1 10 31 https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/869b5e7271629312de054240fc068e68.pdf 2cd95bd07a27edd9650461a4b3376187 PDF Text Text ��HIS EXCELLENCY DR. NNAMDI AZIKIWE, PC. Governor-General and Con~mander-in-Chief 16 November, 1960. Obtainable From TABANSI BOOKSHOPS 55 New Market Road, Onitsbn. ��FOR It is \kith humility mingled with joy that I thank this grand concourse of patriots and friends of Nigeria for congregating here, today, on the occasion of my inauguration as the first Afiica~~ Governor-General and CommanderinChieT of the recleration of Nigeriu. I was appointed to this post of high honour hy tlrr Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, on the advice of the Prime Ministcr of Nigeria, to s u w e d my predecessor in ofice, that acconiplished coloninl administrator, Sir James Robrrtqon, G . C M.G., G.C.V.0. I his mighly audicnce comprises or eminent men and women dciwn from all tlie Regions of Nigeria and diKcrent parts of Afriar. thc United Kingdom cnd the llnited States of America. Wc have in this august assemblap represcntativzs of heads of states and governments. paramount rulers and chieftains, statesmen and politicians. n3tion:1lists and freedom lighters, university ntl!ninis?~~ators prolkwor';, tr:ides union lcndcrs and ex-service and wen, load government heads and civil servants, niouldcrs of public opinion in addition to professional men and women in different walks of lifc, inch~ding -elect group of invitees who a reprcsent various organizations which are interested in Africa and ill the orderly progress or our country towards national antonomy. I arn indeed happj tl~st I can count on such an array of we]!-wishers at l?o.nc and abroad because the attainment of polilical independence by our country involved complications which are botb national and international, acd these require symp~theticand experienced friends to guide us in our honest cll'orts to builG a united na:ion which would be worthy of the respect and collahor~tionof (he comity of nations. �Pcrhaps i t would not be irrelcvsnt for me l a call your attention to the L e t thdr i n tlte political history of contcniporary Africa, this is the second time that a person of Xfrican descent bas been inducted into the oflice o f Governor-General. 'I'he l i r s l occasion was in November. 1940. when General Charle, de Gaulle appointed Felix Eboue, a native of Cayenne, Frcnch Guipna, i n the Carihbean, to be Governor-General of formcr French Equatorial Africa, which has now evolved into 111c Republics of Chad. Gabon. Brazzaville Congo and the Ccntr;~l African Republic. I n the chequered history of our nation. this i s the sccoud time that a person of African dcscent has had tlic distinctiou to assume a gubernatorial post. O n 8th July, 1960. Sir Adcsoji Aderemi, the Oni of ire. was sworn in as Governor or Wehtcr11 Nigeria. Today. I have h;rd the privilege and tbc hcwcrnr of being sworti i n as the first indigenous Governor-Gencr:d vf the sovereign state of Nigeria. I t i s a distinction tu aasnlrw saeb a high office. because during the co1oni:rl era. governonhil~ was an instrument' of absoiutc authority: but now i t llas becoLnc :in instrunlent of constitutional authority. lkfore tliz enactnlent of the Stidlute of Wcslminsler in .l9J1. wbic11 granred indepcndenee to cerlain countries. whicli t ~ o w constitute tlic Commonwealth of the Nations. the GcrvcruorCieneral was an cmbodinicnt of powcr. in th:~t he was hot11 a reprcsentarive of the Crown and of the Govcrntncnt of tltc U n ~ t c d Kingdom. Hc playcd an active rolc in the governn s i l t of his territory by cxercising initialivc on a swnhcr el issucs of an exautivc and administrative nalurr., and Is W > I; vcsted with reserved powers to veto certain acts or the I w o l government. The Stiatulc introduced a new element of conslihttioaitl importance cvhe~i the Governor-General ceased l o rcpriwnt tlre Govcrnnicnt of tlic United Kingdom but con~inuctl to represent tlic Crown, who is Head o l the Commonwcalth. 111 this context. the Governor-General. as Head of Slatc. now holds the same relation to the Governnienl o r Nigeria as thc Queen does to the Government o f the United Kingdotn. As a constitutional ruler. thc Governor-General cxcrcixr powcr formally and cons~itutionally in order to reflect the wishcs or a dcmocraticnlly con,titutcd m~thority. Thcre were substantial reasons lor this shifting of cmpl~a,is i e the exercise of powcr o l Governor-Gcneral from an ac~ivc to a passive role within the framework or the C o n s t i ~ u t i o ~ ~ . Colonial territories not being internittional persons could not exercise sovereign powers. Thcir suzer;~ins i~ctcd on thcir bclla!f but r e s c r v c d llic ri::ht l o c o 11 c c d c If! t b c ~ r ~ ndlurc. l l t t b rc!at!ot~;Itip s o v o r e i211 t y of a rc;t!irtcd �was based ou tlrc lcgal co~iccpl tllat co!onial lerrilorics were political inferiors; ergo. thcy acrc i o politic;~l servitude until the situation changed. Aflcr a series or Imperial Cvnfcrenccs liom 1907 h) 1916, i t becatoc necessary not only l o ninkc a distinctio~i betwcan colonial al tcrritorics which did not cxcrcisc internal and c x t c r ~ ~so\.crcignly rroni tbosc whicli did. Thosc tcrritvrics which cxerciscd -rcspmsiblc governmcst" internally and cxtcrnelly, cithcr partially or wholly or both \ w e regardcd as Dominions. The otl~crswerc L)cpcndencics. Later. the Stalutc specilically defined "l>oniiuion" l o n~can Canada, Australia, New Zealand. South Africa, Irisli I:rcc Statcand Newfoundland. I t is signi1ic;tnl that at the 111atcrial liw ll~csc tmitorics, with the exception or South Aliica. wcrc ial~ahitcdby a grcst majority ol' pcoplc ol' Eurvpc;~ndcscent. III the o w ofS11ul11Africa, a sni;~ll Europcan minority had cotiiplctc c * ~ ~ ~ 01' o I govcrnmcnt. l r tllc 111 1926. tlic lnter-lnipcrisl Relations Committee o f Ilic laprri:~l C'oafcrencc, undcr thc cliairm:~nsl~ip Lord Ilalfour. of rrcortlcd the o p i n i o ~ ~ tlic tcndcncy o f thc U o m i n i o ~to scck that i~ rqualiry ol' stittus wit11 Britais c w s both right ited incvitablc. Ilct~ce.thc Dominions werc dcfined 21s autono no ma us conin~enities ~ i i l l ~thc British Empirc. cqu:tl in status, in no wily subordinatc in wte to mother ill any aspect of' tlieir tlonicstic or cstcrnal alliirb, frccly t h w g l i united by a common allegiance 10 the Crown, i ~ n d 3sswiatcd os menilxrs or thc British Comnionwcalth orNatio11b." After the cnd or the W v l d War II. India, I'i~kisl;~nand C'cylon hcc;~aie indepcndcnt closcly li4lowed. a dwadc lstcr 1 ) 1. ( i h i ~ n i ~ .Mi~leya and Nigcriit. The idoption or a rcpuhlicat~ l i w t ol'govcrnn~cnt by tlirec of thc abovc-aamcd Stetcs did not aI1'ccl Coninion!walth status nistcrially, hut i t must be adnriltcd t11at fundi~mcotal changc occurred in i t s structure: thc GI~IIIOIIwc:~ltli has evolved i r o ~ nan association or coloni:d territories scttlcd mainly by pcrsons ol' Europcan dcscent to a niulti-racial ;tntl nu~lti-national community. whicli has "no tics. 110 commitIrcnls, no obligations, no tracc ol'imperisl control or subordi~~ate colonial status.'' Tlrcsc great swiid cha~lpcs in tlic structurc and outlook ol' Ilw Comnionwcaltli arc h;aic, Iicncc thcy lii~vealtercd the unicc ol' Govcrnor-<jcncral to bcco~nc Head o f State i ~ n d rcprcscntillivc ol' thc Crown. es distinct from Head of CiovcrntncM. 111c Sincccolonial rulc i s ;~uihori~arian, evolution to independence Iias Ir:~nsl'ornwJ the situation su I~:II the (;ovcrnor-Gcneral o f �of the equality of status existing among the members of the British Commonwealth that the Governor-General of a Dominion is the representative of the Crown, holding in all respects the same position in relation to the administration of public affairs as in the Dominio~~ is held by His Majesty the King iii Great Britain, and that he is nor the representative or agent of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain." The fact that British politicid institutions have influenced the course of our national hist,ory, made us in Nigeria to adopt the parliamentary system of government. In effect, it.means a recognition of the existence of ministerial responsibility with an active Head of Goverl~meet,who remains in otlice, so Ion8 as he retains th: confidence of the majority of the representatives of the electorate. Hence there is a bifurcation in the exercise of power between the Govtrnor-General. as the erstwhile Head of Government in a colonial regime, and the Prime Minister. he changes have had an impact also on the nationality of the persons who assume this high ollice. . The Imperial Cooferences of 1926 and 1930 agreed that in view of the changes envisuged. the appointment a Governor-Generid should bg a matter lying solely between the Crown and the particular Commonwealth country concerned. In this connection, the principle was established that it is for each State in the Commonwealth to decide whether or not to appoint distinguished citizens from the United Kingdom or from within its territorial limils or from elsewhere. In practice many Commonwc'ulth cwnlries have opted to appoint their own nationals as <iover~~ol.s-General.Since 5th April, 1937, the Crown, on the rccon~mendationof the Prime Minister of South Africa, has always uppointed a South African national as Governor-General. In January 1947. the Crown approved the appointment of Sir William John Mckell. G.C.M.G.. Premier of Western Australia, as Governor-General of Australia. On 15th August, 1947. the Crown approved the appointment of Mlihammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, as the first Governor-General of Pakistan. After the departure of Lord Mountbatten, the first native Governor-General of India was Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. former General Secretary of the Indian National Congress. When India became a Republic, the ollice of President was made analogous to that of GovernorGeneral and Dr Kajendra Prasad, former Minister of Food and President of the Indian Constituent Assembly, was elected. The �present Governor-General of Ceylon, since 1954, is Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, who is a former Leader of the Senate and Minister of Finance. It will be noted that all the individuals mentioned above as native Governors-General were active politicians before they assumed their high office. I have gone to the lcngth of giving this historical hackground because of the nature of the oaths I havc taken today and because of my honest belief thal the existencc of a stahlc and constitutional government in Nigeria can become a motive power for the revival of the stature of man i n Africa and an implling Iorcc for the restoration of the dignity of man i n the world. Before the Honourable Chief Justice of the Ftderation of Nigeria, I have subscribed to two oaths according lo law: Ilia Oath of Allegiance and the Oath or Oflice. In making the Oath of Allegiance, I swore thal I would he '.liiithful and bear true allegiance" to the Crown. This oath is wnsistent with our Commonwealth relationship in view of the twplications of the Dominion Status. As a member of the (:ommonwealth of Nations, we are an autonomous community :tnd we are freely associated as such althouph unilcd b a common ! ~llegiancc to the Crown. Since Her Majesty is Head of the ;'ommonwealth and the Governor-Gcner;rl is representative of ihc Queen, it is appropriate that on assuming this honourable ollice, the appointee should subscribe to the Oath of Alleb' wncc as a visible sign of belier in this association. The Commonwealth is an historic coalition ot nations who rtand for certain common values and ideals which are generally described as liberal democracy. In this free association of countries, Britin stands supreme as the soarce of certain sl~iritual values, such as individual freedom, respect for law and religious toleration. lncourse of their development from colonial status to indopendence, the members have bcm nourished with these concepts o l British dmocratic heritage. When I subscribed to the Oath of Ollicc, 1 swore that 1 would "well and truly serve" in the oRce of Governor-General. In view of the historical forces at work since the publication of the Durham Keport in 1840, and the cnaci~nenl of the Stalutc of Westminster in 1931, it is obvious that the evolution of Cummonwealth countries havc gravitated from authoritarian to constitutional government. I n Nigeria this means to me government of the inhabitants of Nigeria. with consent of the citizrns of Nigeria, through the accrediled reprerentativcs of the voters of Nigeria, who are p e r i o d i c a l l y dectcd by secret ballot and by ad41 s u ITr a g c . by *I responsible cabinet s e l c c t c d from s u c h accredited r c p r e s e n t n t i v c s ivhiol~ 5 �rcmtius in oKce as long as such a cabinet retain5 the confidence l o f the majority member; o f w c h 3n ~ I m e dt ~ k l i i ~ ~ r e . This definition or reprcsentative tlemcrracy. us i t has heen adapteJ t o Nigcria. is hascd on thc concepts o f the rulc o f law and respect for individual freec!om which have been heyunthcd t o 1 s during our political association wilh Britain. There nutions 1 are the roundations upon which has been built tbe pillars of' our parliamentary govcrnmcnt. Without respect for the rule o f law permeating our pnlitici~l f r i c N r would dcgcncratc into a dictatorship with its twin relatives o f tyrmny and clespotism. I hold that the arhitrarv exercise o f power witlinut the restraining influence of thc rulc o f 11 m:!st be ccndc~nnedar :w n f~~ndamcntal dqc~rturzl'ro~n constitutional government. Any justilicalion of such un1r:tmmcllcd cxercist 11I' political power i.i, lil me, an outrage on hun~anc o ~ ~ w i e ~ ~ rl' cI ero.;s v i ~ h t i m m c o f hmic hunian rights. With this concept o f the rule of law. we havc inhrrited I h r idea o f individual rreedom. which is the shect-n~~cl~nr or ilemncratic institutions. The sanctity o f thc person. the rip111 I o f : persm to fair and publ~ctrial, the assumption o f t11c innocence of an nccus4 person until he i s proved guilty: tllrse ;Ire examples o f the basic hi~manrights which feature our ('wsti1111ion and which I hnve sworn tod:~y to uphold. But I l w e are o1her ancillaries to tlissc 'lrmcnts o f lihcral democracy. 1 I in mind religious freedom - freedom of tlio~~ghr. frzrtlom nf conscience. freetlom 01' worship. the intlcpenclct,cc of a responsible judici:~ry. which i s conscio~~sf i t s rrspt~n\ihilitits o in r democratic society. and thc exi>lenre I an u n ~ : ~ r t ~ i h a b l t pi~hlic service whose memhers ;Ire appointed or p r w w t r t l srrwrlv and good ch;~r:~ctrr I I oa~l ; ~ On thc merit uf their c~u:~iilic:~tions on any other extraneous criteria. What I havc analyscd, in so ibr as the kerncl o f the t \ v n o:~tbs titken by me t o h y rclatc, can hc s l ~ n l ~ w up in l i w r tl words: respect for l l ~ ~ ~ n a u dignity. I s11h111itthat rcspcct fnr homnn dignity is the challenge which Afric:~otl'm to the wwld. The lack of respect for hunian dignity has led to the pllitical bondage o f man by man in Africa. This act o f c o n m i a i ~ ) n has also accentuated race relations in Africa. Until the conscitr~ce o f the world has heen energctic:~lly a~rousedt o solve this prohlem frankly wit11 ubsolulr' hnnesty, i t i s safe I predict tlml the politind resurgence which is now sweeping all ovrr ATrirl~.i; capable o f leading t o : re?-cr~~elrz I niovcmrnt which wciuld be disastrous t o the p t 9 ~ 2 f the world. o �Represeutztive democracy bas heen tried in 'Pi&erio and i t has worked n,cces~Cuily. Parliameimry eovernmenr hns been attempted i n Nigeria and we have proved more than equal to the task. Ministerial responsibility is no longer a bugbear to us; i t is now part and piccel ot our politics. indeed, the Westwinster model 01 parliamentary government and democracy ha9 heen proved by u s not only to be capable of being expbrled to Africa, but practicable in this part 01 Africa. But these are veneers of a political pattern which is interwoven on a complex society system i n a world 01 which Nigeria is a part. Whilst Nieerh can dcfinitelv eive assurance of its ca~acitv for self&ernm&t and to h a h a i n law and order, a aldly Itedged ; member 01 the Commonwealth. Nieerians are hound to criticise the scandalous inconsislencies'~ of-the world which-expose the cloven h o d of certain nations i n their altitude towardsthe dsrker rnces. Whilst i t is a lact that the Commonwealth is a voluntary association which is loose. flrxihle and ad:~ptahle, and its memhers vnlue i t '.lor i t s very variety and m~;lti~licity uutlook, of its member governnienls sometimes acting i n unison, sonietimes scf:trately, but always freely exchanging views and information, :md always adding something to a common pool o f mutual understanding," nevertheless, -Nigerians can not^ be expected to I supine when such a basic human right as respec! lor human r dignity i s violated with impunity in any part of the Cornmollwealth or i n any country in the world. The challenge of Nigeria as a lree State in twentieth century Alricn is the need to revive the slnturc o l man i n Alricn and reslorc the dignity o l man in the world. Ni:erians believe p~ssio~~ately the fundamental human rights. We regard all in races 01 the human l a d y as equal. Under no circun~stance sllnll we accept the idea that the black r,we is inlerior t o any othcr race. N o matter where'this spurious doctrine may prevail. i t mov be in Lodwar or Sharvville or Decatur, we shall never nclmil ihat we are an inlerior r&e, because if we accept the Christian or Muslim doctrine that God is ~erlectand that man was made in the image of God, then it would be sacrilepious, if not lcretical. to believe that we are an inlerior race. We cannot concede that it is in our national interest to fraternise with such nations which practise race prejudice and we must not acquiesce i n such an outrageous insult on the black race. In fact. we must regard it as a mark 01 disrespxt and an unfriendly act if an) country with whom we hnvt lriendly relations indulges i n race prejudice i n any shape or form, no matter how i t may be Ieg a I l y cloaked. �Withia the Commonwealth, Nigerians cannot appreciate the equity in denying a national of any part of this free association of multi-racial states and territories his freedom of movemeol without due process of law ? We cannot see the justice in restricting the movement of any Commonwealth n~tionalarbitrarily, without dqe process of law, more so after one had served a long term of imprisonment as penalty for infraction of the law. Wc cannot approve extra-legal acts of this nature bccause they violate fundamental human rights and negatc the very idca ol' a rulc of law. We cannot refrain from questioning the cnpedicncy or these acts of tyranny and certainly nrc must denounce tl~em as an unjustified invasion on the sacred rights of the individual. Within the rank and file or the United Nations, tberc are many States who deny their citizens equality of opportttnity and deprive them offundamental human rights, for the simple reason that the colour of theirskin is black or that they are natives of Africa. We in Nigeria cannot reconcile with good government the imprisonment of an African who refuscr to wear a badge of racial inferiority which is disguised as an identification card. We cannot see the logic of a minority group, which controls Dower, to subvert the ends of aovernnient by punishin rewesentativcs of a nl~joritygroup who refuse to hc discr;mitiatcd or segregated acainst. merely on the hasis of raczand not necessarily on ary-inrradon of a law which is not repugnant to 11ulnaL1 conscience. Our people lind it extremely punlin: to belicve that 'intellisent people ca:, bc so wickrd nnd inhuman and yet bc accepted as civiliscd nations by the international comn~unity. WC in Nigeria are non-plussed and we cannot undcrstmd why many mcmber-Svates in the 1Jnited Natiims looked with disfwour a t thc idea of promulgating an international convection on human rizhls. Why are !he leading nations ol' the world interested ill msrely declaring their adhrrcncc to the ideals ol' basic human ri~hts,but are not prepred to sign a binding international convention much more to ratify it in their Parliamsnts? C o ~ ~ l d be that s x h nations believe that talks of a rulc ol' it 'law and rcspect for human dignity arc outside the periphery of world politics? Or could it hc that such nations mercly claim to be protagonists ofdemocracy but do not hclieve in this ideology as a :~racticablcprcposi~ionand way of life? .. Wc have comc a long way in achieving our indcpcndencr. It was a toughening school and the cxpcricncc we gamed has armed us with a spiritual weapon which now cni~blesus to gut t o the test the auther~ticity ol' the clsims of those who prol'css to be democratic and civilized. As such, wc ask why is it �that ahcr cxtrar?ing all its tectb. only Britain and :I Iew nrcmo bers of the Western European Union darcd i sign the European Convention on H u ~ n s nRights, whilst the many African C o b nial Powers, including France, Spain and Portugal, rcfused t o endorsc i n principle, this innocuous but face-saving conventio~i! I f respect for the rule of law and individual frecdom tllust be used as a yardstick to p u g e the progress o l civilisation among nations, then the world should be in position t o appreciate why we, i n Nigeria, have refused t o inherit the prejudi~ c of older Europedn nations by making thc basis of our fores ign policy, the principle of non-alignment with m y power bloc. As members of a mal-trcated race. i t would be the bcight o l lblly for us to hobnob with those who regard thc mcmbcrs of our race as inferior. As firm believers i n the principle 01 brotherhood of man, we should bc foolish to pretend that wc arc Itappy when the rights of our fellow human beings are w:cato~~ly trampled upon by irresponsible rulers and governmcnt agencies o undcmocratie countries. Having passed through the crucible f of pol~ticalbondagc in the furnace of coloni;tl. tulelage, how can any reasonable world statesman expect Nigerians to ;l>sociate in an alliance of mutual security with countries which still regard Africa as a colonial pasture fit lor hafaris and cattlc grctzing and not for the enjoyment o f basic human rights. Our domestic policy i s intertwined with our foreign policy. l'l~osc who have respnnsihility i o enunciate these have donc s13 i n precise terms. We are more concerned i n reviving the slaturc of man i n Africa. We have developed into a st:tgc where we now lead the r s t of Africa in the n m ~ b e rof clcmcntary and secondary schools and their population. We now. havc iostitetions of higher learning of university standard. About 10,000 of our sons and daughters are attending the leading of univcrsities of Europe and America. Our hospitals and hcalth ccntres outnumber those of any other country in Africa. Thc total inilc. age of our tarred and untarred roads measures up with the bcsl i n Africa. Our economy is expanding in the agricultural and industrial sectors, and we arc busily engagcd in slin~ulatin#investments so as to increase earning opporlunilic~for our peoplc and thereby increase their purchasing powcr itnd raisc thcir l i v ~ a c sti~nilards. Our population is highest in Af~ica, fourth in the Conlmonwcalth and thirteenth i n the world. Since the days of slavery, this contincnt had hecn dcpopulated and caploiteJ.. By 1939, that is, on the cve o l thc World War 1 , there wcrc only two indepcirdest Statcs ill Alrice: they 1 I were t h e llcpublic of L i b c r i a, n t d lr c U 11io I 14 Soutlt �Africa. A decade later. this number was increased to ,fW, ns ; I rcsult o f the restitution of thc Kingdom of Ethiop~a and 111c;~b:~ndunmcnt f the capitularies which chained tlic King. o 110111 01' F.:$!.pt i n political servllode for decades. By the r l i d '4' 1959, the n u m k r o f independent A F ~ i c i ~ n Stiites had rciicl~cd rrn. Likri;~. South Al'ric.3. Ethiopie. United Arah Kepuhli~. l ihy:~. Moroc.co. 'I'unisiii. Sud;~n. Cihnna and Guinea: that .IS >ix r~puhlics,three kingdonis and one military dict;ttorsliip. As 1 speak toilily. it i s with pride 111:lt I remind you III;II this i s Africa'* year. hcctuse sixteen Stilks hevc alrei~cly I~rcomc independent and anotlicr will bccon~e later this niontl~. o no l I I I ~i~ ~ I scven!ien. ~ The attainmenI of political freedom by (';Inreroun, Topo. Sencgi~l, Mali., Midag;~sy. Somidia, Lcopoltlvillc i'c~ngo, I~rxzz:~villc Congo. Ihliun~cy. Ivory Coi~sl. Upper Vulla. kiger. C'l~i~d, Gebon. Central Aliican Republic and Nigeria. i l l i s ycar. is :IS ilr;~tn:~~ic and S spccti~cularas t l ~ ccvcn!s in I ; s t l ~ cAl'rican contine~~t i ~ wthc d:lys of Ilic P11:ir~ohs. M ~ I . rcluni:~ will hcco~nc~III indelwnAwt ltepuhlic heforc t11e cnd 4' I l l i s n ~ o ~ t to. give sovereign and indcpcnde~)tAl'rican Stalcs h r scnrcbtwrd tol;d of twenty-seven. As we yrocccd Id l l ~ cti~sh f s.~tion-buil4ing, we cannot o ;~vuidh k i n g stock ol' llie lioslility r~gainst our race by ccrtaiu w'lions ol'humanily. rumc ol'whom itre now permicncnlly sclllc~l I t l i i s contil;cnl :~sniint>ritiesnil11gre11 political power. Wc ;arc hound to t;~he cognisuncc ol' : situ;~tionwhere a minurily I 4111 :tee-aunt 01' its supcriur organis;~tionand inlluencc. can usurp p~wcr and proceed 1) hull^ 11s m;~.iarity popu1.1tion to the point , d'sccki~ig suhtluc the111 sheer hrutc liwce and rclincd savagerer). to hy I f the outside world \vould hc disposed to wink st this <.streme rivm o f civiliwd hsrhi~rism. then it i s only s ni:ttlc'r!)l' !into. when the independent Arricae Sti~teswill come into t l w ; @-wn I plan to rescue t l ~ c i rkith and kin l'roni this sociul de;!raclation. I t i s not yet too 1;1tc l'or the European suzerains :wd associutcs o f tl~escterritories 1 ; give due warning l o their 1 w:~rds :~ndl'riends in Afric;~ to retrace their steps il' they would F\CII~C i r m llle tvratli that aould he inevitahle, in case they coatiaurd to hc pttul;tnt ;~nd incorrigible. T11c resignation o f tile Cliicf Justicc o f the C'entral African Federation is w r y ~ l ' r c s h i n . %r i t shows that even among minority groups iu . \ i Iherc are God-fe.irinp Iciders with conviction who li;~vc I d 1 1 in lllc pcaccful co-existence or Afriatcls and non A f r i c a ~ ~ r I A r c . 'l'his heroic act i s ; straw which indiatter 111;1t tllc I wind 01 cl~ange is hound 10 SWCCP away the cohwehs 01 : ve11: 1 past. I 1 :As N~gcriacnjctys 11z fl'ca!c~ir i l t l ~ cworld c v ~ l ~ ~ i u ~ i i t y , l n t i ! I.lc,ir~ to t 4 x a11 iwc?.. I : l c l I I 1111lt~1s a i f c c t i n g the dcstiny ol the rlng I 10 �,4.fric; i.bd l : r r i i *f l i v d d ?%is hs.; t c - . h k ram ne-mry !~..?%u-r o i i h r irdri..?zp.;i:ic~~:e ::if ni ~.&h:l nr>r ; ; : -;r.-.>-. ix.:..311 c a r tl:c v i i I iriroike rtie I o i liiifi.ii~ l i ~ r . > ~ i lilt rc tllr hefilthy k r a v t l ~ ~ i J a drvrlq,~rte(~~ ili.m+w~wy. We l t : ~he^^ oi 100 t u q wilti oltr W - ~ ~ . ~ [ ; + ~ il:i;.k r do l 1i:lli~nd ell ~ e n l i w w a tit ~h:ii tilost t d 311r r:wk mil ti12 1t:tvc 1.w nll sente of i n q ~ i i ~ ~ . iLtd ll~t erhics 01 t l u p'ev:dwi itltoldpies of the conlliCiirli: power blocs. O d y last weck, a young studcnt asked mc this q u c s t i ~ ~ ~ ~ "<:n~: you rccommcnd to me any in1orm:itive book on C.OI~I~III. 1 1 I. t~iwi'!" 0 1 01 curiosity, I :~skcd hcr'what she wanted to , , with such a hook, m d shc rcplicd in all innocence: ..Sit~rv ~liosc who brot~dcdst over the wireless arc so alraid of il, I would like to know why they are afraid!" This is typic11 t d llle spirit or inquiry which is now surging in our youlh : I ~ J 1s creating an intellectual ferment among them. 1 do sol i~iIv(wi~te the suppression of inlormation nor do I sugysi III ~nisinlormation:but I do hope that our friends in Ei~ropc: I I . Aiserica will appreciate the incnlculable l ~ a r mrhcy can tld h.1 the c:we of world peace by crying "Wull" when no wolf i s i t 1 sight, and no Nixererim wants l o know whether a woll ii n dog or a cat or a cross between a dog and s cot! Our primary duly with our emergence as an. A l r i c : ~ ~ ~ Power is, in the words of one 01 our learned jurists, - k ~ :Irsert the evolution of a single nation-and l o projccl IIIC ~wsonality of that nation ...A constitution i s not just : lc:~l i c t i ~ . ~ ~ m e ~ ibe interpreted us conferring or withdrawing in. to t divideal rights. A constitution is a way o l lile and the sacrcd I: clt~tyof the courts and the peoples is to interpret i t S s11cI1 :tnd jr~stifyits existence by their lives." These thought.; 01 M r Justice Coker deserve serious attention because lhcy ccrnI:~it~ pe~iiso l wisdom that can be used to cemcnl our country i r ~ : bond of unity :~nd faith and thereby direct the tho~tglils (11 I I.mr youth to constructive ends. I n the view 01 certain observers, here and abroad. ~ny. tlccision to accept and assume the oilice of Governor-Gcncr:~l has been surprising. They thought that since I was leader 111 n political party which contested the last federal elections. I should continue to fight in order to displace the present lli.:~cl of our Government, instead 01 supporting the conclusion of : I political truce and agreeing to become what tone of then1 cu. 1)hemistically described as "a prisoner in a gilded cage." Whilst I appreciate the good intentions of these critics, I should 111:1kc i t clear that rine important reason why humiin sociely is uos~able end hll of ccmtlicting emotions is hecause oI' the t e n d e n c v t,r i n t c t i s i l ' y r i v a l r y btyoud tlicii ~ 4 I t i W l l l rbf . . ....,. . ,........ . . .. ���normal course. After all, o w leaders fought the good fight with all heir might because they believed in the righteousness of their causes; and bistory has proved them right. But they also knew that in a team of many players all caniiot be elected cappains since it is generally awxpted that more than one I .!pt:i;.i cannot run a ship efficicrrtly. That was what Douglss hf;~lloch must have had .in mind when be composed these irnmnrtnl lines: If you can't he a pine on the top of the hill Be a scrub in the va1le)'-. hut he The Irsi little scrub by the side of 111e rill; Ile a bash if you can't he a tree. If you can't hc :I hush he.a hit of the grass, And s o n ~ chighway s o ~ r ~ e happier make: kic If you C:III'~ lw :I n ~ ~ ~ s tl~cnjust lie a bassnut the liveliest h:~ss in t l ~ e lake! We can't all .he captains, we've got to be crew, I'here's something for all of us here. Thrre'a big work to d o uutl there's lesser lo do, And tlic tnsk we lnusl d o is the near. If you wn't he ;I highway then just he a trail, If you can't he t11e sun he a star; It isn't by sim tliat yo11 wit1 or yc11 failne the liest of wh::trver you are! ' 1 am sntislied that the preseni arrangements made hy tbose of up, who may be rightly described as the makers ofconlenlporary Nigeria, huve u\liered freedom into our country :ind presrrvcd our unity a s it nation. I an1 happy that history l ~ a s assigned to me an important part to play in order that this unity m y hnvc lasting effects and bring home to our people the need to maintain it relieiously. 1 am all the more overjoyed tlut Nigeria is free and independent without necesswily going the way of certain States in Africa, Asia and Europe, w11oqe instability has heen of great concern to tho United Nntionn I the rest of the world. 1f I :rm asked whether 1 am happy-because Nigeria is free, and the Nigerian Governnlenl appears to he stable, and the penp.le or Nigeria. arc apparently satislied that the orize of freedom and the pricc of our leaders paid for it werc worth die s a c r i f i c e , I v o u l d a n s w e . r in t h e aflirmative. It is t r u e t b ~ t t l l e r c o m p a t r i o t s o 14 �and 1 had to scale the craggy heights as we trekked the stony Ciolgotha of human .life. I t i s truc that during ihc strugglc. whose climax was reached after a greater part of a quarter of a century, our lot was one o l vicissitudes and disappoint~ncnts: ncvcrthcless 1 am grateful to God that I did not swcrvc fro111 our objective, i n spite o f mutilution of facts, amorphous interpretation and deliherate pcrversion o l my ~ t u a role. . T l ~ cconl test was tough, the encounters were rough. i ~ n d tllc 1cr was in~pl;~cablc; neverthclcss wc fought tenucioualy ;~ccordingto the rulcs o l thc gamc. even when our opponent decidcci to meak in ; rabbit punch. And we have emerged triutnph:intly! I I niust confess thet during the dark and dreary days c i l w r struggle lor n;~lional frcedom. ooe pcwn busl;~inctlwe spi~ i l u a l l yand r;~iscd my morslo so much that I did not bollicr ciihrr to count the cost or to reckon the casuali:icss~~s(ui~~ed . clwing our histo!ic conflict for a place i n the sun. I t was w c a Rudyard Kiplmg's poems and I shall now read it: 4 "If you can kecp your head when all about you Are losing tlicirs ;lnd bl:~niing it on yvu. I f you can trust yourself when all iuen cloubt y ~ ~ u . But makc allvwancc for their doubting, too: . II you c;ln wait and not bc tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't dcal in tics. Or k i n g hated don't give wily to hating, And yet don't look too good. nor talk loo wise; JI you can dream -and not make dreams your w:ister; I f you csn think-and not makc thouplith your ~I~III. 11 you can nicct with triun~ph and tlis~stcr And treat those two impostors just thc w r c : l i you can bear t o hear the truth you've s p o k c ~ ~ Twistcd by knavcc to make a trap for fools Or wntcl~ things you gavc your lilc to. broket~, thc And stoop and huild'c~nup with worn-out toolx c 11 you CUI ~ l ~ a kone llc;lp of dl your witmiups And risk i t on w e turn ol' p.itrl~.actrl-tiw. And lose. and b t s t 28d!1 at )Our beft!tnl~l:: o x And llevcr bredthe a word about your 1 ; �11 you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone. And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the will which .says to them: "Hold o ! n" If you can talk with crowds and kcep your virtue. Or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends cun hurt you, If all men count with you, but nonc too much; If you can fill thc unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is thc earth and everythiug that's in it, And-which is more-you'll be a man, my $on! Independence has come and the world has rejoiced with us. We have proved to be worthy. pioneers of human freedom in Nigeria. What remains for us to do now is lo dedicate our lives anew to the fascinating task of nation huilding. Thc past is gone with all its bitterness and raocour and recriminations. The future is before us and great events await the leadership of the wise and brave. We have an upllill task to perform and this is: not the timc for us to undertake a post morrrm operation in order to allocatc blames among our leaders and followers. The issue is not who is right atid who is wrong: the main issue is %hat is right for the FeJcriltion of Nigeria and For humanity! - In assuming the office of Governor-General and Commander. in-Chief, I hereby call upon my compatriots to join Albaji Abubakar and myself in this historic tiiissio~~ reviving the of staturc of man in Africa. There is plcaly of room at the lop and there is plenty of work to be done. 1 call upon Alhaji Ahmadu Bcllo, the Sardauna of Sokoto, to join us in this herculean task of:natioiial reconstruction. I exhort Chief Obafen~i Awolowo to associate with us in this great adventure of rcstoring the dignity of man in the world. - There a r e many Icaders who can give active support and assistance to our nation at this its supreme hour of necd: Chic1 Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Dennis Chukudc Osadcbtiy of Wcstsrn Nigeria, Dr Michael lheonukara Okpafit and Samucl Grace Ikoku of Eastern Nigeria, Mallant Aminu Kano, Mallam lbralim Imam and J.S. Tarka of Northern N~geria, and countless othcrs. I a p l w l lo all our leaders. Ihr and mar, to lorget the wounds which were infliclcd. in course of our inlcrnccine altercations. 'The love ,of our couulry i 6 �should out-ureiph the love of our pctty selves. The enjoyment or individual freedom under the law should mean more to us than our self-centrd party programmes :tnd manifestos. Common dangers and common enemies alert 11s on the need for common security The Eritish came here in 1851 and found us hope1:ssly dividcd in tribal compartments. When Britain transferred power to us on 1st Octobcr, 1560, wc were no longer t C an expression of geograph). b ~ a reality o history. During all cur Scars of r.oli~ical vassnlogc we bccame socially and economically integrated. Wc have also drrvdoped an identity. ol' i~:tetcs: and we bnvc crystalliscd common nationality. Thc process of political intzgrwtion reachcd its x i ~ i t l i.t midnight of 30th September, 1960. w ! we lustily sang cur Yational ~ Antkem and cnur Salisnnl I:~:Ic. was hoistcd aloft to signal thc birth of a cew nation. Conic and join Abubakx with me, :;ardaun;:, Awolowo, Akintola, Osadebay. Okpara, Ihoku, Aminu limo. Ibrahim Imam and TarLa. Let us bind the nntinn's \vound and let us heal the hreaches of the past so tl!at i n li>rg!ng our nation there shall emerge on this coi~linent a hale- frcu., fear free and greedfree peopie, who shall be in thc van!y:~rd ofa world task I'orce, whose assignment is not only to revivc tkc stature of man in Africa, but to restore the dignity of n;nn in thc world. - As f i ~ r IIIC, my ~tilfcsl earthly assignment is c c d d a~:d my major lire's work is done. M y Country is now fret. and 1 havc bezn honoured to hc its first indigcn:?os ticad of Slate. What more could one desire in -lift? I tl;:in!< C i x l Tor $paring my lifc to witness the indcpcndam of my ri.~;iveland. i am grateful to God lor the opportunity to serve and I hcrcby plcdfz sclcmnly to irndcr faithful aod loyal scrvicc to my country. As in the past, I shall no1 h:we cc>nsideration for personal comiorls or safety or even !ire iwelf, if t!icsr: zre tlx price I must pay lor leadersl~ipi n ordcr to prcservc the lrccdom and unity of my country. The Itidependencc oi Nigeria was :o~gcpcd!j. lou$~t rnd dearly won. During o\lr pr~tractcdh:~ttlcs. srmc of our heroes and heroines fu!l by the way side; solnc went lhi: way of a11 flesh; some mid with their lives; some were inc;~rccrate& some,lost their jobs: some sacriliccd their fort~tncs; sonic were oslrac~sed: whilst scmc werc vic!imiscd and made to suNcr indi~nilybecause lhry chrej to d e m d frccdom for Nigeria in our lifetime. Therckorc, wc most jcnlously guard our lr~edom with our lives, if need be. I haw m d c up my mind to (lo :all lbat lies in my power, so thst our newly.-won Ircedom s!iall endure. 17 �All that remains to be done now is for our leaders nnd their followers to demonstmtr that spirirunl resilience which had enabled us to survive the onslaught of the past. With faith in the eventual success of our adventure in the comity of nations, we can look rotward to the morrow with hape and charity for our fellow mad knowing that the task has hren well donc and that prospects of the futurr are bright. I n the words of r distinguished Alnericnn port. 1.anpston Hughes. let us youthf~~lly march tngether to a greater tomorrow for Nigeria in unity with faith: -Wc haw tonlorrow nrigl~t kktre 11s Like a flame. Yesterdnv, n night-gone thing, sun-down name. A And dawn today, h a r d arch above the rosd we came. We march." �,Vontes ipt full.- Nwsmdi Azikiwe. My original Christian name war "Renjamin" h:lt 1 rejcctrd i t in luly 1!134. aft21 thz Britirh Empire Games Clouncil rcfuretl to allow me to compete I n , the f131f Mile afid One Mile races at the British Empic Games of 1034, on technical grouudc. Fdfhrr..- Ohrdctlon Clwkw~~cmckn ~\;riki\w.h4~m ?nil No\'ember, 1879: son of A7ikiwe.Chr1kwsdc. 0flh11cii Nwaw~~laru, of the I l n ~ ~ s c of Mnlokwu and Mbiilokwu. Oghenlw Quartel.. s Onilsha: educated C.M.S. Central School. O n i t h . and C.hl.S: Tr:iiningCollege, Asaba, 1897: joined the N i p i n Rriptic. a< Clerk in 1901 under Lord Lugard at Zun:era. capit:tl of Northern Niscri:~: retired on pension from the civil service in 192.5 under Nigeria Regirncnt. Third Hattalion. Calahar; died on 3rd March, 1958. His obituary h : ~ hren puhlihed in the Ninot geria Camre, a$ is customary in the case of other pensioners. MoMm.--Rnchel C'hinw A7ikiwc. horn ISM (?), daushter of Cliiel A:hndiunt> Ajie. thc Oh of Onitshn Ndichie Chief or Olri I ldogwu, kin^ 14Onitsha whose and grrst-gr:~~~d-da~~~.~I~t~r son and im~nediatcswces$or, Obi Akamf-, signed a 'I'resry of Commerce with greiit Hritain in 196.1; native of O t b d i Eke Quarter, Onitsha; iliilerate: died on 36th January, 1958. .. noth pareal* wrre haptired in the C.M.S. Church, Onitsha. hly only sister is Cecilia Cziamakr Arioxe of I? Ihol:u C-trtrt, Onitsha. Dafeof Birth,- Wednesday, 16th November, 1904 12 noon. P l m o birth.-Zungeru, Northern N&eria. f . , �WiTc.- Flora Ogbenyeanu Ogcegbunam, born 7th August, 1917; daughter of Chief Ogoegbunam, the Adazia of Onitsha (Ndichie chief), native of Ogboli Agbor Quarter, Onitsha; baptised s t C.M.S. Church, Onitsha; educated C.M.S. Central School, Onitsha, and St Monica's School, Ugwuogba; Storer College. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, U.S.A. and .obtained the B.A. degrcc from Howard University, Washington, D.C., U S A . in June 1955. Married on 4th April, 1936 in the Jamcstown Mctbodist Church, Accra, Ghana, by Rev.J.J. Mettle. Children.- (I) Chukwuma Bamidelc, born 10th February. 1940. (2) Chukwuemeka Nwabofo Ayo, born 2lst June. 1941; (3) Nwachukwu Abiodum, born 24th Deccqber, 1944; (4) Ngozichukwu Obiozo (female), born 30th September. ,1946. Chukwuma is a Sophomore a t Harvard University. Cambridge, Mass., 1J.S.A.; Chukwuemeka is a fourth year second;~ry student at the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, :Onitsha, Nwachukww is a second year Secundary student at the Govcrntnent Collcge, Umuahia; Nfozi is a second year secondary rtudcnr at C!uccn's School, Enugu. . Elcmmfory Eduction.C.M.S. Central School Onitsha (1911-1915); Melhodist Boys' High School, Lagos (1915-1918); C.M.S. Central School, Onitsha (1918). Pupil Tcscher at St. Jude's C.M.S. Central School, Oraifitc (1919) and at C.M.S. Central School; Onitsha (January-March, 1920). Secondary Educution.- Hopc Waddell Training Instit~ilc, Calabar [April-August 19201: Methodist Boys' High School. Lagos [.September 1920-September 19211: Storer Collcge, Harpers I'erry, West Virginia, U.S.A. C1925-19261. University Education.-Slorer College, Harpers Ferry, West \'ir~itiia C1926-19273: Howard University, Washington. D.C. 11923-19161: Lincoln Universtty, Chestcr County Pennsylvania C1929--19311; Univers~ty of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Pennsy. ivania [193i-19.331; Cblomhia University, New York (summer of 19.30, 1931, 1932). Academic Distinctiorts.-Certilicate in Law, Fasallc Extention Ilniversity. Chicago, 1927; B. A. [Hons. in Political Science], Lincoln University. 1930; Qrtificate in Journalism, Teachers CoIlcge, Colombia University, 1930: Editor of Colombia University Summer Session Times [1930]; M.A. [Hons. in Religion and Philosophy], Lincoln University, 1932; M.Sc. [Hons. in Anthropology]. U n i v e r s i t y of P e n n s y l v a n i a . 1933; LL.D. Lt1on.J L i n c o l n U n i v e r s i t y , 1 9 4 6: D.Litt. 20 �(Hon.), Storer College, 1917; LL.D. (Hon.;, Howard University. 1954; LL.D. (Hon.). Michigan State University, 1959. Travels Abrond.- (a) Gold Coast. June 1924 (returned September 1924); (b) United Kingdom and United States of America, August 1925 (returned October 1934; ( c ) Gold Coast November 1934 (returned July 1937); ( d ) United Kingdom, June 1943 (returned September 1943): (e) United States of America and United Kingdom. May 1947 (returned October1947); (f) llnitell Kingdom, France. Switzerland, Ilnited Stales and Canada. October 1949 (returned February 1950); (,q) Finland (Olympic Games) 1952; ( h ) Holland. Western Germany, Austria, Sweden, Italy, United States, May 1954 (returned July 1954); ( i ) Western Germany and United Slates. August 1955 (returned November 1955); ( j ) France, June 1957: (k) Italy (Olympic Games). August-September 1960: (1) llnited Kingdom, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960. Clubs. Sociefies.-Young Men's Literary Society. Lagos (1922-1924); LXamond Football Club, I.ogos ( 1922-1924); Onitsha Friendly Society, Lagos (1923-1924); Onitshs Literary Society, Onirsha (1925). Leyal Servants Association Calabar (1925); Young Men's Christian Association, Storer College. Harpers Ferry, W. Va. 1925-27); international Club of Howsrd University (1928); Stylus Literary Society of Jioward University (1928); Phi He!a Sigma Fralernity of Howard University (Alpha Chapter. 1929) and Lincoln University (Mu Chapter. 1930-1934); International Club of Colunlbia University. Kiverside Ihive, New York(1930-1932) Mercury Athletic Club of New York (1932-1934); Sodalitos Scientiac Civilis of Lincoln Gold University (1934); Rodger Club of Accra (1935-1937; Coast Lawn Tennis Club of Accra. (1935-1937; Onitsha Improvement Union (since 1937); Patron, Zikis Athlelic Club (since 1938); President, Nigerian Cricket Associ~tion(1910-1944); President, Nigerian Swimming Association (1938-1914); Life member of the West African Students Union (since 1913); P a t r ~ n Uromi Improvement IJnion (1945-1946); Patron of ljebu -1gbo Welfare and Patriotic Association ( 1945-1946); island Club of Lagos (19444949); Member of Ekiapu Society of Buyma, Kalabori (since 1946; President. Ibo State Union (1949-1951): Vie-Chairman, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (since 1949): President. Lagos I k t r i c t Amateur Football Association (19511954); President, Amateur Athletic Associarion of Nigeria (since 1952); President, Nigeria Table Tennis A s s c c i a t i 0 n (since 195:): V i c e-P a t r o n and C o m m i t 1 e e Member. N i g e r i a n O l y m p i c C o m m i t t e e and B r i t i s h 21 �:llhlclir Ac?i~~itiitirs:-l<cscrvc Goal-kccpur and Forward. First I:lrvc~~.X1~:tliodist Uoys' High Scl~(~ol.I.;tgos [19?1]: I l i g h IIII ('lialnpi~n, M.lLtl.S..atid IIII l~tnpirc1X1y Cllanipiu~l.(1921) I t I ~ ~ s i t lForward Ihr Iliamond F~wtball c Cluh. Lagos C ' l ~ a ~ n Imtns I.l9?3]: \Vcltcrwei~Iit Boxing Champion. Storer Collcgu 1 1!)25-.-192iI; High Junip C l i i ~ m p i o ~and Gold Med;dli*t. l Iloward I!niversity Inter-Scholastic Games, 1926: Gold Mctlalli\t I I i;~ll.iwing cvcnts at S!orcr Collcac Cliampio~~sliips. I 1926: C ' r w t'oirntry [four miles]. One Mile Run. Qunricr Milc Kecc. Ilipll UIII I Silvcr Mednllist in the Pentathlnn o f lllc s:ullc ('l~ampionships: Captain. Storcr Collegc Cross Country 'I'LXIII 1 7 ] : Survivor I3ron/*: Medallist in [lie L.!turcl - Ihllinlcrrc >laralhon [IY27]: lirst placc winner in lhc Onc Milc I<IIII a1111 third plncc winner in the Half Mile Racc at the tlow;~rtl Ilt~ivcrsity Intra Murnl Championships [spring I920 1: Ilacb alrtAc Swimming Champion and S:, 3 Swininier i n the I'rcestyle Relay Tcam o r tlo\\;ard llniversiiy [winter 1928 1: <'(I. 1 1 n Lincoln IJniwrbity Soccer 'Tean~ [ i 9 3 0 j : \vinncr 'Two hlilcs Run in dual chan~piorship hctween Lincoln 1!11i\wsiry and Cheyacy Sti~tc Collcgc [ 1930 !: Silvcr Mcd:illisl in t l ~ c '1 NII Milcs Kun at the Ccntr;d inier Collcgiatc ~\thlctie Asso. h i o n Clianipim4iips held at Hampion Ins~itutc,Vireinia ( l 9 l l ) : point winner in tlie I3altiniore Cross Country Marathon (192')); l031l: Hrtrnze Medallist in thc Richmond C r m Country M i ~ r a t h o ~ ~ (I1)?I): point winncr i n the Middle Atlmtic A.A.U. Cross Country C'I1:111ipionahilrss(1932): Gold Medallist in tlie 1.000 Y:!rds Run 41 the C'~~lcdoni;~n Games in Broohlyn. X. Y. (19321: Goltl M e tl;~llist irt the Onc Milc Run and 'I'hrec Milcs Run at lhc Y. >I.C..2. G:tmcs in New York (1932): Silver l r o p l i y winner i n illc H:IIT- Mile Racc and Silvcr Cup winncr in the One Mile I I tlic Dcniocratic 1-icld Day Chatnpionships hcld at NEW Il.tvca. Connecticut ( !933]: untrics to conipelc in the 11:tIr>lilr R : w and One Milc Run at thc Hriiidi, Empire Gan~cs I ! r c r c ~ i~ t r rejcctcd by thc A. A. A. ,I[ Great Uriiain *!11 tech~~ical ;rounds [ 19341: runncrs-up [ w i t h (i. Dorgu J K. ; thc Laxos Tcnnis Men's Iloublcs Chanipionsliips~[Divisiot~ + I I3 1938 1; anchor man fc~r the Z. A. C. tcam wllicll won thv 31 I'ilrd.; Free Slyle Rcla!, ; ~ tthe l..npos Swimniing Cli;ltnpiwtdlirs 19.W j: ~ I I "l.eltcrs" in ;~thlcrics ;and cross coontr) I at S t ~ I l I e S " . i l t ~ ~ i i i ~ ~ g l u w a r t l Unlit1 I il! versit:.. .111di11t\!11leti c 5 , C r o s s COUIILI~JII~SOCL.LI - - - r �Lincoln University; Foutldcr [with M. R. I . Ottun ] of thc t k ' t ) Athletic Club to promote athlutics, boxing. cricket. soccer, swinlnli~lgand tennis [ 1938 1. Polilicd Activities:-Executiva Committcc Mcmbcr ol' M a m b i ~ I1;lrly, AccW (1935 1937 ): Executive Conimittcc Member of I Nigerian Youth Movcmcnt. Lagos (1937 - 1941); Mcmber U Gnvcrnmcnl Advisory Committee to Students Procccdieg to the llnited Kingdom (1939): Member ol' <;overnmcnt Advihory Comfnitlee on Libraries (1940'): Member o f thc Lagos R w t I\sacsz-men1 Board (1941-1944): Member ol' thc Llgos Bro:tdw.llstiog Conimittcc (1940-1945); Gencri~l Secrelary o f thc Wcst African Press Delegation to the Unitcd Kingdom (1943): Mcmbcr o r lhe Rrookc Arbitration Tribunal to inquirc inro thc d~sl)ute hctwccn thc African Locomotive Drivers' Union ;and rhc N i p h ~ I W w a y (1944): General Secretary. National Council (4 N~gori;~ ' a t ~ dlhc Canicroons ( 1944-1946); President o f the N. (:. N. 1. ( 1946--1960); Vice-President o f the Nigerian National Dcn~ocrali~. I'arty (1947.-1960): Member of the Foot Conimisuio~i Tor Iltc Niprianisation o f thc Civil Servicc (1948): Mcmbcr o f t h e ('a~rrcrtw Arbitrillion Triburxtl to inquire info the disputc bctwecn ilue Ikril\vay A l i i w n Station Stalf Workers' . Union and the Nigcri;w Ihilway (1948): Member for Lagos in thc Lcgislativc Couwil of Nigcria (1947-1951); Member Tor Lagos :uid LcaJcr ~ r ftbc Opposition in the Western House o f Assembly (1952 -. 1051); Mcnibcr for Oaitsha in the Eastcrn Housc o f Assembly (1954 19.59); Lcader o f Govcrnmcnt Business ill the Eastern t l o u s ~ OF Assembly. January t u September 1954: Member ol' thc 14ousc of I<cprcscntativcs (1954 and 1960): Minister ol' 1.ocid (jovcrutncnt. Eastern Nigeria (January Lo September 1954); Minister vl' Inlcrnal Allbirs, Eastern Nigeria (1954-1957): Leader of lhc L:.conotnic Mission to Europe ond North Amcrica under ihe ;~uspiccs f the Governnienl or the Eastcrn Region (1954): MI o Ir bcr o His Excellency's Privy Council, Eastcrn Nigeria (l'JS4 l')S1)): I-cadcr nf thc Educational Missions to Elrropc and United SMcs af America fn: the establishment 01' thc Univcrsily nl' Nigeria, under the auspices ol' the Governmcst ol' the l;:~slcw Rcgivn (I955 and 1959): Prcmicr of Eastern Nigeria (Is1 Scplcmhcr, 1954--12th l>ccenibw. 1959); Prcsidcnl ol' the Scn:~lc ol' thc I.kdcr:~tio~l (.lanuary 11)60 Novunhcr lSth 1?60 ); G(~VC~II,Itic~!rr;~l :tnd Cunl~na~~dcr-in- k f o f Niy-ria ( NOVCIII~~T lblh Cl IOOO-). - - - - Prole.wional Acfiei1ks:--Third-clajs Clerk, Treasury ikpurtment. l o . O c t l c r Il)?l,-JIIW 1924; Kccruil. Gold Coast I'olicc ::t)rcr, l u l v . . Scptetulw 1')?4; So li ci l w ' s (:lcrh tu t l ~ cldtc hlr Jusrite Clratldn~ l.'.~ul at C la b a r. Jdnudly LV . 3 �August 1925: Instructor in Political Science, Lincoln University, Penna. (1931-1934); University Correspondcnt for the General and Sports I3altimore Ajro..Ammican (1928-1934); Correspondent for the. Philadelphia Tribune (1928-1934j; Overseas Member of the Institute of journalists, London (since 1933): Editor-in-Chief of the African Morning Post, Accra (1934-1937): Editor-in-Chief of the West Ajrican Pilot (November 1937 to July 1945); Correspondent for the Associated Negro Press (19441947); Correspondent lor Rccter's (1944-1916): Managing Director of Zik's Press Limikd, Printers and Publishers of the West African Pilot (Lagos). Eastern fiigeria Guardian (Port Harcourt), Nigerian Spokesman (Onitshn), Southern Nigfria Defmder ((badan). D0il.v Comct (Kanci), and Earrent Sentinel (tnugu), (1937 1952): Managing Director of .Conlet Press Limited (19451953): Chairman of West African Pilot Limited a:~d ihe Associated Newspapers of Nigeria Limited and six other limited !iability companies (1952-1953): Chairman of African Conti:lental Bank Limited (1944-1953); Chairman, Nigerian Real Estate Corporation Limited 1952-1953). . Learird Societirr.-Life Fe1l:w of the Royal ~conomic Society (1934): Life Fellow of the Royal Anthropolo@cal Institute (1933); Life member of the British Association fur the Advancement of Science (1947;; hlcmher of the American Society of laternationcl Law (1933-1934): Member of the American Anthropological Association (1932-1934); Member of the American Political Sciencz Society (1933-1934): Member of the American Ethnological Society (1933-1934). L h r a y Ac1hities.-(a) Publications: (I) Liberia in World Politics (Stockwell, London, 1934); (2) Renascent Al&a (Zik's Press, Lagos, 1937): (3) Land Tenure in Northern Nixeria: A study of Treaty Righu of the Royal Niger Company (African Book Company, 1.agos. 1942); (4) Taxation in Nigtria (African Book Blueprint of Nigeria (AfriCompany, Onitsha, 1943): (5) Pol~fical can Book Company, Lagos, 1943); (6) Economic Reconstruction of Nigeria (.tfrican Book Company, Lagos, 1943): (7) Suppression of the Press in Arigeriu (Afiican Rook Conlpany, Onitsha, 1945): (8) with L. P. Ojukwu) Economic Rchabililation ofEastern N i p i a (Governmer:t Printer, Enugu). (b) Typescripts: (I) A Cr~tique i P o ~ g y r (Lincoln University, o y 1932); [2] The Practice ofForced Labour (Lincoln University, 1931): (3) Theories on the Origins or the State (University of P e n n s y l v a n i n Seminar, 1933); (4) At y t h o l o g y in 24 �Onitsha Society (University of Pennsylvania thesis, 1933); (5) Ant& ropolo~yand the Problem o Ruce (Lincoln University, 1933); (6) f SyIIabusfaAjrifdn History (Lincoln University, 1933); (7) Readings in Historiogrnpky (Lincoln. University, 1933). (8) Meditations: A collection of Poems: ( 9 ) The African in History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Contemporary; (10) My Odyssey; ( I I) Graf mmar o Nigerian Politics; (12) Fragments o Onitsha History; (13) f Histmy o the Goneral Jtrike: A study of Labour Problem; (i4) f f Ambassudors o Goodwill; (15) History o the Nigm'an Constitution; f (16) Nigzrian Treaties; (17) Our Struggle for Preedm: A Collection of Speeches; (18) Anthology ofNigericrn Poetry; (19) Trewrj, o West Afncan Poetry; (20) Africm Sovereign States; (21) Nigerion f Diplomucy; (22) Pan-AJricanism Addresses.Official address: State House, Lagos. Nigeria. Country Residences: (a) Onitsha Mansion, Ikeja, Nigeria. (b) Zungeru Haven, Okolo Street, Onitsha, Nigeria. (c) Onuiyi Haven, Nsukka. Nigeria. Postal Addresses: (a) P. 0 BOX 573. Lagos, . Nigeria. (b) P. 0. Box 53, Onitsha. (c) P. 0. Box 7, Nsukka, Nigeria. ' ���4. ~ a t t & o fufe and Death 5. h e Love for Ever - 6. .Wretched Orphan ' . 7. . , - ?I- -. 1/6d. I ! Disaster in the Realms of love - .\ 1/6d. 1/6d. . 1 When Love Whispers - C 9. Romance in ~ i & r i a nPolitics - (in printing) 10. Broken Engagement - - 1/3d. . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Respect for human dignity : an inaugural address Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Azikiwe, Nnamdi, 1905-1996 Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : Union Publishing Company Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3324 Description An account of the resource A pamphlet of a political nature, '<em>Respect for Human Dignity</em>', is Nnamdi Azikiwe's Inaugural Address as the first African Governor-General and Commander in Chief of the Federation of Nigeria. Addressing his fellow Nigerians on 16 November 1960, Azikiwe, a prominent nationalist, celebrates the transformation of governorship in Nigeria from "an instrument of absolute authority" during the colonial era to "an instrument of constitutional authority" now that Nigeria is a sovereign state, (pg.2). In his address he includes some political history of the transition to representative democracy before focusing on the themes of human rights and dignity.<br /><br />He equates his oaths as Nigeria's new leader with the challenge to maintain respect for human dignity, (pg.6). As Nigeria moves out of the colonial past, Azikiwe observes, "<em>The lack of respect for human dignity has led to the political bondage of man by man in Africa,</em>" (pg.6). He continues, "<em>Under no circumstance shall we accept the idea that the black race is inferior to any other race.</em>" (pg.7). In fact, Azikiwe pledges that Nigeria will avoid entering into relationships with any nations that "practice race prejudice . . . no matter how it may be legally cloaked, (pg.7). Azikiwe forcefully argues,"<em>Without respect for the rule of law permeating our political fabric, Nigeria would degenerate into a dictatorship with its twin relatives of tyranny and despotism. I hold that the arbitrary exercise of power without the restraining influence of the rule of law must be condemned as a fundamental departure from constitutional government. Any justification of such untrammeled exercise of political power is, to me, an outrage on human conscience and a gross violation of human rights,</em>" (pg.6).<br /><br />He sets an agenda for his country that has "come a long way in achieving our independence," (pg.8). In addition, he calls on Africans across the continent to join in liberating efforts. Referring to several white settler regimes <em>"as minorities with great political power"</em> in various parts of Africa, Azikiwe warns that "it is only a matter of time, when the independent African States will come into their own and plan to rescue their kith and kin from this social degradation," (pg.10). Quoting Langston Hughes at the end of his address, Azikiwe calls on Nigerians to <em>"youthfully march together to a greater tomorrow for Nigeria in unity with faith,"</em> (pg.18).<br /><br />This historic speech remains important as a document of the optimistic days surrounding Nigeria's nascent democracy. This was an exuberant time which preceded the crisis and suffering of the Biafran War and the military coups and dictators that came to characterize Nigerian government. With the 2003 re-election of Olusegun Obasanjo as President, Nigeria has returned towards the path to representative democracy. The hope of many Nigerians is that in the21st century an executive leader will serve as "an instrument of constitutional authority," as Azikiwe noted over 40 years ago, (pg.2). Azikiwe's charge in 1960 holds true for Nigerians today: "<em>I appeal to all our leaders, far and near, to forget the wounds which were inflicted in the course of our internecine altercations. The love of our country should out-weight the love of our petty selves,"</em>&nbsp;(pg.16-17). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/0579658cf2479f4e995642e88099f1e4.pdf 6dff9c20c3ee547c6fdef6a8ecbbffec PDF Text Text HOW TO WRITE ANL) REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE, VIUL YOU MARRY ME? MARIA replied ''yes". ��HOW TO WRITE AN1) REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE, ENGAGEMENT LETTERS, L O V E LETTERS AND H 9 W TO KNOW A GIRL TO MARRY THE PUBLISHER �CONTENTS How to write good letters about marriage Important questions for men. H0.w to know a girl to marry. Questions for girls. No. 1. letter comes from Christopher lke to Maria Ngozi asking to marry her. No. 2. Maria replies. No. 3. Second letter from Christopher to Maria Ngozi about marriage. No, 4. Maria replies the second letter. No. 5. A letter from Edward Mark to Paulina Ifeorna. No. 6. Paulina replies Edward Mark. Table o Contents f CHAPTER 2 An impressive love letter written by John Ukete to Edina. CHAPTER 3 An immediate reply to Johnny's letter cmPTeR 4 My love letter to you Ifeyi. CHAPTER 5 Ifeyi replies Dandy's letter. CHAPTER 6 Paddy writes to Sabina. CHAPTER 7 Sabina replies Paddy's emotional letter. CHAPTER 8 Charlie writes a love letter to Lucy. �CONTENTS CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER 9 10 11 12 CHAPTER 13 14 CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 16 17 18 19 20 21 CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTEU CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Lucy's comprehensive reply. My heart yearns for your love Felly. Felly replies critically, "Ike has my love letter" says Monica The letter. Ike replies heartly. A letter of engagement written by Nwokeoma to Patricia. Patricia heartly replies. Nwokeoma replies favourably. A promising letter for a visit. Patricia heartly replies. Ifeyinwa writes a 1ttl:er of engagement. A reply to Ifeyinwzis letter. P. P. 9tuchisirikwu writes an engagement letter to Miss Rose. Miss Rose replies. Otobo writes engagement letter to Anti. She replies the engagement letter. Nware writes a letter of engagement to Ben Ben's reply The charming love letter. The happy reply. The reply. Helen's engagement letter to Rich. Rich replies. Felly replies. �INTRODUCTION Ladies and gentlemen, for many years, 1 have been receiving uncounted letters from many people both men and women, together with boys and girls asking me to teach them how to write and reply letters for marriage, Engagement letters, Love letters and how to know a girl to marry. You will learn the styles and ways to write them when you read this handbook of knowledge. Read and answer questions for men and questions for girls. You cannot become a good letter writer if you don't study how to write letters. The letters are very interesting and reasonable, and the English very educative. Read and recomend to your friends one by one and they must never forget you. By J. ABIAKAM The Author �HOW TO WRITE .COOD...LCTTEHS.:ABOUT MARRIAGE They are:- (2) (I) Letters for marriage. i 3 ) Love letters. Engagement letters Let me start first with letters for marriage (a) A man can be disappointed by educated girls if he does not know how to write good letters for marriage From your letter s n int:'lligent girl will be able to tell the type of man you are and whcther to say yesor no. Brfortl you write such letter to a girl, she must be in somebody yo11 know c?r hive met so~nelime a train, on the way, in the market, in ths school, in the taxi etc. And she must know you as well. You cannot write to unknown girl asking for marriage. Many young men have been disappointed by some educated girls bxause they do not know how to write correct letters. When writing to a girl you want to. marry, do not tell her that you are very rich and that you have this and that. it is the work of' the girl' . i n question to find out your background before she can say yes o r no. ' Do not go to a girl whom you know that i s bein : married by another person and ask her to marry you because you are rich. You must look for another girl. If you have the money, there are many beautiful girls to marry. Ma~!y a!one cannot mtke you happy in you family love, children and long life is very important. �QUESTIONS FOR M I N Are you ready to marry? If not when will you d o so? What type of eirl will you marry, illitrate, passing six, cambridge holder, nurse o r teacher? Will you marry black o r yellow girl, tall o r short girl, beautiful o r ugly girl, fashionable o r timid girl? Do you get money to maintain a girl and live with her? Can you stand the sweet and bitterness of rr-arriage? From what t o w n will you chose a wife? Have you seen the girl you want to marry or are you on the journey to it. HOW T' KMQW A GIRL MARRY Refore you tell a girl that you want to marry her, you must make all reasonahle and necessary investigations about the girl and her family. If the investigations goes in her favour, then tell her openly that you want to marry her. In case she refuses, you can make more attempts by presenting to her your desire to be a good husband to her. If she still refuses, you can go with your best friend o r her relative to speak more. If all your attempts fail, leave her and find another girl. Do not beg a girl or force her to marry you because forced mhrriage can never last long. �QUESTIONS FOR GIRLS Are you married or are you not? Did any man promise to marry you, if so when? Wov are you sure that the man uill marry you and not to disappoint you? Do y ~ u think that the man has money to marry and carry the responsibilities of a husband? Do the mart love you as you love him? Do you know his work and his home town? Is he the type of man whom you can be proud of being your husband? Read the whole questions and know the answers by yourszlf. Thank you. 9 n e book says "Do not claim that you have good luck until you marry." You can begin your letter for marriage like this:My dear Paulina Honest Mary Humble Agnes Sociable Comfort Gentle Agnes or......................................................... or...................................................... or or ....................................................... or........................................................ No I letter comes from Christopher lke to Maria Ngozi asking to marry her. It reads: Christopher Ike, No. 1, Government Rd., Lagos-Nigeria. 6/6/65. �My dear Maria, I know this letter niay surprise you but I trust you will consider my request and do me a favour. Ever since we me in the train two weeks ago, 1 have never stopped to think of you. I have seen hundreds of girls in the town but you are the very one 1 love and want to marry too. Therefore do not disappoint me or refuse a true voice calling you - . for marriage; MY love for you is ireat and if we become husband and whe we shail make a happy hdme. 1 have mapy things to tell you durmg my next writing. I am putting my pen to rest for the night is coming. Never forget I love you and I want to marry you. Reply my letter and tell me' your opinion. Yours. Chr:stopher Ike. No. 2 Maria replies. Maria received the letter and after she has read it, she said to herself I d o not know whether Christoper means it, some men are very crazy when they sec beautiful girls. Anyway 1 shall reply this letter but I must never be very plain to him until he writes me the second time. Her 1e1:er reads Maria Ngozi, No. 244 Zik'g Avenue, Enugu-Nigeria. 12/6/65. Dear Christopher, Your letter dated 6/6/65 was received and I understood the contents very well. Such request is something I must make time and give due consideration belore giving you the answer. �I herefoffi:;I cannaL.say..Yes.or.,.No .now. since. it was not in agenda of thought. I shall likely give you my full answer some time not . . yet known. I am. Maria Ngozi. No. 3 second letter from Christopher to Maria Ngozi Christopher received the lettsr and read it. Let me hope she will agree, Christopher said,to himself. 1 know she must pretend because beautiful girls like to pretend when men go to marry them. I will write her very soon to know the answer. She is beautiful, 1 am handsome and I have money. Now reads his second letter to Maria which reads as follot*s Christopher Iki, No. 1. Government Rd., Lagos-Nigeria. 18/6/65. Gentle Maria, 1 am in receipt of your letter dated 12th June 1965. I vent through the letter but an not sure of the answer. I mean to marry you and must never disappoint you. If we become married, I will do everything to 'you as a good husband would do to his wife. Do not l-c confused by young men who may promise to marry you and never to those your girl friends who may advise you to disappomt the man. My love for you is great and my request comes from the kot om of my heart. My hope is on you. Come to me, stay with me and never forget me in your dreams of marriage. I beleive after reading this letter your answer will be on my favour. I beg to put down my pen and go to rest for the day. Yours Christopher. No. 4 Maria replies the second letter After few days this letter reached ~ a r i a . ' S h eread it and began to think of it. Seven days has passed and Maria was in deep thought. At last she concluded and agreed to marry 'Christopher. 9 �Maria Ngozi, No. 244. Zik's Avenue. My Dear Christopher, Your second letter came to my notice two days ago' For many days I have been in deep consideration ahour your request. Many are coming to marry me and some have even told my parents thinking they should get me through them. But for your sake I have disappointed them. From this day know me as your wife and you are my husband. Write me immediately ,and tell me when you will come to settle my parents. Yours,. Marla Ngozi. No. 5 A letter from Edward hark This is another letter from Edward Mark, a kigh Elementary Teacher in Government School, Lagos to Paulina Ifeoma who teaches in a Secondary School. The letter reads: Edward Mark, St. John's School, P. 9. Box 9. Lagos. 7/7/65. Honest Paulina. We have known ourselves for a long time and I believe you cannot disappoint me. Now 1 am writing to ask your hand in marriage. So far men and women are created to make choice and marry the one they like. 1 wish to marry you. �After reading this letter, .do, not neilect .me and never turn down my request. My qualification in education is certainly known to you the type of person 1 am 1s something you can tell better. If we get married, we will build a strong and happy home. I put down my pen to wait for your reply. I am, yours, Eduard Mark. NF. 6 Paulina replies Edward Mark The letter reached Paulina in three days time. After reading it, she refused to marry him. Read her reply: Paulina Ifeoma, Secondary School, Box 44, Ibadan, 14 -7-65. Dear Edward, Your letter was received and I am sorry to disappoint you in this question of marriage. I have for many years decided that I will not marry a teacher in Elementary School. To say this does not meau hatred on you, but my reasons are best known to me. You have known my educational qualification and 'at least you can know the type of man a lady with Inter B.A. Degree will marry. It is always good for a man to be more educated than his wife and never the wife to rule her husband. �Firstly I have to thank you very mucb for your noble idea and I am wishing you good luck to marry a good vife. I am, Pauliua. Chapter 2 An impressive love letter written by John Ukete to Edina. St. Agnes Girl's Secondary Modern Sch., Abor Ukwu, Zonal Enu. 4th Sept. 1964. Dear Edina, I am very happy to write you this letter. It is a pity we have not been able to see just as we had arranged previously. This must have been due to any reason best known to you. It appears you have forgotten your lover who loves you beyond the realm of human understanding. Why have you shown me this cold hand? Wave from me that I am for you and you are for me. I will measure your love for me by the way you remember in the form of paying me visits. I have not much more to add than to ask you to make a day to visit me so that we may have sit down discussions. I am, yours faithfully. Johnny. Chapter 3 The immediate repy to Johnny's letter. Akakata P. A.. Via Udeocha, Asha, 4th October 1964. Dear Johnny, I am evidently in receipt of your impressive letter. After persuing it thoroughly well, I came to know that you really love me. I have now decided to show equal love to you so that io reality, things might work out harmoniously. �Generally I judge you as a boy who is as true as his profile and )our reactions have proved you so. Thank you for your second invitation and 1 heartily promise that come what may 1 must endeavour to come just as I have promised previously, the formidable force of circumstances which made it very impossible for ire to honour my promise must not crop up again. Ohviously you are mine and I am y o m and it will be wrong for you to credit me as ii person showing cold hand to you. My love for you is wident and there is nothing to becloud the reality of it. So do not judge me wrongly next timc. Hoping to see you. I wish you to remember me to your circle of friends. I am, y o w lover, Eddy. Chapter 4 My love letter to you lfeyi Assumpta Grammar Sch. Ifor Ala, Kenuru, Kuru, 4th September 1964. Dear Ifeyi, Just as the morning dew feeds flowers s o does your presence feed my conscience. You are a mmning glory t o me and 1very much cherish this fact. You will never cease to be the food that feeds my amorous stomach. I know you have the same feeling for me. How d o you d o ? The day has comewhen you are to picture my heart and know what it has for you. You are not an infant and Tam prompted to say that you have reached the age of reasoning ''Amor Omnia Vinct" so the Romans say and Englishmen translate it thus "Love overcomes everything" 13 �He that is not very appreciative of this fact is doing himself more harm thats good for lift: would seen a perpetual toll if there were no love. For the mean time, I want you to note that I am your lover. Reply urgently. ' Your lover, Dandy. Chapter 5 lfey replies Dandy's letter. St. Michael's School, Alaocha, Ifedi P. A. Via Uke. Alu. 9th Sept. 1965. Dear Dandy, Thank you for your constructive letter and the thoughtful facts embeded in it. You may appreciate the fact that my love for you is shown through actions. Actims speak louder than words, so they say and I feel it is really the best way of showing love. Things are not really what they seem and I have it in mind's core that love, when excessively express verbally, will obviously lose its valour. Don't mind my actions sometimes because I often seem to b t indefferent to emotional love. Please you may continue to flood my eyes with love letters, mind with ioformation about the place where you live, and facts symbolising your true love for me. I seize this opportunity to congratulate you on your tremendous success in G. C . E. Examination though you never made any attempt to let me know of it. �Thanks, yours lovely, Ifehy. Chaprer 6 Paddy writes to Sabina. Our High School, Ife-Landah, Yaru Kura. Lagoon. 6th June 1963. My dear Sabby, This letter is a just expression of 'my sincere love in you. I have really looked around and you are the only girl who has captivated my interest and enthusiasm. I know you will equally be interested in me just as I am to you. You must have k n o w my person that very bright and sunny day we met at the Rex Cinema. I did a bold act by introducing myself to you and you so heartily appreciated it that you attractiveiy introduced yourself to me. Now it is opportune that 1 should wrlte you a letter to let you know that your name and bloomlng looks still linger in my humble heart. I must let you know too, that your possitive effort to reply me this letter will be immensely valued cherished. So, do anrl send me your pictures as tokens of your love. It is your dearest i n heart. Paddy. Chapter 7 Sabby replies Paddy's emotional letter. Aloyh School of Commerce, I Looky ' a b a ~ , Kafanshan, Kubu, 9th August 1963. Dear Paddy. I am duly in receipt your letter aod I very much thank you for your regard and remembrance. I had actually f o r g o t t e n your p e r s o n 15 �but the very mention of Rex Cinen~~.has.called stature the of the person writing.in.to me. Yeu see, I have been receiving series of letters about love making but I naturally hate any news about a boy and a girl being in love. I want to preserve my virginity and I think it an unpardonable disgrace to my parents rf if I should at any time tamper with it It does not nece.ssarily mean that I am going to be a Nun but the fact I want you to swallow properly is that I am not ready to soil my virginity unt I I am legitimately married. Really your letter, like any other one has touch the core of my heart but it isjust a ma1t:r of I can't help. I don't want to be a friend of any boy or man before engagement because men and boys always try to see that a girl satisfies their sexual urge betore they will agree to marriage but infact, I am not ready for that for it would be downgrading of the prestige of my family. If you had formed the wroug idea that I would yield to any of this immorality, you know that you have reasoned it a wrong d'rection. I beg to stop so far. Thanks yours faithfuly, Sabby. 16 �Chapter 8 Charlie writes a love letter to Lucy St. Ignatius Secondary Modern Sch., Abaka-Uku, Via Ala P. 0 , Kufu. My dearly beloved Lucy, It impresses me a lot to write 'you this letter. The motwe behind the brtting of this letter is to let you know that I have much interest in you and have a decided inclination to ask you to be my lover. You may say that my attitude to you the other time did not seem or become a person who would one day ask you to become his close bosom friend. Yes. this is true if you have formed that idea. Now I would let you know that naturally I do not like to be' friend grrls solely on accocn: of their beauty, for blanty is only but a skin deep. I am befriending you just because I have not s.en you parading our town with your boy friends. Sincerely speaking, I must not at any time inake any immoral attempt to destory your virginity. To be candid, I only intend to come into closer contact with you so that I may decide on marriage. You will do me a lot of good by replying promptly. Yours well wisher, Charlie De Bright. Lucy's comprehensive reply. Umekanachi Clan School, Uke, Via A kwa P. A. Olugbo. 