315 10 9668 https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/02d540afa964fe2190b5307695f3d010.jpg 6a39ac9417c85d0a8e7756cfaaf56bf9 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 "THE CONVENTIONS" Description An account of the resource "ERIN, on the eve of the momentous County Conventions, reviews her boys setting out for the wars." Cartoon depicting Charles Stewart Parnell with “Erin” (Ireland) as “her boys” head out to the County Conventions, where the candidates to stand for parliament were selected. Supplement Gratis with United Ireland. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 10, 1885 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="http://catalog.lib.ku.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?bbid=3801861" target="_blank">DK 17:16</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available United Ireland https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/a85bbd4c5758e1e272fb7baf2008365e.pdf 0dbf4098e7455269b9557addde0ffbb6 PDF Text Text GAME OF LOVE '"I'bony nod h s mother, Catbe and A m died for tbe sak i of Love m k W Price &jd ��THEY IEB A THE N GAME OF LOVE "Thony and his mother, Cathe and Agnes died for the sake o f Love making" Obtainable From:- NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP, C/e No 6 Aroodizuogu Street. ONITSHA-NIGERIA. Price 216 �CONTENTS Pages Short Poem on corn:r cerner love S Questions and Answers for bo!s & girls 7 Advicc for boys and girls on love making 8 l'hony in th: game of love 12 Cathc visited Anthony's room 17 'Thony kissed Cathe in Cathe's room 20 ~ h o b yin second year in thc school 21 Letter arrives to Thony for Cathe's pregnancy 26 At the hospital Cathe-sanga song and died 27 Thoay once morc in the school 28 lguabo Thony's father marries another wife 33 Thony's completion of Secondary Education 34 Thony at the Ambassador Hotel befriended Agnes 35 Agnes back to thc shoo1 38 Agnes in a family way 33 Discussions within Agnes an2 Anthony and their 4I vicit to a Native Doctor's house Thony back to the doctor's house b r ~ h o n ; kil~hd himself for isve's sake i3 Author's Advicc 44 �PREFACE This Novel, "They died in the game of Love" is designed to serve as' a lesson to some of our boys and girls who feel that there is aoother heaven in the game of love. It narrates of a boy called Thony-the only born of his pareots who was madly in love with a girl called Cathe. Not quite long, the girl was put in a family way when both of them were in Secondary Schools. As a result of this, the girl died in the hospital. The girl's parents, and ,the parents of Aothony quarrelled on the issue and thereby fighting arose, of which Thony's mother died, and others inflicted serious injuries among themselves. Not quite long, Thony got another girl called Agnes in love and put her in family way again. While trying to put the child out, the lady died. At 'last, Thony realising the state he drank posion and died in his bed room. �FORWARD It takis many people lone intcrval to make a world. And sometimes 1 enjov meeting !he no!, too. ordinarv t y v n of joung-!en in manner. !:ley are the spicc of life and stimulants to discover what to write and !he thought they should comn~entabout. In some of the skelchcs that follow, I see faccts of mysclf. for in a way "I am part o f all I have met". As TENNYSON said [hat whrre l laugh at men's follies, it is only to proud them to recall o r rethink tho truth is by nature ironical. The author's natural field as I can say is pure in the mdn3gement of social life, where boys and girls jisphy the tinest pwxp:ios of characw. manner sentiments and emotions which giude !he conduct of our boys. Some may see or not see a purpose in this article. humourous miscllanv. bu! l offer no apology either for the style o r !he style of word which will not alter fact that night is the day without the sun just as a crime is discovered wrong. In tt,e "CYRILS" Article as a finalist of 'Collins Institutional Centre' Onitsha. H c had thought me tbat life bath quick sands, Lire bas also snares and much uncertainty and ddversity pcrmeates the society o f t h e present boys and girls. I have also read ramole widely in the lanes and by paths of social life and the gallery of my memory contributed a few extraordinary individuals that stand out though "Rome not built in a day" T o hang a few sublimes. though it's girls that seduce all mankind but the Author has tried to reduce the tactics in a kind of concert-play, sod now, HERE IS T H E NEWSREEL. ROBINSON DlBUA ( D d y Robltcu) Collins Institutional Centre. . ' 35 Bid. Road. ONITSHA. SENIOR TUTOR I N Solemwhip. �"SEIORT POEAI 09 CORSEK CORNER LOYE" D E A R B O Y S A N D GIRLS O F N O W A D A Y S W e ilare so many kinds of Lore Making (Sexual)(that's Corner Corn:r Love)rnd Natural Love. Love is Blind and it can Make and Unmake Boys if you wish to befriend a girl you love d o not hops to d o sexual inlercourse with her immediately. Wait and study her way before the game Girls if you wish to befriend a boy you love do. not demand any gift from the boy immediately study his ways first. B:cause when a girl demands things from her boy friend, the boy in other hand will demand nothing than to tell the girl to please him that's to d o "s:xual intercoc~rse" with him. Corner, corner love is too many nowadays. D o you know what l mean by cornercorner love?. Now g o through this book you will understand it easily after reading it. Boys and Girls bear in mind that sweet things burn lifes easily. SOwhcre there is good there must be bad. Nothing comes for nothing and Nothing goes for nothing. A WORD IS ENOUGH FOR T H E WISE. 5 �Dearly Boys and Girls of nowadays Do You Play zig-zag with your lovers? DO You also Play zig-zag with your Boys? l F S O KISULY CllANCE FROM NOW AND KXOW YOUR SELF OTIIER\VISE YOUR hflSLEAD YOURSELF how, Read a story of a girl who played zig-zag with her lovers and her self and r a ~ h e rwas confused and the advice given to her. THE STORY READS lam Miss Comfort Ochonma, l am in great deal of trouble. l am in a family way and d o not know even my three boy-friends who is the father of the child. Please, d o not blame me for having three boy-friends at a time. I did it to have my own back on men whq had in thc past bloughing mc, . lauphing at me saylng t h a ~ would not had a lover. l What I want now is how to get o u ~ child. I the have already accused each of the three boys of being the f a ~ h e of my coming child. lnfact, this r accusation took a great deal of wind out of each of them. But, none has so far registered his name as the father of the child. What then, shall 1 d o in order to get one of them to confirm that he is really the father of the child? �AUTHOR'S ADVICE Dear Miss Comfort infact, in this respect I can say that you a n a fool at fobrty. I think tbat you are up to your eyes in trouble and also think that you are a prize of fool. You have dug your grave and will be sealed there. I d o not think that it would be right of me to tell you to accuse one of your boy friends of being the father of your child. Supposing the cbild turns out not to be? The only thing I have to advise you is to wait until your child is delivered you may be lucky the child may resemble one of your three boy-friends and then you will know who is the father. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR BOYS & GIRLS Q. 1. By how is a good boy known? Am. Agood boy is know by salutation, respect, obedience, devotion to his duty and quietness. Q. 2. In what way is a bad boy known? Ans. By carelessness, disobedience, stubborness, and noise making. Q. 3. What type o f boys are filling up prison? Am. They are in majority boys who retirsed the instruction and the advice of their parents and their elders. �Q. 4. As. By how is a good girl known? A good girl is ktiown b) hir ihyness, ness, respect obedience and likeness to sric work. Q. 5. By how is a badgirl known? By hck of shyness, shame. careless and weakness to demestic dltty. Q. 6. IVlrar type of girls that fill up horels? They are in mojority girls who are bad in natureand those id10 do not want ro be under some body. An,. ' Ans. ?: $ ADVICE FOR BOYS & GIRLS ON LOVE MAKISC. When love and peace joins together. To stamp nature's desire. A sympathetic lover. Is the man's best pride. Some pcople think that they can win one's love by b:auty alone. No, you can one's love by beauty and character, activity io life and ability. and or simplicity. These things matter most in the life of one who nccds some one's love. I know that most of you have known what is called love, and shodd bear in mind that love are of different kinds, thus (a) love. ro unite two together as to benefit thcmselvcs, that is, 8 �man and woman, a boy and a girl. Through this we have what is known as natural love. This proves itself in harmonious relationship with each other as it by nature, (b) love, to snatch ford from one's mou~h, (c) Iove, to betray one for evil o r killing, (d) love, t o get something otherwise from one's way and many other kinds of love. But the on: 1 meant is that which unties two people together for something very beneficial. If girl's love can be won by beauty alone it means that ugly pcople would die bacbelc or must not have lovers in life, but it is not so because I hhve seen a n ugly man with a fine lady as his lover. I have also seen a lady who loves a boy that bas no suflicient money. Why? It is because of boy's talent in football playing that he won her love. If you say that you arc vgly or, that you have no mooey and because of that you willbe,unable to win the love o f a girl. a lady o r a woman, that is a big false. You may say s o because you have not known the law guiding love. One thing to bear in mind is this, there must b e a cause for something that is, regarding the love 1 mean: one cannot love r e a s o n . (a) t h e you without a �reason that, you have good characters, regardless how ugly you are, (b) the reason that, you are a 'good player or good at dance, regardless how ugly are, (c) the reason that you are a good boxer, regardless how poor o r ugly you are. (d) the reason hat you are commanding money, regardless whether you are hwinp onc hand o r ono leg and, or one eye. (e) the rcason that, you always appear neat, regardless what town you may have come from, and (f) with a lady or a girl, the reason that, she is beautiful o r with good manners, regardless the home sbe may have come from. It is great misnomer t o say that because you are not handsome like others, therefore you cannot win one's love. No sir, 1 d o not at all agrce wilh you. Please. think a while. What brings love ktween a schcol boy and a school girl, a school girl and a native who never know how t o pronounce the letter "A'? Wbat brings love between student and a "on-student, and a mad man with a blind woman? By the way what d o you think is the cause of these things? Look, it is nothing than what we call attractions. Therefore, if you d o not know what woman is t o man, or you have not got an idea bufore, mark you, you are absent i n love, their ways cannot attract you because you have n o knowledge of it. 10 �If you do not know, infact, you are 'ust like a child. Even children know what is called ove. Sometimes, you may see the little boys and girls hiding themselves this way and that way for love sake. i' These boy: and dirk have note the idea,. which induced them to such order of nature's prrnciple. Yo11 should note that nature knows no law. A reverend (priest) or a highly developed occultist claimed to denied complelely this particular law of nature, mbrk him, he has a private and complete and secret method (applicatinn) through which he fulfills this order. It is really true I say, kc fulfils it thought what is known imaginarion. Anyway, I am not here t o discuss that matter. N o one can deny the fact, cxecpt through something-otherways -otherwise. convent girls who were ordered to be holy not have friends. They after sometimes found it very difficult t o have such law of nature through the separation from friends. What happened? Fortunately one day, one of the girls went out secrelly in the night and on her way back t o their school premises she took a boy friend. When she reached their boar. ding house with the chap. other girls saw him and felt very bappy as if they were in paradise. , �Jhky at'onc esurroundrd him and.the young c h a p The b ~ became: afraid for: he thought!othenvisc would y happrn.. he- felt. that they would .take him d d W to t h e E a ~ r o p ~ aSister, but it Wac not so. aimply.for n thcir own good they surrounded him. What happen~d th:n? Each and every one of the girls began t o b:g tb: young chap to have her first treated before others. Then the svg~r-babybegdn on the work t o touch. lh.