"And our final contestant, hailing from Shining Sun School, please welcome, Tamuno Ibi Davidson."
The lights on the stage increased in their intensity, as he struggled to balance himself on top. But one survey of the audience was more than enough to put him at ease. This. Was his domain.
"Good After my esteemed Judges, my fellow competitors, and my delightful audience. My name is Tamuno-Ibi Davidson, and I'm grateful to be given the privilege to participate in the inaugural competition of this magnificent event."
The Judges seemed to like that one.
"Now, the topic I've been given here is quite the simple one on paper. How can an individual join the cause and assist in the stoppage of of the world's most pressing problems?"
The plan was simple. Firstly. He presents the problem, then solution. And finally, end with a rhetoric.'
He began to walk around as he talked.
"One of the most widespread solutions to this problem is using renewable energy. When it comes to the degradation of the environment, fossil fuels are hard to ignore as one of the primary causes. If it's not releasing greenhouse gases, or destroying bodies of water with pollution, it's creating rain that melts through buildings. By replacing coal, oil and other harmful gases with Solar, wind and hydropower, we're cutting down on those gases. We're creating jobs in such a tight and overblown market. Furthermore, renewable energy provides the same quality of energy as fossil fuels,just cleaner and more sustainable. With such clear benefits, the question becomes: why wouldn't we make the switch?"
He glanced at the Judges quickly. They were taking notes. But he'd seen enough to know that these were positive notes. Then, he refocused on the audience.
Sharp introduction. List problems in relation to R.
"There is another way to combat Global Warming. Or shall I say, 3 other ways? It's a slogan of 3, known all across the world. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Our 3 Rs are vital in helping us to global warming. By reducing the things we buy, use and dispose of, we in turn reduce the amount of carbon used in almost every stage of production. Reducing how often we waste water while showering, or something as simple as a single tin for powdered milk, reduces how often those smoke-producing incinerators have to be used, or the amount of landfills across our planet. By Recycling something as minute as paper, we are able to keep our trees alive, and in turn, leave some habitat for animals. Using our 3 Rs can cause such a massive domino effect on the world around us."
Close it off, boy genius.
"But let me pause for a moment. Let's face the reality here. While renewable energy and the 3 Rs are valuable, they won't make a dent if the true decision-makers,the ones at the top,refuse to act.
The truth is, the most effective weapon we have isn't just swapping to a reusable bottle or choosing solar panels,it's our collective voice. Public pressure has the power to shake the very foundations of those who hold the keys to our planet's future."
He would spread his arms out for emphasis. "Think about it: policies don't change because leaders suddenly wake up and decide to be altruistic. They change when people demand it.
When we educate our peers, our families, and our communities about the urgency of this crisis, we plant seeds of awareness that grow into forests of action.
When we vote for parties and leaders who are committed to tackling global warming head-on, we're doing more than casting a ballot,we're taking a stand for the planet.
When we lobby and push for climate-focused legislation, we force the hands of policymakers to listen, to act, and to prioritize the environment over profit margins.
He added a healthy dose of passion, increasing the loudness in his voice.
"And yes, when we rally together,when we march, protest, and raise our voices so loud that those in power can't ignore us,we remind the world that we are the change-makers.
This isn't just about saving the Earth for some abstract future. It's about protecting the only home we have. For the children yet to be born. For the forests still standing. For the oceans that cradle life in their depths. For every breath we take and every sunrise we hope to see.
So, I ask you all,how will you use your voice? Will you stand by, or will you stand up? The choice is ours, and the time is now.
Thank you."
And with that, the audience rose like a tidal wave of support, as a standing ovation was echoed through the halls. It was another magnificent speech.
Hours passed, as the rest the event took place. It was quite the extensive conference really, with the speech competition being less than One Eights of it. Majority of the students, even those from the visiting schools, had all fallen asleep. But this weirdo, Tammy, had his eyes wide open. Perhaps to him, falling asleep felt rather rude. He was a guest after all.
But the atmosphere in the hall sharpened quickly as a hearty woman rushed to the stage, holding a glass plaque.
Barley any answer? Being one of the only people replying would be quite embarrassing if he could even put the words together in the first place. So Tammy also stayed silent.
The lady snapped her fingers, and the volume in her microphone was immediately cranked up to the absolute max. Then, she called again.
"Heeeeeeelloooooo???" she called.
This time, everyone in the arena shot up, at full attention again. They returned the call with a groggy "Hiiiiiii"
"Good! I'm glad you've all been paying attention. Now, we've reached the very end of Elfreda Imuzeze Foundation's conference for environmental change. A beautiful, successful conference, that I am excited to see happen for the years to come!"
Applause. Then, she continued. "With me here, is a plaque. And it's going to be awarded to the top speaker in our speech writing competition, alongside the added 250 THOUSAND naira for the school."
Even more applause. Then, she put her hands to her lips for pin-drop silence. "I'm glad to announce our winner. Hailing from Shining-"
She didn't even have to finish. The crowd began to applaud preemptively, everyone in the hall standing up but him. Taken aback, she comforted herself, before finishing.
"Well, I guess we already know our winner. Please welcome again, Tamuno-Ibi Davidson!"
He wasn't very shocked. After all, it wasn't a bad delivery. More relieved. But all of the feeling faded away when he noticed something. They were all clapping for HIM. Meaning that all eyes were on him, at the same time.
His breathing became heavier. Suddenly, he was conscious of every step. He began to move more mechanically, until he looked like he was walking like a robot. And he couldn't meet a soul in the eye.