4-9-64. �My dear Charlie, You are really a h naturally as good as your looks. Your love letter has just come under grip. I have read it comprebensively. You see. I would suggest that your letter should be called genuine letter of engagement instead of the anaymous love letter. I really know that you are not like other boys who only go about their dirty job of demoralising on demoralisable girls. Thank your star for I have readily consented to your request and there is the solid hope that God vill mecifully bless our marriage. Thanks. Yours Lucy. Chuprer 10 My heart yearns for your love Felly. St. Ive's Secondary Grammar School Yabuka P. A., Via Alaku, Oshy. Dear Felly, Your ever sighting eyes have so much occupied my heart that I am really in dire need of your presence. When I say that I have every intention to see you, I do mean that it will not pay me to be writing letters and iadulging in day dreaming. Really you may not know that degree of my love for you but I feel that it is qu4e useless for me to contiuue to express it. So you do and come so that possibly, we may sit down comfnrtably ad discuss the matter you brought forward in your previous letter. Hearty thanks. Yours lovelessing. �Chapter I I Fdly replies .critically Ife Grammar School, Akwagu P. A., Ife Alor, 6-- 10-64. Dear lovelessy, Yes, I got your letter yesterday. I am very thankful for it. Now I would remind you that you have erred by claiming to [ w e . me beyond the bosom of this world. Is it true that a boy should love a girl in such a way?. Frankly speaking, you only want me to give myself freely to you as if you were to be my husband. 1 emphatically say no and from this moment, I am not going to reply any letter which is not genuinely written. I thank you very much. I am, your lover to be Felly. Chopter 12 9 k e has my love letter" says Monica. The letter. St. Ives Grammar School, Ikauku Venula House, Ika. Dear Ike, It is greetings from the one you very much love but could not express it verbally. I now make it evidently open to you that whatever happens, I am ready to be your lover and if possible to marry you. �Declare your own intenkon as soon as you gel this letter. I want to let you know beforehand that our love should not be virginally soiled. Thanks. It is, Monica. Chapter 13 Ike replies heartily Ubulu-lke School of Commence, Box 503, Abor. Dear Monica. I heartily rcceived your meaningful and indeed candid lettter. I intended writing you the same letter not knowing that the same genuine sense of love making is in your mind. I know really that you are welLbrought up and so our love should not be like that of some moral-never-do wells in our society. I thank you for taking the first plung, :I am, your heartiest lover, Ikey. �HOW TO WRITE BEST ENGAGEMENT LETTERS Question. What is ap engagement? An engagement in this respect is a strong promise made by a man and a woman who agree to become husband and wife some time to come. Answer: Question: When writing an engagement letters or agreement what rules must people observe? Answer: It is always good and advisable to state condition when writing For Example, if you slgn an agreement with a wise and intellgent girl o r lady and by mistake she became pregnated by another person and because of the inc~dent you refuse to marry her, the girl can sus yoe to court of law to claim her right because you did uot state cond~tions the engagement agreein ment which you signed. She can even say that you are responsible for her pregnancy and you cannot deny it. In the other hand man can also sue his girl to court if she happens to dis appoint him in such a way that is not permissible the teams of their engagement agreement. Girls do not be deceived by men who cannot fufil their promise. AND Men do not be disappointed by girls who cannot keep to their letter, Examples of how to write engagement letters No. I Letter comes from Edwin Mark, a finalist io Kings College, Onitsha to Esther Johnson, a class three student i n Queen's College Port Hsrcourt. �Edwin.Mark, Kings College, P.O. Box 24, Onitsha. 1--8-65. Gentle Esther, I have the pleasure to write you, how are you. As I am a finalist this year and you are a class three student, I want to engage you. So that we shall become hcsband and wife immediately you finish up. The general manager,of works is my uncle and he has already got a plece whers I will start work next year. D o not disappoint me since I determined to marry you. I pray for your success, study hard while I do my best. I beg to close hoping to get a favourable reply from you. I am, yours, Edwin Mark. Chapter 15 A lteter of engagement written by Nwokesma to Patricia St. AYO School, Markurudi, Balaka. 4-4-63. Dear Patty, It is just a considerable time now since we met list. I had waited for your reply to my letter of last week but to my surprise, you have kept cold silence. 'Why? Is it because I did not make 'the whole matter quite open to you or have you decided otherwise? I must not hide the fact now because Iho people have an adage which states that ''If you remove a bug from the partbody of a dog and do not show it to the dog, the dog would wrongly think that you removed its hair". �3a.4want ta.bting.itaticdy '.hsune-to.qou.t@atI have 'a decided:.inclinationi~~marry .Tell ?me.tlie-star. you. you have chosen..The Northern star is a symbol of consent but the Southern is a symbol of refusal. I urgently want this but it does not follow that I a m now sufficientlyready to pay the money dowry. I just want to make the intention oven to YOU. Greet your circle of trustworthy friends. Thanks. Your husband to be, Nwokeoma. Chapter 16 Patricia heartily replies Nwokeoma's letter of engagement . ~ ~~~~ All Boys Primary School, Ajitu P. A.. Via Akaka, Oshaka. Dear darling, Your purposeful letter has just come to .my grip and owing to thc seriousness of its contents, I have resalved to accord it crgent attention and cordial treatment. You have done nobly well by making your intention to have me as your dear wife lovely open to me. Before I say anything, I must shower my sincere thanks to you for your honesty of purpose which has enable you to conceive th.s genuine idea. Really, I must say that I have legitimate interest in you and your engagement letter is readily accepted, of course, you are going to be true to your salt. I know you are not playing me a gambling promise? Now that I have given consent to your courtship and subsequent request that I should be your wife, I want. you to double the assurance that you really mean it by your consenting that we should write an agreement to this effect. Normally you kuow that we will have to exchange rings as emblems of our wholehearted consent. 23 �,Y~:syr..Northern.star .bar.bq~. accept~d q&I.wmtyou to:.cherish,.my 'own humble suggestion by acceptance. I beg to remain, Your ever darling. Patty Uke. Cliupter 17 Nwokeoma replies favourably to Patricia's request St. Ayo School. Makurudi, Blaka 6--5-S3. Dear Patty, You are really as true as your profile. Your appearance always portrays you as a reasonable girl and you have shown this fact beyond any shadow of doubt. I had not the slightest doubt about your love for me and I must not fail to thank you heartily for your proving yourself to be a properly domesticad animal of your family. Yes here is a ring which I solemnly give to you as an indication that I wish to marry you three years hence. Your own is very much desirable and where you still insist on our writing of agreement, I may suggest that we should come together and put our heads together so that oneness of feelings may be fostered. Generally I judge you as a girl who could be trusted with her promise. Congrats to you. I am, your husband to-be, Nwokeoma. Chapter 18. Patricia replies with a promise to visit Nwokema for personal interview. 24 �All Boys Primary SchooE, Ajitu P. A. Oshaka. 19-5-63. Dear husband to be, Thank you for your prompt reply of my letter. You have actually done nobly excellent job by trying to find a ring and then sending it to me, really. Infact I credit you for this and must remark that you have proved your verocity beyond any shadow of doubt. Now, in the presence and the name of God our Lord, who is everywhere and sees all things, I offer you this ring and humbly bid you to keep your promise. I have given my whole self to you and you have got to do the same for love guiding principle is give and take. This is a double and genuine assurance that the love of women is all. Remember me to your brothers who will, other things being equal, call me their wife according to the fashion of our town. I now make a promise to visit you in this mid4e of next month. Chapter 19 lfeyinwa writes. a letter of engagement to her boy friend master Erric. St. Augustinas School, Irereuku, Western Nigiria. 4-9-63. Dear Erric, Why is it that i have not heard from you since a month or so? I know you will try to escape my blame by claiming that your long silence is due to thc pressure of time. Really your work is not a small one and ycu are always tired whenever you come back from school but this is not reason why you should keep in suspence of illformation about life in Onitsha which I know is always cadden with terrifying news. 25 �Well. Erric, you know fully well that it bas taken a long time since we began or fr~endship After taken this fact into a constructive consideration, I found that we must either be one now. by being married or separate. I am putting this to you having much consideration on my age which is n:arins 21. This is a marriageable girl and it is sheer folly for r e to continue to deceive myself by indulging in friendship without being truly engaged. Choose now or never for I am serious about it. Till yos reply,, greetings to all I am, Your lovely, Ife. Chapter 20 A reply to lfeyinwa's engagement letter. All Gills Baby Shop, Iyalu Kadinah, Panispi, Kon-Ala. 11-10-65. Dear Ifey, Having read with keenest understanding and avid interest your meaningfully worded letter. I now think it opportune and indeed mannerly to reply it. Frankly spsaking, I never knew that you had the same feeling I have for you. for me. Thank you very much for this for I must have to cherish your oneness of mine soon. I will not not hesitate to you know that I have really . compromised to engage you for the same genuine thought made been lingering in my mind but I was fearing that you would not accept it at present. I will be yours t ~ l the last great day when it may please our Creator to l call any of us to the realm of the past men, who of course may have enjoyed his kingdom according to their individual stewardship on earth. 26 �Normally. we will have to exchange rings a s a way of indicating our real and legitimate promise. Chapter 21 P. P. Otuchkirikwu writes an engagement letter to Miss Rose. 224 Ogidi Road, Onitsha, 33b Afubera Street, Onitsha. D~arestRose, I believe you might have been expecting to get a letter of this nature from me. As true as it is. I ~ o u l d have written it before this time but 1 delayed in order to iavestigate the situation of things because all that glitters is not gold. Marriage is something done once in life therefore it must never need hesitation of any kind. Now I haw: vetrtureif to beg for your hand. Before you reply I should like you to think over it for two weeks so that whatever you give me as your answer will be irrevocable. May God grant my request. Yours preciously, P. P. Otuchisirikwu. Chapfer 12 Rose N. Chukwuemeka replies P.P. Otuchisirikwu's letter. 33b Afubera Street, Onitsha. 224 Ogidi Road, Onitsha. Sir, I can but inadequately express my gratitude in getting your dated about engagement. �I will not hesibte in giving you affirmative reply for I decided even. in anticipation. ,The magnitude of your love in me is equally resprocated therefore nothing will prevent your proposal (except death) from materiallsing. The earlier you approach my parentsfor it the happier I become. I ha. e re-erved niyself spiritually and kcd~ly for you. May God give urgent approval to o w proposal. 1 am, Sir, Your honest intended wife, Rose N. Chukwuemeka. Chapter 23 No. 5 Ikoba Road, Benin City. No. G ~ i h l t oRoad, Benin City. Dear Anti, 1 can no longer cndure to tell you the opinion I have of you. I since decided toengage you but I found it difficult to contact you directly. 1 idomatically ment~oned of it to you during our last social gathermg but I found out that yo9 did not understand me. Therefore I put it in writing and hope to get your rep!y as early as' possible You know very well how girls chase me yet I decided. to adhere to you. Wishing you God's blessing. Yonrs truly, J. P. O~obo. Chapter 24. Anti repties J. P. Otobo's Letter 28 �No. 5 Ikoba Road, Benin city. No. 6 Riluko Road. Benin city. Sir, Your letter ocengagernent reached me recently. I thank you very much. Indeed I have adequate love in you and I wish to grant your request but I entertain fear for one reason. Many boys have made it their occupation to disappoint girls. I have a friend named veronica. She was engaged to a young man who used her as an instrummt of his happiness w t eventually he disappointed her Many grls have been put in a family wav in pretence of marriage which did never materialise. Therefore my consent is subject to your honesty. I am. yours honest intended. A. U. Odiboli. Chapter 25 Iyienu Hospital: Via Onitsha. 3a Sokoto Road, Umuchu Okabia, Orlu. Dearest in heart, Our first meeting was held in the year 1960 but my love of you glitters still. I know very well that you love me too but my position seizes your tongue. Therefore let me tell you what you should first say instead. I will be very happy if you take me to the altar. I know you like to marry me but you think a common man cannot marry a nurse of my rank. �please d o not mind your financial madness for I am ready to submit my purse to your control. Many lawyers arid doctors have asked my hand but I definitely refused. I want to live with a man from financially depressed family so that I will struggle and contribute my own quota.in the building of the family. Any family that is built by the combined efforts of husband and wife, is usually more durable and happier than that built or constructed alone by a man. I promise to be o r remain a faithful wife to yor: till I have t h e bosom of this world, Meet me at your convenient time so that I will tell you how and when you will approach my parents. I enclose here with £50 (fifty pounds) in checque for your maintainance and a copy of my most recent photograph. Wishing you God's blessiogs. Yours faithfully, Nware B. Onyechinyelu. Chapter 26 Ben's reply. 3a Sokoto Road, .Umuchu Okabia, Orlu P. 0. Iyienu Hospital, Via Onitsha, E. Nigeria. My dear Nware, Your unexpected letter is a sea breeze to my heart. Happiness has swallowed.my heart and enervated my body that I cannot adequately write. I will come to you next Saturday as you requested. Please I feel more than I can write; till we meet face to face. Yours sincerely, Ben Onyeodanyere. �C. C. Nwakrihe writes engaeement letter to Eliza. No. SOc St. John's Street, Onitsha. No. 2 Enugu Road, Onitsha. Dear Eliza, Itlo not think of marriage in five years time but the ardent love 1 have on you is pow forcing me to marry prematurely Tell me plainly v*hetheryou are equally interested in me so that we shall immediately take conjugal step. I am convinced that you will be a good house wife. Yours sincerely, C. C. Nwakaihe. Chapter 28 The reply. No. 2 Enugu Road, Onitsha. No. 50c St. John's Street. Onitsha. Sir, I thank you very much for your recent letter to me. I allowed my parents to read the letter and comment on the contents. Their discussion is quite contrary to my expectation. Indeed the members of my famiiy strongly opposed my marriage with you. But one thing you must know is that we must marry each other irrespective of parental opposition. It is my right to marry any man I love and it is not the right of the parents to marry for me a man of their own interest. Those whn marry under parental influence usually make wrong choice; but when a girl marries the man she chooses by herself marriage is enjoyed. - 31 �Therefore I must marry you whether you are poor or rich. I advise you to approach for formal~tysake; they refuse if then I follov you and we can in the Government channel if not under church formality. May God bind us to one family. Yours lovely, Eliza E. Chikwe. Chapter 29. A charming love letter by James Ude. No. 8 Oguta Road, Onitsha. Dear lovely Joe, I have not heard from you since quite a long time now. How do you do? Hoping nothing has gone amiss? Yes it is Jammy and I know you will not but be interested to get this. I now decide to write you. I am holidaying at home so that you can make time to come and see me. Hoping to see you while wishing you the best of the seasons. Yours I~veiy, Jammy. The happy reply. No. 18 U~nuahiaRoad, Alanimili Ugwu, Umuahia. Dear Jammy, Thank you for your remembrance and sincere devotion to me. I obviously know that you dearly love me and wish me to be your own for ever. This means that we shall soon marry? If you disagree to this suggestion �yau b cott every love for me for I . am not...ready t~..~Faal mysel any longer, .. Yours faithfully, Joe. Chapter 3 1. Helen writes a letter of engagement to Richard Akagbe Grammar School, Ikey Village P. A., Abala. Deat Rich, How do you d o ? Yes I feel it is incumbent on me to %rite you this letter just to bring my intention about our love home to you. Firstly, I wnuld like you to know that we have fooled ourselves quite enough and it will reach the top of our bent if we continue to wallow in unnecessary love affairs. Secondly I want you to send me a ring which will show me that you really mean to marry me in the near future. 1 am up to a marriageable age and must marry now or never. Thanks, Yours in heart. Helen. Chapter 32 8 Reply to Helen's letter 64 Pound Road, Aba E. Nigeria. " Dear Helen, Your well worded letter of engagement has reached me. Thank you for not being morally too low just as some other girls who wocld rather choose to die in the sea of love making than marry. your offer I will not hesitate to accept the ring next week. and 1 will send you Besides, we shall marry on the Altar in December �this;.year..:P.Fay fewently. for ihis. Greetings, Your best luck, Rich. Chapter 33 Polly writes an impressive letter of engagement. All Saints Grammar School, Abab, Yabu. Dear Fellyd. I have just received your letter and I very much cherish the ideas in the letter. Thank you very much. Well, I would like you to tell me how best to meet your parents on the event of my engaging you I need this very urgently, of course on condition that you accept me as your husband. ~ Extend my sincere regards to y o parents. Your darling, Polly. Chapter 34 Reply Dear Polly, Congrats. You have said what I have been expecting to hear from you. Really you have done a lot to elevate our moral standard because by being married we shall become good citizens. For your directory, you have got to approach my mum and show her this my letter which will assure her that I have accepted to be your �wife. This is the end because my mum -does not refuse what I have accepted. Greetings from me while I still say bravo for your houourable more. I am, your wife to be, Feliyd. THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER A PLAY BY 'RAJA RAPHAEL (drtihor, Journalisr, Dramatist di Novelist) CHARACTFRS John Bull - a rich, man Elizabrth - his uife their d a u g ~ t e r Magi Joseph the father of Keni the mother Mary their son whom Magi the daughter of John Keni Bull the rich man \rant to marry. CHIEF BEN - The man whom Magi refused to marry his son Bonny. KATTY Maei's girl friend Keni's boy friend FELl IKEM ' Servant to John Bull. (the story.and the character's of the play are imaginary and therefore should not be associated with any person or place) - - PREFACE This story intends to show the big gap between the rich and the poor, and the extent this could go to hamper the social relations of both classes, over in case of love. �John Bull was a rich man and wanted his daughter MAGI to have a rich man's son as her husband. But Magi was determined to marry the man she love so much, not rnindi~igthe state of poverfy o r his family. Keni was the man kkigi loved with her whole heart. And Bonny was the son of Chief Ben whom her father wanted to marry Magi, but she couldn't give in. Her father threatened, bur she did not bother. And at last she won This is a story you will never forget. Raja Rapheal. SCEEE ONE John Bull comes out from his private room and asks IKEM about the wltereabout of MAGl.her daughter. John Bull: Where is Magi? I K E M I no see her. She no dey in, Sir. John Bull. Where's she been? Ikem: I no knob,' Sir. John Bull: But she went out to some place -I think? Ikem: Ycs Sir. john Bull: Has it been long she went out? Ikem: Yes Sir, ius' abouttwo hours now, Sir. John Bull: Did shk tell you where is going? Ikem: No. She 110 dey talk to me since two week now, Sir. Every time I pass where she standin she begin look me bad eye. I nu know why. I no k ~ o w whether na because I say last time say me follow one man wey de come here before. John Rull: That's-Keni ynu 'mean? Ikem: ' Yes Sir. Since I tell you say she rle follow him, and you askam, she no de gtee me talk to her again. John Bull: I see, she said she is love with him. Ah wonder, Sir! She wan leave that rich man Ikem: son to love another person wey no go fit make good husband to her. John Bull: Don't mind her, she dosen't like good things. She wants to suffer and I'm going to teach her a lesson. May be she.has gone out to see him. 36 �T no J e see him since-ah mean Keni. The man she say be her lover, Sir. John Bull: I have warned him never to come here anv more. Ikem: No wonder! 1 see. Na that de make him no come as he de do before! John Bull: Yes. Ikem, go and buy me one bottle of stilut beer. Cool one, you hear? (He ~ i v e s him money for the beer and Ikem turns to go out) G o quick, quick! Before three minutes I have seen you! Yes, Sir! Jkem: Ikem: - (Exit Ikem Alone) ~ohn Bull: I don't know what is wrong with this girl. I don't know why Magican't hear me and obey me. lifter all I'm doing so for her happiness. But she says that she wants' to suffer in life. No! I won't let her suffer the bitterness of poverty. I'm rich and my daughter should marry and live in a rich family as well. Oh this-! (ENTER M A G I ) John Bull: Where have you been Magi? Magi: No where, Papa. John Bull: You're a liar! Tell me where you have been since a long time now. I have not been out so long, Papa. Magi: John Bcll: Tell me the truth now or I'll handle you badly now. Will you? Magi: I have not been far, Papa. John Bull: Where were you then? D o you want t o tell me that you have not been out to Reni's? Speak out! Can you deny it? I have not been to his, Papa. Magi: John Bull: Shut uu! Don't anger me the more. Pitv yourself; Magi have-a pity on yourself. * Magi, Why this, Papa? John Bull, You don't know? You can't deceive me. I know what's right for you, but you won't listen to me. You want t o d o yorlr will, and you are going t o suffer for it. �But I have not been to that place, Papa. Who Magi: told you that I'went to him? John Bull: ;Did you go there? Magi: No, Papa. John Bull. Sbut up! Don't provoke mv anger with your lies! Oh, where's Ikem -where's him 7 Magi, I'm not telling you lie, Papa. John Bull, Stop! and get out from here, quick! You want to become useless. Don't tell me anything again. 'Magi, Oh, PapaJohn Bull. I say get out! You liar! You think' that you're cheating me. (EXIT MAGI) You don't wnnt t o 'hear your father's words! You want to d o your will. We shall see who rules here. (scratching his beard uneasily) Oh, Ikem won't come back with the wine in time This girl this foolish girl makes me grow annoyed. ' CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE TWO. Ma,i, alone s6bbing. Enter Ikem and asks why. Wentin de d o you, mag^? ( N o reply) Oh, you Ikem, n o hear wentin I d e talk? Please forgive me, I no know say we no de talk t o each other. (and he tries to walk -out) Magi. Wait. Ikem. (She dries the tears with handker". chief) I say come here, Ikem. (Walks back reb~ctantly) Yts, wetin you de call Ikem, me? Don't hurry, wait for a moment. I want t o ask Magi, you something. You don forget say me and you no de talk t o Ikem, each other since? 1 beg, leave me I de go d o one important thing. Is that thing more important than .what I want Magi, - t o ask you? I no know wetin you de talk, please leave me. Iker\l, �Magi: +.. I. don3 hsld you,: .you:.ka~~. what\.J.;wagt. :Ba to know from you. now is the persqn who .told...Papa that I went to Keni's house.. Please I don't know weting you.-de talk, miss. Ikem: You wan start- the Keni's talk again? Magi: Yes, weren't you the one who started it? How I starting it? You don begin again, Magi. Ikem: 1 no wan trouble now. Please make you go an' find another person, no be me. I oo de--o! Please, Ikem, I warn you now. As from today, Magi: stop flying into my private affairs. I no know wetin you de talk sef. Na English Ikem: vou cle talk to me?. You know say I no de hear English. Mind only yourown business in this house, ~ k e m Ma&: You're a servant here and have no right to interfere into the affairs of the family. I have suffered so many inconvinences because of you. Ah, you wan tell me say your father get money? Ikem: No be' only him be de rich man aey dey for this world. And will you leave this place m d go to that Magi: another place? I no go go! I no go leave here. No be you Ikem: take me for work here. 0 K; we shall see what is going to happen. . Magi: You no go fit do anything. lkem: (ENTER MANA) Elizebeth: What's raging on here again? Oh you won't give a 'little rest in this house. Ask him-ask that idiot. A liar! He's an eaveMagi: sdropper of the worst type, Mama. Ikem: Look! madam, she don start to curse me now. Please no curse me again, Magi. I no de hear wettin you de talk. I no de hear English, please. Don't you know where English is being learnt? Magi: I no know, ,please. Ikem: Why? you must know. . . Magi: �Elizebetb Please stop it sa far, 1 don't want. ta heac.a~y one of you again. But you must tell him to keep off my domestic Magi: affairs, Mama. Elizebeth: What is it again? Magi. He told Papa that I went out t o Kenl's, but I didn't go there. Elizebeth: To Keni's house? Ikem: I no tell master anything madam. Magi: But Papa asked me about it when I returned. Ikem: You know where you go no be me. Magi: What! repeat that again and 1'11 show you what . I can do. Jkem: Impossible! You no go fit do me anything. , Magi: You'll see now, (she moves towards him with fury) Today will be the end of everything. Elizebeth, (Holding her back) Don't d o that, Magi. You go to the kitchen, Ikem. Ikem: Make you leave her, make she come fight me. N o hold her back. Magi: (Struggling to free herself from the grips of her mother) Please leave me, Mama, I want to see the end to the whole insults Ikem has been pouring on me since he came to this house. Elizebeth: Don't be silly, Magi. (turning to Ikem) Please get out from here I say! Ikem. Can't you understand when somebody is serious and determined about something? J wonder! Ikem: Na because of you I de g o out now, madam. (Exif Ikem) Why did you let him go? You know I wanted Magi: to tear him into pieces. He has done me a lot of damage. Elizebeth: Cool your temper, Magi. One thing I want t o tell you now is that you must beware of Ikem. Your father is with him, that's why he doesn't respect anybody in this house than him. Magi: Why? Why should Papa trust Ikem like that? Is he not an ordinary servant in this house. Elizebeth: Yes, but he's more than a servant in this �house now. You must know that your father has advisechim to keep an eye on your movements these days. Why? Well, that's' a small 'case: ~ ehim d o anyt Magi: thing he likes, 1 will never marry Bonny in my life. I'll only marry the one I love that's Keni. Elizabeth: So you have not changed your mind. Magi? You'll consider whar your father told you. I have heard everything. If I marry Keni, he Magi: would not help me in any way, wasn't it what he said? Elizabeth: It was so. Magi: Well, all this bscausz Keni is not from a rich family? Elizabeth: Yes. Magi: Well, 1 can tell yoc again that I'm going to be his wife, whether rich or poor. Elizabeth: Why? Won't you listen to your father? Can't you respect hini? Magi: It is because E love .Keni. Mama. t!lizabeth: Please come back to your senses, Magi. Don't d o a thing you'll afterwards regret about it. Magi, Oh! don't make me weak, Mama. I have not expected to hear these words from you. Please look . at the matter from my point of view. I love Keni and he loves me as well. We're going to be happy conple whether poor o r rich. And talking about being rich, how many times have you told me that my father wasn't a rich man before he married you? Will you deny now of having talked so'! Elizabeth: No. You're right, Magi. Magi: And why do you support in this wicked discrimination against love? Elizabeth: I'm not against your choice, Magi. But it' you are in my position, you can see wbat I mean. It's true that I'm your mother, but your father has every right t o make any change about the sort of man you sould marry. �E'a;giee with.yair;-but .in this'case, hi's iusisimcy that I shouU not marry Keni because he's not from a rich fam~lyis wrong. His characters and general behaviour can't be questioned in any way, therefore I see no reason in rejecting him because he's not from a rich family. Elizab-th: Well, but -Wait Mama, let me finish fir-t. Yes, I know that Magi: he's not from a rich family, but 1'11 be happy to work struggle together with such a husband in love for ovr existellce than to be ill at ease in a readymade fortune. Elizabeth: Oh! it's enough, Magi. You have already turned a philosopher with a short period of your new acquircd knowledge of life. Yes, love derives its strength from the suppreMagi: ssion of its true meaning and the oppression of its will and desire. Elizabeth: Oh! still the philosopher? Stop so far, my daughter. I don't want to be associated with the name as an oppressor'and suppresspr of love; how much more to that .of my daughter. What I'll tell you now is to mind how you talk about him whenever ikem is around. But you must keep patieoce, t h i n p will sort out themselves. 0.K; but whatever may happen, I must marry Magi: Keni. He's the only one I love. Elizabeth: Oh! still talking about him? It's 0.k; my daughter. CURTAIN FALLS. Magi: SCENE THREE. The scene shifis. I n the hcuse o Joseph. f ENTER Joseph: Mary his wife end Keni their son. All of them are in a mood of long and heated argument Keni: I don't take all the things you're talking as any thing. Keep away from me and my sorrows. �Joseph: Ah! ah, look your son, woman. I'no know whether someth~rlg'do ctnter his head. Mary: Is he not your son again? Joseph: I mean na we two get him. I know say you no go be annoy again. Make you talk to him. Uary: Well, Keni-Keni, my son, .no be you I de call answer me! Joseph: He no bz your son alone. Na we two get him. Mary: Make you do disturb me! Alanwe. Make you answer me, Keni-no be you I de call? Keni: What's it? Mary: Why you de grow annoy with me? Name make your father no be r c h man? Joseph: Ah! ah, make you no tell him like that. You know say na you .be his mother, and me be his father. We two be his parent and we two be poor. no be only me. What are you talking so, Papa?.Can't you talk Keni: sensibly as a man? Joseph: Look-o! he wan eat me because I talk de thing wey come to my head. Make you no mind him, Keni. He no de know Mary: wetin he de talkin whe he don drink plenty wine. Keni: Oh! I see. Joseph: Make you no mind her my son, I no drink any wine. O2ly ah no know wetin de push my head like say I drinkin wine. Listen to me Keni. Why you say you go marry Mary: her7 ----. Because I love her and want to have her as my Keni: wife. I need her company so much. Magi can make a good wife. She doesn't do like the daughtei of a rich man. Mary: Wetin you tell me last time say her father tell you? Keni: Don't mind about that, what I know is that Magi is ready to marry me a t any time from now. But one blessing. thing remains now-I w a n t your Mary: Please my so, make you no bring trouble to to we here because of this girl. Me and your father �hear no go fit face Ozuru, de father of Magi. As he no gree say yoii go mariy his daughter, make you come out from it. Many many girls dey for town. Make you find anot!~er onc from dem. We no be rich people. V e no wan elter for rich nian talk. C That's not uhat I want to hear from ycu. It Keni: is nor the question of being rich, but the question of love and marriage. Two of L S love each other and we have dccided to get married. That's all. (EXIT K E W ) Mary: Keni! Keni! come back. Joseph: I tell you say the boy wan do his mind. He no go gree anything you tell him now. Mary: You wan make we leave him alone? Joseph: Yes, na that kind thing he waxt. He no de listen to anybody. We be fool for him face. He no go fall where somebody go carry him back. He wan marry the daughter of a rich man. f-le no go marry mother pirl? Xe wan big big thing. But he know say he no rich that big-thing. I drink any wine-o! Make you no talk say I drinkin wine. Only something de push me for head like wine-o! (And he falls back from the chair he's sitting on) CURTAIN FALLS SCENE F U R Kerii And Feli. This is a world where money and material posseFeli: ssions governs. Yes, you're right. But in this case, it's not true Keni: She's with me head-over heels! But the only snag about it is her father. Feli: That's why I say that money and material possession count s o much in every affair in this modern times. But this is not to discourage you, you see. Infact, I share the same thing with you in this matter. However, d o you think that he'll let her daughter so loosely as that t o marry the son of a poor family? You know these rich men look down on the unfortunate ones as urorthless people. 44 �Keni: You're thinkillg very childshly. Feli. Though, I understand whit you mean, but in the face of love everybody is the same. There is inferiority in love. Feli: You may be right, bct ................. Keni: I te11'~outhat Magi is not like that. She doesn't ' do like the daughter of a rich man as some use to do. She's very humble, and a very nice $1 too. It is only her father that tries to instil such htgh feelings into her mind in order to reject and forget all about me, but she could not give in. With the help of thc AImighty we shall overcome the obstacle that her father presented on our road of love. As for her mother, she presents no great difficulty. When we have succeeded in convincing the father, every other things will be easy. Feli: You Ozuru is a very rich and proud somebody But, however, I wish you every saccess. Keni: That's what 1 want to hear from you. This my first battle in liie for happiness and I'll never live to lose it. Wait somebody is coming here. (ENTER KATTY) Oh! she looks very beautifulFeli: Keni: Keep silent, don't disgrace yourself now. (Looking around) If I'm not mktaken, this is Ketty: Joseph's house, gentlemen? You're right, fair lady, this is Joseph's house. Feli: And yog're his son, I think? Whose name is Katty: Keni, I hope? Yes, his n a m you msntioned, but I'm n o t he. Feli: Look him (and he points at Keni) Friend she wants to see you; why are you so cold? keni: Don't worry please. Oh! Why? Have I done an) wrong against you Feli: by saying that this gentle lady wants to talk to you? Keni: Please, J say don't you worry me, Feli, you hear? Leave me alone to myself. �Katty: . .(Smili.ng,. 'Sorry; % h e ~ ~ o m c o nlep7vse is being oppressed he finds no other comfort than in complete solitude where he could visualies the mental picture of the object of his love, (Moving towards her with a little smile on his Keni: ,lips) Young chap, who taught you how to read what is a man's beart'! Katty: Don't be suprised for I'm a vessenger of peace between you and another person altogether. I have a message of love from your lover. A message of love for me from my lover? Keni: Katty: Yes. Let's go aside and I'll tell you the whole thing. Keni: Is it so private? Katty, Private and confidential! Keni: 0.K: wait. (turning to Feli) Friend, please give us some minutes, You're at liberty to kiss her feet! Feli: (EXIT FELI) (laughing lowly) He's a funny somebody. Is he Katty: your friend ? Keni: Yes, His name is Feli. Katty: Thank you. Well, can you recognise me now? Keni: Not quite well for that matter. What's i t ? But have you seen me with somebody before? Katty: Just a girl for that matter. Oh! yes I can remember now. I have seen you Keni: once with Magi during a social dance at a certain place, only could not remember when. But I did take a close look of your person. Katty: Well, don't worry yourself. Magi and I are just good friends to each other: We hide nothing from one another. Is that so? Keni: Katty: Yes. She sent me to come and call yuu. She's in my house just now. So don't waste time. Keni: Why? Katty: She says she has one urgent message for you, but she could not come to your house straight. ' �You can go now, I'm coming behind you. Please, don't waste much time. She's in a hurry know. 0 K: tell her I'm coming behind. You have known the p m e ? Yes, ~ t ' snot conlusing aly-way. 0.K; you may call :i your friend. (ENTER FELI) Feli: Oh! I'm very sorry! (trying to go out) I hope I have not disturhed you? Katty: Come back Feli, you have not (looking at Keni) He's quite a very funny creature, don't you think? Keni, More especially when he sees a beautiful girl like you. Katty: Ah! two of you are the same. Thank you very much. Come quick, she's waiting you. (turning t o Feli) We hope to meet another time, OK. replied Feli. (EXIT KATTY) Feli: Oho-o-o! you hare told her whom I am already, No wonder why she know my name. Please Keni tell me her name, or won't you? Keni: Why? her name is Kathy! And she's after you to the last. Feli: You mean it? Keni: The whole thing depends upon yon! Cast your net and you're going to make a big and nice catch. Feli: Well, that apart, what's the purpose of peeping in at this hour. For a messwe "private and confidential"! That's Keni. how she called 3. she was sent by my sweet Magi to come and look for me. Man, I told you something is going to happen! She can't pass a day without ,om me. seeing or hearing fFeli, What makes her sweet? She tastes like sugar or salt? Keni, This is not the time for jokes. ~ 6 your better e another day. Feli, O.K. Until that day, so that I can get a packet of sugar for niy own use. Keni: Katty: you Keni: Katty: Keni. Katty: �And give anofher packet of sugar to her-so that Keni: two of you can taste sweet to each' other. You're right, but this is not the time'for jokes. Feli: Hurry home to her and 1 1 'hurry back to get 1 ' ready for the catch! Keni: Still the joker? CURTAIN FALLS SCENE FIVE In Karl-v's Room Katty And Magi. Are you sure he said that he would come? Magi: F e said so and I'm sure of that. Katty: But why hans't he come by now? A short time Magi: now and it will get dark. Katty: If my cars did not fail me, he said that he would be coming behfnd. He may be coming now. mag^: Are you sure he can locate ihe sight of this house? He said he knows it quite well and should not Katty: miss the way. ~ a g i : Well. 1'11 wait for sorre more minutes and if he fails to tuin up, I go back. The only thing I know that will delay him a Katty: little is that young man I said that was with him. Feli, you called his name? Magi. Katty: Yes, he's quite a funny gnd charming young man! Magi. Yes, he's. That's how it use to be at the first -. sight. Katty: Not so with this one, Magi. Since we have come to intimatz 'each dtber with our private matters have you heard me praise . any young man in this manner other than this Feli? No.. you're right. Then I can say you have some Magi: special liking for him? Oh! I don't know how I can describe my feelings Katty: now about him. You must try to, Kathy, that's bow it starts. Magi, - - �Katty:. ;What's *&at, :.;Mag?? Magi: Well, I hope you're no longer. a chjld?. ... Katty: I'm not. And I hope you, don't thmk that I'm still a child? Magi: I haven't such an idea in mind, that's why I put that question to you. Katty: Yes, 1 understand you, but d o you kzow what will be his opinion about me? Some young men may appear very charming outside, but inside their heart, they are as black as coal about love. Magi: Oh! deai Katty. I'm sorry that I'm unable to give you a better advice about that now, but however things may turn good in future. Katty: Yes, l understand you quite well. But why has he not come by now? He assured me his being here after some minutes I have been back. Magi: That's one thing wrong with men. When you are after them, they will start to dodge you., I tell men know how to keep women in great expectations when in love--"..--(ENTER KENZ) Oh dear me! have you been eavesdropping on us, Keni? (perspiring) Not, no: I, my dear Magi, I'm just Keni: coming here now. You know you sent a message t o me, but by then I was with a friend Katty saw him I think. Katty: Yes, Feli, not so? Keni: He is. So before I could finish with him and get the chance t o come here, it took quite a long time. I hope I have not delayed you so much, my Magie. . any news? Mogi: Your bright presence have dried away, the dews your delay dropped into my heart. Oh! my Magi, cheer up! The slave of your heart Keni: is here now to look after you. Magi: Oh, enough of that, my love-control your heart! We have but a short time here. This is why I have sent for you. (She gives him a small sized purse) Keep that with you, and don't let it get out of your hold. �What'.$ is it my lov&$:-E$.4t made of-m&to kuow?of it$ .contents? Magi: .Yes, you're privileged to do so. However, its' contents is nothing but money. It is hundred pocnds on the whole. Don't let any other person into this secret. It is only three of us here who share ' this knowledge. Keni: Why this surprise change in your manner, Magi? You know I didn't ask vou about monev. What I want is your love and cohpany, nothmg again outside it. Magi: You're right my love. But I have not changed my manners-don't say so. Keep that money with you until1 the time I shall come to demand it back from you. That's the whole purpose of my sending for you now. You can g- now, don't waste any time, my dear. Keni : Dear, won't you..-.....--.... M a ~ i : No time for that now. until we see again. Keni: 0.K: until then. (he walks to the door and turns back) Oh! lest I forget, Katty, Feli sent his sincere greetings to you through me. Katty: Thank you so m x h , send him mine as well! 0 K; goodbye! Keni: (EXIT KENI) Katty: Oh, men are woaderfrll! Magi: Yes, especially in love. CURTAIN FALLS. Ken/: SCENE SIX. In John Bull's House. John Bull: We shall know who is the ruler of this compound, I wish Chief Ben and his son are.around now. However, they may be on their way coming I: think. (ENTER IKEM) D o you see her? asked John Bull Ikem: I no see her, Sir, I no fit tell how she J e go now. �John Bull: Don't mind her, ,I'll get her round very soon. Chief Ben and his son will be here in a very short time. She no de stay in the house in de evening. Small Ikem: time she go come in, small time she go go out again. Sometime she go hold somethings for hand, sometime she no holding anything. John Bull: O.K! thank you very much. Keep eye on her and her mother, you hear? Ikem: Yes. Sir Masa. John Bull: You can go out now. Ikem: Thank Sir. (ENTER ELIZABETH) Elizabeth: Stop and stand where you're, Ikem! I'm only very sorry for you, John Bull. It is not good of you to spy on your daughter and wife. John Bull: Don't disturb me now! G o out from here! and tell her to get prepared for Chief Ben and his . . son's coming. Elizabeth: I'm not going to tell her! Do whatever you like with her. she's vour daughter! Is it because she n ~ refuses to marry ~ o n that Gade you to keep a spy on me and her? Threatening her like that wor't bring any good result, you know. if she says that she won't marry Bonny, you better leave her alone. You have done your duty as a father, nobody is going to blame you for it. If she wants to suffer as she has chosen, instead of living on the fortune of a rich famiy, let her alone. Johh Rull: That can never be done in this house! She must do my wish or face trouble. Elizabeth: Kill her then if you wish! John Bull: So you're supporting her in her decision? Elizabeth: I support none of you. (ENTER MAGI) Johc Bull: Where have you been, Magi? Magi: Perhaps, your son Ikem have told you that I . . went out? Elizabeth: Yes, Ikem is no longer a servant in this house, but as his son! �John Bull: .Just tell me where you. .have been! Magi. : I have been no where dther than this house! Please, make nobody call my name now Ikem: Your name must be mentioned, Ikem! A liar, Magi: an eavesdropper! You're no longer a servant in this house, but as a son, according to the wish of your master, because I did not agree to marry the son of a rich man and a chief for that matter. John Rull, Stop that. Magi! Will you get prepared for the coming of Chief Ben and his son? Papa, if it's still your wish to hear me address 'Magi: ' you so. To be sincere, Im ready now to die, instead of marrying this son of a rich man! John Bull: Shut up! Do you want to marry the son of a . poor man? ' I m married to him already, if you don't know! ' Magi: Elizabeth: What are you talking, Magi? Do you know that you're addressing your Papa? John Bull: Leave her, she'sjnst cracking a big joke. Magi: Yes, may be a big joke to you now. And likewise, it's going to be a big surprised to see the first fruit of my marriage in a near future. Yes, I m determined to ' marry a poor man. And it makes no difference. Poor people are human beings as well as the rich people. Even the poor knows more about love than the rich. And what more 11 It is love that I want and I have found it. You can reject me and deny me as not being your daughter now, I'm satisfied! (EXIT M4GZ CRYING) John Bull: What's all this about? Is she mnning crazy? Elizabeth: I don't know. I have told yod often and agaJohnin to leave her alone, but you won't listen to me. Eliza Bull: That's a minor thing. She must marry Bonny. beth: I'm not holding you back from doing what is your will about her. �(8XlT MAMA) John Bull: Keep on watching their movements, Ikem. They want to deceive me wiih tricks. T h ~ is a plan s they have made in order to' prevent Magi's marriage with Bonny. Keepeyc on them, you hear? Ikem: Yes, Sir. John Bull: Don't mind whatever they may talk about you, or any name they may calf you.Ikem: Yes, Sir. I no de mind. the things they telling me, I no heardem. I no de hear big big grammatika. Ozuru; You're a funny somebody, Ikem. CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE SEVEN Ikem welcomes Chief Ben and his son, Bonny. Welcome, sir. Make una sit down for chairs. Ikem: My master de come. Chief Ben: Thank you. This boy be good boy, my son (azd he sit on a chair) Yes, he is a very clever and intelligent boy. Bonny: Chief Ben: Yes, na this kind boy I de like. Oh, why my son, plenty chair, plenty things dey here where you go fit sit down. Thank you, Papa (and he sits on a chair.) Bonny: Chief Ben: Ah! my big friend don come! (ENTER JOHN BULL) John Bull: Welcome. Chief Ben and son. How dovou do Bonny? Bonny: Goodevening, Sir. John Bull: Thank you so much my son. Has it been long you come? Chief Ben: Not so-o long! Your boy say make we sit down you de come. Ozuru: Yes, I instructed him to do so. I went to a nearby neighbour over there to take something. Chief- Ben: Oho-n-o! 1 think say you no remembers say we coming today. 1 remembered it quite well. Ikem go and call Ozuru: -, madam, big madam I mean.. Ikem: Yes, Sir. - ' �(EXIT .I .K E M ) . . . Chief Ben: T h i s your boy be cikver boy., John Bull: Yes, he ,doesn't delay in anything. Bonny: Very nice of him! Chizf Ben: Where the girl we come see? Or she no dey in now? Make she come see my son! John Bull: You're right Ben! She will be here within some minutes. ( E N T E R ELIZABETH) Elizabeth: Welcome, Chief Ben! You come to our house today, oh! with your son as well? Chief Ben: Yes, visisi. We come to see our wife. She stay for house? Elizabeth: Well, I don't think she's in now. John Bull: What? Where's she? Elizabeth: I don't know. Chief Ben: Ah! be she de fear my son? John Bull: No, not necessarily that. Chief Ben: Oh! I for say make she no fear, my son no be bad person. John Hull: No, not in that way. Elizabeth: Welcome, Bonny. Bonny: Goodevening, madam. Elizabeth: Thank you so much. (ENTER I K E M ) John Bull: Do you see her? Ikem: No. I no see her. John Bull: Where has she gone? I told her that Chief Ben and Bonny would be coming today. Where's she been, for goodness sake? Chief Ben: Make ino be say she no wan marry my son? John Bull: No, she's going to marry Bonny! Elizabeth: Do you say no, John? Chief Ben and Bonny, it is not good keeping you in suspense. Magi did not agree that she will marry you, Bonny! That's all, but I'm sorry. This is her wish and we have tried every method to see that she reasoned with us, but all were in vain. �John Uull So you know about her wher~about? Elmheth. I do not know, it is in the same camp . you are that I am. Chief Ben: Well, good make you no come here make argument. I wan go now with my son, but you go tell us the time we go come again, John. You know we be good friend long time now, no go grow annoy with you now. But that day wey you go tell we we come now, if we come that day and n ) meet her, I go be angry with you. John Rull: O,K! you will have to come back in two week's time, Chief Ben. Please don't grow annoyed with me yet, Bonny. Bonny: No, don't worry so much. Nothing is amiss yet, added John Bull. Chiet Ben. We de go-o! We go see that day-o! Bonny: Goodbye to you, slr and madam. John Bull: Thank you so much Bonny! Elizabeth: Go-dbye. Bonny! (EXIT CHIEF BEN AND BONNY, HIS SON) John Bull: What's wrong with Magi? Elizabe:h: I don's know. Vlagi knows herself and what she's doing. Give us chance first. Ikem. Ikem: Yes madam. John Bull: What's it, Ehza? Speak it out. Why do you look so gloomy throughout their stay here? Is any. thing wrong? ~lizabeth: Do you know that Magi is expecting a baby now? John Bull: What? oh! this girl doen't want to be good She has spoilt herself. Elizabeth: Yes, but you helped her in it. John Bull: By how? What are talking? Elizabeth: Without your threats, she would not have done so. She's not sorry for it. It seems she purposely did it in order to know what you'll do. John B 1 Well, well, where is her? or isn't she ir. now? 1: Elizabeth: Do you think I was telling lies when I said that I have not seen her since noon? �John Bull: What? Yes,after revealing-this4 0 . meb she went. out Eliza: unoticed. What's going to be done now? Don't you think John: we should go and give complain in the police station? Elizabeth No, not yet. It's seven now, before nine o'clock and if she didn't come back from wherever she may be, we can then go and complain t o the police. John Bull: What? Wait till nine o'clock in the night? If it happens that she is finding where she'll hang herself by now, don't you think that she can be detected out by the police at once than to wait till nine o'clock when she might succeeded in killing herself. Or don't you have in mind that she may commit abortion? Please let's do something about it now! ' Elizabeth: Im sorry I can be of no help to you now. This is your own doing and you must solve it alone. Perhaps this is the tlme you'll consider my worth in this ' house, but I m not going to gwe a helping hand. John Bull: You know all about her plans? El~zabeth: She'll be my witness if she can be seen al~ve. John Rull: Stop that. you fool! Stop kilhng my heart with those frightening words! I!lizabeth Yes. I may be fool now, hut you're ,more than me in the past. John Bull: It's useless exchanging words with you here. (EXIT JOHN BULL) Elizabeth: You have not seen anything yet. This is the beginning! CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE EIGHT In Karlv's Room MAGI AND KATTY. �has Katty;;. ,_kjg~lr,-mother announced the news to your -. .. father. . . .. Magi:' True 1 Yes.. And I learnt' that he's G r r i i d aljout it. Kattv: ~a$: Well, I bother less about his knowing of it. I must go back this night. I i is Keni who is delaying my going. Afterall, I have been out from home since afternoon. None of them knew my whereabout. even my mother. Katty, Why? you have a big heart, I tell you! Well, forget all about it now. Did you see him Magi, at home? Katty, Yes, He'll be here in a few minutes time, ( E N T E R RENI) Oh! look, he's just come in time! What's is it again, Magi? Why? anything wrong? Keni, Have I worried you so much, my Keni ? Magi, No, not at all. my love! Your worry, if it can Keni, be called worry in the real seme of it, to me js just the greatest moment of joy t o me, my love. Oh! if we go on like this, things will he very Magi: good for us. And if you can keep on understanding my feelings as you do at present, our life as husband and wife will be very interesting and joyful. Hope that I'm with you at any moment, darling Keni: and you'll not be disappornted! (addressing Katty) Please, Katty you can give Magi: us chance now for eome minutes. You're free to go on as long as you wish *it[]Katty: out being interrupted. (EXIT RATTY) Now, Keni, my love listen to me clearly. I don't Magi: want you to break down here. Whatever you may hear now, bear it as a man in your neart. Don't be afraid of anything and I don't want you to. If you like you take it, but if you don't, you may go and leave me to my fate, but never you forget that you once had a girl who loved you so much and died for your love. ~ ~ 57 �Why all' fhis;'" Magi?-: You have.pot been speak. Keni:. ing as' you're doing now. IS a bad thing going to happen, my dear? If so and it will affect your precious life, be assured that I'm going down in the grave with you,-if theri's no way to present such a thing. Oh! l'm back to myself again! I'm once more, Magi ' alife. If not for you. I would have gone back to the irlvislble world of spirits. But you're still at my side and fans the air of life intc, my heart. Keni: Re assured, my love and my live, Magi, that I'm with you and and will continue to d o so as long as there's life. Magi: I m happy now, my love The whole truth is ' that I'm expecting a baby for you. It is the first fruit of our love. That's why I have sent for you. Keni: What! So soon? Yes, isn't it sood so? Magi: 1 won't desert you, my dear. Keni: Thank you so much, that's all I want to hear Magi: from you. But what I want to let you know again is-erKeni: how can I explain it well to you? You mean about the bride price? Magi: Keni: Yes, actually! Well, don't worry s o much about it. I hope you Magi: keep that money I gave .you last time in a safe place? Yes, nothing has happened to it. Keni: Magi: Well. I want you to come withit lo our house about twoweek's time. You'll use it to pay my bride price to my faiher, if a t all he'll demand any. But be ready, you're 'going to meet something that day. Keni: Don't worry about anything. I shall come in time t o defend you from any attack, darling. Magi: Thank you very much, my love-that's all I want to tell you now. You ca? go now. ' 58 �6.K; take heart my love. Ken? Don't worry any more. You have satisfied my Magi: curiosity. Yes, bat don't you let anybody into the secret of that money, even to your parents. Keni: I'll never betray you, my love. Goodbye! Magi: O.K! My love. (EXIT KENI) Oh! he's quite a man to have as a husband! I have not made any mistaken in my choice! CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE NINE In Ozuru: John BUN'S House (he calls) Ikem! Ikem! where are you, Ikem? (ENTER IKEM) (sweating) You call me sir? I don come. Ikem: John Bull Yes, where have you been all the while I have been calling you? Ikem: Na from kitchen I de come now, sir. Madam tell me say you de calling me, make I come now sir. John Bull: Yes, I called you, has she returned? I rnear? Magi! Ikem: Ah! I no seeing her since she now returned yet, sir. John Bull: Nobody has seen her. But you have no idea of where she has gone? Ah! no fit make out, sir. She get trick plenty. Ikem: John Bull: When you go back to the kitchen, tell madam that I want to see her now. Ikem: Yes, sir. (EXIT IKEM) John Ball: What kind of temptation is this? What can I call it? Where has she gone? What's wrong with Magi? What's worrying her? I have money and can buy her anything she likes. Why do she preferred to �marry a poor fellow instead of the son af a rich man? I wonder what she's up to. And it seems to me that her mother knows all about her secrets, but she won't tell me where her daughter has been since. Yes, she's supposed to know he steps than I do, but she pretends to know not. I'm tired of all these things! But if she commits suicide now, uho will be blamed for it? Sometimes she may drop a suicide note and say that I'm the cause of her death. That I d~dil'tallow her to marry the man of her choice-her love -she may term it. And people will blame me so much for it! Oh! how can 1 face the blam: of people? And it may be published in the newspapers with bold letters! How where are you Magi! can I withstand such a s~ght-oh! Come back to your Papa! (ENTER ELIZABETH) Elizabeth What is it my dear? You sent for me, not so? Ozuru Yes, come in, I sent for you. Have you seen Magi? Elizabeth: No, I have not. John Bull: True? Elizabeth: Yes. John Bull: You see I can't sleep soundly this night without seeing Magi come back this night. Now is eight o'clock and shc's no where to be found. We must go at once to police station and give complain. This I S above me. You see I'm begmning to get worried ' over the whole affalr. Elizabeth: This is a situtation in which I found myself with no idea whatsoever for its solution. Infact, I have already started to entertain some fear about the whole thing. John Bull: The only idea I have now about it is to go to the police station and give report or notice, whith you may choose tocall it. I'm gettingtired about it all! Elizabeth: I think we better wait for some more minutes before that, to avoid giving false information to the police. You know they're going to publish it in the newspapers the moment it reaches them. 4nd if after �, . . . ~ , that she cdmes back without being found by the pelice or by any other person, for that matter, you know it's going to be a scandal in town. John Bull. Bu: 1 can't control myself any longer! This is paining me so much, but you don't know. (ENTER M A G I ) Oh! what an I seeing? Come back to me, my daughter Magi. Magi: Yes, it has not starred to pain you any way. You're just shedding crocodile tears! Elizabeth: Dont' you see now, if we had informed the police about it, what would have been our position now? John Bull: Come back to me, Magi-come back to your senses. It's not good talking like that. Magi, Well, I'm with my senses, and I know what I'm doing. You thought that I had gone out io covmit . suicide because I'm expecting a baby for my dear love-no! I will never do so, for my love is with me at any moment. Elizabeth: What's the cause of all this! Magi? Why? are you running mad? Magi: I'm not, but those who think 1 am, will first find themselves going naked in public, hut, 1'11 remain as you see me now, pitying them, if at all they will deserve my pity. John Bull: I hope you're not cursing me. Magi? Elizabeth: Please, go into my room, Magi. You're so tired to stand here and exchange words with your father. Magi: I'm not going to rest now. By the way, what kind of father is he? A father who don't want happiness for his daughter? A father who is threatening t o disown his daughter if she happens t o marry the man she loves? With nojust reason other than that he's from a poor family. Now I have come back to this house only t o give you the chance to do whatever you like now with me. Hut I'm happy that my love is with me. I'm expecting a baby for him. If you kill me now, you know that you have commited double murder! �Elizabeth; Stop so far, Magi! Will you get out and go to my room! This is not how to do it! (and she directs Magi out of the room) she needs rest now, you see? John Bull: Yes, actually. Something is worrying her now. CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE TEN In Keni's Room KEN1 AND FELI Feli: Hello! friend, cheer up. I have a good news from the dream world of lovers! Welcome, Feli, how do you do? keni: Feli: N o trouble at present. Nothing to think about, you see? Oh! my goodness! but you're looking so gloomy, Keni. Why? Nothing-I mean nothing, you see. Keni: Well, if you're hiding anything from me now, I won't do l~kew~se you. 1 can tell you that Im just to ' from Katty now. She's quite a nice girl. Keni. Is that so? Feli: Yes, I have started to [drink the wine of love. Keni: Yotlr own experience may be d.fferent from mine, you understand ? Feli: Yes, I do. She's quite a nice girl. I can tell you! Keni: Yes, Please did she tell you anything about Magi? Feli: Nothing, what's it. Keni: N o news about her? Feli: Nothing. Is she missing? Keni: No. It nothing of that sort. Feli: Ah! many things do happen nowadays-don't blame me for having asked as you did-after all so many things actually do happen these days. The whole truth about my question is that I want to know whetner you have heard about it-you know Magi is expecting a baby for me! Feli 62 �Feli: Is that so, do you mean if? Keni: I'm telling you the truth. nothing but the truth. I mean it to the last words of it. Feli: Well, if it's why you were looking so gloomy the time I came in, I can advise you to cheer up! it's no evil. Keni:b I'm not thinking about anything of that kind. I must welcome my first child with joy and happiness. After all, we shall get married before its arrival. Magi: I have not come to see who will marry me. I should welcome them, but I am sorry I won't give him my hand in marriage for I have already g o t married to my love who is with me at any moment Johnbull: Shut up, what are you talking? Magi. Yes, you won't understand because I refused to marry Bonny who is the son of a rich man and chief. I'm sorry to say that I don't love yotl Bonny and therefore, should never accept to be your wife under any circumstance and pressure. Chief Ben: What are we waiting again? Bonny, let's go, we have failed. Needless wasting t ~ m e This is a matter where love reigns supreme. Bonny: Well, I have no objection to your wish, Magi. If you love another person then I, I'll never be an int~uder, if afterwards you reconsider to come to but me I shall bc very glad to receive you. Chief Ben: That's it, my son. Magi; Well thank you very much, Bonny and C h i e f lgboanu. This is because you understand the language of love. Rut, the fact, and the only fact of the whole affair is that I have already decided to marry the only man I love. Johnbull; Who is this man that you love? What's his name? I want to know. Magi; Well, he's no other person than Keni, the son of Joseph, and if you to see him now, he'll be around. 63 �(EN.!.:!+ K.ELNO. Chief Ben: O h , . he's the son of my good 'friend, Joseph. Welcome, my boy. He's a good match to her. This is my son, Bonny. Keni: Oh, thank you very much, Bonny. How do you do:, Bonny: Nothiilg is wrong-that you so much. Magi: See where you're now! ,what objection ha;e you about it. Papa? Chief Ben: He can't obiect it, Magi. Your choice is a very good one. L&S go my son, Bonny. (Exit chirf Ben and Bonny) Johnbull: This is wonderful indeed. Keni; Now I have come to pay the bride price, and after that I wish you to bless our marriage. Johnbull: You're not going to pay the bride price, my son I want you to live in peace with my daughter. Your marriage have already been l~lessedby the Almighty God. Magi, you and your lo+e have won! Magi: Im very happy now that you have come to realise ' the true worth of love! CURTAIN FALLS "1 c Oh, have you made arrangement with her? Keni It's her will to become my wife. Feli: Oh, things will be alright then. Keni: Yes, but what remains now is my parents-I have not informed them about it. And i don't k n o w how far they are going to receive it with happy heart. Feli: That's a simple thing to do. If you're determined with your choice and decision, they won't present a difficult case in the least. G o ahead with your plan, boy. I wish you goodluck! Keni: Thank you very much for that. We shall see again But mind how you drink the wine of your lover! Feli: 0 K., goodbye, Keni: See you again. Exit Feli (alone) �Keni: So this is how it starts? This life is full of steps and stages! Soon. I should be called the father of a child! And from there I should begin to raise a family of my own. (ENTER JOSEPH) Joseph: Look, what are you thinking about, Keni? Do you know the time I came in? Keni: Oh, Papa! Infact, I don't know that it's you. I thought that it was another person. Oh, I have a very serious and important matter that occupied my whole <thoug!?t. Joseph: What's it, my son? You're thinking about the ' love of Magi the rich man's daughter, I hope? You're going to drap dead one day because, of her. Keni: Yes, I'm thinking a b o u t her now, but I'm not going to regret it. Things are beginning to shape themselves to our favour. Joseph: You know I have no money to pay for her bride price. Rich pesple marry rich men's daughters. It's only the son of a rich man who can marry Mzgi. You don't know her father, Johnbull. He's a very rich man and very very proud of himself. How do you think that he'll allow you to marry h e r daughter? Please, I don't want trouble here-I'm not rich, and therefore, don't want to compete with rich people. Keni: Don't fear about the money for' the bride price, things; will be alright. We have agreed to marry ourselves. Joseph: What? do you want to tell me that you have the money for the bride price now? Keni: Don't worry about that, only promise me t h a t you'll receive her as my wife when she comes. Joseph: Did you steal the money or what? Keni: Oh, for goodness' sake! don't talk what w i 11 stop anncy me now, Papa. Please, I'm not a thief, Papa suggesting that I might have stolen the money. 65 �Joseph: What do you want me t c d o then? I won't 'say that again.Keni: Thank you very much. Magi doesn't d o what some daughters of rich men do. She's auite a nice woman. shewrespects people and is will~ng learn from anyto body, whether rich or poor. Joseph: Until I see her manners, then 1'11 know what to do. Keni: Well, I want to tell you now that she's expecting a baby for me, Papa. Joseph: What!-what do you say? Who will give you the money for the bride price? You don't fall where .you can be seen. Keni: Well, don't worry about that. Just keep calm and you will see what is-going to happen. Joseph: 1 have nothing :o say again - y o u know how you are going all about it. - (EVTER M A R Y ) Oh, come and hear what's is going on, Onyema. Your son is not very hear here as you see him so. 'Mary: What is it, any trouble? Joseph: Ask him to tell you. I donot know how toexplain it to you. Mary: Well, what is it, my son. Keni? Please tell me, . anything wrong? Keni: No, Mama...-it's no bad news. Mary: What's. it then? Keni: I shall be getting married very soon. Marv: Get married? ~ e n f : Yes. Mama. Mary: ~ i i h whom? Keni: With Magi. Keni: The daughter of Johnbull. Mary: Are you still after her? Are you still made for -her lovd? Keni: I can tell you that she is expecting a:baby for me now. Mary: What! A baby, you say? �Keni: Yes. Mary: Well, I won't blame you so much, but where can you get the money for the bride price? Johnhull: Can you claim any amount f r o m hundred pounds upward. Joseph: That was what I have been asking him since. Keni: You'll not have to bother about the bride price. Just promise me that you're going to receive her well a ~ d treat her as the wite of your son. Mary: What? Keni: Yes. Mary Well, you can be assured of my earnest co-operation as yo11 have asked of me. Keni: Thank you very much for th~s, Mama. Joseph: But I wonder! Mary: Stop wondering any longer. After all it is not a bad thing. Keni: Oh, thank you very much Mama! Your words of encouragement to me can't be forgotten. Joseph: Yes. i know that you'll praise her so much, because she supports you now. Mary: And why shouldn't we support him'! At least, he needs our moral support in this matter, as we're unable to give him financial support. Keni: Oh, thank you once more for that, Mama! Mary: Yes, be assured of our moral support to you in this your venture. Joseph: We wish you every luck in this your business of life! Keni: Thank you so much Papa. CURTAIN FALLS SCENE ELEVEN (Johnbull and his wife Elizaberh) John: What is she doing now? I hope she's making some progress? Elizabeth: What I know is that she's not sick and she has not complained to me about any. �Johnbull: . Have you any idea about what w ~ u l d beher ...... beh.ayiour,,when. Ch&f Ben comes,+qday with'his::S&i, , . . _., g ld &me. Bonny?'. Y + - know it- ii't,day th's t h i. ' s h ~ __.__ . Elizabeth: Oh, 'is' it '-tod!&? Johnbull: Yrs, what do you think s,&' w.dl. d o ? i'ii&e she's not going to disappoint us again? Be alrtght. We have agreed to marry ourselves. Joseph: What'! Do you want to tell me that you hai'e the money for the bride price now? Keni: Don't worry about that, only promise me that you'll receive her we:l as my wife when she comes. Joseph: Did you steal the money or what'! Keni Oh, for goodnkss' sake! Don't talk what w i l l ancoy me now, Papa. Please, I'm not a thief, Papa stop suggesting that I might have stolen the money. Joseph: What do you want me to do t h e n ? I won't say that again. Keni: Thank you very much. Magi doesn't do what some daughters of rich m a do. She's quite a n i c e woman. She respects pzople and is w~llingto learn from anytody wthether rich or poor. Joseph: Until I see her manners, then I will know what t o do. Keni: Well, I want t o tell you now that she's expecting a baby for me, Papa. Joseph: What! Whit do you say? Who w~llgive y o u the money for the bride mice? You don't fall where you can be seen. Keni: Well, don't worry about that. Just keep calm and you'll see what is going to happen. Joseph: I have no:h;ng to say again you know how you're going all about it. (EVTER MARY) Oh, come and hear what is going on, Onyema. Your son is not very near here as you him so. Mary: What is it, any trouble? Jozeph: Ask him to tell you. I don't know how to explain it to you. Mary, Well, what's it, my son, Keni? Please tell me, anything wrong? C _ _ _ , ,,_:..i �Keni: No, Mama -it's no bad news. Mary: What's it then? Keni: I shall be getting married very soon. Mary: Get married? Keni: Yes, Mama. Mary: With whom? Keni: With Magi? Mary: Which Magi? Keni: The daughter of Johnbull. Mary: Are you still after her? Are you still mad for her love? Keni: I can tell you that she's expecting a baby for me now. Mary: What! A baby, you say? Keni: Yes., Mary: Well, I won't blame you so much, but where can you get the money for the bride price? Johnbull: Can claim any amount from hundred pounds upward. Joseph: That was what I have been asking him since. Keni: You'll not have to bother about the bride price. Just promise me that you're going to receive her well and treat her as the wife of your son Mary: What? Keni: Yes. Mary: Well, you can be assured of my earnest co-operation as you have asked of me. Keni: Thank you very much for this, Mama. Joseph: But I wonder! Mary: Stop wondering any longer. After all it is not a bad thing. Keni: Oh, thank you very much Mama! Your words of encouragement to me can't be forgotten. Joseph: Yes, I know that you'll praise her so much, because she supports you now. 69 �Mary: And why shouldn't we support him? At least, he needs our moral support in this matter, as we're unable to give h ~ m financial support. Keni: Oh, thank you once more for that, Mama! Mary: Yes, be assured of our moral support to you in this your venture. Joseph: We wish you every luck in this your busmess of life! Keni: Thank you so much, Papa. CURTAIN FALLS SCENE ELEVEN (Johnbull and his wife Elizabeth) Johnbull: What is she doing now, I hope she's making some progress? Elizabeth: What I know is that she's not sick and she has not complained to me about any. Johnbull: Have you any idea about what would be her behaviour when Chief Ben comes today with his son, Bonny7 You know it is today that they should come. Elizabeth: Oh, is it today? Johnbull: Yes, what do you think she will do? I hope she's not going to disappoint us again? Elizabeth: Well, I don't know what will be her next line of action. Her general behaviour cannot be predicted. Infact, 1 can tell you now that I don't know what she's going to do ln the next hour. But if may suggest, it is better to allow her to marry the man of her choice this time that she's expecting a b a b y. There'll be no gain in forcing her to marry against her will. Johnbull: Are you sure she's expecting a baby? Elizabeth: Yes, she said so and I believe her. Johnbull: That's quite a lie! I don't believe it. I know her trick. Where's she by thc way? Elizabeth: She's in the kitchen. Do you want her now? Johnbull: Yes, call her. Wait, where's Ikem? send him to go and call her. (ENTER MAGI) - �Elizabeth: Oh look, she's just come without being calledI wonder! Magi: What's it, Mama? Elizabeth: Nothing- I say noth~ng. Johnbull: I hope you remember that Chief Hen and his son Bonny are to coming this hcuse today? Magi: As your quests I hope? Johnbull: Why-and -/ours as well! Magi. Well, count me out. Johnbull: Why mag^? Why are you so obstinate? Can't you reason well? Magi: I don't want to exhaust myself before the real combat. (Exit Magi with anger) Elizabeth: You have seen what 1 was telling you before - . she came. Johnbull: Well. that's no vroblem now. lonlv w i s h . they have arrived now.Elizabeth: Oh, look they havejust arrived! (Enter Chief Ben and his son B m n y ) Johnbull: Oh, you're just welcome in my house. How do you do Chief Ben? Chief Ben: I no do any de. Johnbull: You're wonderful, well things will be alright today. Chief Ben: We no wan delay like last time. We go go another place after this. Make you go call her now. No be so my son? Bonny: You're alright, Papa. (Re-enter M a g i ) Johnbull: Oh, she's here already! Welcome them, Magi you're so beautiful nowadays! Welcome Chief Ben and his son, Bonny, who is going to marry you. Magi: I have not come to see who will marry me. I should welcome them, but I am sorry I won't give him my hand in marriage for I have : i h a d y got married to my love who is with me at any moment. Johnbull: Shut up! What are talking? Magi: Yes, you won't understand because I refused to marry Bonny who is the son of a rich man and chief. 71 �I m sorry tosay that. I don't love you ,Bonny. .and ' therefore, should never accept to Se your. wife under any circumstanc: and pressure! Chief Ben: What are we waiting again, Bonny? Let's go, we have failed. Needless wasting time. This is a matter where love reigns supreme. Bonny: Well, I have no o'jection to your wish, Magi. If you love another persm than I. I'll never be an intruder, but if afterwards you reconsider to come to me I shall be very glad to receive you. Chief Ben: That's it, my son! Magi: We, thank you very much, Bonny and Chief Igboanu. This is because you understand the language of love. But, t'-e fact, and the only fact o f the whole affair is that I have already deided to marry the only man I love. Johnbull: Who is this man that you love? What's his name? I want to know. Magi: Well, he's no other person than Keni, the son of Joseph! And if you want to see him now he'll be around (ENTER KENI) Chief Ben: Oh, he's the son of my good friend, Joseph. Welcome, my boy. He's a good match to her! This is my son Ronny! Keni: Oh. thank you very much, Bonny How do you do? -is Bonny: ~ o t h i n g wrong-thank you so mvch: Magi: See where you're now! What objection have you about it, papa? Chief Ben: He can't object it, Magi. Your choice is a very good one. Letk go my son, Bonny. (Exit Chref Ben and Bonny) Johnbull: This is wonderful indeed! Keni: Now I have come to DAY the bride - iee.. and after that I wish D you to bless our marrhb. Johnbull: You're not going to pay the bride price, my son. I want my you to live in peace w ~ t h daughter. Your marriage have already been blessed by the Alm~ghtGod. Magi, you and your love have won! Magi: -7% very happy now that you have come to realise the true worth of love! CURTAIN FALLS THE END. �; , * . .... *., .... ... . -. . .:.. Ordqv your ~ s ~ i c a rnovels from a . - J. I_ . , ...... a-_____ z 'L . . I L . . I- C ORDTUERS OOOXSWOC, . No. 30 Okwuenu Street, Fegge-3nitsh-a. Nigeria. -. ... .... .. ? i 1 Never tiust all that lore you 2s‘d 2 The way to avoid poverty 2s 6d 3 How t : ~know pr.werhs and many things 3s 6d 4 Man uorks hard for m o ~ ~ e y 2s 6d 5 The game of love .. 2s 6d 6 T h i n s worth knowing in-questions and answers 2s 6d 7 How to study English, Ibo, Hausa, 2: 6d and Ycruba 8 Our modern love leters 2s 6d 9 Why boys never trust money-monger- $;Is 2s 6d 10 What women are thinking about men 2s 6d 11 Ibo made easy in English lavguage 2s 6d 12 How to write important letters, applications and asreements . .. 3.6d 13 How to study good Englisti,~Notice'letters,. Better se~tencesand Compsitibn .. .'{: . . 2 6d s 14 Hausa to .speak to girls an& w$~.their:~lqvc2s6d 15 The trial and judgement cif-ChteF A w ~ w o . 2 $ . 6d 16 .The life st@y and death k & KenF&. $# 61 17 How to write Applicjtions, . Q .. fctier3'::% Agreements T6legrams; Bussinesn . elce&.3r Compositions Love*letters and Toast. .". -.;i,i,...: ..,-- --. x , Read j C. B a d t s for the,,follewiYIg .reasons'?$ ; ~. ,. . , % : , ;.B;q6d * . + %. - ~. 1 T h y will lgach 'kou maBy tbingsZwh;chj&?do . . . $:-.:... .* . . .. * :-. I...c+. ... $biz-know. T: 2 Cohstaot:rea?Thg w i .~ ~ a ~ s o v : . . ...... education. 3 Ir$er~st.ing aoyels 6iil ilispire .-. . . - .