*m one alter the other. Tney. were very happy a?d worried rhc chap t o ~ m u c h that-he fainted and wthi 1 ?O minu~eshe died there. Tomorrow morning, it was a great shock to the European: Sister. Then she ordered their driver to carry the corpse (dead) down t o the hospital and there the doctor discovered that it. war over usuagc of the pswer within tbat caused his death. So some of the girls adopt the m e e f candle sticks. I t is love tbat solve this matter and nothing. else. Remember that you can win one's love with whatever may be your work providcd you know the method of attraction. Man can attract woman; ladies or girls can attract boy. This attraction caa be fully accomplished tbrough your character. THONY IN THE CAME OF LOVE 12 �l a Isiokwe a 'Town in Eastcro Nigeria dwelt a wealthy man by name Jguabo. He was huge, el:gantl and a great business man throughout the town, for Which hla name was famous. He was kind, and got marriod to a woman nam:d Jjeoma. ljeoma herself was brilliant in trading. und household korks. Both of thcm lived for several years before she put fortb to her first son, and they gave him the names Anthony Amechi Iguabo. During Amhony's chidhocd, he was full of educational desire and out doors games. Simultdocously, he sprang up, an honest handsome boy, and had manieducational activities, and started fested inter:sl schooling a t the age of 8. He was brilliant at class works, and social in all aspects, end these won admiration for him among his class-mates and school teachers. His handsomeness made schcolgirls rush o n him seekiop for his love when he was 12 yean. T o all these. he gave n o attentirn, because he never knew the frculties of love. Many o f them were fighting and using scandalous statements among themselves, because of thischarming boy. Even whet1 the school was dismissed. they used t o quarrel over the person who should carry Tbony's school box Every corner he went, the applause of THONYI T H O h Y ! rained in t h e �air. Now this gay boy "Anthony" was in std. five and had a year more b:fore entering a secondary school. By all means, girls were trying to convince and eagage in love dealings with him. The respect and shouts of admiration bestowed on him, made him feel proud and thought of complimentar cheers of the school girls on him. Before he finish:d his elementary course, he was 13 years, but did not want to befriend any o f t h e girls. Now it came t o pass that one moonlight evening, he dressed u p well and visited one of his class mate. No sooner did he treck for some few yards than a girl whistled a1 if in a way boys call their girls friends, Anthony looked round swiftly, a t tbe girl who did not- help beckoning on him to come. He made his way quietly to tho girl who gave him a warm welome. She immediately stretched out her hand and handed over to Anthony a white folded paper. He smoothly put the paper into his pocket without asking what the paper was for. He excused her for the meantime, and walked quietly to his friend's bouse where he was also welcomed. He spent 30 minutes there and set out for home. On reaching home, he sat on his bed and began to read the contents of the w h i ~ epaper received from the girl. "A! it was a letter", he exclained. Theletter read as follows :- �Cathe Obiako, Holy Rosary School, Isickwc Akpu!u. 10/4/5G. - Dear Thony, Infact it \vss quite a long time I had been seeking a way to be-friend )ou. Now that you are' in possession of mine. I hope ).ou nil1 find tinle to g o through my missive. Never-thcles~, 1 sliould only become the queen of the whole land if you grant my being in love with you. I have not much ot say, ill I see your favourable reply. 1 am, Yours ever, Cathe Obiako. This 1:ttcr struck him s o deeply that he could not belp giving hack the reply. His, went as follows:Thony A. I&uabor Community .Primary School.' Isiokwc Akoulu. - Dear Cathc, Yours o f the loth April 1956 was got. and be contents were fully gone through. Actually, I was totally embarrassed to getting yours, but anyway, your request had been granted. 15 �I have seen all tbe girls in this town, and I swear, you are only the one 1 bestow my thoughts upon. 1 thank God, for we are now to begin the so-called "Love dealing". I hope to meet you again one night where we should discuss in detail, matters of interest within ourselves. I stop so far till I see yours in return. Yours heart, Thony Iguabo. The letter was sent over to Cathe by post and she could not express her utter gratitude on receiving such a reply from Anthony, picking up her pen once more she wrote thus:As Usual, Dear Sweet-heart, Indeed I could hardly believe and express m y utter gra~itude on receiving your favourable reply. Today, should go down in history for being a girl-friend to a handsome person of your type. Since I gave my letter to to you, I have been cogitating, dreaming, and meditating of you all night. However, I sball be corning to your house next week r n Wednesday. Till I come, Yours ever, Cathe. �On receiving this letter, Anthony was shocked on Cathe's coming next week, why? because all these were happening without the knowledge of his parents. However, he knew how to explain elerythiog to them if she came. CATHE VISITED ANTHONY'S ROOM On the day in question, being Wednesday, Anthony woke u p earl~er and prepared his room in order s o as t o attract the girl when she come. His parents had all gone to their respectwe vacations, fortunately for him, Calhe tapped rt the door. "Who are you", he said "I am your Cathe", was the reply, nnt minding whether Thony's parents were in. She entered inlo the room and seated on the bed where Thony was lying down complacantly. My Dear, said Antho, so our dreams have now come true? Apple of my heart, said Catha, map Z first have a warm kiss from you before I commence". Thony then raised up and they had a kiss. Infact (she continued) I a m now the happiest maid ever to live for being your girl friend. I could hardly take anything if you are not presetat. I hank God for we have been joined together, and what soever God has joined, let no man put asnnder" At thin junction, they began to enjoy what Nature terms, "The faculties of love dealing; After this, they kissed once-more and Cathe 'made her way home. They remained silent . for a long time with none writing t o each. other. �At last Cathe's letter was got thus: As Usual, 3/1/57, Dear Sweet-heart, It bas beon quite a long time we heard from each other. However, I hope you are normal. Infact 1 could not forget that glittering morning in your roam. My heart is yours forever. 1 hope IOU will have time to communicate with me more. 1 stop so far. Yours ever, Cathe Obiako. On getting this, Thony did not give prompt reply because he was away to Ubulu on an entrance examimation which he was successful. When he r~turned, they were faced with the buying of materials for his Secondary schooling. Relaxing one afternoon, he picked up his pen and his reply was:Tbony Iguabo, 11/1/57. Darling, I much regretted for having delayed the reply of yours. Never-theless, I was confronted by matters a r i s i q g o u t of my secondary school �educatbn. It is a pity to narrate to you that I shall be living for Ubulu Community Secondary School next week. However, I hope we shall be writing to each other constantly. Do not shine your love on any other boy ,for 1 shall be spending all my holidays here wilb you. Yours darling, Thony. Before she could get the letter, Thony had left for school. Going through the contents, she felt annoyed and wrote as follows: Cathe Obiako, Girls' Training Centre, Obodo - Otene. 20/2/57 Dear Thony, Indeed I was shocked by your departure to Ubulu. How about studies? My heart is still yours. I am now at the Girls Training Centre, ObodoOtene. Please write me when you will vacate, and the date you will be here. I hope to get yours sooner. Cathe. Cathe on the other band, fdid not make her a ware o her love with p a r e n ts 19 �Anthony. It was not long that Anthony wrote to her informing her of his coming next week, on holiday. His, went as follows:Anlhony Iguaho, Ubulu Community Sec. School, 16/4/57. Dear Catbe, This is to make you aware that we have vacated, and as such I shall be ooming next monday. I hope you have also vacated. Convey my greetings to your brqther John. Till I come. Yours darling, Thony Iguabo. THONY KISSED CATHE IN CATHE'S ROOM Cathe sent her little brother John for some refreshments. 'Tbese were brought and they relaxed and kissed each other ceaselessly. Again they displayed what Nature calls "Faculties of Love dealing", and Thony could not help staying longer, on the girl's request. They kissed, relaxed and sang some love songs once startiog with these words! Darling! if you know you love me, Don't forget me! �My heart is yours ever! "You are the sole apple of my life" No sooner had Cathe escorted Thony than her parents arrived back from the day's work. They looked for Cathe, but she was not to be seen. When she was back, they asked her where she went, she said she escorted her class mate who had just come to see her. It did not last long before Thony went back to school From there he wrote:Thony Iguabo, Ubulu Community Sec. School, 10/2/60. Darling, Now I hope you have gone back to your school. Infact 1 hereby offer my sincere greetings to you for the entertainment accorded me at your room last term. Enthusiastically, the day shduld remain unforgotten in memory. My parents bad played their games of love and now they want to find some obstacles to binder my being in love with you, which I cannot tolorate. Did your parents ask you where you went during the time you escorted me? However, I look forward to receiving your nice note in return. Yours darling, Thony Iguabo. �It was lbree days before the letter went swiftly into her girl's hands and she admired it much. She replied thus: Thony did not inform his girl that he had gone back to school, and she one day went to investigate whether her beloved boy was in the house. Unfortunately, she was tald that Thony had left for school. Thony bid his father farewell, and started the second year successfully. At the term's holidays, he wrote to Cathe that he should visit his cousin at Ekpo Town. To this, she felt somewhat loneliness and did not reply. When he was back to school, he wondered why his girl did not reply his, and repeated again. This time, she replied and explained the sadness and loneliness she felt when she got the letter. Tbony replied and appologised for not going home as he promised. Now the second year was over, aud both of them were successful. Both of them come home again on holidays and had several meetings and communications. His parents bad realised the engagement of lovedealiags. their son had witb Catbe. This he denied abstruptly and said that he never know anything about love. They warned him again, that if they saw such girls witb him agaio, they would terminate his education forthwith. He was puzzled and thought of how to leave his most beloved girl-friend, who was his pride, and queen-moon that ohone upon his heart. T o all these he �determined 10 continue his lovz with Catbe. Without the knowledge of what was going on between her boy friend and his parents, Cathe dressed u p charmingly one morning and setout to his boy's house. Anthony being fortunate, came outside their house to relax, sighted his girl, and quickly walked up to her and told her that his parents had warned him not to be friend her any more. But that be did not zgree to their warnhgs. Both of them went back to Cathe's room and her parents had all gone to their respective jobs. She got the letter two days before she left school for home, On the very day, Cathe went to the park to welcome her boy-friend. It was not so long that Tbonv arrived and she gave him a warm kiss and embrassment. Two of them boarded a taxi which brought them to Thony's house. Both of went in, and his parents welcomed them warmly, and tremendously. Ijroma'casted a look at her husband and her lips were shaking as if to ask her son who the girl was. Thony sent for drinks which were brought and both of them including his parents drank the wines. Thsny escorted her and was back again in the house. His pareat could not help asking him who the girl was. He gave false narrations, that she was his classmate at the Ubulu Secondary School. They strictly warned him not to have anything done with girls, so as t o finish up his carrear successfully. �It was two days for him to go back to the school tbat he got a letter from his girl that she was about to leave for school and he on the other hand replied that he sheuld also went back to school soon. THONY I N SECOND YEAR IN THE SCHOOL He went back- to the