WestMills & Busybees Yearbook 2018

Year Five

Ali Rmeity Dahunsi Yusuf Emmanuel Akintunde Hadi Berjawi

Mohammed Yerima Farah Saffieddine Daniella Amaugo Kendra Samouris

Rejoice Uduoba Hussein Mdeihli Ose Bernice Abbas Ahmad
Omoaka

Mrs. Onyinyechi Otache Miss Destiny Onoigboria
(Class Teacher) (Class Teacher)

49

Year Five

THE

RICH

GRAVE

Where do you think is the most valuable and still have that big jar filled with potentials in
Land in the world? You may think is them and keep regretting till they die and descend
Manhattan, the oilfield of middle East to a rich grave.

and the gold mines of South Africa but, you are all Everyone is born filled with potentials

wrong. The most valuable Land in the world is the which have not been discovered so, your aim in

graveyard. In the graveyard are buried unwritten this world as a human being is to discover your
Novels, unreconciled relationships, and all the potential, use it positively, pour it out to the world
other things people thought, “I will get around and die empty not full. To achieve all these steps

that tomorrow”. One day, however, their tomorrow above is not easy, it takes perseverance, and

ran out. patience.

You may have a little talent in singing, In summary, it is normal to be born full but not
dancing, playing the piano and bead making. So normal to die full. Die empty, so you do not end
invest your time, money and energy to that gift so up in the rich grave.

that you can pour it out to the world for By Rejoice O. Uduoba
generations yet unborn to benefit from. People

who do not pour out their potentials become old

contributions to
people’s live. Their
bravery is outstanding,
unknown and is not
being acknowledge by
many people.

My Teachers My unsung heroes are my
teachers. Can you imagine a
In today’s world people admire world without teachers,
superheroes like Flash, Batman, education will be dead, and
Superman and other supernatural nothing will exist. We will still
beings, but have you ever heard of unsung be in our stone age and
heroes? animals will be smarter than the
h u m a n . Tea c h e r s p l a y a n
These heroes are barely identified but they important role in the life of every
make important but yet not recognized student’s academic behavior
because if we did not have teachers there
will be nothing like YALE or OXFORD
UNIVERSITY and this is why I love my super
teachers

All in all, teachers will always hold a special
place in our hearts whether we are young or
old.

By Dahunsi Yusuf

50

Year Five

51

A-Z advise for someone
who is about to
become a teenager.

In our world today, there teenagers who go Are you a true
astray because they have no guide rule for friend?
their teenage life. This is becoming too
rampant in our society, so I will give an A to Z I wonder why most people cannot still
advice for a pre-teen. differentiate between the good and bad
A – Avoid bad Friends attitudes in their friends. All of these; honesty,
B – Belong to a Christian Society, that will advice loyalty and generosity are what make up a good
you well. friend.
C – Covering or hiding your problems from
trusted adult will make the problem worse. So For me throughout my life, I have experienced and
tell it out. noticed that honesty is the most important quality
D – Do not wear clothes that give people wrong that every friend should have. Honesty is like the salt
impression about you. in a well prepared Nigerian Egusi soup. Most people
E – End every bad behavior that puts you in lots are fun loving, fashionable and football lovers, but
of trouble. some people still have a problem which is lack of
F – Forget past memories and move on with honesty. Over been shown that if you are not honest
your life. you cannot receive respect or love
G – Gratefulness makes way for greatness.
H – Have friends that will benefit you and not Honesty! Honesty! Honesty! With all we have said
belittle you. honesty remains the most important quality in a
I – Imitate good people for success. friend, so do you think you are fit to be that friend?
J – Just face your studies and not your friends. Name?
K – Kindness is a habit, be kind always.
L – Learn to accept correction. Hussein Mdeihli
M – Make your parents proud.
N – Never tell lies.
O – Open for counseling.
P – Pray always
Q – Quietness, listen more talk less.
R – Reject bad advisers and counselors.
S –Select your friends carefully.
T – Turn away from bad behaviors.
U –Utilize your time.
V – Value relationship with your parents
W – Work hard, as hard work pays.
X – Xenia to strangers can put you in danger.
Y – Yearning for something without working.
Z –Zapping into peoples talk can get you in
trouble.

By Rejoice O. Uduoba

52

Year Five

TRANSITION (PUBERTY)

Overtime, we see our young children passing the blood. And another thing is when they start to grow
through transition [puberty]. They start seeing mammary glands [breasts] they need to start wearing a
weird things on their bodies and some places bra. Another key thing is that now our children are
on their bodies starts growing. But you don't need to get passing through these stages, their behaviours start to

worried because there are some things children need to change. Some children are always moody when they are

know going through that stage. being corrected by an adult while some children are

highly irritated especially when they are going through

The first thing you need to know is what puberty is. puberty. These young children also begin to relate more

Puberty is when your body changes from being a child to with their friends than their parents.

a young adult.

Secondly, you need to know that boys and girls develop In my own opinion, I think you might feel disgusted by

at different rates. Girls can begin as early as age 8 and as this but you don't need to. Just calm down, feel free to

late as age 16, while boys can start as early as age 10 and seek advice from a trusted adult and move on with life

as late as age 18. The average age for both sexes is 9 to 13. because puberty must happen to everyone so just enjoy

it and get over it. I wish you good luck in this. This article is

Another important thing you need to know is when girls a guide.

go through their period, they wear what we call sanitary

pads. This is to help them so that they don't get stained by By Ose Omoaka

Cheating

THE STRONGEST AMONG THEM ALL What is cheating? Cheating is when you act
dishonest in a way in order to gain advantage
As I wake up in the morning and I rush to say especially in a game, a competition, an exam.
good morning I see an empty bed. The In my opinion cheating is something that will make us sin
person that favours my heart the most and and students get addicted to it.
feeds me provides, for me and puts clothes on my
body is not there. WHERE HAS HE Gone TO? One reason why cheating is bad is that people will
not like to be friends the cheater. For example, a student
It's obvious that he has gone to work for me. in my school cheated on an exam so nobody wants to be
most of you may think that he has abandoned me but friends with him. Many student may think that the cheater
he has gone to toil for me with all his heart and all his want to be friends with them so that he can just copy from
might even on the most horrible days; a day when a them in an examination hall.
family member has died or a stormy day in the cold
or a hot day or just the worst of all days, he still goes f I find a friend cheating, I wouldn’t wait for
to work for me examination to finish because he or she might be able to
lie. I probably think I need to report even though will lose
Isn't it obvious that that person is the person his or her friendship. However, one day will come and he
that would die to save my life the person that brings will know I did that so he or she can learn not to cheat.
fun to my life and makes me happy? It’s my dad. I In conclusion, I think student need to be searched before
won't have friends or be as smart or beautiful as I am going into an examination hall to prevent cheating.
now if my dad was not there to provide for me. All I'm
saying is that my dad is the strongest amongst them Ali Rmeity
all

-By kendra samouris

53

Year Six

Omojesu Akugbe Christiana Enebeli Ciel Ekong Etim Emmanuella Oyedu

Joanna Etim Durojola Obidipe Juliana Ugbor Malena Stewart

Raphael Raffoul Adam Atwi Feyisayo Aina Tiffany Nimmyel

Abbas Al-mahmoud Mrs. Nkem Ogbeinyama

(Class Teacher)