< v 19 Emodi Street, onitsha. �H O W TO WRITE AND REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE, ENGAGEMENT LETTERS, LOVE LETTERS ASD HOW TO KNOW A GIRL TO MARRY I f you know bow to writr intereking love letters, you must marry a beautiful girl of your wish. ' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Full text of the pamphlet Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource How to write and reply letters for marriage, engagement letters, love letters, and how to know a girl to marry Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Abiakam, J. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : J.C. Brothers Bookshop Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1963? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3280 Description An account of the resource This is a how-to pamphlet where "you will learn the styles and ways to write "letters that are "very interesting and reasonable, and the English very educative," (pg.4). Abiakam advises his readers to "Read and recommend to your friends one by one and they must never forget you," (pg.4). The author cautions his male readers by telling them that "money alone cannot make you happy," for "children and long life is very important," (pg.5). He includes a brief section on "How to know a girl to marry," however the bulk of the pamphlet's advice consists of sample letters that appear on pages 7-35. The author claims to have three important types of letters to teach: 1) letters for marriage; 2) engagement letters; and 3) love letters, (pg.5). Both the front and back cover have interesting illustrations about writing letters and knowing a girl to marry.<br /><br />The remainder of the pamphlet is a play, "Rich Man's Daughter," by Raja Raphael, (pg.35-72). This play's inclusion with these letters seems obvious because the play deals with the power of romantic love over arranged marriages and the power of love to surmount differences in class and wealth. This is a common theme in the letters as well.<br /><br />The opening scene sets up a confrontation between John Bull and his daughter Magi that serves as the play's source of conflict and action. However, this first scene also begins to establish class confrontations through initial characterizations. Language serves as a means to develop the differences between the classes and the sides of the confrontation. John Bull and his daughter Magi speak in nearly standardized English compared to their servant Ikem's pidgin. Keni, Magi's lover, and his friend Feli also speak a standardized English. However, Keni's parents, Mary and Joseph, speak something closer to pidgin initially. Additionally, the names identify the more elite and westernized characters: John Bull and Magi Bull rather than a Nigerian name such as Ikem.<br /><br />Magi and her father argue over which man she will marry. John Bull has chosen Bonny, a chief's son, as the future husband, and he has initiated the negotiations to seal the deal. Magi, however, has selected another man that she loves. Both have strong plans and know that they will win and make the other see reason. John Bull has his servant, Ikem, spy on Magi and follow her around. In the end, it is Magi's machinations that win over her father. She Reveals that she is pregnant to her mother, who then warns John Bull to accept his daughter's wishes. Fearing that she will commit suicide or have an abortion, he agrees that she should marry the man of her choice. Both Bonnie and his father, the Chief, are also quite enamored with Keni, her chosen partner.<br /><br />Keni and his family are characterized as good people. Keni is identified as a proper husband and partner for Magi, who in turn will make a good wife, for she does not "do like the daughter of a rich man," (pg.43). Magi will make a good obedient wife. Other gendered characterizations are also of interest. For Example, men in this play expect women to be soft and sweet. Women are literally like sugar. Feli: <em>What makes her sweet? She tastes like sugar or salt? ...O.k. Until that day, so that I can get a packet of sugar for my own use. Keni: And give another packet of sugar to her so that two of you can taste sweet to each other,</em> (pg.47-48).<br /><br />Women, on the other hand, perceive men to be deceptive and manipulative.However, they still find themselves interested in the game of love. Katty: <em>Some young men may appear very charming outside, but inside their heart, they are as black as coal about love. ... Magi: That's one thing wrong with men. When you are after them, they will start to dodge you. I tell men know how to keep women in great expectations when in love,</em>&nbsp;(pg.49).<br /><br />This play uses intrigue to prove the importance of romantic love. Yet it still emphasizes the cultural values embedded within Igbo society. In the end, Keniis a good match for Magi because of his character and his family's character rather than his wealth.<br /><br />* Note that this play has some scenes printed out of sequence and several repeated scenes. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/83015e348cdffc962929502d70d40d5d.pdf 7c057a3d49bab30b8f0a37e7223d8b91 PDF Text Text I . , . . ?.IS. E R H -.,: --- .-. . -. . . . . HUSBAND -. $3 6~n@-me3N p -3-I** ................. c C ( f*!* P i. = - - -........... . .. -. PJram* cp .............. -- ���A WOMAN'S PRIDE I HER HUSBAND S MRS. CHINWE AKAOSA REVISED AND ENLARGED BY FELIX N STEPHEN . (Free Lance Journalist) Obtainable from :- MRS. P E. UNAIGWE . 6, BlDA ROAD, ONIrSHA. ��Preface This boodet containing ideas, originally launched out by a Nigerian married woman, in the difficult issue of marriage, is something very creditable. It will in the main, assist men and women when married, to live together, happily, It will not suffice to maintain, that a booklet of this nature, should .get into the hands of everybody by reading from other people's copies. Rather, it will be very essential for a person to own a copy. This will enable the person to think over the valuable ideas, herein contained. The characters used, are purely imaginary and bear no form of relationship, to any existing person. Upon being called upon to revise the book, I wilfully did it, since I am proud of the alertness of the Nigerians, both male and female, in all fields, these days. FELIX N. STEPHEN (PRSS Umam JOURNAL IS^) ! �OBEDIENCE IS A CHARhf FOR MARRIAGE LIFE Many people have often been heard saying that 'some women charm their. husbands, in order that they might be well loved. For my part however, i would very much disagree, since any attempt of that type, would only mean, a risk. The man's life, might be affected tragically. The -only suitable charms are :First: She '&st be clean both in appesfiince and behaviour. Second: Women ar6 supposed to cook and4:not : allow servants to go and manage. At'the same time, to teach their children the best domest work; for, the kitchen is t i e most reasonable ofiice for any married woman. Third : She should see that her husband 'take3 his meal in time. Fourth : She should keep her children clean by bathing them and also, make them have their meal in time. Fifth : She is expected to be in terms with her ncighbours. This will promote social life. Sixth : On no account, should she make it a polic$ to keep on purchasing things on credit. .:For, such might degrade her and a t the same time, affect the prestige of her husband. -All the �same, she should not go along to emulate some greedy women. who are very much after costly rind lovely dresses. Seventh : Husbands should always be greeted by their wives. This isvery pleasant and helps to bring about, more happiness. T H E TWO LOVERS. OKWERENKEDIKARA A N D HER HUSBAND. $ . a 2 �whenever people do, what is right in their homes. Jacob was the name of a certain man, who once existed. He married a woman who went by the name, Okwerenkedikara. The name in full, showed that obedience to the instructions of the husband, was a su5cient marriage charm. In fact, the name created a sort of sensation, whenever and wherever, it was mentioned. She took a very good care of her family and always agreed to what her husband said. She received strangers, both male and female, equally and before going Out to greet any stranger in their house, she would see that her clothes were clean and admirable, then with a pure heart and, smiles on her face, would present kola to them. Of course, through her husband. Afterwards, she would then advance, to greet the stranger or strangers, as the a s e may be. If it were her fellow woman that visited then1 with a child in her company Okwerenkedikra would take the child and then, present to the child with happiness and aduiration, something edible. Further, she would like to know, thecondition of health, of the stranger's relatives. �The .husband., himself,,~woul~ then,. be :..hnppy &ti 'his wi'fc .'and feel proud of her. -Jacob and his wife, had a daughter, called "Blessing" and s the'womlin called her husband, Papa "B".. Wheno ever one entered their house,'nothing but happiness, would' be noticed. For. proverbially. it 'has been maintained, that a child's countenance is takco into confidence before taking anything from the child. So, Okwerenkedikara's good charactcr, made the husband overlook certain things in their house and s t the same time, encouraged .him thiak of important improvements to be made. He was not the type that would spend money carelessly. When he wanted to drink wine. hc wduld go quietly into a pub and after while, would go to his' ho'u,e. He did not 'like to act as' some men, who feel that the: best way of relaxing, is to sleep overnight,. in the hotels. Thus, .his wife was quite sure of him and he. on his part, was respectful in all attitudes, towards her. a This of course, is one of the essential things in the life led hy a husband .and a wife. In fact, something of this nature, will surely prevent quarrels acd fighting. Yes! some men are ready to blame thcic wives every time that there. is discomfort within the family ciicle. �part,. k ~ c wthat . a man ..too, ;Iacoti.... on. his.. could--.be-wrong"an'&'so; .was' 'careful. Thus, both of them saw eye to eye in all affairs and in consequence, trained Blessing their daughter m d their . other. .Children successfully. why' because love involves if you want to marry. < lady try to marry a lady you love. Love is the one of the most important things in married life ' Love can make a man to forgive his wife whenever she offends him. Love could make the biide. and..:the.bridegroom to sit together to solve the .difficulties in their homes; because the devil .. a!ways .wants to reduce the people at peace. Thcdedil 'is always with his matches to separate the pecple in a family ,with his matches but if there is love, ,his aims will be in vain. So let every man and woman. boys and girls always try to love one another to be free from the snares of the devil.in the families for love is a good soup in our families. Marriage without love is like soup without salt. ' married how 'to maintain reffered to page best chsrms for Anq. woman who do not understand love in her home can only be' one..of this b.roklet, that is the husbands. �A LAZY MAN I MASTERED BY HIS WIFE S Once; there : was'. youngman called Alfred. ..After tiis eleinenlary" School 'career which of 'caurse, he successfully completed, he took to trade. It was' one Joseph,. who coached him. in the business. As a matter of fact, Alfred was very handsome and every person who saw him, liked him. Joseph gave him a .sum of six hundred pounds to purchase goods for ' sale. Unfortunately, however Alfred was the type, that would always like to mix up business with pleasure. Thus, while on tour, he might spend many days, purposely for pleasure and out of the money given to him for trade. Upon returning, he would tell every amount of lies, to his master, as to the cause of his delay.. The' experienced Joseph, then told him, that it would be proper foolishness, to keep on waiting his youth. H e further maintained, that it would not be advisable, for a . person to reap where he did not sow. Alfred did not care a bit. . ..After. some length of time, he was given money to be his own For that, a collective sum of three hundred pounds. was given out, jointly by hi3 parents and master. �He was very . rascal and so, could nor control the money. He was simply trying tn practise, what cleverness, !e had never przctised. The whole thing was then a loss to him. Even though the position was like that, yet Alfred thought it wise, to follow up his mates in marrying, as most of them had done so by Christmas. He actually did so. But in many cases, people hold that it is not the journey to Lagos that matters most, but the return from that town, which is considered to be one of the most difficult things. Alfred's wife, then ask for two shillings from him and with that, she began a trade in cassava. Gradualy, she prospered. Alfred himself, b-gan to grow very lazy. He was not able to continue his trade and slept very much, every day. He went very late to the m a r k t and of coruse, lavished his money on cigarattes and wine. Also, he kept on buying very costly clothes, until his money got finished. He was getting t o be good for nothing, when he was employed by the Council. A dog does not of course, leave its tail and so, Alfred, instead of working hard, continued to drink, during business hours. He was �soon 'dismissed and so, the next thing he did, was to assist his wife in peeling cassava for garri. His friends met him doing that one day, inspiie of the vain attempts made by his wife, to stop them. That was, when they called in, to ask him to go to meeting with them. He was greatly ashamed. But, it was no person's fault. For, Alfred was the cause- of his own ruin. The wife had gained control over him. Yes ! That is why, ,every man should try very much in his business. For, business should come first, before pleasure. AN ADVICE TO -YOUNGMEN It is indeed very necessary, for a youngman to be kery careful in w h a t e v e r he does, to get money. For, there is nothing as bad as a youngman, waisting his time. That is, instead of going to the market or work place when it is time to do so, he gets along, hunting for where to get palm wine, especially the overnight type, play Ludo . game or draught. As a matter or fact, it is not that these are not good. But, e v e r y t b i n g has its own . time. Therefore. indulging in them, ' �when the time is odd; is not advisable.3or such can bring about, misery, which will make a wife despise her own husband. There are many poor men, whose wives ought not despise them. For, nothing should happen, without a cause. The first is the type, that gets into that state, because of sickness. Another, is that, which is brought about by thteves, stealing or cheating or even clearing entirely, a man's goods. Also, some men become poor, through various type ot troubles, which might befall a man in this world. Any woman, who despises her husband, because of these, is surely violating the laws of marriage. Again, it is not good, for a youngman to make it a point, to go m d steal money or , play " way0 " so as to make his wife love or respect him the more. For, this is nothing but sort of commiting sin. MY HUSBAND DOESN'T LOVE ME Somebody who d o e s .bad, especially to her husband, will be surprised to find out, that she has actually cheated her own self. That was what happened when a certain lady met a native doctor and asked him to prepare a charm for her to make the husband, love her the more. �.The native.: doc!or, mas. not at all truthful .and .so, gave a .poison to the lady instead. She used it. in the food of hcr husband and the man caught tubrrculosk. Finally, he dicd. Mr. John bought the house a month later and sacked her k o ~ nit. Thus, the wolnitn. begin to suffer and then, came.to reialise, what she had done to herself. For; 'if 'a house does not fall on a widow, she .. may not easily know, that a married woman. stands a better chance.' Question : Is it neccsery for a woman, to be 'truthful to thc husland? Answer : Yes ! .It is quite necessary. For, it is through this, the .husband will know more about .the character of his wife. Apart from that, truthtelling, keeps the conscience at ease. WHAT CAN I DO WITH A WOMAN'S DECISION? The next, is about one man who felt that he could :not do anything useful, with the decision of a woman. .He ' was'quite careless and would not for anything sake, pay heed, to the pIeces of advice or warning, �given. .to him b y his.- Wife. It was for 'thaf"&ke, that trouble often' came up .in the fami!y. (Ejimke iishing against his wife Nkemakolam) The proverb, "one good turn, deserves. another,' 13 �is well justified. Yes. for when this is kept to, things would be normal. The wife whose name was Nkemakolam had a child called Chidubem. Nkemakolam tried all her best to get the husband pleased, but he would not. He did not like tc entertain visitors or even welcome them. There was no love in the family. Ejimke, the husband, was one day encountered by wayorists who told h m to bring three hundred pounds and have one i k ousand five hundred pounds, produced for him. The wife aarneci. But Ire would not pay heed ai d so, w:s out in th:: company of the gttmbiers. u .o ~:stru.:tcd him ,.o get an iron box, into whrcn tfe money would bt: put by the river god after szcrifices with a white goat, white hen and a white cloth, had been made. - Ejimke, had exhausted all his money and even borrowed some amount from friends. In the end t t e money was not got. The whole thing was a fake business. He grew very sad. His Child met him and asked what was the matter, he simply replied, that he should go and meet her mother. �(Nkcmakolam and her cldld Chidubem) The mother told Chidubem to leave up the matter and go to School. That of course, was the end of Ejklke. Later on. his son got scholarship and wmt rtn.! siudi:d Medicine Overseas, for eight years. �Upon his return, the mother who was still alive, was very happy indeed. ~e married, got childre2 and lived happily. And the father left their home and got lost like a sheep without a shepherd Qoestioa: Does a woman satisfy a wicked man? Answer: No, the day the wife does a good thing, that will be .the worst day for the man. Such husbands are never satisfied. It is very important for an unmarried lady to pray so that she will not be married to such men that are never satisfied. That God will give her the right husband. He has prepared for her and that the two will sit down and decide what to do. If it is man, that God will give him the right wife and the two will agree and they live happily. THE UNWISE COUPLE Some p e o p l e may say t h a t t h e y do . �not like to marry, becouse women are trmblesome. This is not wise. For, everything dcp:nds upon how a mat: p l a y his own card There was a man cal!ed Udxhuku He niarried Nwaobiora. Within the first week of their o marriage. Udechuku began : weep hirterly. NO person knew the real cause for that. The next thing heard, was his quest for the money he paid as bride-price. The inlaws themelves were surprised. One fun in the whole affair, was that he did these thicgs outside the kn~wledge of his wife, who kept on doing all she could, to keep him happy. When Nwaobiora discovered what was going on, she was very angry and so, decided not t o marry for life. She lived the life of a spinster and suffered greatly from the hands of ruffians, small boys who could not have been able to talk to her if she was still in her husband's house and, other sorts of low ranked people, who in some cases, abused and threatened t o beat her, even after using dirty words on her. - So now, it can easily be seen by e v e r y person and 3 1s o approvcd of, that n wom:tn's �pride, is her husband. When a husband misbehaves, the wife gets ashamed and degraded. But when the husband lives up to expectation, the wife is proud and she is right to do so. DO WOMEN KNOW THAT MONEY IS HARD ? People often say that women d o not know, that money is hard to get. This is actually a pity. AS a woman is the writer of this, she would by all means, feel that much thought should be given to the saying. There is no doubt, that some men are the real cause of it. For, they, while going ' 0 woo a woman, go to borrow about ten pounds, which they would use in sewing a suit. This of course, to persuade a woman, to decietfully think that they are wealthy. Further, they purchase about five pounds worth of a pair of spectacles and ten guineas worth of wrist watch. A very costly hat, would also be bought, to match. The nest may be the purchase of a scooter, even on hire purchace. Upon reaching the house of the prospective inlaws, it would appear as if his money were made up of �cash.;:.Well t h e'n;. there is no a x g u m e n t in ;. The man scooter the saying that, "No person would spit o t sugar, u put in his or her own mouth". �He may then go to write a letter of this type:"Joe's Mansion, P. 0. BOX 2914, Onitsha. 1st September 1960. My dear Cecilia, I am writing this to enquire first of all, about your present condition of healtb, together with that of your parents. Infact, neither tongue, nor words, can express the deep love, I have on you. Believe me dear, I cannot afford to miss you. You may be sorry to hear that my lorry that runs from Onitsha to Sokoto collieded on its way on Saturday last week. Do not worry.'For, that is nothing to me. There is still money, t o get into. the factory a brand new one. even today and I hare three youngmen trading for me now'at Lagos and it is sure, that they will be of great help to me, in the recovery of it. �Fdrget-ail--about it -however ano reply early, so. as to %able me know that you actually rkeiyed. it. Yours Lovingly, Joe. 'In time, Cecilia received the .letter and replied thus:"Central School, Ugiri. My dear Joe, 3rd -September, 1960.. I have received your letter.. I . hope. that you are i n good health. At any rate; I have leatnt of how your lorry.was involved in -an accident. May I know from you, when you . will come to . O U place - again. 1 earnestly expect you; For, .it will be a joy to me, for ..us. t o be .tied up,. .as a husband and wife. SO please, try to come again. DO, .send me some money, so that I can purchase certain . . . things that' I "nicd most. 1'. dd not think,that .. there i# anything, .that iii! .our getting marfled. ' ~ �I..... am. Y O U I:. ~~ncerely,.. ~ Cecilia?. .Here .,now, -haye k e n seen, one letter from ', . . . a man and another from a lady. What can easily ..- . t e understood is this, a mere assumption Infact, a ::vain one. N6.-'monev. :nc clothes-and no lorry. Yet, he would go to 'play politics in order.' to &wive a .lady.. I n the end, she agrees to marry the man.. . ; Convinci~~g parents, who finally agree, Loth her of them. marry and gc, to ti c man's house to live. one day, ... tbe man went to the .marlid and bought some clothes . of .twenty pounds. .in . .value, and ...... . . &Lo, begaw .to'.give a sum of ten .pounds per diem . & rhe.:wife; :.zis:chop nidti'ey:'. Joy* and noihinR but T rhii?, filled the mind: of theywife.Blit:sh&'did not he manhad ~ d u c e d .,the chop money . t o five. shillings. .The wife ;was (no longer pleased;.:Uithin . . . . a,., . short. .time, the.,graph descended. t.o two ..shiilings. and six peke. For, the man was tunning broke �> . . . . ,.?. .:$he?$if4'. oh! Bkt ,a&. part,..&odd-te8p&igf&, &&kt:.t&ci man7:bega&, give!';wn ;'$Kiltin& it6-rWer to;.:, as chop money.:;-Jhiti.:- later er: ?.an,be red?=$- b,t.0 ., give five shillings and then, to two shillings andsix pence. , : ,- .,.4: ..,, ,, �AN - ADVICE FOR ALL It is not advisable for a man to go about borrowing money and assuming that he is rich, only to convince a lady to have a very high opinion of his own person. This is nothing short of self-deceit It is not to marry a wife, that is the problem, But it is the maintenance. In short, it will be highly appreciable, for a small man, to present himself as such, before his wife. She then, can know exactly, bow best to make the estimates for feeding. much of course, to the conveoience of the husband, who is the breadwinner. Troubles will cease. Happiness will reign and marriage life, will be enjoyed. AID TO MARRIAGE LIFE In the main. marriage is a thing. quite sacred and sanctioned by even God himself. It is a scrt of unity. between a mln and a woman different parentage, that finally brings them to a state of brotber and sister. In many cases. the husband is the breadwinner and pilar of the fami!y, while the wife is the care-taker. �It does .,not. neoessarily matter, what might bc the rank of a " husband. When once a lady is attkcbed' to him as a wife, she is well respected. The next is, the question of peaceful living. This point, of course, seems a bit controversial in nature. For, it might be either from the husband or the wife. There are some men, who make themselves, difficult to understand. In fact, they always would like their wives to fear them. But, this is a type of motive. based upon some misdirected intentions. Truely, men who are feared. seldom do well. It would be far betttr, to be respected, than to' be feared. A man who is feared, can neither satisfy any person 'nor even be ,satisfied, himself. Thus, life shifts gently, from the atmosphere of gaiety, to that of melancholy. A husband who renders himself quite understandable to his wife, finds things easier and safe. Unlike the difficult charactered man. he lives happily and considers points with his wife in matters of mayor significance. ' More often their husbands, veniences, That would like to than not, m a n y wives extricate from the ghas.:ly hands of idconis of course, where the men give p r i o r i t y t o " t h e pieces �of advice, given to them, by such women. .The joy experienced, in a f a m i l y, .is .but a gift of God. This is evidenced . by the series of complaints,'. 'got' from some. men. . who keep on feeling that they are always worried by their2;wives. Yes, it takes time,' for one to .see. one's own faults. HAPPY LlVING Okpaku was the name of a certian woman, . . married to Nnaji. She was barren' and so, always felt. sorry .for . her situation..:. B u t..she could not help it, since, the question of getting a . child, cannot be' solved by any amcunt ,of fotce. Really. true 'love existed -between her and her husband;. . . . . Instead of abusing his wife,, as some .men do, he kept on comforting her and then, making her .. . . .to-feal hippy at home. ~ k ' f ~ r t h went to the extent er of telling her, that one 'day, God would, give them ,a chiid. Together therefore, both of 'them lived 'ljeacefully. .She was proud of her husband and so, did not look left or right. �No .. .other-man,-.was.. as dear.:.t.o:her, . as her own '.......; .. . . . . hu8bGkd ...lone. day, . some ..people met the 'husband . . . . . . . . . . . ..; 'and.asked...him to sack his wifl, as they said that ........... .. she was, not of any use.. But,.. he refused. Some ... women,. . .advised, the. lady - t o run away from her ....... . husband . . . . . . .and if possible, remain as a free-woman, so that she- might through a stroke of luck, get a child; :But she refused. 'It did not take long however, before they had twin born babies. So then, where there is love between a husband and his wife, much improvement,. is expected. The wife will respect her husband, very well and no other p e r s on, will hear their discussions, either sweet or bitter. ADVICE FOR SOME WOMEN WHO THINK, THAT FARMING WORK IS PUNISHMENT. . . , ., ow" ' cpi&on,' 'is it cot those who were In rich i n the :olden : days were rich farmer, ? Most of-them were very' energetic and could work out .the money for the training 'of their children up to . . Doctors :and Lawyers; So farming 'should not be neglected in. this .our present generation. If your �husband. tells you ; Dear'' you shall go home and do...~oni~ farming. .~lease'.donot say that.fie:wishes tb . puriisli you, :for i4r&ng .is .no .:.p u ~ i i h d ~ n It t; is when: :he has 'his own iliterest, we o u g h t to make or teach' our children how to farm for no one can live without food and also no one knows tomorrcw ; things may change at any time. So it is' better 'for some one to know how to farm. Do not be affended because you are told to go to farm. Let no woman boast that her father is a chief and her father has money. No c h i e f can rule without some food in his stomach. ~ o n ' tyou know that a Imngry man sees very far? How can we now neglect farming ? ADVICE TO ALL MEN Our older people say; when right hand washes left hand, let left hand wash right hand. Yo:l ought to help wives and be sympathetic with them. Most of our men are very rich, i t dosen't mean as. I have stated here that women are. su~posed go -to farm; you ought not take ..to farm work a s a punishment o n your wives. �ADVICE FOR YOUNG LADlES Whatever might be the rank of any woman, she ought not forget that her pride is her husband. He may be rich or poor. But he should not be neglected. For, it is on him, that the respect of the woman lies. Obedience to the husband's instructions, gives pleasure and helps in the unity of the members of a family. Women who think that lodging in the hotels and cheating men of their money, ought to rcmmember, that the time shall come, when they will no longer do that. For, by then, things will change greatly and they will be forced by age, to go home and become useless. There is nothing sweeter or more bitter than marriage. However. it depends upon how a man and his wife. may like to hve. If happily and in peace, then, there will be joy. But if unhappily and in pieces, then it is their fault. THE END. ���- CENTRAL Q t I W N G PRESS; &a 3 Mcorr Street, 9 . . , , d h r . ,. - .~ - P 0. 60x . ,. 225, a Nigeria. m i � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A woman's pride is her husband Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Akaosa, Chinwe Stephen, Felix N. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : obtainable from Mrs. P.E. Unaigwe Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1962? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3268 Description An account of the resource Although this is one of only a few pamphlets written by a woman, this edition of '<em>A Woman's Pride is Her Husband</em>' probably from 1962, was "revised and enlarged" by Felix N. Stephen, another popular and prolific pamphlet author. This situation raises the question of true authorship, for the title of the pamphlet suggests that the writer is, and should be, a woman. Yet the pamphlet's style is consistent with Stephen's, and he is listed with "Mrs. Chinwe Akaosa," on the title page.<br /><br />In the preface, Stephen describes the original author as "a Nigerian married woman" who "originally launched out" ideas "in the difficult issue of marriage," (pg.2). Her name is not given in the preface, and there is a distinct lack of details about her. The Onitsha pamphlets often include photographs of authors or publishers, but none are provided with this work. Perhaps Chinwe Akaosa is a fictitious author, for no other pamphlets are attributed to Akosa. It is likely that Stephen, (a pseudonym for Nathan O. Njoku),described as a "Free Lance Journalist" on the title page, is responsible for much of the content here.<br /><br />This pamphlet makes interesting claims about gender roles in 1960s Nigeria, including the opening statement, "Obedience is a charm for marriage life," (pg.3). Much of the material is similar to American publications from the 1950s that provide advice to ensure a happy home from the likes of Betty Crocker. The pamphlet argues that a marriage to an unloving husband is better than the plight of a widow, for example. A section of the pamphlet that begins on page 8 notes that "A Lazy Man is Mastered by His Wife." And Stephen plays with the pamphlet's title, <em>A Woman's Pride is Her Husband</em>, when he states in the preface that he is "proud of the alertness of Nigerians, both male and female, in all fields, these days," (pg.2). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/7b79e37048d3ce616e0099611ae98e18.pdf daf2fb980400b66b672ead521dc041bd PDF Text Text ELEKERE AGWO. md lv E NJS. Reu, Enugu. t e P l k 3s . ��PRINTED BY O M A PRESS & BOOKSHOP OWERRI/ONITHSA ROAD, AWO-OMAMMA-ORLU, First Edition, July, 1964. All Right Reserved. ��ELEKERE AGWO: THE ,QUACK DOCTOR Bad manners and other incorrigible incivility shown to some patients by some doctors' assistants &iid some hospital staff ; the long waiting before a atient could see a doctor, the grossly inadequate medical acilities in some hospitals, all these, and more, conspired to push an honest but otherwise busy-bee Okondu into the hands of mercenary q u a c k s typified by Sunday, and into honorary ignorant quackery. P Okondu's oonfrontation with Dr. Jika's wife at the doctor's d o o r almost made the elstwhile law-abi3ing Okondu literally run amuck with injection-syringe and hypodern~ic needless, indiscretely administering cheap but highly poisonous arsenic-containing Acetylarsan injections lo his first wife and his only son, Bomboy. Okondu learnt the lesson of the disastrous consequences of illegal injection so well by heart that his first wife, the never very over-friendly Ola, who actually pushed Okondu into meddling with illicit drug deals, was so hard-hit by the poisoning effects of the injection on herself and her boy, that, despite her inveterate d i s 1 i k e of orthodox medicine and all it stands for, she was forced, by circumstances beyond her control, to add a belief in the doctors as one of her litany of other credoea. - - - �ELEICEKE .: ACWO: THE QUACK DOCTOR. ' . . Phaim), . D. NKEM AKUNEME, BSc. (B. Ph.c,, M. P. S., M. R. S . H. . etc. . .. , . ? - To Elizar, my ever dutiful and loving wife. COPYRIGHT. 1964. BY D. NKEM AKUNEME. .. FIRST; PUBLISHED . . D. IN EASTERN NIGERIA .. IN . . :. 1961 N. AKUNEMC AWO-OMAMMA. Printed in Nigeria by OMA PRINTING PRESS, AWO-OMAMMA MSTERN NIGERIA. �.. . ELEKERE -AGWO: THE . . ... . . -- QUACK DOCTOR. Kpoi ! kpoi ! kpoi ! tapped 0kondu at Dr. Jika's closed door with the bent end of his walking stick. "Who is that?" asked Mma, the doctor's wife from within; Kpoi l Kpoi ! Kpoi l , continued Okondu, paying little or no heed to the !who is that' posed Rom .within by the Dr's wife. 'Who is that, I say 7' repeated Mma from within, a bit angrily as she heaved herself up from the sofa, her big beefy, bullying body swaying lazily obliquely as .she got up making for the door. 'Who is that knocking at my door?' Okondu . continued with his kpoi, kpoi. kpoi. without uttering as much as a word in reply. The do& opended wide quite abruptly. hlma had expected to see a familiar figure who wanted to tease her deliberately by such irritating knocks at.hcr door; she had, at the very least, expected to see a country squire, the type whore regular but resourceful visits help to keep private medical practitioners going financially; she had hoped to confront a respectable but apparently prosporous lawyer in an evening suit with a top hat on his head and a brief-ease in the lift hand and an umbrella or a walking stick in the right hand. The human animal she saw at her door irritated her all the more because he put on a kharki knicker and a kharki shirt, with nothing on the head and feet. 'Did you hear me ask 'who is that' from wtthin' demanded Mma. Yes. I heard you fine, fine', replied Okondu. 'And why didn't you say a word ? 'If I told you who I war, which was what you asked for, you would not know. as I have neither been here before nor have we met anywhere. Moreover, unles you are one of those who are g n I tuitously afraid of their own shadows in broad day-l~ghf, do not see any reason why you should not have opened the door s~lently to find for yourself who it was that was knocking at the door. 'Don't talk to the doctor's wife like that, or else I turn . you out of this here place' soaped the doctor's wife. . . 5 �'Look here, 'Mrs doctor's wife' I haven't 'come here to be If you don't behave, i. 'il he p~infully ist&GiiX k fell rdii ttiii '& i I have two women in my house who can be said to be your betters in some way. If I set them after you, you will be forced to learn the one lesson you now seem to forget, namely, tbat the fact that you are a doctor's wife will not help you when it comes to a trial of streneth-between a man and a woman or between a w o m a n and two women. - Dr Njika'r beefy wlfe up-braldlng Mazl Okondu for hlr irrltatlng knocks at the Dr's door. 6 �Mma was so stung by the impudence and brazen audacious outspokenness of this 'all Kharki intruder' that she slammed the door against Okondu without. any t y p e of feelingness as. to what might.become of Okondu's indisposition which brought him to the doctor's house. .. .. Seeing he had been locked-out by a mare woman, a woman who called herself a medical OWcer's wife, a fat lump of thoughtless edible meat, Okondu went straight home; his serious toothache which brought him to the doctor seemed to have been effectively, if temporarily, drowned under the mental agony that now teok absolute posscssionof him; His appearance so altered with what he called "a disappointing sub-human deal' that his acquaintances would h a v e taken him for his fwenty years older double self. Okondu went directly intq his room. He banged the door behind him.. I t s terrific impact brought Ekcmma, the second wife, post-haste onto the 'spot., 'Ohu' sighed Eke. 'I thought the walls had fallen in. .I..don9t lmow you are in, dim (my hubby) ;What are you, doing in-doors at .. , this busy hour of the day ?' 'Leave me alone. leave h e alone, Ekes, said Okondu rather harshily. I don't want to see any one now; leave me alune, leave me alone'. For a time, Eke was a bit confused. She could not instantly account for this unusually abropt manner of her normally gentlc-behavcd husband. Ekemma knew that her husband was almost always in good company with wine and spirits as long as the wind-pipe is quite capable of draining them down. So, she hurried into the cellar. filled a wine glass with 'Our -Homo Made -stuff (illicit gin), OHMS, Akweteshi and as quickly hurried back to Okondu's room. - - 'Here' that's a drink for you' dim.' '. 'What drink is that? Whose is it? Where did you get i' t ? Okonju in the . most unco-operative undertpne. 'It, is the usual stuff; it is for you; I got it expla'ned Eke most affectionately. querried f f.o m the cellar' . �You womm" I am spitefully disgusted with your generation. M~ke sure you haven't finished the wine in the cellar under the pretext of doing me some kind service. You clever dangerously kind women. N o man ever knows where he exactly is with you I I don't want any drink from you, and make sure that tho bottles in the cellar were as full when I left them as they were after your unauthorised visit. Otherwise, you will tell me whether Iam marrylng you o r you are marrying me". Eke returned the wine from the g1as.s into the bottle. clrefully pouring i t in so as not t o drop any; in a way, thankful t o the urgency of the situation which made her fill the glass in the f i ~ instant without t tasting the contents. On the other hand, this painful experience provoked a series of conflicting reactions in her mind. Eke felt hurt by this shabby treatment from her husband who had grossly misunderstood her honest intention. A t the same time she 1neffe:tlvely tried t o blame herself for not finding out, first, what was actually wrong with her hubby before trying her hand at the unrealistic experimant of drowning one's sorrows in a pool o f alcohdic drink rather than l>>k t h e difficult situation squarely i n the face. Ultimately. the insecure and over-conscious Ekebeing ohly a second wife and childless sank into sad moodiness which always immediately follows painful expzriences of this kind in excitable permonalititles of Ekemma's type. Ola, the head-wife came In frsm the local market. A the bass of s Okondu's mannor, she Is also the s>le braln behind her hxband's successful trading. "Where is di-anyi (our husband) ? "asked Ola. *' He is in his room' replied Eke, the junior wife. "What is he doing there at this time of the eveninx?. -You go and find the answar your self'', snapped Eke. Ekemma's curt reply sent Ola hartenlng t o Okondu's room. The full six-foot of his slim figure was badly arrangzd on the bed. H e dldn't care, two- ence, how wide apart the legs were thrown, almost touching the dusty loor; the hands werespread side-ways. Okondu lay flat on his back with the limbs flung any-how side-ways as i f he were begging t o be nailed t o the cross. f �'.What Is the matter, what is the matter, dim'?" requested Ola. Okondu opened his eyes, closed his open mouth. and collected his legs and looked Ola straight in her colourless crystal clear irresistible eyes, stretching his arms like a child welcoming its mother home after a day's absence from the home. Ola slumped into his empty hairy breast, threw her arms around Okondu's neck and waist and lift ed him up, up, into her laps. "What is wrong with you ? Have you lost any thing ? Have you been fighting with any body? Tell me' Tell me* Has Eke given you a wee bit of her venomous tongue?askedOla without waiting for an answer. Okondu opened h i s mouth but could not speak for w a n t of words. His wits seemed t o have deserted him. "S~cakt o me darling. As your first wife. I have a right t o share o in your distress. I am bound more as a duty than as a help t do my best for you at ail times. Come on, dim, speak t o me" A t last. Okondu overcame the bz-witching mental distress and spoke: "Nwunyem. (my wife), I have seen my ears for the first time in my life without the aid of a mirror: that compact mass who calls herself Dr Jika's wife, had not only prevented me from seeing the doctor but had gone t o the unbearable extent o slamming their door f against my face, all because 1 refused t o say a word when she dewas knocking at manded from behind a clwed door t o know w h ~ her door." "is that all" asked Oia most serenely. "Leave it t o me to deal with the doctor's wife. But, don't you think that it is irreverent t o talk of a doctor's wife as a 'compact mass? What you males contemptuously refer t o as compact mass, is t o us, ladies, an evidence of good living, some thing t o be proud of. �By the way, have J not told youdozens of times befors, not to rush t~ tho doctors with the minutest physical - . discomf tux? Mrs. O k n d u N o l slumped herself helplessly Into husband's hairy breast and tried to lift him up from bed. her �. :.You waste.your. time; you exhaust ~o~r.patiende'b~.&:long.wait~ ing and .at- times end.up <withgetting noth~ngfor yoiu.piks:except i . . a heart ache and a. heavy bill. No trader. likes .burning hm. candle . . . from:both extremities.' . . . . .. .. ,;;,. . , . . . . . . ., 'Biit tha?i:'dbctors' .job: they make a living b y treating"pa3s and diseases' reported .Okondu. :'.,'..ST,.. . .: . '; . . "Yes, but tKey a & not, thd odj.:ones that do. this.' Do you remember that:time . .you injured :your.. leg:,by"b.icyclc accident? . . . . . . . . . . . ....... *Yes, quite .vividly" .. . . . 'What did 'you db;' . . . . .And 'so, what1 -. 'What did you, do, I asked? shouted Ola. .. . . . .. .. .. . .Oh yes, Ola, I weit to ~ro:~unda~;.who dress2 the wdutld and tendec! it until it .healed'. repl.ied <Okondu. . . . . . . - ~ , ' ' , 'Why. then, .didn't you gd.to.'Sunday with your. toothache? Don't you know that every hospital staff takes special delight at doctoring patients privately .for . small.cbarge and quicker:attention?' a .. .... .. . ... .... . . .. . . 'I' don'tiknow about that. Wise ,people do not use the same instrument for:the eye 'as they use f o r t h e ear:.physical.injury isnot the same thing as toothache. .Moreover, the hospital belongs to the . . . doctors, a n d I don't see how I can be bhmed for-gohg 'to-thedoctor .. , :;. .. . . . . . with my toothacW- .- .-'. . , . . .a *Yes. you .are wise;. you always :l$~ow. what.toG when you say find yourself in.a right corner. Yo,= ca.n go h a ~ k .to..Dr. 4ka's b o y s if.you likc, you'might 'come bact this time wtth a'pocker in your head. and make sure you:don't.wmplain aloud.pr .flop into your bed. like .and .an .empty.. bag' . admonished Ola, iron~cally, .. . . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . -. . ,,'Okay 1. Okay !:You, win 1. I.shall. go to;~.Sunday.after.. dinner. .' . Since Ok&du0s 'bic$Ae wo&d'lie&d"hi had hot i ~ & h t 'it fit to.see Sunday .to expresshis thanks, . I t wasatheshame .of.this typical ..... ...... ingratitude of many a Nigerian former pat!ent that actually drqve . . ............. him to the doctor's house. �A trader of Okondu's calibre. who needs every minute of his tlme. knows exactly what .waste of time it was t o attend t o hospital o r tti .doctor's private .surgery; Okondu knew this very well before he opted t o go to D r Jlka. He had now learned his lessons too well by heart. This time he was determined t o patch things up with Sunday. So, h e collected t w o fat. yams, one big Rode-Island .cock, a calabash 'of 'upper wine' and two bottles of Beck:$ Beer. and made basketful wit', the bally-lot which he tied securely with bambo-rope onto the back ,carriage of his ever-green Raleidh bicycle. H e , ran a shorr distance with. the bike still by his side; then, with the left foot on. the' pedal. he deftly took the right-leg over the basket, falling. bang on t o th:! ricketty seat of his ageing ever-green Ralelgh. Off he went t o Sunday's. .cycling through badly-kept r o a d r, with b u m p s a n d pot-ho!es here and there, now dodging loosr, unfettered goats, now dodging fowls, and then, confronting obstinate ducks and ducklings which refused t o give way, inspite of Okondu's frenzied bell ringing. .: .. A t the enteranci t o Bro-Sunday's houri. 'Oko"du rang' his cycle .:bell .rathe? more enthtisiastically.. . 'Hello stranger' sh&ted sunday, peeping out of his narrow un.dressed.window. *You are doubly welcome; come rlght in' .. , . . Sunday..who had seen the basketful of provisions on the bike, rushtd out t o help his guest lean the bike on the rough mud-wall of his weather.beaten,. grass-thatched..:shsnty which passed for a,dwelling house, almost crumbllng under.the heavy. regular, torrential rains. 'Sit. down.strang&, . said .Sunday, showing Okondu to an easychair without a cushion in it. 'Make yourself comfy'. .'The furniture in the bed-sitting room was rather minimal: a bambdb bed with very dirty aimy-mosquito net pitched on the bdmbob . . pillars; a dirty .Oclianla, the'niade-at-Onlbha type o f bush' lamp. rest. . . . .. , Ing on an equally dusiy wooden table; cushionless settee, an easy-chair, two'flre-sue chairs made:bf cheaieit:wood. There was evidence o f pennilessness and want littered all .over thedusty room. Yet, Sunday, . . an ebull1entSunda)5: Smarty 'Sunny- Boy, would not, for ali the world. . . ... . . .. admit chit gianbi& hdd 'pasied 'him by. �- His green Raleigh, his black su2, his sharppointed suede shoes and his setee, are symbols of up to date living which made Sunday feel and talk big in s o c i a 1 circles. As a stunch believar in out ward appearances, Sunday placed greatest premium in the stuff on him arguing within himself, that only very few ofthose society figures with whom he hob-nobbed, would ever care to come to his house. .To those who mct him. out doors, Sunday is the man, the perfectly dressed man, the typical modern man. But to those who knew him up to his shanty. Sunday was rock-bottom in the scale of pre-eminence, outward appearances notwithstanding. - - - 'Now, then, Mazi Okondu, what can I do for you?' said Sunday, patting his guest sharply on the back. 'I h o p you haven't come to ask me to escort you to a third father in-law? You men in the money are making women scarce. and brides priec prohibitive, for poor us, by amassing as mmy women as you can pay for' - - '*You have seen me for a very long distance, Sunny Boy; I already have a wife too many. You can have Ekemmb for the asking", replied Okondu. 'My purpose of coming to you is three-fold. dear Sunday. A lame dog hardly fwgets those who helped tt over the tiles. In the first place. I want to thank you, pract~cally, with this basket ful ef provisions lor the medicdl aids you have hitherto rendered to me and my family. Secondly may I thank you in advance for the services you may render. to us in future. And lastly, I have brought same complaints wh~chI hope you will be able to look into with your proverbial kind resourcefulness". - 'No mention' h1az.i Okondu. I am always at your service' replied Sunday, smilingly. Okondu presented the b a 5 k.e t of gifts. Sunday accepted them with utmost pleasure. It was nearing the end of the month when Civil servants of Sunday's grade find it extremely difficult to make both ends meet.. To Sunday, the unexpected present was a wondaful lift over the domestic hurdles. �*'I .have a.nasty nagging tooth-ache which seems to have cut deep into the nerve-root of my very existence The quickest relief is what I want; I don't mind the cost" said Okondu. 'Just a minute' replied SunnyBoy Sunday went out of the room into the compound; looked, carsfuly round, to make sure that no b?dy wzs whtching him; then hz dug out from the bosom of t h e.aa;th a rusty c i g 3 r e t t e cup Sunday, the Ward-Servant 'doctor' digging ont his injection-giving parapheruilia from the earth in the field neer his house. 14 �containing an all-glass injection syringe with a central nozzle, two hig5ly-tarnished hypodermic needles ,with blunt :tips, a bottle of 0.3 mega units of procaine penicillin and some water for injection. It was necessary t a hide these things somewhere outside Sunday's room. In the Hospital where Sunday was working as a ward-servant, drug pilfering was a popular pastime and houses of hospital workers were regularly searched by the police. To find such injection materials i n Sunday's flat could land him Into jail, or into considerable fine which he could not afford. Sunday shook off the dust from the cigarette tin and carried it hurriedly across the field into his room where Okondu was waiting anxiously to know what Sunny-Boy was up to over the field, for. Okondu observed Sunday, through the window, digging in the field like the nativc-doctor looking for the burial place of harmful jujuchlrms. or for drug roots for a decoction therapy. "Here, I will give you what we hossital men call 'short-gun' injxtion. It is the best in the market. Doctors will charge yo= a life's saving to prescribe it for you. Pharmacists will charge even for the container which you are sure to throw away after use. Yet yon will get it from nre for a mere 15 shillings: but because of the gifts yon brought me I can accept St-. "Never mind, Sunday. I will pay your bill in full; "health fistn Okondu put his hand into the inner breast-pocket of his kharki shirt and brought out a rumpled leather purse containing a bundle of miscellanious currency notes. He turned through tho notes, drawing out a ten-shilling one. , " Here, Sunday, I will give you the remaining 51- in a minute". Disging his fingers into the front pocket of his kharki knicker. he brought a handful of loose coins. of varied denominations, and placed them into his palm. selecting enough of the combination to make up 51- which he handed to Sunday. Sunday watched the cerernbny quite interestedly, wishing he had asked for more. �Okondu got a dab of clove oil on the aching tooth togcthsr with. nins packets of A. P. C. ons of w'Jich he was instructed to take thrice! daily. The toothache disappeared with quickness with which hung* vanishes after a good feed. F. "Tell me Sunny-by, where, how, and from whom you learned the art of injection-giving. I am very mxch interested. If I know how fp give injections, then I would not 10s: my appetite if the bally-lot qf: . . doctors and their money-thirsty aides went to blazes en-masse". 4. il "What you want to know, Mazi Okondu, is an easy mattar but a long story. Nothin2 is hidden under the sun to those who could use their e y s and brains properly. I learntd the art of healing b8 watching doctors and nurses in the wards through spending a great& plrt of my warking tims with the patisnts discussing their diseases and their treatment; part of my time is spent in the dispensary observing every move of the dispensary staff under tho pretexl of waiting to collect drugs for my ward. If you are serious a b m t becoming 'doctor' by being able t o give injections, Mazi Okondu, you m u s-t h w e to undergo a course of apprenticeship with me, after payins a l ! or part of a prescribed tuition fee, added Sunday. "Just t-ll m what your charge is, and leave the rest to me " : said Okondu. .. "My charge is fair and whst you can readily pay. I will take a m x e £15. I hope that isn't much ! The charge includes the cost of teaching you to be a 'doctor'; you will pet a syringe and two hgponeedles as part of bargain at the end of your pupilage. 'What is hypo-ncedle ?' asked Okondu. .. 'You wait and see: wz haven't started the course yet', advised Sunday. 'Here is £5. Sunday; when do we start' 'Well, well, Maai Okondu, I could see you mean b u s i n e s s �Do you know what? I have 'got a good number of patients in a bush village, eight miles from this town. In that village I a m known as 'the doctor'; in fact, the only doctor they know for miles around. I visit the patients every Saturday evening. It is a good 30 minutes leisurely cycling from here. You know. Mazi Okondu, those of us who assume the role of doctors must pretend to behave like doctors. We cannot rush our heads off cycling furiously to the village. We have to take it easy like gentlemen doctors. You want to conle with me this Saturday ?' - 'With all pleasure' replied Okondu. ' See you Saturday at 3 p.m. * 'Chcrio. Sunny-boy; see you Saturday, 3 o'clock'. Okondu rang his cycl? b-ll rather exuberantly as he approached his house. The house-hold rushed forth to welcome him. Also waiting for his arrival was Oka. his trading mate. ' You look quite transformed ', commented Ola, the first wife. 'Tell us all about it. Has Sunday pulled the magic Cord ? Come on dianyi, speak out '. ' You could have met mc half the way to Sunday's if you were all that anxious to know what happcned beforz ever you say welcome to your husband,' remonstrated Okondu. ' Oku! I am just interested in knowiog how you feel after seeing Sunday. At least 1 have a right to know, being solely instrumental to your going to Sunday.' ' Okay. I shall tell you all about it in a 'minute. Meanwhile. I shall better ses Mazi Oka; thereafter, the story of my eventful deals with Sunny-Boy shall be the fruit of our evening meal.' ' Hello Oka 1 what is the news? Come along to my sitting room How was today's marketing '. 'Oh, not so bad, Mazi Okondu ' replied Oka. ' I b to find out why you were not at the market this morn(. hear from your wives about your indisposition. �As:,, for the. market.news, soonest ,:after displaying. o u.r., wares, a bird whispered to me that the rice of Bicycle cigarettes had go* .up by half penny per packet o 20 at Oron 25 miles away. I acte@ quickly and made for Oron by lorry with 60 cartons of 144 .pack?qs which I disposed of within minutes of my arrival. The trip was repeated with tripple theabove quantity. I must admit, Mazi Okondu, that if we have another 'to-day' during the week. w shall not : .have much to eomplain about." f' - The fact of the case was that the cigarette price went up by a penny per packet, not half a penriy as Oks gave Okondu to understand, and that Oka went to Oror. v:th greater quantities of cigarette on each of the two trips. H+ .yas, one of tha many such servants who put up a bungabw of !heir own after serving you for less than two yearn because more i!i.!n half of the profits they make for you went into theid private pockets, in addition to the normal salaries and profit share bonus. - > '\li,Il d&e 'Oka''" remarkid 'Ok'hdi. half we celebrate the day's good takings ? " Okondu filleJ his glass with ' OHMS and another glass for Oka. ' ~ o o d.luck, comrade, 'said 0k;ndu. 'I wish you have said, 'good open' ; no sensible chap would wish his g o d , to 'lock' 'replied Oka in jpcular mood. -1: 'Oh; well. 'good open. Mazi Oka'.. 'Our customers, ''our customers' The two glasses knuokled .with crackling sound. W wish our customers property. long life and. increased needs ; for our services, don't we. Mazi Oka. May their hmds fill with ggld so, that the overflow may be ours to grasp for aye and a day. men'. Amen: - . The ~ibatidnwas poured by the arch-priest of the brief ceiemony Mazi Okondu. 6 1 Oka handed Okcndu the dry's takings nccordhg to his 0 1 account. He left without further ceremonies to conlinue the cerebration;'sdlo, at tlio'Blue Moon Bar from his lion share of the day's d, boon: N * .thaC'Oka had left, Okondu is free to' r:la:e his den13 with Sunday to his wives. �/ . .' . ' "Now, then. Ola. Sunday is the dootor that can treat both blind.ness and lameness. My toothache is now a question of 'was'. It had been charmed away by Sunday's short-gun injection and a dab o f yellowish brown highly centcd stuff. D3 you know, what? continued Okondu. '1 don't know 'what' replied Ola in a more receptive mood. 'I will tell you: I am going to learn to be a 'doctor'. I have fixed every thing with Sunday this coming Saturday. If I can give injections, no member of my family will have any needs to go the doctor' 'Unless hc or she is carried to the doctor uaconscious, you should have added' interrupted Eke, the second wife. 'Elekere Agwo aburo dibia. I will never. be your patient' What Eke was trying to say, in Ibo language, was that he who becomes a doctor by merely spying or understudying a quack doctor can never make a good doctor and that she could not care less abeut being treated by such an unhallowed quack like her husband is qualifying for. To Okondu. Saturday came rather draggingly as if tied, on the back of a mail. Okondu doned his kharki dress promptly at 2.45 p.m. and made away to Sunday's on his green Raleigh being propelled more by th extreme desire to learn lo give injections than by the smooth sail of his trust worthy machine. 'Hello sunday,' ejaculated bkondu as he jumped down his bike in front of Sunday's house. 'Hello Okondu,' riplied Sunday from within. 'You have arrived dead on time. Come right in. l will be ready in a jiffy'. . A s Okondu: .came in, Sunday observed something wrong with .. . ~kondu'sattire. �" I am sorry, Mxi O'mnJu, but you cma3t ,to w!ih me cn my medial :rip In t h u attire. Those o f us who prase hkc dcctcrs must try to Crtss and prttend t.a behave like them, You aLst have t o n puc on your 5 u n d a y &st if you wish t o accompany r c A~othcr reason far Crmsinp pwprriy is that vr?!l-dress=d men arc hardly har: rassed bf i h t *cx:!ipe~ni:.;' po1i:e a rhc conirol-porci. Well.drescd quack @'doct~rs" hard!y harrasrd by '*ca::h-permare ler '' t r a n t p&ce at control pests. - 20 �These police, you know, are yet t o be told that our present day soclety Is dotted here and ;here, robbers in evening suits. with trousered-swindlers and day-light It takes all sorts of people t o make thls world of curs" " I can see what you mean, Sunny-boy" - In next r o no t h e , Okondu was back, finely turned out In hiss - - black and beack with black suede and black felt h a t t o match "that Is It! you are now ready for the Journey." Their first succcrs(ul skip over the hlgh-way hurdle was an easy paraage over the p o k e control post. They were' passed wlth smart salute, so t o say. In fact those of us who suit-up t o the neck. European fashion, or put on the jaunty airs of an arronpmt M. P o r a . ministar in a n ovcr sized agbada, hardly experience t h e frequent discourtesies one comes in ever.lncreauing cmtact within Nlgerla today. When Sunday and Okondu were near half a mile from the vlHage, thsy were met by Jacob. Sundays l o d agent who-collects customer patients f m Sunday for a penny commission for every 21- lnJec:lon-patient he brought t o Sunday. "Duckie Sunday' I wan make I tell you some tln which don p s s from worse to bad' requosterr Jocob, hls deecicated h a n d s trembling: his ccco nut-like h e a d turned down t o disguisa the anxlety In hls fibrous oedrmatous eye-brows lndicatlng probable starvation anaemia. 'Promise, duckle Sunday, you no go let the news wch I wan tell you make you vex' entreated Jacob. 'Go on. J, k. and plpe-up; replled Sunday. 'I am 11 ears'. 1 ''Dan l a s t man wch you glvam Jaklshlon last Soklday. 1' don die." �"Good Lsrd ! y3u Soa'c rnean t o sny tha: J n ; h is d d ; " cx- c l a i n ~ d Sunday. " Yes,'john you see. don die p i o - pro: i f you se& now nihim spirit Every body for rawoon rink say rta de jaLis'.!on killam as nothin de doam before before. 71:e big boys for taweon wan go for repcrt for pclicc. Sunday's so-called ' Short-gun ' illegal injections have sent m n y poor and illiteral: rnortals.to earlier gnvy as exemplified by sorrowful .. sudden death of llvely John after quack injection. 22 �John him brodars want nothin but your head so that they no go renrember their dead brodar whenever de don see you alive with their eyes. N de old people for tawoon na de don save you finish. a Nothin go happen you now" explained Jacob without emotion. The fact of the matter was that after post-mortem deliberations lasting four hours. the villftge elders convinced the youths that it wss futile and a show of ignorance of natural laws, to presecute or prosecute a doctor for the death of any of his patients. The 'grey hairs* araued that mazy ~ a t i t n t cdie ever3 day al! over the world, civilised or not, inspitc of doctors' treatmcntr; many more recover without any treatments. Cousequently. thc dtath or recovery of any patient i s partly an act of the gods and not exclusively the responsibility of the doctors. The elders went so tar in their determination to save Sunday's head thereby preserving the age-long custom of the san-tity of the doctor's position in a society, that they ( theelders ) went to the painful extent o f catalouguing before the youths t h e numter of patients whe h a d b e e n saved by Sunday's short-gun injection. A big welcome awaited Sunday. The mere fact that he ever carre bark t o the village was enough t o convince t h e remaining doubtinpthomases that he meant well. since the wicked have known to :tart to run when no one was pursuing then. The tragic truth about John's sudden death was that John should not have been dead. were it not for the injection Sunday gave him. John, lively ebullient John, did not, in actual fact need any injection as he had, for years not shown any sign of illness. People even thought that John was so vivaciously mobile thet death would have a task over- taking him. �The injection was cheap at 21-. Sunday had promised that it could hake some one work physically hard f o r hours on end, prospects Which late John found irresistible indeed. The injection Sunday gave was a 3 gramme ampoule of multidose N.A.B. dissolved in heavily contaminated w a t e r containi ig debris, motile organisms, and abundant visible evidence of its unsui'tability as injection s o l u t i o n. The multi-dose ampoule Ha; meant for five to ten pa!ients. Yet Sunday gave it all to John out of sheer ignorance of right dossages of drugs. The water "red by Sunday in dissolving the N.A.B. could, in iiself, initiate local abscess'es, erysepelps, embdlism and even, as in this case, death. Added to t h above horrifying dangers, the NAB. was administered ignoran:ly into the muscle instead of through the usual intravenous route. Such a costly meddling i n t o what o n e hardly undektood h a d ,caus:d John his life. 'The pity of it. all -was that '.Sunday' lcarned nothing from his nmernary life destroying quackery; but resobed to cootinue giving injections a b long a s there are' some ignorant folks wound, willing to show the right upper 'quadrant of tteir dirty buttocks-for cheap 21- injections. . - . Had Sunday witnessed the beginnings o'i: his psticnt's post4njection agony. all Sunday could have done was to suggest that the injection was doing ils work ;The primitive folks were sure to ccmcur. With them no injzction was worth anything ilnlcss it gave some pains or any other side eKects which uould be interpreted as signs of good fight by the injection against intramuscular or intrasystemic disease. , . . , Had Sunday watched his patient's last moments, there was very little he couid do as he knew practically nothing about the appropriate anti-dotes to arsenic poisoning. �All ihe sick in the village turned out i n full force t o receive their 21- per Injection treatment. To every John dead, there were probably a thousand Jones and many more Margarettes willing t o testify t o the efficacy of Sunday's cheap injection. Some women reminded themsrlves and others that since one fatal motor accident never prevented traders from travelling, nor yet were women ever daunted in their hunt for children of their own by a fatal case of child ,delivery, so need none be deterred :from accepting injections from Sunday as a result of this single tragic injection episode. Three weekly rounds of such medical trips were all that Okondu needed t o qualify him t o be able t o give injections. The end of his apprenticeship w2s marked with his payment of the balance of Dokie Sunday's charge; the giving of an Everette ail-glass syringe, t w o hypo-needles; 4 ampoules c f 3cc Acetylarnn. 4 of penicillin powder by Sunday. (Okon d ~ ' smedical menrorj as the only authority needed as a signal for the student t o enter the drug-market as an injrction glver. N o lessons were given t o Okondu on the vital importance of the sterility o f the injectab!e material and injecting equipments. N o lessons on the signs and symptoms,of diseases. N o one mentioned the toxi- city o f drugs. In .three weeks what doctors Okondu had 'mastered' take the best part c f six years t o begin t o understand. T o Okondu it was hit-or-miss therapy; ace:yhrsan, and he had only been taught of penicillin, and streptomycin as if these were the only drugs in ex:stence. '' Dim ( my husband) I am going t o be your first patient" marked'ola, the'first wife. re- " W e can now have ar many injections ar we wish at little cost rather than fall a victim t o the mercenary instincts o f some orthodox Nigerian medical man. The wide - spread connercialisation of Nigerian medical practice hls taken out of it any vestige of kindness and syrrpatl~y. I haven'c .great deal of respect for any technically first-class doctor who lacks other qualitits of sympathy considera!ion for others, justice and moral rectitude. �"My hopeless headache and that- perennial'waist'pain would'certainly divappear after I shall have taken several dozens of injections .. on tho head and a t the back-side " , . '' Why in the head ? ", interrupted Okondu. '' Must the injcc, lion be given on the very site of the pains ? "'That :is the idea. " replied Ola. " The injection does better, perhaps, when given a chance.to 6ght the pains at close quarters". " What, if you have the pains in 'your eyes? Would 'you thin .requ:rt for the needle into your eye-ball?". . , ".. Life-deslroyina qua.k wife after two at work! Trad:r Okon?ugiving inbtion .to hh first w e c b pupdage undcl quackdunday. . .. 26 , �! No!, dim, rensible human beings don't allow sharp instru.. ments into their eyes . . . Okondu started his 'medical practice' on t w o members of his .. I'Oh . ". family: Ola :received 3cc of acetylarsan-penicillin injections daily for thirty injections. Bom-boy, Okondu's only son, got half as many. A t the end of the .course * Ola's sight ... . .- . .. .... started. t o fade. . . Okondu held that . th? la;tinjections were merely doing over-time and that blaineeded two 0r.a few'more injections t o get the effects home t o the bodya One ad4itional injection made Ola lose her sight 'almost- cotipletely. . . dzv:!oped .. Born b ; o rashes resembling skin leprosy. Okondu; who had hitherto lived long anong dinppdntments and hardships felt ths &cnt turn of evens wT.:more than he had act- ua!ly bargained .for. .. . . . Ola has t o be taken literally by hand t o Kano.for eye treatment. .> Bam-bby mustbe sent.to,the leper co!ony. The two cases needed equal . . w g w t act-nti-n. cure. hydciay only one Okondu. Tha ea-!ier :he trlatrnent i f lepr~sy.the quicker the pr&on& c h e durati0.n of trearment. . But. therc is He cduld not share himself into two t o cope with . the twti;qu~lly urgtnr !it"atlons. . A deciridn must be m d. a; are rather m w e preriousjandneedzd priority attention. Eyes Lepr~syhas an^ not beenll&own t o be a disease in a hurry. of i t s victims h a d : ,. lingerCdf& years kitho"t fatal consequincesi Eyes, on the o t h i r hand, . . ore not so!d : .: in the.shopr and shciutif . . .. be atten.dedto. .sodnest. . . .. ..'. .Eke was beqged t o take Bom-boy t o the lepw -colopy.but, she rep i n e d w m o v e d . .The pr.esent trouble was entirely of Okondu's,making. aided and abated. by Ola,, his first wife.. Bom-boy was .the. only irmocent victim. Okondu did not know. that by regularly civing acetyIm:n t o his wife 2nd son he was surely but slowly poisoniFg their systems. �Acetylarsan is a pentavalent organic asenical compound, cummulative in action, with symptoms of poisoning insidu~ousin onset, starting with weakness, loss of appetite, constipation, then, conjuntival congestion which may lead to the fading of vision and eventually to ultimate blindness if untreated. Arsenic dermatitis may takc different forms, viz-increased pigmentation, melanosis, may be obsewed especially on the neck, eye-lids, and nipples which may ba mistaken for a serious skin disease such as leprosy. OIa is being taken literally by hand to kano by her husband for eye treament after she had none blmd ar a r e d : of arsenic containing injections giving her by h:r quack doctor husband. - �Acetylarsan is normally prescribed to patients once or twice weekly for four to seven injections as a treatment regimen, depending on the nature and severity of the disease. May God forgive Okondu and his ilk for they know not what they are doing. Had Okondu known the poisonous nature of the injections, he wouldhave been the, last thi.~gon two legs to poison his loving Ola and his only male child. Assuming that Okondu and his ilk succeeded in getting the forgi~enessof the Almighty and that of knowledgeable victims, like Ola, could they ever hope to be forgiven by innocent Bom-boy and other unsuspecting but ignorant members of the public who fell ready victim to the dangerously dead-laden injection by unqualified mercenary quacks ? That is the question. T I I first lap of the journey to Kano was undertaken on an Eke~ Day, a rest day when relatives and well-wishers of 0kondu's family could conveniently take leave from their hand-to-mouth perennial farming to wave and wish the sojourners safe journey. The Gwomgworo (converted lorry-bus) sereetched to a noisy stop. Okondu and wife got in and off to a good start on their way' to Kano. The bus ran steadily on, as long as it alone o@ied the single-line tarred Owerri-Onitsha road; but soon as it ran off the tarred surface to make way for traffic from the opposite direction or to o v e t d e a slower moving vehicle in the same direction, the uneven road-side m ~ d e 'bus' jolt with horrible row of a noise as the made even short passengers lind themselves jamming their heads on the roof of the bu3. At Onitsha, the couple joined the Onitsha-Enugu bus, "Dim", called out Ola in an audible whisper. "What ?", asked Okondu in a way of an answer. "Do you think I shall ever see clearly again in life T ' �"Even if you don't, a visit to Kano will certainly prove helpful. m e streets of Kano are littered with blind and near-blind beggars on the street corners; destitutes, who have for decades remained unplaitiffly grateful to Allah for little mercies such as being alite and able to beg-which reminds one of the Hausa idiom which says that oneeyed man becomes grateful to God only when he comes across a totally blind man. However, if Kano fails us, my Ola, you will have none to blame but your religiouo distmst of doctors as a body of professioners". The easy journey on .the broad, well-surfaced Onitsha-Enugu road made the couple feel quite relaxed. They talked freely unrestrainedly. Every passenger on the bus seemed to betalking simultaneously in a typical viciferous Nigerian fashion which hardly make ahy distinction between conversation and shouting. The noisy situation suited the couple fine. They discussed their private affairs without the slightest fear of cvesdroppers. The rowdy chattering came to an abmpt end as if lightening flash has stmck every one dumb. Every passenger sat stiff on the seats. The Catholic amongst them made spontaneous signs of the Cross indicating a prayerful attitude at the imminence of unexpected danger. "We are now on the Eva Valley" whispered one passenger. "No, you are wrong, we are on the Millikin Hill", rejoined ' another promptly. "You cannot be on the valley, but in it." . �The driver was seriously and asiduously negotiating the sharp bends which snaked and snaked round and round until one felt like being spilled over into the deep ravine on the left. The raised trap gy rocky natural continuous kerb on the right made the deal look like driving betw:en the devil and the deep sea. The slightest swerve to left or right would definitely end disastrously. Fatal accidents had occurred 'on the Millikin Hill in the past. To prevent such accidents, drivers were given timely warnings in every conceivable phraseology, calculated to infuse a sense of greater care on the drivers. "Drive slowly". "change to low gear", "sharp bends, strictly no over-taking", "'better be late than the late", ."beware of land-slides' and such like warning sign-posts were posted at regular distance along the rdute as a guide to literate drivers who care to look-out. The appearance of "Enugu welcomes c3rzful drivers" sign board showed that the worst was over. Every passenger spat on theirchests as a sure physiological proof of total recovery from the fearful experience they had just passed through. "Dim! why don't they make the road straighter?" "Who are the they ?" replied Okondu. "Well, I mean those who built the road in the first instance" "A bridge over the valley will cost the whole annual revenue of a Nigerian Region. To lavel-down the hill will take some doing and may have to wait for the age of nuclear-atomic bull-dozers' replied Okondu. "Oh!, are we saving money or lives" . "Ojugo!, you are asking me!" �The PH-Kano train was late as usual. You never knew where you were with most Nigerian trains. No one, not even those officials paid to give correct infonnation about train movements could conscientiously swear to the accuracy of their infonnation. Some of them don't bother to find out. , 8. The train pulled up three hours behind schedule. The compartments were full up to the roof. It was a tug-0'-war. getting on to the train. Okondu jumped in and clambered hurriedly over badly packed luggages littered all over the place taking up every available space-gang -way, toilets and all. It was a toad-leap all the way. Okondu went into .the first, secobd, and third compartments without finding anything like a standing space. He became concerned about the wife still on the platform, thinking that the train might move off any minute withoutamoment's warning. He therefore, rushed to the nearest window in the 4th compartment, forced it open, peeped out and shouted' out to his wife and the. carriers to come along with the luggages. He put the first'luggage reached him on the pile lent by those already comfortably settled. As he l~urried to receive more of the luggages from thecarriers he first slipped from the pile and fell flat onto the face of a sleeping Hausa man fully stretched-out in a long seat. Audu got up, black with furry, and 'swore out: "You black infidel! You blind beggar1 Can't you distinguish a packing bench from a human body ?" "Have this-+ dirty s l a p f o r reminding me of blindness and all that? A very brief fight ensued. Some passengers around rushed forth and parted them. A bowling of 'Yi hankuri, mallam' (hold your peace mallam) pacified Audu very readily. . Peace was suddenly restored. This looked like the briefest fight in history; Okondu collected the rest of the luggages. The wife was pulled in through the window. �The carriers were paid off. It would seem as if the surest way to create spaces on a packed train would be by creating a scene. The diffident travellers learn thereby tocollect their stretched legs so as to allow the late-comas a sitting space. .. ~. u d " . shared his seat with the Okondu's. . . ."~amuri (Iboman) nguh (have) kola huts. 'Audu gave kola to Okondu. . . . 