ShortStory I Golden Chance

GOLDEN CHANCE

        Could it be that she didn’t notice him, or was it pretence? He had sat patiently all alone in the virtually empty bar on a Saturday awaiting her arrival, only for her to eventually walked in and never even bothered to take a glance at his presence let alone tendering a casual salutation as courtesy demanded.

 

 

        Dan who resided in the city of Asaba, Delta State, was a secret admirer. He had observed her with keen interest for three weeks now, although the lady in question was yet to take note of his existence. The bar popularly known as Dragon-Top, in which he was seated, had remained his usual joint whenever it called for relaxation since three years back he relocated to the city.

         She came into the picture barely about twenty-one days back when both of them coincidentally arrived at Dragon-Top at the same time. On that fateful day, she was gorgeously clad in a red-carpet dress as if it was her birthday and needed to rock the day in a bar. Though she didn’t notice him as he stepped in alongside her, he did notice her magnificent look and countenance. Surprisingly, it seemed she came to catch fun all alone as throughout almost an hour she relaxed in there with just a bottle of Smirnoff, no one was by her side. Such rare display kept Dan in a deep thoughtful mood all-through the day even after her gracious departure.

         The following Saturday evening being exactly a week after the first encounter, Dan equally caught the sight of same lady dressed in different charming attire. On that day, she was also seated all alone throughout her stay at the outlet. Smirnoff was as well her company on this very day; but this time, she took two bottles contrary to the first outing when she managed to consume just one.

         Since it appeared her patronage was on a Saturday-Saturday basis, Dan thought it wise to always make out time to be present at Dragon-Top every Saturday, precisely during the evening time, even amid tight schedules. On the third Saturday being two weeks after the first encounter, she also came along as expected and in another elegant wear. On this day, he decided to lose his patience and walk up to her for a chat but later jettisoned his idea, reason best known to him, or perhaps owing to lack of courage.

        Maybe all those while, she never acknowledged that one particular young man had been admiring every bit of her. Or, did she know and decided to play along? Only the gods could tender the apt answer to the question. Well, whatever the case could be, time would surely tell as usual.

        Today, being the fourth Saturday, the 36-year-old Dan was at the moment the only guest in the ‘almighty’ and ever bubbling Dragon-Top. It was about 4:30 pm; some minutes earlier than the previous outings. He was advertently more punctual, probably to enable him properly strategize on how best to approach that seeming unique bird that had been perching on a dwarf tree situated very close to his abode. About twenty minutes after his arrival, there she came clad in her usual way and thereof requested for her normal drink; she wanted it very cold this time.

        It’s noteworthy that as she walked into the bar, Dan’s gaze was firmly fixed on her but she never cared to even wave at him nor showcase any element of reciprocation; rather, she hurriedly looked elsewhere on observing the rare stare and acted as if the dude didn’t worth her attention.

        “Was it a pretence?” Dan thought as she passed by, ignoring him. “Or could it be she was outside minded.” He added just to console himself.

         She was seated adjacent to him but about ten metres away. Dragon-Top was large enough to accommodate over three hundred individuals while seated. Excluding the attendants, only both of them were found at the bar at the time, thus she had no reason to say that she could not see Dan as well as how good he equally dressed. As she sipped her drink with a white straw, she intermittently glanced at him in style. The pink gown coupled with silver-coated sandals she wore looked like what was specially designed for a palace princess. From all indications, she couldn’t be more than 28.

         On his part, Dan who put on black jeans trousers, red-check shirt, black baseball cap and a pair of red trainers spotted with white, was occupied with a bottle of stout beer. He was also staring at her at intervals though stylishly. “Hello pretty!” he eventually broke the silence as he eventually walked to where she sat.

         It seemed she didn’t see him leave his initial position let alone move towards her point as she was seemingly startled on hearing the salutation. “Hi.” She managed to reply, waving her right hand.

         “Did I frighten you?” he verified, still standing.

