which you feel you have the capabilities of upholding, remember participation is now totally optional, we do not want the drama of last year to repear it's self, thank you and once again welcome to the new year ", she went back to her sit and the boy next to her stood up and marched to the podium, a shiny tag illuminating the words 'HEAD BOY', Ishmael Abubakar, the 22nd Head Boy of the school, an indigene of Kano state, as he cleared his throat and breathed into the microphone

"I imagined this day from the first day I was appointed Head Boy of this great institution of learning but, I was never really prepared ", he stopped and left out a weak cough, his Hausa - Fulani accent noticeable when his talked," 6 years ago, I stepped into this school, most of you who knew me at the time remembered a little frightened boy who was an emotional wreak because f his mom's passing. Yes, I was that bad until I allowed Allah's and my able principal's vision for me take a paramount place in my life, the struggles, the homework, the teachers, countless projects,of course my dear friends and classmates in the 12th grade and my the junior students and senior students, I never had to use my voice, they are all so calm, thank you. Very soon my classmates and I will be part of an Alumni of great leaders, important stake holders in the society, very much thanks to the upbringing we received here at NMS, this cult of academic excellence, a proud heritage of erudite scholars, it's in our anthem. I found out you can't change what you have done, but you can decide what your going to do, do not regret any decision you make, any challenge you encounter, they make you stronger, they make you who you are, I hope you find this journey as beautiful as I did, because they is no gift like the present, thank you". Descending eloquently as he ascended, Ishmael walked back to his seat. The Head girl and Mr. Kehinde, the Vice Principal of Administration made quick remarks,after that the Principal of the school, Prof. Donald Eze stood up for his opening remark, for a man in his late fifties looked rather young, a pair of glasses on his face, at a staggering height of 6ft 7inches, had graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with Ph.D degrees in Neurology and Education, he didn't support the idea of leaving your home country to study abroad, which was now a norm for most Nigerian parents and wasn't supporting the school system in Nigeria or the teachers in it, he was an prominent member of the Nigerian society and an example of "Africa flows through me"

"Good day, my children ", he said in his rich baritone voice

" Good day, Mr Donald ", the chorus back

" Welcome to another adoring, blissful, charming, delightful, exquisite and fantastic year at the Nigerian Montessori Group of Schools ", he said as the assembly gave a round of applause," it's my duty to inform you all, that our very own Mrs. Edith, the Biology teacher would be retiring at the end of the year", then a plump woman in purple stood up and received another round of applause from the assembly.

"Thank you, Mrs Edith", he continued, "Of course we are very privileged to have met you and you will not be forgotten in a hurry, that's in a years time, we have prefects to elect in a month's time, all aspiring prefects have the mandate to go round the classes and campaign, not vote buying", he then cast a long face towards the 12th graders. As for the new students which no one formally welcomed to our humble institution,they were all like you, just like a seed before it beceomes the tree, it had to be grown and nurtured, pass through all kinds of challenges, 7th graders I believe you get the message "

The entire hall went silent before he continued

" As you all know August is the African month in our school, so students should try their best to find what makes them African, including you Eloise ", he said looking towards the direction of a pretty Asian girl sitting in the 10th grade section," I know you grew up in China but your dad is Igbo, so your technically one of us. Meanwhile, I wanr us all to appreciate the heritage we inheritated and make the most of our time", he concluded and went back to his seat, the Assembly prefect, Esther Odili from Delta State came out and began a dismissal song as students went to their classes and teachers for a briefing.