54

Year Six

The Concert Then they yelled
CONGRATUL ATIONS I
One hot and sunny day, I just filled in everything so I could nearly fell with shock. I
my family and I play. asked why they laughed
decided to go to the It kept on showing a lead board and they told me that the
beach. My mom and dad told my but I did not pay any attention to DRAGON-SALYER game
siblings and I that it was going to it. Soon, there were no matches was a competition and I
be a long journey so we took to play again so I fell asleep. had won it. I asked what
some games to play with on the Suddenly the car stopped, we the prize was and they
road. I took my favorite road had reached the beach so we told me that I can choose any
game “DRAGON –SLAYER”. took down the stuff for the singer of my choice and will
beach. As I was going to bring watch a live concert of any of
Before long, I was puzzled the last thing, I saw a car stop their songs and I can invite at
because this time as I tried to play next to us, it was really weird least 4 friends of my choice. I
it , it said I must enter my name, because the men who came out chose bars and melody and they
where I am or where I am going of the car were wearing suits. sang HOPEFUL. I took my best
before I can play but I did not friend, my two brothers and my
read everything that was written; They asked me if I was Raphael mom. It was one of my best days
and I replied ‘yes’. ever and all because I played
video-games for hours. I had no
idea this was going to happen

Raphael Raffoul

Listen but don’t talk
When you’re in a crowd of people and they are talking
on a certain subject, don’t engage.

THE KEY TO MY SUCCESS Never share ideas
If you’re chatting with your friend or even cousin, don’t
Wake up early and don’t sleep late share your ideas because they might sabotage you
We need to always be ready for school and for an and claim to be the owner of the idea, never say how or
event or for other things and to do that we need to why,
wake up early so that we can be energized and do
what we need to have a good bed time that will allow Take notes
us to sleep at least eight hours. If you’re in your class and your teacher is teaching
don’t just sit there and sleep, take notes and if she asks
questions about a subject you will be the one to
answer the question correctly and get extra credit.

-Abbas Al-mahmoud

55

Year Six

PRfoErSaIDdaEyNT

if I was president for a day I would donate most of
the money I earn to help feed, clothe, medicate and
send the poor children to school for better
education.
I would give everyone light so that they are not stuck in
the terrible heat and so people don’t have to go out to
get some air or waste diesel for their generator. I would
also reduce bills and taxes so that people can have
money. I would also renovate abandoned houses so
people can live in it.
Also, I would build houses for charities and send them
money yearly to help them get back on track. Lastly, I
would pay employees properly and I would train
them so they can be useful to the society.

By Tiffany Nimmyel

DESIGNING
A WEBSITE

Imagine yourself creating your own the people’s response to
website and living in your own zone it. If I was to suggest a
online. Well I’m going to try imagine colour it’ll be; be Royal
myself doing it. blue dark and black
Making your own website is a bit hard, but obviously.
it’s fun and can be really stylish when you Next you have to decide
add your own taste of style to it. on what you going to
blog about. It may be
Actually, the first thing to do is to add the accessories or a gossip
background, the style and the taste that will site (for girls). You have to advertise
make people say “Hey, let’s go check out something that will pin the eyes to the blog.
this legit site with a cool background’ and
before you start thinking people will actually Finally, you have to choose the type of
buy into your website. audience you want to attract. Is it good, bad
or the quarrelsome ones? According to my
When choosing the right colours think of research the type of audience you want to
gain is from the advertisement you are
showing.
Last but not the least, remember the 3
keywords: background, adverts and
audience and if you follow these steps, you
will be a real blogger, and oh before I forget
don’t forget the website address e.g
www.instagram.com Good-luck.

56

Year Six

Can honesty
honestly be bad?

My name is Jeff. People call me Mr. I had to decide if I should cover for my friends
Honest. I was born into a family of or not. ‘Jeffrey Carter,’ the principal called in
three. Most people know me as the astern tone. I walked out of the class shivering
boy that likes to say the truth too much. with fear. James said before I left the class that
Sometimes even my family pretends they don’t he would kill me if I told on him. I was in a huge
know me. dilemma.

In school, I have some friends who I finally got there and knocked gently on the
don’t take things seriously and always get in door. ‘Good afternoon Mr. Carter,’ the principal
trouble with everyone, mostly the police. Their said. ‘So Mr. Honesty, what do you know about
names are James, Steven and Anthony. They the wreck?’ ‘Err,’ I said. My trousers were wet
have been to jail multiple times but I’m just because I had peed on myself out of fear. ‘I am
friends with them because they defend me sorry but it was James, Steven and Anthony.
every time I’m framed. One day, some people They wanted to get back at you for suspending
wrecked the principal’s car and I immediately them ‘I blabbed and hastily ran out.
knew it was my friends.
Every time I saw my friends after that, I avoided
The principal summoned all the them. One day, my friends appeared on the
students to his office to be questioned I was news; they were arrested by the police. I was
scared because I cannot avoid the questions and happy that I was honest because I would have
been arrested too.
Jola Obidipe

A girl named Shibani was best friends with He told Sara that she would be expelled from
another girl named Shaya. They both the school and her exam script would be torn. Sara
attended a secondary school named Busy was crying heavily while Shaya was laughing. As
Students. they wanted to take Sara to the head of school
Shibani stood up and said it was Shaya who
On a Monday morning the class was told that committed the crime. Shaya was expelled.
they were going to be given an exam, to see who
would pass and become the school’s prefect but Few years later Shibani had entered
Shaya didn’t care about the exam. university but unfortunately for her Shaya was in
that same university and in the same hostel. As the
When school was over Shaya told Shibani that both girls were arguing about that same incident
she wasn’t going to read for the exam. She told Shaya grabbed a knife and stabbed Shibani in the
Shibani that they shouldn’t read and that they arm. She was never able to use that arm again.
should go to a party but Shibani didn’t like that So please tell me can honesty honestly be bad??
idea.

The next day Shaya told Shibani that she had
written down the answers in some papers. When
they got the exam Shaya realized that the exam
was very easy so she took all the papers that she
had written the answers in and threw them at Sara’s
side.

The teacher Mr. Lincoln stood up from his
chair and went round every ones chair to see how
well they were doing in the exam. Unfortunately for
Sara the teacher found the papers around her.

57

Arts @
Busybees

58

Arts @
Busybees

Daniel Enebeli, Year 3

Timilehin Ogunsanya, Year 2 Hussein Mdeihli, Year 5

Jola Obidipe, Year 6 Zeina Jarmakani, Year 4

59

Arts @
Busybees

By Ciel Etim, Year 6 By Cecil, Year 4

By Dahunsi Yusuf, Year 5 Bella Gbotosho. Year 1
60

Arts @
Busybees

Emmanuel Okolocha, Year 3

Joanna Etim, Year 6

Ose Omoaka, Year 5 Victoria Ugbor, Year 4

Christiana Enebeli, Year 6 Daramola Kuti, Year 3 Hala Fakih, Year 4

61

Welcome to

British Secondary

62

63

WestMills Prefects

JOSHUA AKUMA SHAYO ALUKO
Head Boy Head Girl

GBOLAHAN ADETUNJI RIM FAKIH Isabel Nimmyel Joanna Lot
Asst. Head Boy Asst. Head Girl Social Prefect Assembly Prefect

Erere Ayenor Jeffrey Etim Rafka Dib Yasmina Haidar FAVOUR KALU
Litter Police Energy Police Neatness Police Energy Police Litter Police

“I never thought in terms of being a leader. I
thought very simply in terms of helping people.”

