Leila Fowler

"I began my work life as a stand-in teacher, and this was due to my very good performance in secondary school."

"Then, the teaching and nursing professions were considered the most appropriate professions for girls so, I took up a teaching appointment with St. Theresa's College."

"I am amazed that all that is me! Thank you for appreciating me. Do not love your children so much so you become blind to their weaknesses or cannot punish them when they err."

"There should be a strong family life at home and in school. Devote the weekends to your children; sit with them, be their friends, listen to their pains, because they have pains at their level."

"There is a lot to learn from them. By doing this, and by being a living example of good values as parents, you will have a good close knit family. We still have a lot to learn to make Nigeria great. We all have a role to play."

"Mother is the glue that kept us together. Her hard work and resilience has been a guiding light in my life. History and rapid changes also motivated me. Attitudes, habits and cultures have changed. The sense of community is gone; thus the essence of the book is to document the values I learnt from my mother so children can learn."

"It teaches that, like Mama, even if you have many friends, let only few people into your inner space and the relationship should be based on honesty, humility, respect and openness."