school and inspite of his love dealings with his girl, he maintained his lead in the class. After the first year, they began to prepare for the second year's studies. This time, he was escorted to the School by his Dad. When they got to tb: school, the dad inquired from the principal whether girls were attending the school, which he inevitably declined. "My dear readers, from here the Dad realised that his son told them false story that Cathe was a fellow class-mate at the Ubulu Secondary School". Cathe Obiako, Girls Training Centre, Obodo--Oteoe, 14/2/60. My Dear, Yours of the 10th instant was got and I admired the contents. May I strongly assure you that nothing again in this earth should cease, our love. Once our love is ceasesd, know you my sun is set. �Your parents are only tryinp to obstruct our ways, but 1 pray that this youth of ours should continue to the extent we may live. My parents are aot all after my being in love with any boy, therefore I hope our love is like a solid knut tightened to a ha1 bolt. I hereby enclose my picture, so that you should embrasss and kiss me whenever you feel loneliness. I stop so far, till I see yours in return. Cathe Obiako. Thony got this letter but delayed the reply. However he was about to reply but got another letter from Cathe informing him openly thal she was under pregnancy. The contents read as follows:As Usual. zslaltio. Dear Thony, It is a pity to report to you that I am now in a family way. How are wc to do? Formally I though it was an ordinary belly-ache, but suddenly 1 noticed my belly springing up rapidly. To this effect, I bave written to my parents informing them of the inc:dent. Likewise, I have wri~ten to your dad, informing him that you are the only friend I bave, so therefore you are solely responsible for any outcome. I shall leave the school tomorrow for home. You are urgently wauted at home soener. I am, Yours, Cathe Obiako. 25 �"WELL READERS! You have seen the end of Cathe's education, an3 the out-come in love dealing with school girls. My readers kindly beware of such girls because they are troubles. LETTER ARRIVES 'TOTHONY FOR Carhe's Pregnancy. The letter arrived and he was wondering why he never replied the first one and thereby got another. Without hesitation, he opened it and went tbrough the contents. Immediately he saw the head-lines of the letter, 'yr is a pity to report to you that I am now itra family way", he dropped the letter and went into the school domerory, and wept bitterly. Fearing that his father would terminate his schooling, he took permission from the principal to allow him go home and see hi8 father who was seriously sick. He went home but his father bad written bim, requesting for his immediate return from the school. When he reached home, his parents explained the whole story to him. which he termed as emphatically not correct. All of tbem went t o Catbc's parents, where she was lyiny unconscious and agonised in groans. She narrated in full, the days and dates both of them met several times some at Thony's room and others in her own. "Well readers!, the h u t which was formally tightened to a bolt was now loosed. Thony said he was not in a position of marriage. Rut he still remembered the days their love was like the �"iced-blocks" which they thought should not be melted. They left everything, peoding the period she should bore forth a child. Thony's father stopped him from further schooling as a result of whai appeared between him and Cathe. As time went on, the pregnancy sprang up rapidly, and began to trouble her severaly that she was taken to the hospital. At the bed-side stood her parents, her mother weeping mournfully, Thony and his parents, The Doctor could hardly attend to her then she begao to murmour these dramatic words;- AT THE HOSPITAL CATHE SANG A SONG and Died. Oh! Thony my dear, You have killed me, Remember you should be responsible for any out-come, You are my only boy-friend whom I love very much! I have no other boy-friend in this town or else where, Wby?, because'of my love for you, Qh! parents, 1 have gone, gone for ever, Mummy!, Beware of your house holds, Thony. farewell and good-bye. We shall see and meet, again where we shall part no m.ore Greetings t o brother John, whom 1 love so dearly. �At this stage, Thony began to weep, and the girl suddenly died. Everybody in the hospital was embarassed at seeing all that happened. In return, Cathe's parents held Thony's parents r:sponsible for the death of their child. They exchanged slugeish words and from there fighting arose between the two factions. In a short space of time, Thony's mother collaped and died, and others inflicted serious injuries among themselves. After all these, Thony and his father io company of some symphatbisers, returned home, carrying the corpse of his mother Tears gushing out of his eyes. After the funeral ceremony of his mother, Tnony declared:- I connot stay lonely like this, Now, where is my beloved Cathe? Where is my Mother? I shall find a way to meet my Cathe, Else-where in the would of gloom, Where there is no deeth Oh, Heavens, so I have parted with my sweetest Heart. Catherine, Catherine, Catherine. HE CRIES, CRIES. �THONY ONCE MORE IN THE SCHOOL While passing through these thoughts, his father called him and seated him on his chair and said:- "My son, now you have seen the outcome in love dealing Now "where is your mother? It was for your sake Cathe died. I am now a widow. Who should be nursing and giving you motherly advises; (At this stage both of them began to weep), well 1 have nothing to d o again than to send you back to the school, if my p x k e t can afford to d o so". "Can you accept to g e back to school again", his father asked. If I abandon you now, you wont be able t o make your own world. Thony replied in the affirmative. He firmly assured his father that he should never in his life again, fall in love with any girl, however charming she might be. The father then prepared everything for him, gave him school fees and pocket money. and other things necessary for his schooling. One bright morning he set out for school. iather bid him farewell and strictlv warned him if in anyway again, he engaged in love dealings girls, he should not bear the responsibility for sort of inpediment o r inconvence. His that with any On reaching the school he was warmly admitted in theclass, None of the staffs of the school o r the �students were made aware of what happened to Thony and Cathe. Staying for some weeks he wrote to his father informing him of his safe arrival to the schod. His went as follows:Thony Iguabo, Ubulu Community Sec. School, 1 /?/ti I , Dear father, This is to inform you of my safe arrival to the school. I was warmly admitted to the class. Anthong on the other hand was ashamed of going out beciuse of .the record set by him and Catbe. Some of the girls in the town murmured words of abuse on Cathc whenever they saw Anthony. Some said they advised her not to fall in love with Anthony, and she said, they were misleading her. T o this, (they szid) brought bad terms among themselves. Others sdid Cathe declared that once Anthony no more became her friend, she should no live lo see him married to any girl. To all these, Thony kept silent without a single word spoken out. He remained in the house till the end of the term and he went back to school. Now the hatred he had on girls in particular was beyend measurement, Dear Readers! he hath now known the �seed he sowed and the bad tesk brought to him by it. Now he is in his fourth year aed had all thoughts lost about Csthe. He did not write nor receive any letter from his father for a lone time. Afterwards, his father's note came thus:- J B C Iguabo Esq., ... Box 5, Isiokwe 10/7/61 Dear Son, I hope you are normal. What of your studies? Since the death of your mother, I had been feeling loaeliness, and in this case, I want to marry another wife, of which I have already paid the dowry. I hope you will appreaciate this substitute? You know I don't attend to my business now, if not, I would have sent something to you. Y o w reply is needed soon. I am, yours father. J. B C. IGUABO. . Now when I recount the miseries, hardship and bad luck that fell on us last time, I became totally 81 �embarrassed, Formerly, 1 thought anything is p i n e d in the game of love. When you were warning me uvrr girls, I thought you were misleading me. Now what have I gained from it? Evsry night I felt the departure of my mother from me, and when evtr 1 sltcp, I sea her beside me sdvising me t o avoid communica~ing with girls. I stop so far. till I get yours in return. Yours son, T'aonv Iguabo. Anthony's father got this letter but did not reply pendine the time he should return box for the first term's holiday. Despite all the adventures of Thony and Cathe, he still remembzred and dreamt of her occassionally. He thought of the sweetness in love dealing, and the past years when he was once a b ~ y friend to a charming girl like Cathe. Be thought of the way Cathe died, he remembered his mother, who .was the guide key of his education. A11 these thoughts did not keep his mind at rest, and he could hardly take any food, and remained adamant and doozy in the class. At the ending e f the term, he came home and fouod his father seriously sick. Being fortunate, he recovered rapidly. Now A n t h ~ n yhad n o chance of treckiog out o r �relaxing, because he had to d o all the house works, hence his mother had died. After doing the hoase work, he had to attend to his studies and later went to bed. HISfather kept a watchful eye upon him, seeking for th; day he should see any g ~ r lwith him. In a.short space of time, he got the letter and he fully Kent through the contents with appreciation. Later he replied thus:Thony lgus bo, Ubulu Communitv Scc. School Dear Father, Yours of. the loth ultimo was got with delightfullncss. l am normal and my sudies seemed moving successfully. I fully support your marrying another wife, became a person of your calibre won't stay without a wife. Nevertheless, I hope she has returned t o your house, according t o your note. Our vacation is vastly approaching, and I hope to come and see her. Yours loving son, Anthony Iguabo. IGUABO. THDNY'S FATHER MARRIES Another Wife. He got the letter and admired the the wise choice 13 1 �. of his son. Not staying for a good six days from the receipt of the letter, the girl returned to Iguabo's bouse s h e -was full of house work ac:ivities, like Aothony's mother. She was b:autiPul and beard the names, Calo. Ezimmn Iguabo. Her whole aims were to persuade and pkase her husband. When he came home on holidays, he found his father's wife very Symphatetic and tireless io house works. T o these, he said that he had got another mother who should advise aud persuade him once more as his mother did. COMPLETION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION Now Anthony being fortunate had completed his edwcational career and passed his Cambridge Examination, with grade I , He began seeking for job in his town and abroad. His father bein8 popular and wealtby, tried by all means to secure job for him. Unfortunately for him, whenever he wrote for employrneai, the reply of "we regret to state that there is no vacancy" was got. This again ceused terror t o him and he always felt miserable. Anthony stayed for six months before gaining employment under the Jsiokwe County Gouncit as a clerk. Now he was full of life and had a termendous barrier which always kept him pleased. His father never put forth any ebild and worried him greatly. He remembered once more his mother and the miserable life he lived in his game of love with Cathe. �NOWhe had no love again on girls aad never talked or played with any of them. Some girls who again seeked for his love were wondering why be did not respond to their letters and shouts of admiration on him. He worked in this office for six months before m his thoughts were,apin o girls. TKONYAT THEAMBASSADOR HOTELBEFRIENDED AGNES It happened one moonlight night, after the day's work when he went to have some drinks at the Ambassador Hotel Isiokwe, that he met a charming girl by name "Agnes" The girl was a student of the Girls Training college Abutu, and was on holidays. She was very charming like Cathe, her appearance very romantic and eyes deemed as a person who is caught by alcoholic drinks. Anthony steered at he and beckoned her to come. When she came, he made himself known to her as Anthorir Amechi Iguabo. An ex-student of the Ubulu Community Secondary school, and at present werking under the Isiokwe County Council as a clerk. She was also very pleased to meet a person like Thony. You know he was a very handsome man from the beginning, of which school girls rushed on him convincing him for his love with them. �lo the hotel, be bought different kinds of drinks and both of them relaxed enjoyously. Thony rememberiog his first adventure, termed it as enthusiastic, despite the fact that i t later resulted to a dramatic turn. Roth of them did the highlife piece supplied by the Ambassador Oance Band. They kissed themselves and Thany remembered the time his dearly beloved Cathe was kissiag him ceaselessly. At this stage he felt unhappy, but wiped it off, by getting another charming girl friend. When tbe dance was over, both of them set for home. Anthony requested the girl to follow him reach his room, which she obviously welcomed. Before they reached home, his father had gone to bed. They entered his room and she requested for Thony's kisses and communication. T o these he bluntly refused and narrated his past adventure with Cathe briefly t o her. She convinced him that since her life she never had a boy friend, but she had seen only the boy to befriend -THONY. She further said that she hoped nothing very dramatical, should result between them. Thony was totaly embarrassed. One miod reminding him of Cathe and how they parted. The other telling bim to �continue his game of jove, of wbigb every individual must play. Patsing these thouehts. he agreed to her request."Well Readers" you know what happens wher! a boy and a girl meet. 