MY TREASURED DESIRE

CHAPTER FIVE: George-Orji Dynasty's Youth Empowerment Gala!

The George-Orji Dynasty’s Youth Empowerment Gala.

Nri City, Oil-Palm State, East of the Niger.

Back to the present moment, it was a breezy cool day at the skilfully tarred and extravagant Parking Lot created for the visitors to the exquisite Traditional Entertainment Dome of Nri City, the Capital City of the East of the Niger, situated in the Nation, Nigeria, in West Africa.

The day was the beautiful day when the Prayers - of the brilliant, but distinguished as some of the poorest, Youths of West Africa - would be answered. None of the Chauffeurs at any of the Parks would miss the show that was going on at the Magnificent Dome, as so many very large and quality Flat-Screen Outdoor Televisions were strategically set for their viewing pleasure. Caterers would not also forget their presence!

Positioned evenly, around the Parking Lot, were stern-looking Security Men: Anti-Bomb Experts, and Martial Arts Prodigies of the Nation’s Special Police. Could it be because the Cars here seemed to have been selected through high taste? State of the Art, expensive brands of Rolls Royce, Cadillac, Lamborghini, Ford, Jaguar, Exquisite Model Toyota, BMW, Mercedes Benz, New Citroen, and many other variants that the highly influential Leaders are known to use… The Parking Space - and its well-arrayed international flags - extend around the acres of land filled with glimmering exotic Cars… Are there no common cars here? There should be - the Car Park goes further north of the place, equally watched by tough-looking security guys!

Endearing Beauty of Architecture and Town Planning: Such was the creativity of the Gentleman Prince – Alex George-Orji, Crown Heir of His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir Okoro George-Orji, KBE, Paramount Ruler of the East of the Niger – and erstwhile Governor of the Oil-Palm Producing State whose two peaceful tenures (which kicked off over ten years ago and ended two years ago) had brought wealth and promise to Western Africa and the State. He built the envy of our Western Hemisphere within every part of his State. People say he achieved the feat through self-sacrifice – having made his wealth through his being an architect, the richest Oil and Gas Magnate in Africa, and he also has rights and commanding shares, in the extended Royal family's Diamond Mines owned by the offspring of George-Orji Clan.

Well, few other Governors emulated his sacrificial leadership in his native Nigeria, Ghana, and neighbouring Nations.

***

Military Base, New Beijing, Achaia.

Simultaneously with the Gala event, in the beautiful confines of her Chalet at the A.S.S.S. Senior Personnel’s Base, a drop-dead-gorgeous lady wearing just a red bum short and red strapless bra was pacing around in her sitting room... She has a guest that is engrossed with the military photos aesthetically set on the walls. Predominant shots were that of the Crown Prince of Achaia in creative poses, in varying army uniforms. There was this middle-aged man in the photos - a highly decorated, retired General of the Middleville Air Force - Air Marshall Guy Michael Guan. He was currently a widower. Now, he stands in that sitting room admiring the pictures on the wall, glaring at his own picture taken while he received the Highest National Honours far-away from home - the Grand Commander of the Dragons – given from the hands of Emperor Rey Chang VI of Achaia. The middle-aged man placed his hand on a picture frame of himself and this same gorgeous lady, then wearing a different army uniform from his own. He shook his head slightly and swiftly turned to the young lady, who was still impatiently pacing around her sitting room. Her name is Colonel Michelle Guan, his daughter. She was on leave, approved for her to settle some personal issues. Well, she has her father to contend with.

"Dear Michelle, at 23, and a high-ranking military officer - you are not an infant. The legacy of sacrifice and hardwork in the service of Buddha that runs in the family has no link with foolishness. Men often get married later in life. Hence, I got married as a hard-working Colonel at 42, but your mother was then 18 and already a graduate of Micro-Biology, employed at the Military Wing of ARSH, here in Achaia... But you - as my only child - have never ever expressed the willingness to prepare for your future. The only regret I have in life is that I lost my beloved wife so early in life!"

"There you go again, dad. What has Mom got to do with it? She only died at 42 when you clocked 64, and you retired last year as you celebrated 65 years on earth. I still have 42 years of meritorious service before me... I know you loved my mom and would have loved to enjoy your retirement with her, with some grandchildren. I am going to make you proud by the kind of suitor I would bring home!"

"Please, tell me: Have you received any marriage proposal? A beautiful daughter does not just bring a suitor from imagination. Signs do appear before that feat... Are you in love with someone that I do not know about?"

Michelle sank her gait into her white, furry, single-seater, took a sip of water and drew in a long breath before responding to her father's puzzle: "Dad, I am not a lady of many words. I have been in love with my boss for 4 years... the feat that got Colonel Spinks Gunn and me the parachuted promotion, to become a Colonel while our Achaian Defence Academy mates were still Captains, was due to my lover’s grace... You were then commanding the Middleville Air Borne Brigade when I almost died in your raid."