         “I didn’t know when you got here.” She responded.

         “Oh,” he said. “So sorry about that.”

         “No problem.” she uttered. “So..?” she supplemented, trying to ascertain his mission.

         “Please, can I sit with you?”

         “Suit yourself.”

         “Thanks.” He tendered as he sat opposite her on one of the three empty chairs at the table.

         “You are welcome.”

         “I am Dan.” He disclosed in a jiffy.

         “Are you through with your drink?” she enquired, pointing at his table, ignoring the introductory note.

         “Oh, yes.” he replied. “Thanks.”

         “Well, I am Jessy.”

         “It is my pleasure to meet you, Jessy.”

         “How?’ she queried. “Did you know me before now?”

         “I have known you for over three weeks now.”

         “Three weeks..?”

         “Yes.”

         “How?” quoth Jessy. “Where?”

         “Right here in dragon top.”

         “Really..?”

         “Yea.”

         “So, you have been spying me all along?”

         “Spy..?” he said. “On the contrary, I have been observing you.”

         “Observing me?” she echoed, placing her left hand on her chest. “Interesting.”

       “This is the fourth time you would be here within this month,” quoth the lover boy. “Am I right?”

       “Hmm…,” she muttered. “This is getting more interesting.”

       “You can say that again.”

       “So, how may I help you?” she said frankly.

       “It is obvious.” responded Dan. “Or, isn’t it?”

         She smiled, calmly folded her arms, and never uttered a word.

         To be continued, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador  

 

           

 

   

         

 

           

Opinion I Okorocha, Lawmakers' Drama Over Proposed Budget Presentation

OKOROCHA, LAWMAKERS' DRAMA OVER PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION

        

Penultimate week precisely on 28^th November 2017, the Imo House of Assembly was in what could be described as a rowdy and confused mood. The unforeseen quagmire was not unconnected with the setback suffered by the proposed presentation of the state’s 2018 Appropriation Bill by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

        

The governor had on Monday, November 27, 2017 rightly informed the public – particularly the Imo people – that he would be presenting the said bill the following day being Tuesday at ten O’clock in the morning before the state’s legislators, at the Hallowed Chambers to be precise.

       

After absorbing the announcement, I made up my mind that I wouldn’t miss the occasion; the first time I told myself that I needed to observe the governor’s appropriation bill presentation. In view of this, as a man who does not joke with time management, at exactly 9:30 am on the stipulated day, I found myself on the premises of the revered Imo House of Assembly. In the same vein, other well-meaning Imolites from all walks of life sacrificed their respective engagements scheduled for that day for the proposed presentation.

         

Hours later, embracing the governor’s presence remained far-fetched. Nevertheless, I and my likes waited patiently since the outing in question was a remarkable one, yet to no avail. The patient wait lingered till a point when an information filtered in, stating the proposed Appropriation Bill submission had been postponed indefinitely.

       

Therein, I hurriedly looked at myself and saw a bitter being standing right inside the Assembly building complex. I was left with no choice than to gather my shattered self and return to where I was earlier meant to be. On the way to my office, I kept pondering over what could have prompted such embarrassing scene which I personally referred to as an eyesore and earsore too.

       

It’s noteworthy that the Imo government has blamed the terrible setback on ‘large discrepancies discovered in the proposed budget speech’. That is to say; anomalies noticed in the speech that was required to be presented by the governor before the lawmakers and other concerned Imolites. Having gotten the excuse, I laughed in Latin and began to ask myself which devil was really behind the uncalled melodrama.

       

The excuse was truly laughable and ridiculous, to assert the least. How could a state’s event scheduled to take place at a given time on a certain date be marred by discrepancies discovered in the speech intended to be delivered by the special guest as being claimed? Does it imply that the said discrepancies weren’t discovered many weeks or months ago before the stipulated date of the supposed epochal outing? Or, are they trying to tell us that the awaited event wasn’t a planned one? These and many more questions or verifications need to be attended to for the sake of way-forward.