'Th&ks, .:we Ibos hardl9;'iefuse'. a kift &kbia .nuts even when . . . . ., . . . given by a confinned enem);. I'don't ' h o w you have aU, that amount of the '&lk of human kindness id your flat scrawny, unwashed chest." ''Ytj, you would have asked me to make 'charge' (metning 7.. . . chancej'fo; . you r&r than d;op your & & g e o n my head. . f t takes ,.. .. . L . . .:. a despkably d~s~erate'ibomait d o like you did" spoke ~ u d u ' i clas . t o. . . n sical ' ~ % ~ ~ a n o ' ; 8 " , I "Yes, i€, bkes'a watery.braid lfke not io real&, that theSe long . . seats aii meant tb. accommodate three -pi&6ngeri;. You can't simply . . foot frame. '&I t h e blnch ',when stretch ;tbe full~~~six, of your la* . . .. . . _ -. some other paying passkngen.: r e standing"" replied Okondu rather a . . ...,. .. .: ;.. . causti~lly;stillholding'ihe kola in his hand. . _ I . "Chikina (let us. make peace); gidi-gidi ba chau (fighting is no . . good), pleaded Audu. �okondu exchanging blows with an Hausa fellow-passenger in the over-crowded PH-Kano Limited Passenger train. Peace was made soon after over Kola nuts. 34 �Peace was made with breaking of t h e kola. "Dim", whispered Ola, "did we remember to send a telegram " to Ndah to await our arrival a t Kano 1 "Oh, yes, I gave 31- to Jona to do that; I didn't want us to be the 'unguided strangers who have eyes but could'nt see the town," replied Okondu. The train journey to Kanu was a mixed bag. The wobbling movement of the train pleased Okondu, though it made Ola dizzy and violently sick. The train,at topspeed, touched sixty miles per hour. The very frequent stops at the stations were a pain in the necks of those passengers who would like to get to the end of the journey with minimal delay. The single-track rail system made the journey by train tiresomely tedious as the so-called ExpreseTrain had had to stop, willy-nilly, at practically every station either to side track the on-coming train or to on-load and off-load. It took good two nights and days to wver the 589 miles journey. , Okondu and Ola arrived at Kano dog-tired. Their feet were slightly swollen with the long sedentary journey. Kano weather was dreadfully different and a bit too slow to make friends. The harmattan was in full swing. Okondu and wife got up in their first morning at Kano with hoarse voice and some feelings of a smoker's throat. Their lips were sore with the drought; OIa particularly, found it difficult to smile without first of all running the moist tongue over the lips. Laughing was completely led out as this was swe to be fellowed by serious bleeding from the cracked harmattandried lips. "Welcome to Sabon Gari Kano", said Ndah. "The Ibos here feel more at home than they do in their own hom+towns". "Don't say such a thing to any body's hearing", remonstrated Okondu. "No sane man ever admits in public that his father's trousers are torn at the Suttock regions. Moreover. 'East and West, home is the best' no matter however dirty the children make it". �. "AUow me to expla'in' myklf, Mazi Okondu" replied Ndall. "Cost of living is dog -cheap here in Kano. With a half penny piece you can fill your pockets with jada and rogo (pea-nuts and cassava), fura da nono (corrflour and sour milk). We get much more garri a t Kano than you could get in Aba market, from where much of the gami is imported. What i,s more you are so removed from innumerable cords of our traditional extedded family links that you begin to feel and think like the average Hausaman who cares very little about the typical,lboman's serious attachments to transient life and living, and-the frequent inconsiderate inconvenient demands for this or for that 'from relations, distant and near, from home and other places. I like Kano so much; you can be sure of a daily bread here w h e ther you are capable of workingor not as long as you are not asha'med to sit by the road ,side or tramp from house to house begging alms. Here is the only place in the whole of Nigeria where people consider it more blessed to give than to receive" "No wonder I ani not surprised ' Is, that the reason why you .@"e left home for more than ten years without bothering'to visit home or ask any question. about home 7 I am cock-sure you won't know the way to.your father's house if you travel home now un-accompanied." , ' "Tell me more about home" Mazi Okohdu. Don't misunderstand. me. I am faced with the same difficulties as .faced the l i r d which had 'a burning desire to squart but couldn't because, of obstrup tion caused b y its tail. In other words, if I have enough money today, infact, enough to pay my passage and buy presents for the string of r e lations, enough to start marrying with, the dogs shall bark me. welcome in the next moment in my father's house. Believe you me" .. . "I see!" mused Okondu. 'four home,has'cha$ed a lot over the ten years of your absence : The oldest women in the remotest part of the rural areas in .the villages wear shoes or water-proof sandals on the advice of health visitors who attribute rheumatic joint and other pains ,to walking bare-foot ,on swampy wet roads and pathways especially during the rainy seasons. My grannie cannot now make a complete lbo sentence without throwing in a word or two of English: Westernisation has actually come to town in the rural villages. The burning ambition of every home youth is to own a house solidly built with brick blocks and roofed with corrugated aluminium sheets. Such a house has its prestigegiving value as well as saving its owner the trouble of constantly changing the grasrthatch of native houses every rainy season. �No guest at home nowadays feels. well-treated unless you open several bottles of beer for him at a sitting, concluding the drinking treat with several shots of spirit such as whisky, brandy, schhap, or OHMS. These branded wines have driven our traditional palm wine into the corners. Only people in lower society ever talk of 'palm wine these.days," concluded Okondu. . . "Go on" Mazi ~ k o n d u ,"You have converted me; tell me more about home" said Ndah. will refuse to believe your eyes if you go home, I can assure you. Team-work and communal spirit are our greatest assets. The bad-men of the town and the."terrors of the nights" are now behind the bars .as a result of collective disciplinary efforts. People take night-watches in turn since the nearest police-post is twelve miles away. Stealing is practically extinct. Progress and prosperity have come to the town through her patdotic children, bhildren who make it a duty tovisit home at least on& in 24 months to see for themselves how their town compares with others in the neighbourhood". "YOU "You speak of the'town as if people in it do not have any cares in the world" replied Ndah. "Oh yes, Ndah, they do have their headaches and heartaches. Civilisation had not yet produced sufficient &re to the ever rocketting high brides price. Liligations are ever in the inc%se. So, Mazi Ndah, what the home people gain from the absence of thieves in the town they lose to litigations and high brides prices. We must hive to do something about these two giant drains on people's savings. Many otherwise sensible men had gone to bsd supperless to afford enough to pay for a wife or to see that the other man did notget the better lawyer in a land dispute. What do you think'we 'can do ' to let our home people curtail these two money-wasting traits T �"Let me see", replied Ndahmefully. "I have my own ideas on the problems of high brides price andlitigations. I am all in favour of high brides price. In a country like ours, where polygamy is not illegal, many thoughtless men (and there are many afloat these days) would be changing women as they changetheircoats if we remove the restraining influences of high brides price. Easy come, easy go what we get cheaply we throw away as we throw pebbles without much concerns. Surely, family life, the very cradle of society, would be jeopardised if children become involved in the last-in-first-out type of cheap marriages. But if we pay heavily for a wife, the odds are that before we save enough to think of getting another wife, the children of the first marriage shall have grown up enough to be as heavy a drain on our savings as marrying a second wife, thereby helping to keep the first marriage in tact. a good thing for society and family. Don't forget, Mazi Okondu, that the English man who pays nothing for a wife has a law against bigamy or poligamy. It takes him about £300 to initiate a divorce case or has got to wait for 3 years before he can proceed with a divorce case, paying alimony all along as he waits. As for litigations, why worry 7 when people spend all their big savings on litigations, those peace-loving ones with little savings shall supercede them. I consider it illogical and silly sense of economy to spend hundreds of borrowed pounds (sterling) in court for a piece of land costing less than £20. Any more home news 7" asked Ndah, brightening up with genuine interest. "I would like to change the topic, if you don't niind, Ndah" said Okondu. "First things first; my wife here with me had not been seeing very well since a fortnight ago. We have come to see what help we can get from Kano Eye Hospital which we have heard so much about. My wife and I hope you will make time tomorrow to see us to the Hospital". "I will gladly do that for you two:' replied Ndah. "The earlier we set off in the morning the better. The hospital adheres strictly to the policy of first-come-first-served irrespective of political preferences or social status. Patients are numbered as soon as they arrive at the hospital: The first in the queue becomes number one, the second, number two, and so on and that is the strict order by which the doctor is consulted. Jumping of the queue by those highly placed is completely out of the question." �The morning came rather earlier. thaq :mu@., 5 a.m. it was By bright day-light. The light.chiuy .harmattan windJhrew particles 'of dust indiscriminately in non-directive directions. . Okondu woke up . with the appetiteof a; cart-load df t h e w fruit-eating~fric~n monkeys. Xi. Ola, had no stomach for any . h & .She felt likeah el&enth hour student on an examinatioh moriiini; .Her bowels. were freer .than usualand sbe.visited the toilet as frequently as if she took a purand & . ga!i"e andldiuretic. Her wholt Gind was on her,cy-uble . . . . . questionabk .fate awaiting her .at the Clinic: ' ~ d a h . a 1.u p :befmc. w . . ad, of them. ~ h i.all',git'off . : earlier; .. .. y .. . . . ' 2, I '- , "Sabo Pasha?" (New patienti) asked Musa. Dogo, the sedous. looking, spot-faced, .blast-iuAce, A m a n . . Hi; .'&gii&-~&sa was quite intelligible to Ndah who replied promptly in the for . .. . . , all concerned. &ative "Bi hanu hago (go directly left-ward)" instructed Dogo in an unmistakable 'no-nonsense' attitude. The grey-ha'iied .nurse who was receiving the new pHtien& . seem to see clearly even through hk pait of 1 0 0 ~ ~ f i t t i n ~ . ' b i c ~ ~ & ~ ~ lenses. He dipped his pen, miles outside' .the ink-pot ,. a d &owed a habitual involuntary tendency of d j p t i n g his glasses &ch looked at any body pr a t any thing, such .as a e+rd., ?;he .ryes ' . drooped. promhently. The dimples around the eyesmade then, apcrr as if t k y had, been.shadding tears frequently, . . I :.. . .. , && ' ' . ~ " ' f ; ~ .oftOla wen a couple registering their small-boy who sUi & stained an eye injury while playing .on tfie fields with his play-maies.' . . . . i/ I "Mr., what is the name df your child .?'' asked the aged. .nuke, .. . . .. . , .. so slowly hesita'& as 'if he had .all .,.. time there is .to ask .that the ../ . . single question, adjusting his glasses. as he attempted to .. . . at the . couple through his shady .$asses. ,4 59 I . �"Leonard", replied the 'MI'. "Male or female" continued the nurse. "His name is Leonard, nurse" replied 'MI'. "Yes, I have heard that; now I want to know his sex" thundered the aged nurse a little angrily. "Be sensible, old man; Leonard has always been the name of a male human being" replied Mr. "Look here, Mr. it will pay you, whilst you are here, to answer all questions without much.argumentation. We don't, as a rule, entertain argument from patients. or their relations. This is a busy hospital. All we want is a stralght answer to a simple question, no more, no less and I suppose that the sex of your child is simple enough for your understanding" lectured the nurse. "Thank you boss", :mats', retorted 'Mr.' "Next patient", commanded the old nurse. " "Name 1 "Mrs Olamma Okondu" "Age" "Mother of four children," Sir. " "Sex 1 "Mrs, Sir" "Then, Mrs, take this card, go straight on to the waiting room and join others in the pre-cli'nical morning prayer. The Rev. Doctor will see you after prayers." The waiting-prayer room, air-conditioned and scrupulously clean seemed to be an appropriate introduction to the hospital, a different wodd to patients of Ola's ilk who came from the areas where cleanliness of the surroundings is no serious concern to the avenge housewife, whose endemic indifference to neighbourhood with cob-websdusty walls, scruffy ceilings, and dusty floors iscommon-knowledge. The walls were tastefully decorated with an artist's impressions of the Holy Trinity, the angels, and as many of the saints as the fertile imagination of the artist could accommodate. Ola felt like being spiritually up-lifted. A miracle seemed to be working already: She can, at least, see a host of ideas and winged thoughts in her mind's eyes. 40 �The weird wiry middle-aged European doctor breezed into his surgery in a jaunty mood characteristic of a hard honorary worker who isreaping very rich spiritual harvest of his.unstinted aon-mercenary industry, his billiard-ball-like bald. fore-head shining lustrously like the highly polished floors of aprivate ward ofa "European" hospital. "Let's have the first patient" scowled the doctor in heavy Yankee accent. "What is the matter with you, lady 7" asked +e doctor to Mrs. Okondu, looking down into his ponderous smoktng-pipc..which he lighted with more concentration tban he had concontration to spare to his new patient. "Docta, I am suffering from eye-sight", replied Mn Okondu, a trifle nervously. "If that is your only trouble, then, good madonna, you have no 'trouble at. all. It is a blessing for any one to 'suffer' from eye.sight" continued the doctor. "No docta, but I can hardly see with my eyes; it is. worse in thetwilight", protested Ola. "Right', let's hear all about it" "Docta, it just came without warning" "Were any of your parents blind? "No, docta" "Have you any blind person in your family ?" "None that I know of, docta" *'Have you been taking any thing lately+rugs, injection, native medicines, before your sight started to fail" ? > . "No docta" "Sure ?' "Y*, docta" "What caused it ? Do vou know ?" '"No docta" "Well! well! well!, go behind the screen, lie down on the bed, relax absolutely; I am going to give you a thorough examination. �Doctor's examination disclosed some eye inflammation much akin to effects of poisoning by arseninc. He could not be definite about this since the patient had told him that she had not been 'taking drugs of any kind lately. Not knowing what to d6, the doctor took a chance and prescribed penicillin injections, steptomycin eyedrops, and prayers for seven days as an in-patient on ward 2. One week's treatment yielded no ostensible results. The doctor was worried about this. The patient wasequally worried. She was gettingfed up with penicillin and prayer course of treatment which didn't seem to do her any obvious good. She thought of the children left at home, more especially, of Bom-Boy, whose skin condition and near-paralytic left arm constituted another source of great concern to her over-burdened mind, causing her insomnia, anorexia, (loss of appetite) and restlessness. Her conscience has started to sit her on thorns for not telling the doctor the truth about the real cause of her eye trouble which she knew very well. Ola knew as much as Okondu knew that the repeated penicillin-in-Acetylatsan given her, illegally, by her illiterate trader-husband originated her eyetrouble and Bom-Boy's arm and skin conditions. Ola hadn't the courage totell this to the doctor for fear of implicating her husband who was already kneedeep in hot trouble. Now, her conscience is giving her a timely prompting that it would be in her. best interest to tell the tmth. She would either tell the truth or remain in the hospital for an indefinite period of possibly, an unsuccessful course of treatment. An accurately diagnosed disease is far more easier to cure than pining hope on chance. A week. of tie-in-bed had already plunged, the otherwise loquacious Ola into a gloomy and demoralising idleness. Such kind of Hospital routine is rather alien to her very active nature. The unmitigated rudeness of some of the Nigerian trained nurses, joined forces with the prosaic atmosphereof the regemented hospital ward-life to have a nostalgic effect on her. ''It is now or never*' soliloquised Ola. "I must tell the docta the truth. The truth had often made many free." �With this tho.ight in her mind sh: fell asleep to dream of no.thing but her full:. rcstorzd sight, a matting Eom-Boy, an3 peaceful home. "How do yoc feel this morning, madam" inquired the doctc-r mrch more in a carcfree tone of fed-upness. "Not a) bid, docta" ?" "That's better, any c h a n ~ e "Yes d Jcta, more a change of heart than of my physical condi ion" "Good:.-goody, let's hcar about it" . The weird, uiry, j:unty, midde-acd European doctor, who has a habit of wearing is Stelhescope always and every where, is seen giving Ola a thorough medical examiuation. 43 �"Docta, the eye trouble started like this: My husband called on a certain dffitor on one occasion. For an.obvious elementary misunderstanding, the doctor's wife turned him out without second thoughts and thus prevented him from seeing the doctor when he badly needed urgent medical attention. My husband decided, in consequence, to learn to give injections. This took him three weeks at a cost of E15. In this part of the world, dacta, every intelligent human who can manipulate a syringe and needle assumes the title of a 'docta'. For miles around he would have no real doctor to compete with him. Personally,. surgical operations apart, any one can practise medicine after a few weeks' training. Doctoring is not a difficult thing: Some one tells you he h s pneumonia; you look up a text book of medicine and lind that penicillin is'good for pneumonia and prescribe it. Just that.--.-." "Stop I madam, you have wandered miles away from the topic. What has all that amusing nonsense got to do with your eyetrouble" interrupted the doctor. "Sorry docta; when my husband learned to give injection. I offered to be his first patient. I needed some course of injections to tide me over the rainy season which annually afnicts me with illness. My husband gave me penicillin dissolved in 3cc acetylarsan solution to pepup or activate the normally painless indolent procaine penicillin. People here don't, 'as a rule, appreciate any injections unless they felt some smarting pains or rigorous after-effects during or after its administration. Thus, acetylarsan solution in procaine penicillin, gingers things up like red pepper in a dull soup. As I was saying my husband gave me the above mentioned combination of injection daily for as long as I can remember. At one time, during the course of the injections, my sight started to fail me. I complained to my husband. He simply councelled that the injection was working according to plan and that all I needed was a few more injections to round things up. My sight rounded-up before I could complete the second round of injections. �"By Jove I i t sounds absolutely incredible, alround." "Believe it or not, docto'r, that is a .true story. It did happen. I am very sorry for not telling you this before now. Promise, docta. that you won't put me and my husband into any further trouble by this revelation. My husband and I had had more trouble already than we had bargained for." "Madam, in th8 states, a doctor is bound to treat all patient, who come to him or face court action for negligence. The doctor's wife ought to know this. Why then didn't you sue. the doctor and his wife in the courts ? You could havr b1gge3 thousands of dollars as court-awards." "No doctor,' we dare not; my husband and I are nonentities compared with the doctor.. With money and professional prestige you can get away with any thing-justice, injustice, anything, in this country" replied Ola quite confidently. "Again, madam, I must warn you sternly not to play with drugs as if they are harmless lolies. They are two-edged swords: They help doctors to save lives, I must admit, but the ways by which they do so are not always free from dangers, some of which may 'provc dissastrous in consequence. Don't use drugs unless prescirbed by doctors. If you are ever in doubts about the potential dangers of any drug consult your local Pharmacist. I think I know now what is wrong The eyeinflammation might have been caused by arsenic poisoning." .The doctor prescribed a course of anti-arsxic poison injections. The altered treatment worked exceedindy well. In less than a space of ten days her sight returnedsteadily. An Optician was brought in. He gave a five guineas pair of glasses to correct the slight irreparable defect already initiated by the arsenical d a m ~ g e the optic nerves to �By. this, time the,.doctor had devdoped some .: genuine interest in the patient. Ola, who was then relaxed and obviously delighted with k r , r e p n t improvements,, wppcrated fully -w i t.h the doctor. She had :.no,more; inhihitionscin aqswering or asking quesrions. .The doctor liked this sudden c h a a g e $hd.hardly missed the slightest oppr!unity to chat, with the extrovert a n d hard --hitling ,a n 6 pleasantly-rude OIa. . . . . . . . . . . -".Madam.?. asks the doctor in a low but reacsurinp.tone: " tell mt, why on earth you agreed co.accept .inj:ctions from your illi:erale trader-husbmd when s o u know that it takes the best part of 7 years to. pruduce a medicaid:&tor. and nearlv. as longto t&in a gradaatc pharmacist, the only two group of professionals w h n x e .authoristd to handle all groups of drugs and poisons exp-rtly? Do you think that .your husband's illitrate. brains wcre of .'s:.ch high:qualities that he~.could.masterin three wtrks ,whit took daxors nticiut six years of hard studies to- bigin to. grasp??. . . . . . . . '. "That's a very fine questidn dam. But do you w a n t me to . .. . reply yo* in 'full and with undiluted frqnkncss? " ". . ..... .. . . .... . . "'Yes: 'midam., Loti ari so &, as E .under lock'.6nd' key. ' b r f *hat.+ . excitingrcvclationi you .might care t o makc " . ,.. ..,,. .. . . . . .I . . . '.. . . . . . . . . . "~fi'. l l , dozta, l&t,mb.say' quite: f r a M 3,,.that. your. tidipit81 a i d w . . . ... . . . . . _',_ : , m a n y 6tkr:Mirsion -1ospitak . a n veritbble exczptions'.to. the fail.hospital serviccs 4.n this ing standards..i.n-~~o~~.~ourt:o3s.:honor~ry .. :~... ~. . l a i . . '~lii. . , c'oimtry. . .In . a h y:i' . ' ~.c n.e r.a~ o ~ ~ .i..t i tl takts . . patients' io.'&c. . . . . b u r s of waiting to see the doctor. and.exactly '.that-amount-6f. ...". . . . . . . . . . . . . tinie 'L.. i o bi'.told.by .'iomD cifvi~~irvaiti iioctor<fb cbme t6 see me privrte~ . .. ly in my hcuse if you want better treatment". When you opt to be treated privately. you arc sent back to the time.wasting dispensary queue with the private pr:scription for a course of. spy, three five shillings 'free' injxtions after' you shall have paid from three i o five guineas private consultation fees to the Civil Servant doctor who by thc'way, i s well paid by t h t gov:rnmcint for his services td patients. - �- "Getting the 'frel'pr&criptiorir dispeilid is another hard matter. :,-unlessyou..are the .hard boiled, type .who could jump- the queues ,without>mindingthe rudeshdrp. tongues and probably. stiff first cuffs.from those .-whose tights you have -.usurped. by queuejumping just :to be told that the drugs prescribed for you arc either out -of stock-ot not -:stocked at'all" .".. . .. , . . .:. * . "If the patient 'is so unlucky .to be~idmittedan in patient with, say, starvation anaemia caused by deficient home diet, the in-patient -is allowed to continue on the diet. brought from home at the same tim: as tho .drug.treatm:nt of the starvation.anamia proceeds. Tell .m:. docta. 'the s m e , economy, and the justice in paying heavily t o . g:t i fiv: shillings free injxtion prescribed for you when you can l get th3 s a m e inj:ctioa for less than five shillings elsewhere with minium waste of time ? " - -, - "Go on, madam, there is still .room in. my ears to hear mote of yam rev:lations" replied the doctor. . . "The way and mtnner you are.rccrivcd at t h e doctor's flat drpsnds entirely on th; typ: of atleadant the doctor has. a n d on tb: fl1::ulting 'wtathertock' m o o d of the doctor's mistress. At tim:s. you are treated very unkindly by the mistress as if you have c.irried a p h m o u s m:ss 'to the do:tor's house b y . your presence. So, docta, senzible patients prefer to get treated in the market placer. and at rh: ' l i d chemist shops rather than w a s t e one's precious, time and money by going to the hospital. I hate snobbishness i n . any shape or form, whctt.cr. it ccmes from. bas$& staff or from any one else" . . " By Sores you seem to have. m a d e a strong case for t h e profissitn to snsuer, if all you sald were correct'' " Ask ev:ry body you kcit, docta, if yoo doubt nie *' 47 �"No need, madam, I haven't got the lime to go a-Gallup-polling on the issue. I have more precious things to do. Suffice it to say that patients are seen on appointment in the States. They have to pay, sometimes heavily, either to the medical doctor in private practice or to the hospitals as the case may be. Whatever the case, patients are made to feel that they are getting quick and efficient services for their money. In the State, pali:nts have the last words nearly always on many issues unless professional principles are involved. But. tell me, madam, do you still wish to go back to the quacks just to save time and money when you have practically lost your eye-sight to the quacks? Don't you think that it is better to wait for your turn to get scientific professional treatment f r o m a qualified doctor, at all costs. rather than rush to the market and to the quacks for quicker, though unprofessionally unethical services with concomitrant dangers?" I can only die once, docta, so, why worry' I suppose that doctors are human beings as patients are follow human beings. I " don't see any fundsmentd ditTerence betwed t'hem. The docta merely has more genenlised knowledge in a vast field of study in l~hich the patient appears not to be so well versed: the patient pays the docta, directly or indirectly. for his services, as he would pay to any other class of workers who serves him." "Doctas will, definitely fast or take other odd jobs if patients were scarce or unwilling to pay. It, therefore, behoves sensible doctors to treat kindly any one from whom they get their means of livelihood." " Thank you, very little, for your irreverent slander on overworked Nigerian doctors. The trouble with many Nigerian patients is that most of them are potential neurotics, jumpy. impltient. inconsiderate, and unreasonably hasty." �They don't seem t o reslise char a doctor in Nigeria is assigned t o a larger proportion of patient3 ( one doctor t o about a hundred thousand prospective patients) than he could ever hope t o cope with, even if he allocated a fraction of a second t o each of his propective 100.000 patients. Surprising enough. each patient would like a doctor t o give the best part of halfan hour listening t o his unconnected. some times incomprehensible vague accounts of the symptoms of his illness, when, -at the same time. he shows unmistakable resentment and feels his time i s being wasted when the doctor gives half that amount of attention t o the patient next before him. Madam. the profession is intolerant o f competition with illiterate quacks in the market places. The profess~oncan accomrnedate Pharmacisrs in certain cases. especially in conof ditions of. acute ~hortaze medical doctors, but definitely we doctors have no intention of competing with traders. -teachers, ex-service men and other injection-giving wayfarers on two irgs". " " Doctor; I want t o tell',you wh3t you don't' know about this country. We. in this country, pet the best 'dxtoring' on the rad!o, I n the pages : of the dailies and through other advertising axencies. I there anything wrong in any intelligent literate individual. who, on seeing that some"nne has a boil. looks up the 'Family doctor' sees penicillin i s good for boil and. starts TO use it or p ~ r c r i b e sit t o some one. who has a boil? Aker all,' isn't it wSat maly doctors do? What can be better than A ~ p r o the tremnrnt of hedache and pains!" in . .. .No. no, no, madam there is more t o medical education and pract- .ice than the lsyma~can ever hope t o know. Oherwise it wouldn't I have been in t h e practice of medicine for tht bast part of my life. Yet I don't seem to take seven yearsto prcduce a medical doctor. find its studies and prazcice as easy ,as you have Just made it. W e .doctors are always up against rha dificulties of differential diagnosis:even your so-called headxhe i s r clmmon sign t o many maladies; we ..have got t o know through knowleJge of specific symptons of specific . diseases of which headache Is a common sign, the actual disease that ;gave rise t o the. headache. �I must admit, madam, that a doctor may, at time, give wrong diagnosis as a result of human factors, such as inadequate knowledge, personal upsets. dislike of patient, and others. When all is said and done, it will pay you to seek for an expert attention in all things, more so, in health matters" The doctor was prepared not to let his elcrquent p3tient have a the last word or have s ~ c h gloomy picture of the medical profession but bzfore he could finish the next sentence he was summoncd away hurriedly to attend to'an emergency case just rushed into the hospital. Shortly afterwards, th:re were yellings and cries of lementation all over the place. Ola was rather at a big loss to know what it was all about. She longed anxiously to get some one to let her into the know of the cause o f ths hustle a n d bustle. The noise and wailings grew a n d grew so much that Ola decided t o fine out for hcrself if t h e wholc hospital is in mutiny or what. She h a d barely gone half the way down the steps before she nc~icedthe doctor coming up in her direc:ion. wearing a n expression suggestive o f an Army General returning from a cease-fire truce-meeting following a mmth-old drawn-out decimating battle. "Madam. I have come back to finish up our conversation". 'Do you know why I was summoned out?', "No. docta. I am anxious to hear all abcut it" "I will tell you in 'a second. A yourg man nearly 21 years old, had a bottle-wound on the upper lid of the right eye whilst quarrelling. t h c prevous night. with an erratic night-club hostess o v e r settlement of old bills. At about nine. ante meridian. the following morning he was given an A.T.S. injection in the market place. I was told. Soon nfter the injcction, the man dropped, flop, almost dead. shouting that he could not see. hear or stand errect. His fellow traders gave him a bowl of milk followed with coco-nut water as a quasi-kind of native anti-dote. to n avail. They tried to force him : , t o swallow a battle-full o f cditrle p a l m oil. This didn't help. �They tanitd i while to sce 'if the toxic symptoms of the A.T.S. injection would be short-lived but the viclim sank lower and lower. He had to be rushed to my hospital as a last resort. I tried my best to rcvivc him but he had gone beyond redempticn. .Madam, It must have beea an extreme case of hypersensi~ivityto Anti-Tetanus Serum injection, one of the fala1 dangers confronting all those who accept injections from unqualified quacks and other injection pedlars of all sons". ' " You ..are telling. me, docta' w e are taking chances each time . < we accept dmgs from any~one;. . doctor. Pharmacist, o r ~ t h e so-called . il;aeran: quacks.. We taka charter also when we accept to'undergo a surgical operation; some patients for operation had even dropped stone,d:ad qt the first sniff of chloroform, anaesthetics war before the s & c o n bird .doned bis long gown. I.feel alrnost'cirkn docto; that the A.T.S. patient could have died all the same had he g i t the injection on the order ofthe hospital doctor. as it weuld have taken twice as much time to summon the Gmeral Hospital doctor to his bed-side a s i t had taken to rush : him.. to your hospital from . . the.ma~krt ~ i a c e. The general hospital iiuracsare powcrleif to 'do . any ;hiag . in such matters not even show obvious sympathy, until . . . ,. . the doctor had made his a-minute-too late arriGa1.' Half the ho& tal deaths shrll have beon alive to-day had the doctors and nurses shown half as much concern to -the living in-katient's a; they show . to those' between 1 i f e and. dea~h.. A; far as I am concerned; t h t .. .: general haspital beds shall nevcr'see my back unless, perhaps, as the very last resort. possibly. for a post-mortem, if some doctors care . . . . . . about. it." ' , .. '' Madam, you are agreeably very pungent to members of my profession and their worthy allies,. the nurses' I am' sure you are now well-enough to h e . such a convincing force. I shall send you home tomorrow if nothing dsamatic happens over the night. You deserve a satisfactory discharge." . �O h get up very early inspite, of a heavy sedation to make her sleep H t r frock of the palest green with precise pleats tlattcnd her figure so much chat the doetor had ,a job making her out at first sight. . . . " b hospiml uniform musi be doing untold 'injustice' to the Tc attractive figures of good-looking female patients'' commented t h e doctor most sincerely. "Madam, you oan regard yourself as a free woman: you are now free to g o home. I wish you good hcalth. good occasional luck ,at the pools, and enough ef dollars to boast your ego up. Wherever you go a d whatever you do. remember that your lost sight was restored o y o u by a qualified doctor. n o t by a quack." *'Thanks for nothing,docta; without my co-operatioti you couldn't do much for my eye trouble in the first week. I h a v e paid t h e . hospital bill and. truatmeot charges and I frcl like owing nothing to, any m e ; ... i . . ?.Bye -bye, my learned intractable patient " .. .. "&',.?'Bye, .my understanding. good-natured. end consrientious d o c k IF all doxors were like you and all hospitals were like yours' things wbpld wcar a diflerenc look for poor over-exploited patients. Pity, you:are just one out of to many. a tiny drop 'in the ocean of corrupt mercenary modicd practices, a grain in the desert sand-dunrs insignificant. incoosequential. and bnrecongnissble". - "I shall not oecd money to advertise you and your hcspital. Aa things stand. and until there i s , n drastic change in the ways hospital patient3 aro being treated in m a n y General hospitdls, majority of patients weuld continue to regard hospitals as place where go to die rather than .where they go to learn to live wcll. A the best. U my good docta ", ' Ola boarded the Kano- P. H. Limited Train at 12 noon. Ndah had already despatched a telegram to Okondu, intimating h i m l o "await wife arriving Aba Friday Noon train". Wednesday trains are not, as a rule, always as over-pocked a1 Monday and 'Friday trains. Ola had, in effect, three seater bench exclusively to hcrsolf throughomt the 48 hours 640 miles trains journey to Aba. . �The wobbling movement of the fast-moving limited train coupled with the apparmt !.satisfactory physical conditicn in which ,madam Okondu found herself. helpd to rock her quk)cly to sleep: She was just on the threshold of some pleasant dreams about. her Bomboy when a very sharp jadded noise made by a deliberate tang with a pair-of mechanical pmers-like .device got hcr'up on her legs. *.Tickets, all tiekets ready" shouted the scrawny 10okinqT.T.C (Train Ticket Collector) his 'lanky frame being shzken interm~ttently by paroxysms of tobacco c o u ~ h s betwten the tickets '; 'ill tickets ready0 skoutr. r Madam Okondu searched her breait. her hand-bag. her headgear. and her hold-all for the ticket. She remembered receiving the ticket from Ndah. She knew shetocksome areat care to preserve it: hutwhere she put it; she just coulln't recollect. Shi h'ud been S 0 over-carcful with the ticket that she herself could not fr.d where she . . kept it. 8 ' "If you can't find your ticket. woman, come with me; you must have to pay double the cost of a ticket or face court action for entering Her Majesty's Train without a ticket" threatened the T.'T. C. in all seriousness. It never occurred to the T.T. C. to ask for the passenger's weigh-bill wherein the number of the ticket was definitely entered. Mrs. Okondu, quite over-confident that she bcupht a ticket, feeling satisfied that it war tucked away some whcre on her person. was so busv searching for it to rake any notice of the threat? of 'double payment or court action' cmanatir.~ frern the 'dark devil' the embarrassing T. T . C. who planted himself imtr.ovably, starring at Ola like an imagecarved out of mzrble and stone. .. . "Give me time to find it" pleaded Old. '' 1.can.t waste the whole. time waiting for you to find your bloody ticket". swore the T.T.C. I have other 500 tkkcts t o see". ."Go .on, then, and see other tickets: I will'bring n~ine you to as soon as I find it. Alternately you can cbme back for it after y 0 u have seen other passengers' tickets", requested OIa. �. . . . ' am not moving an inch "ntil I have your ticket or have you' I 'You must have to carry !me on your dirty lousy .head, if you must go with me' lashed-out Ola: 'will you.stop.harrassing me?, , , .' . :.. The T.T.C. stood for a good khile: staring at Ola with' furrowed brows. Every one around anticipated a scene, but to their pleasant surprise, the T.T.C.. as if bitten suddenly by a bug of good judge. ment, moved unceremoniously 'away, shouting 't i c k t r , ~ , all ticrets ready' as he swayed left and nght. in a big wsy. insp:cting tick-ts .. and luggages on both sides of th2 co~upirtmcntpassage. , . ' ' . .The ticket rang a bell. in Ola's brain. She now remembered she tied 'it in the waixt-end of her wrap-round-the-waist skirt-like loin cloth. . 'H&O 'is -the ticket. Mr. T.T.C. ;I 'have fouhd it at last; I know 1 h3d it: If you thought I s!ole into your train, then. your .imagination had misfired' : T h.s T.T.C. . snatchedthe ticket from her, 10,oked at it closely > . for a time on one hide. then" turned ;he other side .and ihspected .this much more clorrly. ~ a turned the first kde and inspected it with ' as much scrutiny. He was in the process of turning to the second . . . side a second tim: when Ola 1ish:d out with ber neverfailing veno.... _ .mous tongue: . . . .. .. . . . 'Give in5 my ticket. you diity swine. You look at i( as if you are seeing a train ticket for the first time 'in life'. : .: ' yo-~rself how : 'Min'd ticket and putyou talk to me. t hIfeyou don? behave. I'shall . next station. without a seize your you down in ticket. then you should have to wait for 48 hours before' you ' c a n get anothx tram to board. assuming that you l?ave enough.money for . . . . . . a frcsh ticket. ". 'You no fit d u a d broke in Ola in 'broken ~irglis'b'; *try it and .see. what igo.happin to :bou.: you kharki trousered tyrant'. - !., . ..'The 'kvam;. 'levam' please from the nearby: passengtrs made .the .T.T.C give UD the imincnt show-down, whilst he, unresrrvedly . . . 'continued on his 'tickets.. all tichts' harange, .. , �. looked om o f . the. window tb . skk for herself those' scenes and landscapes she could not see on their jo& soro ney. to, $ado. . saq.muQ hut? $dad", ..,, ] like grp"ndiLpt . .. : pyramids scattered on both sides of the rail with littlest .efforts at orderliness.; she saw dirty looking children and equally badly dressed . I -adults. who fprmed a kind ,of infosmal .guard of hodour fqr the passinp. train, mnking sonorous jubilant hoi$es that defied ad9 i6. , . .. tell~gent !nterpretation ;. she'saw rock, hills with ;tony pcak;'and ruggqd sides that could give sanctuary to all sorts of innumerable .. ,)y,iJc livcs; bhc \liqu&sed iush corn field$..a ,rh$ exhila&ng site to .a, Farmer's ward 2 cattle, counttles hard of cattle, exceedingly big, with drbo'ping tummies and lcose flesh' vqry. fat metron who had lately lost half her wsigbt to slimming gills; Ola saw frail-look' ing ~ulmi"herdsmen, lookinithe wor!d in the face as if they have no ..... 'care: 'iiola'ted 'datino' trees towermi in the vcsta of giass or desert land, miled 'from any where. Ola' wondeied why ;ailire had made Nigeri&i $iysicnl f~aturesi o ;tttiactivc? She fht ' convinced that un- ' 'crowdes trdin jburney' frdm' gas; to. ~ort'h;kpecially if m a d e in . good he& kith eno@h' monei,' is thb' mdsi 'relixing and refreshing recreatioi any one cobld ho$ to hive any whbre.' t * i s 0larmlleoted~-herself.. 111 i I., : like's . I I .b ' .. . : , ., . ?#.. Ola arrived at her destination to find that no one was waiting for her,, except the blood sucker truck-pushers and the ra!lway port6rs who readily rchdek'd paid sthicis to any dfiaccompan~ed passengers who uskcd lor them. She :trekked to the motor -park. trailing far behitld her lugeages which the truck -pusher pushed on at a much faster phco than she could.cope with. .At long last, after a breath raking marathon to keep - u p with the truck -pusher, whose integrity, experience has taught her to doubt, Ola,got a t the. motor station,ybere, s11,e. hoard4 a [orry to her home. a good 45 miles drive at 66 M. P. H. from th- motor park. - - �Her feelings were mixed: T o her, it was painful that none waited ,far h:r at railway station despite the telegram sent from Kano 49 hours earlier; she was nonetheless happy to be going home to familiar surroundings where her words had alway8 been law; happy to be g h g horn:, in su:h a satisfying condition of restored sight. . Ola learnt, on arrival hm:, that h:r telegram had taken 53 hours to fail to arrive. With the P. & T. in matters of telegaph deliveries. it has always been quicker to send a horseman, or, if money is not your trouble, to publish yoar movemtnts in the dailies, rather than to send telegrams. In any case, had the telegram jrrived earlier, the odds were that no body would have come to meet her. since Okondu, her evx-loyal husblnd, h3d taken Born-Boy to the Lep:r Settl<ment a week ago, where he decided to stay with Bom-Boy until some willing, but God-sent soul would be forrhtoming, from ~ o d n c s s knows where. to take th2: twos with hi:n. O:m.~dln x r exp:c:ed thnt Ola would be wdl so soan. As fcr Ekemma, Okondu's second wife. it was all Okondu's and Ola's business. They both, according to her. saw trouble coming and cxtendcd b3th arms to en'xa:: it. They s h x ~ l d l v ~ h nons to blame but themselves. Eke would nor l s e her appctite on the so-. called misfortunes, knowing as she knew that those of them who . accepted traatmsnt from unqualified charlattans, eithcr be-suse of its cheapness, or b:cau>e of quicker s-rviocs, ought to bs prepared t o learn silently by heart. the lessons one often learns from cheap and easy acquisitions. As far as Ekemma is concerned, life is so precious .. . that. no secriEce, not even of time or money, cculd be considered too : great in order t a get tho hsalth back whm life is threatened through the warning notice which death often gives to mortals via illness. Ola received a heroiness welcome from every one at home in. cluding Eke. Okondu und om-BOY w x e more conspicuous by their absence. �. .':Where Jsmy Bom-Boy; wliere. i s Rilanyi[ q k e d .Ola with visibly palpitating heart beat. ,, . . . . "I can only tell you where Dl-anyi said he was going when h e left home a week ago" replied. Eke carefreeiy; 'He .sai& he was taking I C . Bom-Boy,ro the Bintu ~e&-~ettlemenr and we have not. heard of o r from him ever since". a , . .I# I . Ekcmma. who had no living .irsues hcrself- she Iost'two" 'm a I e chil6ren t o Indian Flu of 1958 -had little o r no soft feelings left f o r ,. .. , . , , . , ,. . , . . other woman's children. . The !nmates of !he Bintu Leper Settlement welcoming Born-Boy with express. pity and d~sl~gured hmbh faces and b p y gaits. ions of 57 �OIa knew and understood her attitude very well and mad: as much allowance as she could for il. OIa was resolute on seeing her Bom-Boy and her hubby Okondu without delay. The other children pleaded in vain for their mum to tarry awhile with them before setting off again if she must. She promised them bigger bundles of swezts and other 'market things' and, then, took-off directly for Bintu Lepx Settlement. She budgeted conservatively for a maximaurn of 3 hours' travelling to got t o Bintu, 60 miles a-ay. Much depends on how soon t t e passenger-trucks could get there. People who are used to road-travels by lorries hardly expect much fro= them as these passenger lorries are never compulsorilly serviced until they develop engine or t y n troubles. The practice in other countries of compulsory servicing for every 1033 miles covered has not yet arrived in Nigeria. Travellers must have to buy a lot of patience if they have none already, t o survive journeys by passenger-lorries. Every body on the lorry, care-freely. gets on every body else's nerves. You are not always sure of getting to your destination safely and on scheduled time. , OIa didn't seem to have reckoned with avoidable delays of the above mentioned type in her rough estimation of the duration of her journey to Bintu. At mile 35 on the Olaku-Eintu road, the passcnzer-lorry in which she was travelling. took a sharp right turn instead of keeping on a straight course. Every passenger wondered where, on earth, the ' m ~ d drivtr was heading to. Some pastengcrs ' protested in very unmistakable terms indicative of deep annoyance. The driver drove steadily on and on and on, off-course, and t h e n came to a d:ad stop in a living compound about 4 miles off-route. " ~ l lm3n, down" chmandod t h e driver, arching himself like a swanky peacock, as if to say that he drives the whole country, ministers and all as, and whcre he likes. - . A bamge .of abuses descended o n him from the irrate passengers who felt grossly offended by 'the time -wasting, and unbargained-for off-course journey. 58 I �'Fancy your brazen'lmpudence to: 'kike uizso'hi& . 'y ' . . .Worn . the main roadi swore one passenger. . .. 'You must be a mad doe t o do that' swore another. " .. . ' "" . . . _ :.,... -:. . >.,' 'You no go see bettar for your 'llfe-:-for taking.:us b+.rtkis far place' added the third. 'Every body, down' shouted the driver; 'the more..you sit-tight in my lorry, the mare you detain )ovrsalves. In your' own interests you better come down,so that I may unpack the plankson the floor . .. of the lorry'. pleaded the driver.' .' ri,.,.' ' ~ e ' a r e ldnger in i h u r r i ; lot none come down eammatd$ . ,. . had self-appointed.ihimscll the' leader . >.' , ,.' . . .. . b . r d one of the'passen.qers, who ' .. . of the bassengers. ' w e shali stay here until.the.d&er trkes uk back t o ,,.. .. the main road. We ainc going to allow him to, unpack his planks. ,. . .. ,. .. It I s high time the drlvars began t e riipect th6feIings ofnthr..people .. .< . , ., .! <:;:<;:; who p&ide the m w y by which their salarie; are paid. Wepassen- . gers, could afford t o be serious for once In our lives with these jmpru* dent, irreverent, l;reprehenrible, . . , . ..: . > ,..< imesponiible:drivers:. :Does i t m e a n i s ni0re.=&~cerii.,t6' td&'driv&s .@an . . that the delivery of the the safe and timely arrival o f their . t o theiri-respective journey's end?' , . *I .wonder' echoed o n e o f.. the. passengers: . . ... .*.' 1 . ' . ~ No passenKer' moved ss much as a - m u s t k P T h e-dilver- e v F t cd from comma'ndinz .them to.pleadlng for understanding;. ..kcwas too late. In the end hi? l u m ~ e d onto the wheel and'rcsumed-thejourney without deliverlnp th6 planks.. A t mile 40;'thd'ldriy broke+own; o r so the driver told every one. .'' Those paesagers In hurry d e c Id e d - t o .jotn anbthcr 1'0 r i y. 59 �The driver of the presumedly faulty lorry refused t o refund pan or all of the money already paid by Ola and the rest. Ola transferred t o another lorry. A t Mile 60 she came down. 'Where Is the m t o Blntu Leper Settlement' asked Ola t o a mlddle -aged lad w i t flabby llps lndicatlng that she had ' spent the best part o f her h e talking gllbly on many thlngs -the gossiping type who never stopped ulklng until they fell asleep at nights. i 'Are you golng to the Leper Settlement' querrled the woman. *Yes, but not as a patlent. I am merely a visitor' .:'You- must be a stranger ; you won't be allowed In at rhls tlme of theday u visitlng hour is from 2 p.m. t o 4 p.m. dally save Sunday-when you can stay .on until 6 p.m if you have the guts to stay that long among the lepers. If I were you. I would seek shelter for the nlght t o v l ~ l ty a l n t m o r r o w at the proper tlme'. ' ... Thank you for nothlng, &dam, you are givlng me'mare informations than I requested for. Perhaps people this way have tongues having no brakes.' All I asked for Is the road t o Blntu Settlement. N o more, no less.' ' 'Woman' is that another name for gratitude In your village? Sooner o r later you would come to reallse that my Informations are the best you can have under the circumstances. Good luck and may God grant you peace and patlence, the two quallties much needed t o get o n w d l with people.' Blntu Settlement, u the name suggested, Is a mln!ature village. The patients llve, one t o a room flat, o r t w o t o a room-and-parlour if a couple o r close rehtlons came as patlents together. Younger patlents who can't normally cater for themselves are adoxed by the older ones u wards. The flats are built around the clrcumfcrence of a. big circle. f The body o the clrcle is used as common ncreatlonal field for all the occu ants o f the same quarter. One advantage of such a pattern o f butt ing IS that one sandlng in front o f one f l a t can see other fellows golng In o r coming out from any other flat so that the movements of any of the inmates of one cubicle can be easlly watched by the 'rubber k n d who care to do so. 8 - �.... The psr&t:of aiver.y'young 'patknt ' i;ncouiagid i o stay .for. i some time until'the patierit getk used t o the older patient who would adopt. him. The big iron-entrance gate made the village look'like' a' private extensive home. A large bell hung at a conspicuious. place at. the gat6 so that any literate new-comer'co'uld easily .see the 'ring the bell for'attention' notice. The in-patients who. had 1ale:passes. out could also ring this bell'to.be4et in byGab, the "iron&eartcd' keeper of the iron-gate. Gab. the unsmiling gate-man was also a veteran of two wars and an en-patient of the rtttlerntnt. ' . : ' . . ........ . Ola rang the beil rathe; tAo &huriastically.' ~ h ; gateman Same. ...... .... bait-haste, thihkidg' the Director of the ~ettlknint was it'tik gate as . . . '..I no visitor was expected at'that t h e of ihe &iig. To cab' utter s disappointment, hesaw a not-too-bad l&king.'though equally unsmiling lady, fair-complexioned. and wrapped fashionably. capa-pk-. in Akwette cloths. , . . . . . . . ..,. . . * . .. , . ... "Na wstin' >o".want*' quenied Gab fither authoritatively: ' ... . "'I '$el. my sdyand my' mant admitted here a wcek ag6 .to .the .... . .. , . . . . . . . . . . .. . minute;....... . ._;. . . . "Big . . . . . . &b. no go save you natin" interrupt&d. ... ~ e f o r c could say. a word, ihe gate 'had closed with such ? she . %tic bang that .rould only indicate the. disgust the . . . gate-man fclt at . . . . ,. . 'visit& k h o chose to &it hours 'outo'ide the visiting ' b e . The ve. . . . one." teran . kdew nd. preferences;. not even effemiiate . . He'had never been ckivalrokin his life: To him the niatter is as closed GO^'; decision, against which there is .no appeal'. . ,. . . . .. . ,. . . Ola is apt the type to take 'No' for 8n answer. She rang the bell so e h t ~ c a l l ythat- somt inmates of the SsttlemenPwbb'tgmC near the gateat the h e ' took message t o 'Okondu of tho . 'nice-lookin? .lady at the gate for him':.' Okondu made for the gate.. 1: ': . . ' ,I.. 1 .+ .. : , ' �He was so pleased with the sight of his wife that he opened the gate without much 'thoughis as to.the. consequences: No patient or hisrelation is a I I o w e d to towh the gate. Only Gab. can do. it. Breach of regulations is often seriously frowned at by authorities. .It might lead Po an instant discharge of the culprit-patient without completing his treatment. Okondu swept Okhigh into his hosom,crying; "014 1 Ola'l.. wife; is .it. you that I am seeing or your double?'.' . , . . . . 'How ,are you. n w' o? 'I am absolutely alright, Dim,' replicd OIa. Thank goodness , .. ... f&jpartial'm'&ci:s. .Our joy shall know no i;ounds whcn our .Born. . _ . . : Boy is' co&pfetely recovered. How .is he.. . . . . . . . . . . . 'Shall .we oo.in? Our-5at is a good five minutes stroll:from.~tl?o ... gate. Our Boy. is fast asleep'. I As Okondu and wife tried to move in the direction of the vill. age, Gab. landed on the scene as i f from nowhere. .. :. , ...... . ,. 'Go hack, womsn. . .I. no .go let y0.u in ,even ityou be .the best. . . . .. . eat womm for dis warld; g3 back. I sly' commanded Gab. , Okondu and Ola pleaded and pleaded to no avail. It suddenly occured to Ola that where words of mouth fail to achieve expected . .- . . rcsulis. . . . . . o f some. kind . has . worked miracles. You don't :have * bribery . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. to go,,far in .. country. to meet .ungincipled indkdualb who .sell the . .. thFir con;cicacc for a few shillings. up backed up with empty prp. & s .that ace nevi? fulfilled :once .the. objective, is attained. . 'Here, h d p me spent"d&', . 0h 'gave Ggb' five 'shilling 'tip'. ............... g& odaoed;.''Gab: wa& O h with' a royal salute. His furrow<d,brows brightened. up as if an inward.gracc had coursed his Veirid. The golden, key<.hasopcqed the bolted gate, .as.B e saying.gocs. he: ia �"Na dem make the law, but na me de kipam. Ifi I no hopen 'the gate, no one go henter. Madam, make it stay so-tay iGya ; no body igo. make palaba ifi Ino. report you" . - Okondu-Bom Boy's 'mud hut with aluminiun sheet rwfing was, comparatively passable for human habitation. OIa entered the hut unceremoniously, picked-up Bom Boy and examined the body t o see if the skin patches had shown any signs of clearing. Her facial expression dropped suddenly as if stung by the usual unexpected rudeness from a junior Nigerian subordinate. The patches were s t i l l there i n extenio. "Tell me. Dim, what has been done to. it so far. Did you tell docta the whole truth about it?'' "How can I ? How can any onet The doctor could hand me over t o the police if I confessed to him that my illegal injections t o Bom-Boy caused the skin patches" replied Okondu rather nervously. **Well l am goi"g t o tell the Dr. how the patches came about first thing tomorrow morning". "You must be crazy t3 want t s implicate me. Ola. You can't; you mustn't; you dare n x do that, my Ola", pleaded Okondu, this time more firmly than he had ever been before. Leave it t o me Dim; you won't be t o any trouble. before, I might, as wtll, do it again this time. I can never put you into any harm deliberately' it I have done D m ' t worry. Dim. **Listen t o me Ola: Ihave let you have your way in almost all things hitherto. I have already had enough of my own share of the average difficulties of life. My cup is quite full with vinegar and gall. I don't want any more trouble. If you i n s i s t on telling the doctor the whole truth, then. I will be gone before you have the chance t o do it, and only goodness knows where I shall be gone to." �"Dim. be reasonable. We are here. miles from home. to see Bom-Boy well. There are no two ways about seeing him cured except by telling the doctor the root cause of the trouble. May I repeat, for the purpose of reassuring you, that you won't be implicated. The docta won't be told that you knew what happened. Otherwise, he would naturally querry why you didn't tell him from the start. There is no need to meet trouble half the way: wise men either eo all out for the trouble or wait till it comes. Bom-Boy must be cured. I can almost swear to it that you won't be implicated. Dim." With this assunnn the topic became as good as closed. The idea of a Leper Settlement is to make it approximate a real home as much as possible. The essence of a home is privacy. This is ensured by allocating a room-flat 10 a patient, or two room-flat to two related-patients Each patient owns his own toilet, a plot of land for cultivating food crops as well as cash crops. His old surroundings are transplanted as much as possible to his new situations.. Trade is taught in the settlement. Faid employments are given to the able patients such as road making, general labour, hospital work in patients' wards, and farming. Schools are organised for patients of school age. Adult education classes seemed popular. A rich woman patient had been known to be so thrilled with her ability to write her name through adult education classes that she orderzd for an eigth guineas Parker fountain pm. - Okondu had been spoken to previouslv by the doctor in-charge about school arrangements for Born-Boy. The doctor had undertsken to see the welfare Officer for it. The idea gave Okondu some anxious moments as he felt that the question of school arrangements should not have arisen at all if the doctor had not been certain that Bom-Boy's stay in the Settlement would be long. - �The doctor came 'to work earlier than usual. The two nursing sisters who normally accompany bim on the hut-rounds had not yet arrived. So, the doctor (aught it fit to pop in. informally, to see the little new patient about his rchoool arrangements before resuming the dry's work in.the usual 'Big Three' way. 'Can I come in. asked the doctor 8s he entered the tlat door obliquely to accommodate his hefty stumpish figure, with his loose fitting jaw-flesh almost tauching the colar-bone. 'Come in doctor. Meet my wife just arrived to see her son. We call her Ola' 'Children are almost always safer in the hands of their mothen and grannies; why hasn't she been here fro= tho start to look lnrr htr son?' asked the doctor with as much indifference as could carilly srrggcst that he didn't want an answer?. 'Oh, doctor. she hasn't bien well herself. She had just retuned from Kano w h e r e her eye-trouble had b e e n sucoerrfuUy trutcd. Eh.... m eh' ......, 'Stop. Dim. I can speak for myself. I haven't lost my tongue yet, yoti know' interrupted Ola ' 'Docta, I don't mind sta ing on to take care of my boy, if you don't mind provided I know ow long the teatment is likely to last. h "You don't have to stay mth the boy once a suitablo patient could be found to take care of him. As for tho duration of treament, I am arraid, it will take some good while to diagnose, with absolute certainty, the species of Bacillus Lcprae that caused the &inpatches. Our 6 n t smear test didn't reem to .sive any clue to the species of tho cauutive organism. f i e one week*$ pre-treatment diagnoses didnot kern to . have made any noticeable impression an the nasty patch. ' �Our smear tests are done fortnightly and .your boy must -have to wait till another week -end for another test.,I am afraid. By then. I hope we shall be able t o get to grips with the root cause of the trouble. It is most. likely that your boy had been infected with an unusual species of Bacillus Lepsae that .does not readily respoad to routin2 symptomatic tests. Any thing can happen these days. We are n e w surprise6 at new discoveries.' In the inte&ning period between now and the -hext siniar-te$t,we shall make bure t1:at your boy's body does not harbour any physiological defects. such as low haenloglobin count, . . . .. -. ... . . . . worms in the guts, liver troubles, ere. that nhy likely ,b& complication in the courss of the treatment.' ., ., . . -. . .., . . .. . . . 'Well, docta. I h a m , something very iniprotantly relcvsnl to tell you* said Ola in.-all:seriousness. ' . . .- ... ..,,!2 'Madam, you better hold on, s m not in yet for the formal rounds. I shall be back soon with the sisters. who; I hope, shall be very glad to shsre your informations with me, unless they are con. . fidential' i .. 4 The two sisters heights five and one quaker feet, symmetrical in dimensions, looked in appearances, as if they were blood relations to the hefly hI. 0.But for th:ir white uniforms. and smiling faces, one could easily. mistake them for moving bags of garri tied in the middle with white. ribbon bands. They were. hurrying to join the doctor i whom, they thought, ha3 gone i hut or two ahead of them ,on [he hut rounds. The two over weight Nursing sisters the nuisance-sister' ( as they are nicknamed by some of their, staff-nurses). moved so hsavily over the grass-field as if their lower extremities needed oiling. - 'NOW, .. - then, madam! what is it you want to tell or ark me. Be brief and to the pdint. . ~ l l ' o t h e r patients &e'kaiting' .. 'Doctor'. Bom-Boy's skin- patches started like thi$:- A m3n came along one day with some bottles of injectable materials which he claimed could make children grow fister and stronger.. Adult4 the drug-pedlar said; could hadrdly fall ill after taking such injections. �Bom-Boy had been too small and tooweak for his age. Such injeotions suited him quite handsomely. An injection that encourages rapid growth and promoter good health, should bc expected to cost guineas if given by the doctors. But the itinerant ex-service man 'doctor' charged me only three shillings, all told, for each injection. I paid six shillings for me and Bom-Boy each time he visited. At first, the injection seemed to be doing us a world of good. I started to feel my former self again. Bom-Boy became more agile and started t o eat well. The injection's apparent harmless efficacy coupled with its obvious cheapness made me ask for it for self and son each time the 'doctor' called. Our regular patronage made the 'doc's calls more frequent, some timescalling as many as thrice weekly. The after-effects of such injections were my recent loss of eye sight, and the present .. Bom-Boy's skin conditions, doctat - - - 'Do you know what the injection was called ? asked the doctor in a calculated professional self cont:ol.' 'What injection was it ?' 'Penicillinpowder, dissolved with 3cc acetylarsan injection solution' 'I see' did your husbind know about this? . Okoridu's hair and eye-brows stood on edge. He was almost prepared t o jump the window but for the prompt and timely reply from Ola: . . . 'No, docta' 'You said ,your eye trouble .got treated at Kano?' .. . 'Yes docta' 'Did you tell theKano doctor what happened before he started your eye treatment' 'No, docta, not until after a week's fruitle treatment' 'Why did you have to wait for a week before telling him?' 'Because. I went to Kano to b a t the fading eye-sight and not to treat its cause. I did'nt think such revelation rcvelant at fiat.' �'What did the Kano.doctor tell you when'he knew the cause of your eye trouble ?' 'e advised me very strongly against accepting medicines &om H tiny one other .than doctors or pharmacists' . . Are you, then, converted ? No, docta ? What ? "Decidedly, no, Docta" . . . . Why not ? Docta' if every patient went to the hospital or to doctors with their com?laints in a country like ours with so few doctors and much fewer pharmacists, a country where nearly every third.man is a pro:spective patient of one disease or the other malaria, jaundice colic and headiche we shall 'have inore deaths in the hospitals than we d o have at present; because .our ,hospitals shall be so over-crowded with patients that many of them shall have been-dead before ever theJ have an inch of a chance of seeing any doctor. But for the Chemists, the death rolls in our community would have been more alarmingly higher. As for those trader-drug pedlars and the like, docta, I think they do help'. - Will you stop the trash, lady. What do you know about drugs and their toxicity as to psntificate as to who should and who shouldn't handle them?. Once bitten, twice shy -but you don't seem to have learned anything from your part experiences in the hands of the quacks.' �'Okey, doaa. I shall be your slave, once - &om-Boy geu better through your treatments. .If that I s any help,, I want to say before you, doaa. that I believe i n three d's viz.: drugs, dollars. and doctors in that order Just as my husband and my husband's second wlfe do." Okondu, Ola, and Bom-Boy Wave hearty good Settlement Medical o r Area Superintendent. THE END. . bye t o the Leper �HEALTH FIRST BOOKS D NKEM AKUNEME . ELEKERE AGWO: T H E Q U A C K DOCTOR A NOVEL ON 'THE DANGERS OF ILLEGAL - INJECTIONS AND SELF-MEDICATIONS (2) Poisoas and Poisoning By t h e same author. Over 5,000: people die every year, of poisoning, over 20,000 people are treated annually of.poisoning symptoms, more than .half of these are innocent children. .,. ' To be on the safe side, Read "Poisons & Poisoning. Price only 2/- �P R O F I L E , Mr. Akuneme has spent 15 years of his student life as a scholarship student. In the secondary school, he was an Orlu N. A. scholar for 4 years from 1940 to 1943 He spent 4 years in the school of pharmacy Yaba as a Nigerian Government Scholarship Student from 1944 to 1948. As Eastern Nigeria Government Scholar, he spent 7 years in U. K. :-5 years in Leeds University, studying academic pharmacy and special studies pharmacology. and the rest in Leicester Colleze of Technology and Wakefield Clayton Haspital working and gaining invaluable experieoce. In U. K. Mr. Akwneme lectured widely to Rotary Clubs, Church organisations, Youth Clubs, University Union Societies, International Centres, and Pax Rornana World Congress, on such topics as Colour Prejudice, Nigzria, African Pharmacology, the place of women in African Society etc. His best known contributions while in U. K. were:- As presideat of Leeds Branch ot Nigeria Union, he organised a Landladies' Day Party (now an annual event). Where landladies and landlords. University Vice chancellors, HOS: pita1 matrons, College principals, and others who had shown obvious interests and kindness to Nige. rians in IJ. K. were treated gene- r rously, to Nigerian foods, c u h a l display, and Nigerian film shows, an event very widely publicised by D. N.Akunernz British and World Press . - . and British . information Service, as "the best practical demonstration of inter -- ratial harmony'' - - - ~ - �Akuneme played a leading part in founding the Leeds University Afro Asiaa society which provided needed forum for Afro-Asian students' meetings He has written numerous "Health First? series of articles on such topics as:"Occupations and their influence on the health of a nation". Mental ~ & l t h Nigerian U. K. students. of Psychology of studying. Poisons and poisoning. Pharmacy in a: new Nigeria. 'Face to face with Bribery and. Corruption etc. ,i H style..of writing hi3 been : acclaimed by leading British and. Nigerian journalists as "pleasantly informal", "irres.istibly interesting", and "doubtlessly educative". - . . M ~ k t i n e m ehas worked as ~ o i ~ i t a l ; . pharmacist in Lagos,.Bukuru, Barakin Ladi, Kaduna, Bernin Kebbi, Jos, Wakefield (England), Liverpool, Enugu, Onitsha and P.H.: He studied in Awo-Omamma (his home town), at Kano (in Northern Nigeria), and in Lagos - a true citizen of a .Federal Nigeria, ~ k u n e m e married to Elizabeth Njoku, a U. K. is trained Staff nurse of the Nightingale Calibre, and is a proud father of four lovable children Cynthia, Terrence, Ikwukaku Edmond, and Charles Ndubueze. - ��� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Elekere Agwo : the quack doctor Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Akuneme, D. Nkem. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Awo-omamma, Eastern Nigeria : Oma Printing Press Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1964 Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3545 Description An account of the resource This long pamphlet is described as "<em>a novel on the dangers of illegal injections and self-medications,</em>" (pg.70). Neither an advice guide nor how-to pamphlet, this fictional account joins others by Akuneme that cover issues related to mental health, pharmacy and poisons as part of a series called "Health First". The story follows a "law-abiding" yet disgruntled trader named Okondu who joins up with a dubious character named Sunday to administer illegal injections for profit. Okondu's first wife, Ola, and son, Bom-Boy, receive poisonous injections containing arsenic from Okondu to "cure" their ailments. Rather than promoting growth, strength and healing, the injections bring disaster to Okondu's family.<br /><br />Characters in this tale learn lessons about their experiences "in the hands of quacks," (pg.68). One strong message within the story is that drugs "are two-edged swords," (pg.45). In the end, education conquers ignorance and Okondu is forgiven for his attempt to substitute three quick weeks of "quack" apprenticeship for six years of rigorous professional medical training. Akuneme writes, "May God Forgive Okondu and his ilk for they know not what they are doing," (pg.29). Some Of the challenges facing Nigeria's medical profession and its ailing citizens, as well as the country's transportation network, are revealed in this entertaining story. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/86899822d22e59ea2cba751725ac32ff.jpg 9d04b79d33983eb2ec0d203986b395e4 Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Width 261 Height 344 Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Market Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Buckman, Thomas R. Description An account of the resource Photo of Onitsha Market taken by Thomas R. Buckman. Reproduced with permission. African Studies Ken Lohrentz Onitsha https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/a42d121c0650954a4045744ae6d1718b.pdf 4c144477140ce970b087810ea96f43a3 PDF Text Text .. 'I. I. .. '4 LADY'S GUIDE (To be read before marriage and afier it) PHILIP d2 AGNES; "We are in our honey moon'9 Copy right Reserved Net price 31- �REMEMBER THE BIG FIGHT IN ' NIGERIA TIGER-NJLLMER FIGHT lOTH AUGUST 1963 L I B E R ~ STADIUM ~ . IBADAN WES%% NIGERIA,- DICK TIGER WON WITH A KNOCKOUT. - Fullmer started with great attack but Dick took over and "hammered him at the head and body." :. , i ROUND WQ. Here at first 'it was a punch for a punch but in the end Dick . took ., Fdmer to a corner - and ''re.ally battered . . .ROUE~D,,. .. , ONE. hiin." , THR*. The batCeriqg continued Fullmer started. to run but D~ck Tiger chased ' :' *hiin .. 2nd coJitinuc?$t,pu.nishng Fullmcr.for "ROUPJD MUR. This round I was a hell. i ,Fillher. There wr's a cut above the, eye . .hnd the blows, from Ttger were meiciless. 2 R O ~ mve. Fullmer mnagrd to come out D :: &r this round and .enly.cndured till the end of the round. R&ND SIX. It appearkd that' ~ u l l m & was out to recounter but Dick Tiger "continued hls i, s.h.u~ter." ahurn SEVEN. Red face. battered eve brows ,ROUND ' " % , �THE AFRICAN BACHELOR'S GUIDE AND LADY'S GUIDE Cy. Diala Obtolmbk hhh NJOKU di SONS BOOKSHOP, 4 0 6 Are-Ndizuogu Street, FUiCfE ONITSHA. - rice 31- �CONTENTS Pages Chapter 1. why do b o ~ s and girls marry 5 Chapter 2. The importance of prayer in searching for fi a girl to marry. Chapter 3. How to approach a girl for marriage 8 Chapter 4. What you must do before you seek for a wife, preparation for marriage 11 Chapter 5. Questioas and answers on preparation for 12 marriage. Chapter 6. How to c h o ~ s e girl for marriage. a 15 The kind of boys most girls like to marry 17 Chapter 7 . Why boys make friends with girls 19 Chdpter 8. How bachelors should dress their room 2 0 Chapter 9. My 20 advices for bachelors before marri22 age. Chapter 10. My 13 advices for girls bef6re marriage 25 Chupter 11. The disadvantages of living in a room 26 with a friend. Chapter 12 How to write engagement and marriage letters. 28 29 Miss Agnes replies to Philip From a friend to a friend congratulating h ~ m 33 upon his engagement. From a boy t o his chap inquiring why she has 34 not written him since long time Chapter 13 The ten commandments of love for boys 35 and girls. Chapter 1 4 Toast for the bridegroom 36 Chapter 15 Look after your skin 37 Chapter 16 Bride price, is it right or wrong 48 Chapter 17 Marriage. 40 44 Chapter 18 Beware the siren spinster. �PREFACE Hipp Hipp Hurreh! Hipp Hipp Hurreb! Hipp Hurreh!! That's okey You have warmed up yourself now. Well then, get every ready to go through this book, particularly originated to guide you and make you have fun out of reading. l This book gives a g e ~ e r a advice to all bachelors, unmarried girls and including those people already in marriage. The answers to the questions in this book, represent the advice of the author out of the questions. There is no doubt that the. reader will find this book most useful and helpful to him or her. I wish you every good luck and happiness in marriage. �FOREWARD I am very glad to recommend this book t3 all couples and would be couplss to read and zssimlate.' The book, though pamphlet it is, deals with vital aspects of life which people always neglect. The theme of the book is "LOOK, BEFORE YOU LEAP" Mr. Cy. is a gay boy and he is one of. the writters I can rely on his suggestions and expositions, because he writes from the specialist eye view. I wish every young man and woman should possess this pamphlet of the well versed writer. �Chapter 1 WHY DO BOYS AND GIRLS MARRY 1 Boys marry in order to get children. 2 To satisfy the nature's desire. 3 It is pressing debt that every bachelor should pay to his country so, it must be paid. 4 A wife is a hooourable property. It is to complete our properties. 5 Wife makes us big man. 6 Wife gives honosr, respect and happiness. 7 Wife avoids useless expenditures. 8 Wife makes us to be wise. So marry the girl you love and who loves you for such marriage lasts and brings good luck and high happiness. FOR GIRLS 1 Girls .marry in order to get children. 2 To satisfjr the natures desire. 3 A husband gives honour, respect and happiness because "A woman's pride is husband". 4 It is a pressing debt that every girl should pay. 5 It has been noticed that girls depend upon husbands for their needs. 6 For safiy sake, m a r r i a g e they will because walk without about when �they are up to the age to get money to buy their needs. So, girls try to marry a boy you love and who loves you foisuch marriage lasts and brings high happiness and try to respect husbands because it is from them that your progress depends. And you should not forget that a woman's pride i s her husband. And a girl's pride is her boy friend, husband is your second father: and mother, Therefore honour and respect your husband more than your parents. Chapter 2 THE IMPORTANCE O F PRAYER IN searching for a girl to marry When the tbuoght of marriage comes to yoh begin to pray thrice a day so thHt the supreme being the God of Isreal. the God of Africa and the God of ,the world and above may give you a good wife. The wife who would love you, the wife who would be tolerant to you, the wife who would love your people, the wife who would come with good luck, a wife who would be quiet. intelligent, serviceable, sensible, mannerbd. The significaoce, of the prayer by a bachelor during his preparation for marriage is obvious. Without the prayer, one may be unfortunate �and make a wrong chcice. and then marry "another man's wife" whose destiny is incompatible with the person. A mistake in marriage is a danger in a man's. life. When you visit a wife and her husband who is not living well, you would hare marriage in its'entirety, but when you call at the house cf a husband and wife who hve with love, you would borrow money and r a r r y at once. Some wives are tqlkatives, quarrelsome, "over sexed" and troublesome and an obstacles to their husbsnd's progress, due to the wives' bad lucks. Any bachelor should pray against three things when gettang ready to choose a girl for marriage. Bachelors are warned to avoid mistakes in marriage as this kills the spirit and happiness of a husband. TO GIRLS NOW I now call upa'n the unmarried girls to pray three times every day * ~ h e e her marriage is soon-forth coming. You must pray to get a good husband a kind and sympatbetic husband, a husband who may love you and your people, a progressive husband, a quite and tolerant husbadd. The importance of the prayer by the spinster during the time he mainage is reaching is obvious. Failing to pray, you may get into the hand of an irresponsible man. Some husbands are inrresponsible and 7 �wicked. They treat their wives as house boys. Some get money but can't bring out enough chop money for tbeir house holds. The irrqponsible husbands prefer to show their wealth in hotels. They sterve tbeir wives. They cart't cloth their wives and they have the means. Somz of t,he irresponsible husbands are hot tempered. They beat their wives as if they are beating their servants. All this is the reason why any unmarried girl should pray to God so that, she may get a gentleman who is not igoorsnt cf the right and previledges of a wife. When you call in a home where a husband respects his wife, things use to go well in that family but when you visit a home where the husband terms any thing rhat his wife does, "woman sense" or woman affair" the public gathers every day to stop fighting in rhat family. Chapter 3 HOW TO APPROACH A GIRL FOR MARRIAGE Qne. When you see a girl, yon love to marry how will you approach her? Ans: I have to request a friend to accompany me to meet the girl, or 1 go alone. Que. What is the necessity of the friend's accompany to the girl? A&: To join me study the girl psychologiczlly. Qne: When going, how will you appear in dress? ADS: I have to dress very well. I will tidy my hair and keep my teeth very c I e a n. I will cut down the nails of m y . fingers �and toes, if any. Inshort, I will appear as a gentle boy. Que: When you meet'the girl what will you tell her? Ans: I will tell her all I can t o convince her, but will never boast of my self. First of all, I will introduce myself and my partner t o her. Que: But if unfortunately, she tells you that she has been engaged, what will you do? Ans: Then I have to go, without trying t o tell her to change her mind because of me. Que: If she tells you that she has not been engaged but has not made up her mind to marry, what will you tell her? Ans: I will ask her several questions and find out the reason why she has not wanled t o marry. Que: If a girl tells you that she does not like to marry you, will you beg her? Aos: God forbid! 