My dad decided that it was high time he had a seat too. His eyes became wet as if he would cry, but he smiled dryly and said, "My Beloved Daughter, I lost your elder brother in that raid, which I commanded. Your partner, Captain Spinks Gunn ended his life – bringing down the young Navy Commander’s aircraft, and Middleville mourned... As princes, royal blood practising in the military got all their pieces of training and promotions by fiat. I agree that they are really qualified for their ranks given the kind of selected pieces of useful and expensive training they had gone through. If all military personnel were to pass through their privileged pieces of training, the nations will go broke! General R. C. Chang saving your life and making you be rewarded for your bravery is not enough reason to fall in love with him."

"I am sorry for our losses... Mom loved Michael Junior so much that she could not recover from the shock. And your pains made you forget that no human being chooses how and who he falls in love with – and at what time in life. When it happens, it is an emotional battle! However, you must appreciate the General for his hatred for the bloodshed that made him call for a ceasefire immediately he realised that your own aircraft had entered our trap: He saved your life. I could have been alone in this world if I had lost you and Michael Junior in the same battle!"

"I raised the point that he was unpatriotic... I should have died in that process. Of course, I did not mind... That was what I signed for! But he betrayed his nation to save an adversary!"

"I know that you loved Middleville more than your life, Dad... And the emperor of Achaia gave you the highest title in the land, afterwards when Achaia and Middleville jointly made Asia proud at a Peace-keeping mission… He made you a full citizen of Achaia – with all diplomatic rights and colours. Now, you have dual citizenship of nations of the Old Middleville Empire. Where is your humanity, dad?”

“” I am no more an adversary of Achaia, daughter. That is why you have Achaian citizenship… But I spoke as a loyal soldier!”

“You knew that I was there when you sent your assault missile after you knew that my boss had called for the ceasefire that saved your life... If he had not also saved my life, who would you be convincing about marriage today?"

"You win... His family should send the Proposal. I am ready! it is a win-win situation: He is the future emperor of Achaia."

"Not so fast, dad," I cautioned him sadly. But I refused the urge to expose the secret of the identity of my General, "General R. C. Chang needs to recognise that my love for him was not just 'the team spirit' but conjugal love!"

My father's face brightened up... "Oh, daughter... You are such a beautiful lady. Is it that tough to seduce a mere man? Or is it because he is the Crown Prince? Get him to propose…"

"If it is because of the honour and grandeur, remember that you never trained me to be materialistic... What has your cousin, Lucy of the Cheng Yu Clan, gained for accepting to marry Sir Reinhard Merkel for royal grandeur and compromise?"

"Get it clear, Michelle… Lucy Merkel’s mother’s blood is that of the Cheng Yu Clan... But her paternity is of the Chang Dynasty into which she is still married. Her husband is an Achaian prince from his maternal side… He is a Knight of the Achaian Nobles. None of Lucy’s roots is poor… See, I do not believe in matchmaking... As a soldier, we say: ‘ONE MUST DIE!’ The time of life is short and there is no need to fear the eventuality. So, if you love the prince, fight to claim your love before your adversaries topple you.”

"Okay, Papa. Note that she was Middleville's peace sacrifice... Merkel had Middleville's weakness. And that German businessman's mother was a Princess of Achaia... It was not a love marriage at all."

“I hear that Lucy’s daughter is interested in marrying the prince to settle a score for Lucy, Middleville, and the King’s brother. The King wants to do her the favour, you know? That is why I admonish you not to let the grass grow under your feet. What is the name of Lucy’s daughter? "

“I do not care about that rumour. But I will surely find something out from Greta Merkel.”

"You are decent, My strength... But be smart about Lucy’s Greta, too! The Grandmother was the worst villain in palace cold war in those days. She was wily… So does Lucy who appears innocent and unconcerned. Lucy’s mother was a true cobra. People say that Lucy was different, but she won a diplomatic warfare for Middleville by her Marriage to Sir Reinhard Merkel – who had the destruction of Middleville in his hands... The prince will not come to you unless you win him..."

"Since you are not avaricious, stop thinking of the Crown Prince as a prize of affluence... Think of the Professional Colleague I fell in love with as a mere man who your only daughter fell in love with. I will bring my suitor home one day, soon!"

***

Nri City, East of the Niger, Africa.

Now, Inside the Magnificent State-of-the-Art Entertainment Dome, the occasion was the 3rd Annual Youth Empowerment Gala, sponsored by Igwe Sir Okoro George-Orji Foundations (ISOGOF).

The 85-Year-Old Monarch – strong and Hearty - had sent his adorable granddaughter to be the Lead Philanthropist at this occasion. A while ago, the King and his second son, Professor Floyd, concluded a tasking duty of performing the Grand Opening Ceremony of their 500,000 Bed, world-class General Specialist Hospital for the treatment of people in critical health conditions – especially those who would not be able to afford the high cost of health delivery. They had earlier purchased equipment and had hired some of the best African and expatriate surgeons and caregivers in all fields of medical practice to keep careless deaths away. It was reported that approximately 799.9 billion dollars were spent by ISOGOF to make this dream come true. His Second Son, Prince Floyd George-Orji - A Professor of Medicine & Surgery - had said in a speech: “Never will anyone who could travel to Nigeria die again, of any ailment, because of poverty.” What a Family with lifesaving, kind-hearted legacy!

