BY KG
Nnamdi Azikiwe hall’s Literary and Debating club (LnD) performance at the 2023 Jawwar is what many would describe as a dream turned nightmare. The journey started out with high hopes, perhaps not on part the LnD members,but in the minds of every other Zikite. But they were all let down and let down hard when the president of the LnD, Omotayo Ajibola, announced just a day to the semifinals of Zik Hall’s withdrawal from the LnD. The captain who had originally promised to go all the way had jumped ship leaving shipmates in limbo.
A little bit of backstory won’t hurt. Truly, Nnamdi Azikiwe hall did not have the enviable track record in the public speaking circle, at least judging from the past four years. Even though the hall could not boast of a host of known public speakers,the hall did not loss hope, neither did it see itself as inferior. Every Zikite always cheered the speakers with strong enthusiasm. But Jawwar 2023 was a different story, and what a story it was. In the first round of debates, Zik was drawn against Queen Elizabeth 2 hall over two legs. The Zik Hall speakers exhuded a higher charisma, wit and logic which the Queens hall speaker did not really exhibit. They tried but the Baluba speakers were better, and the cheering for them (the zik speakers) was also louder. Zik won with an aggregate of 65 against 59.
In the quarter finals, Zik hall was drawn against Awo hall in a single round faceoff. The Awoites tried to make a show of marching through Zik hall, it was hilarious. But come d day, it was serious. Zik hall had a previous jinx of being knocked out in the quaterfinals and that makes another hill to surmount. Awo hall had the better side of the debate, but in the end Zik was beaten by minimal margin. The baluba citizens went home as victors in the end when they moved to the next round as best losers, narrowly beating Tedder to it by half a point.
Then began a one week break before the semifinals, time to prepare. Then news filtered out on Thursday, 28th of April, 2023. The president of the LnD, Omotayo announed that he was indisposed and also could not internalise his speech, hence Zik hall would not be speaking at the finals. Further probing by ZHPO and many other concerned Zikites revealed that this was just the tip of the iceberg, so many things were wrong underneath. It was revealed as observed by Ebenezer Olayemi, Speakin Eben, who was supposed to be the second speaker in the semifinals that this was supposed to be the presidents first speech in this year’s ongoing competition. Meanwhile Eben had spoken for Zik Hall twice. Speaking further Eben revealed that he was not even told by the president, as he saw the announcement same as everyone else. Further investigations questioned the legitimacy of the president’s administration, some LnD members said he ‘announced himself’ as president. There was no formal hand over. There was also different reports on his arbitrariness and nonchalance. There’s even news that he was varely present in the Jawwar Speaker selectiln process. It was when it landed on him, that he pulled our altogether.
In the meantime, consequence to the announcement, some Zikites pressed to be represented at Jawwar regardless of the presidents misdemeanour, since even Speaking Eben had withdrawn due to his disappointment. ( Talk about what poor leadership, even if it’s abitrary can do). Just when all hopes seem lost, out of the thick fog, two LnD members, Samson Law and Uthman Yamburger showed up to speak, withour prior or thorough preparations themselves. It was obvious what they were going to do. They were going to lose, defeat was imminent against our opponents, Sultan Bello hall, who were known for powerful speech delivery. In an interview with Yamburger, he said “…What we did was taking up responsibilities”
“Samson Law is Someone that really understands and practices the Zik Hall tradition, and what he did was one out of many sacrifices he has made for the hall…”
“To me, it was just me carrying out my duty as a Zikite, and as a member of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Literary and Debating Society. Because even when I was recruited and inducted into the society, I promised to always be there whenever I am needed…”
Zik hall did not pull out without a fight. Judging from the opposing main speakers speech, delivery, it was obvious Baluba kingdom could have stood a chance, but one can only wish. It was bitter to watch Zik being banted. But the Zikites, betrayed by the captain and issues among the crew did not go down quietly. Maybe in the future, it will be better, maybe Baluba kingdom will be adequately fortified. Samson Law and Yamburger were heroes of the night, amongst the jawwar jeers and boos, they were cheered by their own.
