The Best Type of Orange
“Shield your eyes, child, their radiance is blinding.”
The hall was set for the pacesetters to make their grand entry and each pacesetter did not fall short of the standard. Breath after breath, each member stared in awe as another pacesetter entered the beautifully adorned hall. The masked ushers in their grace ushered each pacesetter to their allocated seats.
The hall was saturated with the aroma of good food as the caterers prepared for their turn to shine.
Carefully crafted flowers were wound around the gold plated bars that served as a mini-runway where each pacesetter would strut in their elegance to collect their awards on the stage. Rosmohr Gold Hotels withstood the constellation of suns as they congregated in their radiance.
Before the night ascended to its apex, a talented pacesetter, Ehmkeyz, took us on a cruise to paradise, satiating our eardrums with his masterpiece.
The dinner night was graced by the presence of renowned dignitaries some of which were founding pacesetters themselves, it was indeed a homecoming.
After the keynote lecture and speeches made by some renowned persons, the night of awards begun. A writing competition tagged the “Radiant Ink fest” was organized by the innovative Editor-in-chief, Utibeabasi Okokon, and after series of rigorous and unbiased judgment, the top five competitors were awarded.
In fifth place was Mfoniso Ephraim with her essay “Orange: a Vivid expression of Nature’s beauty.” Coming in fourth was Israel Edet with his poem “You I choose.” The second-runner-up was Favour Thompson with her short story “The Ivy queen.” The first-runner-up was Chioma Amadi with her short story “Orange.” The piece that emerged as the best among others was a poem written by God’spower Umoh titled “Tales from an orange tide.”
The event was tagged: “The Pace Awards,” an avenue to reward pacesetters who had set themselves apart due to their commitment and exceptional skills, pacesetters who burned brightest, pacesetters who were indeed keeping the pace. The categories for nomination were:
Pacesetter of the year
Amazon of the year
Trustee of the year
Oralist of the year
Junior oralist of the year
Writer of the year
Brand of the year
Sportsman of the year
Tech-savvy of the year
Most promising pacesetter of the year
Class of the year
Section of the year
Section of the year
Team of the year
Team captain of the year
Academic excellence awards
Chairmanship awards
The selection for the nominees of each award was open to every pacesetter to choose whom they felt deserved the award. The selection process was difficult due to the excellence each pacesetter exuded. Out of the numerous nominations for each award, four nominees were selected and only one winner emerged. As the recipients of each award were read on stage, the general excitement, and the electrifying energy denoted the fact that everyone silently agreed that the winners deserved the award. The winners were:
Pacesetter of the year: Enobong Ekpo
Amazon of the year: Abasiono Okon, (SAL) GCOL
Trustee of the year: Utibeabasi Okokon.
Oralist of the year: David Samuel
Junior oralist of the year: Peace Eseyin
Writer of the year: Chioma Amadi
Brand of the year: IB Bridals Fashion world
Sportsman of the year: Isaac Udoh
Tech-savvy of the year: Eric Bernard
Most promising pacesetter of the year: Dara-Abasi Ita
Class of the year: Sophomore class
Section of the year: Section on Business Law
Team of the year: Team Dominic
Team Captain of the year: Sunyienekekere Udosen
Academic excellence awards:
Ab initio class: Alphonsus Okon
Sophomore class: Rebecca Attah
Intermediate class: Dara Ekwere
Penultimate class: David Samuel
Law school class: Godwin Atang, SAL
Take a breath, we aren’t done. The night was dedicated to rewarding deserving members of the chambers. The categories were crafted in such a way that each and every niche a person had carved for themself would be included. The next set of awards was for persons who were outstanding in their dedication to the chambers and whom the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees deemed to be worthy of such recognition, hence, the name the Chairmanship awards.