From the heart of the Dome, the illustrious voice of the doyen of Broadcasting in Africa could be heard, the charming William “Bob” DeGaulle… was saying sweet little things about the final Philanthropist to be introduced to the great international audience -

“Our lead philanthropist for this annual event is the third product of the genuine love union between our erstwhile Executive Governor, Arc. Dr. Alex George-Orji – that humble Crown Prince with the heart of gold, and the former Miss World, the third gorgeous daughter of one of the World’s Wealthiest Industrialists - Dr. Mrs. Lucy Anderson George-Orji. Lucy’s father’s family business group (Anderson Cosmetics Conglomerates Unlimited) produces the universe’s finest cosmetics and beauty products in the heart of England. Her father – Sir Dr. Kelly Adolf Anderson - has been introduced in the House tonight.”

The ace-broadcaster continues: “This Princess' family re-distributes wealth to favour the poor people of West Africa who have the brains for academics and allow their chain of blessed friends to do the rest! Isn’t it an honour to be invited here?” A round of applause and cheers of appreciation traversed across the sparkling Dome.

“This family cherishes the deep values of Africa's great love and respect for elders; humanitarian care for the needy; maximum support for communal discipline in governance; royal courtesy and their in-laws’ high-end Anglo-Saxon etiquettes, uncommon acumen, and wisdom. Hence, each member of the George-Orji Royal Family was given the best of western and traditional African education. And their Character College has the best heads to groom the Royals…” His voice fades as the audience's applause rose in a beautiful sequence.

A very attractive voice blended with the applause, and each member of the audience seems to withdraw their claps to hear the musical voice. Alas: it was the voice of the Hollywood Star actor, singer, ace-broadcaster and Africa's reputed goddess of the tube, the Gorgeous Miss Venus Garcia…

“O Yes, to the one who calls me his crush,” she looked flirtatiously at Bob DeGaulle, and he seems to be shocked at her lovely presence… But she continued: “Do you remember that our Princess was not all beauty and less genius? She was a First-Class Graduate of Broadcasting from the Prestigious Harvard University in the USA!”

Bob DeGaulle intervened with excitement: “…Yes, My Crush – Many scorners from our industry tried to deride her brilliance, challenging her to practice what she studied to let everyone judge that she merited that First-Class Honours… And My King brought his gorgeous granddaughter home for only three months internship at the National Television…”

Venus Garcia’s seductive movement around DeGaulle caused him to stop, and she took over: “Then, this tall, curvy, and fair beauty - stop-press personality like no other – accepted the challenge as the Director-General fielded her for the major events… And she dazzle her fellow Africans who naturally turned her into an idol… ‘The Most Beautiful White Nigerian,’ they call her. After 3months and beyond, she could not walk freely in the National Capital City and - even here in her Kingdom… She swept everyone off their feet. Marriage proposals started flying… I am shocked she did not see her Mr. Right in that crowd of suitors! Then, I met her at the Masters' Class of our prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria… She became the very best in my set… Her presence brought a new aura… The poor people sought to meet her, and she gave scholarships. She became a mega-star ...and the Vice-Chancellor announced a lot of beautiful things about this angel!”

A standing ovation, non-stop screaming in excitement…

“This day,” Charming William DeGaulle announced: “I will present the lead philanthropist of this year’s Gala Night – And I remind you that no one knows the financial value of what she would present to each of 2000 carefully screened and selected brilliant indigent youths… I know that each of them will attend the best institution in the world that excels the most in each Youth's chosen Profession. All fees, accommodation, travel expenses, and mentorship fees would be personally borne by the Igwe Sir Okoro George-Orji Foundations – ISOGOF. So, what will the lead philanthropist give to each of these 2000 Youths? I, therefore, have the honour to present before you, Princess Ndidi George-Orji…”

A standing ovation heralds a huge excitement within the colourfully lit dome! It was an electrifying moment as the idol of the broadcast field moved over into the spotlight. Her voice charmed the atmosphere, for, as she spoke - people fell in love with what they hear:

“I appreciate these great colleagues for their sweet words about my family and I… We are so grateful to the King of Kings for blessing my family and people so much. Hence, I glorify God for so much help that has gone before us – through our Special Guests from all over the World – into empowering our West African Youths who would not fit into the educational line. Billions of Dollars have been judiciously invested… However, my contribution will be modest this year… Apart from all expenses that have already been paid for these 2000 brilliant Africans, I have made out 2000 pieces of account-payable cheques of $5,000,000= each, for the nuclear Families of the beneficiaries of these awards… Thank You all for Caring!”

Thunderous Applause. Exciting show of immeasurable joy and laughter was inevitable… She had just spent a total of 10 billion US Dollars to assist the down-trodden families. Bob DeGaulle calls it “Re-distribution of wealth to favour the poor people of West Africa who have the brains for Academics!”

What is the aftermath of this high-end philanthropism? What is the point of view of the family members? What point remains to be seen about the African Royalties’ relationships with the outside world?