– John Hume

64

Readers are Leaders

65

Year Seven

olariyike yusuf Wafaa Abboud SABIR SHUAIBU Toluwaleke
KABIRU Agunbiade

Carla Okereke Nour Dib Hassan Mdelhi Sara Kaj

Ali Haidar Sarah AhmAd Daniel Eke Haya Atwi
OKORIE

JOY SULE MRS. ADENIKE
OBIDIPE (Year tutor)

66

Year Seven

WORLD Jacy and Kacy were upset because they wanted to
go back to the real world and did not know how to
Jacy and Kacy were in the park playing with their go back. Jack knew what had happened to them
ball when suddenly Kacy threw the ball, and it and he told them to show him the machine. They
went far away and got lost. They went to look went to the time machine, Jack pressed a button
for the ball but they could not find the ball. They and the time machine manual came out of a secret
tried once more, again they did not find the ball but place. Jacy read the manual and knew how to go
found a time machine. While they were looking at back. They told jack they will often come to visit him.
the time machine, it suddenly started and took Jacy and kacy told Jack bye and went to the real
them to a weird place. world happily.

The place was very stranger than they ever By: Sarah Ahmad
imagined. There were no buildings; the houses
were made up of rocks; there were no cars, only
donkeys carrying things and people from one place
to another. Some of the people were half human
and half animal. Jacy and Kacy became hungry but
they met a nice a man named Jack, whose head and
neck was like human but his body was like a Zebra’s
he and had a tail which was like a shark’s. He bought
them food which did not look nice but it was very
tasty they told Jack “Thank you”

ON THE OTHER SIDE

It was 7:00am when I wake up, I was bored and exhausted. I couldn’t
go anywhere because I was grounded for a useless reason. I was
locked in my own room like a prisoner for six months but luckily I
could still use my phone. Unfortunately I spoke to soon, my phone
battery died so I let it charge and waited patiently. Luckily I had a
window in my room so if I got bored I could look outside, which I did.

As I peeked outside the wind blew in my hair and I could almost taste
the snow that was falling from the sky. Winter was always my favourite
season because I got to go outside and have fun but not today. On the
other side of my house there was a huge mansion that could only be
seen from my room. The Johnsons family lives there, they were very
rich people. As I stared at their house, the family was playing pool. Emily and Drake were the popular kids in
school, they never talked to Dorks like me but for some reason they waved at me, at first I was shocked but
then waved back. I got a text from them in a group that I was just added to. They said they wanted to be my
friend and get to know me.

From that day we become best friends, every day I would open the window of my room and talk to them.

Even though our houses were a little bit far apart we could still see and hear each other. They would play

many games while I coached. Drake of course always cheated Emily. In a way I am grateful that I was

grounded because I got to make new friends -By Sara Kaj

67

Year Seven

THE FORGOTTEN they tried
TREASURE their best to
enjoy a new
Once upon a time, a long life, so they
time ago there was a had a party at
castle. night.
That castle was made out of gold. At the party, they danced,
Everybody used to visit that sang and had a lot of fun. After
castle, even from other 20 years the castle was forgotten nobody knew
continents. It was called about it, but a little boy did and he never forgot it
“PARADISE” because everybody loved that because his family died there. He believed that he
place, not even one person disliked it. could kill that dragon, so he trained himself to
But one day a big, ugly, dirty dragon was setting fight and now that his 39 years old he could fight.
fire to every house and because of that many Finally, he called his troops and trained them. He
people died and got injured. The dragon broke was a great leader. They marched back to the
into the castle and killed every person who came castle and fought the dragon. They won and they
close to or touched the gold, coins and jewelry. got their village back. Everybody praised them.
The king was chased out of his castle not by
anybody but the big evil dragon. The village was By Nour Dib. Year 7
ruined and there was nothing to do but leave the
village. They went to a new Village, built their
homes from hay, made their food from wood and

JuItstWLausck
The invitation to the King’s castle then the King addressed
made me dance for joy. At first I us and we had our
thought it was a special delicious meal. When I

invitation, but it seemed that it was the finished, I wanted use the

whole village, “IT WAS THE WHOLE toilet when I suddenly saw

VILLAGE”, that meant it was a feast. bags of gold on the floor. I

From where I was, I could smell picked them up and I gave

the sweet aroma diffusing through the them to the king and the

air. I went out and saw all the villagers king was so surprised and

heading to the castle like immigrants. I grateful that he made me his

climbed on my horse and I went to the personal assistant.

castle. His servants quickly

In the castle people roamed dressed me in royal robes

about as they looked for seats, while but in my mind I was like ‘it was

the cooks where busy preparing the just luck’.

delicious dishes; this time my salivary

gland was working well. I had my seat Sabir shuaibu kabiru

68

Year Seven

The Glorious Edifice

The edifice there it was. The sniffed the flowers i smelt a
most well-built and fantastic and odiferous aroma
structured edifice in the that lifted me into the air like a

entire neighbourhood.it was bird.

made up of different

compartments, as it was As I entered the house the beauty

constructed to be hospitable, blinded me. It was like a million

pleasurable and luxurious. dreams became true. This

Seriously speaking, the building is revelation was tremendous and

florid and extravagant. beautiful. It was the definition of a

vision or it seemed so.

The gates-which were made of

bronze-were plated with gold I was so blown away by the

(that was mined from Ghana).I magnificence of the structure that

opened the gates and went into I fainted not realizing that this

the magnificent compound; I was to be my new home!

perceived a fragrant scent that

floated around the house. When i By Toluwaleke Agunbiade

Home Sweet Haunt

I live in a pretty normal town with lots of normal her eyes closed as if she didn’t want to see a
buildings, like the mall, the high school, and the particular person or thing coming towards her.

pizza place. But there’s one building that’s not Hailey shuddered a little. “kind of creepy,”

like all the others. It’s my home. It has been she said. Ben agreed. “Totally creepy,” said Evan

abandoned for 60 years. Most of the windows are emphatically. Mr. Ferris, the groundskeeper, said

cracked or long blown out, and there are even a “There have always been rumors about this place.

few rusty old swings on the front lawn. My parents Statues coming to life and strange things.” I

found the place for us to live in, since we needed gasped in terror. Whatever happened to the

to move. One night, my friends and I wanted to woman was reality. She was real. Only that one

explore deeper. thing happened. One weird thing.

As soon as we first placed our feet on the The fact was that she was still in OUR

basement ground, it was chaos. Hailey found the basement. The dark, old, and isolated basement.

figure of a woman wearing a tight-fitted buttoned Hidden passages mysterious objects, centuries-old

jacket and what looked like a hoop-skirt from the secrets, buried in the small ancient place, waiting

16th century. The carpenter who had probably to be discovered. Something was coming for us,

carved the wooden figure must have had amazing and we would have to wait till then…

skills. But something seemed odd. The woman had By: Olariyike Yusuf

69

Year Seven

ALIEN ABDUCTION

alien and my screaming was to no avail.