1 will never beg a girl to marry me. Immediately, I discover that a girl is not interested or enthusiastic of my material approach, I will give up further approsch. Qee: If you meet a girl for marriage and she tells you that she wants t o think over your approach before saying yes o r no, what �will you d o ? Ans: I will welcome her thinking over it. I will give her time to think over. When I see that she is hesitating to answer yes or no, 1 will send a person who knows her very well, t o tell her the type of a person I am, and recommend me t o the girl. Que. Do you know that some girls need to be spoken too much before they may be moved to consent to a marriage? Ans: Yes, I know that some girls are to be told a lot of words before they can agree marriage. Some girls use t o reftlse marriages not because they don't know the characters of their approachers. It is there fore very important to get a middle man (intermediary) during an approach to a girl who don't know you. The duty of this middle man would be to tell the girl all about you. He is to praise and eleviate you before the girl. Que. If a girls demands some gifts from you during your approach t o her, will you meet up with the demands? Ans. I will not. I will regard the girl as a person with "long throat". But if the girl does not ask for the gift, I shall buy something for her voluntarily Que. In case you are attending R. C. M. and the girl attends Anglican Church, and she tells ycu that she will not marry you, unless you change �your religion, will you agree to change it? Ans: I will dot change it. If the girl refuses to .change her's then I forget a11 about her and look for another girl. Chapter 4 WHAT YOU MUST PO BEFORE YOU SEEK FOR A WIFE. Preparations for marriage. Qae: What preparatiens will you make if your marriage remains six mouths? Ans: I will gel sufficient dresses myself. I 611 furnish my house decently. I will try t o hzve some savings in the bank before the marriage takes place. Que: When the marriage has taken place, what will you d o ? Ans. I will send the girl to an advanced married woman for training in domestic science. She will stay about nine to twelve months with her. Que. After her training what will be the next thing? Ans: It is wedding, if at all you are prepared. Que: But if the girl has been trained in domestic science in her parents house, what other training will you give her? Ans: T h e n I have to live with her in my h o u s e . a n d she will be �ettending sewing institute rod after the course I will wed with her. Que: Will you like to miggle with her during this time she attends sewing institute? Ans. I shall not do so if nature helps it. I will not like her ro be pregnated while doing the course as her pregnaocy and delivery will stop her doing the sewing course. Que. That means to say that you will have the miod to forget all about sexual intercourse during her course? Ans. Yes, if nature can allow. Chapter 5 TO SIRLS NOW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON PREPARATION For Marriage. Que. When a man approaches you for maniage, what will you d o ? A w : If he comes, and it happens to be a person J like. l will ask her severel questions, after which I will tell her to give me about two weeks to think over ibe marriage but if the man that I don't like comes, 1 will tell him that 1 have been engaged. Que. But if he presses you too much to tell him yes or no at once? Ans: I must not answer him yes or no at that first approach, b e c a u s e I must satisfy my conscience quite alright and seek the advice �of my parents o r brothers before saying yes or no. Que: In case, you love to marry the man bu your parents or your brothers refuse, what will you do? Ans: Personally I'don't want to go against the advice of my parents o r brothers in marriage. If I love a marl but my people do not see with me, I will have no other alternative than to supress m y , love on the man. Que: What is the bad effect of a girl marrying a man her parents d o not like? Ans: If any dispute arises between the man and and the girl, the parents can never care about it, because the girl has gone contaray t o their warning. The man will then treat the girl as he likes since he has known that the parents are not in good terms with the girl. It is therefore not good for any girl to marry against the wishes of her people. Que. How will you live with a husband. Ans. I will love my husband, obey him, serve and help him. Que. In case your husband becomes hard on you, what will you d o ? �Ans. I will protest against it. Que: r u t if hs persists to be h ~ r don you, what will you d o ? Ans: I will call attention of my parents. Que: What step will your parents take? Ans: They will intervene and look into the matter. Que: But if after tbeir intervention and looking into the matter, your husband presists to be cruel t o you, what will you d o next. Ans: I will by this time know that a real trouble has come. 1 will consider the gravity of his cruelty on me, if it is bearable, then I can still live with the man but if it is not bearable. I will divource the wicked man. Que: Supposing that you have got up to three children for the man, will you leave the children and go away? Ans: Yes, 1 will leave the children and go away. It is not wise t o slay with the cruel men and die before the natural time because of the children. However I will be visiting the childrer! from time to time. Any time, I have money, I will buy some thing and send to the children. X will also be watching their interest, but I will not because of them, endanger my life, by staying with their father. Que: H a w will you train your children in case you are p e a c e f u l l y �livina with your huiband. Ans: I will be giving them moral instructions make them to be a serious Christans, train them to be, respectful to tbeir parents, their elders and other people deserved to be obeyed and respected. I will train them to be intelligent and sensible, to be clean and fashionable. Que. much? ~d you know what' annoys husband very Ans: Many things use to annoy a busband, one of them includes.giving a husband chop at late hour. It is good to cook in time and well too. Qae: When your husband calls you what willyou answer him? Am: I will answer him "Sir" Infect that interests many husbands. Chapter 6 HOW 'I0 CHOOSE A GIRL FOR MARRIAGE It is hardly necessary for me to venture to ~uggcst to you what type of girl you may hope to,.marry, bearing' in mind the multi-coloured divergence of human views. Nevertheless, I will try to suggest to some of you for caution p u r p B s e, the probable pit falls which are often over looked b y anxious would ,be h u s b a a d �wheu choosing life partners. Prominent among there is the much talked of but equally often misconstructed choice of marrying beautiful charming girls. Nature. I am sorry to have to mention this, is so cunning in her workmanship that she lendssome sort of disgusting character-traits to those girls that are exceptionally beautiful such as stubborness, insurbodination; down right thick headedness and the like, while to those decidedly unpresentable, she allots submission, humility and obedience. It is to be clearly understood that either of these character-traits, for good or for bad, depends so. to girls coocerned. By this, I do not mean to advocate the acceptance of an ugly duckling for a wife. What I really.mean, is the danger, if it is a danger at all, of engaging a girl without bluffing and without provocating exchange of words. I must warn right now that if you are not an acceptable young man and are not well to do, ( a suicidal combination of two curses) please for goodness sake, do not under such circumstances, arrange for a very beautiful girl. She may condescend in a trick compliance with her parents wish to be your wife, only to change her mind after few months stay with YOU, for somebody else. �I cannot say more than this. Before you marry pray to God and think twice before you arrive at a decision. A well bred ugly girl, is of course more preferable to a charming b ~ stubborn thing. t In writing this, as I have done, I do not forget that it is the declared hope of so many bachelors to marry beautiful girls whose charming looks may be all enough to add a thousand sparks to the personality of their husbands in social circles, in all places 1 belong to this class myself. We must never forget also that a girl's ugliness could be tramsformed into a glamorous look if there is money. While beautiful girls stubborness is z disease to human being tact and diplomacy are employed in your dealings with such a wife. Before I conclude this chapter, I must warn again against the blindness of marrying a very young girl. This is dangerous and disadvantageous in several ways, which I think you already know, And lastly, in your choice of wife, find your standard. THE KIND OF BOYS MOST GIRLS LIKE TO MARRY Girls are really very funny while at Aba I amused myself a great deal by asking some of my girls t h e i r opinions a b o u t boys, w i t h 17 �panicular regards to their choice of boy friends, or in other words what type of boys they would like to marry. Their responses were so funny that I could not help laughing whenever I recollect some of them. I will now endeavour to record a few of their comments verbatim. Adamma said, "boys who are always cheerful and are ever ready to co-operate with life, with eyes on decency and attractive living apartment. Agnes said "I always admire thz company of young, handsome boys, 1 know I am not all that presentable, but I detest the compay of ugly looking young men. So I like to marry a handsome boy. Comfort said "I am prepared to get into the hands of any young man who is prepared and can satisfy my material desire and not one who claims to be extra-ordinaryly handsome, but scratches his head when I ask for a few shillings. Anna said " The young man who is social, sociable and intelligent is my choice, most especially the young man who is very fluent in English and popular among decent circles. You have hezrd the kind of boys, girls wish t o marry, therefore if you wish to be loved by girls or wish to marry any, you have to attract them in all ways. �Chapter,:7 WHY BOYS MAKE FRIENDS WITH GIRLS I very much doubt; if 'why we fall in love with girls some times, is more than - to enjoy . the 'iexual . intertourse. If this ' i s not why you go. a hunting sometimes, it' is precisely why I do sb. I have noticed that several young men fall in love the wrong way. They look upon their so called swtet-hearts as their exclusive or bona-fide properties, aqd tries to rrevent another man from meeting their girl friends of which islooked upor! as a crime unpardonable. I have so maoy times wa~ched the action of certain youog men over some girls who must undoubtedly have more than three' or even more other boys, but may not disclose them for security reasons. The most stupid thing to do theiefore is for any young mah to ban other youpg men from establishing association with his so-called girl friend. This greatly contravenes the social code of decency. Nevertheleis, it is very annoying of 'any young man human beings being what they are, who, has so much on his girl, to- find another person enjoying his exclusive property, their love making is in as 1 o n'g 'as �progress. When you are i d o v e with any girl, do not trust her too much. She may naturally deceive you by. branding herself as your own alone and may be pleasing.herself from other people. It sometimes amazes me to find some young men, despite the anqoying treatments beir~gdone to men narrated in pubs and fire-sides, sacrificing their own interest to satisfy the needs of girls. It may pay you great dividend to test the. sincerity of a girl who professes to stand for your interest and well-fare. You can easily employ methods to test her seriousness, if you are wise.' Chapter 8 WHY BACHELORS SHOULD DRESS THEIR Room.. his items I have to treat dependson individual taste and capability 1 have included this item i n view c f what I have seen.of so many young bachelors who have been able to acquire quite a l o t of furniture but nrr'acge th'em'zig-zagly furthe~mor?,it inintended for a n y young man who cannot afford for a room a par.lour.and who therefore occupies a room, in a premises .where.tbereis no kitchen accomodation for' domestic uitinsils.Let -me start off, set your bed in any suitable corner of the room, preferably at corner not easily sightable by any' passers-by near your door. If your gup-board i s a polishable stuff,-stand it exactly opposiie:., y o u r main d o o r and avoid p I a c'i n g unnecessary 05 s t a i o e d pieces ' ' �of .outdated magaziries or periodicals or some soup stained plate on top of it. Your reading table should be at any co~spicous corner of your room with a chair to match driven inside the bottom space when i t is out of use. ~ h r ecushion. chairs at .the opposite i side of the bed with one following the other is not bad. A rohid table ought to be placed exactly on the ..centre of the room. Then one end of the bed should be your store for plates, buckets, soup-pots and all what not. Shade them from any visitor. You can shade them with about four yards of cloth, so that any visitor caunot see them, you can afford it, you can arrange with a carpenter for ply-wood with which to fashion an enclosure. Your bed cross should under no circumstances differ from the stuff you use for your door or windows, a little alteration may be necessary, if you bave seme. The most annoying combination is a yellow cloth for the door, a black one for the windows and a red one for the bed-cross which is too bad. If you wish to. keep with the times always try to survey the rooms of your friends when you vist them while some may be questionably bad, others may supply the model which may appeal to your interest. One more word. It's safer to own two spare pillow cases if you bave only two pillows, one .or two spare bed sheets, and two heavy blankets rugs. If you �are careless, or if your locality is the comference halls for mosquitoes net, which may not cost more than 18s o r so, the cost depending on the quality. If you taxinot afford for one, cover your white bed-sheet with a blanket or remove it entirely only to replace it accordingly the followiog morning. It may not be pleasing to a visitor sense of decency to find under your bed all odds and ends. One part of your blanket evenly drawn down to a few inches above the floor could easily conceal all these. Do not for heaven's sake. Chapter 9 M Y TWENTY ADVICE. FOR BACHELORS before Marriage. 1 Never you tell algirl whom: you will marry that you are a rich man, you have a car, bicycles, f6000 in the bank, that you will give her many servants while you are as poor as a church rat. Then when she comes and fails to see under mentioned things you promised her that you had. She will become highly offended and will regret and may even run a way from you. 2 ' D o not marrya street girl if you wish to get children easily. �-3 D o not attempt to marry while you are very young because, you will become old after the marriage D o not attempt to marry while you have not enough money so that you may not go hungry with your wife. 4 Do not marry because your mates had married because you do not know how much they have. 5 6 Never attempt to g o to any woman while you ;lave a wife, by so doing you teach your wife a lesson to d o like wise. 7 Do'not take your wife as an angel, by so doing she will brain you and you d o what ever she says with out thioking twice. 8 D o not steal to maintain your wife. D o things for h e r a s you can. 9 D o not love woman more than money but love money more than woman. 10' D o not think for money and a t the same time think for woman because two can not arrive a t the same time. Think how t o get money first. Then when you have got enough money you can then think of marriage, because it is a natural desire, that a man must think of a wife when be is up to the age. 11 if you wish t o be looked as a well dressed young man, .always watch the dresses of persons in the public.. �12 If you wish to be respected, first respect your self. D o not be a tdkertive. 13 If you would not like to live a poor life, this is your time to work hard against your old age. 14 1fyou wish to be mannered, watch how people act in their homes and out side. 15 Do not live high life, enjoy your self but know that the world is too hard. I6 Never you forget that woman liquidates a man. They only love your mooey and hate your life. 17 Always bear in your mind that ones. greatest friend is also ones great enemy. 18 Never attempt to marry a run-a-way wife, Such girls bring trouble and bad luck. 19 n o earn all you can, enjoy all you can and save all you can against future. 20 D o not fight your wife because by so doing your wife will not respect you and fighting has gone. 24 �Chapter 10 MY 13 ADVICES FOR GIRLS BEFORE MARRIAGE. 1. Any good wife should greet her husband good- morning, good-evening, good-afternoon every day. 2. A good wife should greet her husband thank 3. A good wife should not befriend any other person for ex-sexual intercourse. 4. A good wife should not fight her husband or jlou sir after each meal. any body at all. 5. A good wife should not be a lalkertive. 6. A good wife should not be wicked towards her husband's servants. 7. A good wife should call her husband master, mine, dear, my-heart, or my honey and should answer Sir, when ever she is been called. 8. A good wife should respect her husband and obey his instructions, because a "woman's husband". 25 pride is �9. A .good wife should not demand too much of chop money from her master. 10. A good wife should always call her master mine, dear, dearest, smiles always. 11. A good wife should cook in- time. 12. A good wife should know when her master is annoyed and tries to comfort him. And should know when to request things from him; 13. A good bouse wife should not go in bad company with other women. Because a bad apple spoils others. Chapter 11 DISADVANTAGES O F ,LIVING IN A ROOM with a friend. Whether you are living in Ooitsha, Aba, Enugu, or Jos do not agree to share a room. with a friend when you can conveniently care for, one. The disadvantages are as follows:- (a) Reading incoveniences; your partner, if he is a dog in the manger, may not allow you to read in the night when you feel like reading a book. 26 �(b) The annoyance of being turoed out because your partner is engaged could bs better imagined than described. (c) The offensive words of some wicked and ill-natured fellow who may come to visit your partner, is a sufficient lesson to you. (d) If your partner has already acquired sufficient furniture and other home equipments, you will have no sight to arrange for your own. and may remain only with your wearing apparels and no more until you will be asked suddenly to vacate the room for ne just cause, after which you will face the discomfort of packing to a new quarter witbout any furniture. (e) You may have the chance to entertain your. visitors as you may wish, and will have no chance to please .yourself. In short, the disadvantages are so many that I begin to suspect some young men who live on with friends for quite a long time. In writing as I have done, I don't advise any young man who has just started life to arrange for a separate accomodation. Unless he is been aided by his parents. (f) A friend divided a room with his friend who was fond of women, for a stretch of nine nights the other friend was turned out because his partner who happened to own all the furniture in the room was to enjoy a nice time with his lady-friend. �Chapter 12 H O W TO NRITE ENGAGEMENT AND MARRIAGE LETTERS From a man to his old girl friend for marriage. Udi Hill, Enugu. 99 26/7/63. Dearest Agnes. What 1 may say in this letter may come as a surprise t o you or may not. I will never miss such a person like you if you are willing. Indeed it seemed to me that you held up hops and encouragement still in me. Since we have been separated my dear, it was been absolutely crystal clear t o me that you are the one woman, 1 need in my life as a partner. T o enjoy life at your side to have the right look a t your pointed nose and your smiles. Do, will you agree t o be my wife? If you can say yes darling then, I can work and wait patiently until1 you finish your course. At the moment as you know, I am dependent upon my own earning, and these are not large at the present. Before, you finish your course, 1 must get a enough money to marry you. Write t o me as soon as you can s o that I may know myelf. Yours loving, Philip. �MISS AGNES REPLIES TO PHILIP Accepting. Bida Road, No. 44 Assa, 26/7/63. Dear in heart Philip, Your letter to-day has made me the happiest lady in the world. I wanted to dash out into the street and shout at the top of my voice, to let every body know thqperson whom I thought that had forgotten me have written me again, requesting me to marry him. Oh!' " ~ h l n ~ s not what they seems". lnfact, are on that'day I walked 'io our College it was like walking in the air. Ftdr ndt, my dear, 1 will write t o you soon. and Just now 1 am too happy to.~!~ink..straight canno know what to write due to my happiaess. Always your' own, Agnes. , This ~ e t t l comes' from a young man .to the girl he r loves to ,marry. ,His letter reads:Bank ,of West Africa Ltd. Q 0. Box 18, . 1LOR. 4/4/60. Dear Martha, I ,-have'the pleasure toask you whether you wgdd lige to marry me? �I love you too much. I am the senior .cashier of the : ~ a n kof West ~ f r i o a ,Ilor branch. I am a W a native'.of the place. I think I have not much to say now till you reply. Expecting an urgent' reply. Yours, Nathaniel Ugwu. This fetter 'comes from M s Marthn Ibekwe to Nathis aniel. Miss,Martha U g h is sorry that she has been ' engaged to a man who purchased an engagement ring worth o f £10 : 101- (ten guineas) for her. His letter reads:Ministry of Health, ..Geperal Hospital, Igwla. Dear Nathaniel Ugwu; I thank you very much for your letter of the 4/4/60. However, I am very sorry to let you know that I have been eogaged to a gentleman, Joseph okpala, of the Ministry of Education here. He I bought for me an engagement ring worth of ten ,guineas. �I cannot disappoint him for the sake of anybody. Thank you very much Yours, Martha Ugcvu. This letter comes from Obi Kalu to the girl he loves to marry. The letter reads:Kingsway Chemist, Onitsha; 2/5/60. Dear Emily, 'May I know whelher or not you have been eagaged. When I am furnish with this information, I shall write or not again. Yours, Obi Kalu. The girl Emily Uche replies. Her letter reads:Teacher Training College, Owerri-Nta, E~stern Nigeria. ' 10/5/60. Dear Mr. Kalu, I have the pleasure to inform you that I have not been engaged. .3l �Thank you for your enquiry. Yours, Emily Uche. The man, Mr. Obi Kalu writes again-to Miss Emily Uche. ' His letter reads:Kingsway Chemist, Onitsha. 18/5/60. Dear Emily, e, Thank you very much for your answer. Y s what I want to tell you is that I love you and want to marry you if you would agree. Please what is your opinion? Yours, Obi Kalu. . The girl Miss Emily in her opinion on the marriage wishes both o f them to have time to enquire about the manners, behaviours o f each one, before the marriage may get head. The reply reads: - Teachers' Training College, P. 0. Box 143, Owerri Nta, Eastern Nigeria. - 26/5/60. Dear Mr. Obi, I am interested to marry you but it must months take me good three �to make some investigations about you. Your manners. bebaviours, etc. You can also make investigations about me. I cannot just marry you because I see that you are atll, handsome, o r works in a big office. You should not also marry me simply because I am rather fmrly beautiful. We must know ourselves quite alright. I hope you will sre with my points. Yours, Emily Uche. FROM A FRIEND TO A FRIEND CONGRATULATING HIM Upon his Engagement. ' Owerri Road, Oyo Nigeria, 26/7/63. Dear Charles, 1 was very surprised to read in the newspaper this morning of your engagement aod could have wished that I have learnt of it first from you not through the press. 1 trust my dear friend that you know what you are about. Marriage is really a serious under taking even nowadays when so many young boys seem to embark dpon it very lightly. I know nothing of your fiancee personally, but I do feel that you are very young with career still to make, and ought to besitate before you embark upon the responsibilities o f marriage. I trust that your fiancee is the kind of a girl who will be a real help to you. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain, Yours affectionately, Robert Uju. �FROM A BOY TO HIS CHAP INQUIRING why she has not written him since long time. C. K. C. Ogwo, P. 0. Box 6. 26/7/63., My beloved, It is, nearly three weeks since you wrote and I am so worried in case some thing is wrong. But I suggested that you are ill or have met with an accident. Still, I can not help worrying and imaging the case and even if all is well with you, I still feel cause to worry and wonder what is your reason for this long silence. Do write soon and tell me if any thing is wrong for 1 shall not rest till I hear from you. Yours always, Jack. REQUESTING A FRIEND TO BE BEST MAN Highway Shop, Box 66. Umuahia. 26/i/ti3. Dear Angus, I have fixed the 18th of Nov. for my wedding day and I am writing to ask you to do me the honour of being "best man". It will mean a ' great deal to me if you can do me this great service, so, I hope you will not disappoint me. The w e d d i n g will �take place ,in.,-.-. .-.-. -.-......and. I hope you will be free to stay with me for a. fey davs before hand. Yours. Henry Jackson. ' Chapter 13 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE FOR Roys and Girls. 1 Bring to the alter of msrrying,a healthy body. 2 Treat your. partner as an equal counselled with, aod work togtther in solving mutual problems. 3 Show appreciation. 4 Pappy love relations are similar to business b bargains as both parties should gain . j them. 5 Preserve self-respect. 6 partner. Do not upset the self-esteem of your 7 Do not have or .expect a rigid routine. Surprise can bring .much happiness. 8 Have eoafidence in sex.relations. Perfect love casteth out fear. 9 Control your sex life. Do not be a slave. 10 Respect love for its worth. It can be of the biggest factors in your. happiness and success. �Chapter 14 TOAST FOR THE BRIDEGROOM Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I have the greatest pleasure and respect to say something about the bridegroom, Mr..-....., ............. 1 know him from the immemorial. He is a gentleman, a man of his wordr, a quiet and God fearing fellow. However, he is pivious and irritable when crossed over too much. I am proud to s a y that since. my association with him, we have not clashed in anything and it has not come to my knowledge that he bas got trouble with anyone. His policy is not to worry anybody, and does not like to be worried. .(applause) I must tell his wife that God loves her too much to has given him this kind of husband. She is lucky very much. She is going to live with a husband who is simple, kind, sympathetic, generous, God fearing. She is going to live with a gentleman who is a friend to all and enemy to none. The large number of guests in this Hall has confirmed my re., " ---..-.---. "--.,.....-. marks on Mr... . Let me tell you, were it to be that he is a female, I will commit suicide if I don't marry "him" (Long applause); 36 �Chapter 15 LOOK AFTER YOUR SKIN I wonder how many girls give as much attention'to their skin as they do to their hair and figures. A fresh skin, glowing with health, is the basisof beauty. Remember that the care of your skin begins under the surface and a perfect skin goes hand in hand with general good health, a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. Those continueas late nights reflect on :ven the best and most perfect of' complexions. The skin is made up of several layers. The epidermis, which is the top layer, is composed of many paper thin layers. This is the layer that is most affected by cosmetic ingredients. It should be kept very very clean to help prevent spots and blemishes, dandruff falling onto the face is often the cause of spots so, check that your hair is free of it. Blackheads are the result of clogged pores and a force steam bath, or the process of "pelling" which we will discuss later, is a quick and rewarding remedy. Herr are a few ''DO'S" and DON'T'S" you on your way to a lovely skin. 87 to help �1 After washing your face with warm water rinse with cool water to close up the pores and give your skin a smooth appearance. 2 If you wear make-up clean it off every night, no matter how tired you are or how late it is. Cold cream is the best for dry skins and a liquid make-up remover for oily skins. Remove every tracs of make-up otherwise your pores will become clogged and enlarged. . . 3 Wear sun glasses if the sun is strong as constant squinting will encourage premature "crow's feet" around the eyes. 4 Nevcr pick a spot as this will only make it worse. Just dab it with an antiseptic lotion and leave it to heal. 5 After washing, don't use cream on the face immediately. Give thc pores time to close up properly. 6 Finally a gooa intake of water every day deeps your skin looking fresh and dewy. Remember beauty starts from within. Brenda Bucknor. Chapter 16 BRIDE PRICE: I I RIGHT OR WRONG? S T Only recently, The Federation of Nigerian Women's Organisation made an urgent call to all institutions concerned to denounce and abolish as a social evil the payment or demand of bride price in Nigeria as an essential part sf our institution of marriage. �This call at once sparked off a current of contro. oversial comment in the Press, the Radio and even in pubs and educational institutions. To understand the matter more closely and perhaps to give the arguments a more educative approach we have organised a series of inter secondary and college debates and symposiums. One of such debates just held was that between Marymount Girls' College, Agbor and Sacred Heart Teachers' Training College, Ubiaja. ARGUMENT On the whole the arguments adduced have been the same or at least nearly the same, and for the benefit of our youth and for the considei~tion of the Nigeria public, esptcrally the various religious, cultural and govermental institutions concerned, here are the though provoking arguments against bride price raised by the future brides and bridegrooms of this country. "Bride price makes the wife a slave to her husband. since both she and her parents not only become very indebted to her so-called husband but also the woman on her part is generally made from the outset to feel unequal to the man, since she appears to have to contributed nothing substantially to secure the ' �matrimonial contract. As it were, the husband can always look up and say: "You are the fruit of my labour", thus regardiog the wife just as one of tht various items of property in his house. The sound reasoning in this argument leaves nothing to comment upon. Therc is no doubt that, thus viewed, the payment of bride price doubts marriage with the odious name of "slavery." Howbeir, the recent payment' of heavy dowry on the part of the bride in the form of 'presents' usually offsets this feeling of indebtness' on the part of the bride and her parents who can thus equally brag. "We gave so much." Bride price as a custom iscontrary to the l a w of Nature, because daughters, thus sold are free gifts of nature to parents, who therefore have no right to make nature's gifts, a marketable commodity. Chapter 17 MARRIAGE The lower animals, it has b x n argued, are therefore more law-abiding than humans, because, they neither give nor take in marriage, �yet they reproduce and .multiply:" One, however, m3y well csk if thoze ~ t h r llrings r yams, beans and fowls we buy and sell arc not equally natures gifts as well. Again, if human beings should reproducz and multiply without propzr attachments, would that not amount to prostitution? There you are. You must look a t the way you please. "Bride price encourages corruption and immotality in our society today, because it bars many poor men and women from marrying at all and prevents some from marrying their chosen wives simply becauuse they cannot pay for them. Many bachelors and spinsters are. thus left floating the men turning to 'wolves', as our, girls at times call them, and the women flocking into the hotels also for "wo!fish practices". What a case against bride price this is! But X thiok this is true only where parents ask very high prices far their daughters. And watch, price have been indeed very high these days, except of course in Eastern Nigeria where the bridegroon has to hand over his legally stipulated £35 under police escort to his fatherin-law! PROBLEM And what father-in-law would accept a police his s e r g e a n t i n �house'under such a situalion? We must think it all over again, you see. "Since bride price prevents many men and women from marrying at all, it therefnre.creates the problem of depopulation. Nigeria may therefore soda suffer from depopulation and may in future even be threatened by the danger of lack of man-power in her trade, industry, the civil service and the professions." This point in .fact needs urgent investigation by Nigerian economists.. .The pros and cons of such a situation should be studied and precaution taken before it prover too lap, f i r Rome herself had suffered such disaster in her long and checked history and lack: of man-power had cost her, her old empire, DEMAND "Bride price is demanded because some parents are,poor and need some compensation for parting witb thcir daughters who help them in maintain the family and in manual work, and not necessarily because parents do not know that such a practice is evil." Then one may ask: "How far does such money t o r e m o v e r e c e i v e d g 0 42 �the poverty and the vant? . Cer~ainlynot beyond the elbow. "Bride price stains relationship between the son and the father-in-law, sioce the young husband, after stripping himself naked to pay too much, soon decides to keep himself to'himself and leave in abeyance the relationship that cost him so much. ENCOURAGEMENT "Bride p r i e encourages .debt and bave often led to bankruptcy which has ruin:d many families, because many men do borrow money at high interestpates during marriage, which debts they are later hardly able. to. pay since responsibility soon grows with family and man's economic condition grqws worse. At best this may lead to divorce or yet add to unhappiness in marital life!' 'Bride price is averse to justice and democracy, because it is one sided enriching the parents of the bride (who in fact may bave spent less on the education of their daughter) by robbing the couple and the parents of of the bridegroom, at time'to the poiat of desitution. �DEMOCRACY It destroys democracy because, thus "bought," the housewife bxomes econon~ically, socially and morally "bonded" to her husband and henceforth never bold enough to stand on equal footingwith the man she calls her "partner." "Bride price therefore is a social evil which should henceforth be. stamped out as not of date and obnoxious to the modern progressive democracy of Nigerian society." Howbeit, is goes without saying that the arguments so far adduced, bowever sound and reasonable, have obviously been one sided. In such a aontrovercial topic, we must lough both ends of the stick then weigh,and consider before we draw our conclusions. For the other side of the matter, please what really do you think? Ne\erthcless keep it to your self and turn t o this page again next time for The case in favour of Bride.-Theresa Chapter 18 EEWARE THE SIREN SPINSTERS! I have just stumble on a new fact. Lagos spinsters prefer married men as boy-friends. I was put into this secrct by a beautiful gin swiggiog �but deadly siren who thought shr was taking me for a ride when in fact, the.shoc: v a < on the other foot. I'ai a journalist, with all the journalist's failings. I was loaking for a copy, and tc. g:t it I did not care to buy as much gin as possible or even ti; pretend to a make advances to the beauhfd liarror. T me all was done i n course of my profession all, including my being drunk under the tablz, my stealing a hot kiss, nig promising to hire a furnished flat and much other jibbity-gabbity of a man in love. - Thr thing started this way. I hzd asked a young friend of mine to get me in touch with the most articulate of Lagos spinsters. In no time, hc had orgiinied the most eye-cntching me. Oa the appointed dav. I took the beautiful siren ta a Favourits drinking place of mine. What would you like to drink? I asked. "Gin please," the siren cooed. And gin was brought while 1 had my inevitable b m . Ona gin, two gin, thrre gin, four gin, Damn! I held to. I waned the siren to be soused propertly before giving her the line. 1 held to until she got her tenth gin. She was still on the thing when I s3rted to hah and to hawk and toeh. I was agonizing over my lind of approttch. Very soon I found one. �1 said to the siren, you are beautiful. But for my status, I would have liked to befriend you. What a pity that I married without searching deeper searching for you. I dried up and waited. But I did not wait for long After clearing her throat, he siren said. Well, I don't see that znything has gone wrong. 1 also would like to be your friend, You are generous. You belong to the Lagos high society. You hold a high executive post in your place ofwork. You have a !avishcar. You are not ugly as a man. You have everything that warms the cockless of a girl's heart. I m ready for ' you if you want it in that way. I was flummoxed, I did not know that the apple would fall by my merely leaning on the tree. I wanted to make sure that the siren was not pulling my leg. I said, But what of my wife? Won't she be a hindrancz? Supposing any thing goes wrong? You would be left high and dry you know. I won't claim the thing or admit responsibility. To do either would lead me to a divorce court. Look here, J won't like you to feel. deceived. That's why I have put my cards on the table. face up. Shall I give you rime to go home and consider some of the inplications of what you are about to undertake? The beautiful siren was smiling beautifully. She said, There's notbing to consider. Many of us prefer �married man.. They ars safer. They are more responsible. They won't clolit you if they find you in company of someone else. To do that would givc them away. They never argue with your request if you make 2ay. They fear that to refuse would turn you into a blackmailer. And if baby cnmcs they pay anything to get rid of it or they simply .turn its moth:~'~ into everyday paradise. life They please so because they are afraid of being betrayed. And there i s another thing. A married man is a better lover because hc thinks he finds in his girl friend the sercnity and love he docs not fjnc in his wife. He is better fun too because he is a great ' m illusionist. Don't agonize on my behalf. I game. Are you? And I wzs. I was game bccause I feared that my secrct wou!d find me out if I cried off thc girl therc and then. So we became lovcrs I continued to pay for enormous quantities of gin to receive in turn many illuminating lectures on the minds of Lagos spinsters. Some of the lectures wcrc amusing, but some were frightening. Until then I did not know that a great love could develope from a conscious effort to cheat. I thoaght the siren was out for a good time. �It soon came out that she was out to possess me.. On the third week of my affair with the siren. 1 started getting many strange telephone calls from some people that I had never known, and the question all of them always put t o me was. I s i t true that you will soon be divorcing your wife t o marry Miss so and s o ? After I had had this terrifying inquiry for three days, I became quite disorganised. My reaction was violent. I barred the siren from communicating me. 1 also took measures to ensure that we never met. Sbe did not take my reaction lying down. She pleaded with my friends t o persuade me. She told some of them that she would commit suicide if I did not change my mind. But 1 stood firm. Not even for journalism would I sacrifice my marriage. What really happened? The siren was not joking about the tale she told her friends. From cheating me she had grown t o loving me desperately to the point of taking steps to force the dissolution of my marriage. And let ma say that there are many married men who, a s they are reading this, are facing. the same danger. Many spinsters in Lagos don't gwe a hoot about what other women they throw over to achieve their ambition-which is t o marry into homes that have already been built up by other women. ��.. BOOKS PUBLISHED BY NJOKU & SONS My $pen daughters a n after 'young boys 39. : o play love t ,,,,.,, <:,.+.+~.. 4 3s 6d .. .( ?. .ld 3s 6d W e story of boys and g i b [$~,:,Q&,!iJ.$i 2s 6d How to make k v e with bo?g Love shall n k r End 3s 6d Beware o Woma f 2s 6d A Guide 1.0 Marfikge ; I c r ; A 6d H w to kn& Hausa, Igbo, Ydruba and English o 2s 66 Why bop of nowadays don% trust their girl friends 2s 6d The ' way to Sueceed ii Wfe 3s How to write Love Letters 3s 6d How Tshombc and Mobutu regretled after. the death 3s6d of Mr Lurnumbg How to writs good English, Letten & Compositions 3s 6d A Guide to Lovers (It pWq) 2s 6d No condition is Perman. nt 2s6d The game of love and How t o play it Never trust all People nwadays for salutat;on is not Love Why boys of nowadays don't mmy in time HOWt p t n bdy in Love, o How to write better 1etters.app~cations and busincsr letters , HOW , <'." ,; ' ,. .. -; + . :,, A..-. Send your Orders -a , G .A to: NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP c/o, 6 Aroudiuogu Street, Fegge Onitshs Nigeria. If You want our CaJD09 r n d 36 stamp aprcessld -customers. - - v, , . . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The African bachelor's guide and lady's guide : to be read before marriage and after it Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diala, Cy Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, [Nigeria] : Njoku & Sons Bookshop Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1963? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Chapbooks, Nigerian Marriage Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3273 Description An account of the resource This guide offers general advice for unmarried men and women as well as married couples in eighteen short chapters. The forward notes that the theme of the pamphlet is "look before you leap," (pg.4). An entertaining chapter 13 lists "The Ten Commandments of Love for Boys and Girls." Several of the commandments reveal a feminist viewpoint, including the following--No. 2: "Treat your partner as an equal counseled with, and work together in solving mutual problems" and No. 5: "Preserve self respect." Two others deal explicitly with sexuality--No. 8: "Have confidence in sex relations. Perfect love casteth out fear" and No. 9: "Control your sex life. Do not be a slave."The last commandment serves as a summation of Diala's message--No. 10:"Respect love for its worth. It can be of the biggest factors in your happiness and success, (pg.35).<br /><br />Some of the chapters cover lighter issues such as wedding toasts and skincare, but Diala is not afraid to tackle heavy subjects such as "Bride price:Is it right or wrong?" (pg.38). At the end, however, the author closes with a cautionary tale about "siren spinsters" who harbor a destructive preference for married men as lovers, (pg.44-48). Thus, the "modern" outlook expressed throughout much of the pamphlet remains overshadowed by an uneasiness with liberated women. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/30cc4304c093c0f91e2f91c3b9a74be9.pdf ea627112d6166c77e63c361e3e2120f4 PDF Text Text ������������������������������������������������ Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource In our time Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Eneanya, Nonye Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : University Publishing Co. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 197-? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.b10475 Description An account of the resource This play is unique in the Onitsha collection for several important reasons.It was written just after the Biafran War, described by the playwright as "the shooting war," (pg.2). Additionally, it has a definite production history. It was performed for two short runs in Onitsha and Enugu where Nonye Eneanya and Mrs. Ngozi Egwuatu are identified as the producers. It was presumably performed for and/or by Onitsha's Anglican Girls' Grammar School that was destroyed in the war. There is also clear indication as to how the set at one of the performances appeared, for as the introduction notes "the classroom scene where some of the pupils sit on cement blocks and use their knees for a desk recreates a clear picture of the plight of pupils in damaged educational institutions," (pg.2).<br /><br />Nonye Eneanya, a member of the teaching staff at the Anglican Girls' Grammar School, uses the conventions of realism to attempt to document the war and its aftermath on the area. The play's language is a mixture of English and Igbo,and many high quality woodcuts and illustrations enhance the story. However,the play does have significant problems, possibly because it was written "on the spur of the moment" by Eneanya, (pg.1). Time and a sense of causation are underdeveloped at times. Yet <em>In Our Time</em> relates a strong message about the effects of the war when stage directions and set descriptions create a sense of place and time.<br /><br />The prologue provides much of the context of the Biafran war and its aftermath. The narrator creates an atmosphere of hopelessness and optimism:&nbsp;<em>Brother had plucked yet another brother in the course of a fratricidal conflict that had been raging for nearly three years,&nbsp;</em>(pg.5).<em> For an observer of the Nigerian civil war the picture was still real as at January 1, 1970. He therefore believed that the Nigerian conflict would never end...But it did end, miraculously too . . . the soldiers threw away their guns to rush into their opponents [sic] arms in warm embrace,&nbsp;</em>(pg.6-7).<br /><br />This play appears to be very much influenced by these bipolar impulses. The Dimgba family has suffered greatly from the war. They were a well-to-do family that lost their livelihoods during the war and moved away from Lagos. Their children are unable to attend school throughout the war and the schools in the area are destroyed.<br /><br />The play opens with the announcement that the schools are reopening and no fees will be charged. However, this is a promise that cannot be kept and the children are eventually kicked out of their classes because they cannot pay the school fees. The husband, unable to cope with the shame and his inability to provide for his children, reacts violently. The wife provides solutions and demands respect for her daughters and herself. She will not let her husband marry them off and get drunk from the money received from their future husbands' families. In its use of realistic conventions, this play calls for respect for women and their contributions to the family. For example, Mrs.Dimgba confronts Mr. Dimgba and retorts: "You scold and howl at me like an outcast. Why should you shout on me? I'm neither your housemaid nor you slave, mark you," (pg.16).<br /><br />However, the two scenes that are the most realistic do very little to actually move the story forward. In the first, Mrs. Dimgba visits money lenders to secure school fees. Two of the lenders are hostile towards her, presumably because of their positions during the war. A relief organization is mentioned as well as an amnesty act. However the scene does not develop this conflict or make it an important part of creating a sense of reconciliation between the two sides.<br /><br />The scene in the classroom emphasizes the devastation to the schools and the poverty of the students and teachers. One of the science teachers has a blackboard image of a chemistry experiment that she is teaching the class. It is apparent that she does not have any of the equipment for the students to actually do the experiment, and consequently the students are unable to learn the concepts of this experiment. This scene does not have any of the Dimgba children in class. So there is no sense of consequence, causation or development that could lead to the play's overly hopefully ending. The play ends on an impossibly optimistic note as all of the children excel in school and receive scholarships while Mr. Dimgba gets his job back. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/a6eb1222cd735b0cb19ffeb1d7743f39.pdf 2dc4c14a01841a20263cc9b194d56daa PDF Text Text LEARN TO SPEAK 360 INTERESTING PROVERBS AND I ��360 I N T R E S T I M G PILtOVERBS AND Know Your 'I'rue Brother 'BY C. N. EZE Price 3s 6d net (All Rtgh!s Reserved) ��CONTENTS Forward Page 2 How a brother planned to kill his brother 3 and plunge him into financial distress How a family was ruined by the bad 5 attitude of one of two brothers How a brother ruined the career of his brother 8 , 1I When do we know our real brother? Explanation of the Parable , 13 Present Day Tendency , 13 , Decision of the Villagers , IS , How educationally, did they cater for the unfortunate poor boy? r) 17 The unique decision of the villagers , 18 , ,, 19 What happened to the boy? The boy's university education 93 20 Let. us ase t t ~ zinfluence of the tide 9, 23 of time Why you should hate enviousness 26 Primary Education of the two children . ,, 27 The squabble between James and John , 28 , The result of the Poison , 30 , Love of Brotherhood $9 30 An advice to Richmsn , 32 , General Instruction ,, 34 Prrverbs ,, 35 ,$ $ , 1 , ,$ �FOREWORD I n this edition of the maiden appearance of this.book, I.have tried to write exhaustively, giving instances. where the "hono'urable name of "~rotberhood" has been :devilishly left to'lag in the sea of purblind ignorance, and, where it has ,be& really made manifest in'the visible world. It therefore my honest coviction that my ardent readers.will find a profound interest in this book;. Not only wili the realistic experiences which i t embodies. be invaluable but also, its. brotherly inspiration.mill :be immense. I am ready to welcome . the criticisms of' the reading ~ublic.providqd their points are constructive so .that. :modificatiens may be made in the. second edition. . C N. EZE . �CHAPTER ONE How a brother planned to kill his brother and plunge him into financial distress. Appearances are often deceptive is a proverb of first class reality. The story goes that a man had two sons-, James and John. James was the elder. The man had no money but due to his influence he was able t o borrow money with which he mauaged to train James, the elder in Ukaf training College. When James come out from the training, he w s employed as a teacher under St Meket Primary a School. John was then a t the age of ten and it was then that their Father thought it riped to send him, John, to School. He (their Father,) first asked James t o give consent. J a m e s bluntly refused saying that John did not help in his training. Their Father was confused in mind and being out of his usual high spirits, he fainted and died instantly. James, seeing that the whole of their Father's compound would become his if he made John useless, took immediate steps to plan ways of ruining John's life and career. But John, with his naturally strong spirit, tried t o bear his brother's folly with lovely looks, while James was going here and thcre searchin for means of killing John, he, James, tried to tel John that he loved him very much. He showed John a portion of his Father's most firtilo land. He bought many good things for John all of 7 3 �which were in pretence that he loved J u h while his n ~ i t ~ d engrossed in a wicked pool of blood. was One day, alter he hnd linished cvcry arraagement to get John out of their F a t h e r's Compound, he asked John t o follow him to his (James) Farm at thc backyard of the teacher's premises. John had, by then, been able to know that his brother, James, was showing him the black-side of love and, that James did not love him as he (James) pretended or professed. But being a dependent boy, he followed James to the farm at the backyard. In the farm, John saw too firecely, angrily looking men. Insttcntly, James made the evil sign to these men. As John's conscience made him to understand the situation, he said in no time "Sios, I have the pleasure to be sold to you this day by my honourable brother. My brother has been the root cause of my Father's premature worldly departure. He has been trained by my Father but owing t o his educational prissism, he resented my Father's refind wish to train me and my Father, being plunged into low spirits by my honourable brother's inhumanity to me gave up the ghost (i.e he died). Since Father's death, he has shown me signs of having love in me but, I, with my psychological mind, have know all the signs to be unbrotherly; to be feigned ones". As John finished his sorrowful speech to these men, James was struck dumb about what to say because he did not know that John would be bold �enough to wash his diriy linen in the public. After a daep silence which ensued, J m e s said, "Yes, 1 have heard what charges my brother. John, has been able to present before you. I ~csllybrought him to you, Cientlemen, t o see that you make him financially low, because of my ignorance. .Having seen my bad plans to ruin my brother, financially, brought to light to you, Geullemen, I apologise, from the bottom of my heart, for my foolishly fatal plans and, I firmly promise that 1 will not stand adversely to his way of economic and social progress. I regret lr~ynonsensical attirude but I will soon make good rile wrong." Thcse men were thrown into a boiling a n p r brclu~e they had planed to kill the boy and the plan was made with the boy's brether who bad just promised to redress the wronghe had done to his brother, John. Then being moved by the sorrowful speech made by John, they gave James a stern order that if be failed to. redress the wrong' just a s he had promised, they would kill him, (James). Here they all ‘departed with pleasant laughs in cheir cheeks. Infact, all that glitters is' not Gold! we have seen what a brother was able t o do to h i s brother's life and career. I t shows no true brother. ' CHAPTER TWO How a Jamily was ruined by .the bad attitude bj une o j two brothers. I n January 1956, two brotbers started irading business with the almighty sum of £6,000 5 �( i thounsmd pounds). Tney made an arrangesx ment that non of them would marry/buy anything c o s t i n g more than - El00 (one hundred pounds) until the money was swelled to £10,000 (ten thounsand pounds). An arrangeme:lt was made by them to see that whatever one wished . to buy, the other must be aware of it. As the business progressed, one, called Onycmacnwu said to the other also c d e d Obiechefule asked him, "why?". Onyemaonwu replied that many weil-to-do business men had started to do so. Obiechefule asked Onyemaonwu to recall their solid arrangement conce.niog the running o f t h e business. Onyemaonwu said that since every law embodied in their business terms, was made by them, it could be easily altered when necessary. A t this point, Onyemaonwu asked his brother Obiechefule whether he knew the meaning of his name "Onyemaonwu". Obiechefule said that Onyemaonwu could mean "who knows death", "or, can it mean more than this;" he asked indignantly. ?'he ensuing day, Onyemaonwu went to h g o s to claim t.heir goods. When he got Lagos, he planned the way of embezzle some of the money. He found that he could invest the money in the Bank and tell Obiechefule that it was stolen. This he did. On the day he was to return, Obiechefule went to unload the supposed goods to be brouhgt by Onyemaonwu. To his utter surprise he f o u ~ d that his brother returned without the goods. 6 �''What?"" I'On~cmaonwu, did our gocds not return' according to our invoice?" "Or---?" "Are you waiting for me?" Onyemaonwu asked furiously. "Yes," answered Obiechefule-with his usual brot.herly sn>iles beaming in his cfeeks. Onyemaonwu showed soma. signs o f one who had done something wrong. His'eyes and .face s became pale and , h ~ 'heart, engroesed in his ivicked .mind, was beaiiug fast. There was a painful s~lence. Obiechehle seeing that his brother's coadition was beeomiug grave6 worse, made evey possible effort to take his unfaithful brother home. When thdy returned to their yard, his brother, Onyemaonwu became mad. Remorse ef consicence made him mad. The whole people in the yard became fused with, fears. Obiechefule had to relate ..the.' story of the sorrowful situation to the people. in the'. yard. The peoplejn the .yard said. thatthey would have told Obicchefele that Onyemaonwu was not a good,' reliable brother;, "We have been watching biS movgneats. i17e have fouad him to be bad .brother but we feard:to acquaint you with the 'fact". They said. "If he has been. a good brother, - s he business-:terms should have. beene'left as they stood"; They deolared:. Before these men could' 'finish with their speeches, Onyemaonwu showed the bank cheque given to him at Lagos and instantly departed form this visible world. Obiechefule was mad with fury .and having lest all hopes of success, he qnoringly went ta the other world. ' �Ladies and Gentlemen we can easily picturc the mind of our brother through his actions and the way he talks, laughs and responds to situations. Please try to know when your brotber laughs from his re&l mind and heart. 'l'hough if you are not psychological you cannot know wicked laughter. Your brother may hide his vic~ous looks and present loving ones and he may ruin your life and cripple your career after he shall have mastered y6ur honest wags. lnfact, things are not really what they seem. CHAPTER THREE How a Brethsr ruined the Carear o his f Brother. It was in wakkiland of fools that a rich man promised to help h ~ s Brother and Godson who was e student at Laffe Iostitute of tecbnology. The boy had not any other person who would help him to further his education. As the boy had spent the whole money he bad, he went to his brother and Godfather to fulfil his promise to help him (boy) financially. When the boy asked thia honourable gentleman to help him just as he promised thia man who was living in foolish richness shamelessly refused to lend hand as he formerly promised. This was the most stinging lamentable disappointment ever. The boy thrown i n b a bystercal out-burst of fury and seeing no alternative, he decided to pursue agriculture. �There was a station of the boy, and this man the relation was living at NyawundK The boy went to this his relation who is also related t o his other brother who had disappointed him. When this relation saw the boy, he was moved by sympathy and he instantly lsked "Has our brother done 'one of 'his wicked deeds to' you?" The boy had not even told him the story of 'their rich' foolish brother when he reckoned through the boy's pale face that something wrong must have occured to 'the boy. ' This boy, being fussed with boiling teats because of the money he had spent a t the Institute of technology, sorrowfully narrated the agnosing incident to his man who was full of good knowledge of the queer things that happen quite often. After he had finished telling the painful story, the relation said. " ~ ~ r i c u l t d ~pursuit is good but sinae yo:u ;ll have entered a college, I must try my very ,hist t o see that'you fioish up." You can picture the boy's reaction, to this firm promise. The boy's school fees was instantly given to him by this relation. When the boy happily went back to his college, he sent a letter of congratulations to hi8 new benefactor, the relation. ' Ater a couple o f weeks, 'the wicked Brother of the bop heard that a relation of theirs had �started helping the boy financially. He became very angry. He was confused about the step to take in order to ruin the boy's career. As the days gone by, he decided to tell the relation who has undertaken to help the boy, to stop helping t.he boy since he (the relation) and the boy were not of the same parents. , . . 'IYou don't know, that the,boy--may become rich :.'if,you.,help ,. him and ,there by, rival . you financially''.. He wrote ., to: the:, rejation. The relation being dogged at helping the boy decided ; t b t since the -die was cast, it was cheerfully ,and cowardice.to turn 'back. 'This honourable man did /not. see 'any. other possible way o f ruining 'the boy's ':life: and >career than . t o cajale the boy .wherievef he s a i him. When ever . this.. boy. returned ,.ha& ,o n terminal holidays; this honourable man and, his sil~y,. ,beautiful,,nagging wife would. !oak a t the . boy with' one of their .disdainfully wicked and ostensibly friendly.looks and smiled; . . One day, .the boy saw his cold b r o t h e r .at b f f e ; His.cold brother asked him (the boy) :his where abouts pretending to ,.show.love for the boy. The boy be'ing well waxed in psychology, told him' that he was thinking in terms of.learning carpentry "There's good" replied his honourable cold,. brother. "I would b e grateful to hear.you do,as you have just:said," he added, ' �At. this. juncture thp.. boy la.u,phed a t .his century old wretched,,crooked; ~old'byothei and they presently left the spot :and departed, from :... one another.. .. Boys and Girls, you have seen. how queer: tbc world is. Trust nobody untit..you face a,sharp adversity; It 'is when:you are in.':adversi@. that you 'will know how-,:far a -.man or R . \\omen loves yeu. Facial uppearance isexrremely deceptive and it kbetter to study men and women, brotl~cr and::sisier before shouinp and buildingconfidcnae in them. CHAPTER:.. FO.UR . This is a yuesrion.which. I am sure most.o? the reading.public who .had seen many .,!hidgs..will not fail to give the expected answer. 'Those who are well experiencedh psycholngy.will easily find solution to above question. .I will. give you -th.e answerweryeasily tecausel ti~ve.:~:2s,sce,n m-a.n;y things happen on many cccasiontx Well, Ladies and ~i~jtl&ne~":: I'%vould Chis.question by quoting. .o,yr'Lerd's parable:'bf the Good Samari:an.Chapter Vx. V 25-37,. On'orie occaiou it happened that a &ertainLawyer wanted , t o .tempt our Lord. He asked ,our Lord, wbat he (Lawyer) would, .do :to 'inherit Fternal' life Our Lord replied by asking the Lawyer what was writteniq the LE,W .and how far the Lawycr was 'igading" the Law. 11 �The Lawyer answered that in the l a w , he read:that we should love our Lord our God with al1;our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strenght, and with all our mind; and our neighhour as ourselves.-Our Lord said that the Lawyer had answered rightly. Our Lord asked tbe Lawycr to go and do what he (Lawyer), had read for it was through it only. would the Lawyer be shved. This our Lord's answer did not* satisfy the Lawyer and he continued t o ask our Lord wliom his neighbour (Lawycr) was. In order to see that the Lawyer's curiousity was properly satisfied, our Lord used parable of the'good .Samaritan in answering it. The parable reads: Acertain man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and as it happened, he fell among robbers who severely beat him and left him half dead. As it oceasioned, a priest and a 1 e v i t e passed and saw him but showed no sign of human sympathy. Presently, a Samaritan came and when he saw, was moved with pity. He instantly took the unfortunate man bound his wound and took him t o a nearby inn. After caring for him properly, he asked the innkepers t o be very careful of the man and went away. Our Lofd them asked the Lawyer of t h e three men who showed neighbourhood to the man. The Lawyer said that it was the man who bounded the unfortunate man's wound and cared for his feeding (i e the good Samaritan). �Infac:, without furt:,er exp:al;ation, I am very sure that the reeding public will have pictured the unhidden answer to the aboved 'question. CI-IAPTER FIVE Explanation o f the Parable It is a pity that most rich men do n a t remembrr thcir hungry brothers and neiglibours. From this parable or proverb, we can see that are one and brotherhood and E~eighbourhood should not be confined to any one cycle. We must be generous to every one. \Ve must be honest to every me. Wr. are expectrd to help our brother who is in any type of dstress. If we overlook our neighbour who is in social or economic unest, we.bhall certainly be punished by our ever merciful Fatt er-Creatcr God. It is when you hclp a person who is in a digressed situation that you are said to be doing what you are divinely expected to do. Remembcr that you are doing your community no gaod if you fail to disentangle your brohers and neighbours who are under the yoke of economic or social unrest. provided, of course, you are ' sufficiently able t o do so., A real brother will be obviously seen in time of adversity. He will not depart you are in diEculty. He mill. from you w h e ~ always stand you in good stead. CHAPTER SIX Day Tendency It has been observed that most people are Present . 13 �untrust worthy. For-inslnnce, in the little village of Wakki, there was one man who had a son and a daughter. H e was the poorest of the poor. As it happened, a died premature and was survived by the two children. He had three brothers who were to look after his children aud his wife. Ask me what . happened after this man's death. Terrible ! Terrible !! Terrible !!! Shame ! Shanie !! Shame !!! these three G e n t 1m e n started t o quarrel among themselves' as to whose rihgt it was to look after their brother's wife and children. They started to disown some of the customary rights of the eldest son amongst them. They bluntly refused the identity o f Tradition in Ibo land that in a family, the senior son in family has greater share of their dead brsther's telongings in accordance with I b o custom and idedogy. T h e quarrel gathered momentum. and burst into a feeding which brought about deep rooted enernity in 'the family. They quarrelled to such a n extent that the pcople in the village w e P e compelled to intervene as gudges. These villagers said that it was the right of the senior man in the family to look after t h e , children and wife of their dead brother. The two disfavoured brothers did not agree and were very unbending. It was from tbls .their long drzwn quarrel that outsiders (villagers) were able to realize that what they were quarrelling about was not only w h o was to look after the woman and her unfortunate children but also who was to receive the dowry of their dead brother's daughter. �.Infact, these - men . were . no worjby -..to. .be cdled the brothers of the deadman for if they were to be entitled to answer such rt n a h c "Brother", they would kave been truthful to themselves, reliable, human and sympathetic.; They were no more and no less cadous smugs and prigs. CHAPTER SEVEN 1)rcision of the . Villagrrr. After &he villagers h .a d . search'd, col!cert'e facts, frmn Traditionn and Customs, they .decided that fnst sonbamongst, the three:Was fully'cutitled to look after the wvman and her children. This decision did not meet the approval octhe other two who were disfavoured. They (Fwo) thinking thiit they had been deprived of the right to the dowry of their dead brother's daughter, because deadly mad with, anger. The quarrel began afresh and was idtelisified when one brought ''out a matchet tp matchet the first son on whom .the whole right. was conferred. '.But beforoyhe was' able to matchet him, .he' was diabled by. a , clever .villager. Inorder to see ;hat the.si'tuation was rectified the villagers reassemb1ed:and evrdtoally decided that only the woman was to belong exclusively to the ,first son hut the daughter and the son were. to be. cared for by all: It was also. decided that. tbree of - them were to cater for the b o y educationally. There was n o , objectionJ:to this second village decision. The gentlemen.were then 15 �satisfied hecause, they were entilkd'to the dowry .. of the girl. .They turned up a new:le'if. . . They i l l con!ihued t o live id" haramony and catered for the 'boy and the girl collectively. Hy the time tbc girl was ful1y:matured to marry, the boy had got bis first Scllool Leaving Certificate hfany Suitors stormed the h o u s e of these gentlemen, The men,.perstladed the girl to marry so that they could get money with which to start caterbg .for the brother. This girl baving 'the welfare of her brother at heart, did not waste time to marry. She readily submitted to , . the wishes of her family. . , The bride price of the girl was settled. at £200 (two hundred pounds). It was &greed that lhis amount was to be paid a t a stretch since money to finance the brother of the girl who was preparing t o go t o a Secondary School was needed T h e would. be. husband of the girl paid tho amount as embodied in their agreement. Now. in the division of the money, t h e three kotbers agteed that they would s h a r e the dowry of the girl equally. They made a verbal arrangement to see that they divided the five 'years which t.hq were duty bouned to cater for the boy in a secondary school. The dowry s o paid was eventually divided into three and the five- years which the boy was to stay in the -secondary school was verbally divided too. Those o f y o u who are mathamaticians no doubt, know how much each recie{ed. �CHAPTER EIGHT How. educationally did thry crrter, [or .unfortunate poor boy?, the Having divided the dowry of the girl, these gentlemen took their fabulous shares and went to their defferent cabins. What of the mother of the girl? The bitter answer was that a woman had no right to share her daughter's dowry. ?he boy was asked to take entrance examination to e sewndary school. Thia the boy did with success in the first attempt. The boy was wked to c o m e for an intarview with a deposit of f6 (five pounds). When the boy saw and read the latter embodying. this imformation, he ran hastily t o the three brothers and notified them about it. Thcse Gentlemen reccived the news with disfigured smile suggestive of disappoi11tm:nt. The follworng day, the poor boy went and called. three of them together and interviewed them on the issue. They t 0 d the boy to prepare for the interview thinking that the boy would fail the interview so that they might see possibility of evading the respomibility that devolves on them. The boy prepared very well for the interview. But the question is did they give him that required deposit of £5 (five pounds)? The answer is in the bitter nagation. On the day of the interview, the three brothers started to quarrel as was formally the case. The bone, of contention was who was to pay the £5 five pounds deposite alone? As none of them volunteered to pay the money, the boy was d o u b t l c s ~ l ~ left in a lurch. He had no possibility of getting the money. You ean just picture the fate of this poor boy. The boy wept bitterly. As the boy was guided by providence, he did not hesitate to call the villagers who made the deciaion that the boy was t o be trained by his cousins in the event of his entering secondary school. When the villagers came, the boy boldly stood up and said vehemently. "My dear fathers, I thank you all for hououring my call; knowing that I am a small boy but yet to reflect 17 �that yo3 all have abundant milk for human symputby, you all tried to put u p appearance. Fitticthers1 humbly wish to bring it t o y o u r no~icothat my cousins have deviated from the iecision which you all made in connection with niy mother's stay with my cousins and I.and my sister. in general. They have refused m e entry inio a secondary school just as you have said. 1 fannot say with any degree of certainty the factors which might be respons~ble for the aititude of honour or dishonour. Sirs, I am implyiog that your fresh decision on the isue would be welcomed '. CHAPTER NINE The uniqur decision o the villagers. f Having heard the boy's main purpose o f calliag them together, the villagers asked the three bro:hers t o give their reasons for dragging the boy into horns of decimma. The three brothers indulged in one of their selfish manner of awwering of questions. When they saw that public opinion was strang against them, they started to reciminate themselves. The quarrel which had been abandoned for some time, mas reborn with more intensity that it was not pozsible for tbe villagers t o decide anything. Becausu the day was marked with utter confussion, the villager$ were forced to depart from the men. When the villagers went away, the brothers were engrossed in a docply b der thought of how to make away the boy's hfe. They busied rhemselve~considering and planing possibilities of evad~ng public cenaure. 18 �This boy was very much beloved by other villagers and was bald in high enteem. A spy came to the boy and his mother and told them the cv~l plan which the three brothers were giving much thought and how adverse its, .effect would be if the three brothers were allowed to. dilate their plan. When the spy went away, thw boy Went to the oldest man in the village and had the whole story told to him. This oldest man heard tho story with r profound feeling o sympathy and instructed tha boy to f run to the protection 01 his (boy) grandfathcr, This boy took to his advice immediately. The grandfather of this boy saw him with joy but when ahe boy told him of the incident, he was ahdced. He did not k m whit t a do hecause he bad no adequate nwney with which - t o start carring o n the respona~bility. Ifrot you can just imagine the condition and &ate of this boy. This hoy grew mad with sorrow: CHAPTER TEN Whai happond to the boy?' The grand father OF this; tmy,had. a very od f r i e d ' ?bu ' it,, He went to this his friend and told him &aot The friend war not a t all happy a t the nrwa and so, La gave his. F i n d Ohc s a d f a t h e r o the boy).a firm promise f that he would cater financially foe the b o p Both the boy and h i s gran,&theher became very happy w8e.n this promis* was m d e . 