'They kissed once more and he escor~edher home. When they were a few yards from her house, she showed him her house, they bad a warm kiss and Thony went back. In the early ho.urs of the morning being unawre of his girl's coming, he suddenly saw a charming figure slippinginto his room. Whom d o you think she was? AGNES! Dear readers, this time she was crowned queen of the whole kingdom, because of her applarance, and her face shining like a glittering gold. Thoay was shocked because of his father, who never koew this. He advised her not to make any sigos showing that he was with a girl. # Once more they shut the door and eojoyed the real "Faculties of love dealing" which led to Cathe'e death. She could hardly help staying longer as they went on deepcr and deeper. Anthony's father noticing what was going on, felt annoyed, there was no smile on his face, his bead thrown forward in deep thoughts and with one hand suppor~ing his chin. Anthony escorted her not knrwing that his father had realised his love again with Agnes. When he was back, he saw his daddy in a wrong mood. "What is wrong with you daddy" he asked. He sat motionless without a single word spoken to him. 37 �AGNES-BACK TO THE SCHOOL. Now this girl had to go back to the sc6ool without Anthony's consent, because since their last meeting none of them had visited the other. On reaching the school she wrote, thus:Agnes Okonkwo. A, G. T. C. Abutu. near sweet-heart, lnfact I a u l d say you were annoyed for not informing you before I left for school. In view of the obvious contradictions of educational concerns, I am yours for ever. No man should ever touch or see the soft balls on my breast, which have been reserved for you-ever. Your entertaioment to me at the Ambassador Hotel was beyond my imagina~ion. I assure you of my keeping to my promise that I am always yours. Don't be annoyed or feel lenelinebs for I shall come home soon on holidays. Bear in mind, do not shine your love on any other girl. Yours in return should be delightful welcomed. I dm, Yours ever, Agnes Okonkwo. �This letter arrived and he admired it. Then followed the writing and posting of letters to each of them. Oace again, the girl was in towa on holidays. She visited Aothony and met his father. He was as steady as the statue. Anthony noticing that his father was not after their love, continued the real love with her. They communicated, kissed and played. Imagine, Dear readers! Anthony forgot his first adventure, the outcome in love dealinc, the miserable life he lived for loved sake, If I a m not mistaken. "Accident does not ring bell when it comes" As Tennyson said that "wben he laughs at mens follies, hc prouds them to re-call or rethink, the truth is by nature ironical. Love is a game that comes from heaven some said. To Anthony all were just as sweet as honey. They continued being in love for quite a considerable time. Anthony could hardly work in the office. Every minute, his thoughts were on Agnes. He sometimes saw her in a vision embrassing and kissing with him, while in the office. AGNES IN A FAMILY WAY Now Agnes had only a year to stay more in the school, but her love for Thony even debarred her from further studies, hoping that he should marry her unfailingly. "Hellow Readers1 this time another �tragedy befell Anthony. In a due course the girl went back to the school. Without wasting time she wrote to Anthony, a ~ d in return gave a quick he reply. rhey continued writing each other, till Agges ceased replying or writing to him. What was the cause Readers? She saw herself in a family way. This state put her a in wonderful thought, dec~ding what her parents would d o to her. either t o abandon her o r might not allow her continue her educat~onafter the ch~ld's birth. She was full of earthly misconceptions. She thought of going to a native doctor. During this time Anthony never know what was happening. A t last she decided of consulting a native doctor should be better and she first wrote to Anthony informing him openly of the pregnancy. before packing frcm the school for home. The day he got the letter was as if a sword was pierced through his heart. He sat motionlessly in the office, with one hand supporting the head. H e thought of his last adventure, Cathe and his mother. He thought of what. would become his. father's feelings. Afterwards, he took permission from the Chairman of the Council and went home. On reaching home he began to mourn bitterly, without even making his father aware of what had happened. In a short space of time,, heqsaw Agnes in �his room. H tried to deny having knowledge of th: t pregnancy, but all were in vain. DISCUSSIONS. WITHIN AGNES AND TRONY Aclasc Agnes dec1rared:- My dear,.dcnia\ would net. help u . Instead we find a substitute for it. What s. suggestiou d o you think could release us from this dramatic moment, hence we are already trapped? asked Anthony. I suggest it will be better to meet a native doctor, to find some means of dialuting it. That's good, but whom d o you think is thc b:st frirnd native doctor here? Let's go to that b a n living at the Ugwuogba bush. a few miles from here. Ile is said to be the best native doctor in this town. THONY AND AGNES WENT TO A NATIVE hetors Home. Both of them set for the man's house. Readers it will be abortiw.if I leave the doctor's name unmeatiooed, because his name coincides with the cause ef their coming to his house. His name was "Umu nwanye adero mma".. Qn-maahing there they asked him his name and hexaid "Umu owanye adero mrna" This struck Agoco deeply and Anthony thought of this man's name as jeopardeous. They explained what brought them t o this house and be told Anthony �that he had such fiasco with Cathe before and as such his name "Umu nwanye adero mma" had narra ted the end of Agnes. He asked, does it mean that Agnes should die? Unfailingly, replied the doctor. They begged him to try and know whether through bis medical powers could save her life. He told them that notbing could save her life. They still begged him. H then charged e them the sum of £82 (thirty two pounds) but told them that he should not bear any responsibility for any result. They both agreed firmly. Anthony paid the £32 and he gave her tbe first medicine. NOTE Anthony's father was not aware of all these. likewise Agiles's parents. The doctor toldLAnthony to go back and return in the evening, so that if Agnes recovered both of them should then go. Aathony agreed, left Agnes there and went home. On reaching home he sat on his bed and ponderiog over these fatal conditions around him, with tears flowing from his eyes ceaselessly. THONY BACK TO THE DOCTOR'S HOUSE It was not quite five o'clock than he set again for the doctar's house. On the way his thoughts were only on.Agnes, shivering and pondering what could be the result wheo he reached there. On reaching there, he could only see the corpse of Agnes lying in �bed. He could not talk, neither was he able to stand up. He stood motionlessly gazing at her. At last h? told the doctor, "See, you have killed my dear one". The doctor interrogated, did. I not tell you that I should not be responsible for any outcome? You shogld then remit my £32 back to me. S o out now before I slaughter you to pieces, replied the doctor. Cooling for some midutes, he ordered the doctor to give him same medicine wbich could end also his life. The dactor charged him also, and surrounderd the medicine to him. He quickly ran out leaving Agnes's corpse there and reached home with nervousness. THONY KILLS HIMSELF FOR LOVE'S SAKE. On reaching home, he took a piece o f paper and wrote:Father! I die because of my Agnes. I ha;e considered it fantastic to live without her: She died in a native doctor's house, by name "Umu nwanye adero mma" Perhaps you might have 'known bim Daddy good-byc. I Yavewme to meet my late mother M) c&! a& Agnes too. May my soul rest in peace May.you hold your peace We shall see to part no more! �dear Readers, you have seen the I girls. Take for example, this :his boy who would have grown io oyalty, wealt hyness and intellectual ~ t h .(a) Thony was no more alie cloved girl-friend. (c) H lost hi e es seriously sustained by both fa i father, Iguabo was among. Ily, the most of all, he (Tbooy) nd died. So, my advise to boys of of ladies" mostly school ones you cheap. CHERIO! CYRIL UMUN. &llias Institutions 35 Bida Road, �-- BOOKS PUBLISHED BY Njoku and Sons -. I 3s I. My seven daughlen a n after young boys 2 Why b. ys of nowadays don't marry in time 2/6Q 2/6d 3 How to make love with boys 4 h a r e of women 2/6d 5 How to eet a ladv i n love 2/@ 6 How Tshombe aqd Mobutu regmttrd after the death 3w 1 of Lumumba 7 How to play love 3/6d 8 Life itory of boys and girls 9 How to write love letters 3/6d 1 How to know Hausa, Ibo, English and Yoruba 3/60 0 I I HOW to write Better letters. applicat ons and 31bus~nesrletters 12 Nigrrian bachelor's guide and lady's guide 2/@ 13 How to write good E n g l ~ s h @ , ~ y n p j q ~ a '9''-.Ire 3/6fJ 2/& 14 A guide to marrisp d m IS Salutation is not love , I 2/6d 16 Why b o p don't trust their girl friends 2/6d 17 No eondition is p ~ m a w t I 8 The p m e of love and how to play it 2 Md 19 Ncvcr trust ;I1 nowadays 2/6d 3 !.4L g 7 -=AL. APPLY WITH 3d STAMP FOR OUR CATALOGUE AND BECOME ONE OF OUR SUCCESSFUL CUSTOMERS. Sender your Orders to: NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP - 3 c/o 6 Aroadizodu Stnet, F e w Onitrha Nipria. - u Val W r n , m.w,(UTIU. 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 They died in the game of love Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Umunnah, Cyril 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 ca. 1960 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.c3264 Description An account of the resource 'They Died in the Game of Love' exemplifies the quintessential form of Onitsha Market Literature. It includes advice and wise sayings, letter writing, warnings against women, a picture of a European couple, and a romance that ends (obviously) with the death of most of those involved. It all serves to “advise boys of our youth” and cautions readers to “Beware of Ladies mostly school ones otherwise they buy you cheap,” (pg.44) The advice on good behavior, particularly on how one can identify good boys and girls, is repeated in many other pamphlets. The romance story in They Died in the Game of Love follows the Onitsha “formula” quite closely. Thony, a desirable schoolboy, is walking one evening when he receives a letter from a girl he does not know. Thony exchanges letters with the girl, Cathe, and they begin “Love dealing.” (pg.16). The couple proceeds to exchange gifts, favors and letters without parental knowledge or approval until Cathe is pregnant and gets kicked out of school. She dies from complications, and the two sets of parents get into an argument. Thony’s mother dies of injuries (either emotional or physical) received during the argument. Despite this, Thony soon develops a relationship with another girl. This young woman dies from complications of an abortion performed by the infamous “native doctors.” Thony then commits suicide. The pamphlet ends with a warning from the author of the dangers that stem from playing the game of love. Umunnah writes, “Well dear Readers, you have seen the bad effects got from girls...imagine this boy who would have grown into a position of loyalty, wealthiness and intellectual happiness of his youth. (a) Thony was no more alive. (b) He lost his beloved girlfriend. (c) He lost his mother,” (pg.44). The author suggests that this could happen to all young men who seek corner-corner love, (pg.5). 