The Lens Magazine Aug. 2017 | Page 50

The Soft Issue
August 2017
Story from Within
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eyes”.
That aside, I also learnt another important thing,
which is: When you are assigned to any beat, it is
pertinent that you make adequate research about the
place. By doing this, one would avoid embarrassment.
If on my part I had made enough research about Al-
Hikmah, I would not have faced that much challenge
and my first visit would not have been a waste
because I would have gained entry and carried out
my assignment without any hitch.
Two weeks after my first visit to Al-Hikmah, I decided
to give it another shot as the pressure from my sub-
editor for my news report was quiet unbearable. This
time around, I made sure that I crossed my Ts and
dotted my Is. I requested for a longer hijab from my
course-mate. I also visited Sango Market and got
myself a fine baggy skirt. The skirt was so long that
I needed to pull it up beyond my bust for it to be at
ankle’s length. I even carried a very big Alhaja-like
bag.
I met the same security officer, “Good morning sir,
remember me? I greeted in a way that showed
familiarity.
“Sir, I was here some weeks ago but you
didn’t let me in because I wore trousers, I
promised to come back…”
“Oh, I remember your face now!” He ran
his eyes over me as if he was searching for
something wrong again. He found nothing.
“Alright, can I have the letter from your
HOD?
“Sir, I actually requested for it but my HOD
hasn’t been in school because she’s been
very busy and the time I have to report
my news is almost elapsing, sir.”. I said
with pity in my eyes. “in that case, I have
to take you to the Dean’s office”. We got to
the Dean’s office and luckily for me, he did
not even ask for any letter, he even gave
me a newsworthy speech and told me
if I wanted more, I am free to go around
the school and gather as much news as
I wanted. I was very excited, I felt relief,
and without wasting time at all I went on a
news-gathering spree, like a bird that just
developed wings.
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