On Friday 16th of December, the class was quiet Soon, the rocket landed and I felt very hot and the place
as we all listened to Mrs Dina, the English was red. Then I realised it was mars. I started to pray
teacher. She was talking about fiction and non- intensely but the alien took me to a tent where I stayed
fiction. She said fiction was untrue while non- fiction was for 30minutes. Later, he took me to where a group of
true and I seemed to understand what she meant. She aliens stood and in the middle of them was a fire. I WAS
gave examples like aliens and other stuffs. PETRIFIED!!! I cried a lot because I knew I was about to
be sacrificed.
After teaching, she gave us homework about what she
taught us and she also said we should do some more But what about my parents, my family, my friends, my
research and then write about our weekend. It was break teachers and the birthday party? Is my life about to end?
time and we all rushed out to play. On the playground, No!!! I screamed in my mind. The alien priest was uglier
Lacy gave me and my classmates invitations to her than the first and slimier. He touched my face, then
birthday party which was from 3:00 clock to 7:30. After opened my eyes and mouth and said . . . I should be
school, I got home and told my mum about the taken back to earth. A sigh of relief came over me as if I
invitation and she said I could go. I was so excited and just dropped a building of my back.
happy that I couldn’t stop jumping around the house.
The next day was Saturday and I couldn’t stop thinking After 30minutes, I was home back in my cosy and
about the fun I was going to have. Around 1:00 clock, I comfortable room. I was delighted. It was 2:30 pm on
went to select a dress to wear but then, I noticed a very the dot. I took a red dress and a set of heels, brushed my
tiny glowing pebble and I reached for it. hair and went to Lacy‘s party. Despite my journey and
how scared I had been, I still finished a tray of cup-cakes
Suddenly, I was in a rocket with a green, slimy one eyed and 3 glasses of juice.
and extremely ugly alien. I screamed so loud that the I enjoyed my Sunday and I tried not to pick any tiny or
glass cup the alien held broke. I was feeling very irritated glowing things around the house. I also did my
and frustrated because slime was dropping from the homework and write a whole lot about my adventure.

On Monday, I read out my homework to the class and
Mrs Dina was impressed. She told me my imagination
was a very wild one. I thought to myself, ‘Didn’t Mrs Dina
said alien stuff is fiction. HOW COME THIS HAPPENED
TO ME?’

Joy Sule

How to tune or synchronize a guitar

A guitar is a stringed instrument which can easily get the fifth string and on your phone if you get a as your
mistuned when the tuning pegs are toyed with. reading and the colour is green it means you are right
When tuning a guitar you must learn the name of but if you get another reading you will have to turn
each string on the guitar. The names are e, a, d, g, b, the pegs until you get a.
and e.
Toluwaleke Agunbiade
Firstly, if you have a keyboard you press the e
key on the keyboard and twist the tuning pegs on the
guitar until the 6th string sounds exactly like the note
made by the piano (repeat these with the other
strings).
Secondly, you can download the app named Datuner
Lite from your app store or Google play store. With
Datuner Lite you double-click and select the
instrument you want to use. You then play each string
one by one and look at the readings on your phone.
For example: since the 5th string is a major you play

70

Year Eight

Wafaa Slim Joy Okorie Eke Madeleine Beluchi Nwokolo
Chayeb

Ameerah Ibrahim Sara Nasreddin Maroun Dib Toluwanife Adeyemi

Sala Rmeity Jean - Pierre Mohammed abdullah Zainab Lawal

Raffoul Haider

Abdulrahman Saher Ahmed Abdallah Joseph Kayoma
Baraya Boustani

71

Year Eight

MRS. ZAINAB SULE MR. AWE TAIWO MR. babajide ILEBIYI

(Facilitator SEN) (Year Tutor) (Year Tutor)

MY GENERAL OVERVIEW OF West Mills SO FAR

West Mills is an educational caring ways includes; Mr. Jide, our
learning facility for secondary humanities teacher, Mr. Tommy, Mr.
school children. It is allocated in Nnamdi and Mr. Kayode our science
Apapa along Hinderer Road. West Mills is a teacher and our lovely principal Mrs.
private school with state of the art facilities Mfombong Etim who teaches most
and a conducive learning
environment.. English classes and many
others.

In west Mills I have realized that This school helped, Similoluwa

some subjects are taught earlier than at other Aluko, who was just an average student to

schools; physics, chemistry and biology are taught become a star who is now studying at Johns

from year seven rather than ten. This is very useful Hopkins University, Baltimore U.S.A. Even our

because that means more knowledge would be current students who are yet a graduate are

gained, training each and every student for what already achieving greatness, like Gbolahan

lies ahead. Adetunji who has already gained admission into

five different Universities namely Manchester,

Also the school prepares students for several Essex, Brighton, Hull and Leicester. Joshua Akuma

external exams including SAT, JAMB, WAEC, A has also been given admission to Rochester

levels, Checkpoint, IGCSE and so on. The school institute of Technology in Florida, U.S.A.

follows the Cambridge syllabus which helps

students develop important skills and so many This school has gone along way with its students

students who have schooled and graduated from and the teachers always push each student to be

here have gone to greater places. the best they can be. I think if a parent is looking

for a school for his/her kids, they should look no

The teachers and staff members in this school further if they come across this school because no

know how to do their jobs in such a way that there matter how hard it gets here, everyone is always

is no way an attentive student can come out by each other’s side

unsuccessful. Some examples of our great and

thriving teachers who work to make us better in By Beluchi Nwokolo

72

Year Eight

An
Unusual DAY

It was obviously going to be an see my happiness for the new born baby boy.
unusual day when my mom came Finally, we reached the hospital and we entered the
into my bedroom and said we are doctor’s office. My mom was so happy and excited
going to have a new born baby in our and so I was! The doctor asked about her health
family. I knew this was what my sisters and the babies health and all was great. The doctor
wanted and wished for but I didn’t put the scanner on my mom’s belly and was looking
expect it to come this way suddenly… for the baby, we could see his legs, his hands and
his small head too! He was so cute and little I
I ran downstairs and asked my dad if that was true couldn’t wait for my brother to come.
because I didn’t want more siblings in the house.
“Dad is it true that we are going to have a new baby “It’s a baby boy as your daughter said!” exclaimed
in our family?” I asked. “Yeah we are. Isn’t that the doctor. When he was finally delivered, it was
great!’ He exclaimed. literally the best day of my life and I was so happy to
After some days I got used to the fact that a new hold my baby brother in my hands and cuddle him!
born baby is coming to the family. I loved the idea! It’s a nice experience.
anytime I go to my friend’s houses I tell them I’m
having a new born baby in the family. I really By Wafaa Slim
wanted a baby boy because we are 3 girls in the
family!

Few months later my mom went to the doctor to
check whether she was going to have a baby boy or
a baby girl and I went with her. As we were going I
called a friend to come along with me so she can

Living on the M N

You will never know how much you really miss While living in the lunar colony, one must also
Earth until you actually live on the moon. realise how difficult it is to travel from place to
First of all you have to get used to the idea place. On Earth, one could easily drive their
of zero gravity, which can take a toll on a weak car, take a train or flight. But on the moon,
stomach. Then, one must get accustomed to the none of those necessities have been
whole balling and bathroom routine, which can also developed. You have to live in the surrounding
be difficult at times. for however long you plan to stay.
Living on the moon could be fun, however.
Imagine having that breath-taking view of
earth from space and realising how small we
truly are. Also there is a chance to discover for
yourself if aliens truly exist and perhaps be
among the first humans to welcome our green
friends from other planets. I also know that I
wouldn’t be able to stop bragging to my friends
about living on the moon when I get back to earth.

Abdullah Haider

73

Year Eight
Do Violent Games Make
People Violent in Real Life?