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/2f2cc7b38abbefc0d2e6f603746ad2eb.pdf 85033e5080df006fc869570739612474 PDF Text Text HOW TO PLAY LOVE '.*:- Miss Helen Nwamma A Wonderful Lady. ��AY 'LOVE STEPHEN'S DRAMA SERIES COMPILED BY FELIX hr. STEPHEN (NOVELIST AND DRAMATIST) Copyright strictly Reserved. 2$ N. O . N j o k u. Send your Orders to:- Njoku cE. Setas B ~ ~ b h o p C/o No. 17 Nnewi Street, ONITSHA - NIGERIA. �%% %%X%X% Printed by Chinjelu Printing Press, No. 1 Iweka Road, Onitrha - Nigeria. % : g % '*c' �PREFACE This is a book which deals mainly on the requirements of love and particularly, the type existing between men and women. It is indeed a very interesting piece of drama, desgnied to suit both the young and the aged. Like my other drama books, I am confident, that readers will be interested, since [he price a t which it is sold, is cheaper. than what the book really contains. The play is entirely imaginary and thus, all the characters are purely fictitious and relate to 03 1 existing persons. FELIX N. STEPHEN. he ~ u t h o r . �HOW TO PLAY LOVE CONTENTS Act Reply from comfort to uba Uba writes to another girl Act one ( Scene 2 ) housand and wife Act ' ' ( Scene 3 ) Abel and his lover ( Enter Onyeuku ) Act one ( Scene 4 ) ( Enter Nneka, Onyeuku's wife Act one ( Scene 5 ) Act two ( Scene One Act two (Scene 2 Act three ' ' ' ' One Act ‘“‘ "'c two ' ' three 'Scene four C ' L S 3 Act four Scene 4 ' 6 6 1 Page. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE UBA J ( 3 ) SEARCH O F L O V E N UBA: I must learn how to chast. I like beautiful ladies. 1 must play love and will, not care what people may say. I saw a beautiful girl yesterday, who is a lady teacher. I must 'not waste time in writing to her, now I "begin" Government School, Jos Nigeria, 4 1 -62. Dear Heavenly Comfort, Indeed it is with deep pleasure that I write you this letter which 1 think will come to you as a surprise. *Butyou must excuse my forwardness. - - Definitely, you d o not know me and I seem to grasp, how you will feel to read a letter of a person whom you have not known before. Infact, "Love" has forced me to give you my warm admiration. 1 am a student a t above address, studying f o r my Cambridge. My name is Uba and I am popularly known as "Social boy" Infact, my position will suit you. i met you yesterday during my school hour. but could not say anything as I was tongue tied, hence this cote. I shall not waste my time to 'request you this. Please will you be my lover? Hence you have known that "Love is a powerful magnet that drows two souls tc?gether2'. N o need of rejecting me. Infact, I would dedicate my whole life to you .should " Yes " be returned and 1 assure you that I shall be yours for ever and ever. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Kisses frow, b b a the social boy. A REPLY FROM COMFORT TO UBA. Comfort Nwaeke, C. M. S. School, Awara Town, 15- 2 - 62. Dear Uba, Infact, your missive surprised me indeed. Please, do not address me again either in public or by any other means. You are mistaken if you consider me t o tolerate such nonsense, I would have handed that letter to my parents but due to what it will bring upcn your career I stopped. But if you address me in any way again, I shall not hesitate to lay the whole matter to my parents. 1 am, C. Nwaeke tough girl. UBA WRITES T O ANOTHER GIRL. Uba the social Boy, Government School, Jos- Nigeria, 26 2 62. - - Dear Pauly, 1 do not know how to begin this letter as I have only met you last night. The thought of f r i e n d s h i p makes me feel quite uneasy, infact, wants to crazy me. �HOW TO .PLAY LOVE Oh! Pauly! iVil1 you drow me nearner and let me touch your smooth body and glance s t your hairy hands? In fact, a lock at your brown eyes and your pointed nose will remove all thc devils of my foolishness and make me to be the happiest man ever lived. Do not allow me to run mad because of you. Pleare, what I want from you is your sincere !ove, kindly love me as I love you. Hence, you have known that "Love is a WARM AFFECTION". Kindly take the enclosed photograph and glance at me and see whether I am not handsome. I am wa,iting to hear "YES" from you, my dear Yours Beloved. Uba the social boy. This time Paulinah did not respond. Uba waited and waited and could not get any reply. Uba: I will tiever write to any girl for friendship again hence, this Paulinah did not reply. It will be better for me to speak to any girl orally o r personally rather than wasting my time in writing. I d o not know what prouds these our modern ladies, is it because they are beautiful or have I a bad luck for getting them. Infact. 1 d o not know what to do just to get a lover. Shall I consult a native dsctor about it? O! No, I shall never d o it, for my mates did not consult a doctor before they got theirs. Yes. I must. speak to this girl coming in front of me now. I have met her some where before. Her name is Helen. I hope to win her lev-., wrely I must. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Excuse me Helen. Helen: Yes my Lord, what can I d o for you ? Aba: Listen to you Helen, I must be sincere. Your beauty is one of the charming that I had tver come across. lt docs not in any way occur to me that I should get alone in life, without looking once or two times at your face, everyday. In age, we seem to be mates and in other spheres, I d o not think myself very much below the average, when speaking particularly, in the terms of achievement in the circle of mates, Love is something which is inevitable. It is indeed like death. Some people take it as a type of game. But I regard.it as someihing very helpful i n the day to day life of minkind. I t solves certain problems which money may not even be able to solve at times. True love will always speak for itself since it has such a very wonderful magnetic influence that can even draw a lion, as ferocious as it is, out of its own den. For me to talk very much a t length just now, might give you wrong opinion of my person from the oneset. Thus, 1 have perfectly determined. to control myself while speaking..In short, 1 would like to have your love. Helen: Can that be the. reason for this long sermon of yours? Uba: y e s my dear, for I quite realise that it takes women some time ro be convinced to agree to a request. It might even be to their own desire. But, they will still dailly-dally over it. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Helen: Yes, it is because, in those days we had not known and so. took men serious in all that they spoke t o us. But now, just as the day breaks and another date comes, we are gradually coming to the realisation of the facts and figures. The days of flattery, seem to be going away. especially in my own case and as far as my affairs with men are concerned. You said that I am'biautiful. Naturally, ahy woman with such makeups as I have now, will surely look attractive. I mbst besincere to you, for I d o not like to say many things and mean only a few of them. It is not an easy thing, to secure my love. There are certain terms that I go by. If you are really serious, then, I can tell them t o you. Well, if after hearing and you wish to get along with me, then you may have to d o so. But where otherwise, J shall be fully prepared to take my own way, without any atom of regret. Uba: I have actuaily heard you say that you are tough and I presume i t is so. In any case, one thing that surprises me the more, is that many tough people d o not easily reveal themselves as such. Whatever be the case, I would not mind informing you tbat 1 am. equallj tough. I have my own principles, set down ones too. From them, I do not hope to go back please say on, for I shall be very much prepared to hear. As strong as the laws of nature are, yet, they are kept. I am sure too, to meet up, with your own requirements. Helen Indeed, you are right. The first is that, you should have. no other friend, male o r female. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Uba: If it is only a question of not getting another female friend, I shall be able to d o so. But, that of dissociating myself from my fellow men, is something that might need a second thought. Helen: I t then, means, that you are not prepared, for the business. Is that correct? Uba: It is not so! I am fully prepared. Helen: Why then not agree to my first proposition? Uba: Male friends are very useful. Something about love-making, cannot be solely relied upon since it is plausible. Well, 1 shall be prepared to d o so since it 1s your wish and 1 have a strocg desire to make love with you. Helen: That is very good of you. 1 d o not like any person making love with me, to have ma!e friends. For, they might deceive him and thus, our love gets shattered. But remember very well, that you are uot the first person to contact me, over this. However, since you have been able to go through the first step there is every likelihood of your succeeding in the affair. It is this. that has knocked out many people who came up to ask for my love. I Uba: If it be thy will that 1 shall succeed, then, ' shall have t o be one of the happiest men. Helen: Thesecond, is that I will not like to have anything from you, in the form of presents either in cast or in kind, Uba: Well done my beautiful lady. This is where you differ very much from other women. �HOW TO LOVE PLAY Helen: N o t only that, I shall be prepared, to defray some part of your expenses. Uba: Thank you very moch. It appears as if God pushed me on, to you. Helen: Just hold on a bit! I shall buy all clothes that you may need Uba: May ,God bless you more and more. I had not even thought that I would in life, meet with such a fortune. That next prevents me from dismissing my male friends and then, havicg you right away? Afterwards they are not doing anything for me. They are only o.ut to exhaust my pocket. Helen: My father left an estate for me, when he died and it is from there, that I will be giving you some money for busicess. At least, fifty pounds per month. Ubs: O! Goodbye to poverty! Welcome to a tremendous fortune I Who else will have to compare himself in wealth, to me? I shall at once purchase a car and both of us will be driving through the streets of this town. Truly, I shall be known as a big man. Infxt, I do not know what ro say that I shall do for you, when that is executed. N o more! No more! Let our love making begin at once. .What next delays us ? Helen: I shall everi surrender my father's upstair building and both of us live there i n full comfort and entirely free o f charge. bba: If all sounds like a dream. Wheo I begin to consider what it will all have to look like. I become very much filled up with joy, May heaven bless you again! Are your parents now old? - - 11 �ROW TO PLAY LOVE Uba: My mother is fourty this year while my father is sixty ,five. Helen: Have you got some brothers and sisters? Uba: Yes my dear. Two sisters and one brother. At any rate. all of them are still schooling. Helen: Well, the third step is this; Uba: Lest I forget. My wife is also with me, but she has not yet given birth to any child. Helen: That is very good. The next and final step, is that since I drink nothing else than blood, you should be going out dally to bring people for me. Your father whom J am to take as a slave, will be busily engaged, cutting off their heads and filling cups with blood, For me to drink. In addition, he will be carrying me on .his back, from the parlout, to the bath room and when to finish taking my bath, he brings me back. Your mother's head will be cut off by your father. Your wife's head will also be treated like that. Both of these, will be kept in the bathroom. While taking my bath I shall stand my right foot on the skull of your mother and the left, on the skull of your wife. I n order to get an efficient service from your father, he will be casterated. You must disown your brother and slsters. Uba.: This is yet one of the most wonderful state of life, 1 have ever come across As a matter of fact, I need a lover and I am desirous of having one earliest. I had fixed it within my mind, that I would have no any other lady but you. All the same, I cannot tell you lies. I love my n1o:her very much. