The Radio program was aired just hours before the message of the King reached the People. It came a night earlier. The King was initially worried,but, the Professor who heard the radio program too was there for the King. He asked the King to call for a town hall meeting at the market square where he, the Professor and the Corper would set the records straight.
During the meeting, the Professor explained, as the chief speaker that the Census truly had other uses other than knowing how many people to be catered for. In addition to levying the people, the Professor said that the Census makes budgeting easier and helps to curb wasteful spending. He also told the people that the Census would also help the King to know which project would serve the people the best.
When the Corper stood up to make his speech, there was a commotion. People started chanting all sorts of songs and NYSC jargon.
Some went with 'Corper Shun', others were chanting 'Ajuwire'.After a while the Corper gestured for calm. That was when some women rounded it all up with a heroic song for the Corper.
The Corper, who was overwhelmed by the hailing of the people greeted in the local dialect of the people and they responded happily. He acknowledged the Professor's opening speech and praised the simplicity of the speech. He also said that the Professor had done all the hard work and as a matter fact, he is only going to talk because courtesy demands it.
The better part of his speech was based on patriotism and why it would be an act of tyranny and ignorance for anyone not to key into the developmental efforts of the King. He also warned the people that it is wiser to stick with the King than with the government that's very far away and doesn't seem to remember them with any project.
On the Radio program, he said that the people shouldn't be alarmed at all. According to him, the Commissioner was right. It's just that he wasn't telling the whole truth and that he doesn't blame him for that. He announced that the King is not forcing anyone in anyway to be a part of the program. As a matter of fact, no one shall be ridiculed for not being part of the system. It's just that such people too shouldn't expect anything from the King as well. But if he were in their shoes, he would go with the King especially when it's not by force like it is with the tax state government.
For that conclusion, the people gave him a standing ovation shouting his name and hailing him. The shouting and hailing went louder when he went to prostrate to the King.
___________________________________________________
Rachael and Kole were at the meeting. They waited to the end. They had gone on stage to rejoice with their colleague who obviously was glad that they were able to make it. Adisa had reserved their seat at a VIP table that's very close to the Royal table where he sat for lunch. After the lunch, it was time to go home. They walked home hand in hand. It was a work free day for them.
"Nawa o!"
"What?"
"Hmmm...I'm just thinking about it...the irony of life"
"Yea, life is full of ironies"
"I mean, check out our current status. Who would ever imagine that Adisa would outdo us socially?" Rachael protested. Kole laughed.
"No! Think about it! He is whining and dinning with the King while we are here legging it back home...Khaarrr! It's just disgusting!" Rachael lamented.
"Well, my dear, such is life. Like they say, there is always something to learn from every situation. I've learnt a great deal from this guy,Adisa"
"Really?"
"Yea"
"Okay. What have you learnt?"
"The first thing I've learnt is to always be at alert. To always be on the look for opportunities. Adisa made a big deal of the NYSC program. While I was thinking of getting a high paying job in a multi national company, Adisa was busy looking around making connections with the Local people. This was what led him to all this you know?"
"Yea, but, it wasn't wrong to dream big as you did."
"I know. But, it was wrong to presume that it can't happen in the village"
"How do you mean? I don't understand"
"Well, if Adisa succeeds with this pet project of his,it's a matter of time that he'll be offered a place in a multi national company or better still, the project becomes so successful that he wouldn't need to get a job ever,rather, he becomes employer of labour! Why do I aspire to work in a multi national, no be for the numerous benefits? Adisa no longer have to worry about that. He is the Boss!" Kole exclaimed.
"Hmmm...that's true, you know?"
"Yea" Kole replied. There was silence for a while as they make the corner to the Corper's lodge.
"Come to think of it. It wouldn't be wrong to work with our friend, Adisa,would it?" Rachael asked. Kole paused to look her in the eye.
"No. What are you driving at?" Kole queried.
"Well, as you can see, the Project is already a success, why don't we key into it when it's still this young? We've got nothing to loose"
"We've got everything to loose.Oh, common babe, you heard it yourself, the State government is not happy with it. Remember that we are here to serve. It wouldn't be nice to be in the bad books of the Governor you know? That would be how many years' hard labour going down the drain. Spare me please! It's not worth it!"
"Of course, it does. Besides, the Governor hasn't shown disapproval."
"Of course, he wouldn't for political reasons. But, deep down there is he pleased? Certainly not?" Kole argued. Rachael was quiet for a while.
"Okay, why don't we go this way? We shall be with him until the Governor shows up and ask we hands off it. Is that okay?" Rachael asked. Kole was not happy with the idea. Rachael was so persuasive that she had started leaning on his shoulder and pleading with the bedroom voice.
"But, are you sure you'll let go?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I, no be wetin I won chop I dey find? I would be very foolish indeed to go for wetin go chop me!" She assures him. He smiled.