The chamber looks beyond bias and bureaucratic procedures and looks at the work input and the dedication each member invests. This was evident when, for the first time ever, a member of the outgoing sophomore class (Year 2) received the Chairmanship award because of her dedication. Anita Umoren is etching her records in the sands of time. Godwin Obong Atang, SAL (Senior Advocate of LAWSAN) was another recipient of the award due to his stallion role as the chairperson of the planning committee and his dedication to ensuring the blueprints of the board became architectural works of art. The third recipient was a man of no mean feat, Reginald Ogranya, SAL, due to his immense contribution to the sustenance of the chamber and the programmes.
After the award ceremony, the members held their breaths as the elegant and suave Chairlady, Ruth Oyinpreye Itoko, SAL took to the stage. She captured our hearts once more subtly reminding us of how much the chamber would miss her. Tears formed, some broke from their dams as she said her goodbyes, she called upon the members of the 10th board of trustees, they took their last bow, and she officially dissolved the board.
After the temporary sadness, joy sparked when the thought of new leadership registered in the minds of everyone. The eagerness, the anxiety, the impatience was evident of the faces of the attendees. The list was unfolded and the 11th Board members were called:
Assistant Secretary General: Dara-Abasi Ita
Secretary General: Torobong Akpabio
Assistant Media Director: Chioma Amadi
Director of Media: Eric Bernard
Director of Finance: Goodluck Osimiri
Editor-in-Chief: Etinosa Egharevba
Director of Sports: Lucky Uwem
Head of Practice: Utibeabasi Bassey
Vice-Chairman academics and projects/programmes: Inyeneobong Bassey
Vice-Chairman membership and correspondence: Emem Alex
Ex-officio: David Samuel
And there was silence, everyone sat at the edges of their seats, waiting for that name to be called. “And the new Chairman of the board of trustees is…” the tension was palpable. “…Declan Aribiah Abiom!” The gyrations, the applause, the celebrations, meant one thing, he was a man of the people and the man everyone wanted. Then DJ Blue, who understood his assignment, blasted “Declan Rice” by Odumodublvck and there was literal chills as everyone heralded the new Chairman. Ruth Itoko, SAL took her final bow and that moment leaves rent free in our hearts.
After the speech by the Chairman of the 11th board of trustees and the Vice-chairman membership and correspondence, one thing was certain, the burning sun had been transferred into safe hands to make it burn brighter.
As the new board gathers around the king Arthur’s round table, we surely will miss the graduating class. In the words of Grace Ogot, “whenever you want to see me, look at the sunset; I will be there.” Whenever we feel the warm beams of the sun rays on our skin, we will reminisce on the fund memories we had of the graduating class members.
So, this is for Itoko, Ruth Oyinpreye (Preye) who is a beautiful amazon and a fierce visionary, a leader par excellence, a caretaker, who has dedicated her time, her resources, her strength to ensure the chambers has reached startling heights. You're a strong, confident and beautiful woman who we can't wait to see in power.
This is for Atang, Godwin Obong (SAL) who has contributed immensely to the actualization of each programme’s blueprint and has sacrificed his nights to work and plan. You're an amazing entrepreneur and your mind is beautiful, we can't wait to see what you'll use your big brains to do.
This is for Reginald Ogranya (SAL) who has tirelessly assisted the chairman with his barn of knowledge and advice. We can't wait to see you distill the law at the professional level.
This is for the queen of the microphone, the Ivy Queen, Gift Johnson: who has serenaded us, made us laugh, made us tensed due to her ability to manoeuvre grammar and command words, we will miss your beautiful smiles and soothing voice and we can't wait to see you grace our screens.
This is for Mr Speaker, Dianabasi Akpan (SAL), who regardless of his position and achievements within and outside the faculty has shown dedication to the programmes of the chambers. The legislature will miss you and we know this will be your least position in life.
This is for the graduating class who will forever be in our hearts, we hate to see you go but we love to watch you leave to greater heights.
This is for the 10th board of trustees, the section heads, and the team captains who have made remarkable efforts in dishing our value and have created a family that really cares and a bond that makes super glue look substandard.
Finally, this is for all of you, us, who are setting the pace and will continue to set the pace.
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