R ecently, many parents claim that violent video Many people believe that violent
games make their children more violent in real video games make people more
life. I personally agree with this. This is because violent in real life, but I think
violent video games create images in a child’s head and otherwise.
teaches negative stuffs (like fighting). I will explain why
violent video games make people more violent I real When people play these violent games, the
life. corrupted and bad things that are done by
their favourite characters are sometimes
Firstly, violence is contagious. According to copied by the gamers who start to do the
scientific research carried out recently, if violence is same actions that are done in the games.
witnessed by a child, it accesses their memory, making For example, Grand Theft Auto (GTA for
them use it for self-defence or other things. That is why short), has tonnes of indecent acts in them,
violent video games make people more violent in real and after video games player try it, they
life. start to carry out these acts in their everyday
life. In addition, the only reasons they do this
Secondly, most people I know, including me, who is because they like it, and they feel it is
play call of duty, wrestling and other violent games have harmless to other people.
felt a drastic change in their attitudes. When we were
younger and we got offended by someone, we usually However, most players have parents to
forget about it without any reaction, but now, we offend watch, guide and control them. They always
the person in return through insult and beating. That is make sure of the games their children are
why violent video games make people more violent in playing. From personal experience, my
real life. parents are always on the lookout to see all
the games I play. In addition, before a parent
On the other hand, people still disagree with this or guardian buys a video game, the age limit
motion. They claim that their children are not violent, is always shown. This age limit is to prevent
even when they play violent video games. This might be unsuitable players from playing the game.
true, but this still depends on parental guidance; if
parents guide their children well when it comes to such In conclusion, I think that violent video
games they would not become violent, but if they do games do not make people more violent in
not , violence will grow in the child, making them violent real life if they are monitored carefully.
in real life. That is why violent video games make people
make people more violent in real life. Jean-pierre Raffoul

In conclusion, violent video games do make
people more violent in real life, but that is what I think. It
is possible the person does not become violent, but that
varies just as stated and pointed out earlier. So, I
recommend violent video games must be strictly
regulated to have a peaceful society.
-Maroun Dib

74

Year Eight

THE REPUBLIC OF CRAVELAND The mountain in the east is called Craveland’s Finest; its
height is 5328 metres. The mountain in the north is
Crave Land is a country with many rivers and called Mount Crave, its height is 6981 metres .The
mountains and has the best climate in the mountain in the south is called the fleeting mountains,
world; In the summer, it has a low humidity, light its height is 3591 metres. Craveland has five rivers that
breeze and a cool 70 degrees temperature. In the are connected to the Atlantic Ocean.
winter, Craveland does not experience blizzards, its
temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees Craveland has a population of 98,521,899 million
Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius).In people and an area of 437,075 km square making
the springtime, the temperature is very moderate, In Craveland the 57th largest country in the world.
autumn, it rains a lot changing the temperature of Craveland’s major languages are English, French,
Craveland. Spanish and their indigenous language, Crave.
Craveland is a 100% Christian. Craveland is located in
Craveland has three major mountains. Each of these Europe close to the United Kingdom; it is bordered by
mountains is not freezing cold at their peaks. On the France and England. Craveland’s president is Leonardo
contrary, they all have the same temperature which is Acero and their Prime Minister is Jean-Claude Francois
52 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature does not Blanc. Their currency is Crave Argent and Pounds.
change and that is why scientists of the world have tried Craveland capital is Franchester and their demonym is
to explain this phenomenon but they have not found Cravi. Their national anthem is “One Nation We Stand”.
the cause. Their first president was Christopher Baldwin and their
last king was King Abel the third

Craveland is the richest and happiest country in the
world. They have the best doctors in the world and are
so secured that they have cameras on the streets. Lastly,
Craveland has 10 states

By Madeleine Chayeb

What a wonder, what a subject

The greatest thing that has ever tuberculosis and many more; fabrication of
happened me man is the discovery steam engines, telephones, computers;
of the word ‘science’. Often defined discovery and utilization of electricity to
as the knowledge gained through series of mention a few. Far back from ancient times
experimentation and analysis of daily to the present age, science has created a lot
phenomena, Science has been a great of opportunities for other fields of study to
benefit to humanity. It is a subject that cuts thrive and advance such that if there would
across all disciplines of human endeavor be any meaningful development to any
ranging from commerce to art. tribe and nationality, the people must
imbibe and inculcate the knowledge of
All of its blessings are very glaring for science. This is why it is very paramount
everyone to see: the seven wonders of the that all and sundry embrace science.
world; discovery of several drugs to cure
dangerous diseases like Ebola, pneumonia, By Zainab Lawal

75

Year Nine

Dylan Corpuz Mirna Deborah David Olisamedua Esenwa

al-Mahmoud

Karim Kaj Michael Lot yara Mdeihli Oluwatodimu
Obidipe

Lily Rmeity Roda Hammoud NURUL-HAQ Mahdi Soufan
SHUAIBU KABIRU

Jasmine Etim Semoore Tijani Paul Ogar Covenant David

76

Year Nine

MR. BABATUNDE LAGOS STATE:
OJEGBILE (Year Tutor)
CENTRE OF EXCELLENT INDEED

Lagos is said to be the “Centre of Excellent” kidnapped and when she was rescued she said that
making people who haven’t been here think the boys pleaded her forgiveness as they held her
that is a wonderful place; with thriving hostage; that they were only doing this because they
cultures and efficient way of life. Indeed!. Imagine had no jobs. People say that Lagos state Nigeria is
what kind of disappointment would be seen on the the “Centre of Excellence” and yet its civilization has
face of a visitor after hearing so much about it. Dirty most of them living in great poverty. Our children are
roads, hawking children, a vast number of beggars all sent to hawk or beg at a very tender age so as to
displayed on the face of the disappointed visitor. raise money instead of going to school. Sure we have
Graduates are seen on the streets clutching their public schools that the government has made for less
certificate that used to bring them joy but now a privilege children to have a chance at education but
constant reminder of their joblessness, as they drag despite all that most public schools turn into a
themselves from one job interview to another, one gathering for future cultists and prostitutes rather
newspaper stand to another, one relative to another, than a group of children who are there to learn due
all in the search for a job. Most of them end up as to the ignorance of the teacher and this ignorance is
janitors and housekeepers with their certificates while often caused by the neglect of school by the
the rest turn to crime. government.

It is only a very few people that get to the top and This sometimes causes some teachers to become
yet Lagos state, Nigeria is said to be the “Centre of “ghost workers” the government often fail to pay the
Excellence”. Indeed! It is said that Lagos is a very teachers of public schools for a long period of time
good place to find jobs adding to its “Excellence” but because they have embezzled funds and claim to use
how come our youth leave home in the morning in it to fix roads, new school but at the end of the day
search of jobs and come back by 11pm in the night when you look around you, you will see not even an
with nothing to show for it apart from a tired face, iota of change or improvement. Where are the
sadness and frustration. This goes on commonly for roads? Where are the new schools which the
an unemployed graduate and yet despite it all our government has told us they built? In fact our corrupt
president said that “our youths are lazy” and that is Lagos state officials are the lazy ones. They are too
why they believe there are no jobs in Nigeria. All that lazy so they embezzle our money and stash them in
walking/working/toiling under the hot sun is just a secret accounts. It is often said “forward ever,
mere act of laziness? The Lagos state Economy which Backward never”, but our Lagos state, Nigeria is
was said to be thriving is what we see today as a growing backwards. Its increasing level of inefficiency,
failure. Crime is rapidly increasing by the day at an its poor infrastructure, its weak foundation. Lagos
alarming rate due to the fact that our governor state, Nigeria can often be said to be poison with
Akinwunmi Ambode has provided our youths with no honey; it may look wonderful but as you draw closer,
jobs, thereby forcing them to turn to crime. its level of inefficiency is enough to choke you.