        

Such an excuse, rather than helping to address the situation at hand, would only end up questioning the government’s competence as well as sincerity. In other words, in subsequent times, I advise that before they come up with any excuse to cushion the excruciating effects of an inconvenience caused by the government, there’s need to adequately consult a strategist for proper counselling. Such a measure is for the interest of the government, the governed and the state at large.

         

However, it’s worth noting that on that fateful, some of the Imo legislators had alleged non-payment of salaries cum sitting allowances accruable to them, thus were not prepared to receive the 2018 Appropriation Bill from the Executive Arm ably led by Gov. Okorocha until the alleged debts are cleared. Hence, they boycotted the sitting. Suffice it to say that the setback witnessed by the proposed presentation was reportedly informed by the allegation levelled by the lawmakers.

         

I equally learned that on that very day, within the period meant for the presentation, the legislators were at the Imo Government House otherwise known as the Douglas House upon the governor’s request. One may then ask; what could have necessitated such invitation by the number-one citizen?  

        

At this point, any rational and sane individual would want to reconcile between the excuse tendered by the Executive Arm and the allegation of non-payment of salaries and allowances levelled by the Legislative Arm. If your thought is as good as mine, then it’s needless to insinuate that there’s something fishy we are yet to know.

        

Funnily enough, still on that fateful day, I even heard from a lawmaker that he wasn’t aware the Appropriation bill was scheduled to be presented on that very day by the governor, claiming he only got the information from the electronic media, precisely the state’s radio station. Similarly, I put a call across to another legislator and he unequivocally told me he was in Abuja, equally claiming he wasn’t informed of any ‘budget presentation’. Their claims signify that the required notice was not duly conveyed to the concerned legislators officially as courtesy demanded.

        

Though the governor has via his media aide regretted the inconveniences caused by the setback, it’s worthy to note that that isn’t enough and my concern. My concern is simply to make the Rescue Mission government acknowledge that such a lapse was a colossal error and blunder, thus ought not to repeat itself again for its interest and that of the state in general; and also to ensure that the new date for the awaited exercise does not linger till next year for time’s sake.

       

Above all, we must continue to take into cognizance that misinformation has the tendency of causing mistrust. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

           

Opinion I My One-On-One Meeting With Okorocha

MY ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH OKOROCHA

         

The last time I checked, I had what could best be described as a one-on-one and rigorous discussion with the Imo State governor in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha. Though the outcome of the scheduled meeting was lengthy, I promise to summarize it.

        

It all started like a joke on Saturday the 18^th day of November, 2017. On that fateful day, I got a phone call from an unknown number and in the process, I learnt the caller was the leader in question. After brief introductory words, he invited me to his country home situated in Ogboko, Ideato-South Local Government Area (LGA), on the following day being Sunday. While still on the call, I quickly gave the invitation a second thought and eventually obliged him.

        

When I arrived the ancient Ogboko, precisely on the premises of the Governor’s home, on the stipulated day at about 2:00 pm which was the agreed time, I didn’t face much protocol right from the main gates till the time the chief host graciously stepped to the point outside the main building where I was received. From all indications, it seemed everyone was aware of my coming.

        

Several but consequential pleasantries were exchanged but I’ve earlier pledged to be succinct as well as concentrate only on the highpoints of the outing owing to time and space, hence the need not to go into inconsequential details. However, I wouldn’t fail to inform that a bottle of wine was presented by one of the domestic aides upon his Excellency’s request. He popped the drink himself and poured it into the two glasses placed in our respective fronts. We tossed to more successes and long life.

         

Having commended my writing and activism prowess, the governor verified that he learnt I’m a product of the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), thus asked what informed my skills cum passion in the aforementioned career. I answered that I remained a tech expert by profession but a writer and activist by calling. On absorbing the more light thrown on the contradictory scenario, he was deeply impressed; hence, enjoined me to keep it loud.

