Now, Ahmed led the way back to the reception, while the others followed behind. Then, he opened the door of the reception, only to find the female host coming out of the studio to usher the General Manager and Victor into the studio.
“It's almost time, let's go into the studio to settle down before time,”
She announced while looking at the General Manager. Just then, Ahmed, who, just walked in, said, “We don't want you to be our host. The Head of Programs will handle it.”
Before the hostess could oppose, the Head of Programs, who was behind Ahmed, walked in, and she whimpered in disappointment.
“What if I don't agree with that?” She asked angrily.
“That is if you have a choice,” Ahmed informed while looking at the Head of Programs who understood the look and instructed, “You can leave now. I will take it.”
What she failed to understand was that the Head of Programs was under pressure. She thought he wanted to outsmart her because of the personality of the guests involved. However, she angrily took a step that she regretted the rest of her life. She walked to the General Manager to pull him by the hand to the studio, but she was halted by Naomi.
“Don't get closer to them,” and the hostess was startled.
Nevertheless, the Head of Programs picked the General Manager's notes that were beside him and asked, “Shall we go to the studio, Sir?”
The General Manager stood up elegantly, and his hairy long legs were revealed. He was putting on the sports attires for the Independent Anniversary Celebration, just like his wife and Victor. When they moved into the studio, the female host had no choice but to watch them walk in. While in the studio where three camera men were already standing behind their various cameras with their headphones on. The Head of Programs asked, “How many of you are for the program?”
“The two of them,” Naomi responded. She was aware that her husband was already upset by the attitude of the hostess. Then, the Head of Programs ushered the General Manager and Victor to their seats, leaving the presenter's seat in the middle. Then, he educated by pointing at the numerous cameras facing the seats, “Sir, that is your camera. When we begin the program, just focus on that camera. The same applies to you, that is your camera, focus on it. Even if you look away while listening to the presenter, ensure that you return your focus on the camera that is meant for you.”
“It is all right,” they responded. Thereafter, the Head of Programs got their pin mic and fastened them to their various shirts.
'Is this what that lady would have done to my husband?' Naomi thought as she watched how the Head of Programs tried to pass the pin mic through their clothes to the collars of their shirts to properly conceal them. Subsequently, he checked the sound and picture quality. Then, he handed over a powder container to them and asked them to apply some because he noticed that their faces were oily when he looked through the camera. They did as they were instructed. When he was satisfied with their looks, he took his seat in between them, and asked a few questions about the event.
What do they wish to achieve?
What will the public benefit from the program?
How will it help the youths, how will it improve GOVERNANCE in the country?
They ran through the questions and answers before the time. Now, the Head of Programs was acquainted with the guests, and he cracked some jokes with them.
“I wish I'm a street kid.”
They all laughed, and eased off the tension created by the lady host. Now, Naomi, who was watching them from where she sat quietly, also smiled. Soon, it was 9 o'clock, and the program started.
At Ken Israel's House
After Dora left her husband in the room for the boys’ quarters where her workers were staying. To her surprise, Mrs. Duke and the other workers were already awake. Her personal chef and janitor were all awake too, and had started cooking. There were already twelve iron pots of different sizes on the local fire stands. With the rate they were going, they would meet with the appointment for nine o'clock when the food will be delivered. By six am, they had started packing the food in the customized disposable plastic plates.
Meanwhile, Jeff and Jewel were already awake. They assisted in parking the food. By nine o'clock, the drivers from the Canadian Embassy came with their Hilux trucks and picked their stuff as scheduled. Thereupon, Dora joined her husband in the room again.
At the Television Station
The hostess, refused to leave, neither did Ahmed allow her to move to the studio. She sat at the reception dejected, and imagined how viewers and followers would feel if they saw another face in place of her.
'Won't they think I had been sacked or that I am ill?' The thought kept bugging her. Soon, the program began. The plasma television that was hanging on the wall showed the program while they all watched. The Head of Programs began with the introduction with high-profile professionalism.
“Hello viewers, I welcome you to today's edition of THE OTHER SIDE OF GOVERNANCE. You may be wondering why your regular host is not here today. You will find out in due course. My name is Tom Adams. I'm your host for today. With me in the studio are......”
At the Reception
Ahmed watched the cranky, displaced hostess. Suddenly, her phone rang, and the sound disturbed the quiet reception. She quickly put it on silent mode before looking at Ahmed. She was frightened out of her wits when she saw the look on his face. Furthermore, she quickly mumbled, “I apologize.”
Meanwhile, the General Manager answered his questions very meticulously and with leadership precision, and the presenter appreciated.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Johnson. Over to you, Mr. Ife. As the founder of Striit Kea Empire, how have you helped the youths?”
“Thank you very much for that question. In our little way, we have succeeded in giving hopes to the hopeless youths who would have been harbingers of crime if they had been left unguarded. We make them to believe in themselves and hope for the best. As you can see, we are going to participate in the upcoming Independence Anniversary Celebration. We never knew that such an opportunity would come, but here we are. We were fortunate. Our preparation met opportunity. We are thankful to the Cherry Fields for giving us the opportunity to showcase our talents.”
“Thank you, Victor, for being the eyes of the government in your community. That is another side of governance. You didn't wait for the government to do it. You took the initiative and today, it had paid off. That means you are part of the government. Finally, Mr. Johnson, how will your upcoming event improve GOVERNANCE in the country?”
“Thank you once again, Mr. Tom. The upcoming event will improve governance in the country if we encourage the youths to be self-reliant, encourage their efforts, dreams, and aspirations.”
“Over to you, Victor, how will your upcoming event improve GOVERNANCE in the country?”
“It will improve governance in the country because other youths like me will learn from me. Don't reject postings during your National Youth Service Program. See yourself as an ambassador of a good governance wherever you are posted to. Represent the government positively as you obey the Clarion Call.”