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Blood is very thick. I am sufe ~ h a tif you pinch yourself, you might go to experience the pain and then agree that it would not be all that proper, to pinch another person. For me therefore to kill her and give you her head as a type of stool while taking jour bath, is a thing which I d o not deem very possible. My father is quite precious to me. Helen: Please remember that we shall only be for and nothing like marriage, will love mskir~g have lo come in. Uba: There you are my only beloved lady. It then means that 1 might not have more shares. My profit might only have to be some type of sweat. It is true that there may be children or not, But none of them will have to take me as 3 legitimate father. On the whole, I shall have t o be at a loss. My brother is somebody who is very dear t o me and it is sure that he will have to relieve me when my days or this earth, might have finished. Coming to n y sisters whom you say that I should disown, I wish to let you know that this cannot be all that possible. Truly. money is a very essential thing, but it cannot force me t o do away with what might be against the actual commandments of God. I shall be laughed a t by men. God will not like it. Again, I cannot because of the purposes of making love, go to be a murderer or encourage anything relating directly or indirectly, t o the kill. of people. My approach of you, might have been somehow misdirected. Please. pardon me l own my error. If you might have somehow been used to this type of evil, I positively . �HOW TO PLAY LOVE maintain before you, that I am just a novice. Please. I can now say goodbye to the request that I had earlier made. I shall alwaysicontinue to be liking you. Distance might have to be no barrier to our relationship which is just, but, growing. Other people who are ioterested may g o t o usbject themselves to your conditions, but. 1 shall not. ACT ONE (SENE 2 ) HUSBAND A N D WIFE Agnes: My dear husband, how do you find it useful, to remain without doing anything quite visible, as to make a better living? Abel: You might not consider yourself correct, to ask me this type of question. You may appreciate that since you came to my house, you had never remained hungry. Everyday, I run about to see how I can manage up to get some money for our food. Left with me alone, I could have been eating in the hotel?, even on I credit. I had many customers with whom I had such an arragement as thal, before your arrival to this house, to bs my wife. It is only about two months ago that you came here. I really consider it too early for you to have already begun to find faults with me. Agnes: Yes my dear, I quite realize that it is really too early for me to -have begun to find faults with you. But I am only talking the truth and what I consider, will help both of us. When you came to marry me, you told my parents, that you were a civil servant on leave. Now, I have come to find out that there is no truth in the statement. Consider now, how woefully disappointed, my parents shall be, if they come to find your statement to them otherwise. But what shall we eat today? 14 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Abel: D o not worry. Even though I have not got a penny in my pocket, yet, I shall not be worried 1 know very well, haw the thing usually comes. God in heaven. will bring something for US to eat. Agnes: Never in my life, had 1 heard of, or seen, any person who sat down and kept on looking for food to come down, from the sky. Even if it might have per chance, been the luck of one man perhaps according to the scriptures, yet I do not bdieve that it is what will apply to each hacd every person. Abel: Infact. I cannot easily tell. what might have becn the sole cause of )!our speech this day. T o me, it appears that love does not mind certain things that could be regarded as serious mistakes If I am even a thief you can hide the fxt away from other people, since any type of shame on me, will also reflect on you. Let us keep on loving ourselves more and more. Trouble shouId pive chance to peace and comfort, so that this our lives can easily be turned into a bright outlook of hope. When I was an irresponsible man, I played life verj well and now that I am responsible, I hope to do everything, carefully. Agnes: How do you think that you are now responsible? Abel: You may not like the result, if you venture to insult me. Agnes: It simply makes me laugh indeed. i have never been trained 10 tell lies and I find it late to begin d training of that type, now. Many of those people whom you call your friends have approached me and busily engaged themselves in trying to force me out of your hands. They say that you are of a questionable character. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Some of them maintain that you are an ordinary rambler. Others say that you are an ordinary deceiver. I must be frank to you. One lady came t o me and told me with every sincerity, that I shall not know the day, that you will like to run away from this house and live in another town. Then she continued, that I shall have to been responsible for the payment of the house rental, If such a thing happens, it simply means that since I am a helpless woman, there will every possibility of my going home to my parents to look for some financial aid from them. How can such a lover, with these q ~ a l i ties be relied upon. It is understood that 1 am not the first woman that you had cunningly brought in. I have also heard that you simply want t o spoil me and to leave me entirely useless in life. 0 dear! when love bears another meaning, from what it normally ought to, then, the sole motive for which that sacred thing was made. is defeated. 1 cannot tell you lies, 1 love you, but, I do not love your ways. Ydu are quite handsome and very presentable. But it should be known very well, that when character is lost, everything seems to have lostalmg with it. This is why I will not like to be in alliance, with any person whose character, seems t o be all that strange. 1 had heard right from childhood, that any woman who gets married to a thief, is alsoa thief But you can only know what that idiom, stands for. I may not have to talk very much again. All that 1 want, is not silver or gold but good character from you. Where you fail me in that, you may not have t o blame me when I bid good- bye to our love and farewel! to a heart which 1would then refer to, as once beloved. 16 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Abel: Look care! I am getting fed up with this type of address. I am sure that you will stop to remind me of the past. When first we met, you agreed very strongly to get married to me. Today, I am simply confused over your present thoughts. Since you have already termed me wicked. I might be forced to deal with you in life manner, so as to agree very well with your opinion about me. If you could have been a bit tactful, I could have hidden away some of my wicked acts and then charged to good. But now, I must have to expose myself to you, in the true form You may be disappointed and thus, begin to great, why you ever attempred to love a man of my own type. It will be such a lesson to jou, that throughout your life time, you will continue to remember it. In the first place, you should realist: tbe fact that I did not force you to love me. Your parents were very happy, to consume my money. They did not say that it came from a wicked man. After keeping me poor, > o a ,low come to discredit me. D o not forget lbat your parents demanded and received one hundred and fifty pounds from me as a bride price on you. Look at it a youngman of my own type without parents. From where else, do you .exp. ect the money for feeding to come? G o then. to your parents. get some money from them and I am eomfident, that it will lead us in maintenance, for some time. Hal ha! ha! I will teach you a lesson and tell you in a language which you'can understand, that you have joked with the wrong man. Meanwhile, let me only go out and be back. I will show you how to treat an insultive fellow. �HOW TO ' PLAY LOVE ( H e goes out ) Agnes: 0 Love! A big deceiver of people! Thou hast got me tied up to a man who appears good, but internally rotten. A very wicked fellow! An imp of misfortune and an ungrateful scamp. He is such a type that will like to cail good, bad. Look at him, telling me how .possible it would be, for food to come to a person who does not like to struggle for it. A thing never done in human history. I wonder how some people reason. H e was talking of s3me hi3 sufferings while attempting'to marry me. Is he the first man to marry a lady? O!No wonder he might have no doubt forgotten thrt he who wishes to have a wife, must first of all, be prepared for it Indeed, it is not joke. What wo'rries my mi~:d much; is the insult that this wretch.has given to my parents. He says that he will tesch me a lesson. Ofcourse, that is the normal way of a crook: J wonder what he means by that. It appears that this man does not seem to realize that he.is a fool. I am determined to !eave him. I have actually made a big mistake by coming to him. He is perhaps makmg some p!ans to undo me, but I shall be ready with mhe, Helen: It is for this reason that 1 have actua!ly decided to try men. Now, I can easily find out that you do not appear to'have meantwhat you said. I do not wish to abandon the taking of blood, simply ,because I have come to you. &in, I do not wish any man with whom.1 am t o be frieodly. to have any other man who is his own friend or brother. The sisters are also to go away. When the man is only ready to satisfj, 'his own wish and forget everything 18 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE about my commandments, T shall not be prepared to have him. Goodbye then my youngman. Farewell to our proposed love. ACT ONE ( SCENE 3 ) ABEL AND HIS LOVER Abel: Get out of this house! Margaret:' Was this how we began the love? It might be anyhow. I will only like you Abel: to go away and tbat is all. Please my dear lady, d o not sta) here, until I come back. Margaret: I actbally have determined to be your wife. Truly, I do not wish to abadon you. There will be no harm, if you only go to cool down yourself for a while. Abel: I would only have to go and pray for death. People must actually d~scredited me for quite a long time. This will surely be the end of my sorrows and like my fore-theres who had bravely resisted any attempts to keep them ashmed, I shall march on and afterwards, history, and nothing but history, shall have to speak of me. It is then that people will have to say that I was once a man who would not like to tolerate the fooleries of a woman. There are some men who may like to tolerate such nonsense as this. But for my part, I consider it nothing short of the abuse of destiny. God himself who created me and brought me into this life, will also hear witness of my actions. Yes, I was forced to marry, when 1 found out tbat many of my own mates have Cone so. But instead of enjoying it 1 found it rather boring. He who can get along w ~ t h bags of insults can do so. I shall not. My heart is seriously aching over this; Life could mean anything to others. 19 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE But for me, it has come to show another thing quite contrary to expectation. I am not a rich man. People like Onyeuku are enjoying themselves and perhaps, if death comes, they might bother. But I am not like that. Everyday, I srt down and look at people enjoying. But I d o not take part. (ENTER O N Y E U ~ U ) Margaret: ( Weeping ) Welcome Sir. Onyeuku: Yes my dear. It appears that you have something worrying your mind. Margaret: I t is nothing else tban love. I only misfired. The man I chose a s my' own lover and husband now wants t o abadon me and 1 d o not know what next to do. Onyeuku: Have you apoloeised to him? Margaret: I have actually done that but it appears that he does want to listen. What next to do, is just beyond my own imagination. Onyeuku: Yes, this why 1 always liketo have money. When a poor man makes love, he does not enjoy it. If you were to be in my house, you could not have felt any type of sorrow. ( Enter Uba ) Margaret: I am prepared to gd away, since all attrmpts t o reconcile have failed. You are only shedding crocodile tears Abel : and that, cannot help you. I am indetd, very sorry for you. Uba: Is it all the same story this way too? A lady coming t o tell me that she would like t o use my mother's head as a stool while taking her bath, is just what I cannot understand. Onyeuku: When did it happen ? �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Uba: It is a very recent talk. Abel: Or else? b b a : , Then there will be no love. Abel: I do not quite understand, what is worrying these ladies. Well, I have taken my own decision. ( Enter Agnes ) Uba: Oho! Here we are again. You blood drinker. Abel: She must have been the fellow. no doubt? Uba: Surely, she is. Abel: Today is my final day in everything relating to the insults of women and everything about their love. (Onyeuku goes away) Uba: I shall be very pleased to have it so, too. T a k e it (He Abel: (Locking the door ) shoots the three and himself too). ACT ONE (SCENE 4) Onyeuku: I am a very happy man in life. At the moment, nothing worries me. As for the money, 1 can say with every assurance, that 1 shall he allowed to take my seat amidst the wealthy people. 