A wife of a certain Reverend who was in politics was Deborah David

77

Year Nine

TRAFFIC
IN APAPA

Nowadays traffic has become a major problem flooding on the roads.
in Apapa. This is because of the terrible roads It would be a good idea if we set up a campaign to
caused by the large trucks that make pot holes make all the companies in Apapa who bring trucks
on the road. Furthermore the same trucks park on the aware of the amount of damage that they have caused
bridge because of the bad road network and the bad not only to the roads but to the city and the people in it.
roads. this will result in people leaving Apapa in large
numbers. Therefore, Apapa may no longer be the The government should encourage people to
vibrant business district it used to be. use water ways to reduce the amount of cars on the
road and the level of traffic. These waterways could be
It is high time that the government took used to transport goods rather than the large trucks.
positive action because a lot of business, shopping Government could also create a law that limits the
malls and banks have closed down due to the traffic in movement of trucks from 10pm-5am I would also
Apapa that does not allow people freely go in or out of suggest that the government create more road
Apapa. Moreover school children who live far away network but the will need to monitor the contractors
from school now get to school late and a lot of students building these roads so the construction doesn’t take
are leaving most of the schools in Apapa. Also due to time.
the bad traffic in Apapa people stuck in traffic waste
productive time and when stuck in traffic they are likely I am sure that if these measures are taken, the
to get robbed problem of traffic in Apapa will soon be a thing of the
past and Apapa will be a better place to live in
Furthermore the Apapa traffic leads to
pollution from both the cars and truck fumes and the Todimu Obidipe
waste generated by the men that park their trucks on
the bridge leads to pollution. The governments should
encourage people to use drainages in other to prevent

SHOULD BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY BE REPLACED WITH LAPTOPS?

Also, many school libraries contain books that are old
and a few recent ones, but with computers, students
are able to read both old and new books of their choice.

Many students think that books in the school One the other hand, one of the main arguments
library should be replaced with computers against books being replaced with laptops is that books
due to the advancement of technology. are cheap, affordable and occupy less space. For this
However, a few other students like me think that books reason, schools should be buying more books. Another
in the library shouldn’t be replaced. reason why books shouldn’t be replaced with laptops is
One of the main arguments in favor of books being that books are easier to carry around than laptops.
replaced with computers is that students are restricted Imagine carrying a laptop everywhere you go; it feels
to the books available in the librar y, but with so uncomfortable but with a book, you feel more
computers, they are able to read a wide range of books comfortable carrying it around.
ranging from comics, novels, stories and textbooks.
In conclusion, I think that books should not be replaced
78 with laptops because students who love to read books
might spend hours in front of the screen of a laptop,
which might damage their eyes.

NURUL-HAQ KABIRU

Year Nine

A grade is How to get good
a particular grades in School
level of rank,
quality, proficiency, intensity, a lot of space for you to write or draw a
or value of something. In this diagram of your answer. The best thing to do
case it is a mark indicating the is to note keywords the teacher says in such a
quality of a students work at school. For students who way that when you are studying or revising for an
don’t do really well at school, the following tips are exam, you will be able to understand what it means.
bound to help him/her because it worked for my No matter how long or short an answer is, try to
younger brother who moved from a B+ to an A. include keywords, as it is keywords that will fetch you
1. Always pay close attention in class: marks in an exam.
2. Avoid distraction: distraction makes you not 5. Have a study timetable: having a study
to listen attentively in class and it makes you miss timetable helps you be organized.
important keywords the teacher says. 6. Do not over study: over studying might
3. Use your free time wisely (if you have): a lot stress you out or make reading/studying boring.
of students think that free time is meant for them to Instead, have a break of 5-10 minutes; if you have
rest. In fact some people even sleep, eat or go to time you could extend your break to 30 minutes or
play a game of chess. Free time is to be spent an hour.
reading a storybook, novel, textbook (e.g biology) or 7. Do not start to study a day before the exam:
meeting a teacher to explain a particular topic or studying a day before the exam makes a student to
formula you do not understand. jumble answers, keywords, or formulas to a question.
4. Note down key words the teacher says in You should study every day.
your own words: sometimes, what the teacher says I hope with these few tips of mine, I’m able to help
might be too long or you don’t understand it. In improve a student’s grade or even put a smile on
Cambridge IGCSE exam, they don’t usually give you his/her face. Do not forget to read a book during the
long holiday of about two months.

NURUL-HAQ SHUAIBU KABIRU

ARE EXAMS MONOTONOUS?

Nowadays, a large number of students have On the other hand, it has been said that exams can
been arguing that exams are monotonous give students the opportunity to apply or practice
and they are not a true test of students’ what they have been taught because while they are

intelligence .However, as far as I am concerned, I studying they have to re-visit old topics and practise

believe that exams help students to improve their using past questions to gain mastery of these topics.

academic skills.

Furthermore, exams help students exercise their brain

One of the main arguments against exams is that they and is also a good way to measure students’

can lead to exhaustion because you have to know a academic progress.

lot of important details before any exam .For example, In conclusion, in my opinion, I believe that exams are

before any mathematics exam you need to know a lot beneficial to all students because they can improve

of formulas. This can lead to undue pressure which their thinking skills.

may encourage cramming. When students cram ,they

can forget some details which will eventually cause Yara Mdeihli

them to cheat or maybe even fail.

79

Year Ten

Favour Kalu Isabel Nimmyel Aderike Adesanya Huwaida Abboud

Mohanned Erere Ayenor Rafka Dib Mohammed
Sahmaraney Saffieddine

Jeffrey Etim Wesley Etim Fejiro Paul Zubair
Obaro - Umeh

Yasmina Haidar Nour Berjawi MR. hILLARY
ASHIKABE (Year Tutor)

80

The Dangers of Addiction Year Ten

Nowadays, addiction is the most problem
common in the society and it is particularly
prominent amongst teenagers. This is
because of their very inquisitive nature; they always

want to try out new things and explore the world in

both negative and positive aspects. This curiosity

constantly brings negative effects and the victims often

end up as addicts.

There are different types of addictions that

often affect teenagers but in my own opinion the most

common is pornography. This is because technology

has been developed in a way in which anything can be

researched and found on the internet and this could be

used for both negative and positive purposes but is Foblo (the fear of being left out) but sometimes they
mostly used for negative purposes. just feel the need to go against warnings and become
Furthermore, pornography is most common amongst rebels and since their hormones are growing and
teenagers and adults sometimes because it is the reacting to some certain things they do whatever they
easiest stimuli that can be found. One can easily go to like without thinking and end up doing the wrong thing.
the internet to browse it or even buy magazines about This could lead to a lot of damage in their life.
it. As known addiction can be defined as a brain
disorder characterized by a compulsive engagement in Lastly, they could be influenced by the wrong
rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. In background because if one is brought up in a very
other addictions the stimuli is not easy to find, for ungodly manner he or she is destined to do the wrong
instance drugs are hard to find and are mostly things which may lead to negative effects which could
expensive and teenagers may not be able to get the make the child go astray in life or lose the most
amount or money they need in order to buy the drug essential things in life.
they need but pornography on the other hand is easier
to get because it can be found anywhere; on phones, In conclusion, I think pornography is the most
cafes and even magazines. common addiction and should be eradicated as quick
as possible by creating awareness to those who have
Most teenagers end up addicted to porn no idea about what it is and help those who are passing
because of peer pressure or sometimes lack of a proper through the same thing.

Godly background. It's very popular among teenagers
to get influenced by their peers. This could be due to Favour Kalu

PAIN
Faced in the darkest of times

When the best things become the worst’s

We fail to do things as basic as nursery rhymes

The bubble that swelled in the skies finally bursts.