"Okay, let's go with him"
"Oh, thank you so much. I love you!" Rachael said kissing him.
To be continued on Monday!
During the meeting, the Professor explained, as the chief speaker that the Census truly had other uses other than knowing how many people to be catered for. In addition to levying the people, the Professor said that the Census makes budgeting easier and helps to curb wasteful spending. He also told the people that the Census would also help the King to know which project would serve the people the best.
When the Corper stood up to make his speech, there was a commotion. People started chanting all sorts of songs and NYSC jargon.
Some went with 'Corper Shun', others were chanting 'Ajuwire'.After a while the Corper gestured for calm. That was when some women rounded it all up with a heroic song for the Corper.
The Corper, who was overwhelmed by the hailing of the people greeted in the local dialect of the people and they responded happily. He acknowledged the Professor's opening speech and praised the simplicity of the speech. He also said that the Professor had done all the hard work and as a matter fact, he is only going to talk because courtesy demands it.
The better part of his speech was based on patriotism and why it would be an act of tyranny and ignorance for anyone not to key into the developmental efforts of the King. He also warned the people that it is wiser to stick with the King than with the government that's very far away and doesn't seem to remember them with any project.
On the Radio program, he said that the people shouldn't be alarmed at all. According to him, the Commissioner was right. It's just that he wasn't telling the whole truth and that he doesn't blame him for that. He announced that the King is not forcing anyone in anyway to be a part of the program. As a matter of fact, no one shall be ridiculed for not being part of the system. It's just that such people too shouldn't expect anything from the King as well. But if he were in their shoes, he would go with the King especially when it's not by force like it is with the tax state government.
For that conclusion, the people gave him a standing ovation shouting his name and hailing him. The shouting and hailing went louder when he went to prostrate to the King.
___________________________________________________
Rachael and Kole were at the meeting. They waited to the end. They had gone on stage to rejoice with their colleague who obviously was glad that they were able to make it. Adisa had reserved their seat at a VIP table that's very close to the Royal table where he sat for lunch. After the lunch, it was time to go home. They walked home hand in hand. It was a work free day for them.
"Nawa o!"
"What?"
"Hmmm...I'm just thinking about it...the irony of life"
"Yea, life is full of ironies"
"I mean, check out our current status. Who would ever imagine that Adisa would outdo us socially?" Rachael protested. Kole laughed.
"No! Think about it! He is whining and dinning with the King while we are here legging it back home...Khaarrr! It's just disgusting!" Rachael lamented.
"Well, my dear, such is life. Like they say, there is always something to learn from every situation. I've learnt a great deal from this guy,Adisa"
"Really?"
"Yea"
"Okay. What have you learnt?"
"The first thing I've learnt is to always be at alert. To always be on the look for opportunities. Adisa made a big deal of the NYSC program. While I was thinking of getting a high paying job in a multi national company, Adisa was busy looking around making connections with the Local people. This was what led him to all this you know?"
"Yea, but, it wasn't wrong to dream big as you did."
"I know. But, it was wrong to presume that it can't happen in the village"
"How do you mean? I don't understand"
"Well, if Adisa succeeds with this pet project of his,it's a matter of time that he'll be offered a place in a multi national company or better still, the project becomes so successful that he wouldn't need to get a job ever,rather, he becomes employer of labour! Why do I aspire to work in a multi national, no be for the numerous benefits? Adisa no longer have to worry about that. He is the Boss!" Kole exclaimed.
"Hmmm...that's true, you know?"
"Yea" Kole replied. There was silence for a while as they make the corner to the Corper's lodge.
"Come to think of it. It wouldn't be wrong to work with our friend, Adisa,would it?" Rachael asked. Kole paused to look her in the eye.
"No. What are you driving at?" Kole queried.
"Well, as you can see, the Project is already a success, why don't we key into it when it's still this young? We've got nothing to loose"
"We've got everything to loose.Oh, common babe, you heard it yourself, the State government is not happy with it. Remember that we are here to serve. It wouldn't be nice to be in the bad books of the Governor you know? That would be how many years' hard labour going down the drain. Spare me please! It's not worth it!"
"Of course, it does. Besides, the Governor hasn't shown disapproval."
"Of course, he wouldn't for political reasons. But, deep down there is he pleased? Certainly not?" Kole argued. Rachael was quiet for a while.
"Okay, why don't we go this way? We shall be with him until the Governor shows up and ask we hands off it. Is that okay?" Rachael asked. Kole was not happy with the idea. Rachael was so persuasive that she had started leaning on his shoulder and pleading with the bedroom voice.
"But, are you sure you'll let go?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I, no be wetin I won chop I dey find? I would be very foolish indeed to go for wetin go chop me!" She assures him. He smiled.
"Okay, let's go with him"
"Oh, thank you so much. I love you!" Rachael said kissing him.
To be continued on Monday!
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