1eat.anything that I like and my drinks are costly ones. he money is there and so, I will not like to associate with anything that is inferior. (Enter Ikem, a friend) How are you poor man? Ikem: Yes my friend Onyeuku, 1 admit that I am poor. But as long as I eat well in my house and maintain my family, I assure you that I am equally rich. The fact that 1 have not got a car or erected a skyscraper, does not very much matter. 21 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku. You ought to buy a car so that i t can easily be confirmed, that you have the mokley. For my part, I put on costly dresses and in that way, draw the attention of the enlire public. No wonder, when 1 go on foot, eipecially. when I feel like takmg breeze in the evenings people state at me, as if they have seen a god, 0 my dear! it is pleasant to be a big man. Nothing worries the person and no person has authority over him. Ikem: That might be correct. I, however feel that everybody. whether rich or poor, exists until death the leveller, comes to give its verdict.. Onyeuku: Death or no death, I am no: in the least, perturbed. It is only a poor man who is afraid of death, because he has no money t o cure himself, when sick. In my own case, my money can take me to even the most costly hosp~tal. I can even engage about two or three medical doctors to take charge of my health. Thus. sickness will run away acd so. death too, will be afraid to come near. Ikem: Infact my friend Onyeuku, I am not a small boy, as you very well know. I had seen some wealthy men let low into the usual six feet of earth, which 1 stronly maintain, can be said to have been the equaliser of all. I hope that you will not dispute this. For, it is an established fact. Really, whenever it is time, there might be no need resisting, since it will be entirely meaningless, so to do. Surely a man of your own experience and age, ought not doubt the truth in what 1 have told you. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE (Enter Nneka, Onyeuku's wife) Onyeuku. My name suits my position very wek O! How I like it! If 1 were called a bigman and in wealth, I had no stand, I could have liked to commit suicide than to remain and be mocked about by each and every fellojr. D o you fail to realize the fact, that a man who has no money is always a friend of everybody, including even a small boy? Ask my wife, I also purchase costly cloths for inorder that my prestige will stand upright. She has more gold than most of her mates and coupled with a superb maintainance, she thus becomes one of the happiest women that ever lived. My dear wife, is it not so? Nneka. You do not seem to be very much mistaken. But, 1 do not quite think, that eatii~g well and dressing very flamboyantly can ktep a person happy all the days of his or her own life. Ikem. My most respected lady, you have actually made a very wise statement. ( Enter Benson, a potter ) Onyeuku. Yes Mr. man, what is your name and how did you maoage to come ht r&? Benson: Master, I have come to you, for some help My wife has just put to bed in maternity and I need money badly. If and only but if, you can manage 10 assit me out of this difficult situation, 1 shall be most grateful. Onyeuku: Ha! Ha! Ha! Perhaps these people think that it was how we got rich. I do not borrow money and will not like to lend :o any person any brass farthing. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE At the moment, I am determined to sue one man who has lived i n one of my plots for six months now, but does not care to pay the rental. Benson: The position might be so sir, Rut, out of human kindness, try, try sir, to help me, Onyeuku: 1 will not help you. The earlier you go away from here, the better. But, how much do you really want from me? Benson: Any amount. not less than two pounds, will be greatly appreciated and I hope to return that, within a fortnight. Onyeuku: Two pounds? Big money indeed! Anyway I[ have not less than ten thousand pounds as fixed deposit in the bank. In my house here there is an amount not below the sum of two hundred pounds in cash. But, sorry! sorry! I will not give out any money to you. Benson: On my knees, I beg sir! ( Shedding tears ) Help me Sir! Onyeuku: I did not weep before 1 became a rich man. Amuse me more and more. Ha! Ha! Ha! Look at his lips and wrinkled face. Money is hard to get. Benson: If you hzlp me, God will reward you sir. Onyeuku: I am not ready ti, help you at all. Benson: Ehl My poor wife and her child. May you not because of them help me a bit? Onyeuku: They may even die and that will be better! Benoon: If that happens, it simply means that more will be added to my sorrows. There might be no money to purchase coffins for them. Onyeuku: Yes, that is exactly what 1 want. You will then be laughed at, much to my own pleasure. Did I prevent you form being rich? 24 �WOW TO PLAY LOVE Infact, where were you, when I gathered my wealth? Alright, let me come down a bit. Dance for me. Benson: ( Dancing ) I hope it will please you Sir and then you may help me, so that I can go back to the maternity and see the woman and her child. For, by now, the woman might have been feeling hungry. Onyeuku: 0 no! There is money right enough as I said before, but I shall not give you. However, let me just see what I can d o now. Benson: Yes Sir! I beg, try Sir. Try and help me. Onyeuku: bring your head. Renson: (Bows ) At your service, my dear Sir. ( Onyeuku cracks him ). Thank you Sir! Onyeuku: Alright! You may now have t o go away. Renson: What about the help, Sir ? Onyeuku: I am sorry my dear youngman. Yon might very well appreciate that I am not a money-lender. Really. I suffered before getting whatever you now see me use. I will alse like everyother person to sweat very well for cash. G o away! Get away at once! Benson: After all these sufferings received, should I still go away without your help? Onyeuku There is no help at all! ~o!co!away I say! Benson: Thank you very much. God is alive and will be the judge. Onyeuku: Come if what may! My money is there! Benson: Let it be ( He leaves ) Onyeuku: Ssrvanr! ( Servant enters ) Give me one bottle brandy. ( The drink is served and he begins ro take. ) 25 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Nneka: You might not have bten quite rig'it . in treating the poor man in that way. Onyeuku: That is not my concern. I must be hard hearted, since 1am not owing any person. - Ikern: I have no other statement to make. But if 1were you, I should not have like that. Onyeuku: I have obeyed my own conscience and that is all about it. (Exeunt) (ACT ONE SCENE 5) Benson: This is yet, one ofthe most inhuman type of treatrnent,erer given to mankind. That I can go to a wealthy man for some aid and after being subj,cted to series of humiliations, would s:ill come home, just as I had left. 0 God! Why keep n e alive it1 the world to be toyed about, by each and every person who might have been fortunate to get some cash? My wife is still waiting for me. Truly, everybody realises what it is, for a moth:r to be with her child in a maternity. O! no food m i no money to buy some! What next, should I do? MY hopes, now seem, to have been entirely foiled and >haltered to pieces! No help from any source no help at all! But, God is there. (He prays) "0 most gracious Father, who always listens to the cry of His children, kindly come near and help me now. I confide in no other person or thing l know and have also heard of;how far you had !;tlped other people o! I let me be favoured 1ikewi.t-. T h ~ s confidently ask, Amen" Any other thing can happen. - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku or no Onyeuku, since1 have prayed to God, I am happy, For, He never fails. (Enter Joseph, a friend) Can this be you Joseph? Joseph: For many months I had been away to the spanish territory. lnfact I made a lot of profit over there. From the ninet) cases tobacco I broght home, I was able to make a gain of one hundred and ten pounds. This amount of course, exculdes the profit made on the brandy. On the whole, it was a very pleasant trip. I had no difficulty with either the police or the customs watereuard officers. Now my friend, where is your wife Erinma ? Benson: She is now in the maternity. What for ? Joseph: She has recently, given birth to a bouncing baby boy. Benson: Congratulations, my friend Benson: O!The wonders of God, are great! If it were someing to be bought with money, you coulf not have been able to compete with these wealthy and greedy men around us. At any rate, since I shall not be privileged to see her today, (dipping hands into his pocket and bringing our some notes) Take this little amount of five pounds and manage up, until I am chanced to to come back to you. Benson: Thank you very much Joseph. Please, do not fail to turn up on Saturday. For, it is on tbat day, tbat I shall invite friends and wellwishers to my house and all of us will have to rejoice together, over the merciful work of cod to me. Joseph: I hope to be in your house, by then. I still have some revolver and pistol guns, to deliver to customers. 27 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE So,good-bye till then and pass my greetings, t o the worthy woman. finson: I have heard you and I am very grateful, indeed. (Joseph leaves. It is indeed very gratifying, that the fervent prayers of a man of my own type, can thus be easily answered. (He sighs) 0 money ! It was because of you, that I went and vaily suffered every amount of disgrace, toda! . O! when w~ll troubles of this life, cease ? At any the rate, 1 must take h e m . Onyeuku, will not lige forever. (Enter Erinma) 0 b dear. Are you back? l was only preparing t o come for you. Erinma: T o my surprise, a Taxi driver came u p and informed me that your friend Joseph, had paid him, to convey me home ro my husband. I had t o respond at once and together with my child, B:ns oncame home. Thanks be to God, that you are back to this house. ( Exeunt ) ACT TWO ( SCENE ONE ) Onyeuku: (sitting in his parlour, smoking a pipe and with a cup of wine in hand ). I wonder when these poor men, will cease from worrying me. Ha! ha! ha! I created one of them, in the most contemptuous manner, last time. He was talking of his wife. Does he not know that I also have a wife ? Nonsense! Enter Ude, Debtor ) Yes, thanks be to whatever demon that might have brought you here today. where is my money? 1 mean the rental, that you owe me? I am Porry Sir. Infact, I d o not have the money here and I beg you io allow me some days, to look for it. 28 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku: Shut up your mouth! I actually have the right t o slap you just now and cover up every thing,with my money. D o you agree that you are my slave right now? Ude: Yes, my Lord. Onyeuku: What I what, is my mofiey. Ude: I have not got it sir. Please consider my plea. Onyeuku: 1 don't Lazy man1 I cannot consider you. What I know, is that you must Pay me today and just now. If nor, you will not step out of thisroom. I will not mind, beating you !o death. Ude: 1 beg you Sir. Onyeuku: Perhaps you not understand what I am saying. Where is my money? Ude: It is not here Sir: Onyeuku Did it run away? Ude: N o Sir. The fa'ct is that I cannot produce i t today Sir. Onyeuku: A Lazy fellow. I wonder why there should be very many lazy people, these days. I will teach you a lesson today. I can even kill and skin you. Afterwards' 1 bury your corpse or leave it for the vulture and use your skin in making a drum, which I will use in entertaining myself, when I want t o add more t o my own comfort. Poor fellow, I am indeed sorry for you., Be sure, that your family will no longer enjoy your company He handles a big stick and Ude escapes). I am sorry that thsi idiot of a man, has escaped. However,it is not difficult to get him round. I wish to d o as already planned. meanwhile, let me sit down and think properly over how to catch and kill him. If possib!e, I can even drink his blood. I want to be as hostile as possible, to any poor man, who comes across iny way. (He sits.down puffins his pipe. 29 �HOW TO FLAY LOVE The wine is still on the table, when death d:essed up in a black suit, entered and stood opposite him). Who are you my man? Death: I am death. I: do not joke, as you might have heard. Onyeuku: It a p p e a r s then, that you might have made a mistake to enter my house. 