Pain is love. It is cherished and blemished when it gets

stronger,

It could be diminished. When all is right, you decide to

let it go wrong. You become a lacking lover, your

problems are very long.

Pain is ecstasy when depressed, it makes you laugh…

And cry, it hurts as you cry a bucket and a half even I should say…. To me … pain is life, life is pain when the
when you seem happy, it hurts you insides when you morning shows the sun, the noon shows rain just when
look to life, it causes death like insecticides. you change up, you get stained when you want to be
Pain is flash. It does really itch until you scratch it. It does free, you find yourself framed.
stop at your will; it burns you up bit -by -bit. It gives Life is pain. It hurts so much you can’t write less.
you a scruffy appearance, when things should be very

easy, it proves tough. Wesley Etim

81

Year Ten FIGHT TO FINISH

There is no difference between us, if not we would amidst innocent tears? Why do our leaders die for us
be in two different worlds. Race is a very when there are not to die at all? What if the first men to
important subject to talk about. It is something stepped foot in the world were black? What would
that involves every one. happen if the skies are longer covered in black blood?
What if we could all live on earth in togetherness and
Music Artist Joyner Lucas said “when we say peace? The remnants of our working black leaders are
nigger, we know it’s a way we greet each other” “when weakened by fatigue and pain?
you guys say nigger we know there is another meaning
under”. The problem of race has escalated to the level We weren’t brought to earth to be divided
that we accept the insults dropped on us. However, the because when we are divided, we dissect ourselves and
fight is still there. Many failed to see that even when we die. If there was ever a race, all races won. We are to
fight it is for our rights not a revenge for what took place share the world or fight in the just way. If you refuse to
on the plantations many years ago. No one ever ask agree, one would have to ask ‘what makes you better
themselves where we would be without the black race. than I am?’ What privileges would I lack if you didn’t
How we are able to accept other races into our country unjustly seize them from me? What riches can you
and became enslaved by them. Even though we treat access that I can’t? Of course, the blacks fight between
people fairly, we are still the ones who get shot without themselves but there is harmony. When we fight, we
interrogation by the police. When we are innocent we hope for a brighter light. A time when colour would
got bullied, but then our words fall onto deaf colourless only matter in Art as a subject. But at the present time,
ears. we can only fight against continued racial injustice.

Why do we refuse to accept the fact that we Wesley Etim
are one and not different. Why do we still get executed

I had dreams
they had dreams,
some dreams almost seemed too real,
some dreams almost seemed like an ordeal.
Dreams are like fuel when hope seems lost,
A fuel for strength.
I reminisce about dreams,
thoughts of existence.
A moment where there are no forces of resistance.
Time seems boundless,
but in reality time flies as fast as a falcon.
Wish it could never end; please don’t end.
Reality says wake up!
My heart says dream. Why?
The only place I have to rest
the only place I will not break.
I run there every time because of fear.
Dreams I dream
sleep they sleep never to be disturbed again.

David Obaro-Umeh

82

Year Ten

At who’s cost

What does the term “joy” mean? To some it
means being in a place that brings back
cherished memories. To others it is a person
who can turn a bad situation into a good one to
remember. To most, it is the clear state of mind knowing
that problems are not evident and life is supposedly
going as planned.

Yet to the majority joy is a term not properly understood Don’t we see that this alleged pure substance, which is
even if heard daily and expected from us all, completely supposed to bring us together or create a somewhat
obscuring the chances of an open mind to those who positive difference in our lives, is oversimplified? To
need help and forcing this carved perception in one’s accept and appreciate our variances has been so
mind that everyone has to be “happy,” not regarding altered by ones belief of what it should be that now we
what one is going through in order to portray a good are forced to FAKE what is the most stable and raw
image but “FOR WHO” I ask and “AT WHAT RISK.” substance we can offer as people.

Are we willing to put a child’s life on the line from the Nevertheless I do believe that we are able to move on.
overbearing standards which we inflict upon them to We all know who or what we are doing it for but the
prove something to their parents? Are we willing to question one must look within themselves and ask is “Is
sacrifice our own personality and character to put on a it really worth it.”
mask for our friends? To change our appearance and
features to marry that guy or date that girl is that what Isabel Nimmyel
we have been taught to become.

In the world today, a vast majority of teenagers are seen to their children, they are most likely going to go astray in life
go into drugs. This can be caused by many things like because they don’t have the guidance they need at that point
depression, peer pressure and trauma. in time of their life. In some cases the parents are lucky
enough to find out what’s going on in their children’s life
Firstly, drug addiction is a disorder of the brain’s before it is too late but some never find out and that could
reward system which rises through transcriptional and lead to very tragic consequences.
epigenetic mechanisms and occurs over time from
chronically high level of stimulus like drugs. Since some children don’t have anyone responsible
to share their problems with they tend to end up in bad
There are many reasons for this, one of which is hands. Sometimes they end up going into things that they
peer pressure. For instance if one keeps friends who deal with are not meant to due to their depression and some get into
drugs one way or the other even though he or she doesn’t do drugs, alcohol or even smoking. All of these could put an end
it the attitude of the friends towards him or her will eventually to the destiny of the child and even to their own lives because
make the person do it and that could lead to serious there is high percentage of them getting caught and even
consequences. dying.

Also In a situation where one has an unsettled Although, a large number of people have the idea
home; where the mum and dad do not really pay attention to that people who go through drug addiction are not meant to
be spoken to and should be isolated from others, the best
way to actually help them is to talk to them and show them
love .Whether it was caused by peer pressure, depression or
trauma it doesn’t really matter. One way or the other we can
still help them in the little way we can. We can talk to them
about the bad company they are keeping or show them as
much love by our actions toward them.

All they actually need is someone to talk to and we
are the only ones that can help them so next time you see an
addict don’t persecute them; they are also humans like us
going through a hard phase in their life all you need to do is
spread love. It will mean a lot to them.

SAY NO TO DRUG ADDICTION!
YOU CAN HELP IN YOUR LITTLE WAY

83

Year Eleven

Youssef Kaj Rayana Mehsen SHAYO ALUKO

Hiba Fakih Joanna Lot MYLES ETIM

Zainab Fawaz MR. LUCKY KAWEDO
(Year Tutor)

84

Our students had an enriching experience interviewing two Interviews
leaders of industry. This was part of our initiative to help
students develop an awareness of the immense variety of career
options available to them; to encourage them to reach for the highest heights of attainment

and to help them develop effective communication skills.