        

His Excellency who was simply clad in a black three-quarter jeans, white T-shirt and leather slippers, told me that the invitation was necessitated by the need to appreciate my doggedness in writing and equally notify me that he cherished the style of my analysis and criticism, among other sundry issues of the moment. According to him, he had been following my works ab initio and had felt so much elated over my unflinching steadiness and passion in spite of where I was coming from, or my educational background. 

         

Having welcomed his seeming candid fatherly commendations, I thought it wise to delve into business, thus began by asking him the reason he loved to talk or address a gathering without any written material lying before his presence. He simply responded that he was a born orator, adding he saw oratory as part and parcel of his person right from his secondary school days. I disclosed that I had been attracted to such rare idiosyncrasy found in his nature even though I belong to such class.

         

I told him that most times I sensed he doesn’t pay apt attention to all the stuffs we write especially the ones targeted towards criticizing his policies constructively. He said people might think he does not adhere to advices or instructions, but the truth was that he often tried to overlook those analyses that would affect his emotions so that his enemies wouldn’t laugh at him. I saw reason in his reply but asked him to start paying better attention to constructive criticisms, which would help tremendously to reshape his policies, either on arrival or as they exist.

        

Although I’ve severally written on it, I therein unequivocally reiterated that I wasn’t on the same page with him concerning the idea of constructing new General Hospitals in each of the twenty-seven LGAs in the state. He acknowledged my criticisms in the past regarding the said project and went further to state that his idea was informed by his eager quest to resuscitate the wellbeing of the Imo people, health wise.

          

He therefore said if he knew individuals like me wouldn’t welcome the idea, he would have jettisoned it prior to its implementation. He equally pledged that the project would be completed before he leaves office in less than two years time. I verified if other projects commenced by the Rescue Mission administration would be completed as well, and he strongly replied “Yes.” I further said it wasn’t that I was against uplift of the people’s health status, but the funds utilized on the projects so far would have been channeled toward uplifting the already existing ones across the state thereby saving sufficient funds for other viable projects needed by the state.

         

Furthermore, we eventually ventured into politics. First, we discussed about zoning. I told him that other zones such as Imo East and Imo North were currently of the notion that they had been sidelined or intimidated by Imo West, thus sensed unfair treatment. He responded that politics remained a highly competitive tango whereby only the strongest is liable to emerge victorious in the long run, hence had nothing to do with fairness or what have you as being perceived by some individuals. According to him, rather than focusing on zoning, he preferred to pay greater attention to the individuality cum antecedents of the aspirant(s).

          

I verified about the rumoured altercation between him and his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere. In his words, the said second-in-command remained his trusted friend and brother till date, thus ought to be described as his best friend. He further clarified that his political enemies were just trying to make something out of nothing.

         

Similarly, I courageously looked into his majestic eyes and asked him whom he was seeing as his successor come 2019.  He replied that the name of his foreseen successor was still inborn in the public domain and since I deal with the public, there was no need disclosing it to me. I laughed in French and insisted that I needed to realize the anointed person, so I would know if he had made a good choice. Then he cheerily said, “Okay, I will tell you but not now.” I replied, “When, Your Excellency?”

          

Perhaps, in other to divert my attention, he asked, “Comrade, do you play table tennis?” I smiled in Latin and answered, “Yes sir.” He therefore invited me over to his Table Tennis court for a novelty match. We played and chatted intermittently till a point when his amiable wife, Her Excellency Dr. Nkechi Okorocha majestically walked up to us and rightly informed that the lunch was ready, thus had already been served to our delight. At this juncture, I turned only to find myself in my bedroom lying in my duvet. Then I soliloquized, “So it was a dream?”

         

If I had further opportunity in the dream, I would have asked his Excellency if he would love to vie for a third term in office while given the chance. But, does he really deserve a third term? Think about it!    

                 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador