The president stood up majestically, and headed to the podium, while the gentlemen of the press panned their cameras.
“Welcome to the podium, your Excellency,” the General Manager greeted.
“Thank you,” he accepted with delight.
“I'm calling on the Striit Kea Empire for their prize,” the General Manager announced, and handed three transparent folders to the President. As the president was collecting the folders, five beautifully decorated cars were driven into the stadium, and the audience was thrilled. Victor, and his teammates, were flabbergasted. They were never expecting any gift apart from the fact that they would mingle with the rich, and appear on the television. Now, they have won cars. Not only that, they got to the podium and received a Presidential Handshake, which was worth more than the cars to them. The press men captured the handshake as well as the cars while they collected the folders and the car keys from the President.
Nevertheless, the General Manager allowed them to rejoice to their hearts' content before calling on the next team. Before then, the Chairman requested for a group Photograph, and subsequently, the President made a speech. As soon as he took the microphone and looked at the audience, he waited for the noise to calm down. Within a short time, everywhere was calm and he began his speech.
“I wish to congratulate you, Victor, and your group. You are an asset to this country. I learned you were posted to that community as a Corps Member. You can see what selfless services have earned you. Please keep it up. Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group, you are to be trusted at all times. When, I saw the cars in your jingle, I never believed that you would give them out as promised. Thank you very much. I have my surprise package for Victor. I will keep it for some other time. Likewise, I don't think he will be able to contain more surprises. You will hear from me very soon. Thank you all.”
The General Manager collected the microphone from him before he stepped aside.
“Thank you very much, Mr. President. The next on the list is the IBB International Golf and Country Club. I will call on the Canadian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Liam Grayson, to make this presentation.”
He walked up to the podium as soon as possible, and the General Manager handed the folder containing the documents of the car to him. By then, the members of the club were already jubilating including the president, who was shaking hands with the members of his team.
“On behalf of the management and staff of the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group, I make this presentation to you.”
The group collected the folder and thereafter, took a group photograph with the team on the podium. Then, the General Manager continued.
“The next club is the Ikoyi Club. Can the team come up for their gift, please? We want to avoid being accused of being Gender Insensitive. I think we need a woman to make this presentation.”
He looked at the Chairman and the Vice Chairman to be directed on which woman to call upon for such an assignment. Now, everybody on the podium was looking at him. The President was waiting to know the woman he had in mind. The members of the Ikoyi Club were already waiting. There were a few seconds of silence before the Vice Chairman came to his rescue.
“Invite your wife.”
The General Manager was trying to digest the idea of his wife executing that task before he heard another shocker. The President supported the Vice Chairman by saying, “Yes. The 'husband protector'.”
Everybody on the podium laughed, including the members of the Ikoyi Club, who understood what was going on. Now, the General Manager was puzzled.
'So, the President is aware that my wife is the husband's protector.' He thought. But he is a Fellow of Peace and Conflict Management, he could manage that conflict very well to everyone's astonishment. His wife was a shy person. Unlike the Vice Chairman's wife, who was older than his wife and more outgoing and confident.
'At least she will give my wife some moral support.' He thought as he continued.
“To balance the equation, I'm calling on the women who have stood solidly behind us all these years. The women who had defended and protected us as we pilot the affairs of the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group. They are Mrs. Dora Israel and Mr. Naomi Johnson.”
Now, Ken gave him a smile while they waited for the women to come. Dora, who was inspecting the food stand for lunch, had a big smile on her face when she heard her name. She hurriedly fished out Naomi where she almost melted and said, “Hurry, let's go.”
Naomi was jolted by Dora's word. She stood up quickly and followed her. As they walked briskly to the podium, the audience cheered them by shouting their supposed 'call names'.
“The Husband Protector.”
“The Husband Defender.”
Dora laughed out when she heard another call. She thought it was only Naomi who had a call name. Soon, they were at the podium. The General Manager divided the task and handed the folder to his wife and the microphone to Dora. She will do the talking while his wife will make the presentation.
Then, she spoke like the other presenters and Naomi did the presentation. They took group photographs and left the podium as quickly as possible, and the General Manager continued, “Thank you so much, Mrs. Israel and Mrs. Johnson. Can the Palace Garden Club and Galaxy Sports Academy come forward for their consolation prizes?”
The members of the two teams came running and were given table tennis boards by the Chairman and the Vice Chairman respectively. They collected their consolation prizes and group photographs were taken, and Gabriel continued.
“If you look around, you would see some trolley trucks before every stand. They contained souvenirs from our partners. The school children would go home with school bags, school shoes and writing materials. These gifts are with love from the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group. I will hand over the microphone to the Chairman and the Vice Chairman for the vote of thanks.”
The Vice Chairman was so happy to see the General Manager successful. He gave him a hug before he collected the microphone and began his speech.
“Before the Chairman comes for his vote of thanks, I wish to appreciate everybody present for your time. This year's Independent Anniversary Celebration of our great country was spectacular. I promise you all that the coming year would be better than this year by God's grace.
(Clap) (Clap)
I want to specifically thank our partners who had in one way or the other supported this occasion..... Thank you very much.”
(Clap) (Clap)
Thereafter, he handed the microphone to the Chairman for his vote of thanks.
That was the period that everyone had been waiting for, especially the president and his entourage. The President had honored the company with his presence by mobilizing the ‘who is who’ in the country to be here. They wished to hear the response of the Chairman to this rare gesture. Of course, the gesture was to strengthen the Bilateral Relationship between the two countries. Nevertheless, the Chairman began his vote of thanks while, the General Manager and the Vice Chairman stood beside him.
“Your Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Dr. Festus Ancient GCFR, GCON.”
He paused and looked at the audience, and that brought absolute silence. Everyone was waiting for the next thing he would say.
“I love Nigerians.”
At that point, there was jubilation and cheering from the audience. They were clapping and jumping at the same time. Then, he continued,
“Thank you so much. I must firstly admit that I'm honored with the best team of workers. The Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group, Nigeria Branch is growing in leaps and bounds. We could not have made any impact without working with the citizens. I want to specifically thank the Government of Nigeria under President Dr. Festus Ancient and his team for his sterling leadership qualities. We had enjoyed stability and peaceful co-existence, which had sustained the development and the growth of our company …”
(Clap) (Clap)