The Big Competition| My Virtual Debate Contest

Hello Good Steemians,

Right now my team is going to miss me because quite unfortunately, I just picked up a highly contagious flu and even if I would have still pushed to be there with them, because of fear of transmitting my virus to them and others, I wil have to stay put.

My sick face.

How did we get here? Myself and two of my friends @utibeoeffiongart and @ekeminimbang make up the academic committee of my department ( Department of Oral English, University of Afaha). We have been billed to represent the department in a debate competition with the Department of Grammar still of the same university.

My amicable Head of Department.

The team paid a visit to the HOD prior to the event.

It is proposed to be a physical debate. We are to debate on the topic " Money, a Priority to Education". We are to take part in this debate as the first, second and third speakers respectively. Quite unfortunately, I am the lead speaker.

We had already registered with with a form and our names have been sent across to the faculty board who are to organize and assess the debates. Good people I am going crazy.

Now here is my predicament. I am the leader of the team and the lead speaker as earlier stated. It is just some hours to the event. My flu came some hours into the night yesterday and obviously, I couldn't call of my participation because it was too late. Currently, the rule states that no member of the team can be replaced.

The competition has a lot of goodies for the participating departments and the students. For just registering and taking part, my department will be new set of lab equipment. If we eventually come out winner or among the first three, we will get #200,000 for the department for first position with the students being given #30,000 each. For first runners up, we will get #150,000 and #20,000 for the three representing students. As second runners up, we will get #100,000 and #10,000 for the contestants.

The prizes are simply awesome. I still can't imagine how I will feel if I bring this level of disappointment to my department. What is at stake is that without my team being complete in number, my department will be disqualified. You can guess as correctly as anyone that this is not good. I don't know what retribution will follow me because of this or what damages will be incurred. So I have to do this right.

The team practicing for the contest overnight.

This is still early in the morning and I am feeling no good at all. My team is devastated as they are wondering how they will cope without me. At this moment I myself am worried because we still needed to put finishing touches to some things and perfect every arrangements.

However, I have decided not to panic. There is a way out. Since I still have some couple of hours before the event, I have already commenced remediation measures. There is good news guys. I had earlier called my HOD and informed him of the situation of things.

Fortunately there are lots of solutions in this present age and lots of avenues to explore. He asked me what I proposed since I could not be replaced and the department can't afford to miss out on this without even trying.

Me and my teammates

So, right now I suggested I should take part in the debate virtually through digital videography. My HOD was concerned if I will be able to handle it and if I was strong enough, I told him yes. Since I can still stand and aside from the intermittent coughing, sneezing and cold, I was doing quite ok.

He has since bought the idea and on communicating with the relevant authorities, provision has been made for me to be present live through my mobile devices. I am so happy. As a matter of fact I jumped when I got the feedback from my HOD.

Now what is left is for me to inform my team (@Utibeoeffiong and @ekeminimbang) of the development. I am certain they will be thrilled by the development and this will surely gladden their hearts.

I am well aware of the fact that we might still encounter certain glitches and hitches along the way but this will be reduced to the barest minimum with the plans that have been put in place. To aid communication between my team, we will set up our own chat channel through which we will be exchanging information and developing strategies to surmount our opponents.

To keep my teams spirit alive, I will make sure that I stay constant on the chat channel to give them tips and hints. I also will tell them that I will make sure my presentations meets the best possible standards so no points will be lost.

The team on some outing .

Also, before the commencement of the debate myself and my team members are going to have a virtual meeting where we will rehearse, strategize and pray together. I will also ensure that every member is well prepared by offering argument points to the two of them.

So my team don't run into run into problems of poor internet connection, I will send them some data bonuses sufficient enough to enable them stream the whole event from start to finish.
I know that my physical absence will be felt, but this will be made up by my intellectual and virtual presence.

I am confident that if I could pull this virtual participation off, then we are going to emerge one of the winners. I will surely come to update you in the outcome.

For now, stay bless and keep following up. Do well to wish me and my team success. I will definitely try not to disappoint you, my department, my team or myself. Catch you later after the event.

@utibeoeffiong
@ekeminimbang

(Note: This is a fictional write up with names of places not being actual names.)

@ngoenyi
@bright-obias

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