When he stepped on-stage, his demeanour shifted immediately, as if the confidence had been pumped back in manually. After a very brief but courteous handshake with the lady, he took a quick picture. But instead, he was gestured to go backstage rather than to his seat.
He was becoming more and more tired by the moment, as he wasn't exactly given any directions. He kept walking, until he found a rather dusty, white chair to sit on. He took a long, hard sigh, as he looked at the orange light seeping through the windows.
He took another breath of relief, as he studied the plaque he had received. This one looked unique compared to the others he had. A flat, landscape glass, with the logo of the foundation imprinted boldly on top. Light to hold, and easy to carry. Impressive. Except, this would be the last time that he would hold it.
But then, he was attacked.
"Mr. Davidson! Well done!"
A group of eight men and women in expensive three-piece suits stormed toward him like a wave.
"Wow, I thought Mandy had it,"
",No, no, Davidson was leagues ahead!"
"How do you speak like that?!"
"Your posture, impeccable."
"Eh, is it true you rehearse daily?"
"You should write for politicians!"
He nodded through all of the complements and waved his hands at their attempts to conversate. However, their sentences, despite being structured, were starting to overlap each other. Words and sentences merged into one, and he felt like he was being overloaded.
"Davidson!"
"Your talent is unmatched!"
"You must,"
",teach me that trick you did with the pause,"
The voices blurred into noise. Every gesture felt larger, every glance sharper. His pulse pounded in his ears.
"Davidson!"
"Ah-ah, why are you quiet now?"
"You're not shy, are you?"
"Talk, na!"
Words collided, fragmented, overlapping in a whirlwind. Their faces leaned closer, smiles wide, eyes expectant. Tammy's hands trembled at his sides.
"You need to,"
"Ah, Davidson!"
"When will you,"
",Why aren't you,"
He squeezed his eyes shut. It was like standing in a storm of words, each one hitting him harder than the last. His breathing grew shallow.
"Davidson!"
"Eh? Are you okay?"
"Talk now,"
It was too much.
He couldn't keep them away much longer. It would be much easier to release the feelings in his eyes than express himself with his mouth.
"WAIT! SORRY! EXCUSE ME!"
A loud, panicked voice cut through. A boy,around his age,barreled through the suited crowd, nearly knocking into a woman holding her phone.
"I-I-I'm really sorry. I'm Tammy's...older brother! And our mom is calling us. We need to go now.
The suits paused, their chatter fading into murmurs of confusion.
"Older brother?"
"Ah, I see…"
"Alright, tell your mom we'll be in touch."
Tammy felt the boy grab his wrist. "Come on," he whispered. "We're leaving."
He let himself be dragged through the exit, barely processing what was happening. The moment they were outside, with nothing but the quiet rustle of trees, the boy stopped.
"Okay, Tammy. Let it all out."
And so, he did.
Around 30 minutes later, after the bus had already dropped them zoomed away, they walked on the sidewalk uphill, with the sunset gleaming in the background. It was already past 6 p.m., later than they usually returned from these competitions, but neither seemed to mind.
"And then, using my...impeccable charisma" the other boy said, rubbing his hands together. "I got myself a date again! You wanna see the texts?"
He leaned in to squint at the cracked screen that He held out, only to lean back out and nod again.
"Abi! They can't handle me!" The boy chuckled again, reciprocating it.
By this point, they had reached their destination,a parting point,the fork in the road, with the left leading to Tammy's home and the right leading to the boys'.
"Ah. Looks like we're here already."
Tammy nodded, a bit slower this time.
The boy sighed. "I can't believe we're already entering JSS3! I heard this is the year we get the most in trouble."
He seemed to pause, waiting for a reaction. But Tammy simply blinked.
"Hey. It's just a rumor! Don't think about it. Focus more on the competition you just won, you hear?"
Tammy nodded again. They both turned opposite sides, facing away from each other.
"Well? See you soon Tammy!"
He started down his path but froze when a quiet voice called back.
"T-thank you, Destiny!"
Destiny spun around, his breath catching as he saw Tammy standing there, looking earnest and grateful.
"A-any time, Tammy!"
He pushed open the heavy door to the house, walking into complete darkness. The air was heavier, more humid than usual.
After tossing aside his Blazer, he took the back door of the house, pulling the string to the generator 3 times, before it sprung into life. He sighed with relief, then took out a sticky note from his pocket.
'Almost-Out-Of-Fuel.'
Flicking on a light, he saw a sticky note stuck to the fridge, the handwriting unmistakably his mom's:
"Already know you won, You're amazing. Food in the pot."
He peeled the note off and read it again, even though the words were simple. He folded it carefully and slid it into his pocket.
Moving deeper into the kitchen, he would pull out a wrapped plate of jollof rice, slotting it straight into the microwave. For that moment alone, it was the loudest thing in his house.
Sitting alone on the worn-out couch, he took slow, methodical bites as he stared into nothingness. The usual white walls stared back, as blank as the expression on his face. He stood up again to put on the standing fan, the noise filling up the house in an instant.
It was all too mundane. If the place didn't have running electricity, most would consider this isolated, reclusive space an abandoned building.
But the boy was fine with the mundane. In fact, the mundane is where he would rather be. After all, staying in solitary doesn't lead to as much hurt.
Cause you see, beyond the extremely talented, natural-born speaker, the one who captivated crowds with impeccable charisma, who charmed judges and audiences alike with his language, presence and intelligence, was a boy. One who was jittery and jumpy. One who was Sequestered and Scared. One whose ability to speak seemed to be bound to the stage.
Tammy Davidson, is Stagebound.