Report on Interview with Mr. Tope Adeniyi,

CEO AXA Mansard Insurance by Shayo Aluko

Mr Adeniyi emphasized greatly on how his upbringing a talent in itself. Mr Adeniyi tackled the controversial
shaped him and moulded him for his position of CEO of
AXA mansard. He cited his mother and her strong stereotype that talents cannot be developed by talking
christian beliefs as his main sculptor but, also discussed about how he was not always so passionate, but when
how the rigorous routine that he adopted from primary he gave his life to Christ in secondary school, he started
school, all through secondary school and even in to notice a great change in his zeal.
university helped him become more responsible and
create a well needed balance between his work and his Moving on from his personal life, we began to
play. talk about his company, AXA Mansard and the services
they provided- insurance. Mr Adeniyi admitted that in
As the conversation progressed to education, Nigeria, the percentage of people with any kind of
Mr Adeniyi gave us a bit of insight into his past. He insurance, more particularly life insurance, was rather
talked about his secondary school life in an all-boys low. However, he did also note that the future of
school and how despite the difficulties he was able to insurance in Nigeria was bright indeed. Mr Adeniyi
make it out with quite impeccable grades; however he animatedly discussed the inevitable digitalization of
did not fail to reveal that the secret to his success was insurance all over the world and how he hoped Nigeria
that he gave his life to Christ at a young age. On this would not be late to the table. He used this opportunity
note Mr Adeniyi made sure to pay tribute to the phrase to impress the importance of insurance on us, in hopes
“one should never stop learning”; he himself being a that our generation would be more open and
more than adequate example. After attaining his first understanding of its importance and uses.
degree, Mr Adeniyi went back to obtain a master’s
degree and even get other professional qualifications Finally as a parting word Mr Adeniyi told us,
such as oracle and ITIL. that as young people some of the most frequent
questions that we should ask ourselves are, “what can I
When asked about the talents he possessed do to help?, what can I do to improve humanity? And
that have helped him achieve what he had so far, Mr what can I do to make this world better than it is today?”
Adeniyi smiled and simply said passion. Elaborating on “With these questions answered” he said, “our future is
this he noted that growing up he didn’t really think he in great hands”
had any remarkable talents, but he had come to realize
that his passion, his drive and his desire to do things was

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Interviews

Written interview sent in by

Mrs. Omolara Elemide

Executive Director, Corporate services,

UAC of Nigeria Plc,

What is your highest educational qualification
and how has your education prepared you for
your current position?
I am a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants’ of Nigeria (ICAN). I was
employed by UAC of Nigeria Plc, in 1983, through the
company’s Students’ Accountant’s Training Scheme, as
a Trainee Accountant. I had to qualify as a Chartered
Accountant within two years otherwise I would be
exited from the Scheme. By a lot of dedicated hard
work, and the special grace of God, I qualified within
record time and started my career as a professional
Accountant in the company.

Please tell us about your background and How important are your professional
upbringing? qualifications [ICAN etc.] in your career path?
I am Omolara Elemide, the third child of five siblings; I Very important. My professional qualification made
have three sisters and one brother. I had my Primary way for me to rise on the Managerial ladder in the
education in Anglican Girls Primary School Surulere, organisation.
and my Secondary School education in Girls
Secondary Grammar School Bariga, now Eva Adelaja Apart from your qualifications what skills
Girls Secondary Grammar School. The first five years and/or talents have helped you achieve what
of my life was spent with my grand aunt in Ajido, a you have achieved so far?
small village in Badagry. At age six, I moved from I am a self-motivated person, who loves to work with
Badagry to my parent’s home in Idi-oro for about six her hands as well as her head. So apart from my
months before I was taken to my aunt’s home at educational attainment, I learnt how to make clothes
Medical Compound, Yaba and lived there for over using patterns, during my NYSC days. I am also a very
10years. The family had just returned from the United active person – I try my hands on almost everything. I
Kingdom when I started to live with them. The fix things in the house, I am very creative, I always think
influence of my aunt’s two “British born” children of ways to improvise many things. I like to learn new
robbed off greatly on my early life, as I, a young village things. I learnt how to ride a bicycle about four years
girl, became very polished and all my in-born ago and I am currently learning how to play the
intelligence, eloquence and etiquette found a very keyboard.
conducive environment to bud. Consequently, I was a
brilliant lad, through my early school life. I finished What is a typical day like for you?
School Cert with a Great 1 and later proceeded to Since I assumed my new role, my day is always
Kwara State College of Technology where I studied extremely busy.
Accountancy and finished with the Higher National
Education (HND). What is your most remarkable moment in your
career so far?
The most remarkable moment in my career came on
Dec 6, 2017, when my boss told me that I have been
appointed to the Board of the company, after 34 years in
service, when I was actually looking forward to my

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Interviews

retirement. It was an awesome day for me. My husband What role can young people play in advancing the
and 31year old son called me “Blessed”. How about the FMCG sector?
most challenging? There were many challenging days in They should be creative, extend their imagination and be
my career, as I never felt adequate in myself. I always very technology savvy, so they can invent new things that
believed I didn’t know enough to occupy any role I had ever will make life more interesting and convenient. Are there
been on. currently any internship opportunities for secondary
school students? I believe some organizations have
How much impact, in your assessment, has the internship for secondary school certificate holders. For
FMCG sector had on the Nigerian economy? example CAP Plc has Painters Academy, where they train
A great impact indeed. The FMCG sector , is the sector Secondary School holders on the art of painting.
producing the most basic needs of life e.g Foods and
Beverages, including water. Without these, life will cease. What is your guiding principle in life and how have
you applied it in the different roles you have
What do you think are the growth prospects this occupied in your career?
sector in Nigeria? I am a woman of faith. I believe that with God I can do all
The growth prospects are enormous. For as much as the things, and when I achieve, I give God all the praise.
population continues to increase, there will always be huge
opportunity for growth in this sector. How about the Are there any peculiar challenges you have faced as
challenges? The biggest challenge is the lack of conducive a woman in the corporate world? Yes, when some
business environment and favourable government fraudulent men offer me gratification or make
policies. passes at me. How have you handled them?
I politely turn them down and let them know my values.
What new innovations should people look forward
to from this industry? What tips for success do you have for us as young
Expanded e-commerce, where a consumer can place an people?
order specifying the exact type of product he/she wants is As young people, fear God, run away from sin, be diligent,
one of its kind, it is produced and delivered to the honest, and helpful. Aspire to be the best in anything you
consumer all through the digital platform. do. Discover and Use your talents.

87

Year Twelve

Class of 2018

RIM FAKIH ELISSA daaboul JOSHUA AKUMA

GBOLAHAN ADETUNJI ADEKUNLE ADESANYA ELIAS DAABOUL

ALI SAFA MRS. MFONOBONG
ETIM (Year Tutor)

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Set to Conquer ...

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The beginning....

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9933

WM S 2018

Graduation

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WM S 2018

Graduation

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WM S 2018

Graduation

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The Beginning

Gbolahan Adetunji

Nickname: Gbolly, Drifting Gbolly, Zlatan
Age: 18
Future ambition: “To become more successful
than my grandpa”
Role model: Mr Adesoye Braithwaite
Intended university: University of Manchester
Hobbies: Football, Basketball, FIFA, Anime
Interesting Fact: I have never lost a bet that I
know of.
Favourite Quote: ‘Anger rests in the bosom of
fools’

Reem Fakih

Nickname: Rimoscrimo, Rimo
Age: 18
Role model: My Parents
Intended University: Lebanese American
University
Hobbies: Reading, Cracking jokes
Future plans: I want to be a businesswoman
Favourite sport: Volleyball
Interesting Fact: I make people laugh
unintentionally
Favourite Quote: ‘Dreams and dedication are a
powerful combination’

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The Beginning

Adekunle Adesanya

Nickname:HP
Age: 16
Future ambition: Physicist
Role model: Carl Segar
Intended university: University of Surrey
Hobbies: Reading, gamimg
Interesting Fact: I beat video game levels
blindfolded
Favorite Quote: ‘if you wish to make an apple
pie from scratch, you must first invent the
universe’ -Carl segar

Ali Safa

Nickname: Area Boy
Age: 18
Future ambition: Business Man
Role model: Mr Safa
Intended university: Lebanese International
University
Hobbies: Football
Interesting Fact: Banging your head against a
wall burns 150 calories an hour
Favourite Quote: Actions speak louder than
words

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