...School Fathers... Part 3

The well where Valerie met 'Mr Tilt'

Something inexplicable happened to Valerie that day by the well. She couldn't place a finger on it. Filling the numerous buckets with water and dragging them to the front of Senior WilliWilli's bunk seemed like an infinite task, but she did it.

Obiangeli was there to give Valerie a shoulder to cry on. 'We didn't get to introduce ourselves earlier. I'm Obiangeli', she reached out and hugged Val. 'Valerie. You can call me Val for short'. At that moment, they became best of friends. They went to the dining hall together, attended the same class, the very popular Js2c, did their laundry together, went into hiding behind the school clinic whenever there's a mass punishment going on after inspection on Saturdays for no reason. They became besties.

Weeks ran into months and Valerie adjusted just fine. Megan was always checking in on her, making sure she was staying out of trouble. One sunny Saturday, Valerie went to get Obiangeli from the hostel so that they could quickly get charcoal from the kitchen to iron their house wears and school uniforms. Obiangeli was laying under her grey blanket. 'Obs, what's wrong? Its hot. Why are you under a blanket'? Valerie pulled the blanket and found her best friend shivering. Obiangeli had a burning fever. Immediately, Valerie helped her get dressed and put her arms round Obiangeli to render support as they walked to the clinic.

They had passed the dining hall when all of a sudden Obiangeli had a seizure. 'Help... Help... Help me.....' Valerie screamed. Just then she saw two boys running towards her. She was so scared and didn't have the time to look at the boys who had helped her lift Obiangeli to the clinic. The nurse was attending to Obiangeli and Val had to rush to the staff quarters to tell her guardian to place a call forward to Obiangeli's parents which he did.

Valerie began sobbing on her way back to the clinic. She sat on a bench and continued sobbing. 'Its like crying is your hobby'. The voice sounded familiar. Valerie looked up and it was him. The head boy... She had nicknamed him 'Mr Tilt' in her head. 'Its you...' Valerie had to scoot so he could sit beside her. 'She'll be fine. Don't cry'. 'I hope so... Her parents are on their way'. Segun held her hand and told her he'd noticed how close they were and how its okay for her to cry over her best friend's illness. They spent time talking and moments later, Valerie was laughing at the stories he told her about some of the grammatical errors his English teacher made during lectures a day before. 'Who tookted it'? 'Open the window let the atmosphere jump in'. 'I jumpted on the snake and I kills it'. Valerie chucked and chuckled. 'She's so cute when she laughs' Segun thought to himself.

After a while, Obiangeli's parents came and picked her up. 'Please help her put her things together till she returns ok'? Her mum told Valerie. Segun walked Valerie to the front of the dining hall and gave her a hug before they parted ways. She walked quietly to her hostel when Senior Sharon yelled her name. 'Valerieeeeee....come here you boyfriend snatcher'. Valerie was confused but walked straight to Senior Sharon's corner. 'Catch your ears', 'ride machine', 'think about your mother','frog jump'... Valerie served series of punishments without knowing the reason why...

A couple of days had passed and Obiangeli had not returned. Afternoon prep was over and all the Js2 students were asked to go to the dining hall for a general punishment. 'Lie down flat all of you'. Some SS3 boys were looking for an avenue to take care of their testosterone issues. Valerie laid down close to Bilkisu, an asthmatic classmate of hers.

 'Bilkisu, I have an idea that will get us out of here', Valerie whispered. 'What smart plan do you have in mind'? she asked. 'Form asthma attack. I'll carry you and then we'll go to the hostel. I cant allow them flog my bum bum with that fat stick Senior Abiodun is holding oh'. Bilkisu agreed and began to pretend she was having an attack. Sadly though, Bilkisu wasn't exactly smart about it cause she faced the dusty ground and began to inhale deeply. A real asthma attack started. 'AH excuse meeee...' Val sprang up. 'Bilkisu is having asthma attack and her inhaler is in the hostel'. 'Take her out of here before I mess her up with this stick' Senior Abiodun said.

With Bilkisu in her arms, she made her way out of the dining hall. She spotted Segun sitting on the window seal. He waved at her and she smiled back... 'Every where I turn, Mr tilt is always there... He didn't even try to save me', Valerie thought to herself as she dragged Bilkisu to go find her inhaler...

REMARKABLE -The Movie

The movie 'Remarkable' is a highly anticipated Feature film Produced and Directed by the multi award winning Bright Obasi Wonder.  It is a romantic drama that tells the story of a young couple who let a little misunderstanding and albeit pride, turn their marriage into a whirlwind of emotions.