'The bay was then asked t o airer the Principal of the college and telL him the r e a m why be did not put up: appearance o n the day. oE int*~vi.w.,When the box went t a , t h e cdlega, h dsrsatd. tho whole story ta the Pculcigal who heard i t with a filling.oP sympathy. The Principal asked the boy. to go home and. get the deposit, The boy ran kucrledly to the friend oE his grandfather who, as the boy told him that his ' interview with. t b : P~incipalwas a fuccess, joyfully. gave .the deposit ta th* boy. The boy u c a t and paid in this drpo& to the Pdnoipal. �' The Principal gave a prospectus of the college to this boy. When he came back he presented it t o his grandfather who gave it t o tho good man. This man saw the required outfits and tried to buy them for the boy without further request. On the reopening day, the good friend of the boy's grandfather, gave the boy rchoolfees and extra amount as the boy's own money for emergent canes. So well and so truthful was this man that he catered for the boy for the five golden years with out owing the boy any grudge. At the end of the five golden years, the boy took his cnntnb, and being guided by Providencr, he was able t o snatch grade one. The boy's benefactor was so pleased that be asked tha boy to find admission into a University where he was t o do Doctorate degree. The boy, with out any hesitation, wrote an application to Columbia University. The application waa favourably replied. All the time, the boy did not see those three gentlemen who had refused him help. The honourable gentlemen heard that the boy had been catered for by his grandfather's friend and, that the boy had got his cantab, but they did not hear tbrt the boy had started to look for admission into a University. You can think what was the influence of this news to those gentlemen. Infact they wero at the most agnosing mood for they began to think what would be the boy's feeling about their rhame1:rs ingratitude to the boy's dead father. They began to wrde letters to the boy asking the boy to forgive them for their irresponsible attitude towards him. The boy did not even reply to any of those foolish letters. CHAPTER ELEVEN The Boy's University Education. As the boy waa fully ofired admission into a University, his benefactor asked him whether he would like it if many people (including the bog's three honounblo uncles) were invited to the boys send-off ceremony. The boy replied that since hi: uncles had deed rooted hatred 20 �againrt him, he would not like it . if many poeple (inclusive of these men) were invited. "They. will even -plan. to kill me if they hear.of it". the boy alleged. This suggestion by the boy, ,met.approval of all the good men and the plan was adopted eventually so that the boy's proceeding to tke Uoiversity was concealled F:m the n ~ i c i : of his relations. O the day they wkrz to.resume, the boy n was finaacirlly equiped. You can just picture the atmosphere which must have permeated 'into the mind of the boy. You can imagine the mood in which the boy was when he left home for the University of Columbia. He was so well guided by God that he passed the many terrific seas without trouble. . Throughout the seven years he was to stay in the University, he mas not troubled by any mzntal or physical weakness. Money was aent to him whenever it was necessary to do so. All his concern was only to see that he studied hard to pet his full Doctorate Degree thus reflecting the sol? aim of his well-wishers. This he did. He ably did his practical and theoritical studies leading to Doctorate Degree that at the end of his Academic Course, he got first class honours in Doctorate. Wben his certificate was given to him, he made every possible effort t o send a telegram to his well-wishers telling ihem that he had finished his acadamic years with a very tremelrdous succrss and he was preparing to return on the following week. 21 �As tbis good man and his friend (the boy's grandfather) heard the joyful news, they became very happy. Providence was still at work. Before the date on which the boy was to return, he was asked by,the Nigerian Government to. work under any aovernment Hospital of his own'choice. The boy agreed to do so and rightly.chosed a Government Hospital of his own choice. CHAPTER TWELVE On the day the b6y was to return from the University, everything needed for his reception was still provided by his grandfather's friend. The news about his return from the University began to transpire all. over the town. .Infact, it was until the news of the boy's .return began to circulate. about the town the boy's uncles heard that the boy had gone to a university. And had it not been that many wellwisherS of the boy's, .were invited and this made these gentlemen to become away of it., The Gdvernment bought him one Ope1 car at Lagos, the car was handed over to h ~ m when he landed at Lagos. Hurrah ! Hmrah ! ! Victory is for the men of God. Y,ou q n easily imagine what was the fate.'bf the uncles of the boy. You can, without being told, picture the distorted faces of these unworthy uncles of the boy. One ironical thing wae that the uncles of the boy wore asked and cordially invited Ito attend the reception ceremoney in honour of the'bqv. Immediately the boy returned, the whole : 22 �invitces capered with joy,. The. occasion was marked with cheer extravagant merriment. The. highlight of the occasion was the' group .of photographs taken by all the p e s t s present. While the well:wishers of the .boy saw interest in tHe. occasion, the callous, priggish, smuggish and, impish uncles of the boy; showed a gloomy page. Although they laughed when others were laughing, their laughter was. :black.. They ate with others, but their stomach was: nor all that normal., They, drank with others,, Eutunfortunately, their belly was troubled in such a way that it was not possible for them to make the proper use of their excretry organ. I n ' short, all .they partook with others, caused them much injury physically. While other guests who partook the edibles. with them went home untroubled, they suffered stomachache. This brought their death. Their children suffered the same evil and this was the most birter side of it. As the rivellry was over, all 'went away mil the boy went t o work in the Government Hospital of his own choice. CHAPTER THIRTEEN Let us see the influe,nee o the tide of time. f Ladics and ~entlemen, am resuming that L you are following the story. You '?kemember the death of the boy's farher, the quarrel which printed bad impression on thier life's page, how the boy's: uncles. left Mm in . financial difficultyl 23. �You can easily remember how the boy's grandfather sent him to a friend of his (ie. the boy's grandfather's friend) and how the man proved and manned the identity of brotherhood. The Univers~tyEducation of the boy and his resulting graduation and return. Now. let us see how the uncles of the boy approached him. One day the uncles of the boy approached him. One day, the uncles rof the boy had a meethg and their main topic was tbe possible way of appeasing the boy's anger against them. They were unable to make any reasonable decision and so they had to disperse. On the ensuing day, they gathered together for the same thing, but no good result. Because there was no real'decision on how to meet the boy amicably. One of the boy's uncles slipped away from his brothers und went to the Government Hospital where the boy was working. When the boy saw him coming, he was startled. He did not expect that any of his uncles would eveen come to see him or contact him at all. As he hadmo knowledge of the man's visit to him he kept quite watchiog the man t o know why he (the man) came. The man (ie. one of the uncles) was fearing the boy and so, he did not approach him immediately. After what seemed a legion of hours, the uncle said, "Good Morning My firother". Because of the fact that the boy had bacome well educated and had learnt to be associative, he did not hesitate to respond to the aalutation of 24 �his uncle. "Do you come to see me?" he asked smiling. "Yes" was the answer. The .uncle had then got a little bit .of chance to talk to the bop and so he said, "I have come just t o tell you that wheh you passed entrmce to a secondary school, I tried to persuade my brothers to dip in their pockets and contribute towards your educational .advancement-but tliey were unbending. Myself, seeing no alternative, dtd not carry on the whole responsibility alone." ''Sorry" was a noble leply from the boy. "1 have forgotton all about it9'..The boy took him in and gave him whisky and other' types of .costly wine wbich he knew his unwhorthy uncles had not smelt of. When the uncle went home, he did not t ~ l his brothers who were at home l that he had heen'sble to meet the boy. Corrosive remorse of ' conscience betwitched his uncle's mind. ~ h l other two did the samli : and the boy gave the same entertainme?t t o them. Infact. it is really justifiable ,to say that it was . the pricks of conaience that caused their agnosing death. From this incident, we gather that once God destines the state or position of a person, all -ehvious efforts to dupe him of it would .be doomed to 'a failure. �CHAPTER ' FOURTEEN Why you should hate envieusnerr. A man has two wives Mary, and Anna. He was a poor maker of silk mattrasses. He used to 've his wives five shillings each everyday. Un ortunately, his first wife tbok it a privellege and so she did .not try to do something in order to get her own pocket, The second wife of the man was so wise and energitic that she did a lot of farming and trading. In course of time, the first wife gave birth to a male baby. She Bas well looked after by her hustand and the second wife of her husband, Anna. After two years, Anna was conceived and as it happened during the time of her delivery, she also gave birth to a male babe. I t was a pity to reckon that it was only her husband who looked after her. Here was enviousness in the open air. Mary did not even tell Anna that she (Mary) was lacking what t o give to her, Anna.'Because of Mary's jealous looks. at Anna's male child, Anna was not happy with Mary'a bad manner this brought a serious disunity between the two. Their chiltren grew in this disunified atmosphere, When they reached the age of attending school, thejr father decided to cater for two of them. As they started schooling the same year, Mary and Anna began to particularise instruction to the children. Anra instructing her child James to study hard and try to be first in their class and Mary did the same thing to her son John. f' 26 �CHAPTER . FIFTEEN PRZ.MARY EDUCATION OF TRE TWO CHILDREN. There grew a qurrel in the home as to whether James would be the first to go to , a secondary school if he (James) happened to pass std. six before John, his senior brother. When Mary saw tbat James was very britlliant and was topping John in theijr terminal examination, she grew very envious. She began to find means for bewitchiog Jame's brain so that her son John might topple James. Anna, the mother of James. knew about it but being a kind and humble woman, she did nothing to revenge, James continued t o topple John in all their examinations and consquently, James passed his Std. six while John was in Std. four. Their father decided to send James to a secondry school immediatly. Here, Mary brought out her envious motives. She opposed her husband's decision in to saying that her son John was their husband's first son and therefore, John must go to a secondary school before James. All the time, Anna the mother of James, was very calm and was looking at the folly of Mary. Their husband was not influenced by tbe story words of Mary and her urging. He still persisted in sending James to take entrance 27 �exami,mtion t'o a secpndary school. -James did so with success.. Their father did not waste time in paying for James in the secondary school. The mother-of James, Anna, being an industrious woman, was able to give h e r Husband E200 (two hundred pounds) to use it in-catering for her son. . EnviousnCss, the bame of human beinzs! It is a pity to note.that when James was e finalist in a secondary schodl, John was then in standard six that is, when Ja es got his Cambridge Overseas School Certifi ate. The mother of John told. him that James and his mother must have been the cause of John's fnilure and mental dullness. 1? ' CHAPTER SIXTEEN .THESQUABBLE B E T W E E N .JAMES . . AND JOHN ' As John' had been told by his mother that James was the cause of his mental weakness, John started t a quarrel with James. Everyday the mother of James was troubled by the mother,of John. Their Husband decided to send John to a secondary school as well but John, being a narrow minded boy, was'sby his mother's words. . . As.time went 'on, the. two brothers John. -and. James become 'potenrial enemies. �Their father. did not find any possible way of unifying them as long as the mother of John was alive. Because of this, it became. impossible to foster unified Spirit in the home. John busied himself in possibility of killins James (his'brother). He called a Native. Doctor and instructed him to poison James for him.;This the Native Doctor prepared to do after John had given him the sum of sixty pounds (£60) which was the cost of the poison, for killing James. When the Native Doctor was preparing to make the medicine for poisoning James, John instantly felt ill aud on the day the Native Doctor secretly, put the poison in J a m e s mother's drinking pot, John's illnrss grew to the point of resulting death. ' The Native Doctor.. sveing the reactionary fatal effect of the poison, told John to tell Jamea not t o drink the poisoned water, “otherwise", he said, "you would face your death". John was unable and infact, very reluctant to tell ,James what the Native Doctor said. He John, thought that the NativeDoctDr was sympathaising James. Their honest father did not know that the enemity had satukated to the point of giving birth ,to this vicious iocident. As he became aware git, he was lost in agony of fate but seeing that he could not make any amendment to the situation he gave up struggle for Unity. �CHAPTER.. SEVENTEEN The ' ~ e s u ho f the poisin It is unfortunate to reckon that immediately James returned from work and. being th'irsty drank the water in. which John:s Native Doctor had put poison, John died at once.. It war; .at the Death of John that JdnIcS was made.known to understand by the Native Doctor that John had..planned to poison him (James) but .fortunately'. for James, all John's devilish plans ended in a smoke occasioning . James :Death. Infact. without further explanation. we have all sew bow enviousness io the bmr of human beings. All-knowing sees all our movements and can therefure, p u n ~ ~ h whco 1r.u do not think us ii possible. What gain have we when we deliberately'poison our brother or our neighbour? 'CHAPTER ;EIGHTEEN Loor 06.~iotlcsrhood .. .:From .what we have just gathered as coqtains in. tbis pamphlet, it'is evident that our' first duty towards our. neighbouri is to .Qve them with all our loving spirit.and kindness. Love has no �limit as the parable of the good Samaritan, shows us. If your brother o r your neighbpur is in financial ditficulty, it is your first and formost task to find possible ways of freeing him. It does not necessarily .mean thai .you will -steal in order to realise him, (your. poor brother) but your kind advice is a really healing medicine. It is not only financial problem that befalls a man, but also, your brother might be wounded in mind due to irresponsible at~itude of an enemy; where this is the caw, it then falls on you to pacify both ends. If you see any possible way of admonishing the two enemies, you should not htsitate t o do so beca!~se if'you try to mollify their anger, you will then be able to fraternise them. Once they are made to feel the oneness of brotherhood, your brothe.'~wounded mind will he freed and that ,of his previous e n m y will tie normal. Thus fosteriug ah attl1ostph:re of good-understanding and neighbourliness between your brother and his former enemy. Infact, if you d o not reconcil $our brother and his enemy, yon are indirectly sowing an unrootable seed of enemity because. the children of both your brother and his enemy, will to be potential enemies. Your leaving your brother to continue t o antngonise with hip enemy does nor show that you haved the life o f y o u r b r o t h e r a t ?Iea,rt. �I say 'this bekuse . it' has been observed that maiiy .;people.: who are not in: good terms, use t o poison themaalves. Your brother's -enemy may poison him if you' fail to unify them. Your brother .may do likewise to' his enemy and where he does that, you have the greater share of the blame. CHAPTER . NINETEEN At, ~ d u i c e to. Richmen. Please if you are rich, it is your duty to help your brother., That you are rich dozs-not necessarily mean that you must be a millionaire or .own a car before knowing th@ you are duty bound to help your brother.. No! You must help your brother whenever you see that you rank morally.and financially higher than your brother/ neighbour. "Make friends by t,he mammon of, unrightiousness" is a wise saying by Our Lord. You'may be 'at an annual jncdme of two hundred pounds (£200) while your brother is at twenty pounds (£20) per.annum,. .really you .are, by duty bound to help your poor brother whenever he embarks upon a project that is reasonable .. .. enough. Not only financisl' assistance will be given to t&s 'yourspoor 'brother, but also your keen advice is very important. You may tell him to save a substantial amount out of his .,poor income. .You may slig.ges~ gooapaying hobby any t o him. When you see that your poor.brother ?2 �or neigbbour is mis-using his .poor earning, you must not fail to advice hini on the right way of apportioning his income t o his different desires to ensure that he'gets minimum satisfaction. Where your brother does not heed your advice, you may call a family mecting and tell the members of your family what ,is happening. It is a common saying that "Good words are not heeded. at first and are even bitter" but persist in telling him. A day will come when he shall realise all you told him and must repay you. But where he fails-to repay you, God, who sees all good works with inspiring mercy, will. not fail to repay you in heaven. If your brother is poor but does not know. that he is poor, tell.'him that he is p ~ o r ,if he fails to rccognise his. poverty stricken slate, infact, you are free to leave him to fool himself.to the brim. He must someday come to realise that he is in the hours of financial or moral dilemma. When he inevitably comes to know this, also not neglet to show sympathy to him knowing that to err is human, and to fo-give is Divine. �CHAPTER TWENTY General Inrsiruction Ladies and Genetlemen, boys and Girls, it is my ferrent hope that you might have experienced some of the facts contained in this pamphlet. I heve just written this pamphlet merely to ma e you awvre of many a moral pit falls which will continue to bring bad atmosphere in our homes if you fail to eraditcate them. I am nursing the hope that we must now !decide to turn over a new leaf by showing that God knows what'he meant by creating us many. If d l men were short, tall or dwaffed, the world would be ypside down and so, if wc wish to be of a parent before recognising that we are brothers, we mould be making an unhappy mistake. If we can try, for justice sake, to extend our hands of fellowship and brrjtherhood to all men not minding the happy fact that we are not of a parent of the same age. grade, the world will look brighter. Live and jet live should be the. key word of every ?@xed community. k �1 Hard work is the grand secret of success. 2 Nothing but rags an< poverty can come of 3 4 5 6 idleness. Elbow grease is thc only stuff to m a k e Gold with. . No sweat 'no sweet. He who would have the crows eggs must climb the tree. Diligence is the mother of Good luck. 7 Idleness is' the devil's bolster. S Great greediness to reap heips not the money heep. 9 Slow and sure is better than fast and flimsy.. enriches a man far more than fits and start8 of fortunate speculation. . . 11 Every day a thread makes a skein in a' year. 12 Brick by brick houses are built. 10 ~erseverance, by its daily 13 We should creep before w e . walk, walk' before wa run, and run 'before we ride. I 14- In getting rich the more, haste the worse. IS Haste tripe up its own heels. �~ast~'. climbers have sudden falls. It is bad to begin business without capital. 1t..is hard marketing with empty. pkkets. We want a nest eggs, for hens will I a y where there are eggs' already. You must bake with the flour you have. stay'as a journey man till you have'saved few pounds. You must fly when your wings have a got feathers. ~radin~ without capital is like buildins a house' without bricka, msking a fire without sticks, burning candles without wicks; and.it leads .men into tricks and laod them in a fix, Give tmt not a small business till you see that a large one will pay you better. Better a poor horse than' ah empty stall. Better half a loaf than none at all. Better a little furniture than an empty house. W b o can sit on .a stone and feed himself had better 'not move. From bad to.worse is poor improvement. A crust is hard fare, but none at'all is harder. �Don't jump out of the w i n g pan into the fire. A little trade with profit ie better than a great concern at a loss. A small fire that warms you is better than a large fire that burns you. Large hares may be caught in a small wood. He who undertakes too mucb succeeds but a little ln a great river great fish are found. Where will the ass go that he will not have to work? Where can a cow live and not get milked? Where will you find a land without stones or meat without bones? Everywhere on earth men must cat bread in the sweat of their faces. To fly from trouble men must haveeagles' wings. Alteration is not always improvement. A rolling stone gathers no moss He who cao wait long enough will win. This, .That, end the other, anything, and everything, all put together make nothing in the end. �4 lazy fellow quarrels with hi's tools. All traders are good to good traders. A clever man can make money out ofdirt. :You cannot get honey. if you are frightened a t . bees. Patience and attention will get on in the long run. If the cat sits long enough at t h e hole she will catch the. mouse. .. . Sleeping poultry are carried off by fox. Fools a s k ' what's 0' cldck: but wise men know their. time. God sends every bird its food, but.. He. does n i t throw it into the nest. God gives. us our'daily bread b u t it is .through our own labour. .The morning hour carries gold in its mouth. , He who drives last, in a row gets all the dust in his eyes. Rise.early, and you will have a clear start for the day. H needs have a long spoon who would eat, e . . . of the same dish with Satan.. h'evei ruin yourself for the sake of pelf. �. Take nothing in hand that will bring you repentance. Better walk .barefoot than ride in a carriage to hell. . The mouse wins little by nibbling the cheeie if it gets caught'in the trap. Where the carcass is, thither will the . eagles be gathered together. Good advice is poor food to a hungry family. Most men who go down hills meet with Judas before they get to the bottom. Every traveller throws' a stone where there is a heap already. All the cooks Sastc a fat pig. I n times of prosperity friends will be plenty but in times of adversity not one in twenty. All aeighbours are cousins to the rich man but the poor man's brother does not know him, men must not dispair for ' ~ o d is yet alive. A good man may be put in the fire but he cannot be burnt. While there's life there's hope., 1f you've tumbled off the back of prosperity, do not lie in the ditch but u p with you and try again. He who is down has a grand opportuaiky for lusting in God. o own 39 �A fualt.faith can on& fioat in good smooth water. A . true faith like a life-boat, is at home in stoms. New company makes people new men. Sweet to yau and sweet to your enemy. Mr;'Facing-both-ways. Mr. Fair-speech and Mr. Two-tongues are neighbours who are best at a distance. Religious deceivers are the worst of vermin. Some of the dear old !Mrs. Goodbodies want a blessed almshouse. 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. He who tries to. cheat the Lord will . be quite ready to cheat his fellow men. Great cry generally 'means little wool. Some men,%windmills, are only put-crackers. Better be a dead dog than a live hypocrite. If a straight line will not pay, a crooked one won't. What is got by shufling is very dangerous gain. The devil tempts genuine christains. .Through bad company good men cYlange to be ascruel as death and grave. , �Charity actually begins at home. It is not all that sing loudest that praiae God most It may give a moment's peace to wear a mask, bur deception will come home to you and bring sorrow with it. Honesty is the beat policy. If lion's skio does not do, never try the fox's. Try to be as true as steel. Let your face hands, like the Church clock, always tell how your inner works are going. Better be laughed at as Tom Tell-Truth than be praised as Crafty Charlie. At last the upright will have their nward, but for the double minded to get heaven is as impossible as for a man to swim the atlantic with a mill-stone under each arm. Plain deeling may bring us trouble but it is better than shuffling. Times never were good for law prodigals. Ready Money must be quite a curiosity t o some men and yet they spend like Lords. There are more asses than those with four legs. Fellows who have no estate but there labour, and no family arms except those they work with will spend their little hard earniogs at the beer shop or in waste. �106 Drlakipg water neither makes a man sick, nor in dept, nor his Wife a widow, and yet some men hardly. know the flavour of it. 107 Thost who wear the shoes know best . where it'.pinches them. 108 If fools did not ga . ta marker bad wares would ..never be sold. 109 With mohey best articles are taught. 110 When there are five eggs a penny four of them are rotten. I l l Poor m e n often buy in very small quantities and s a pay through the nose. 1 1 2 " ' ~ u a & t ~ buyers puichase with cheapest prices. 11'3 Looking for smalt eaviogs people 'for& greater things. 1.14 ., Penny w h . and p m d foolish are very .had man~qements ,116 . ~ h a one does not want is d e a ~ h i s i ir, eyes at a,:fatfhing. . 117.. Fint dpsirxg. makes a great h b in poor o . . .. people's means, , . .+. 1J8' .. must"not'm&e a puppy fw a Rase, .. .You. 119 Buy wh~t suits you to wear and if it doei ndt' suit other pcopk ta l o ~ ka t let them cbsc their eyes k2Q AU' wqrjlcn arc s o d ! eikher; for something or for. nothing, their dresses will telb yciu which. �Never allow your money to be your master. He who has a Eest wife always has his money best spent. The husband may earn money but only the wife can save it. A wise wife buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. A man cannot prosper till he gets his wife's leave. A thrifty house wife is better than a great income. A good wife aqd health are a man's best weahh. Nothing coma out of a sack but what was in it. An empty bag shakes nothing but wind out of it. He who knows nothing is confident of everything, hence he is bullheaded beyond measure. Every clock, and even the Sundial, must be set according to their watches. The Lord's dear pcople havo a lot to do t o keep their doctrine sound. Any fool may have something to s a y against the best Minister in Nigeria. No man can make bad language in the pulpit. All lmguage arc bad which common people cannot make head or tail of. - 43 �136 Nobody would carp at godly, sober, decent, plain words. 137 A countryman is as warm in fustain as a king in velvct. 138 Truth is as comfortable in homely words as in fine speech. 139 If hearers are better sermons would be bztter. 140 Hungry men leave dishing the meat to the w o k only let the weat be sweet and substantial. 141 N o piper ever suited all ears. 142 Thoughts are not facts. 143 The sprab thought itself a herring, but the fisherman knew better. 144 Dogs, honever, always will back, a n d what is worse, some of them will bite. 145 The worst wheel of the cart creats most. 146 . One fool makes many. 147 Those who are at the bottom of t h e mischief have generally no part in the matter of true godliness. 148 One dog will set a whole kennel howling, and the wisest course is t o keep out of the man who has the compliant-called the grumbles. 149 H e that hespatters others t o generally rolls in tbe mud himself before long. 150 The fruit of spirit is love. �151 Keep'not lit1 toinorrow' what you can do today. l52 , Time and ,.tide vait for nobody. 153 They who would not plough must not expect to .eat., 154 They who waste the i spring will have a lea^. autumn. 155 He that till he be fed, will gape till he. be.dead. 156 'with exemption of poverty and dirt nothing can be got without pains. 157' Hares never run intd the mouths 'of slceping dogs. 158 He that hath time, and looks for better time, time comes that he repents himselp of time. 159 God. helps those who help themselves. 160 Niether the, wise nor the wealthycan help him who has long refused to help himsdf 161 There is no sunshine without some shadows. . . 162 A horse that is week in the legs may not stumble for 8 'mile or' two. ,163 Whatever is rotten will read and cracked pot will leak. 164 The cleanest' field.'of wheat 'has its share of weeds. 165 The most careful driver one day upses the cart. ' ' 45 �166 By mistakes t h a . cleverest cook spills. a little broth. 167 One may,get rid of one eyed nag and buys a blind one. 168 Thwe who live in the glais house, should n o t thjow stones. 169 Other peoples imperfcctio:ls can show us our imperfections. 170 If there is an apple in my niegbour's eye, 'there is no doubtone ,in mine. 171 Faults are always 'thick "where love is thin. 172 'A white horse is all' black i f your eye chooses to make it so. 173 If ,we aiiff long!.enough .at rose water, we shall find out that it has a bad smell. 174 Two heads are Setter than one. 175 Many. littles make a mickle. -176 sq light thbue& mike a great weigl~t of sin. 777 Neve'r.'all'oy .yout. 'thoughts to turn to be . your enemies. 178' , ~ < 'thougnts are the maxrow of Sin. l 179 Vain thoughts will knock at the door, but .,.. . we must not open to them 18.0. ..Eventhough. sinful thoughts rise they must not reign mauy �181 He who turns a n~orsel over and wer in his mouth, does so because he rlikes the fluvor. IS2 I-:e who meditates upon evil, loves it, and is ripe to commit it. .*. If you turn your thougl~ts 0 - 3 towards sin, your bands then wi!l follow. 184 An arrow may fly through the air and leave no trace. 185 The ill thoughts always leave' a trail like a serpent. 186 Where.there, is much traffic of bad thinking there will be much mire and dirt. 187 Every wave of wicked thought adds something to the corruption i88 If you nurse sin on the knees of thought it will grow into a giant. 189 Good thoughts are blessed p e s t s and should be heartily wellcomed and well fed. 190 Holy thoughts are hopeful evidences of a renewed heart. 191 It is wise and prudent to have the mind stored with choice subjects for meditation. 192 A blind man has nothing to 'do with a looking glass. 193 He is drunk that preaches to drunken men 191 Coachbox is not ment for a cat. 195 Men who do n o t fit to be a minister should step down. 47 �~ 1 1 u man is, that he will be. t A maid servant should act as a maid servaiit and not as a mistress. Working without tools generally loses the zeal of a worker. Dont fight if you can't. Flute is made for man and not for a pig or for any animal. What is worth doing at a11 is worth doiag well. Impossibilities should not be aimed at, by wise people. He who fires at the man in the moon wastes his. powder. A sensi'sle fellow dont carry water in a sieve. &oney worth. not loosing should not 6 handed over to a set. of .knaves. Fools only can perform any unnecessary thing. He who knows better should not praise a proud man. How could a fish wear a clothes? ~ n y t h i n gin good colour needs no paint. Pretender alone comforts a conscience that. makes n o 6onfessioa. ' �Sunlight ha6 nothing to do witb a candle light. Blockades can prove thing that no-body doubts. Who ever attempts a thing which will cost more than it is worth is a 1001 at forty. People should avoid Wig penny wise and pound foolish. He who would not worth the amount of a dog-tax is not wortby to live. A wise man need not convince a mao against his will in matters of no consequence. He need not Se angry if he wishes to e i d a quarrel. To quench a fire one should not throw oil into it. A wise man never apes with a mad dog. Do unto others as you would like to be done. Never interfere between 8 man and his wifeA Noted debtor is a noted liar. Keep debt, dirt and the dei4 out from your house and then you be a good house keeper. Good wife, good house boy and good master and good children make a good family. �226:: .A ipersm in debt.-is .alwayrj degraded.. 227 Always remember that poverty is:hard, but debr is horrible., 228 A smoky house and a scolding wife are .. :the two -worst. evils of. our life. 229' . A &or man.has.more respect than a person i n debt.. 230 Other people's huge sum-bf money is very in': the~:.cjks::of an,:bonest. man. 231 A b d r i o ~ i .ai'iys ' i ~ a ~ 'ricky . cpitly i n r ks ihe p ~ 6 i i c gatherings?. 232 ..fie:ihac lives be&nd. his incart% is ruining hitksklf. 233 He ,that..lives,, extravagantly Ties so t o hh/hcr' sha'ine and sorrow,. 234 The poor. needs not desirc .style' a n d ,. and smartnessif 'he wishes to survivi, 235 Wk must be conte&ted'&thwbt we haw. 236 ..If frogs' try t o look a i . big rts .b& the; . will b e 'iure"to bu&. 237 A f&tunate:m&nee& not burn candle bn b~th en'ds. . : .. 238 Economy may be ,considered as half the battle .i.n life.. .> : 239,. Spend well if.you earn well'. _ .. , . 240 He that wants nonelet him not.iyaite any. ' I- �Poor mans wives .should not all learn to fry fresh fish. You. appear to manage well if you fare .. according to your earnings. Who conld not pay according to hisjliei promises is 3 noted deptor and k liar. . Be out from debt 'if you .want to be free from lies. . Where the hen' laid one egg there it i 0 likely. to' lay another. who ever makes it his'habit .to borrow one penny will be sure of borrowingone pound. A pig in credit always grunts. Owing and borrowing are bramble bushes full of, thorns. He that borrowed the neighhour's spade never feel better for the fear of breaking it. He never grow rich that never 'fail. Honesty first before generosity. Better go to bed without your supper than to rise in debt. You will know what you are worth by paying what you owe. Petty expenses a t times cause people's downfall. An empty sack never stand upright. �Spiders web never catch anything than flies. Nether Tom nor Dick should like to bc neiboughs to a barel of powder. We must not try to rub Peter to p.iy Pual. Never try to shave an egg, or pull h.airs out of a bald pate. It is easier by paying depts out of an empty pocket than shaving an egg. or pulling hairs out of a bald pate. Although Samson was a strong man yet he could not pay debts without n?ong. 13e sure to snswer a good man if your words binds as an oath. He that stavesoff payments by false promises deserves no mercy. A hundred years of regret pay not a farthing of debt. Never allow the advices being given you to go in through one ear go out from the other. He needs buy a dear repentance that refuses to have cheap advice. A word may worth a world to one who is beginning life. . He that goes a borrowing may as well go a sorrowing. Any kind of bird must love its own nest.. The way 'to my home is the best bit of road i n the country. 52 �271 ~eoplc:think the smoke from their own chimney better than the fire on olller peoples own hearth. 272 The honey suckle at iny own door is 'the sweetest I ever well. 273 East and West h6me is the beat. 274 Leave the cock to crow on its dunghill. 275 A dog acts a s a lion when a t home. 276 When the cat is away from the house then the rat governs. 277 Reershops are the enemies of home. 478 Anything that hurts home is a curse. 279 If you are incharge of a home try and make it happy and holy. 280. .If you make your house wretched be not annoyed if you are called a bad man. 281 Married life is not all sugar, but grace in the heart will keep away most of the sours. 822 Godliness and love can make people to sing among thorns and heriers. 283 Both the husband and wife always enjoy an average pleasure. in their playing. 284 Self rules make the home happiness a mere cham. 285 A yoked couple will find their load very light for them. �286 I t i.s 'not every a o u p 1 e that is really a pair. 287 ,%lt true homes that make the families is happy. 288 A..home should be a Bethel and not a Uabel. 289 .,Heis not a hiisbind if he cannot bind &ll 290 291 292 293 294 295 236 297 298 299 300 together like a corner stoner but not crush everything like a mill stone. Unkind and domineering husbands ought not to pretend to be christians, for the act clean contrary to Christ's commands. Homes not well ordered will hecome a Bedlam and be a scandal . t o the parish. If the father drops, the reins, the. family coach will soon be in the ditch. . Harshness and softness alone will not keep -home in happy order. Home is no home if the children there are not, in Obedience, it is a pain and. not a pleasureto be in it. Happy for you if you .are happy for me. Evil to him who evil thinks. 'All 'fathers are not wise for some do epoil their children. There has never been any body wiser than . Solomon. Those who never give their children t,he rod must not wonder if. their children become a rod t o thorn. Men who strike in their anger generally miss their mark.' �' 301 .When home is ruled according to God's word angels might be asked to stay night with us. 301 'stre . is a wicked wife who drives her husband away by her long tongue. 303 Majority of our women are angels h the streets but devils at home. 5 : Home is the grandest of all institutions. 0. 305 H e who never sees something W not know N ,something. 306 Eggs, are eggs but some are rotten. 307 Hopes are hopes. but many 'are delusions. 308 If you are alive .never tell anybody to die. 309 He who hunts after legacies had need iron shoes. 310 H e that waits for dead men's shoes may long go bare-foot. 311 He who waits for his unlce'a cow need not be in a hurry to spread. the butter. 312 Re who lives on and hope has a slim diet. 313 It is to a mans sheer folly if he hopes for impossibilities. 314 You should not look for crops if y o u have not sown seed. 315. A wicked fellow should not expect good if he has not done good. �316 Who marries a slovenly, dressy girl, and hopes to make her,a good wife, might as well buy a goose and expsct it , t > turn out a milch cow. 317 A master who attends b a r with his boy should not expect to be called a good master 318 If you 're sick have hope . till on the last . minute. . . 319 Teach a child to lie, and theri .hope t t k . . he will grow up honest. ,320 Put a wasp in a tar . Barrel and wait kl . it makes honey. 321 -A sensible fellow .is not exrected 'to Ecanderlise young ones.' . 322 Wishing somethiag is not hoping for. it. 323 Maw are turn in^ their faces lo bell and , hope 70 get to heaven. 324 Hopes of heaven are solemn things, and should be tried by the word of God. 325 "He that believeth in Christ hath everlasting l:C-97 IllG . 326 Presumption is a ladder which will break the mounter'a neck, so try it not if yout love your - soul. , . 327 Who hideth his .band in 'his bosom; it grieveth him t o bring it again to his mouth. 328 A sluggard is wiser in his own cqnceit. 329 One man's folly i s as plain as the sun in . . the sky. 330 . Hit a sluggard hard if you know that he can bear it. 9 �331 Rave patience and pity Tor p o e r t y but to lazinesa beat with a long whip. 332 Sift a sluggard grain by frail1 acid yo11will find him all chaff 333 Me who is worthy to live must g r u d g e laziness. 334 Tile rankest seeds don't grow in tbe mind of the wicked. 3.35 Every crcaturc on earth likes to increase and hatcs decreasing. 336 Woman is the worst temtation in the man's days. 337 Who wastes his times and strength in sloth offers himself to be a target for the devil. 338 One with evil spirit plays while he should work. He who plays not and works not is the workshop for satan. 339 Have stomarch for work if you have for eating ant drinking. 340 The drunkard and the glulton shall come to poverty 341 Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 342 An Idler knows not what leisure means. 343 By the door of sluggishness evil. enters the heart more often. 344 A sluggard is a fine raw material for the devil. 345 i t is belter to kill a lion while it is a cub. �346 A wild goose nevcr ldrs a tame egg. 347 All are not hunters that wear red coats. 348 Live and let live except the sluggard, for it is said that those who could not work is not expected to eat. 349 The more a moukey climbs the more its tail is seen. 350 Sluggards idleness is noticed as long as he lives. 351 The more a Sluggard lives the more he is ashamed of his idleness. 352 A butterfly is no butterfly if it could make no honey. 353 Better die an honourable death than live a good for nothing life. 354 Better get into my coffin than be dead and alive. 355 Evil done is rewarded at the end. 356 Free will is the guardian of morality. 357 Love is blind and it knows no bounds. 358 The little children of yesterday will be the adults of tomorrow. 359 Determination is the mother of success. 360 Evils in town is the profit to the doctors. �Notice: This Pamphlet has been an honest production of a persond conception.of-many a queer conducts that characterise the day. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Learn to speak 360 interesting proverbs and know your true brother Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Eze, C. N. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : Highbred Maxwell Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1962? Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3287 Description An account of the resource Providing almost one proverb for every day of the year, C. N. Eze offers several intriguing messages about wisdom, justice and morality. In the first 19 chapters of this pamphlet Eze discusses how "brotherhood" has both lagged and manifested itself, (pg.2). He cleverly ties the meanings of some proverbs to the act of knowing your true brother. For example, Eze reminds readers of "a proverb of first class reality" -- "Appearances are often deceptive," (pg. 3). Thus, "know your true brother," as the title suggests. In addition, he draws on social justice themes in proverbs such as, "All neighbours are cousins to the rich man but the poor man's brother does not know him," (pg.39). And bear in mind: "Good advice is poor food to a hungry family," (pg.39). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">ttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/e90535eb74e53520ad40f657581f5813.pdf d6b36aedefd6e04004f28c9b93193655 PDF Text Text ��THE LAST DAYS LUMUMBA (The Late Lion of the Congo) A DRAMA THOMAS lGUH Obtainable from:A. ONWUDIWE & SONS, R. 9 No. 6 Onitsha Main Market, P. 0. Box 214, - ONITSHA NIGERIA. 316 ~ e Price. t All Copy Right Reserved �CONTENTS PAGE Forward Characters In Mr. Lumumba's House 7 Gizenga and Mr. Everistus 9 Molongo in the uniform of an army commander 11 Lumumba arrives 12 The Angry Crowd surged to the road and halt the car 15 The first arrest of Lumumba 16 Lumumba is brought back as a prisoner 17 The trial of Lumumba and his men 18 Registrar. Usher and other Minor Official 19 Lumumba .is led to the box 21 Lumumba is drawn out of the box 24 Mr. 0kito was ordered to kneel down 25 Mr. Mpolo enters the box 26 The second day of trial 29 Lumumba is appointed Prime Minister 36 Enter Kassavubu, Moise Tshombe, Munungo and Kalinjo 41 The Scene opens In Parliament 45 Colonel Mobutu and his his men properly armed 46 PATRICE LUMUMBA 50 Lummba having been arrested with Mpolo and 52 Okito patrice Lumumba, Okito and Mpolo 53 The scene shifts to Katanga 55 About hundred soldiers carrying Lumumba 57 The picture showing how ~umumba was tied 58 President Tshombe's picture 59 Mr. Gizenga's picture 60 �CHARACTERS. PATRICE LUMUMBA The first Prime Minister of the Congo. MR. KASSAVUBU e;: President of the Congo MOISE TSHOMBE e yS , Katanga , e v , Kassai , MR. KALINJO COLONEL MOBUTU - Congo Army Chief. MR. OKITO LUMUMBA'S MR. MPOLO MR. ANTOINE GIZENGA .DEPUTIES MR. EVERISTUS I S ) MR. MUNUNGO. Katanga Miister KING BAUDOUIN King of Belgium JOSEPH ILEO - ,2nd Prime Minister of Congo ) Juliana Patrice LUMUMBA'S CHILDREN Francois y9 Brother MR. ALBERT MRS. LUMUMBA. MOLONGO CHIEF JUSTICE CROWN COUNSEL COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE MESSENGER LUMUMBISTS BELGIANS SOLDIERS POLICEMEN �PREFACE: THIS DRAMA (THE LAST DAYS OF LUMUMBA ) .IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO BRING HOME IN, TO THE READER THE MANhER IN WHICH PATRICE LUMUMBA WAS KILLED. THE DRAMA IS A FICrION AND DOES NOT IN ANY WAY. REPRESENT' THE TRUE ACCOUNTS OF THE LUMUMBA EPISODE. 1T IS ALL IMAGINARY.. THOMAS IGUH, (The ~ u t h o r ) . �A. ONWUDIWE & SONS P. 0.BOX 214, YLe ONITSHA ~Ya~yiryw t o r % - NIGERIA. o{ ONWUDIWE & SONS Book - Sellers and Publishers, Promoters of Nigerian Modern Novels. �COLONEL MOBUTU COLONEL MOBUTIJ THE CHIEF COMMANDER OF CONGO ARMY. �SCENE I IN MR. LUMUMBA'S HOUSE. PATRICE., LUMUMBA DISCUSSES INDEPENDENCE FOR THE CONGO WITH HIS MEN. Enter Patrice Lumumba, .Albert, Mr. Okito and Mr. Mpolo. They all take seats. Well done Mr. Okito and comrades. It is a pity that people like Mr. Everistus and others are not here with us, but I am afraid we must have to go ahead. PATRICE LUMUMBA: I see with you ~ a t r i c d we have for only an hour to go before' we proceed to the Market Square for the Rally. MR. MPOLO : k t ' s hurry up for the Market Square is already filled to capacity. MR. OKITO: Gentlemen, 1 see no reason why we should continue to delay this short meeting. So, I think I -won't be wrong if I declare it open. OKITO: Oh ! hero of the Congo! go ahead1 PATRICE LUMUMBA: - MR. . . PATRICE LUMUMBA: Stand up for prayers. (They all stand up). Oh! God of the Univer~e!Oh! Ye God of Africa We call upon -Thee to come to o u r aid. The Belgium have rapped and murdered our people in thousands. They . have locked up hundreds of our innocent once simply because they 'pointed their PATRICE LUMUMBA: �fingers at Belgium's'. Criminal face. We are now resolved to fight ,the battle hence we in the liame 6f 'our .;niotherliind have called for thy aid Grease t h e shoulders of thy . beloved ch~ldren who have resolved to challenge Belgium's atrocities against our mother land. We hope and trust Oh! Ye Mighty God of Africa; that you won't fail to give us your aid right from now! MR MPOLO AND OTHERS: Amen ! MR. OKITO: Well done Patrice, I pray that God may grant you a long lease of life that through you whom we the Congolese call our God, we,may one day be released from Belgium's chain of bondage and slavery. ALBERT: Here Mr. Okito Oh! you .great God of Africa ! Congo is burning ! PATRICE LUMUMBA: Comrades Mpolo, Okito and the rest, lend me your ears, for it is now that I am - going to issue directives which will guide you until the war of liberation comes to an end. For sixty long years have the Belgians enriched themselves on the exploitation of our motherland ! Most of you here have suffered one thing or the other from the hands of these white begots who call us slaves in our own motherland (he weeps) Never l never more must we see these things and let them pass unchecked. We can't allow our country to keep burning while we are still living. We must retaliate and if by retaliating, we shall all find ourselves in goal, well and good. This country is ours l we must not let it down! Belgium must pack away and that must be now or never ! MR. --. . Away with Belgium and her puppet MPOLO; King ! MR. OKITO:' Here comes Mr. Antoine Gizenga and . Mr. Everistus. ' �(ENTER .MR;GIZENGA AND MR. EVERISTUS) PATRICE LUMUMBA : Behold ! Here are the men we have been waiting for. ANTOINE GIZENGA: Pardon us gentlemen for being late. We had to stop at the market square,to cool. down. the hearts of millions of our people who are already there. MR. NERISTUS: Never in the history of this great country of ours have so many people of all walks of life gathered for same purpose. Infact the crowd we met at the market square is simply wonderful. ALBERT : What we want now is your command . for we are prepared to give up our lives for the cause of t h ~ s great nation of ours. MR. EVERISTUS: Bravo: Albert! I am prepared to die now for it is better for one to die for the cause of his nation than dying in the glory of sleep. MR. G I Z ~ G A : Our policy from now should' be positive action. MR. OKITO: Was it not Winston Churchill who said: "It is sweeter and more honourable to die in the battle field than in bed?" MR. MPOLO: For myself, it is a question of giving me complete liberty or I take death! PATRICE LUMUMBA: Are you all here with me prepared to execute any order I dish out to you? MR. EmISTUS: It is where you . die that I must die too Monsiuer Lumumba. ALBERT: This issue is to me a question of life or death. I either live in a free and self governing Congo or I die! m.OKITO: I know that this great battle in front of us will be a b 1 o o d y one, but let no one develop could feet when the hour comes 9 �for ever since we returned from the All African People's Conference held at Accra last month. I knew that Colonialism will have its history written in our country in a very short period from now. PATRICE LUMUMBA: From today, you must all bear arms with which to fight King Baudouin and his Agents. Every Branch of this great party of ours will be given five tons of Ammunition and that of course will be supplemented with weekly supplies. The Commander-in-Chief will be my self while comrade Gizenga will take the office of Deputy Commander - in - Chief Mpolo and Okiro will be FIELD MARSHALS while MR. EVERISTUS will be ' Chief Field Organiser. Albert will be my private Secretary. (HEAR HEAR THEY SHOUT) (AT THIS STAGE A GROUP OF A B 0 U T TWO THOUSAND LUMUMBISTS G A T H E R 0 U T S I D E PATRICE LUMUMBA'S HOUSE CARRYING BANNERS, PALM LEAVES AND A COFFIN. THEY SING SONGS OF PRAISE FOR PATRICE LUMUMBA) ' MR. EVERISTUS: What is happening outside comrades? (At this stage Mr. Antoine Gizenga rushes out to meet the peaceful invaders). (LUMUMBA AND THE REST LOOK ON). ALBERT : Time is flying fast gentlemen. c Enter MR. GIZENGA) PATRICE LUMUMBA: What's the big do Gizenga? MR. ANTOINE GIZENGA : They are all 0 U r men and they have come to tell us that all traffic have been stopped by the surging miIlions waiting �for us. I was made to understand that they beat up a Belgian Army Officer and set his car on fire. Excellent ! The hour h a s come and I am very happy that our country men are behind us. Now comrades. I want to leak a top secret to you: Ghana and Yogoslavia have offered us aid both financially and in kind. Guinea and Russia have sent in arms to us while we are waiting for shipment of food stuff and amunition from the U. A. R. So, as far as arms and money are concerned we are quite okay. PATRE@ LUMUMBA: Enter Molonga Dressed in the Uniform of an army commander. I am sent by millions of our people to tell you that they are ready for war. The scene at the market square is simply indescribably and they want you'to come and issue directives that the battle may start right away. MOLON~A : Let's be on the move my men for every inch of delay is a South Sea of discovery. PATRICB LUMUMBA: AT THIS STAGE PATRICE LUMUMBA MOUNTS ON THE BACK OF HIS HORSE DRESSED IN THE UNIFORM OF A COMMANDER IN CHIEF ARMED WITH A SWORD AND SPEAR HE IS LED IN A VERY LONG PROCESSION TO THE MARKET SQLJARE. (The Scene now shifts to the market Square) (The market Square is filled ten times the capacity) I1 �IN -.THE.THICK CROWD . CAN BE SEEN POSTERS AND BANNERS READING: "AWAY WITH BELGIAN RULE" "YOUNG PATRICE LUMUMBA IS THE KING WE KNOW. DOWN WITH BAUDOUIN" "WE WANT FREEDOM NOW-OR NEVER" "GIVE US LIBERTY OR G I V E LJS DEATH" DRUMMING AND GUN SHOTS CAN BE HEARD TOO. (LUMUMBA ARRIVES) 1 have come good brothers and sisters. So lessen your noise and listen to me for the battle of liberation is going to start from here. MOLONGA: WAR! WAR!! WAR!!! We want war! 1st CITIZEN: Away with the Belgians, their Stooges We want our freedom now or never. 2nd CITIZEN: BRAVO Young Lumumba, The 'second God of the world he is l MR. OKITO: Lessen your noise comrades f o r time is against us. 1st CITIZEN: We want to hear Lumumba please! 2nd. CITIZEN: Oh Lumumba! h e 1 p us for the Belgians have rapped our motherland enotigh! 3rd CITIZEN: My father was shot yesterday in his farm by a white man. I want to revenge Vengeance ! Vengeance ! 1st CITIZEN: Peace loh! Lumumba speaks! MR. GIZENGA: Play cool country men for we are going to............ : .--.ew.-.-.-....... MOLONGA: We want Patrice please! S p e a k Oh Speak Lumumba! We are tired of Belgium and her Agents. PATRICE LUMUMBA: Peace ! Peace ! Comrades !! 3rd CITIZEN: Watch! Young Lumumba is up again ! PATRICE LUMUMBA: �~ N CITIZEN:.. Speak Oh .ye .God of Africa ! D (Stretching out his haniis) My dear' country. men, it gives me much pleasure tb see all of you gathered.here today for the cause of our dear ,Co n go. We are, not wood but men, .and as much, it will be height of our foolishness a n d stupidity to continue to swa1lo.w the atrocities which these hunger stricken Belgian commit against our motherland, Their soldiers have shot down m i 1 l i o n s of o u r .people l They have rapped our innocent daughter and sisters and even our grandmothers! The peacock King of Belgium who claim is .he, is the K i n g of our people has not for a .single day visited this country since 1876' when they occupied. it. We have paid taxes and rates only to see. it sent. over to Brussells for. for the development of the King's Palace. What. a r u b b i s h and what a dirty . record ! It was Booker T Washington of U. S. A. who &id: . . ... "We are a l l . born, 'Free and 'equal, And are. the .slaves of no one." PATRICE LUMUMBA: ' , , ' Was it not that great Indian Leader in the person of Mahatmer Ghandi wKo. said: "The worst type of home rule is better t h a n the most benevolent colonial rule." We have been r u l e d and exploited by Belgium for donkey long years, but now, I am sorry to say that the wind of change will in no time. blow across this great nation of ours. Oh God ! 0 n c e. more we beg Thee for help, for T h o u at the maker of all man kind. �1st CITIZEN: Kill every Belgian:' Lumumba will be our King. LUMUMBA: SO good country men, I don't know what you think within yourselves but for me it is b a t t 1 e from now for I am already in my official war uniform. We are all born equal and I see no reason why one race should lord it over the other. Long, Long ago, when we were ruling ourselves, Belgium was a Country unknown and unheard of in the Continent of Europe. But as soon as they. came to our Country and we opened our doors to them, they began to grew thick, I. PATRICE LUMUMBA will never, never live to see this type of thing going on in my Country. If not for people like old Kassavubu former Gold miner Tshombe who pledge loyalty to Belgium every day, I . think things should have begun to take shape. So right from now, we have declared war. My party has ordered a general strike of all workers tomorrow, and this strike must never end until Belgium bows to our request for Sovereignty. But to start with, a r e you all prepared to strike 7 At this stage, shouts of War! War!! can be heard . from the crowd. CROWD: Yes! We are prepared 1 (They shout) 1st CITIZEN: Let us match to the battle field for this is the hour! 2nd CITIZEN: I shall wash my hands with the blood of a Belgian tomorrow! 3rd CITIZEN: I must carry home the head of a Belgian; PATRICE LUMUMBA: Peace Peace comrades. MOLONGA: PEACE LUMUMBA SPEAKS. , 14 . �NOW k t me ask myself this question: What does Patrice Lumumba's Party plan for an Independent Congo? The answer is this: My party will introduce a unitary form of Government for the Congo. We shall discourage Tribalism in very strong terms aod will make it a policy to see that every. adult is employed. In short, there will be no more unemployment. My party will fix the minimum wages at ten pounds and will reduce taxes. The Belgians will no longer lord it over us and they will then be relegated to rear in our country's political life. IST CITIZEN: What are we. waiting for ? Is the time' for battle not yet due. PATRICE LUMUMBA: ' '(AT THIS STAGE, A BELGIAN MILLIONIARE WITH HIS FAMILY CAN BE SEEN APPROACHING THE MARKET SQUARE IN HIS COSTLY CAR). IST CITIZEN: There comes the enemy! 2nd CITIZEN: Kill him ! Kill him !! 3rd CITIZEN: I'll offer his head to my Juju when. I get home. LUMUMBA: Kill him! Let him be an examble. for the tree of. liberty must be watered ' b i the blood of a tyrant. (AT THIS STAGE, THE ANGRY CROWD SURGED TO THE ROAD AND HALT THE CAR. THEY DRAW OUT THE OCCUPANTS AND SLASH THEM TO PIECES. THEY MARCH HOME WITH WAR SONGS WHILE PARTS OF THE BODIES OF THE BUTCHERED BELGIANS ARE CONSPICUOUSLY DISPLAYED IN FRONT OF THE INFORMAL PROCESSION). END OF SCENE I (Curtain Falls) �SCENE 2 (The First Arrest O Lumumba) f (THE SCENE OPENS IN A LOCAL HOTEL) ENTER PATRICE LUMUMBA, MR. ANTOINE GTZENGA, MR. MPOLO AND MR. OKITO: THEY SIT DOWN AND ORDER FOR BEER. PATRICE LUMUMBA: Yesterday's Rally was a great success. Wonderful! MR. MPOLO: AS Field. Marshals. Okito and myself were kept busy all the night. PATRICE L U ~ M B A - What is th;: Official death roll ? : MR. OKITO: It was at one hundred and ten by 8 a.m. this morning:- one hundred and seven Belgians three Congolese. MR. ANTOlNE GIZENGA: This is just the beginning for a day shall come when they will perish in thousands. PATRICE LUMUMBA A group of Youths Came to me this morning and showed me thirty bloody white heads which they took home as their booty. MR. MPOLO: What will be our next line of action now that every Belgian has taken up arm against us. MR. OKITO: We must be armed too. PATRICE LUMUMBA: Then I must issue an order for the distribution of arms to our men. But they must never attack first unless they are attacked. Enter four Belgian Police Officers assisted by a group of Congolese Policemen. They surround the table and ask Lumumba and his men to take their hands up at gun point. PATR~CELUMUMBA: On what compulsion must I! tell me I �PATRICE LUMUMBA IS BROUGHT BACK AS A PRISONER. HIS HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK. HE SITS WITH CALM DIGNITY. �Chain these men with their hands behind them! They are international communists and murderers. INSPECTOR: Your sun is set Lumumba. You are all going to answer charges of high treason against the state and charges of incitation. (he kicks Lumumba witii his butt while other Constables rought handle the' rest. They are chained togather in one long chain and dragged to a waiting Black Maria. A. S P: . . (Curtain FUNS) END OF SCENE 2 SCENE 3 (THE TRIAL OF LUMUMBA AND H S MEN) I THE SCENE OPENS IN THE LEOPOLDVILLE HIGH COURT. THE COURT IS PACKED TO CAPACITY BY BELGIANS AND THEIR AFRICAN SYMPATISERS. OVER A MILLION LUMUMBISTS GATHER AROUND. A WIRE FENCE ERECTED AROUND THE COURT. THE COURT IS HEAVILY GUARDED). �Enter .:. Registrar, Usher and orher Minor Oficial. LUMUMBA AND HIS MEN ENTER WITH THEIR FEET AND HANDS CHAINED TOGETHER. LUMUMBA'S HAIR AND BEARD IS SHAVED , I N THE OPEN COURT. Enter Counsel for Defence - Barrister Leo und the Crown Counsel. (Enter Chief Justice) COUT~ !!! REGISTRAR: The trial of Patrice Lumumba and his comrades is billed for today! CHIEF JUSTICE: Call Up the case. REGISTRAR: M. 0. W. 12.57159. Patrice Lumumba and three others versus the state. (At this stage, ten constables armed with machine guns escort them to the dock). CHIEF JUSTICE: Read out the charges. REGISTRAR: That you on the 5th of July, 1958, abused the King of Belgium in a pubiic meeting contrary to Sub-section 94 of section 15, of the Criminal Code and thereby guilty of high treason against the state. Are you guilty or not guilty? (He asks them individually.) PATRICE LuMUMBA: Guilty ? ~ h a t ' ; rubbish'! MR. ANTOINE GIZENGA: I n the name of my dear motherland, I am not guilty. USHER: (AT THIS STAGE LUMUMBA IS BEATEN UP AGAIN BY THE BELGIAN POLICE CHIEF. THERE IS WEEPING AMONG THE LUMUMBETS OUT SIDE WHILE THE BELGIANS IN THE COURT ROOM MOCK HIM) 19 �MR. MWLO: That word guilty is foreign to me ! Oh ! God of Africa, I wish you were here with us today ! REGISTRAR: That you on the same day and place, incited the crowd to rage and mutiny which resulted in the death roll of one hundred and fifty souls. Contrary to section 75 of the State's Law. PATRICE LUMUMBA: We are not guilty ! REGISTRAR: The accused persons plead not guilty my lord. CROWN COUNSEL: I am appearing for state my lord. DEFENCE COUNSEL: I am for the defence my lord. CHIPF JUSTICE: What are the facts of the case Mr. Crown Council ? CROWN COUNSEL: Well my lord, the four. accused persons are the leaders of one political party which believes in the use of force for the achievement of their petty ends. This partythe M. N. C. was founded by the first accused person and ever since its inception, there had been a lot of trouble. It all began on the 30th of. June when Patrice Lumuniba asked his country men to resort to violence for the attainment of the so-called Independence. Having poisoned the minds of some illitrate Congolese, he called them .to a meeting at the market square and there, and then in the presence of these accused persons; the first wave of violence started. He ordered his men to kill any Belgian, that comes their way and to look their properties. As he was saying this (and the hearts of his few followers having been poisoned by lies and falsehood) they ran out to the road. halted a Limosine Car and Butchered the occupants, It didn't end there. He Lumumba, having b e e n dressed i n the Uniform of a Commander-in-Chief MR. OKITO: ' �marched then to European Sector of LeopoldvilIe where about one hundred and fifty souls lost their lives. This is a case that must be dealt with properly that with these men here, the wurt may lay an example to other prospective murderers and trouble makers. 1st BELGIAN: Kill them ! Kill them! 2nd BELGIAN: Burn them alive ! USHER: COW^ ! (he Shouts) CHIEF JUSTICE: Let the first accused person go to the witness Box. (Lumumbd L led to the Box) v PATRICE LUMUMBA: I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give in this case shall be the truth and nothing but the truth. CROWN COUNSEL: YOU are Patrice Lumumba ? PATRICE LUMUMBA: Yes, I am. CRCWN COUNSEL: YOU come from the Oriental Province of the Congo. PATRICE LUMUMBA: Yeh ! CROWN COUNSEL: What is your occupation ? PATRICE LUMUMBA: I am a student of contemporary international Politics. And the leader of the all-powerful Congolese National Congress. CROWN COUNSEL: YOU were once a Post Office messenger ? PATRICB LUMUMBA: I was n e v e r a Post Office messenger? CROWN COUNSEL: But you worked in the Post Office sometime age? PATRICE LUMUMBA: Yes, I worked there as an account .clerk and not as a messenger please ! CROWN COUNSEL: YOU address a public lecture on the 5th of July this year? 21 �.-On..that.. day, 1 .:addressed - a meeting .of my people in the market square in my capacity as the President General of my great party. CROWN COUNSEL: YOU.were putting on the uniform of a Commander-in-Chief on that day? PATRICE LUMUMBA: These questions will drive me mad! I know nothing about them! CROWN CCUNSEL: What was the theme o f your lecture on that .day? PATRICE L~IMUMBA: The theme was :- Congolist nationalism versus Belgian imperialism. CROWN COUNSEL: Did YOU not describe the King of Belgium as a pea-cock King on that day? PATRICE LUMUMBA: I don't know, May you know better ! CRQWN COUNSEL: Did YOU not ask your men to slay any Belgian that comes their way and did they not kill the Belgian occupants of a passing Car on your orders and in your presence? PATRICE LUMUMBA: YOU better sit down Mr. Crown Counsel if you have no more question to ask me. I am the lion and the impregnable rock of this country! CHIEF JUSTICE: Will YOU answer the question y o u vandal and murderer of the worst type! PATRICE LUMUMBA: If I am a murderer, I wonder what you and your Belgian brothers are. CROWN COUNSEL: I am sorry my lord, I can't go on with him any longer. CHIEF JUSTICE : His doom will soon be cast. .PATR~CE ZUMUMBA?:. PATRICE LUMUMB.4: No Amount ofpersecution will make me withdraw 22 �my cry, immediate Freedom- for, l...am not :people like Kassavubu and Tshombe . whom you have bought very cheap. This is my .motherland and unless you the Belgians pack -and go home unconditionally, I will never, never rest on my oars. (At this . stage, Lumumba. is hit again by a Belgian officer with the Butt of his riffle. A young Lumumbist runs into the court for vengeance, but he is immediately arrested by constable. The Crown Counsel sits down). COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE: YOU have never been better against Belgians as a race but against their way of administration? PATRICE LUMUMBA: Yes my lord. COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE: In your speech on the day in question, did you give orders to your men to slay any Belgian that came their way as was alleged by the Crown Counsel some few minutes ago. PATRICE LUMUMBA: That allegation is the handwork of a frustrated imperialist agent. I am being judged by them now but a day shall come when I will judge them rather. USIIER: Shut up, YOU blood thirst Villian ! ( Lumumba is beaten up again ) PATRICE LUMUMBA: ( carrying up his eyes ) Oh father in heaven ! into thy hand 1 commend my spirit ! COUXSEL FOR DEFENCE: YOUare fighting for the Freedom of your Country ? PATRICE LUMUMBA: Exactly SO. I will continue to fight for that cause whether death or alive. COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE: YOU are .not a murderer? PATRICE LUMUMBA: I am not a murderer but if 23 �one is branded a murderer simply because he identifies himself with the nationalists of his country, then I am one. CHIEF JUSTICE : Do you want to tell t h i s court that you a t no time asked your people to murder Belgians en-masse? PATRICE LUMUMBA : The hurricane of change is blowing fast across this great continent of ours and when it comes to blow through the Congo, I am afraid ....."... ......, -.-........ Any w a y , I have my consolation in the words of that English Author who once said : "The tree of the liberty must be watered by the blood of a tyrant." CHIFP JUSTICE : Take .that devil down ! (LUMUMBA IS DRAWN OUT OF THE BOX IN A VERY CRUEL AND INHUMAN WAY) ' (GIZENGA ENTERS THE BOX) CROWN CQUNSEL: . YOU are MR. GIZENGA : Yes. CROWN COUNSEL : ' Antoine Gizenga ? YOU are the first accused person's deputy? MR. GIZENGA : I am' the deputy president general of. our great party. CROWN COUNSEL : YOU are incharge of supplying arms to your men? MR. GIZENGA: That is arrant nonsense ! CROWN COUNSEL: Did the first accused person not instruct your men t o kill any Belgian they see on the day he delivered his devilish lecture ? We are men not wood. And as such MR GIZENGA: we must fight back'whenever our God given rights are encroached upon by anybody, we know our 24 �right and. if you deny us of them we shall take them by force when the time comes. CROWN COUNSEL : That's all my lord. (He Sits Down) DEFENCE COUNSEL: You never incited your men to rage and mutiny ! MR. GIZENGA : Never in the list my lord. This Belgians are responsible. DEFENCE COUNSEL : That's all my lord. He Sits Down CHIEF JUSTICE : DO YOU want to tell this court that you and your comrades are not responsible for the recent waves of evidence in this country? MR. GIZENGA: The responsibility for the recent wave of violence should be levied squarely on the Government of Belgium a n d not ourselves. In fact, t h e correct person to stand here ,in the dock should be King Baudouin and n o t Lumumba or m y s e 1 f. But time shall come when things will take shape. CHIEF JUSTICE: Take him down! ' (MR. GIZEPIGA IS DRAGGED DOWN TO THE DOCK) (MR. OKITO ENTERS THE BOX) CROWN COUNSEL : Yes, Mr. Okito you are an active member of the M. N. C. ! MR. OKITO: I am not only an a c t i v e member but a -Senior Official of the M.N.C. CHIEF JUSTICE: What Office do you hold? MR. OKITO : Lumumba I know ! Gizenga 1 know! but who are you? (At this staze, Mr Okito was ordered to kneel down .bur he rejicsed). CHIEF JUSTICE: Are you prepared to w i t h d r a w that statement? MR. OKITO,: 1 repeat: Lumumba I know! Gizenga I know! but who are you? �(Poor. .Okito is at this stage made a n , object of mockery. A piece of cloth is tied against his eyes after -which he is terribly beaten). MR. OKITO: What ever you do to me now will never move me from my stand. It will rather serve as a lubricant- to my elbows. CHIEF JUSTICE: YOU will very soon find yourself a, within the warm embrace of the l w take him down. (HE IS TAKEN DOWN) (MR. MPOW .ENTERS THE BOX) Mr. Mpolo, are you prepared. to answer my questions? MR. MPOLO: I shall .give you a suitable reply to any question you ask me. CRGWN COUNSEL: Am 1 correct to say that you are a l l looked upon by some Congolese as their leaders. MR. MPOLO : We are. the leaders of our people as the King of Belgium, is to Belgians, CHIEF JUSTICE : And your people look on all of you for .directives especially now ? MR. MPOLO : Why not for God3 sake ! CROWN couNsn : You gave the order that resulted in the death of almost two hundred souls? MR. MPOLO: My pkople fought back after sixty years of Belgian Persecution and Maladministration. We are no stones but men! CROWN COUNSEL: That's all my Lord. COUNSEL FOR D ~ C :ENO questions my lord. CHIEF JUSTICE: Have you ,any evidence to call Mr Leo? COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE : We can't intend to c a 11 any one for this case is o n e of such that CROWN COUNSEL: ' �for this. case is one of s u c h that can cause another world war if decided adversely. CHIEF n.sncE : I am afraid we must have to adjourn till tomorrow. Take the accused persons back to the Millitary prison yard. US'HER : Court (He Shouts) (EXIT CHIEF JUSTICE) THE POLICE AND THE BELGIANS). (Currain Falls) END OF SCENE 3 ��SCENE 4 (THE SECOND DAY OF TRAIL) The Court i packed as usual. s (Enter Counsel for STATE AND DEFENCE) Lumumba and his men are brought in amidst car calls and booing. ENTER REGISTRAR .4ND OTHER OFFICIALS ENTER CHIEF JUSTICE us=: CLO-U-R-T ! (He Shouts) CHIEF JUSTICE: Any more Cross Examination ? CROWN COUNSEL: NO my Lord. DEFENCE COUNSEL: I think we should start to address the Court. CHIW JUSTICE: YOU address me first Mr.. Crown' Counsel. CROWN COUNSEL: (Standing with one foot' on the chair) My Lord, as you must have seen this is a very serious case. It is a case that must be decided carefully or we shall have to write out invitations for more w a v e s of violence. These men in the dock no doubt are the culprits and in the name of all that is decent. I appeal to you to inflict the maximum punishment on all them .for if they are allowed to go unpunished, violence will start the very minute they step out of this court premises. Before I go any further, let me refer you to Section 7 1 of the law of Belgium. It reads: "Any person found guilty of inciting a Section of the community- against the order is liable five years imprisonment." ' 29 �. . . . ... . So my Lord, I am now asking):you to carry out your duties properly for thy, hands lay T the fate of over h a l f a million Belgians now resident in the Congo. . . . .. .. ' no Let me refer .you again to the trail of ~ e n ~ a t the."Burning Spear" of Kenya. It, i s . a ta case of exactly the same nature as this buiut,Kenyatta's pretence didn't deceive the Judge. In his record, the trail Judge - Justice Kevin recorded : ''Jon0 Kenyatta no doubt looks innocent but I am convinced that he.is the brain behind the whole ghastly affair. ' I found him guilty of managing the MauMau and.:...........u..............................u-.u.............. .. " . Sir, this is contained in the law of report book 'ot the Kenya High Coutt number 78 Subsection 5 to 7 of Section 10 page 125. If Patrice '~umumbaand his gang of vandals are left to go, they will try to avenge their fall a thousand times and ihat may bring about a situation worse than the notorious Mau -Mau of Kenya. These men are very dangerous; and again my Lord I ask you to imprison them heavily that they may c o m e out properly tutored and tamed. He once swore never to shave his b e a r d until the last Belgian leaves the Congo but alas! Here he is with his Juju beard already shaved. (He .:sits. Down) . ' ' ( S h o u t s of "Kill him ! Kill him! can be heard as ,the Crown Counsel takes his -seat. 30 �COUNSEL FOR .DEFENCE: (Striking his hand on the table).Oh Justice! Where are thou? My Lord, I only havc to ask you not to be misled by the weak citations of my learned friend w h o only citcd the weak points in law to confuse issues. How on earth can - one compare the charges under which these young ' men are charged to those preffered against JOMO KENYATTA? These men here in the dock are innocent and my stand now is to ask for their unconditional acquittal for no primafacie case has been made against them. The prosecution failed woefully to impress the Court on their guilty and I see no reason why they should continuc to suffer. , . In my fifty years experience as a lawyer during which I ' practise in all continents of the world, 1 never heard of a case as cooked and as concocted as this. I know too,well that anybody, can interpret the law to 'suit his own p u r p o s e but 1 have never seen any body playing with the' law as my learned friend did i n his address. This case is a test case and unless it is handed properly, I'm afraid things will get worse. The whole world have their eyes on you; so don't let them down' for the imprisonment of these young hand-. some men w h o s e only guilty is that they raised their voices against Belgium will pay no dividends. In fact, it is when they arc imprisoned that thcir followers will strike to kill!. . ..,.. . . . Let me refer you to' the t'r i a l of Warren .Hastings who was charged on similar offence against the . Rodilles of India. His trial lasted for. seven years.' It is in the law report book of the Privy Council No. 77911 1 Section . 91 verse 8-12 it reads :;.!'Warren Hastings is the most ill used man on earth .................................. 1........;................................... :. He is discharged and acquitted" �. Turn over' again to page 300 Section. 701 paragraphs 1 to 3 of the same book. It is about a case of same nature involving one Mallam Yakor of Singapore. His charges are exactly the same as that with which these young men are charged. The trail Judge in his Judgement recorded:- "I see no reason why Mallam Yakor should be b r o u g h t before this Court. He is discharged and acquitted." So my Lord, I most humbly beg you to discharge these men for they are as clean as the Ostrich. Their own case should not be an exception. If you are not yet satisfied my Lord, let me refer you to another book. It is Dr. Shaw's law report of 1765 turn to page 700 Section 91 Sub Section 112 verses 11-12 It reads: "Case of political nature are often concoted and having weighed ,the evidence produced by the prosecution, I see no reason why Mr. Davies should be brought to my Court. He is accordingly discharged and acquitted" So my Lord, 1 now look on you to discharge and acquit these men for they are not guilty. Even if they are guilty, I think they have suffered enough. I have nothing more to say than to sum up my address with the following words of Shakespears: "The Qudity of Mercy is not Strained. It droppeth as The Gentle rain $om Heaven. It is Twice Blessed. It BIessed Him that gives And .Him that takes ......................................... 19 (He sits down amidst, hand claps and Gation from over a million Lumumbists out side the Court . . premises.) �AT ,THIS STAGE. THE.. :RAIL JUDGE,. WRITES . . .DOWN HIS' JUDGEMENT CHIEFJUSTICE: My dear Lumumba, Gizenga. Okito and Mpolo - the four in one : your doom is cast! I am agree with the prosecution that you - are responsible for the wave of violence that has been devastating this Country. You all tried to prove your selves innocent but - I have my personal conviction. Your defence Counsel is one of the best I h a v e never met since I joined the Judiciary. The defence he put up is quite similiar to Cicero's defence of Miloni. But the Law must have its way. I found all of you quilty and you are all sentenced to two years imprisonment (each) you are not allowed to appeal. PATRICE LUMUMBA : It is a glory to me that I am going to spend eighteen months in the prison yard for the cause of my motherland. We shall come out and give you the toughest b a t t 1 e of your life. (As soon as the youths out side heard that their Leaders have been jailed, they broke into the Court and unleased several gun shots. The Trail Judge takes to his heels while Lumumba and his men. are carried away to the prison yard in a waiting Car. (Curtain Falls) ; END OF SCENE 4 SCENE 5 HAVING COMPLETED THEIR PRISON SENTENCES, LUMUMBA AND HIS MEN ORGANfSE ANOTHER LECTURE. ( I N THE hlARK@T SQUARE) (Curtain Opens) Enter Patrice Lumumba. Mr. Antoino Gizenga, Mr. Okito and Mr. Mpolo. : Bravo my men ! Bravo It is now about two years since I t a 1 k e d to PATRICE LUMUMBA 33 �you last. Oh well those days were spent in the prison yard from where I was released last month and where I planned the next phase of the battle should Belgium continue to subjugate and humuliate our motherland. But I am now very happy inthat I have won complete Freedom for our country. Immediately after our release from prison. the Belgian Government invited us to Brussels for talks having known that an unprecedented situation will arise immediately we step out of jail. In fact, we were taken right from the Prison gate to Belgium and there we fought vigorously. The battle wasn't easy for Belgium wanted to grant Freedom to only a Section of the Congo while she.retains the rest. On July 31st, we shall be free! free for ever! Free from white imperialism! Free from sixty years of bondage and servitude! We shall be free for ever on that day ! But another great battle still lies ahead of us. This will be a bhttle against black imperialism for men like Kassavubu and Tshombe have planned to plant themselves securely in the Government of an Independent Congo. And they are doing this with the complete support of Belgium. Do you want to be ruled by Ksssavubu? NO ! NO ! Lumumba is the man we know! MOLONGA: Away with those traitor ! 1st CITE&: Kassavubu will rule over my dead bodyl MR. MPOLO: Take it coolly my man for Patrice is still speaking. MOLONGA: Bravo comrades, Mpolo and Okito! PATRICE LUMUMBA: A general election to -elect the people that will rule the Congo after THE CROWN: 34 �Independence will be held in a forthnight. So I an1 .now asking you to vote s o l i d l y for my -party . candidates who are men of w o r t h if my party comes to power, it will be life more abundant for every body. We shall i n c r e a s e wages and make those Belgians. who choose to stay to work for us as servants and n o t as masters. We shall abolish the present provincial system of Government for a Unitary Administration. So my dear country men, every thing is left for you to decide on the polling dhy. (HE SITS DOWN AMIDST OVATION AND &ND CLAPS) TWOyears ago when we were being tried by, a Belgian J u d g.e, I told him that one day we the sons of this country will sit to Judge him and that statement will .in less than thirty days time takes shape. KASSAVUBU and his band of Belgian Stooges are now at work. It is their plan to sell the Congo back to Belgium after our Independence and he who ever does that is guilty of sabotage. They want to reap where they haven't sown for when we were sent to prison, this very Kassavubu and Tshombe engaged themselves with daily supper and dinner with our imperialist overlords. For sixty donkey years have we suffered ! For sixty years have our rights been trampled upon I And for sixty years have our great motherland been exploited and subjugated l Why then must we replace Belgian imperialism with black imperialism ? If you make the mistake of voting in these m e n with questionable characters then the fault is yours for Lumumba has done his best by 'securing unconditional Freedom for you 'and me. Belgium wants to remain . in the Congo under a new cloak and this must never happen for one can't eat his cake and have it . . .. . .back again. .MR. MPOLO: �So comrades I now appeal io you to cast your votes for the M.N.C. candidate whom as you know paid the actual price of Freedom. IST CITIZEN: Kassavubu is a stooge and Tshombe a traitor ! ~ N D CITIZEN: We must kill them all. MR. GIZENGA: Comrades! We are free and free for ever but that Freedom-that hard won Freedom, won't be safe if placed in the hands of traitors like Kassavubu and Tshombe. So I don't have much to say except to tell you to get ready for the polling day for on that 'day will be the battle that will decide the fate of the Congo. MoLONGA: Any body who votes for Kassavubu or Tshombe must be killed and his blood used. for watering the tree of eternal liberty ! PATRICE LUMUMBA: - Oh mother Congo! Oh ye gods and godesses I come to the aid of your beloved children ".."