We have the *"TIME-KEEPERS"* too, who always reminded the class on the time left for a boring teacher to leave in peace! "5 minutes more!" is a favorite chorus from this group of accurate time keepers. Most of them have functional wrist watches and may pretentiously act like they mistakenly left their watches on alarm tone when it's time to change periods. Thanks to them when the bell is wrung for break and dismissal!

We also have the *"JOLLY FELLOWS"*. They are the lively stars in each classroom, ready to turn the classroom into a night club or party hall. All learning is made fun when these people are around. Sad events can be given a facelift and converted to laughing shows or comedy series. They are quick to improvise with sitting desks/tables as drums or musical instruments. These folks have a perfect drumming or beats for any song raised coupled with matching dance steps. The jolly fellows are the future comedians and musicians from the class. 

The *"BOOKWORMS"* are the intelligent group who may be ahead of the lesson notes or at par with the teachers. They are active in classes and like to ask questions to throw off balance a "not-too-grounded" teachers. Some even show arrogance in class and intimidate others with their brilliance while we have the real genius that remains hidden and humble that you may not even notice their presence. They are always on the top in result sheets pasted on the notice boards and friends help them to check to confirm their positions in every exams. During examinations, some teachers will extract these few and space them evenly in a different hall/classroom to avoid them transferring answers to their friends who may have arranged a sitting formation for ease of doing business in the exam hall! These fellows can write, exhaust their scripts and still be shouting "extra scripts!", sending shivers down our spines when ours are sparingly filled. They are the scholars that mostly make the school proud in each external examinations. Every inter-school competitions record their presence an with academic excellence. 

We have the *"RELIGIOUS BRETHREN"* that are on fellowships every week. They kept the moral standards of the school high. They are pastoring the flock in need of salvation and will sacrifice their time in looking for lost souls. Everybody knows a fellow that belongs to this group. They live by example and are highly respected. Even the school authorities sometimes seek for their help in getting recalcitrant students back on track. They are blessed with intelligence despite not been seen "Jacking/Jerking" like the BOOKWORMS. This group produces our Evangelists, Imams, Alfas, Pastors and religious scholars!

We have the quiet/shy group. Also known as *"INTROVERTS"*. No matter how you try to draw them out, they keep humble disposition and shy away from extroverts. Most students came like this and with time, get recruited into the other groups mentioned earlier. Thanks to their friends who want to show them "what-they-have-been-missing" over the years. After "opening-their-eyes" , some went on to top in the league tables of any group they find themselves so that "them-no-go-carry-last". That's the beauty of socialization in the classroom. The introverts are intelligent too, while some are not too gifted like the BOOKWORMS. Many others are going through phases of hardship or psychological trauma at home and may not be able to share with others. These groups make a perfect blend of people and is what constitutes a great class. Special moments are shared and remembered because some people belonged to one or more of these groups. Everybody contributing his talent to make academic activities fun and complete. 

What other groups are left out of this piece? Please share with me for update in later editions.

 Thanks for your time.   

© *Offie FMC*

 

 

We have gotten to Tamaransset  pronounce as / *Tamanghasset* / is the capital of Tamaransset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. 

Mostly dominated by the Algerian Tuaregs. Getting here in trickle from various countries, we heard there is still a long way to go before we could get to our destination. News filtered in that Rebel forces are increasing geometrically to topple the government of Colone Muammar Al-Gaddafi and we may encounter hostility ahead of the journey. This migratory route have led many Africans to Europe. through Libya. We have heard of horrible tales from migrants who survived the long torture of the Sahara Desert. How some tribal forces along the way launch attacks on travelers and stripped them of every possession.

 

I was drawn to these group of young men who were determined to escape from the harsh economic blows in their home countries. Thirty six (36) of us happened to have a common goal. *To cross the Mediterranean sea.* Our group comprises of *six Ghanaians, Seven Nigerians, three Chadians,  two Togolese,  three Malians, four Cameroonians, five Senegalis, four Burkinabes, One Benin and me, the Only Nigerien*.  We all have fragmented knowledge of the mission ahead and relied heavily on each other since some of us are multilingual, helping out in asking for directions from the locals as we advance our course.

 

We have maps, routes marked out with few tips on the routes given us by some agents who escorted us earlier on but have to return to lead others coming behind us. 

We camped at Tamaransset, exhausted our provisions and could not advance further. The tribal indigenes, mostly Tuaregs, could not offer us any job since we were strangers and could hardly be trusted. The lack of funds delayed us here for almost five days. Individuals have to sell phones and pooled  resources together to purchase food and drinking water. 

We got used to the communal life and started getting interested in knowing where each person came from. Mr Chinedu one of the Nigerians came to be fond of me because he noticed i speak pidgin English like a Nigerian.  I told him I have been to Lagos and Port Harcourt. Also, I have travelled as far south as Calabar the second time I visited Nigeria from my country, Niger Republic.  He was the last to sell his phone after removing the Sim card, secured it in his backpack and bought food and four bottled water for our usual rationing. We had nothing save the four bottles of water which was rationed until the last bottle. It dawn on us that there is no way we could make it to Tahifet or even Idlès as instructed on the maps. We had to turn around and journey on foot towards the border town of In Guezzam, close to the Algerian-Nigerien Border. It took me more than two hours to persuade the group of a retreat to my home Country since we can't survive more than few days under the hot scotching sun in the Sahara desert.

 

We trekked non-stop from sunrise the following day till about past 5pm, exhausted and decided to observe rest along the lonely road. The last bottled water was rationed, each persons drinking few drops and passing it on until the very last left the  orifice. 

 

Few minutes later, flashes of light beamed from a distance. A vehicle was approaching from   behind, heading toward us. With the last vigor we could summon, we flagged it down, praying that it stops for our rescue. Luckily, it stopped few distance away and i walked sluggishly towards him, hands on my head. If you have watched the *Walking Dead*, you will understand how we looked like then.  I sighted  in relief upon seeing the plate number bearing Niger Republic. After exchange of greetings with the lone driver, i pleaded to him to save us since we were stranded and could not help ourselves. He looked with an inquisitive  face  and agreed to help us with a free ride to the Niger Border. However he expressed regret that not all of will board his Hilux Pickup. To be continued.