The movie has a rich cast filled with A-Listers and new commers simultaneously. It stars AMVCA and AMAA Awards Best Actor Daniel K Daniel, 2014 AMVCA and AMAA Awards Best Actor Tope Tedela, alongside Titi Joseph, HDFA's 2013 Script to Screen Best Female Actor. Amazing actors like Nita Byack, Apel Orduen, Matilda Lambert and a host of others had roles to play in the movie as well.

Titi Joseph (A still from the movie Remarkable)

The focus of this article is however centred round the multi talented lead actress in the movie, Miss Titi Joseph. I know this first hand because I have worked with her. She is a hardworking, charismatic and down to earth actress who brings almost any character in a story to life. Give her a Zombie role, she'll nail it. Turn her into an Old woman, she'll nail it to the T.  Ask her to play the role of a 13 year old school girl and she'll deliver. The movie Remarkable is the first movie where Miss Titi was laced with the responsibility of playing the role of lead actress.

Titi alongside co-star Tope Tedela (Still from Remarkable)

When asked about how she felt about playing lead in a major movie, Miss Titi said and I quote: "I think for every actor, it gets to that point in your career you know more than ever that you need to step up. Despite the fact that most actors even from the beginning usually set their minds on playing lead where a story is centred round your character and you have the means to show your acting chops. So playing lead in this movie, I took it really seriously. Yes I was happy about it, but there was also this feeling of it being a huge responsibility and challenges like ‘shey you wan act, oya act oo, we don give you na. Act am make we see’. So that’s how I felt. Happy, but with great responsibility".

Titi and Daniel K Daniel

 

One would think that acting along side award winning male actors would intimidate Miss Titi Joseph, but she categorically stated that she learns by feeding off the energies of the people she acts with and is always humble enough to learn from them and take constructive criticisms from them as well. She also mentioned that acting alongside Daniel and Tope was an amazing experience. She said 'Allow me to use this medium to tell them that I appreciate them so much. They were so cool, nice, down to earth, no ego whatsoever and very professional'.

 

Miss Titi Joseph also stated some of the challenges she faced while shooting this movie. She said 'I think most of the challenges were before the shooting. The greatest of it all was the fear of not getting it right because the character ‘Eva’ that I played in the movie Remarkable wasn’t just a lead but a strong and emotional character. With the help of my director and acting coach and also the writer of the movie ‘Bright Wonder’, I made it. We talked about my fears and he walked me through it to a place of strength and hope, and ‘’I can do it and do it well’’. He would always say ‘you won’t fail, we won’t fail, and even if we did, what’s the worst that can happen? We dust ourselves, rise and try all over’. With that kind of great mind around me plus his patience, I overcame my fear'.

As par reactions and expectations, Miss Titi is hopeful that her best will be good enough to enable people allow the story impact their lives and also have a good time watching it.

Remarkable is scheduled to premier on the 27th day of August 2016, and will hold at National Merit House Maitama, Abuja. Find the trailer of the movie after the cut:

                                                             

...School Fathers... Part 2

 

Senior Brenda, an SS3 student was standing right there with a bucket of water and a sachet of So klin detergent in hand. ‘Orobo come here’. Valerie walked past her cos she wasn’t sure she was referring to her. Senior Brenda grabbed her by the arm and said ‘my friend come here. You think because you are coming from home you are better than we are’? Valerie gave her a blank stare. Megan walked away from the scene and the only thing she said was ‘good afternoon Senior Brenda’. ‘My name is Valerie Bulus, not Orobo’.

A crowd of junior students began to build up. A hot smack landed on Val’s face, pushing her to the ground. ‘I have dealt with people tougher than you. I will clip those wings. Take your clothes off’. Valerie was about to say something nasty in return when she spotted a fellow junior student Obiangeli, trying to use body language to tell her to cooperate. ‘This is your welcome ceremony’, senior Brenda said as she began using the detergent and a very tough sponge to scrub Valerie’s body. Val cried uncontrollably from start to finish. She felt betrayed by her big sister for abandoning her when she was faced with this bully.

After the ‘ceremony’ ended, Obiangeli helped her into the box room to change into her house wear. ‘Don't cry. Some of us faced worse. Quickly put on your house wear. This one is just the first step. Senior Williwilli the witch will soon...’’ Just then Senior Willi willi screamed her name. ‘Where is Orobo? Come out for stage 2 before I come there and get you’. Obiangeli began to panic so she urged Valerie to quickly go to Williwilli because according to her, Senior Willi willi is worse than Senior Brenda. Valerie stepped out of the box room and saw nothing less than 50 empty buckets stacked in front of the mean senior.

