TOP 3 EXAMINATION

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Ilioko1994
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TOP 3 EXAMINATION

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It was a year after he had emerged first in the second round of the quiz competition organized by the state government. Little Dan Kat was, at this time in his first term in SSS3. His relentless efforts to resume in time had been tied down by financial constraints. To him, money was not an easy thing to get. His father, Dominic Kator was just a peasant farmer. So, sending him back to school in the days preceding harvest was invariably a herculean task. Having resumed late, his mates had already gone far in the term. The syllabus had been covered to a larger extent. Dan Kat was now found face-to-face with a serious academic challenge. His pitiable condition moved from frying pan into fire, when he had been suddenly taken aback by news of the Top 3 Examination. Again, it had been organized by the statement government. This time, with a bigger opportunity. Dan Kat had been briefed that the best three participants would be handsomely rewarded. Above the reward in monetary terms, the best three would bag home a scholarship award to study in the state university. That was a golden opportunity. On hearing this, the little boy became even more troubled in his mind. To him, it was better to perform poorly in the term than losing that great opportunity. During this time, Dan Kat was a defending champion in the academic field. Yes, he had just claimed second position in the state’s quiz competition at the local government level, and later, first position in the final battle. Needless to say he would not win the nomination of his school. At that, he was rest assured that his name would not be omitted.

Prior to his resumption, the students had been so worried over a number of things. Most especially, they had no intention to loss the school prestige. Except, the envious hearts, other students were so eager to hear from him as to why he had resumed so late. When he appeared in school that morning, several students whispered to their fellows in great joy, “The academic guru is back”.

On their part, teachers were very happy to welcome back the academic striker; so, they called him. This time, the school had been issued the notification about a week ago. Meanwhile the first round of the competition was to hold in the next one week. Out of desperation, the principal had even opined to travel down the little boy’s village to inquire on his belated resumption in school. Coincidentally, after the principal had concluded his plan to make the trip in the following day, here was Dan Kat. To the school, Dan Kat’s presence in an academic encounter was akin to that of a gallant soldier in war front. So, the principal took a deep sigh of relief after he had seen Dan Kat, the academic striker.

On the assembly ground that early morning, the principal announced the invitation to the students. “We have received a letter of invitation to an important event. The event will take place in the local government in the next one week”. At this, no body needed to be told. They had already been familiarized with the news. At that critical moment the only important thing that came to mind was about who and who would make the school list. Dan Kat’s heart beat very fast. He adjusted his stance and heaved a deep sigh. The principal went further to announce that they had been instructed to choose only three students from their school. He didn’t stop at that. “Based on our historical records, we have selected three students hoping that the image of our dear school is safe in their hands”. At the conclusion of his statement, almost every student glanced at Dan Kat. He stood very calm and breathed heavily. He new he would surely make the school list. But he had a challenge for having resumed late. Well, that was poverty for him. While the eagerness to know the nominees lasted, the principal employed a tactful way of calling out the selected three students. Of course, he wanted to observe their posture to that effect. In that sense, he first called Atakpa Clement, followed by Jiminbee Christabel. He took a long pause, looking at the students with his eye balls slightly raised in the air. All became surprised as to why Dan Kat is not yet called forward. Upon his usual monkey tricks, he finally pronounced “Daniel Kator” in quite a different tone. He intentionally made it appear more beautiful. It was only then that the assembly ground went agog with rounds of applause.

Again, it had happened. Dan Kat bagged home the first position in the pre-selection stage. The second and third persons came from Excellence College and Young Beginners’ Academy respectively. Next in the line of the struggle was to wrestle home a meaningful position at the state level. Without being told, it appeared crystal clear to virtually everyone that, that is the most critical part of the race. In preparation to do battle with participants from other local governments, all eyes were fixed at the three victorious students. However, Dan Kat was more troubled in his mind. Indeed, his dearest ambition was not just targeted at the benefits that one stood to gain from being a winner. He had a burning desire to prove his victory in the first quiz competition.

At the end of the Top 3 Examination in Makurdi, the participants became disappointed in the last approach. The event planners refused with vehement to release the result on the first day. It was announced that the result would be ready in the following day. Suspense ensued. Virtually all the participants sat and pondered on some of their mistakes in the examination. Many of them had viewed their mistakes as a stumbling block to their success.

The long awaited day arrived, and the result was pasted. Though, Dan Kat could not retain his first position, he emerged second. Half bread, they say is better than none. So, Dan Kat was overwhelmed despite losing the first target. He thought within himself that all hope had not loss, since he could still fall among the awardees for the state scholarship. The little boy juggled home elatedly. He was celebrated in school. He became known in town as ‘the scholarship boy’. However, the last important thing was the radio announcement which had been delayed till four days ahead. So, he waited enthusiastically until one fateful evening, when he could no longer believe his ears. In a manner that sounded very odd to him, all hope had been loss in all of a sudden. If it were in the words of Chinua Achebe, things had fallen apart for the little lad. In the news that evening, a strange name appeared from no where as second person instead of Dan Kat. He was so perplexed and wished he could question the news caster on how he got the report. Well, that was how politics treated him. A wealthy politician had bought over his position for his own son.

Could he ever think of filling a legal suit against the state? Remember, he was a no body and had no economic well withal. Moreover, he had heard of several people who had loss in such lawful attempts, especially when they had no financial backbone. Also, he thought very much about the crippled legal system in the country that had no enough judicial independence to defend his last hope. At this, he had given up that the judiciary itself is not the last hope of a common man. So, he had better conceived it as the highest hope of the mighty people. But why was he not allowed to enjoy the little opportunity he had? No body cares. It was now clear enough to the little boy that the struggles of the downtrodden can end in the blink of an eye. “So, they can’t perform. Yet, they are good at taking our hard earned glory”, he lamented hopelessly.
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Hussein21
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Post by Hussein21 »

Waw! This is a nice book.it is centred on education and very inspiring. I am happy the little boy made it
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