........ ................................................ ...- ..... ..... ..... MR. OKITO: VOTE FOR YOUNG LUMUMBA! VOTE FOR HIM! (Curtain Falls) END OF SCENE 5 SCENE 6 THE ELECTION HAVING BEEN OVER, LUMUMBA IS APPPOINTED PRIMEMINISTER WHILE KASSAVUBU IS THE PRESIDENT. The Scene opens in the newly elected Parliament in Leopoldville. (Enter King . Baudouin, Patrice Lvmumba, Mr. Kassavubu, Antoine Gizenga, Moisr Tshombe, Mr. Mpolo, Mr. Okito and other elected members. The gallery is filled by anxious Congolese who want. to witness the proclaimation of Independence) ' �~ ~ ~ - ~ u D Mr. , Resident, : o ~ I N Prime Minister and Deputies. It gives me much p 1 e a s u r e to be present here with you to-night. This c o u n t r y otherwise known as the C o n g o had been under the administration of my Government since the time of King Leopoldville. We have been governing it from 1876 and now as I sit here with you, I can see a lot of exciting developments and improvements. Before your country came under the rule of Belgium, history tells us that things were as dark and crude as hell. But right now, things have changed. We have taught you modern Architecture, we have built Schools, Colleges, Hospitals and even Universities. To be candid, it is with a lot of regret that we are allowing you Freedom f o r it puzzles my i m a g i n a t i o n when I start to think of what Belgium's fate will look like when h e r most important .arm is out' off. - You are going to be self governing as from today and that will mean exposing this g r e a t country of yours to all amount of c o m m u n i s t infiltration and indoctrination for a 1 r e a d y I can sport a lot of communists in this parliament. Though you are going to be self governing, we in Belgiums will extend to you the right h a n d of friendship so that a cordial atmosphere will continue to exist between the two countries. About all, I want you to treat my s u b j e c t s who may elect to say in your country as friends, and brothers and not as enemies for without them, t h e Congo would not have been whht it is to-day. . The elections have come and gone ! that won't make me not to express. my great disappointment at the results for no single party won. e n o u g h . �seats to .:form ..a. government' Anyway,. after : long:: and protracted' negotiations, Mr. . Kassavubu h a s been. appointed President while m y bearded friend Lumumba is the Prime Minister. Finally, I hereby declare your country Independent. . . (He Sits Down) . . PATRICE LUMUMBA: (HE PULLS HIS BEARD) Mr.' President, honourable deputies, my Joy today is simply wonderful for my eyes h a v e .seen the salvation of my dear and beloved Congo. We the nationalists who. suffered all amount of deprivation of God given liberty and persecution right in the very nose of the. Belgium K i n g, know too well that the battle wasn't easy. M o s t of us h a v e been jailed serveral times; others have had their properties confiscated. All for the sake of Freedom which we have now won and which I will assure you will be properly pres e r y e d. As the Prime Minister, it falls under my potfollio to appoint my . Minister and that I have done already. Mr. Gizenga that Keg of Political g u n powder is the deputy Prime Minister while Mr. Mpolo is the Minister of Youth. Mr. Okito is the Vice President of the S e n a t e and others which I will have to announce later. Our country is now free and it is o u r duty to m a i n t a i n this hard won Freedom that the Congo may one day be a nation to be reconed with in Africa and in t.h e comity of nations. I t . is a great disappointment t o . note that a country as big, and as populous as the C o n g o has no single indigenous Doctor. No single .lawyer a n d not even a graduate. We have not enough Schools and Hospitals. .. . �We have no .trained Teachers and Nurses. And yet still, this shameless pealcock King of -Belgium in this proclaimation of Independence said that Belgium boasted our social and economic position. 1 wonder what they did for me! The shameless monhrch bragged that he built Schools and every thing for us forgetting that his hunger stricken country men have for sixty good years fed fat on the rich mineral resources of our country. Yesterday was their day but today is ours! The Civil service, the 'army and every brand of government. activity must be Africanised that . we may show this bragged Jungle King 'that can rule ourselves properly without the help of this hungry brothers and sisters. Let those white bigots who feel too proud and who feel they can't work under the African pack and go with their King tomorrow for an Independent Congo has no. room for nonsense and redundancy. Our foreign policy will be one of none alignment with any power block. We shall respect any fiation that respects us. Let me cease this opportunity to announce that the Belgian head of the army will have' his appointment . terminated tomorrow for general Lundulrr has been appointed to head the army. This is one of series of appointments aimed at nationalising our civil and armed services. Let no one look on me to say thank you for granting us Freedom for we all were born free by God. Right from today, there is nothing again like the "European. Sector of Leopoldville" or "European Clubs" for I see no reason why Belgians should come from five thousand miles away to lord over 14 m i 1 l i o n Congolese. Again . I repeat; yesterday was their day, today. is ours! �I shall be a very good man to order the arrest of every Belgian and the confiscation of their properties for that was how they treated us when we were under their rule, but we are God fearing Leaders. It is only history and prosperity that will tell. .(Lumumba sits down amidst great ovation. The King of Belgium who had been listening to Lumurnba's speech having grown annoyed walks out of Parliament before the scheduled t i m e for his departure. .MOISE TSIIOMBE : I' fail to agr:e with Lumurnba ! The Ministries must be shared ! If my party is not given three ministries, 1 am sorry we shan't team up with the government. It is a question of must. PATRICE LUMUMBA : That is arrant n o n s e n s e! Complete rubbish ! I am the Prime Minister and -it is within my entire jurisdiction to appoint any body to any Ministry I like. I am not prepared to take dictations from any body. MR. MUMUNGO: The Ministries m u s t be shared You either agree or YOU count us out of your government !PATRICE LUMUMBA: Gone are the days when you got every thing you wanted from your Belgian friends ! I am now the Prime Minister and you must either take to my orders or you are doomed! MOISE TSHOMBE: We the Katanga block are not prepared to form a government with you unless our request is granted. I .see no reason why Katanga which is the bad rock of Congo wesllth should be excluded from the cabinet. PRESIDENT KASSAVUBU : Listen Mr. Tshombe; You must not give us head-ache for it is �Within the authority of Prime Minister to appoint::any :-body Minister. -MOISE TSHOMBE: Katan~ais no more in the Congo! We are going lhome to form 'our own government. LUM'UMBA: Congo must be one, one Congo! one God! one Africa! If Tshombe thinks he can carry out his threat successfully, let him try and see if he doesn't get . him under , the warm hands of the almighty law. TSHOMBE: We of Katanga are no more with you ! We are going home and should I find any one of y o u within t h e . boundries of Katanga! woe unto that fellow. (AT THIS STAGE MOISE TSHOMBE LEAVES THE PARLIAMENTARY BUILDING WITH ---HIS MEN) PATRlCe LUMUMIIA: the Congo must bs one! it must be ruled from Leopoldville! MR. OKITO: One Congo One Government! MR. MPOLO: Shame! Shame! Tshombe. MR. ANTOINE GIZENGA:' Tshombe and his men are traitors. They have already sold Katanga to Belgium. (Curtain Fldls) ~ --- ~ - - - - END OF SC~NE 6 SCENE 7 (In Leopoldville) MOISE TSHOMBE DISCUSSES WITH KASSAVUBU IN THE LATER'S HOUSE. KASSAVUBU AGREES TO SUPPORT TSHOMBE IN HIS REQUEST FOR THREE MINISTERS. . (CURTAIN OPENS) -. (Enter ~asshvubtl, Moise Tshombe, Munungo and Kalinjo) PRESIDENT KASSAVUBU: Well Mr. Tshombe, I have invited you to my house that we might sit - ' �.. tQ&ther and,.: solye ,.qu$,.things. ourselves. It will be a mighty: shame to us if we begin to . fight ourselves now; It is quite a pity Mr. .............. .....,....... 'Lumumba is not here but .............u MOISE TSHOMBE: I. will walk out from the meeting if I see him here.. Christ and Devil cannot occupy a single soul! Lumumba is a satan and I can't afford to sit in a conference with him!. K~SSAVUBU: YOU are asking for three Ministers isn't it ? TSHOMBE: by right, we should have more than that, but. due to the fact. that many parties are representated in the parliament I decided to ask for only three. KASSAVUBU: Should in case I compel him to concede one to you ? M U N V N ~ O : Why should we allow ourselves' to be dragged to the. rear ? What claim can that mad Lumumba put forward. tb show that he is the most suitable fellow to occupy the Prime klinister's chair. While people like Ileo,' who '~shombe, myself and a lot of others began playing .politics when Lumumba's father had not been born, are still alive; you thought it fit to appoint him your Prime Minister. What a n insult ! What a mese up ! Down with Lumumba! KALINJO : My own point is thht my party should also be in the cabinet. KAS~AVUBU: You must try to considerate Tshpmbe, if you are given .three ministers how many will be left? MUNUNGO : We want three important Ministries and thats all. Without that we of Katanga will secede. ' ' - ' 5 �KASSAVUBU.: . If Katanga. which. is-the -soulcof..Con: .. . go's.. ec6noiny.'.!secedes,: what then will ..be left .... . . . ... of Congo? TSHOMBE : It's because..we are the bad-rock of the economy :of. the whole.. Congo that we are asking. for three important Ministers. It seems you underatec! the 'importance of Katanga when you were sharing the Ministers. KASSAVUBU: You people have begun to give me a lot of head-ache. Anyway 1'11 do my. best. When parliament is in session tomorrow, I will raise the matter myself. We shall give . you three Ministers but not important ones as you have been describing it. TSHOMBE: If YOU do that, 1' 1 be Very grateful to YOU. 1 MUNUNGO: Thank you very much Mr. President But what is the position of Lumumba, is he still in the cabinet? KASSAVUBU: We shall discuss about that later on. TSHOMBE: Cherio Mr. President. We meet tomorrow in the Parliament. (EXIT KALINGJO, MUNUNGO AND MOISE TSHOMBE) ' (ENTER COLONEL MOBUTU) (He salutes the President in. the oficial manner) KASSAVUBU: Welcome Mr. Mobutu, Anything wrong? MOBUTU: I have come to discuss the trend of events in our country with you. rAssnvusu: Mr. Tshombe has just left. He told me' that he wasn't prepared to join in the government unless he is given three Ministries. MOBUTU: Lumumba is not prepared to give him even one! KASSAVUBU: I know too well. But if we allow this situation to continue, it all means we are scaring away investors. We are yet under 43 �developed and anybody doing anything calculated to scare away oversea investors is the true ' enemy of Congo. MOBU~U: How-be-it, we must not allow this state of affairs to continue. Lumumba must either agree to Tshombe's request or we deal with him severely ! KASSAWBU: That boy is actually mad ! Even in cabinet meetings he has never has respect for me, knowing fully well that I am the father of the state. MOBUTU: Why don't you sack him and appoint some other person ? KASSAVUBU: It will be very unconstitutional if I do so. His friends in Ghana, Tunis, Russia and other countries will fight us. MOBUTU: Every thing must be settled tomorrow when Parliament meets. Lumumba must either agree to Tshombe's request or the army will step in. KASSAVUBU: I think that is what we should do. but it must be planned. You will be around with your men properly armed, so that if Lumumba refuses to grant Tshombe's request, you come in with your men and neutralise the house. MOBUTU: That is a nice idea. but who will ibrm the government after the neutralisation of Parliament ? KASSAVUBU; You can't appoint University Students to do it under my direction. MOBUTU: Lumumba will meet his waterloo tomorrow I (Curtain Falls) END OF SCENB 7 �SCENE 8 THE SCENE OPENS I N PARLIAMENT. (Curtain Opens) ENTER KASSAVUBU, LUMUMBA: GIZENGA MUNUNGO, OKITO, MPOLO AND OTHER DEPUTIES. TSHOMBE: Before this house discusses anything; I want to know what the Prime Minister's opinion is about my request for three Ministries. PATRICE LUMUMBA : That matter is gone and gone .for ever ! I told you last time that as long as 1 remain the Prime Minister, no Ministries will be alloted to your party. KALINGJO: That is rubbish! You must either share the Ministries among all the parties or I' m afraid..... ....-..-... ........................... .q"..-.. ............................. ". ..,..... ......... GIZENGA : We want one Congo ! . MR OKlTO : Away with Tshombe a n d his gang of ex-miners! MR MPOLO : Tshombe doesn't know he was gambling with fire when he threatened to secede from the Congo. He is not serious but if he feels he is, let him try and see what becomes of him.. KASSAVUBU: I see' no reason why all the Ministries should be held by the Prime Minister's Party.. The present Ministerial set up must be reshuffled if there will be peace in this country , of ours. PATRICELUMUMBA : I won't be happy with Mr. president. if you poke your nose'into a matter that is entirely within my authority. 'You are only the President and nothing else ! KASSAWBU : YOUmust either share the Ministries as demanded by minority parties or you get' it hot. ' 45 �a . With the. powers confered on me by Section 909 of the Congo Constitution, I thereby sack Mr. Kassavubu as the President. He is. no more the President and no one should from this very moment address him as such ! MR.. MPOLO: Bravo! Bravo! Lumumba! May the Lord God spare your life that you may lead. the Congo to an enviable position. KASSAVUBU: What right hive you to sack the man that appointed you Prime Minister? You , might as well sack 'the whole members of this . house. PATRICE LUMUMBA: (ENTER COLONEL MOBUTU AND HIS MEN PROPERLY ARMED) I, general Mobutu the. Chief of Congolese Amiy hereby declare this house . neutralised. You are unable to rule the country and now - the army wants to take over. Will everybody please walk out of this building! KASSAVUBU: ~ a k e note general Mobutu; Lumumba is no more the Prime Minister. from today. I have appointed Mr. Ileo to his post. LUMUMBBA: That is ............................................ ........-...-..-... MOBUTU: I don't want to hear anybody talk! From to-day I as the Chief of Staff of our army have neutralised all politicians and Parliament. My men will occupy the Parliamentary building from now with the order to shoot anybody found within the radius of 50 yards. So walk out everybody or we f i e ! MOBUTU: , (At this stage everybody including Lumumba is pushed out of the Parliament.) . . ' �(PRESIDENT KASSAVUBU IS CALLED BACK BY MOBUTU) Well done Mobutu. You have done a nice job. MOBUTU: What will become of Lumumba? That boy is a wild beast and if we leave him alone, I am afraid he will cause more damages. KASSAVUBU: What do you want us to do with him? MOBUTU: Left to me, I should suggest his immediate arrest. KASSAWBU: YOU can do so for the whoie machinery of government is in your hands. MOBUTU: 1 aIli going home to send two hundred of my men to arrest him! That fellow is some body .that should not be allowed to exist. KASSAWBU: But he is already under the protection of Ghananian U. N. Soldiers. MOBUTU: Then I m u s t send my men to watch him too for he can easily stow away to Stanlyville un-noticed. If he is allowed to get there, then it is good-bye to peace and harmony in our newly Independent Country. KASSAWBU: I have no objection M o b u t u. We must do away with that boy now or never. KASSAWBU: (Curtain Falls) END OF SCENE 8 SCENE 9 THE SCENE OPENS 1N PATRICE LUMUMBA'S HOUSE IN LEOPOLDVILLE. Oh God l How are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perished! Why oh good God should you let me to be treated like LUMUMBA: 47 �this! What sins have I committed against you and motherland Africa! If I have sinned, forgive me, Oh! Ye God of gods! ..... MRS. LUMUMBA: What is wrong my dear?' Did ' Nkrumah. o f ' Ghana not suffer . as we are suffering now ? Why should you pronounce such touching words? . . Oh God! Give me the strength to withstand what ever comes my way for I am now in the hands of my enemies! They are working fast against me and I trust you will show me the way! P A ~ C E LUMUMBA: . . Never 'mind'Patrice for a day shall come when your words will be the Supreme order 'of the day. . . GIZENGA: . . . . Mother Africa ! Where are you! .Or .have you not heard the. cry of your beloved son -. Lumumba? MR. MPOLO: 'This is the state of man. Today he puts on:'the tender .... leaves of hope .-................. Tomorrow bossems....".- ,..... ........ : On the third day comes a frost, . . A killing frost, And when he falls, He falls like lucifer, Never to.rise again !'' MR. OKITO: ; .. SPIRIT: ' LUMUMBA! -LUMUMBA! where are you? ' PATRICE LuMUMBA: .. .calling me. - . Listen gentlemen, somebody is (He listens carefully) 48 . ' . �SPIRIT: LUMUMBA ! LUMUMDA!! LUMUMBA !!! PATRICE LUMUMBA: Who are you please? I can't see you I SPIRIT: I am the Spirit of the Lord and I have come to pass words to you. Are you listening? ( A t this stage, Lumumba kneels dowr; near the walI from where the invisible voice comes). PATRICE LUMUMBA: SPIRIT: ,In I am listening my Lord ! less than five minutes from now, your opponents will come to arrest you. But they will be kept out of your house by the U. N. Ghananian Troops guarding you. You should arrange for the immediate removal of your three children to Egypt-the land of Freedom. If you remain in this h o u s e for five days more, you will be killed with your men. So you must be prepared to escape too a s soon as it is 5 a. m. tomorrow. That's all and byebye. (The voice of the spirit dies away.) MRS. LUMUMBA: With whom were you talking dear? PATRICE LUMUMBA: I have just received a message from God. We are instructed to send Francois Patrice and Juliana to Egypt for Mobutu's men will be here very s o o n:; So you better leave now to the Egyptian Embassy through a private out let with them all, the Ambassador will see them through to Egypt. FRANCOIS: Oh father Luniumba, You h a v e been treated as a wild bush animal. But be rest assured that God will pay those traitors back in their own coins. JULIANA: 1 am a little child out but my advice is that you should face every odd that comes your way with confidence. ' �p~nuce: Woe unto he or she t h a t will cause the lose of a single hair of my dad! I shall give that man the toughest battle of his life when I'm grown up. (At 'this stage Lumumba carries them one by one in his arms and gives them fare well kisses. He weaps as his wife takes them out through a back door). PATRlCE LUMUMBA: "The air is dry and cold as marble, The 'weather bleak at freezing point, But still my plucky voice can marble A song that can not disappoint. The waves are rough and fierce and tameless. The ocean mad with raging gale, But still my gallant heart, so doubtless Will face the storm without avail, The world, it seems, has turned against And I am left to face it all, I can with spirit determined see The wonders of this earthly ball. The grim reaper may come so closer Entanging me so needlessly, But still my fate can be a poser Which can its subterfuge allay." �Yes, the world lras turned against me but I hope and pray that a day shall come when I will sit in my glory to pay the shameless traitors back in their own coins. MR. MPOLO: What shall we do? Oh thou hero of the Congo! We are being hunted like thieves simply because we won Freedom for our country. We must either swim together or we sink together. MR. OKITO: We must escape from this house and .move straight to Stanlyville for we are not sure of our lives as long as we are in this part of the country. PATRICE LUMUMBA: I have just been told about ten minutes ago to escape to Stanlyville. MR. MPOLO: There are Mobutu's men outside! Oh God! Why should you foresake us in this hour of great trial! What sacrileges did we commit against you and our motherland! MR. OKITO: Since man is so inhuman. To his fellow being, And I am left To face the trial alone ".-........ ..............-.... .--...... Since ... PATRICE LUMUMBA: Come on comrades, and get set for the escape. If in the cause of it, we are killed, then must we know that we have been destined to die in active Service for our dear Congo. MR. OKITO: Then will our names be a household word all over the Congo. MR. MPOLO: I will be a million times happy if I were to die for my country. (At this stage led by Lumumba, ' Mr. Okito. Mr. Mpolo and Albert escape from the house un-noticed) (Curtain Falls) BND OF SCENE 9 51 �(THE SCENE OPENS IN LEOPOLDVILLE PRISON YARD) (Lumumba having been arrested with Mr. Mpolo and Mr. Okito is brought to the prison yard). His enemies mock him. �.. . ... . ENTER .. . . (CURTAIN OPENS) .i PATRICE LUMUMBA, MR. .. AND MR. MPOLO. i , ' - OKITO . (Three of them :are chained together. Lumumba has his head shaved). They are led into the yard by a thousand soldier. They are made to sit on the floor in the prison yard. , Enter ' ~ a s s a v ~ b uMobutu. Zleo, Munungo, and Tshombe. MOBUT~: a soldier) where is thit mad dog? SOLDIER: There they are Sir. (he points) KASSAVWBU: I told him that he would one day sign his own death warrant. TSHOMBE: Today I am a very happy man. Can you talk to me a g a i n as you did last week in ' Parliament? (he asks Lumumba after w h i c h he, spits on his face). L~JMUMBA: why should' I not! The worst you i n ' do is to man-handle me1 On the last day God . will not ask thy racer Nor will de see& c w birth! But alone he will demand of thee, What hast thou done on earth ! KASSAVUBU: (He kicks Lumumba on the face) Shut up! You devilish idiot! If you talk more. 1 will order my men to give you twelve strokes of the cain on your bare bottom. MR. MPOLO: Woe unto you Traitors! Woe unto you enemies of the Congolese people! MOBUTU: Give these men twenty four strokes of the cain each! (They are all stripped naked and punished severely). PAIRICE LUMUMBA: Oh ye black race of Africa! . Belgium has s t a b b e d you: I am happy, I ' skin^ 53 �have won Freedom for my people. He w h o ever causes the loss' of a single drop of my Blood will be called to order by our people. Are you prepared to beg for your pleasure? PATRICE LUMUMBA : O n what compulsion must I? Tell me! The worst you can do is to kill me and that won't bother me at all. ,Was Mahatma Ghandi of India not killed by the people he spent his life saving for? Was Solomon Bendaraniake.of Ceylon not shot to death by the people for whom he secured' Freedom ? MR. OKITO: Today is your day but no one knows who owns tomorrow. MOBUTU : Shut U ! p TSHOMBE: If this man is left 'here I'm afraid he will escape again. But if he is handed over to me it will be very, very impossible for .him to escape. KA~SAVUBU,: I support you Tshombe for if he is left here in Leopoldville, he won't find it difficult to'plot the overthrow of my government from the prison cells. Take him right away to Katanga. KALINGJO! Yes, You are doomed Lumumba! For Okito I say good bye and to Mpolo 1 say a happy death. At this stage the three men are taken to the Air port from where they are flown to Katanga. MUNUNGO: Moise, Tshombe and Munungo join the same Plane. KA~SAWBU : I instructed Tshombe to get Lumuinba killed, the minute they get to Etizabethville. MR. ILEO: Thats nice Mr. President; ,We are now free from trouble and anarchy. �(THE SCENE SHIFTS TO KATANGA) (Stepping down from the plane) Lumumba should be driven in 'one o f the army jeeps to camp 1. When you get there, tie them individually against those pillars outside. I am coming with Munungo to give him his place in lie. TSHOMBE : SEXGEANT: Yes Sir; (he shouts) At this stage, Mr. Munungo and Moise Tshombe ride away in a waiting car. Immediately after their departure, Lumumba and his men are dragged down from the plane by Katanga army officers. They are made to dance the entertainment of o v e r a million Katanga people who gathered around t h e Airport. They are later driven to the army camp. (THE SCENE SHIFTS TO ARMY CAMP 1. IN KATANGA). IST SOLDIER: (he slaps Lumumba) Do you think you are in Leopoldville where you sit in your house to talk any rubbish: You are all gone; gone for ever; Tshombe will teach you a lesson when he comes. Enter Tshombe, Munungo and Kassavubu who flew into Katanga to witness the slaughter of Patrice Lumumba and his co-nationalists. Where are you at last Lumumba? Your doom is cast; You are now going to pay the price of your past astrocities. TSHOMBE: YOU can do whatever you like now. But .remember you must account for our lives on the last day. PATRICE LUMUMBA: �KASSAWB~: . . How MR. OKITO: . . . TSHOMBE: are the. mighty: fallen Thou Traitors ! : .' . . I 'am going. to. make you die the most ignominous death ever known l You must be killed for lions like you shouldnot,be allowed to exist. The best place for you is the grave and very soon you'll find yourselves there. . . . . : The evil that men do lives after them1 F Z v a n t to. .reap where you didn't sow ! MUNUNGO: Shut Up ! YOU beast 1''. Officer ! (he shouts) . Yes Sir 1, . TSHOMBP:. OFFICER: , Slap each and every one of them'! (The army officer carries out the duty assigned to him by -his President ) LUMUMBA: This. is not enough, for here lies the . . .other. side .of. my face. T S H ~ B E : .It is now time '~umumba. You have lived enough and you have confused the ...' world enough. You can no longer go to Leopoldville to fool - people as you like. MR. MPOU): Oh! Mother Africa I we are dying for thy sake! MR. OKITo: Africa will revolt against' ' this act 'of human massacre. PATRICE: My dear comrades! Though I .am. left . here alone to pay the price of Freedom and 'Liberty ! Nevertheless, I am sure you are all here with me in spirit. My heart is sour not ' because I am going to die, but because the machinery .of Government will soon .fall into the hands of sinners and day light killers. TSHOMBE: 56 �I have been mocked 1 I have been beaten up several times! I once asked for wate; and. .I was, offered,poison I What - atrocity is it that has not' been committed on me ! When the contemporary history of this nation will come to be written histotriaus will not fall to write against everybody's .name what his deeds on earth were. Some of us will be Saints while others will be satans. Though my head. is going to be cut off, my name will remain green in the panteon of Congo history I I am being killed not because I have stolen or lied but because I refused to compromise with traitors and evil doers. TSHOMBE: A= Where is the' axe man? MAN: 1 am here Sir. TSHOMBE: DO your job1 (AT THIS STAGE, ABOUT HUNDRED SOLD- IERS .CARRY LUMUMBA AND'- LAY HIM ON THE GROUND WITH HIS HEAD LAYING ON A PIECE OF.WOOD ) I repeat; Though my head is going to be cut off, my name will be written in diamond letters when the History of the Congo will come to be written. PATRICE LUMUMBA: 57 ��PRESIDENT TSHOMBE PRESIDENT TSHOMBE WHO INSTALLLD HIMSELF AS THE LORI) OF CONGO. 59 �MR. GIZENGA MR. GIZENGA. ONE OF THE LUMUMBA'S CHIEF DUPUTIPS �Yes I know 1 a m . a sinner, but you . have no power over me as I have over you now. You must die. TSHOMBE: What is it that is fearful about ( As death ? What is it that ........................................... he was about to complete that sentence the axe rose and fell on his neck. His head is cut off and he is dead. May poor Lumumba's soul rest in peace. Amen! After this cruel death, Mr. Okito and Mr. Mpolo were held and killed in like manner ). PATRICE LUMUMBA: OFFICER: Where shall we bury them Sir? Burn their. bodies. Make sure they are all burnt to ashes before you leave the spot. remove their heads to the department of antiquities for they will be preserved and taken round the whole villages. TSHOMBE KASSAVUBU: What shall we tell the world Tshombe? 1 am going to announce to the world that Lumumba escaped from custody and was killed by angry villagers who refused to surrender his body. TSHOMBE: Mpolo and Okito will also be mentioned as having been killed by the angry remote villagers. That's good Tshombe, see how that fool shakes like a caged rat. He is gone and gone for ever. KASSAVUBU: (Curtain F d h ) END OF SCENE 61 10 �SCENE 1 1 (In Katariga) (TSHOMBE CALLS A PRESS CONFERENCE) Curtain Opens Enter Tshombe, his Ministers and Belgian advisers Enter press men. TSHOMBE : Welcome gentlemen, 1 have summoned all of you this meeting and make an important announcement. Patrice Lumumba and his two comrades escaped from their cell today by 2 p.m. It is understood that there were seen heading towards Stanlyville in a black car. The sum of two thousand pounds will be paid out of the National Bank of Katanga to anybody that can furnish information that will lead to their arrest. The Army and the Police have been altered and they are now searching for them through air and land. They over powered the three guards looking after them and ceased their riffles. That's all. TSHOMBE: MESSENGER: (Enter Messenger with a letter Who has that letter? lt's for YOU Sir. . (TSHOMBE READS THE LETTER) I have just been informed that Lumumba and his men have been arrested and killed by some angry remote villagers? Isr PRESS MAN: What is the name of the village ? TSHOMBE: That is none of your business. TSHOMBE: �( EXIT. PRESS MEN,. TSHOMBE AND HIS 'MINISTERS ) The Scene Shifts to ~eo~oldvill;! IST LUMUMBIST: Tshombe has killed our leader,! We shall revenge his death a million times. 2nd LUMUMBIST: Where is Lumumba ? Your traitor -Kassavubu 1 You have killed him ! 3rd LUMUMBIST: Come on comrades ! Let's be on the war path. ( The Scene Shifts to St~nlyville ) MR. GIZENGA : ( addressing a mass rally of young Lumumbists,) My dear comrades ! the long awaited press release has just been published ! Tshombe, Mobutu and Kassavubu have murdered Lumumba. They have not only murdered us here in Stanlyville but the black race as a yhole. We must revenge his death and even if it will cost us our blood, let no one be worried for they who are greater than us are now dead! We are going to declare Stanlyville the seat of the official Congo Government and right from now, shall we have every Belgian arrested and killed for it is them that will pay the price of the blood shed by comrades, Lumumba, Okito and Mpolo. So let everybody go and get set for this is the hour of great battle. 1st LUMUMBIST: Woe unto he that killed our LUMUMBA! Tshombe and Kassavubu must be killed. GIZMGA : Are you all ready to fight the enemies? Yes ! Yes ! (they shout) (Curtain Falls) - END OF SCENCE I 1 THE END 63 �LUMUMBA AND HIS CHILDREN From left - right are Juliana, Francois, Patrice and their Father behind them. ��BOOKS PUBLISHED BY A. ONWUDIWE & SONS' 3s : 6d Love in Infallible Tshombe of Katanga 3s :6d The way to make friends with Girls 3s :6d The h b o u r of Man ls:6d Boys and Girls of Nowadays 2s : 6d Mabel the Sweet Honey that Drops Away 3s : 6d To Rule is a Trouble 2s : O d d 2s :O Agnes in the Game of Love Miss Rgsy ,in the Romance of True Love 2s :6d Family Birth Register 3s :6d Dr. Zik in the battle for Freedom ' 3s : 66 The Disappointed Lover 2s :6d The Last Days of Lumumba 3s :6d The Sorrows of Love 2s : 6d How to Write Love Letters Toast 3s : 6d and Business Letters How to write Successful Letter and 2s : gd Applications . Elizabeth my Lover 2s : 6d How to know who Loves you 2s : O d Others in Preparation Printed by TRINITY PRINTING PRESS, Y MOORE STREET. Net , , , , , , , , , , : . ,, ,, , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , ,, ,, , , � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The last days of Lumumba (the late lion of the Congo); a drama Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Iguh, Thomas Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria, A. Onwudiwe & Sons Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1961? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Lumumba, Patrice, 1925-1961 Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3302 Description An account of the resource This play is a historical drama by possibly the most prolific playwright of Onitsha Market Literature. Iguh writes in his preface that the purpose of the play is to inform readers of the last days of Lumumba and the manner in which he died. He then declares his work fictional rather than a true account. Although many of the pamphlets make similar claims, it is a curiosity as to why Iguh made these two contradictory statements.<br /><br />The pamphlet contains many photos of Lumumba, Mobutu, Tshombe and other political players. These photos appear to be taken from newspapers and other accounts of Lumumba, the coup and his arrest. Additionally, scenes appear to be taken from court proceedings or parliamentary records. The photos and court proceedings add weight to Iguh's initial statement about informing the public,but they also seem to contribute to the fictive quality of this play.<br /><br />With these photos and court proceedings, Iguh creates a fictive Lumumba who is Christlike. In a court scene before the Belgian colonial officials, the counsel appears to be a Pontius Pilate questioning a militant Christ who is much more the lion than the lamb:<br /><em>You better sit down Mr. Crown Counsel if you have no more question [sic] to ask me. I am the lion and the impregnable rock of this country! . . . I am being judged by them now but a day shall come when I will judge them rather,</em>(pg.22-23).<br /><br />This scene follows a triumphant procession of Lumumba riding a horse into the market square with his followers who wave palm branches and proclaim him King of the Congo. It ends with Lumumba commending his spirit to God and declaring that he will fight the Belgians dead or alive. Thus, Lumumba's role as savior does not end with the Belgians leaving the Congo and his ascension as Prime Minister. Rather, it continues into the postcolonial state after his death.<br /><br />While the characterization of Lumumba is Christlike, Mobutu, Tshombe, and Kassavubu play Judas in order to complete the biblical imagery and comparison.The spirit of God speaks to Lumumba and foretells his arrest by Mobutu and his subsequent death. The spirit also advises him to send his family to Egypt, the land of Freedom. Lumumba and two of his "disciples" are placed on wooden boards, beheaded and burnt. The play ends with a press release stating that the three were killed by villagers. The Lumumbists declare that the "black race as a whole" has been murdered and they shall be revenged. <br /><br />Iguh's play has a definite message that appears to be carefully crafted to create a distrust of corrupt governments throughout Africa. In an essay published in the <em>Journal of Modern African Studies</em> in 1964, K. W. J. Post argues that the attention paid to Lumumba as "the martyr, saint and [...] god" (pg.406) reflects an educated, Pan-Africanist reading public, but even more importantly, this reading group is deeply suspicious of and "opposed to the Nigerian status quo," (pg.413). He also argues that it is significant that this play and other pamphlets about Lumumba "have almost all been published in Onitsha, a town on the River Niger which is the 'gateway to the East," (pg.411). This play was originally performed at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the eastern region and revived for a production in Lagos, (pg.405). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/8087ad8036014d565f5b2b30121e586e.pdf 91ad2383de516c3a1fc5a8d4c222ce9b PDF Text Text 1 I WAY TO MAKE �FRIENDS WITH GIRLS ADELE MADUMERE F.B.s.c.,A.c.I. (INCORPORATED COMMERCIAL CONSULTANT.) Obtainable From:- A. ONWUDIWE & SONS. R 9 No. 6 Onitsha Main Market, P 0 BOX 214, . . ONITSHA-NIGERIA 316d Net Price All Copy Right Reserved �CONTENTS PAGE Ade and Lizzy at Owrri Road. Dance at Cafe Ambassador. Obstacles in Courtship. Ade Snached Lizzy from Mr. Cousin. Ade to appear Before the Supreme Court The Political disciples of Ade. Ade wins again Lizzy meets Native Doctor. Limy in awful Condition. L z y s ments letter to Adc. iz' : �PREFACE The Way to Make Friends with Girls presents itself as novel io which the Nigerian background can be seen in its entirety. The names appearing in the book are fictitious. m e story itself has no reflectin whatsoever to any person or persons now living or long dead. It is an imaginary story. THE AUTHOR. �A. ONWUDHWIE & SONS P 0 BOX . . %e 214 ONITSIIA - NIGERIA. Xanaging 9irector of ONWUDIWE & S N OS Boek - Sellers and Publishers. Promoters of Nigerian Modern Novels. �CHAPTER I It was a blessed evening. Owerri Road was thick-a very busy road. busier than Aggrey Road, Port-Harcourt. Lizzy, a drab-complexioned beauty of her time, the girl whose beauty everybody delighted in discussing, was walking gloriously along Owerri Road. Ade, like amateur cub just out to hunt games, could not allow an error pass him. Hc jumped out from the School Road. "Slop! Lizzy, I know you had wished to see me." It was Ade's whisper to Lizzy �"What! how do you come by this suggestion?" asked Lizzy. "Call it not suggestion" continued Ade. "Don't play shy on this issue. You like to see my face always isn't it.' Lizzy was hurrying up for a dear appointment. She had not plenty of time to discuss romance on the Road. Ade was too anxious to hear more of Lizzy's sweet words. He thought that, that was a golden opportunity to talk to some one who he had in mind for long. "Why are some men fond of interrupting women on high ways.?' questioned Lizzy. "Why are some women not bold in expressing their interests in men they love and like?'replied Ade. There was no reply from either side. Passers-by wondered why the two people broke their journey on a high way. The popular feeling was that they were discussing an important matter largely personal to them. It was bad light. Lizzy could not continue to stand on the road unmindful of her appointment. Ade did not mind bad light and time because it was the appointed time "Though the talk .was to Lizzy's inconvenience yet Ade was in smiling cheeks. A brake to the talk was unavoidably necessary. It was imperative. Lizzy took leave of Ade and walked away. Ade was in a confused state. He stood still. To go up to Lizzy again was a capital Q. He concluded however, that he had made a b3ld attempt though not successful. The next question was how he could re-adjust his plans in order to succeed. To go home to plan another method of approach was the only answer. CHAPTER I1 Lizzy was wondering how Ade could boldly stop her on the road. She did not know how Ade came to understand that she had any interest in him at all. 6 �She had not talked to Ade previously. How both of them knew each other's name was nothing to surprise anybody. Lizzy and Ade were popular names about town. Lizzy was named to a senior Service man in a big firm in Port-Harcourt, Ade was a public servant a journalist and politician. As a matter of fact Lizzy had admired Ade's manners and personality. Ade, five feet ten inches tall. Lizzy five feet eight inches two inches difference! Lizzy had much to think about her position. Ade. had much more to do. Lizzy left her husband, Mr. Cousin, on account of maltreatment. Though Mr. Cousin was a senior Service man yet something was lacking in their marriage tie. There was no happiness. There was quarrel every day. Plenty of trouble every time! Lizzy did not want to remain single. She was contemplating to reconcile with Mr. Cousin Many other suitors had given her their hands in marriage but she could not give consent. Mr. Cousin was much worried lossing a charming. young girl of Lizzy's figure. He had approached Lizzy several times both singularly, severally and otherwise. Each new approach became more unpromising than the old. He wrote so many letters of apology. When his English language was failing him he coosulted a barrister who drafted him a letter which he registered to Lizzy at one time. When the legal letter failed, he turned to vernacular letters. There was no inprovement! But to keep away from Lizzy Mr. Cousin could not bear. He desired to reconcile with her by all means and at all costs. road romance, Lizzy had Since Ade's changes in h e r o u t 1 o o k. She had mentime tioned to Nelly, her friend at one �prior lo the road incidenr, that she was interested in Ade, Her interest came to the comparative degree when on one evening Adt: delivered a heart-breaking lecture at the Diobu Market Square. He was campaigning for one of his party's candidates during a parliamentary election. Lizzy suspected that Nelly must have mentioned this remark to Ade at any time and that might be the reason why Ade mentioned that she wanted to to see him. Though Lizzy snobbed Mr. Cousin's several approaches yet she had not concluded not to rejoin him. She wanted to make him realise his follies and to mend his ways. Mr. Cousin took the whole matter seriously because he had enjoyed Lizzy's company to the envy of so many others. If he missed her entirely he would find it dificult to go in the other ladies company. Moreover, his other three wives were no match. Going to choose ladies from mean insultiog his wives. outside would While Ade was planning haw t o get Lizzy. Mr. Cousin was doing all he could to gain his wife's love. Lizzy on her part; had became confused owing to so many new developments. It was a world of confusion. Who would Mr. Cousin or Ade? win? �A state dance was staged by the Managers of Cafe Ambassador V.I.P.S., States men and second class citizens would attend the dance. Ade was in his dead black dancing suit. He was a bachelor. Being a state dance, he had no need for a partner. He was sure to have a dancing partner when he got to the hall. Lizzy had not attached herself to any dancing partner for fear that her husband might be offended. �Ade bought his ticket a t 10.30 p.m. and walked up the dancing flat. About 30 minutes later, Lizy. in light--blue, dazzling. damask, don't-shake gown, reported at the Ambassador gate. A gentleman at the gate requested to know if she was partnered ' I don't need a partner. I will partner myself. So, don't be worried about me," replied Lizzy in a sharpcontemptous voice. She bought her single ticket and went upstairs. She quietly took her seat very close to the entrance beside a gentleman facing the other way. Being attracted by the drawing of a chair behind him, Ade turned round to see the face he saw on the Owerri Road. It was Lizzy sitting closed beside him! "What are you doing here Lizzy?'asked Ade "And what about you?" asked Lizzy. It was on exciting occasion an occasion that would renew acquaintance. Ade had no need for another partner. Lizzy had no need for another partners came down froin heaven just at the time they were necessary. The first dance was High Life. Edison Bells Orchestra discussed the hits. Ade and Lizzy danced the NIKE NIKE .......... .. high life on the glory floor of Cafe Ambassador. The music was on, it was true but the partners did move conver, ration than dancing for Lizzy to be inside Ade hold me tight. It was wonderful! "Who asked you to sit near me, poor you?" whispered Ade. "This point is inexplicable, my Lord" replied Lizzy in a love-sented tune; "Don't you think something is responsible" continued Ade. "Anything can be responsible, I don't care. What ever may be your suggestion, my only belief is that the call together is free and easy, "concluded Lizzy. The dance was on. The conversation was on. Ade was preparing himself and his speech another opportunity. �The music first round ended. Dancers took their seats. Ade and Lizzy occupied on and lone table right at the extreme corner of the hall -perhaps for convenience sake. The dancing hall became the long awaited place for Ade's second approach. The table was rich with Star Lager Beer and Tango all brewed in Aba, Eastern Nigeria by the Nigerian Breweries Limited. The services of waitress was not needed. Lizzy appeared to be the best waitress even though she had not served in that capacity before. 'The partners paid no need to the music second round. "It is regretted that when we met last on the Owerri Road we could not have a nice discussion. You could not help replying to my question Adequietly. Before I go further I will thank you for having given me the courtesy that day. This very attitude of yours places ),ou above average. Just as if you gave me an appointment I did not arrange for adancing partner to night. You, on your part! came in without one. That is why 1 will not hesitate in concluding that God has sent you safely to me to continued, and if possible, finalise the matter. Lizzy, you may doubt why the matter has been put to us in this way. I know quite well that you were married to Mr. Cousin. It seems to me that you are not living with him presently. I can't say whether you will, one day, in the near future, rejoin him. What ever may be the case, all I want is your love, for truly, I like you. I should be very pleased if you would give me your opinion fully in order to release my heart from bondage". Lizzy was listening attentively to Ade's speech and raising her eyes she saw Mr. Cousin walking into the hall in his Agbada dress, She pretended not seeing him. She began to give Ade signs to make him know that her husband was in the hall but Ade did not take notice. �In replying to Ade's speech Lizzy said: I could have replied adequately but for Mr. Cousin's presence,' which Cousin?" interrupted Ade. "Look behind you" wanred Lizzy, As Ade turned round he saw Mr. Cousin sitting opposite their table looking steadily at Lizzy. There was no going back. There was no need hiding. Mr. Cousin had seen his Lizzy in Mr. Ade's company. For courtesy Mr. Cousin would not intrude. For the same reason Ade and Limy would cantinue with their conversation. If anything would happen it would be after the dance. "Let's forget all about Mr. Cousin" continued Ade- "There are only two possible things we expect, Mr. Cousin may either stage a fight with me or seize you from me. Both are usual daily occurences. If the former happens the shame is Cousin's. If the later the shame is mine. I pray you, carry on with the talk and be frank" Lizzy entertained some fear in the first instance. Later, when Ade applied his diplomatic utterances, she felt quite normal. She would carry on with the talk in spite of her husband's presence. "Well, she began to whisper" I'm bound to say something I'm bound not because you force me to say my opinion, I'm bound because love is strong. I'm bound because love is kind. I m bound because love is true. I'm bound because love is my pride. I'm bound because love is the due to prosperity, to place of mankind". "Speak high my lady" intruded Adz, "Yesy' continued Lizzy ''I was married to Mr. Cousin. We had married for long but for lack of love 1 was compelled to leave him. I have decided that before I give myself to another man I must consent my mind several days and nights and even months if not years. I know you are a bachelor and may ask me to marry you. And before you put this question across, I must assure you that you are bound to fail as my mind is very far from consent �I shall always like you person for you are sweet. Any young woman who does not surrender to you in love cannot surrender to any other person. Let's go on with the dance." Ade held his breathe. The Bells Orchestra kept on with latest hints while ethers enjoyed themselves in a dead waltz, Ade and Lizzy appeared unconcerned. Mr. Cousin, who came to enjoy the Saturday night engaged himself seriously in the affairs of his wife and her dancing partner. How the dance would end for the two parties could not be predicted. Ade could not be silent over an important' matter as courtship. "For likeness sake" he burst' your reply though very disencouraging, ought to be polished to a certain degree lest it becomes together valueless to me. I appreciate your frankness for I urged you be frank. You are a product of noble parents. All you fear is thz very many unusual commitments in love- making. Dismiss this fear and release your conscience reconsider and give me your final decision." Lizzy found it hard to reply again. She meant L'I to harm for Ade, but wanted to stand clear. have a principle in life." voiced out Lizzy "I can't make fuither statements on this matter to-night but will advise you to hold on till when next we meet. Let's enjoy the dance". Ade could not press the matter stronger but waited for another opportunity. The dance was coming to a close. Mr. Cousin had decided what to do. He watched Ade atjd Lizzy closely. The master of ceremonies announced that five would end the dance. Lizzy and Ade jived. The Edison Bells Orchestra signed off. Mr. Cousin quickly walked downstairs and waited for Lizzy and Ade at the gate. As Ade and Lizzy came down the gate and walked out there was a whisper of "Lizzy ' from Mr. Cousin. �There was no reply. "Lizzy don't you hear Mr. Cousin's voice again?" querried Mr. Couisn "Oh Sir, you are too late Cousin" replied Lizzy. Mr. Cousin was surprised at the reply. What would he do?. While Ade stepped his right leg into the car. Mr. Cousin held him by his tie. ''lf you enter this car I finish your life now" exclaimed Mr. Cousin angrily. Ade gave him a jaw-breaking blow oo his cheek and he let Ade go and fell unconsciously on the ground. Lizzy jumped into Ade's car and they drove away. Mr. Cousin lay there for a few minutes, regained consciousness and quietly went home CHAPTER IV Both Mr. Cousin and Ade were students of the Island Hotel Dancing School. Dancing ;classes werc held twice weekly. One Monday evening, Mr. Cousin arrived at the dancing practice quite on time. Ade went up to Lizzy's house to request her to accompany him to the dancing school to do a special Tango which had worried him for long. Lizzy told him that she had no objection if that could only keep him happy, but reminded him that her husband dsed to be a regular student of the dancing school. Ade told her that Mr. Cousin had not attend e d t h e school for six consecutive times. Lizzy was convinced. She dressed up aod followed Ade. Arriving at the Island Hotel square they noticed that the attendance was very good that evening. It was a pleasure for them to join their comrades. They went up and took their seats. Students were seriously attentive to the Tango bits demonstrated by the Instructor. Later, it was coupling. The instucior wanted a lady for coupling demonstration. His eyes caught Lizzy. "EXCUSE WE DANCE" said .the instructor as he walked straight to, Ade. 14 �He danced with Lizzy. That was time. The cat was let out of the bag. It was a little wonder to Mr. Cousin who just walked in. It was a little wonder not because he had not seen a man daocing with a woman before. It was a wonder because he was surprised t o see Lizzy at the dancing School because through out his stay with Lizzy she swore that she would never follow him to the dancing School. He did all he could but failed to convince her. This thought made Mr. Cousin look pale. The problem, to him, was incomprehensible. How be it, he must endure it as he endured the terrific blow of the Cafe Ambassador. The demonstration was over students more t o apply the Instructor's instruction. This time Ade was to dance with Lizzy. Mr. Cousin could not keep silent any longer. he should act. He walked boldly to Lizzy to request a dance. Lizzy looked at him with contempt. He drew her from the seat. She held Ade tight. Mr. Cousin could not draw her off, while he stood before her Lizzy said "You are too late Cousin. If you don't respect yourself 1 will here now show YOU your seat" Ade did not intrude for he was watching the evznt. Mr. Cousin came up to drag Lizzy again. '%%at a fool you are, Cousin. Take your time. play cool. If not, 1.11 beat the hell out. damn you and damn the consequence. Voiced out Ade in a high temper, Mr. Cousin left Lizzy and walked out of the Hall. Lizzy and Ade continued with the practice. they did not mind the little drama. Other students could not talk because the matter was from big man to big inan. Mr. Cousin was away but nobody knew what was in his mind. At one interval Lizzy looked downstairs and saw Mr. Cousin standing beside an electrict pole near the I s l a n d Hotel. �She watched him closely to know whether he was armed. Ade saw Lizzy as she was looking dowo. He walked up to her. "Look at Mr Cousin" whispered Lizzy. They looked at him attentively but could see nothing strange about him. The dancing School came to a close at 9.30 p.m. Students were going away. Lizzy and Ade kept behind until every other Students had gone down. Coming downstairs, Ade and Lizzy saw Mr. Cousin walking away. They followed him with short paces coming to the junction leading to Lizzy's house, Mr. Cousin halted. Ade and Lizzy came to the same point. As they walked over the adjourning street, Mr. Cousin followed. "Stop there Lizzy! Stop there or die Lizzy!" commanded Mr. Cousin. Ade and Lizzy continued walking" If you walk further. I shoot you dead! threatened Mr. Cousin. There was still no shivering, no reply, no turning back. What a determination! What a slight even at the point of gun! It was terrible. Liuy wanted to play her part when and where necessary. Mr. Cousin walked up to Lizzy's house but halted at the entrance. Lizzy went into the dressing room, got ready, looked at Mr. Cousinand said: "Come in, darling Mr. Cousin was afraid to go in. .'I deal with all kinds of people but not of Adz's type, said Mr. Cousin. "Don't fear intruded Ade "Come in for I dehl with all classes of men including people of Mr. Cousin's class Experience has thought me so. Come in, I know your worries-"once beaten twice shy". Come in friend. Don't fear. Mr. Cousin's fear increased as he heard Ade's voice. He thought that if hc went in he would be entrapped. In departing Mr. Cousin said; "I know my love to Lizzy is yet true. She was true all the time. She has not told me the manner of sins I'm guilty of. 16 �has charmed my sweet heart. There is cupid influence in all this. But what matters is how we parted. What judges us is how riiuch we loved ourselves, Lizzy loves me, this I know. This she will continue to love me I'm sure. Though going in dismay Lizzy, keep fit and remember me. Lizzy was worried: In a very cold voice Lizzy raid; "Sorry, you are too late, Cousin." CHAPTER V Mr. Cousin returned home in the worst of mood. Poor Cousin To live or t o die. To continue the Lizzy case o r discontinue. The world at this time was in complete darkness. Missing Lizzy because of a minor matter. He did not think that the mistake was such that could not be corrected. He had three wives besides Lizzy but the missing of any of the other three would be frankly regarded as a shortcoming. 'Lizzy's absence was a !horn in the flesh. The only reason was that Lizzy stole Mr. Cousin's heart before they ever joined as husband and wife. Mr. Cousin thought of many things sorrounding the case. Well wishers. friends, bossom, relations, had warned him about his affairs with Lizzy before the break-down. He was shy because his parents had advised him not to joke with Lizzy but because of thz weakness of flesh he paid no heed but regretted after every misadventure. But what was that bone of contention? A man with four wives was not satisfied with them. He was fond of picking women from outside to inside the house- would ask the four to give him chance to romance the fifth temporary pasture. This attitude continued for some time until that became: his second self. Mr. Cousin would leave the house every Saturday night �to sleep ourside and to return the following Sunday morning. The first, second and third wives could accommodate this very .attitude of Mr. Cousin but Lizzy who knew the art of loving could not. She always told Mr. Cousin, "if you are not satisfied with all of us and feel that another woman ou:side is more applealing. bring her in legally. We want to be as many as ten in the house since there is accommodation for all of us and since African custom allows it. But if you feel it is an extra burden and you still have interest in her, please romance her outside not inside this house" Mr. Cousin regarded this stately statement as water poured on the back of the duck This was the real trouble. Lizzy could no longer bear the burden. Whea the case reached its green point-when there was no happiness in the house Lizzy decided to keep away in order to avoid trouble After all, there can be no life without happiness. Sadness in the horn? shortens the the days and nights. It reduces strength and life and that is death. A new thought came to Mr. Cousin. He decided to write a letter to Lizzy which might change her mind. If the change of mied was impossible. The next qoesticn was "what do you say?' Lizzy would say what would be the next step to follow in the matter in order to arrive at success. There and then Mr. Cousin would take a decision. Was the losing of Lizzy an inrecoverable loss? The question would be answered by Lizzy in her reply to Mr. Cousin's letter. ''Dear Lizzy" Wrote Mr. Cousin #'Need we bother our heads about doubtful future? What do you say? Shall we continue to live in a fool's paradise? the home of doubting Thomases �Did I not aish you Godspeed as I left you that night. Did I not ask you to remember me. I have waited for the response but have been challenged by silence. What do you say to our existence? Tell me in sincere words whether you will come back to me nor nay. I know it was not your intention to stay away as long but for the presence of that foolish jealous heart. Do you know that Ade plays a mere foolery with you and will drop you as soon as his plans are true. Don't you know the politicians tongue. Because you see him always talking on the soapbox-raising fale alarms in order to attract innocent citizens to dwindle them to feed fatter than senior sxvicemen -To gct rich overnight. T o b poor the following day. T o brew crisis in order : to feed fat on the' illiterates. Thank you, time shall come when you will pr-fer living with me under this condition to eating for a week and starving for another week. Rich men a t election times and poor men thereafter. You know how dearly I love you. You know I cannot afford to miss you. Jane, Kate and Asugwo always say I will die whenever you leave me. They are now waiting to hear that I have done something extra-ordinary because of your absence. In order to avoid an unpleasant end, please come back. It will interest you to hear that I am now prepared to act by your instructions and directives-stop talking to one and thousand ladies- being with you always when I am not in the ofice attend all private and official functions and meetings by your express permission and approval- above all, to love you lovelier than ever then to be yours for ever. In the light of my new phase of life what d o you say Lizzy? what do you say to our existence in life? Tell me! Tell me! Your dearest, changed Cousin. - 19 �The letter did not move Lizzy. Since Mr. Cousin's Island Hotel encounter, Limy had delved into higher interest in Ade. She has been lectured by Ade atimes without number. Lizzy had made up her mind not to have further dealings with Mr. Cousin and his family as far as marriage was concerned. She was awarethat Mr. Cousin was wealthy. She believed that wealth was not his that had it but his that enjoyed it. She felt that without happiness wealth meant death. Though Ade did much in braning Lizzy, yet she carefully ignored anything relative to making a promise --a promise to marry Ade. She did not want to commit herself in any way except for keeping Ade harpy zt that material time. Mr. Cousin was expecting a good result. He was optimistic because Lizzy's action in her house the other night encouraged him. Ade read Lizzy's action well. He knew that she was principled hence she avoided commitment very much: However, Lizzy's action spoke much of premise. It would not be wrong to admit that Lizzy was watching Ade closely. He did not want to go from hell to hades. Would there be a reply at all to Mr. Cousin's letter or would it be treated with silence this was a problem which required a solution. I t would be discounteous of her if such a letter was not treated. In what way and what tune would the reply be written in order to avoid commitment. Aftei consider~ngthe gaps and hitches L i u y decided to give a full. com~rehensiverenlv to the letter ~ . ~ ;\T 3 A,M. LIZ& WOKE FROM * SLEEP AND WROTE: DEAR Cousin It was a hard job that your letter was presented to me. It has been over one week chat I had picked materials for the reply. Shaping of the tune to suit. I was not drawing a conclusion on our final position but on how to be able to write you when I had. for long, ~ - �decided not to have further dealings with you. Well, courtesy is strong. I must give your lztter the very courtesy it requires. I must make it clear to you that before taking the decision to keep away from you, I had the backing of many conscience. Nobody else is responsible. Ade was not my friend while I was your wife. You know I had to respect you in all respects. I like your personality so dearly but hate your manners. 1 did all in my power to play the game with you as a comrade. You did not regard me as somebody in union with you but as a visitor. I managed the affair well as far as humanly possible. I gave you a sufficient time to make a change of heart but very unfortunately you played me out: Jane, Kate and Asugwo are your wives. I am not better than them. You can always remain with them in that they are always prepared to pay you back in your own coins. As I am not born to reciprocate evil I will not learn that in your house for marriage sake. The alternative is that which I have now done Outside this, I will live to wound myself and conscience. Your new phase of life, as you have put it is very interesting. I wish you all the best of luck. Are the present promises sweeter than those you used to make on those hectic days? The answer is No I You can't deceive me again. Acting by my directives satisfying my wants listening to my advices desist from going to. the pubs regularly stop talking to thousand and one ladies - to be with me always when you are not on office duty to attend all private and official functions and meetings by my express permission and approval-above all, my Sweet Cousin, to love me lovelier than ever and Oh! my dear, to be mine for ever ! It is all true darling me! What do 1 call this?. - - 21 �the sentiment-the sentiment-what a promisewhat a wonderful evasive promise of future improvement - what a prospective future I wish I had a teleprinter to send out this news. - Let me tell you Cousin, I have the music in me. I am a good trumpeter talking candidly, you wrote the letter under reference the night you returned from Cafe Ambassador. Finishing the letter you went to Hotel Picadilly whtre you spent the remaining part of the day. Alcohol and spirit can do marvellous jobs for weak humanity. I must advise you to keep up with Jane. Kate and Asugwo for the time being. Later. you will decide to make another choice if you still want a fourth wife. Left to me., I would ask you to manage these three and do to them all the things in your nzw phase of life. There is n o need having, a legion of wives. For your information, I have vowed since leaving your house not to marry a polygamist in my life again. Remember that before I gave my love to you there was no indication at any time that you had any wife other than me. You did not reveal to me that you had ever intended any girl before approaching me. It was a big surprise to me to see vour other wives coming in successioo after I had settled in your house. In order not to embarrass you I kept calm. You were still not satisfied but proceeded with the new wife deal. On the other hand I founa you an imposible partner- Not only that happiness was absent from the house but that sincerity is your enemy with your marriage is slavery. As I don't want to be a slave in a free world, I sang you ''Nunc dimitis". Replying now to "What d o you say'' I candidly affirm that I will no longer remain in bondage in a man's house in order to have a husband �I will not come back to you. If you are feeling my absence from your house, please pray t o God to give you courage. Rpgard i t as a shortcoming. It is nothing strange. What of death? Assuming that 1 am the best, can't the world d o without the best? There must be a substitute as I go away. Try elsewhere and you will surely succeed. While wishing you, all wish yourself let me remind you, Mr. Cousin. that you are too late. very sincerely, Lizzy. CHAPTER VI It was a world of make - belief to Mr. Cousin as he received Lizzy's revelation. It was a shocking news! He wished he did not write the letter. If he did not, he would have not been reminded of many things he had since forgotten. That is the danger of using the pen. In courtship man meets many obstacles. Mr. Cousin had caused himself the headache. He would blame nobody. He wanted to have the best from woman but had the worst instead. He did not think that the matter would die there. Woman can be tossed here and there, for they are changeable all the time. He decided t o make further attempts which might fiod a solution. He would not bsar Lizzy's absence in his house. It was Lizzy who attended important personalities who always visited Mr. Cousin. Many of his friends admired Lizzy's manners and would express same in her presence. The other three wives were unpolished. They were not the sort presentable in a Senior Service man's house. Mr. Cousin would d o it or die. �Ade was on the other hand, finding Lizzy's favour. Nothing was binding both of them. Ade wanted a corcrete statement from Liny. He did not know in what manner she replied t o Mr. Cousin's letter. If he did he could have had some relief. He had his doubts because anything could happen in courtship. If he succeeded in wooing Liuy's the bctt-r for him. But if he failed it was another calamity. Politicians are talkertives. He had boasted to friends with Lizzy's name. He had told tales with the Cafe Ambassador and Island Hotel incidents. Ade must pull his weight if he w o ~ l d hope to succeed. Mr. Cousin was planning ahead. He thought that nothing again would disunite L m y and Ade except that same offence he had committed. He used to know a girl who had been in love with Ade. This was an instrument to use. Mr. Cousin succeeded in knowing the house of Gracy. She was the type of girl who breaks her head when she hears politics. She attended all political meetings especially those of Ade's party. She liked to see and hear Ade deliver his speeches. But Gracy's love t o Ade was too secret. She was under the control of her mother. Her father died when she was eight years old. The mother had been all and all for her. She would have married Ade if not for her mother's serious objections. "My daughter. you won't marry a Politician'. She told Gracy always. Gracy was interested in Ade but since she had not the final say in the marriage way she had to wait. But talk ill of Ade t o Gracy's hearing you would have it hot. She defended Ade every where. She took pride in reading. �Ade's contributions in the dailies. She would want her girl friends to enjoy the reading with her. She would always feel to go to Ade's house but for the mother she wouldn't. Mr. Cousin had a cousin who was very friendly with Gracy. Agnes visited Mr Cousin one evening. He was very sad. "What is w r o n g ? ' a s k e d Agnes "Many things are wrong' replied Mr. Cousin "I have not seen you i n this mood before. Something must be wrong indeed: continued Agnes "Yes, Agnes one Ade, Ade, Ade, wants me to die. He has taken away Lizzy from me. He had to beat me at Cafe Ambassador. He wanted to kill me a t the Island Hotel. He persuaded Lizzy to write me a stinker. You know how Lizzy loved me a@ how I loved her. If she were here now you would have been happy. But Ade, the politician, has used his "1s sweet coated tongue to snatch Lizzy from me!' it not Ade who intends Gracy?' interrupted Agnes, "Yes. It is he that dangerous man". - Concluded Mr. Cousin. "Don't trouble your heart much. As fnr a s l have heard this story, Agnes must hear it. She will warn Ade. I know how dearly Gracy loves him. She is mad about him. She has told me many fine stories about him. She goes as far as to defend him wherever she hears his news. I know if she hears that he is interes~ed in another girl something must happen. be The matter will s o o ~ settled. I f Cracv hears that you are my cousin, she will feel it badly. She must act.' CHAPTER VII Gracy was at her mum's Creek Road residence on Friday evening. There was a tap at the door. It was Agnes "Come in Agnes!" You look sweet. There must be some fine news''. very �"The news is not all that fine. I don't know why we should con~inue to give our hearts to these unsteady men. They promise you Heaven and Earth today and forget all tomolrow. I'm not happy at all over Ade's attitude towards my cousin, Mr. Cousin of the Travellers Bank Limited who rides on EP 555. You know his wife Lizzy who was a pupil of our School." ''Yes! yes!' I remember. I use to see them always I know Lizzy very well. That fine-Looking girl". intruded Gracy. 'Do you know" continued Agnes "that Ade has snatched her from my cousin." Telling me!" interrupted Gracy. Yes Lizzy is no more in Mr. Cousin's house. The Pittiest side of the story is that Ade bit Mr. Cousin at Cafe Ambassador and attempted to kill him at the Island Hotel. Mr. Cousin was crying in his house yesterday before 1 came in to see him. He has the greatest blow any average man could have. I'm sorry for the situation. Sorry because this matter affected my cousio and someone in whom you are interested". Gracy was not happy at all. That was some thing serious. She could not talk. She. looked a t Agnes stupidly scratched her hair. She found it difficult to say any word. When Agnes saw that Gracy was wounded she said: "I'm sorry I have had to injure your feeling this evening. You were happy before I came in. You now look dull. I know I O U have the interest of Ade at heart not neccessarily 1oving:him. I know why you are sad. I am aware that Ade intends to marry you. You will not be happy to hear that your intender misbehaves in any way feminine. But I will urge you to go about it gently. When Ade knows thatyouare aware of his present undertaking, he will discontinue his plans because he loves you. �Don't fall out with him. Take the matter lightly. We should correct ourselves from the misadventures of others. That is why we read books. Your case is not a complicated one. There is a way out'. "But you arc not serious, Agnes. tuned Gracy. "Are you wanting me to believe that my Ade will behave in this way. To snatch Lizzy from Mr. Cousin to beat Mr. Cousin in a public place such as the Cafe Ambassador. To attempt Killing Mr. Cousin! It is wonderful! Ade is a public Servant. He makes the law. His standing in the community is such that he cannot think in terms of commiting murder because of woman. I have watched his utterances in private and public places. He is mindful of his position in the community. I have not seen him in bad company. Could you believe that since I knew him I had not entered his house yet he is not worried. He has disclosed his interest in me. 1 have franklv told him that my mother has the final say in this connection. As modern as he is, he has not indicated to me his objections to my mother's vizws about his intention. He has taken everything coolly. He does things gradually. I am puzzled indeed. I will not take a decision on t h s matter. I know what to do. You will hear the result soon. 1 thank you for disclosing all this to me'. Agnes was disturbed a bit. She wondered why Gracy was bold in defending Ade in this all important matter. She had her doubts. She took leave of Gracy. CHAPTER VIII Ade iovited Lizzy to an at-home. He also invited Lambeth, George, Sunny and Sylva. Ade had some points to discuss with his friends. �He would want Lizzy to be there. That was another way of making his political friends know of his new deal -His plans for Lizzy. Ade asked the manager of the Hotel Universal to arrange him one room of the Hotel for the at-home. By 7. 10 p.m. the invitees arrived at the Hotel Universal, a stone throw to Gracy's house. Egusi soup pounded yam-goat slices-chickens maggi sauce-ground pepper-The table was rich. "Ladies and gentlemen, there is DO nerd for any introduction. You know yourselves. Of course, Lady Lizzy, you are at home with Lambett George, Sunny and Sylva!" Your humble Ae' d! Hear! Hear!. The party did justice to the dishes. "And what do you drink Ladies and gentlemen? asked Ade "Nothing but Star beer' repl~edSylva. "Why Star Beer?' asked George "Because Star nas quinine In it' point out Sylva. It is true! It is true!' Ladies and gentlemen' Ade intervented "You have got it a11 wrong. Star Beer has n o jot of quinine in it. Five ingredients are presented in Star Beer. They are malt, yeast, hop, sugar and water.' "This is wonderful! exclaimed Sylva. "That is why it is good to come together. I had held the view that there is quinine in Star Beer. Not me only but several thousand others. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have learned enough to-night. If we doo't have to learn more, this is sufficient Plenty bottles of Star Beer on table. 'These are condemned soldiers. They must be executed!" commanded Mr. Lambeth. There was a big laughter. Lizzy was watching the order of the night. She was learning much about her new suitor. She was not shy. She was used to that sort of gathering when she was with Mr. Cousin. 28 �The only thing strange to her was all that scented politics. That sent her head back to Mr. Cousin's remarks about Ade. "Now, Couucillor Lambeth, can you tell us what is wrong with your council and the market men and women association." Asked Ade. The Secretary of the Association had made several calls on me since the past weeks. I had not taken the matter seriously because I always hit at the right point. I don't want to raise any alarm yet. But when I know the truth in the whole matter, I will boom up the show. Councillor Lambeth said: "This matter has heard so many interpretations from many angles. As far as I am concerned, I can only defend myself. You know I'm new in politics. I do my private job from which I earn my livelihood. There are many members of our couucil who have no private occupation but tbe council Hall and its many departments. Some of them do the legitimate duties of council officials. Whatever may be their good intentions not withstanding, the public suspect them. I have met three or more members 3f the market men and women Association who told me that they paid El0 each to be allocated market stalls. I for my own part, have not been approached by anybody to help. I have neither demanded from any one. I am convinced that there is something wrong somewhere. I'm afriad. However honest any councillor may be. he must be suspected. I am afraid. I will resignmy membership of the Council." Mr. Sunny whose show in drinking beer became interested in the matter. "What did I tell you yesterday, Ade?' asked Sunny. Man). of our present councillors are swindlers. Some of them are rogues. They see all manner of will in the name of our great party. They always bring preasure on the Executive Committee 29 �to defend them. This time they will not eat their cake and have it. We must go on without a management. As for Mr. Lambeth, since your conscience is clear, you should fear no accusations and suspicions. The market men and woman know those who took money from them and such people will be handled. Many of the Councillors who had no bicycles before going to the Council are now owners of 300 C. C. Triumph Motcr Cycles. Some of them now own Volkswagen saloon cars. They are not paid any reasonable allowance but they can live luxuriously in the name of the party. ' Mr. Sylva was fast with the Beer. "Star! Star! You can't beat Star Beer. Beer at its Best! Others joined in cheeriop. Sylva was nice in campaign. He had heard previous arrangements with some members of the Market men and women Association. They had agreed that they would send nine delegations to the Minister of Local Government. Ade was to lead the delegation. The noise made for Star Beer attracted Gracy. She heard the vioce of Ade but did not suspect it much. That was about 9 p. m. The party was coming to a close Mr. Cousin left Hotel Metropole coming to Hotel Universal. As he was going upstairs to the Beer parlour he heard the vioce of Ade and company. He ran down to Gracy. "Come on! Come and see your Ade with Lizzy. Come! Come!" Gracy dressed up. She walked fastly to the Hotel. Mr. Cousin had quickly taken his seat in one of the rooms in the Hotel t o watch events. Gracy was going upstairs while Ade and company were coming down. Hello! Gracy. preeted Ade. "How d o you do!" replied Gracy. "Is mum in?" continued Ade. "Yes Mum is in and what of your Lizzy?" 