 

Segun was walking out if the principal’s residence with his school bag and a few books in his hands. ‘I have to go and gather the boys’ he thought. Being the head boy earned him a soft spot with Professor Julius Sanders the school Principal. Segun had the liberty to go in and out of his residence at will, especially when he needed a peaceful place to study. He walked quietly with his eye glasses on, calculating how he’d mobilize the boys to go for afternoon prep. A sobbing sound suddenly caught his attention. He turned towards the spot where the sound was coming from. All he could see was a pile of buckets and someone sitting on the grass beside the school well. ‘she seems helpless’, he said to himself. He tried to walk away from the scene but somehow, the sobbing grew louder and he decided to go and talk to whoever it was and ask them to go back to the hostel or something.

He got to the spot, and that was where his gaze met hers... it was Valerie. Senior Willi Willi had ordered her to fill up the buckets with water as the final stage of her welcome party into boarding school. 'What's your name'? She said nothing. 'What are you doing with all these buckets'? Valerie continued sobbing. 'I am Segun, the Head boy. Are you new?' 'Obviously'. She sniffed. 'Are you going to give me your own version of a welcome ceremony as well?' Segun chuckled as he took his flip flops off and placed them beside her before sitting on them. 'You know, everyone is scared of me. you are the first person to ever clap back at me like that'. Valerie realized he was getting too comfortable so she sprang up immediately. 'Look Senior...' 'Segun' he said... 'Look Senior Segun, please don't add more punishment for me I beg you. Just go'. Segun got up, dusted his bum, stood right in front of Valerie and wiped her tears. 'Tell me your name, promise me you'd stop crying and I'll leave'. She lowered her head and said 'Valerie Bulus, and I promise to stop crying'. Segun smiled and said 'you kinda look like Megan'. Valerie rolled her eyes and said 'she's my big sister'. 'That explains it. black beauties', he said. 'Okay Valerie. It's almost time for afternoon prep. Get this over and done with. See  you in class'. Segun turned and walked away, and for some funny reason, Valerie couldn't come to terms with the reason why he was walking with his shoulders tilted...

...School Fathers... Part 1

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when mumsie said 'young lady, grab your stuff. We're leaving'. 12 year old Valerie had a lot of jumbled up emotions inside. She was excited she was going to boarding school. A very popular Government School at that. She was also mega excited cos she was going to meet up with her sister. Its not like they were close but at least she would have someone to run to if she ran out of Garri or Cabin biscuit. On the other hand, she was going to miss her Mom and Dad. She was about to experience independence in an environment filled with teenage boys and girls with raging hormones. A life far away from home. Valerie began to cry as she dropped her senior math set (Metallic Box) in the trunk of her Dad's Peugeot 504.

The car began to move slowly to give Valerie an opportunity to wave her band of play friends goodbye. Some of them looked genuinely sad, while the others had an evil smirk on their faces. The kind of smirk that screamed "You go die today". Valerie began to sob uncontrollably and her mom began to give her the talk on how to stay away from boys, attend FCS, manage resources and try not to be 'mother Christmas', look out for your sister and she'll look out for you, read your books, wash your clothes, etc. Twenty minutes into the journey to boarding school, Valerie dozed off.

"Oya oh, Val we're here". She opened her eyes and re-arranged her dress which had exposed her pant due to the Jujitsu she exhibited while sleeping. 'With the way you sleep and scatter your legs, you might fall off your bunk today', said Val's mom. That was exactly what happened. Mom and Dad helped Valerie drag her six foot tall locker to the hostel gate and Dad had to stop at the entrance, leaving mom with the stress of dragging the locker in and Val struggling with her senior math set and Ghana must go filled with provisions. As soon as they got in, Mom was greeted by the matron and then she asked if the matron could go fetch Val's sister Megan. Val was excited to see Megan. She dropped her senior math set and rannnnn to go give her big sister a hug. Big sister Megan was a bit stand off ish but Val didn't make anything of it. 'Oya oh, show us where to put your sister's locker.' Megan helped with the luggage and they arrived at a cramped up box room filled with buckets and other filthy stuff. Valerie began to gag and Megan scoffed. 'Hmmph, you better get used to it'. Mom gave Megan a puzzled look and began to arrange Val's provisions for her.

Megan took Valerie to her bed space. Valerie was a chubby girl and had to sleep up bunk cos she was a junior student. Her bunk mate Suliat was in SS2. 'Hope you don't bed wet?' she asked. 'No I don't' said Valerie. Suliat was Megan's classmate so Megan asked her to please keep an eye on her baby sister. 'If she piss inside my mouth for night Meg walahi I go kill am'. Meg laughed and told her not to worry.

They both headed back to the box room. Mom had arranged everything. 'The milk is here, the garri is hidden inside the shoe box over there, the cornflakes is at the end. Your toiletries and detergent is in your box (Senior Math Set), One Cabin is here and the other is in your box, your bible and books are in your school bag. Sandals over there, etcetera. you'd figure it out eventually'. 'Thank you mommy' she said. They all decided to move together to the parking lot to meet Dad and say their goodbyes.

