The Redeemers’ day celebration or better called founder’s day for the year 2011 was such that was superb. The event that was greeted with much enthusiasm by the enter teachers and students of RIS.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
OUT OF THIS WORLD REDEEMER’S DAY
The Redeemers’ day celebration or better called founder’s day for the year 2011 was such that was superb. The event that was greeted with much enthusiasm by the enter teachers and students of RIS.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.
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