30 �Ade was silent. Lizzy heard question but did not ~~~~~~~~~anything. Gracy walked away without saying more. Mr. Cousin who was expecting some casualties was disappointed. What was actually wrong with this Ade? His dear Gracy did not stage a fight with Lizzy. There was no quarrel ! What a disappointment! CHAPTER IX On petting home that night. Mr. Cousin felt that he was wasting his time by chasing Ade and Lizzy in the way he had done. The law courts must look into this case. He married Lizzy according to native law and custom. If a woman does not want t7 continue marriage with her husband, she should divorce him in the customary court of his town. Lizzy was quite aware of this condition. But she wanted to take a final decision before taking such a step. Her letter to Mr. Cousin was an exhibit. T o divorce a husband meant paying to him through the court what bride price he paid for marrying the wife. This usually happens if the woman has attacbed herself to a new husband. In Lizzy's case, she had not given a definite word to Ade or anybody else. If Mr. Cousin would take legal redress it must be against Ade if he could prove his claims. Taking it against Lizzy meant he was divorcing her an undertaking which he so much feared. He therefore decided to test Ade's action in the Law Court. Ade was worried in mind since after the at-home surprise. He was worried because he did not know how Gracy know that he and his party were in the Hotel Universal how Gracy know about Lizzy. He had to suspect many people including intimate ones. He did not know how to handle the Gracy issue. - - �Of course, he could defend himself. Gracy had disclosed to him that her mum did not want her to marry a politician. This was a good point. Ade would not like to die i3 single blessedness. If Gracy failed him. he would make a success from another. But the moral impl:cation mattered. If Gracy proved, truly speaking, that Ade fought o r bit Mr. Cousin o r attempted to kill him because of Lizzy, Gracy would lose confidence in Ade. By his losing Gracy's confidence he lost much because Gracy had done so much to advertise him. Defended his attitude represented his interest in private and public. What more to love him dearly to admire. Ade called a t Gracy in the noon of Thursday. She received him normally. He expected that the Lizzy question would be brought up. T o Ade's greatest surprise, no mention was made about it. "You asked me a question a t the Hotel Universal the other night. Was it not about Lizzy?" "I have forgotten all about the question. I only wanted to confirm an information and that I did. If you could snatch Lizzy from .Mr. Cousin and bit him, you are too brave. Anything can happen about any person. There is no need having explicit confidence in man for he is fragile. "Don't continue" interrupted Ade. "Let me tell you. Your informant told you that I snatched Lizzy from her husband and at the same time bit him. "And attempted to kill him !" introduced Gracy ' ' ~ h killing? And you believe this story. This is a fable. .'I have been interested in you. I have not snatched you from your mum but I was able to snatch a wife from her husband. Which is easier? To take away a girl from her parents o r a wife from her husband? This is fantastic! As long as you are concerned I must tell you the truth. Lizzy had left her husband since eight months ago. I approached her along the Owerri Road one evening. Since then, 1 have been �trying to get her to marry me. You know that your mum has placed a very big barrier in our way. I don't know how long to wait for a change of heart on the part of your mother. How d o you think I should live without a wife - a partner. Lizzy has not given me her final reply on this issue. You know how much I had. approached you on this marriage deal. I understaod lately that Lizzy is not willing to go back to Mr. Cousin. She made up her mind before leaving his house. I was not there. I had no interest in Lizzy when she was under her husband. I am not the class of men who tamper with peoples' wives. If anybody tampers with my wife, whenever I have one, I will deal with him. The evening you met us at Hotel Universal was a tragic one. I invited friends including Lizxy to an athome. I was collecting facts in a matter which will soon engage my attention. That was all for that evening, Gracy was convinced. She began to feel much for Ade. Her mother had deprived her of something real. She wished anything could happen to change her mum's opinion about Ade. But she could not challenge her mum whom she had loved much and who had been all for her. Any attempt made on forcing her mum would be resisted. If she felt heavy about the matter or pressed it carelessly meant committing matricide. "Poor Ade" said Gracy. "I wish you were inside my mind at this moment. I'm dying, dying. dying for you. Blood is strong. Mum! Mum! Mum! On mother! Parents have secret joys and so arc their griefs and fears we are told. Could you not convmce mum to change her mind about you. What is wrong with politicians. I don't know. other' hates politicians badly. What of Ministers' wives? Can you not come to that posit~ons through your local activities 33 �I have admirtd your articles in the dailies. I have heard your speech to a marmoth crowd. I have heard of your activities in your local council. What is their wrong in marrying politicians. Are our Regional Premiers not politicians. Our Prime Minister - Our Parliamentarians earning fat Governor General salaries to maintain their wives and children. - - - It was Mr. Cousin entering our house for the first time in his life, who informed me that you wcre with Lizzy at Hotel Universal. 1 did come of course, I saw you and greeted you. I don't blame you. It is mum. It is mum! Ade looked up to the ceilliog. He could say nothing. "I will leave you. Let us watch The side" was his final statement. CHAPTER X At 7 a.m. on Monday morning. Ade was preparing his speech for a big Lady at NO. 4 Field, Port - Harcourt, when a Bailiff handed over to him a summons to appear bcfore the Supreme Court on Friday in the forenoon to answer a writ from Mr. Cousin to show cause why he should detain Lizzy, Mr. Cousin's wife illegally. NO. 2 clause on the Summons his claim for £500 against Ade as damages for depriving Mr. Cousin his personal libert),. That was another interesting news about town that week. Though Ade was not financially up-to-date yet his name was princely. The news bazed forth. THE REPORTER, a local news paper used it as a leader in The ADE, JOURNALIST AND POLJTICIAN IN DEPEN- - DANT IN CIVIL SUIT OF e500 CLAIMS: RE.4SON ILLEGAL DETENTION OF MR COUSIN'S WIFE. The Reporter sold it like hot cake that day. That was a fulk of the town. The Rroadcasting Service used it as Headline News. Other National Newspapers made big news out of it in different journalistic languages 34 �Ade must defend himself. He consulted Mr. Nwafor M. A,, LL.B., a politican- Lawyer of Lagos fame. Mr. Cousin retained Mr., Ibeji, M. A., M. Sc., LL.B. another famous Port-Harcourt Lawyer, specialist in matrimonial cases. Friends and well wkhers of Ade and Mr. Cousin applied to go into the case to effect a szttlement out-of-court, but Mr. Cousin was too stiff. Ade's feet was heavy about the case but he was not in any way despondent. He would not give up. That was a test case for the two learned friends. Lizzy was disturbed so much. T o . appear before a crowded court to testify in a case for the first time in her life time. Her name is to be published in the dailies for the first time in her life to be finger pointed where -ever she went. T o tell tales with her name not for something glorious but dishonourable. The news shocked Gracy. She observed that Mr. Cousin was wicked and rascally. She was forced to move down to Ade's for the first time since they fall in love. She gave Agnes notice not to come to her house again. Their friendship was to be discontinued. Their relationship became stained. She was sorry for her Ade. She minded much Ade's name not the case it self. Ade had been making fast news not such as that which came in as a flash that time. CHAPTER X I The S u p r ~ m eCourt was crowded. Cars lined up. The premises was the sea of heads of men, women children, politicians of all grades, who came to listen to the sensetional case. The police were very busy at work, keeping order. �Ade dressed in his immaculate white Agbada. In his company was Lizzy who dresscd in blue Mambo native custom with cha-cha-cha gold neckless to march. As Ade moved his tagle-ftalhtr fsn, there was a loud applause of 4de! Ade! Ade! both outside and inside the court. What a popularity1 Mr Cousin dressed in his deep indigo suit. He drove in with Mr Metu, his good friend. They alighted fiom the car and walked majestically into the court. c'Court" His Lordship. Major Amachoko, came into the court. There was a dead slience' "Suit No. P H 40161. Mr. Ete Cousin Versus Mr Mana Ade witnesses in this case out of herrings'' 'cYour Lordship, 1 appear for the plaintiff" said Barrister Ibeji. Your Lordship, I appear for the Defendant" said Barrister Nwafor. 'Your Lordship, my client is asking the defendant to show cause in this court why he detained the plaintiff's wife illegally since twelve calendar months and 2, to "pay us f500 special damages for depriving my client his personal liberty. This is our case" said Barrister Ibeji. "Are you liable or not liable?" "Not liable' replied Mr. Ade. "Your Lordship' said Mr Nwafor' 'I will apply to this court to strike out the first clause in the claim. There is no ground whatsoever for my learned friend to mix criminal case with civil. Your Lordship. if my client detained the plaintiff's wife illegally which I suppose to mean unlawfully, he could have reported the matter to the police. It is the police and not this court who will charge my client with unlawful detention. I will refer your Lordship to Maxwell Versus Chapper which was exactly put in this way. In that case, Your Lordship, the court struck out the case �and cost was awarded against the plaintiff". 'What do you say Mr Ibeji ?' asked the Judge. "Your Lordships' replied Mr. Ibeji, "My learned friend cannot interprete our mind at this stage of the case. He could have waited until a later stage to make this application that is if we fail to establish a case against the defendant. It is the court's findings, which will show us the next way to follow-Your Lordship, my learned friend is putting the Cart before the horse." Standing up again Mr. Nwafor said, "Your Lordship, my learned friend bas got it all wrong. I would refer your Lordship to cap. 38 sub section 4 of Criminal Procedure. The whole thing is explict here." The Judge referred to his book. ''Yes, yes, yes, I see with you Mr. Nnafor and Mr. Ibeji, I am afraid you will lose this case. I therefore strike off clause 1 of the claim. "As Court pleases." ''This case" said the Judge "is an interesting one. I will give it a full day's hearing when next it comes up. You should file your statement of claim and defence within thirty days from today. Case is adjourned to 30th July. Immediately the Judge announced the adjournment the Court became almost empty. Many people rushed to Ade outside the court. At each V sign he made there were shouts of Ade! Ade! Ade! He .;.as carried shoulder--high. Many people who had not known Lizzy had the opportunity of knowing her. No soonerdid Ade went into his car with Livy Then the shout changed from Ade! to Ade! L!zzy! Ade! Lizzy! Ade! Lizzy The following day, the local daily annouuced No. 1 Victory for Ade in the unlawful Detention case. The news spread tar and near. Ade was interviewed by many newspaper reporters but he reserved his statement. Any statement in that connection at that time would subjudice the case. t 37 �CHAPTER XI1 Mr. Cousin returned from the court with sadness because he lost part of his claims. He had paid fifty guineas to his counsel. Could he lost both siae,. To lose Lizzy and to lose his money Kate, Jane and Asugwo were not happy with Mr. Cousin. They heard all about the Lizzy's affair from outside. On hearing the Conrt news they began to think that if Mr. Cousin had some regard for then? he would not continue to waste time and money for only one woman who left the house. Kate could no longer wait for Mr. Cousin. She decided to go home tc see her parents and to sound their opinion. She revealed her plan to Mr. Cousin in the worst state of mind in which he was. Mr. Cousin told her to do whatever she wishes. He invited all his wivs to an emergency family meeting. '*I am surprised" he pointed out in a trembling voice "that since my trouble with Lizzy, none of you has asked to know how I have faked. You think that I am foolish to look for the lost sheep. You feel that I donst love you and that is why I have been anxious to get back Lizzy. I will frankly tell you that I will not forsake one ot the sheep which lost because, h l have many of them. I'm, therefore, not out of the way as I continue to struggle to bring back Lizzy. If any of you goes the same way Lizzy has gone, I will look for her. Kate has told me that she wants to go to see her parents. She may not come back. If she does not, I will go for her. But when you become stubborn or when you make a mockery of my present day position I will act before any of you. I will not allow the Lizzy's error repeat itself". �- - Poor women waves of one man who wants more of women. Mr. Cousin's speech gave them a blow, Poligamy, this is the danger. The danger of cosmopolitanism-the danger 'of discontentment ! Kate, the one of the three who could speak to Mr. Cousin. She could not hide in the dark. 'I'm ashamed of you, Sir" said Kate sluggishly "So you are not ashamed to tell us these words. If 1 were you, I would not utter anything at this time. You were beaten at Cafe Ambassador. At Island Hotel, Lizzy and her friend fought you. You wrote a letter of apology to Lizzy and you were terribly tormented in returning. You went to the court yesterday and lost part of your claim. Yon will continue to look for one woman who was tired of you and went her own way. Dear Sir, I am also tired of you. I will find my way before darkness falls on us." Mr, Cousin was pricked again. He was hopeless. Too many troubles. As he wanted to reply, Jane said: "Ete, l have been silent all the while not because I don't know what to say o r what to do but because I am ashamed of myself not of you as Kate said. I will act when I will. I know that I am in great trouble-in agony-hell. Whom will I meet and who will speak for me. All that I will do is in my mind. When 1 will, I will" "What will you do?'' interrupted Mr. Cousin. "Say what will you do to go to your parents-To find another husband. These are the. two possible things you can do. Men are too many. Women are also many. Any c,ndition is good for me. And you Asugwo, what say you?" Asugwo looked at Mr. Cousin and signed. "To qay what others hav? not said. TO tell you anything newer than all you have heard. I am not the taking type. 1 believe very much in action. 1 will give no notice when I decide. 1 am too slow at talking decision. My decision, when taken, cannot be recalled. So, wait for me. You will see but will not hear." 39 �Lizzy's trouble became lighter than the one Mr. Cousin had, then to reply' Kate, Jane o r ' Asugwo. "Anything can happen. After all, what is the end of man? Is it not death? Man dies but once. The next is re-incarnation. If women curse my life this time, in my next re-incarnation, I will make a vow. Women are woe men! They are woo men! Men suffer all the time." thus concluded Mr. Cousin. , C H A P T E R XI11 - It was another big day in Ades, history the 30th of July. The political disciples of Ade were ready. The Kokoma Dance Club had arranged its native high life picces. It was the Ade Day! Ade boys were happy to march to the court in their Youth Day uniforms. Since the Judge announced that Cousin Versus Ade Civil Suit was the only case to be heard in the Supreme Court that day, friends and wellwishers of Mr. Cousin and Ade would not want to pe absent from the court. The court pemises and Hall made temporary forum. Mr. Cousin was in his white gabadine suit with black bow tie to march. Ade dressed in his party colours with red cap on his head. Lizzy drcssed in her pep+pe Ghana print and in white buck shoes. AS Ade and his Lizzy alighted from their car Adel Lizzy! Ade! Lizzy! rang into the air. Ade waved his fan in 'response. The court Hall could not accommade listeners. Hundreds of heads stoad.outside the court Building. What Sort of case! People were sOffaearing. Electric fan! And yet they could not help. A murder case had never had such adiuence "C-o-u-r-t;" commanded the Orderly. His Lordship bowed to the court and took his seat. "Su!t No. pm40/61 Ete Cousin Versus Mana Ade witnesses in this case out of hearing." �"Your Lordship, I appear for the Plaintiff.' It was Barrister Ibeji. "Your Lordship I appear for the Defendant.' that was Barrister Nwafor. 'Your Lordship, my client is claiming £500 special damages from The Defendant for depriving him his personal liberties. Our statement of claim is before this court, my Lord' submitted Barrister Ibeji. ''Do you still plead not liable?' asked the Judge. "Yes the Lord' replied Barristtr Nwafor. " ~ n d " be continued "My Lord. This is a very funny case, funny indeed. I would ask lour Lordship not to waste his time in this case. Here is a man whose wife left. (see paragraph 3 of plaintiff's statement of claim) my client only met the woman in her parents' house at the time in question. My client did not induce his wife to leave him. If the Plaintiff was offended, he would seek legal redress against his wife and not against my client. If we waste our time to give evidence and counterevideneces, it will amount to the same thing. My learned friend could have directed his client what to do. In matrimonial causes Act 1950, the proceedure of divorce is set out clearly. The husband or the wife can make a divorce petition. If your Lordship holds that the plantiff has a locus stand, 1 am prepared to go on with the case. "Yes Mr. Ibeji. "This is a case of prestige. My client has been injured seriously by the attitude of the defendant. It is this court which will prove us right. This is clear case of deprivation of liberty Fundamental human rights has been challenged. This honourable court, my Lord, will agree with us that our claim is genuine. If my learned friend is afraid or not ready to go on with the case today we will happily ask for costs. The Judge was seriously writing down his opinion IThese lawyers keep on messing up themselves. This is a case which a lay man can early handle. - 41 �The ,Plaintiff has righi.to petition against his wife;' The Defendant can be correspondent. Read: your law books at home and don't always disgrace yourselves in this court. Case struck off.' Mr Nwafor stood. my Lord we ask for costs. Yes I agree. You must definitely have costs from the plaintiff. "Fifty pounds my Lord." said Mr. Nwafor. Mr. Ibeji said, If your Lordship holds that this case be struck off.' That is what I hold interrupted the Judge. "It is wrong for my learned' friend to ask for costs." . "f35 cost against Plaintiff announced the Judge. "As court pleases." 'gC-o-u-r-t!" The Judge rose for ten minutes. How would Mr. Cousin leave the court? T o trek out from the hall nhen the Ade men and women were ringing Ade! Lizzy! Ade! Lizzy! The Kokoma army with their talking drums Music! Music! Music! everywhere. Ade's driver drove Lizzy home while Ade was sitting comfortably on peoples shoulders on to his residence. A song composed by the Kokoma Boys - Too Late Coz. Cousin, what will you d o next: It is late. It is late Coz, Cousin Oh late! late!" It was a melodious tune which caught the minds of many people who heard the young voices. It was the song of thp season. CHAPTER XIV The Ade Cousin case was the common talk about the town. The Vigil, a local paper came out with hot news "ADE WINS AGAIN.'' Regional and national papers. made smooth- sailing news out of this case. It was a heartbreaking news for Mr. Cousin. Ade did not stop here. He crossed over to the Music makers of Atomic 8. He wanted a high life hit of the Ade Cousin squable. A song was composed in high life "Ade wins the fantastic case Cousin wouldn't make a peace. - .42 �Who will advise Cousin to stop here for he will find us relief there. Major Amachoko is a wise judge Mr. Cousin would certainly owe him a gradge. The Supreme Court is a court ofjustice which does not in a moment admit malice who will quickly run to Mr. Cousin's aid so that he may not find the world red. who will advise Cousin to stop here for he will find no relief there! Go, say Ade wins the fantastic case but Mr. Cousin wouldn't make a peace. This high life number was recorded. Everybody would want a copy. The records sold like hot cakes. The Aggrey Road record dealers had something tangible. The demand for "Ade wins" record was great indeed. Mr. Cousin was embarrassed. How this news blazed was unthinkable. Ade was a political prince. Every thing connecting him must be sung in high and low places. There would be no check. If Mr. Cousin would stop the news he could but he couldn't. He confined himself to his house. He wouldn't go for tennies. He wouldn't go to hotels to chat and drink. He couldn't go to the church. If he could stop gzing to work he could but how could he? He was cut free. Ade organised pressure groups at every corner of the garden city. He knew all the places to find Mr. Cousin and detailed his disciples to watch. The world at the stage was too miserable for Mr. Cousin. Returning from the house, Mr. Cousin hhd oppositions from his three wives. He would go to bed withcut dinn5r many nights. He had no strong will to demand anything from his wives. If he would ever lay emphasis on certain points, he would be cautioned. Everything he did to regain his wives' love proved abortive. CHAPTER XV A new thought came to Mr. Cousin. He decided that before aoy other thing happened, he would bring peace to his family. 43 �Anything could happen to him outside but there must be peace inside. How could he go about this matter. Mr. Cousin invited his fathers-inlaw to his home. He did not disclose to them the object of the invitation. Upon hearing that it was at.home all of them decided to respond. Before the clock struck 2 p.m. on Sunday, the eleventh of May, all the invitees had arrived at Mr. Cousin's Res~dence, 3 Bende Street. Messrs. Okon Etim and Nnabuihe were surprised to meet one another at Mr. Cousin's. It was an exciting pregnant meeting. Asugwo had prepared a rich vegetable soup with pounded yam foo-foo for the luncheon. The food was passed. The invitees were truly at home. While at table. Mr. Nnabuihe observed that his daughter, Kate, was not happy. He also noticed tbat the faces of the other two women were gloomy. "Gentlemen!" whispered Mr. Nnabuihe. T h e dishes are palaiable it is true but the house does not appear free and easy. Something is wrong. Look at the faces of our hostesses and you will see rancour, displeasure and sadness." Mr. Etim looked and Mr. Okon did not bother. "We will see whatever it is later' replied Mr. Okon. Retiring to the palour the invitees were presented with two kegs of Omoba palm wine and two big bottles of Guinness Stout beer. Stout beer and palm wine make good mixture. Two legs of goat were served. The fathers-inlaw were entertained according to custom. Mr. Cousin called Jane. Kate and Asugwo. L'You are welcome. mv fathers-inlan' greeted Mr. Cousin. ',I iovited you today. I know yo; are surprised to see one another in my house. Our fore-fathers say that where one's enemies are too many one has to offer drinks to some of them. I have so many enemies outside because of my affair with Lizzy whom you all know. 1 do not move comfortably outside. Ade has �done very much to run me. He has organised his men against me a t strategic points in the town. I am not safe to move about and to eat outside. I feel that my security must be inside my house Contrary to expectation, my house become so much unsafe. It means, therefore, that my life is in great danger. I know this because an enemy can work his chance through inside and outside ihe house. The more successful would be that which passes through the inside. I must tell you straight away that your daughters are my known enemies to-day. I haveinvited you t o see what you can d o t o bring my wives t o acknowledge me as their husband and friend and not as an enemy". Mr. Cousin's statement was amazing, There was a dead silencz. I t was a matter which required a close vindication. The silence broke when Mr. Offiong said; "This is a serious matter. The accused person are here. They should defend themselves. All we want is the truth and nothing but the truth. If Asugwo could say something we will be grateful. Felling on her knees Asugwo said; "Good Sirs, I'm ashamed to say whatever 1 may say in this matter, I'm saying something because of custom. If I don't, I may be right by reason not to say out my mind, my action in this regard will be heavily misread. I'm ashamed of Mr. Cousin. I did not think that he would some day summon such a meeting to discuss his love adventure. After all, who is Lizzy? She is fine, it is true but she is an incomplete woman. Not withstanding this. Mr. Cousin loves you more than any of us. A beautiful woman without a child is a decorated coffin.. Mr. Cousin does not care for us and the children we have born for him. He cares for Lizzy's beauty. I believe I am speaking the mind' of my mates ' '*Yes" answered Kate and Jane. "Mr. Cousin believes that missing Lizzy means missing his precious life. How can wt, the neglected ones accept the one who has rejected us. We had decided to return to our parents so that Mr. Cousin 45 �could fight out his Lizzy's issue. Our presence in his house affects his plans. Tha! is why he wants us to go. fle is giving you the reverse of the story. He has invited you to recall us not to reconcile. If he wants internal peace he must sever connections with Lizzy who, amongst us, is now a lost sheep. The disappointments, humiliations and disgraces Mr. Cousin has heard in his bid to find Lizzy are sufficient to have him. Mr. Ade has taught him so many lessons!and how I wish he stops here. It is when this 1s done that he could have the happiness he asks for. I don't want to go further into the matter. If T do, I will be inviting more headaches and heart breaks". "Has any other person more to say?'' asked That was the reply from Mr. Nnabuihe L ' N ~ ! " E Kate and Jane. "Have you anything to add, Mr. Cousin? asked Mr. Okon. "I will not add anything. I am appealing to you to use this opportunity to an advantage. I'm in a big confusion. My wives seem to be cleverer than I and the more I talk the worse the situation becomes. In order not to waste your time I hereby promise not to go further into my deal with Lizzy. Let fate decide the issue. I rather preserve my life for the younger ones than to lose it to L i u y and her Ade". "This matter has settled itself" said Mr. Nnabuihe "We cannot go against custom. We must go out for consultation.'. They retired to one of the rooms. "1 am an Igbo man" voiced out Mr. Nnabuihe "I don't know how you treat the matter of husband and wife in lbibio land". Since both of you are Ibibios I will introduce the matter as a guide to what we may decide here. Mr. Cousin has offended his wives greatly. He has to beg them-render apologies to them in order to recapture their love. From what has happened, the women have been too patient. If they were not good parented they would have deserted. The custom in Igbo land finds Mr. Cousin guilty for which he is liable to a heavy fine. In-order not to waste our time I will suggest that 46 �he should pay each of his wives ten pounds and further apologise to them. The women should be asked to buy three hens. Each of them should make a delicious erika ikong soup tooffer to the husband. They should eat the food together. They will go to Ojukwu Diobu to swear t o ' each other so that they take themselves into confidence. After this, the matter is done." After a long pause. Mr. Okon said; I1Mr. Nnabuihe has solved the problem. There is nothing to add or substract. All he said is what happens everywhere. It is not only in lgbo land. The only thing new to us is Ojukwu Diobu. Since they live in a town ruled by the Juju. we will not ask them to go to any other place to look for a juju. If all. swear to the juju, there will be a lasting peace. There were no further remarks. The arbitratores returned to the parlour. Mr. Cousin and his wives were waiting for a ruling "We have looked into the matter" said Mr. Etim. I'We are sorry that our brother-inlaw. Mr. Cousin, has allowed satan to come into his house Why we marry many wives is to check ourselves. No wife can claim superiority to her mate in the house. A beautiful woman advertises her beauty when she is married alone. But when she is married with one or more wives, she hides it. The man who marries more than one wife is always a King because the wives will find means of pleasing him. The wife who renders best service t:, the husband enjoys him best. Mr. Cousin has allowed Lizzy's beauty to dictate pace on him. Lizzy saw this weakness and used it to an advantage but to the disadvantage of the Cousjn's family. From all your statements, we can rightly say that Mr. Cousin has offended his wives. But this does not mean that the wives should pay him back in his own coins. They should understand that what ever a woman is, she is under man from creation The woman should always play her own part well. The man will come back to his secures afterwards. �Mr. Cousin wants to have peace in his family hence he has taken this honourable, humble, approach to the issue. l h i s Mr. Cousin's action should be welcomed by everybody who knows the game of life and how to play it. But inorder to respect native law and custom, Mr. Cousin should make some sacrifice. He should pay each of his wives ten pounds and with this ask for forgiveness and pardon. The wives should offer a hen each to the husband. Each of the wife should make a palatable dish with the hen. Mr. Cousin will eat with all of them. In order to rebuild confidence, the whole party should go to the Ojukwu Diobu to take oath of confidence. This being done, peace will come back to the family. Mr. Cousin has given an undertaking, not to continue his hunt for Lizzy." Mr. Cousin stood up. Looking up and down smiled. ''Well, my Lords", he said: I'm happy indeed that you have done a big task in less than twenty minutes. I am prepared to pay the price for the cause of perfect peace. If doing only this will return me to the family I will be Sappy to accept your recommendation". 'IWhat do you say women" asked Mr. Efiong. ''On the behalf of my mates', answered Kate' We accept your findings and recommendation. The invitees had more of the Omoba stout mixture and later went away. CHAPTER XVI Ade had made up his mind to marry Lizzy. There was one thing yet difficult. T o marry a wife who deserted her husband meant much by native law and custom. The deserter would apply through the native court to divorce the husband. That meant that the bride price, including all expences the husband made would be returned to him through the Court. �Mr. Cousin paid twelve pounds and three pence to marry Lizzy. That was the marriage custom of the Effiks. This amount would be paid to the court by the new suitor. Ade handed over twelve pounds three pence to Lizzy to deposit at thz Obia native court. The court messenger served summons on Mr. Cousin to appear before the Obia native court on Wednesday the twentieth August to answer a suit of Divorce made by Lizzy. That was another try time for Mr. Cousin. That was a test-case. He had assured his father-inlaw that he would abandon his bid for Lizzy. If he accepted the refund of the bride price it meant he had finished with Lizzy. They would be regarded as ex husband and wife. If he did not accept the refuod he would be inviting another trouble in his family. His wives were watching every movement of Mr' Cousin rignt from the last meeting. It was not a matter to be pursued secretly. In whatever form it was handled it must be known by Mr. Cousin's wives. It was a trying time for Mr. Cousin. The matter would be settled once and for all. On Wednesday, the twentieth August Mr. Cousin went to the Obia Native court in the company of Kate. That was another news. The mere going out with Kate for the first time was a sign of things to come. When the case was called up for hearing Mr. Cousin told the Court that he was not prepared to stand with Lizzy on the box. He said that be accepted the divorce and accepted the bride price refunded through the Court. The president of the Native Court praise Mr. Cousin for the way he handled the matter. He ordered that the money should be paid to Mr. Cousin. He told Lizzy that she was at liberty to choose a new husband if she liked. 49 �Whilt on the car returning home Kate who was sitting in the front with Mr. Cousin was pondering over the whole issue. She could not say any word. 'What is your opinion about this matter? asked Mr. Cousin. Kate pretended not hearing him. She continued to be silent. "What's your mind about this matter, Kate? continued Mr. Cousin "I'm sorry. I don't know you were talking to me" replied Kate. "Well, I am yet uncertain of the matter. I cannot say how I feel until you have said how you feel about it. I will answer this question after three Calender months by which time I can make my conclusion. I am yet observing what's the situation! "I understand you" interrupted Mr. Ccusin." You are in doubt about my sincerity in this connection. You must have observed a very big change in me since our last weeking. You ought to be surprised a t my action in the court. You don't believe that I will bear Limy's absence. I saw Lizzy in the court but that once charming face did not charm me. I was not moved. I was not attracted. There was a time in our affair when I asked to know what was the greatest object of my existence in a life without Lizzy. My concern today is to have an ideal home with o r without Lizzy. But I can't forget her." Kate looked stupidly at Mr. Cousin. She watched him as he held the stering of thecar in a helpless condition. "Why all this?' asked Kate. "You said not long age that you have finshed with Lizzy and yet you are, dying for her". "There is something, wrong' said Mr. Cousio. "Oh Lizzy, Lizzy, Lizzy. Poor me. Something, truely wrong." What is wrong? interrupted Kate. "I won't tell you . what's wrong. All I know is that there issomething wrong in my heart, Poor me.'' Kate could not bear the situation. She was afraid, afraid that under that condition there was a possibility for an accident. Mr. Cousin was in an unconsious, mood. yet he was driving. ' �"Ho! exclaimed Kate suddenly "Don't kill me for Lizzy. Don't kill me I'm Kate, poor Kate. Life has no duplicate! If you choose to die for Lizzy's sake please do so. Don't commit uxorious! "Mr. Cousin had his fears also. He stopped the car. Kate quickly came out I'll wait for:: taxi here. I've had the rotterest time for my life, Kate Nnabuihe." Mr. Cousin came out t c drag in Kate, She ran away to nearby village. Mr. Cousin could not go out for her. He came back and kicked off the car. Kate came back to the road, both seeing the car, took a taxi back home. CHAPTER XVII - Gracy had been following the Cousin Lizzy dramma closely. She was in a position to know what happened in both Mr. Cousin's and Ade's houses. From Mr. Cousin's side she had her Agnes. From Ade's side she had Oti, Ade's sister and Georgy, his friend. Gracy heard that Mr. Cousin had accepted a refund of the bride price he paid on Lizzy. She knew that it was by Ade's arrangement that it was possible. She knew also that Ade would eventually marry Lizzy. Her mind was beating furously. She did not think of losing Ade any time. She believed that there would be a time when her mum's heart would change and consequently Ade would be accommodated. She didn't know how to get about the matter. Gracy wouldn't go to Ade's house. She had not done so in the past. But at that time Lizzy and Ade lived together. Gracy decided to register a letter to Ade to make her intentions known to him. "Ade,' she wrote Dear Ade, ''I have tried to put off my mind from you �but fate holds me strong. You told me once that your ruling planet is the sum and that you are a that Lion. I k n o ~ lions are wickedly shy but wonderfully commanding. If your contenance represents your soul, I have a reason to keep away from you. I have known you too well. The soul is clever, of course. My knowledge. Therefore is limited. It is how evident that you have succeded in your project--Ade and Lizzy, husband and wife. It is an interesting news. Ade. What o i Gracy, the founder of Ade's love? where is she going to be? This question may appear unbecoming and irresponsible but fates demands that it can be put. 1 know that there are so many young men wishing to have life partners. I aiso know that there are millions of young women who wish to couple. 1 am certainly aware of the fact that the world can do without the best. 1 agree that the dead can be remembered when the living is disappointing. Fate demands that I should do justice to concieve. 'That is why it appears to me and perhaps to you too that I'm making a mockery of myself in this letter. You told me when last you visited that you were trying to get Lizzy to marry you. You mentioned my mum as placing a very big barrier in our way, you said you could not wait for mum's change -f heart. You remarked that it was unfair for a young man like you to remain without a ~ i f e . I did not fail to make you undsrstand my position. I urgtd you to make some move towards making mum change heart on the issue. She has had no objectims other than your being a politician. I had my strong confidence that through your influence and perhaps my little help, we could win mum's favour. From the look of things, you have made up your mind about Lizzy. If not so the question of convincing mum requires only constant approach. You have had harder cases very hard cases which you softened by your influence. You have won declared 52 �and hardened political approvements to your side. Your convincing ability had secured your outstanding position in your party. Poor Ade, you have failed to d o what you ought to d o only because of that sire-footer, heart-hrcaking lad. This is dangerous! It is challenging! -dangerous because you have killed innocent love. Challenging because you questioned Nature, I, Gracy am good for everything feminine. Beauty, I am okey. Height, I am averagely promising Ade's match. Education, manners, I can be sure of not disappointing. If Lizzy and 1 are interviewed I'm sure of beating her by a big margin. D o you know Ade. that because of you I have made open enemies both socially and politically. How well have I defended you? How much weight has fate taken away from me? How many worried nights have I had just because of you. How many meals have I missed because of defendinp your name? am ashamed of myself. How can I look at Agnes' face? Agnes who had been dear to me appears indeffmnt today bccause of Ade. She has the right of asking me so many questions now. "Where is your Ade? I remember hearing "1 don't know why we should contiruc to give our hearts to these unsteady men. They pramise you Heaven and Earth today and fcirgct all tomorrow.' I also remember replying, "Ade is a public servant. He makes the law. His standing in the community is such that he cannot think in terms of committing murder because of woman. I have watched his utterances in private and public places. He is mindful of his position in the community. I have not seen him in a bad company "...... ........ ........ 99 Please let me hear fully from you lest I ask myself. "What is the greatest object of my existence?' Yours in Love, Gracy. 53 �ADE RECEIVED THE LETTER. He read through. "This is a matter of life and death" he said to himself. He knew the feelings of Gracy whom he gave his love a t a glance. He had come to mix company with friends and foes. He had realised what it w a s all about. The gift of life is one thing. The care of life is another. Could it be said he was impatient and that had caused these bickerings. His astonishment at finding himsclf invlwed in the affair was growing rather than diminishing. This letter from a fallen-teacher, was borning. What of the moral justification? Ade's highest aim at that time was to be married. He gave his love to Gracy and thought going on with the affair and to prove the hitches, shortcomings and finally the success or failure. But Lizzy's charm was wonderful. He was caught in Owerri Road trap. There was no going back for him. Politicians like much noisemaking. The newspapers and radios blazed and sang the love episode Ade made a venture a bold venture to the politicians but to the private man, no news. While he was enjoying the advertisements, he forgot his dealings with Gracy who became crazy about him at one time. - Ade seemed to be faced with a problem which kept attacking him, some times horrible, sometimes reviving -uncountable emotions he yawned. He walked about in the room. "Why am I in this place? he murmured. The tricks of fate enhanced him. He was thinking whether there was going to be another news. This time Gracy versus Liuy or Gracy versus Ade. Lizzy found Ade a worried man. She gave him a symbolic look. She watched him closely to know what was disturbing him. Ade was aware of Lizzy's move. He sat tight on the chair taking care of the �letter. Lizzy could not say any word. Her mind did not go the length of understanding if anything existed between Ade and Gracy. She had her suspicion that something must have been wrong at a political meeting or that he was makmg up his mind a b m t a peculiar party problem. Ade had continuous busy three nights all for his party affairs. 4de slept. He woke slowly, thinking he heard R knock at the door and hearing Graq's voice. But he had dreamed that Gracy hanged herself and in her room left a hote "ADE IS THE CAUSE" The dreamed sound lingered into his waking state and left him puzzled and depressed. He wondered if he had slept at all. The hanging inclderlt and the alarming note sank Ade's feeling. In a confused state he shouted "Poor' Gracy!" This is noise woke Lizzy. "Which Gracy?' Lizzy exploded. "Gracy hanging?" 'Ade is the cause?' he continued. "Sincere Gracy hanging! Honesty! Innocence! Defender of my soul! Heaveus!, what do you say? Lizzy ran to hold Ade as he sat helplessly in the bed. "Did you quarrel with anyhody?'she asked. There was no reply. She thought of many things-Politicain's lives are ridiculous. Any thing can happen to them at any time with or without notice. "What must be wrong with this m a n ? ' s h e continued- "This man has t a d a sleepless night. He has concealed many things. I cannot read his mind. We have not lived long and I cannot claim knowing nothing of his ways I have known no!hing about him than that he is a pol~tician. Who will help me?" Turning himself left and right in the Bed Ade shouted again, L'Poor Gracy" Lizzy left him suddenly and ran out from the room to the parlour "There is something in this name" she th?ught "Poor Gracy must be Ade's ghost friend. she won't be a living Gracy". - 55 . �The wall clock struck 7. 30 a. m. It was time for breakfast. Ade hadnot taken bath. He had not dressed up. Lizzy quickly ran to the kitchen to make breakfast. Ade walked sluggishly into the bathroom. He later went to the dressing room. By 8 o'clock he was ready for the day's appointments. He took little of Akamu and Akara and drove away to the party's Secretariat. CHAPTER XVlll . Lizzy was not happy. Ade's new developments disturbed her much. Since she could not gather any thing from Ade's mouth, she would investigate the matter. She thought of how to go about it. She remembered that there was a native doctor who lived at 13 Creek Road who could reveal the whole secrets to her. Ugochukwu had been famous in town because of his ability in sooth-saying. He had caused many heart-breaks. Many families had relied on him in every hard, mysterious, domestic problems. Lizzy told Ade that she was going to see her aunt who was ill. Ade wanted her to wait till evening so that he would go in her company. She said that she was asked to come down immediately because it was a serious case. She was however, allowed to go. Limy took a taxi to 13 Creek Road. Shz knocked at U~ochukwu's door. The native doctor's messenger ran Gut to receive her. "is your master in?'questioned Lizzy. " Master is very busy with a client," replied the messenger. "Could I not see him now? Messenger. ''Let me see him. But he may not have time to attend you now." Lizzy: please help me. I have only a very short time with him. The massenger came out from the room. "Sit on the form. Whatever you wish to ask from master speak it from your mind. Spit o n four penny pieces .and hold them lightly. Master will call you �soon". Lizzy did as she wastold. She waited anxiously for her turn. About a minute later, she heard a native doctor chunning. The juju bell was rung seven times. A juju morkation song began. The native doctor danccd as he sang. He asked Lizzy to clap her hands to his tone. . The native doctor asked Lizzy to place the four penny pieces on the ground, She did so. Ugochukwu: You are a lucky woman. You have to come to know all about your life. You are married now. Your husband is living. Looking into a small mirror on his alter, he smiled. "Oh Lucky girl. Say, One who does not carry a pot does not break a pot." Lizzy said so, "Say My hands are clean". Lizzy said so. "Your husband loves you too much. Is it not so?" "It is so, answered Lizzy but added "Tell me why I'm here". ' L Y o ~ here because you are here, otherwise you are should. not be here" replied Ugochukwu. "But why should I be hert?" continued Lizzy. "Aha! you want to know why your husband who had loved you does not love you again." "Is it why I'm here?" questioned Lizzy "Yes. There was something wrong in your home yesterday and that is why you are here. My juju says he was there last night' Lizzy was astonished. She looked at Ugochukwu nodding her head. That was a point for the juju. "And" de continued ''You had a restless, sleepless night. You couldn't see your husband's face. He did not talk to you. His attitude was vzry unusual Is it not so?" "It is so." replied Lizzy. You have come to know why your husband behaved in that way". Lizzy was glad. The native doctor read her countenance and understood that she had been convinced. He continued to sing for the juju. He stood and danced. while Lizzy was was clapping for him. He rang the 57 �bell twelve times. Sitting down again he said; "Open your two palms." Lizzy did so. He looked into his small juju mirrow and said : "The juju said that you have not given him kola and before. he continues you must bring a bottle of ekpeteshi, two bottles of guinrss stout, one pound in shilling coins. ten shillings in six pence and five shillings in three pence." Lizzy had only one pound. "Can 1 offer anything I have to the .juju?" asked Lizzy. "No, the juju does not talk twice on one subject. "From what you have stated I understood that the juju wants a total sum of one pound fifteen shillings from me but I have not up to that sum here she pointed out. "1 understdnd youy' said the native doctor "But" he continued " You can go home to get whatever is !he balance. My juju dots not charge much money. You are very lucky to be charged one pound fifteen shillings only. Lizzy took leave from Ugochukwu to go to the house to collect the balance of the money. On getting home. Ade had returned from work. She appeared kery serious and pale. Adc looktd at her. He found something strange in Lizzy's look. "How is your aunt feeling ?" "asked Ade" She is seriously down. I'm afraid if she will recover. She has been sent to a native doctor's house. I have come to takz food and to meet them there. Ade was in deep sympathy with her. "Take your food quickly and let's go down to see her. I'm sorry indeed. This is another thing to worry your mind. Make haste and let's go." "Don't worry yourself" replied Lizzy. " You can't be allowed to see her now. The native doctor does not allow anybody to see her at this early stage of his work. He has allowed me and my younger sister to be there. Hz may allow othcr visitors later. You will wait till then. I will send your kind regards to my aunt." Ade did not go further. He �thought that Lizzy was sincere and serious. Lizzy went back to 13 Creek Road. She paid the juju charges. Ugochukwu was happy. Heasked Lizzy to keep calm. She would hear everything about her case revealed. She listened with eagerness to the native doctor's demonstration. The mvocation took a new turn. The juju drum was in attendance. Ugochukwu began to chant ',Ududughudu; Okwa mpkuru otile; Onyam mata Okwa hibie. Uh! Uh!, Ugochukwu: Your husband was calling the name of somebody when he was in bed. Lizzy: Yes. He was calling Gracy. Ugochukwu: Gracy is his girl friend. He promised to marry her but disappointed her because of you. Lizzy: Is it true? Ugochuk~u:Gracy is annoyed with your hnsband. She handed over your husband to Ogbakorokoro juju. The juju says that there will be no peace in your house as longas you live together and that either of you must die if you continue to live together. There is nothing you can do to please your husband and there is nothnig your husband can d o to please you. You will live in disunity throughout the short time you have to stay together. Lizzy: Telling me? What a m I to do? Ugochukwu: In order to release your husband from the hand of Ogbakorokoro there must be some sacrifice. After that you will be given some charm against known and unknown enemies. Yon will be given some powder to apply to your husband's food. This will make him love you more and sincerely. Lizzq: Are you sure that after doing all this, things will be well with us. Ugochukwu Oh! definitely so. Native doctors are too many but they are graded. Many people �who come to me h w e hau no disappointments this case is very hard but simple to me. If you can foot the blll you can be sure of success. Lizzy: Do you mean that I will pay additional money to what I have paid Ugochukwu; This is a childish question. It appears y3u are no; familiar with our business. Lizzy You've guessed it right. I have had no previous dealings with native doctors. I always take my cases to the white and black trained doctors. Let me know what will be the bill. Ugochukwu: You will buy many material for the preparation of the charm and the love powder They are two separate jobs. Both of them will cost you five pounds. At the completion of the work, you will pay more eight pounds. Lizzy: It means I have to pay more thirteen pounds Ugochukwu: Yes, If you pay this amount you will enjoy more happier days. Lizzy: I have not the amount required. I don't know how to convince my husband about this matter. In the first place he is not aware of my coming to you, I told him a different story before he allowed me to be here. In thz second place he cannot listen to such story .He is a politician. He does not believe In sooth-saying. He does not believe that anybody can charm him handing him over to a juju for that matter. I don't know how to go about this matter. This is a big problem. Ugochukwu: I know your difficulties in this instance. There is a way by which you can set your husband round. You chat with him always At times he romances you. Politicians are good drunkards. You can get him round on one Saturday night. Lizzy That is true but I would want you to give me the love powder. I will apply it on my husband. When he is in mad love with me I will 60 �make him pay what ever is your charge. I know that in a week's time the powder will effect him and by Saturday next I will drag him down to you and the remaining job will be done., Ugochukwu: I understand what you are after. You want to try me. I will surprise you. I will give you the powder. Before two days time you will bring me news of its effect on your husband. Lizzy: I'm not trying you. 1 have heard much about you before I decided t o meet you. 1 know you can d o wonderful things. My chief trouble is money. If I had it, 1 would not ask you t o start from number two of the items. Please help me for you will enjoy me now and in future. Ugochukwu: This ponder! You will see it when the time comes. You will thank me thereafter. Put a 'little of it in your husband's soup. Don't eat with him. If you eat any food in which it is added, the powder will be off. It will not react on your husband. It will be more effective in lunch. The soup in which you will add it must be palatable. It must be rich so that ycur husband will take much of it. The more he takes the more. it will affect him and the more he will love you. Lizzy: Thaok you. You will hear again from me. Ugochukwu: I will not be long. I will soon hear from you. Lizzy left Ugochukwu's house, full of hops. She took a taxi home. The battle must be fought and I will win" she thought. CHAPTER XIX Lizzy would face the opportpity with the necessary uneasy sense of obligatibn. She was going t o make an attempt. She felt that something was wrong indeed. She had been called names. She had been worried by her former husband, Mr. Cousin. �Her name had been published on the pages of the dailies. T o lose the very man for whom she had stood many trials and temptations was to her unbecoming. She would face the matter fair and square. She would set her face strongly against any woman who would intrude. Ade, she concluded, had fallen short of what she expected. He would then run the gountlet between Lizzy and Gracy. Ade was thinking of Gracy still. He was moving heaven and earth to get Gracy agree with him in the changes. He thought he couldn't d o without her but when there was a change in the tide he yielded to Lizzy. But he did not mention anything about Gracy to Lizzy even when they joined. That was why Lizzy felt disturbed when she first heard of the name and hearing of it desparetly. Gracy felt that Ade's attitude was a slight. She has expected to have a reply since last she wrote. She did not mind much, but thought she would draw a line somewhere. Ade was well disposed towards Gracy. This was one of the reasons for his keeping Lizzy in the dark about his intentions. He continued to adjust himself in order to be properly located. Gracy was too young that she could not think in the way the native doctor made Lizzy to believe she felt that by pointing out Ade's mistakes she could score some points and she might have his favour. If Ugochukwu did not put the matter in the way he did he could not get some money from his client. The ordinary mentioning of Ade's change of altitude was enough to convince Lizzy to believe whatever he would say afterwards. She could, therefore not play fast and loose with the affairs of her Ade. Ade decided' after all, to reply the letter in order to keep Gracys mind a t rest. "DEAR GRACY, :'To ask yourself what is the greatest object of �your existence is a question which will come through as you enter into your fifties. If the question comes now, it is too early. ''1 know that you have read many meanings into my long silence. If you were i n my heart you would find a long vacum. I have been searching for words to reply fittingly to your thought provoking epistle general. Up to the time of writing I am short of adequate words. But in order to freshen the air, I should write. "Which of the points raised in your letter should I touch and which should I leave? On reading your paragraph five I hung my head. It would have been better if you did not write at all. If you had told me anything orally-If you had spat on me-If you had slapped my cheek-I would have gladly received them. But this in black and white is a reminder. It is a mirror in which I can see my reflection. Each time I peep into this letter 1 hear an invisible person whispering your name. "Your general remarks seem to hit the nail on the head. How must 1 do? has died. The next question is how shall "how must 1 do? he buried? If it is only to please you and not "kill" innocent love" I am prepared to be a polygamist, "Considering how I had dealt with Lizzy, it is dangerously impossible to think of any disappointment at this stage. Since the advent of your letter Lizzy and I have been at loggerheads. Mark you, she did not see your letter, but she saw the reflection through my attitude. Without knowing the reason for my indifference Lizzy has suggested many things which she has not revealed to me, She has been afraid of my movements. She has been under a cloud. "Gracy, you need not tell me of your sincerity, your confidence. I have acknowledged and recognized your attitudes towards me. There could have been no drawback in my plans if mum did not blow up. She was looking at the concern from one perspective. She did not think ahead of time. �She cou!d not interprete our thoughts. It did not occur to hear that politicians are good citizens of the state who can make and unmake. She failed to notice that the one essential thing required in the partership of man and woman is happiness. Your mum's attitude has now hit me. My house has not that happiness. "Since dreaming of you, Gracy, hanging and while doing this you shouted l'ADE 1s T H E 1 have had the awful result. Lizzy .heard CAUSE!" me about your name. She wondered what was in the name. You, Lizzy and I are now in great confussion. Who can tell the result? "1 do not think you were correct to say that I am the cause of your hangiag. After all, 1 make several approaches which were neglected. The fault, of course, was not yours but my only fault is that I could not wait until your mum's change of heart. But I had my fears. She looked very suspicious. I wondered if there could be a reconciliation of all. "Your paragraph four is no exaggeration. You have those qualities. I saw these qualities in you before approaching you. How can I express here how high my hopes would have been if 1 could call you my wife. I cannot think of my other way to get at the issue. The only thing 1 can d o is to leave you to yourself. I am prepared to accommodate you but I will not give Lizzy the sack. All that I want is happiness. I don't care if it costs me every 'other thing you can think of. lfyou write back to say that man is no longer worried, I will be happy I will convince Lizzy. She will be prepared to welcome you. I'm still yours, Ade. "fir forwarded the letter to Gracy under registered cover. CHAPTER XX Since returning from the doctor's house Limy was watching Ade's movements. She did not see anything better than what it was 64 �since the hcetic night. She would try the doctor's prescription Ade returned from the Secretariat. The luncheon was ready. It was pounded yam, Egusi soup with chickeu. He went to the dining room. Limy was not there. "Lizzy, come and let's eat. I'm hungry" he said. Limy came in, Ade washed his hands Lizzy looked uneasy. "Let's eat. Limy said Ade. "Thank you, Ade. I can't eat now. I have fever." she replied "What sort of fever is this? continued Ade. "I mean the usual fever" answered Lizzy. Do. Lizzy, eat. You know I can't eat alone. I am very hungry and will want to enjoy the meal. If you will not eat, you wouldn't want me to eat. Just eat small of it so that I will enjoy the food.' Lizzy would not eat. She looked at Ade strangely. Ade was annoyed. He got up from the chair. Limy drew him down. "Please eat I'm not well. I have no appetite for food. Believe me, I can't eat when there is not appetite. I eat with you always. I have no other reasoa to refuse to eat than this I've given. Don't be annoyed. Since I am sitting with you, the meal will be enjoyable.' Ade was not impressed. He got up the second time. Lizzy held him back '.Well let's eat. I will eat with you." she said finally. Ade and Lizzy took the food Lizzy was not happy after the meal. She remembered what the doctor told her about the love powder which applied to the egusi soup. She thought that she had wasted time and money. If the powder did not act, she would not go back to the doctor to complain. She was strictly warned by the doctor not to take the food with her husband. Ade went in for siesta. At 2 p.m. he went back , to office. He was feeling out of weight. He managed to finish the job for the day. When he was driving back home, he noticed that all was not well with him. He cancelled all other engagements for the evening. On getting near the house, a friend gave him an information about a strong party supporter who had a motor accident. 65 �Bath of them drove to the place: From there they went to another friend's houseAde came back to the house by 11. 30 p.m. 'Before then, Lizzy had gone to bed. She had prepared supper of rice and stew io which she added another bit of the love powder. Ads did not want to wake Lizzy but took the supper and finaly went .. to bed. At 3 a.m. the following day. Ade felt uneasy. He saw himself in another world. "Lizzy! Lizzy! Lizzy!" he shouted. Lizzy woke. She ran into Ade's room to answer the call. Ade held her breatheless. She was struggling in his hands while he tossed her about in the room. "Don't kill me Ade. I'm dying! I'm dying1 Lizzy cried. Ade held her still After a long struggle. Lizzy managed to releases herself and ran out. weeping. Ade tore his clothes, destroyed his personal effects. He walked into the parlour and had the hanging pictures broken aod lorn into pieces. Lizzy couldn't come in for fear that she might be beaten. Neighbours were afraid to come into the house. Ade was handling a matchet. The chairs, tables, radio and gramophones had been destroyed. Passersby wondered what was really wrong. Many people came up to see what was going on. Ade became an object of ridicle in the eyes of the boys and girls who came to watch the tragedy. Lizzy's mind kept on beating. She thought of many things. She realised that she was the cause of the disaster. She couldn't imagine what other things or person could be responsible. The doctor had prescibed how she would apply the love powder. She applied it on tht luncheon and since she had taken the food with Ade, she was not sure there would be a better result. T ben she felt that she should apply more of the powder to the dinner which she thought would prove successful. Ade had elft the house with his cheque book. He withdrew two hnudred pounds from the bank. Before he got to the house, friends �and enemies had their shares and he came in emptyhanded. His relatives? heard the story. When they came in. Ade has retnrned to IKO, his home town. CHAPTER XXI Lizzy was left in an awful condition. She was afraid of staying in the deserted house. She was short with everybody who came in to enquire of the situation. She couldn't eat any food. She didn't know where to go and whom to meet. Lizzy went back to Ugochukwu. She told him all that happened. The juju was angry. Mr. Ugochukwu told Lizzy that the husband took much of the powder and that was why his brain was affected. He revealed to her that the husband would be madfor sometime. After sacrificing to his juju another doctor could cure him. Lizzy began t 3 cry. "What is this that you have done? Did I ask you to kill my husband or to make him love me? What must I do? Poor me! This is the hardest time of my life. There is no need for me to live to see all this. If you know you will not answer a querry about my death please tell me what to do to get my husband normal before long. "Your husband will bs alright. I will give you a protection charm against your enemies. Your husband's relatives owe you some grudge. There is no way in which you can defend yourself about your husband's mishap. With rhis charm you can move freely with all of them. I will give you another one which you will apply to your food. This powder will protect you against any poison you may take in through the mouth. With these two you can go to your husband's home. You will advise all they should do about his cure. If you tell them about me they will send your husband down to me for his cure. When he recovers everything will be well." �Llzzy could not make a head o r fail of this new de.11. "It makes no odds whether I am-liked by people or not. What I want from you is to get my husband normal again. Let me have all that you have for me for the cure of my husband." Ugochukwu gave Lizzy the two sets of protection powder. "Rub this on your face take this in your food. Then go to your husband's home. You will bring me a good result." Lizzy took the parcels and went away. She came to the house; This was another test. "I had not meant harm for Ade" she murmured. I only want to know who Ade is. I don't mean to kill Ade. God help me to have Ade's love and not his life." Lizzy went to kitchen. She prepared akamu . and added the protection powder. She mixed it well and took it with some AKARA. She packed her things in suit case, dressed up herself. She rubbed the powder also. She locked the doors. handled the suit case and was ready to go to IKO. She came out to waitfor taxi to take her to the Railway Station. It was not quite three seconds when Lizzy had ' some pains in the stomach. She could not control herself as the pains increased. She fell down to the gound. She was unconscious. "Help! Help !my sun is setting. She was shouting. The neighbours ran out to see Lizzy hopeless on t h e ground. One of them ran for a taxi and she was rushed to the general hospital. The doctor applied all the medicines he could afford. He invite someother doctors to help. The case was growing worse. Lizzy couldn't resist. She shouted for paper and pen. These were quickly brought. Lying face up in the sick bed Lizzy wrote:Take this news to Ade, my dear. Tell him Lizzy has her fear. That today is the last of days. And there is no news for grace. 68 �Tell Ade all I wanted was his love. It was the one problem I wanted to solve. The native doctor hid love and stole life. And that's why today I'm facing this strife. Tell Ade I meant no harm for him Before we met we saw in dream. Even at this crucial time of my life. Tell Ade 1 love him more than my life. Tell him the native doctor is the cause. 1 paid him money to let me know the cause. Why he appeared indifferent to me. I did this to test his love for me. And not to punish and kill him. It was the edge of love I wanted to win. Tell Mr. Cousin I close to love Ade. I found delight with him to stay. Tell Mr. Cousin not to be happy about today. For he will, some day meet me that,.way. Tell him I'm going to wait Ade yonder. And there our love to ourselves will be stronger. Now I must die as I cannot challenge death. ' This is the last drop of my breath. I will go to show Ade the reason. Why I had to say too late Cousin. Lizzy dropped the pen and that was her last day in life. The news of Lizzy's death spread all the length and breadth of the Garden City. T h x e who knew and heard the Ade-Cousin case were surprised at the death blow. The news of the death was out of the common. �CHAPTER XXII Everybody was anxious to know what brought about the sudden death. The Local newspapercarried the news after two days. It was then that Gracy believed the news. She ran to the hospital to have first-hand information about the circumstances sorrounding Lizzy's death. Gracy was disturbed. She decided to go to Iko to see' Ade. Her mother did not endures her proposal. She had serious objections to every word Gracy used to convince her to allow her to travel to Iko. Gracy did not want to beg the issue. She shut the door upon all her mother's reasons for refusing her request. "This time, I will do or die" she concluded. Gracy travelled to Iko by the suburban train. She quickly traced Ade's house at lko. On approaching the gate to Ade's Country House, she saw Ade hands in chains. Gracy stood dead dumb. She felt heavy about the situation. Ade saw her Gracy. He yelled. "Gracy! see your Ade in chains. This is the result of our affair. This is my fate. I have loved and died. I have fought and lost." Gracy looked deep into Ade's eyes and sobbed. "Oh life without heart. Is this your fate, Ade? This may end the story. That the mighty is now tamed hands and feet in chains. What can this mean? Ade in chains. My world is mud. My love is void. We will end the story here. Lizzy has done it and has had it. I cannot blame you Ade. I will blame father. I will blame impatience. I will blame mum. I will blame jealous heart. She fell at Ade's feet crying bitterly. Ade's relatives and friends who came to see him began to weep. It was a sorrowful show. ' Gracy made some approaches to the doctors who were giving Ade treatment. She was happy t o hear that there was hope for his recovery in a short time. She informed Ade's parents that she �would stay with them for some time to help in any way she could see that Ade was brought back to his normal state. By 8 p.m. Gracy was sitting besides Ade's bed. When Ade was a bit normal. He inquire of Lizzy. "Which Lizzy do you mean? she quicKly queried. "I mean Lizzy, my wife" replied Ade. "Have you not heard of the death of Lizzy?" continued Gracy What are you telling me?' cut in Ade. "I'm telling you, Ade, that Lizzy has died in the general hospital. Port-Harcourt. Lizzy had a date with a native doctor. It was the very doctor who gave her the powder she applied to your food that has brought you to this state. I am informed that she was sorry for your fate. She had to go back to the doctor to know what to do to bring you back to normality. But the doctor gave her a new mixture for her protection. As she got ready to meet you up here, she had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. There she diedafter two hours. Before dying. I understand, she made out a letter for you. Ade was embarrassed. The news gave bim an extra blow. "Telling me that Lizzy is dead?" Ade asked. #'And Lizzy dropped a letter for me?' he continued. "Gracy, you will go to Port-Harcourt to get the letter. I want to read the letter. Go to the doctor and ask him to give me the letter. Don't delay. I am waiting for you." Gracy dressed up and took the passenger train to Port-Harcourt. Ade who had been uncontrolled became sobber. He fell into a deep sleep. His doctor was surprised to see him in that mood. The relatives were happy to see him in that quiet state. The visitors were not allowed to come into his room to see him. He was givcn a nice time for rest. �By 7 p.m. Gracy had arrived from Port-H-(court. As she stepped into the room, Ade woke. "Gracy come near and read the letter to me. My eyes are not clear. I can't read." said Ade in !he quietest state of his life. Gracy brought out the paper. She began to read it. On reading "I will go to show Ade the reason why I had to say too late Cousin," Ade held his breathe. He looked up to the ceiling. His eyes became blue. HE CRIED: And Lizzy, my lady of ladies is dead. And sent me news that she had'to die �So9 thief of my soul is dead. And leave me on earth to sigh. She said she had much to fear. And reminded me of That last of daysBut my fears she couldn't clear. Lizzy said she meant no harm for me. She said she had a problem to solve. She didn't think twice, she didn't care for me. Leaving my brain my heart to revolve. . Lizzy still claimed she loved me more. Yet she died and wanted me to live. This wonderful assurance is sour and sore Lizzy quickly forgot those days of strife. I trusted her and she obeyed the wind. I enjoyed the time, she blessed my life. We kept our promise and loved indeed. Why was it necessary to trim the love. When we had conquered threat and jsalously Why was it thinkable to blend the love. Which we inherited fully. truly in legacy. Tell Mr. Cousin not to rejoice todav. ' For I will go to meet Lizzy over there. Lizzy said she had delight with me to stay. Let me now die, no need to linger. In this world to suffer and to strive. I will go to meet Limy to know the reason. 1 believe the love there will be stronger. And she was right to say too late Cousin. Let me die, jet me go and not linger! "What's this you're doing, Ade?" asked Gracy. "And here you leave me to die. Come! Heavens! What am I seeing? Ade is dead!'' �Gncy ltft the room. She went near the we:I and picked a piassnva rope. She mn back into the rvom. She made a knot-;of the rope on the ceiling. She climbed through Ade's bed and put in her head. While her neck was held in loop. Gracy SANG:Why must I stay here to mourn. Ade and his Lizzy's death? We tlirze must die and let others to mourn 1 should go, I have lost all faith. I had given my love to Ade and him only. 1 have no other life to live without him. �- .Ade trusted me .and.>iovedme sincerely. But mum misconstrued- and misintepreted him. . . I have no-cause to blame. my fate. .. Ade himself knew I wouldn't live. . , . .. . Hence: he died and gave no date. .. , . . . To let me sigh; mourn and grieve. .. . Tell mum she is the cause of all this. ' . . . ,' If she accepted Ade and respected order. Ade couldn't have gone woefully amiss Ade now we go swiftly over the border. If mum 'didn't interrupt Lizzy wouldn't die. If ~ i didn't die Ade wouldn't die. i ~ If Ade didn't die I wouldn't die. Ade dreamed that I was hanging. Today is the fulfilment of the vision. . . ' , We must go and meet Lizzy waiting. We must go yonder to knowthe.reason. . . . W h y Limy had to say too late Cousin. ' . . Gracy breath her last. . The End. ' �BOOKS PUBLISHED BY A, ONWUDIWE & SONS _ _ J _ . - Love is Infallible 3s : 6d Net 3s : 6d Tshombe of Katanga The way to make friends with Girls 3s : 6d The Labour of Man 1s : 6d Boys and Girls of Nowadays 2s : 6d Mabel the Sweet Honey that drops away 3s : 6d 2s :O d To Rule is a trouble Agnes in the game of Love ' 2s :O d d Miss Rosy in the Romance of true love 2s : O ' 3s ; 6d Family Birth Register Dr. Zik in the battle for freedom 3s : 6d 2s : 6d The Disappointed lover 3s : 6d The last days of Lumumba 2s : 6d The sorrows of Love How to write Love Letters,Toasts and Bussiness Letters 3s : 6d How to write Successful Letters and Applications 2s :6d 2s : gd Elizabeth my Lover How to know who Loves you 3s : O d The Bitterness of Politics and Awolowo's Last Appeal 3s ; 6d A. Dictionary of Current Affairs and Important Facts 3s : 6d Comprehensive Questions and Answers on Economics for R: S. A. Inter and d Advance and G. C. E Ordinary Level 4s :O A new Guide t o Good English and 6s : O d Correct Letter Writing Others in Preparation Printed by TRINITY PRINTING PRESS 3 MwRe smercr, P 0. Box 534 . ONITSHA NIGERIA. �WAY TO MAKE - A. ONWUDIWE -lJdiavtor8f A* OPWURlWEPvb ishers) 8) SONS Book-Se ers and � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The way to make friends with girls Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Madumere, Adele Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria, A. Onwudiwe & Sons Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 196- Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3551 Description An account of the resource The strong feminist overtones of this fictional account suggest that the author, Adele Madumere, is a woman. Lizzy, the main character of this long story, is a strong and independent woman who continuously questions men and their intentions. In the pamphlet's opening paragraph Lizzy asks, "why are some men fond of interrupting women on high ways,?" (pg.6). The author also uses a gentle humor to look at the budding relationship between Lizzy and her suitor Ade:<br /><br /><em>There was no reply from either side. Passers-by wondered why the two people broke their journey on a high way. The popular feeling was that they were discussing an important matter largely personal to them. It was bad light. Lizzy could not continue to stand on the road unmindful of her appointment, </em>(pg.6).&nbsp;<br /><br />After Ade had waylaid Lizzy in the classic manner of Onitsha Market Literature, the author plays with those assumptions. To the main characters,it is clear that Lizzy wants nothing to do with Ade at this time, and it is only the bad light that keeps the other passers-by in the dark as to the nature of the interaction.<br /><br />Unlike many of the other pamphlets, Lizzy is not a naive young girl. She is separated from her first husband and does not want to commit herself to another man, even if she does come to like Ade, a politician. Lizzy and this new lover endure a scandalous court case because her husband, Mr. Cousin, has accused Ade of unlawfully detaining his wife and depriving him of his liberties. In fact, Lizzy did not leave Mr. Cousin for Ade, but rather left her husband because she did not feel like an equal partner in a polygamous marriage. She explains, "You know I had to respect you in all respects. I like your personality so dearly but hate your manners. I did all in my power to play the game with you as a comrade. You did not regard me as somebody in union with you but as a visitor," (pg.21). Thus, Lizzy left Mr. Cousin for herself rather than for another man. <br /><br />As Lizzy commits to Ade in the story, Madumere reverts to a more traditional plot and characterization of male dominance. When Lizzy becomes jealous of another woman, she consults a traditional healer. After this visit she inadvertently poisons Ade, and he becomes insane. In her desire to restore Ade's faculties, she poisons herself and dies. The tale ends with Ade and the other woman both committing suicide to be with their soul mates. Even though Lizzy, as a heroine, creates an interesting space in the story to assert both independence and moral character, in the end she appears to be caught up by her love for Ade and controlled once again by a man. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a>