Finally, it's time to visit the school run by the Rochas Foundation! (^^♪!
The group was greeted by over 700 students, who started off with a welcoming folk dance, then moved on to dancing and singing.
A warm welcome from the children, who were smiling from start to finish ❤❤❤
These kids from Rochas are here for some reason.
They all have dark secrets, some of them having lost their parents in conflict, some being street children on the brink of death, some engaged in illegal child labor...
I felt like I had caught a glimpse of what was behind that smile.
Unfortunately, in Africa, weakness is a sin...the weak are destined to be exploited, robbed and killed...
Then the students began performing skits based on their own experiences.
A girl's village is attacked by terrorists, her parents are killed right before her eyes, and she is rescued just in time. The protagonist herself is a victim.
I was, if I may say so myself, captivated by the skit that was performed with tears in its eyes.
She brilliantly portrayed her real-life experiences and explained how she got to where she is today.
No, I don't think it was acted out...because it's a real experience.
I felt the same here. It's always the same...always, the victims are "children."
I asked Rochas.
Why are children always the victims?
Why can't I change?! (# ﾟДﾟ)
Rochas calmly answered my passionate question.
I am also a former politician, having served as Governor of Imo State.
Sometimes you can't change even if you want to.
Previously, Imo State was riddled with terrorists, schools were closed, there were no roads, and it was filled with many slums and street children.
To be honest, I'm in a better place now.
I can't change it by myself. I'm trying to improve, but I'm not strong enough.
That's why we created a foundation and continue to make improvements with the help of goodwill from all over the world.
And you know what's the biggest thing that needs to change?
He is an adult, a politician, and the "President."
Things were good under former President Obasanjo. The economy was booming, the country was buzzing with excitement and prosperity, and now the country's GDP has surpassed that of South Africa, making it the number one power in Africa.
However, things are different now. Hyperinflation is on the rise, and the country is overflowing with people who want to rent a house but cannot. What's more, the population is exploding.
The population is 218 million, 99.6% of which are poor... the remaining 0.4% are super-rich.
This composition needs to change, and it has to change.
Nigeria, which has the gift of population, must harness this manpower, this resource.
To achieve this, the president must demonstrate strong justice and leadership.
That's why I ran for president too.
Unfortunately, I lost in the final three-way race...
I wasn't strong enough... It's frustrating, but in this country, buying votes and giving bribes is commonplace...
It is true that the election was rigged, but the Supreme Court jurors were also bought...the trial will not lead to a good outcome.
I can say for sure that I'm glad I ran in the presidential election. I've given up in a good way. I want to leave the world of politics and think carefully about the future of my children and act accordingly.
So I'm going to focus on running the foundation.
I hope that at the very least, the 25,000 children in front of us will have a bright future.
That's right, the benefit of running in the presidential election is meeting people who make you think, "If this person becomes president, this country can change!"
Well, let's talk again when I get back to Abuja.
Rochas bowed his head, his eyes sad.
Before we knew it, the sun was setting outside and the four-hour welcome party had begun.
"Now, are you hungry?" asked Rochas.
Since we've come all this way, the kids are going to have dinner now. Let's eat together!
Rochas carefully prepares and hands out food to each student.
He looks each person in the eye, checks their physical condition and mood, and speaks to them.
In Nigeria, beef is very expensive and is rarely eaten.
Today is the welcome party, so we're serving a sumptuous beef dish!! ❤
This is great for me as I am a huge meat lover!! ❤
While talking with the children and eating in a friendly atmosphere,
"Look! I drew this picture!"
"Look at mine too!!"
and innocent children.
The things depicted there were "Naruto," "Attack on Titan," and "One Piece."
Japanese anime!
Huh?! How do you know about Japanese anime?!
"Our dream is to go to Japan and work in Japan! That's why we're reading anime and studying Japanese!"
As was the case in Makoko, Japan is a brand, a country of eternal wealth, a golden Zipangu.
Even these children, who have dark secrets in their backgrounds, have aspirations to be in Japan.
Yes, I want to create an environment where as many people as possible can leave this country and go to the country of their choice, eat as much as they want, and work!
It was deeply engraved in my heart.
To Rochas, I want to promote baseball in Nigeria and give children more options for a brighter future. However, to do that, I need capital and assets.
We don't want them to invest in us. We want to make money in Nigeria and create jobs on our own. So we asked them if they could accompany us.
Rochas smiled broadly and said, "Of course! That's why former President Obasanjo recommended you to me, right?"
I'll tell you more about it when I get back to Abuja.
For now, I want you to prioritize talking to your children.
After finishing their meal, the children go back to their rooms, spend some free time, and go to bed at 9 p.m.
Since coming to Imo, I've noticed something.
In Abuja, Rochas called me "Brother."
Since coming to Imo, they have started calling each other "family." The way they are referred to has changed.
I asked as I returned to my room with Andy, who was acting as my security guard.
Isn't it a positive thing that we're calling each other brother and family differently?
Andy replied.
Of course! Family is the highest honor and respect.
Rochas sees people's auras. Yasu was recognized by him.
Andy gave me a carefree smile and patted me on the shoulder.
Then, a voice came from Andy's walkie-talkie.
The opponent is Rochas.
Andy said Rochas, who doesn't usually drink, was also able to keep the students asleep.
"Would you like to talk over a few drinks?" he asked.
Of course, I couldn't refuse, so I headed to Rochas' room and had a champagne fight!
He loves alcohol so much that when people ask him if he wants to drink more or go for more, he gets carried away and drinks eight bottles of champagne...
Feeling tipsy, Rochas also became sleepy and went to bed.
In the morning, the family changed the name to "Champagne Boy" lol
Now, let's head back to Abuja today and talk business.
Yes, urged by Rochas, we headed to the airport again, to the sound of loud military, police, vehicles, military, and police sirens.
I was shown to the government lounge and received such a warm welcome that it made me mistake my status for something else.
Waiting for the plane.
Yes...as I've written before, I have absolutely no luck with flying...
It happened again this time...such bad luck...
I'll talk about the return journey next time.
~To be continued~
⚾WE ARE ONE TEAM⚾