'Oya Valerie, take this 1000 naira. It should last you till the next visiting day'. Dad was so fond of Valerie but this time he was a bit stern. He was definitely fighting his emotions but didn't want his daughters and wife to see him that way. 'Meg, take 500'. Mom requested that they all hold hands to say a quick word of prayer. 'Father, help Valerie to sleep less, read her books, wash her under wear properly, arrange her things and take care of herself. Amen'. Mom and Dad gave Val and Meg hugs and kisses, then got into the car. Dad tried starting it but it refused to turn on. 'You women will have to push'. The three women pushed the car and then the engine started running. Mom jumped into the car and they drove off. Valerie began to sob uncontrollably and turned to give Meg a hug. Meg turned her down and said 'look, chin up. this is a jungle and only the brave survive. Lets go'. They walked in silence to the hostel. They opened the hostel door and Valerie did not bargain for what she got.....

Life With Toddle Tots...

A couple of years ago, the word 'teacher' was like an epic sign of a bad omen and sometimes I had the image of an evil koboko sleighing demon yapping at children. it was DREADFUL to say the least. I remember crying a lot when someone said "You will be a teacher when you grow up". It was extremely depressing to say the least. My mom was a teacher but it didn't make that profession seem cool. In fact, my mom being a teacher solidified my 'hatred' for teaching cos she didn't hesitate to whoop the hell out of me when I did something wrong.

Now fast forward to September 2014. After job hunting for approximately three years, I landed in a classroom. Everything was kinda weird seeing that I studied Mass Communication and not Education. Like I was used to teachers whooping naughty children but the number one rule in this school was that as soon as you're found whooping, you'd hop out of the school premises with your sack letter in hand. So I trained under an amazing teacher for about a year. After the session, I was moved to another class. Ever heard the phrase "Terrible Twos"? Yup. I became the toddler class teacher. At first I thought "Jeez, these children can't talk... how do I get through to them"? I started researching and researching, learnt baby sign language and downloaded a gazillion nursery rhyme videos.

Now after this summer term, my kids are moving on to Play group and courtesy these amazing 13 kids, I have discovered that toddlers have an amazing way through which they get things done. Most times though, they just want to have their way and there's nothing you can actually do about it. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. you know potty training them has been an amazing experience. Most times they go ' Ms Chechul (Racheal) I wan to go wee wee', and I take them to the loo. some of them go at once, others will sit on the loo and stare at you, others will give a big grin and start telling you stories that you can't understand. Others will even sleep on the toilet. Turn your back for a second and some of the things you'd see as soon as you turn back round are so hilarious. See Samples below:

Sadly I cant use my children's pictures for this blog post but I hope these images give you a vivid picture of what I'm trying to say. Now lets move to feeding. you know, most times you think these cute little angels can't feed themselves, but you're wrong. They can I tell you. They are pros....

Messy right? Trust me, somehow somehow, the food ends up in the right place. OK so, I believe toddlers love to share. I struggled initially with getting my kids to play cooperatively with each other and share toys with one another. Some of them snatch from others and if the child they are snatching from doesn't react, they think its OK. Then they move on to another child to snatch from him or her and then they receive slaps in between sentences like 'don't do that', 'nooo... gooo', 'my own', 'I will tell' and then the child doing the snatching will run to me and say 'Ms Checul (Racheal) He beat me', and when I ask, 'What did you do'? He/She gives me a hug to avoid being scolded. Like I said earlier, there seems to be an improvement. this is how we share these days:

They must have a piece of what you're asking for before giving it to you. You know kids love to explore with shoes, toys, clothes, dolls, building blocks, and the likes. My kids love handing shoes over to adults whenever we are going outdoors to play or for a lesson. Sometimes they cry if they don't find shoes in the cubby to give to a familiar adult. Sometimes again they fight over these shoes so I've learnt to share three pairs of shoes between them. One leg per child. It doesn't work most of the time cos a particular child likes holding a pair of shoes especially mine. If another child gets it before him, he cries. So one time we had a lesson on dressing. I'd say 99% of the kids did this to the adult shoes they had in their possession:

I can go on and on about how adorable these toddler kids are and how much innocence they exhume daily.... It teaches me that the purity in a child brings smiles on God's face. Harming them is like harming God directly. I have learnt patience, I have learnt to love, I have learnt new styles of sharing, I have learnt how to stick together as a team cos my Kids are so used to each other that they stick together all the time. PS: Jesus was right when he said, you must be like a little child before you can enter into the kingdom of Heaven. My toddle tots have helped me see things clearly and I love them.... Their names are.....
David, Mahmud, Halima, Amina, Christine, Chimoma, Anisa, Ayebaala, Aman, Abdallah, Ahmad, Iman, and Salees.