Dear readers am sorry i couldn't continue with the story since three days ago due to some unavoidable reasons, am back now so follow me,
I have the conviction that my school would come out victorious in the debate competition with the additional tips i got on child abuse, child labour, Girl child, child Soldier, international year of the child that my Grandpa had explained to me, only senior class students could defeat us. I suddenly become a champion in my school and neighborhood. All the teachers knew me , i became a star and super girl. I was just ten years old in my elementary four, but i felt on top of the world.
The long vacation that we were all expecting and talking about and which caused alot of debate had gone and nobody was talking about it again. Every body was talking about the debate and the next school to be eliminated by our school. Senior students in primary five and six wants to be identified with me, i become the rising star of the moment. Even my teachers resorted not to be sending me on errands again, they said, am now a celebrity.
What became a household topic among parents and students of both primary and secondary Schools in the entire state was the debate on child abuse. Parents finds it difficult to send their children on errands again. Only adults now hawk on the streets. Artisans also feared of engaging their children for fear of been acused of child abuse and child labour.
Even before the Government enact a law against child abuse and labour in the society, the debate had wonderfully done that. Radio and Television stations produced jingles and commercials through drama sketches to portray the dangers in child abuse.
The worship centers, the Churches, mosques and other religious centers also engaged their worshippers by educating them on child abuse and child labour. It was amazing how little droplet of water could transform to ocean in a blink of eye. A special session was dedicated in the state assembly to discuss child abuse and the house passed a strong resolution urging the Government to abolish corporal punishments in schools.
It's now an offence for a teacher to whip a pupil unless the misdeed is so grievous.
Grandma television programme took place during a popular talk show on a Sunday evening. It was a time targeting most viewers to be at home watching television. Grandpa sat beside her on the left side while her friend sat on the left. The presenter introduced them and the topic for discussion. I had earlier told all my friends and neighbors about the television programme. Grandma was asked how her daughter came about the issue of child abuse that was burning like wild fire. Grandma thanked the presenter and viewers before she explained how someone suggested her to use her daughter hawk some of her goods after school hours, but she retorted by saying that her husband has warned her never to engage any child in street trading as that will constitutes child abuse, moreover the child would be too tired to concentrate on his or her school work. Moreso, the child will have Early exposure to handling money which may affects the child's concentration on studies.
Grandma was very careful and aware not to leak salient points to my debate opponents.in the forthcoming debate competition. All these were carefully rehearsed at home before going to the television station. Grandpa had earlier caution Grandma not to be carried away by the presenters trivial questions. After all their programme was not competitive, but merely advisory to parents and it won't attract any reward or award of prizes like our own debate.
What was known to the viewers at home was that grandma's friend who featured on the programme was the one who suggested that i should be engaged in street trading, even Grandpa did not know. And grandma promised her that she would not mention it in the television programme else she wouldn't have taken part for fear of public criticism. Even those who are guilty of such offence would openly criticize. Such is the irony and hypocrisy of life.
The schools Final debate came at last, it was our school and Emerlyn Glory school, Abuja. The name of my school is Brighter Tommorow school, Abuja. Interestingly, two girls represented both schools as lead speakers. My courage and confidence was developed o over time through serious practices both in school and home. Grandma and Grandpa became my trainers and audience during my sessions of rehearsals at home. It was amazing and almost unbelievable that a ten years old girl would assume a posture of an adult and be seen as such.
It was beyond me now, the whole thing became school and family pride. Any position less than first would almost be seen as a curse. Grandpa earlier told me that,failure is an orphan and nobody celebrate it. Grandpa had done his very best in this situation. He was told about his wife's involvement in television programme and he flew home to support his wife only to arrive and found out that his grand daughter was More involved than his wife. He had to handle the two together. Readers , thanks for following, be with me next on the debate day .