1 do not want you now. But can i help you and is their anything wrong? Death: (Looking very grave) I did not make any mistake: Is vour name not Onyeuku ? Onyeuku: Sure 1 Onyeuku is my name. Death: What else? I have proposely come to take you. Therefore, prepare at onc and follow me. Onyeuku: ( Sweating 2nd throwing away his pipe) Might there be not mercy? (Looking quite subtle). Drath: (appearing more serious with eyes open). If need be. Onyeuku: Please, what should I do, to cease the situation ? Death: (In a deep tone). Time is flying. 1 have been trained, not to joke with my time. Onyeuku: Although no human being trifles with you and you are not prepared to waste any time, yet, it would be something of unparallelled kindness, ifyou can only, out of goodwill, allow me give some directives, to the members of my family. Truly, everybody fears you and I am no exception. lnfact, I respect you. The truth is that, you do not appear as wicked, as people think you are. Death: (Smilling a bit with one of his eyes, slighly open). Infact, if it were not that, I am duty bound, to safeguard my own business, I could have left you, scotch free. 30 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE But. I cannot help it. As a matter of fact, you are among the few wise people, who admit that 1 am in some cases, kind. Onyeuku: (With some smiles). I have found out that1 cannot escape this. But, still, [ plead that you give me scme days, so that I can hold some discussions with the members of my family. Death: But earlier, I underst'ood that you would resist me. For that, 1 came with full force, to meet you face to face, so as to know who is more powerful than the other. Onyeuku: (Smiling.) Even in dreamland, I cannot tell you or any other person, that I am your equal. I am a weak cre.iture. Infact, such that cannot stand you in any angle. Death: Well, I am happy to hear this. Onyeuku: Furthermore, you know that man, has enemirs. One of the people who my downfall, could come t o you and tell you anything that will make you angry over me. I take you as my master and f r i e ~ d . Dra:h: Though I scarcely go back to my decision, yet, in view of your kind work about my person, I have granted you some days t o have a word with your Fanily..Will you appreciate that I' am kind enough? Onyeuku: Drfinitely, youare! I am grateful indeed. Death: (Smiling and nodding). Remember that I must come. Perhaps, your people who might be laughing now, will then be weeping and gnashing their teeth, on thitt terri- �HOW TO PLAY LOVE ble day. Surely, it is by then, that you will have t o remember your past performances. Meanwhile. let me go and take some rest. I have done a lot of work today. Not less than five hundred people are t o obey me tomorrow. Onyeuku: Safe journey Mr Death. Death: ( With a very low tone ). Thank you very much, Mr Onyeuku. (Exit Death) Onyeuku: ( Pondering ). Thus, man shifts fromthe life of splendour, to agony. That man w~ll be interviewed by death, a monster of that nature, face to face, still appers t o me, as one of the mysteries, yet to be solved be experts in anthropology. For, besides them, none other, can. (Foldmg his arms and with his mouph, wide open, face looking pale with fear). But, how will this type of news sound in the ears of the members of my family? How will the entire public, react to it? Members of my family, might take me serious. It is also likely, that they may feel, that l am telling them lies or cracking jokes. For, no living man can one day confirm that he or she, bad never debated with death. How! How will it be? But was it in dreamland? No. my eyes were c!ear. The figure might be back soon. No need wasting time. For I am no longer, a free man. (Exit) ACT TWO (SCENE TWO) Nneka: I wonder why my husband Onyeuku, has not come to the dining room for food. It is now fifteen minutes after two o' clock. Emeka: Dad, rather seems late to luncheon today. Nduhuisi: I am surprised to see that my brother Onyeuku eats more food, these days. In the �HOW TO PLAY LOVE past, he did not attach importnce to afternoon meal. (Enter Onyeuku, looking sad and disgusted) Ada: Papa, I wonder why you chose to punish me today. You very well know, that I cannot eat in your obsence. Onyeuku: I am very sorry for that, my little daughter Ndubuisi: That might not be correct. 1 also thought so at first But later on, I found out that both the sellers and the buyers, were all victims of the gloom. Onyeuku: (Smiling). When a man sees what is by fat' greater than he can bear there will be no alternative, than to yield. Ikem: Yield to what? T o what! I say! No! Not me forever. ( Emptjing a tumbler of bear). Nneka Of course, it depends upon the circumstance. Ikem: (Emptying anolhcr tumhler of bear ). I care less for m y type of circumstance I damn the consequence. Onyeuku: (Standing up). Let us be serious. Infact I have only some day more to live. I am already a dead mnn. Ndubuisi God forbids. Ikem: I wonder why you try to joke over serious matters. How will such a dream as this come truet when you are not sick, even now. that a fun! Never in histcry, had any persol1 known when to die. Ada: O!papa, d o not say so! If you die now, who will help mum to care for us? (Onyeuku shndding tears and looking at his - children. ) Emcka I am indeed s~:rprised.I do not know uhat nex! to do. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Nneka My husband actually means his speech. Ndubuisi Certainly, he is serious. Ikem: Serious over what? T o die how? My bcs3m friend to die. How does know.? Onyeuku It was rewaled to me. ( All of them burst into tears. Exeunt Act 2 ( Scene I ) Entered Death and Four of his Messengers. Death: (Pinting at one old man). Get hold of him be has spent very many years on earth. Old man: Am I the oldest man today? Death: Shut up your mouth and obey me at once. ( The man dies). 1st Msger: T o where again Sir? Death: G o to the market and get up to so people. Second messenger should go to the Ocean and sink the ship, make sure that many people were got. Tbird messenger should be in the air and crash aeroplanes, while the fourth goes to cause motor accident. I shall go personally to Onyeuku and get him to my Kingdom. All: Your orders must be obeyed Sir, They go while Death makes for Onyeuku's residence. (Exeunt) Act 2 (Scene two) Ooyeuku: Neither sorrow, n o r tears, can disuade death from executing his evil intentions. It is now necessary that I must be separated from you. "Death is an inevitable end of man horn af a woman, and must come. when it will. All that I pray is that my memory should remain indelible into your memories for my part, it is now finish with existence. Act 2 (Scene Two) Onyeuku: Oh, but if I were a bachelor, I could have happily gone away; knowing that 1 have �HOW TO PLAY LOVE nothing to think of. Now, the situation is different. There is no iota or doubt, that this tragedy, will be a big blow to my family; friends and relatives. Oh, death! Thou wickcd monster that will always refuse to be bribed. I am now at your mercy! Take me to any place that you might deem fit, for it is 'through you: that I shall get to my fore-fathers. Only some hours more to go. Poor, Onyeuku will no more eat, or drinlc. Ooly some months more to go, the memeries of Oayeuku, will all be forgetten. It is sure that I must be taken by the cold lands, of death. Bravely however, I shall confrmt it all as others had. Perhaps, it is time. Oh! the memory of my children who will be left as orphans pains me greatly. The die is now case: Terrible! Oh! How painful it is to part from loved once! This i s question of must. (Enter Nneka, Ndubuisi, Emeka, Ada) Nithher tears no sorrows can cease the situation. Ndubuisi: This talk again? Onyeuku: You might sesse from bzing a Thomas when everything is pracrically dzrnonwated Well Emka it is up to you to comfront your mother Nneka brust into tears ) Stay well with your sister too. Although you seem too young to manage a family, just now yzt the will of fate and dsting must be obeyed. Ada: Papa when will you return? �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku: O! tender child, Quite ingnorant of what is being said! ( Ndubuisi ) folds his arms and looks at his brother in surprise) My only daughter, when is time, you will meet me there. (Enter Ikem) Onyeuku: My house shou!d not be kept in confusion when the tragic period comes, 1 have uever been a confusionist. Ikem: The death will spare wicked men and easily take the quite ones is something that greatly baffles my intelligence. O! Onyeuku, Is this the way in which we are to part? Death! come too! come I say and take me away. What next are you leaving me for. Onyeuku: If were something that can be prevented by force or money, I would have tried my best. But as it is, I stand confused now as to what else to do than to obey the call. Since all of are preseni, and are quite aware of the entire catastrophe, I shall not regard myself as some body who might have dsed intestate., I now declare in the presence of living witness that I bequeath my estate to my son Emeka, there is no atom of doubt that everything is now, settled. Things may be however what they seem. I shall be the last man to be all that worried, since death is the lot of all human beings, ( Exeunt ) Act Three Scene One Benson: Ladies and gentlemen, I have assembled all of you to this place, so ?hat you can come along and share the joy of the day, with me. Each and every one of you can easily tell, what it is, to heve a wile, who might have safely �HOW TO PLA LOVE given birth to a child infact, it is for that purpose, I have determined not to be alone, but to be in merriment, with you. There might be money or not. But, it will be much to my own pleasure to afford the little presents that I have. Life may be hard or soft. But, I am solely determined, to conquer, all the difficulties, in my way t o success. (They cheer him ) As a matter of fact, I could have been very much let down. But as a resuit of true friendship, I had nothing t o lose. Jasper: We have actually heard a great deal cf your sayings. Even though that be the case, I am opined that things should go in the right form. However, 1 d o not blame you at all. At ?he same time. it will be unfair of me, to pounce upon your opponent, merely for the sake of satisfylog your own very desire. At any rate. I am pleased over the way, in which things are going, at the moment. Your entertainments, I shall have to take. Thank you very much. Joseph. It is true, that I tend t o be one of the most significant figures here, when talking in terms of those, who are somehow. related to Benson. It cannot be disputed, that both of us are quite friendly. Truly, about the most intimate of friends, that might have ever existed. Some people are actually well to do. There are others too, who are not all that. Whatever might have been the case, it wi!l not be advisable, for one section. parrlcularly the wealthy side, to despise the poor. For every body is levelled. by six feet of earth, which ought to be for all. - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Benson: Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am sayinp without any type of prejudice, that some of these people, who think that money can d o everything for them, might be a bit mistaken. I have no doubt, that you might have heard of or even known, one Onyeuku, 1 actully approached him, when 1 was in a type of financial difficulty. Truly, he subjugated me to series o f , tortures and in the end, made a ridicule, of it all. I am not determined to blame him. But then, he ought to have been in sympathy, with my own situation and then, reconsider my stand, in the .whole affair. At any rate, I am not in the least, perturbed. Jasper: Let the ugly past be forgotten. I have no doubt that the Almighty God, will d o his wish. Joseph: That also, is my own plea. All t h a t ~ I ask, is for God's own protection, over this woman ( Exeunt ) and her child forever. ACT THREE ( SCENE TWO ) Death: Mr. Onyeuku, I have now come! ~ n y e u k u : I have actually found out that I cannot resist. Take me therefore, to anywhere, that you will. Nneka: Master! I understand that your name is Death. Will you please not mind pardoning my husband? Death: In Fairness of it my dear lady, business is to business. I am sure, that you will not l ~ k e joke over your business. Thus, tbisis mine infact, I cannot help it a t all. Your husband must be taken away. Hiscut is now full. When it is your own time too, you will undoubtedly have to come along. No amount of plea, will disuade �HOW TO PLAY LOVE me from my own determination. As a matter of fact, 1 helped him very much. In reality, I. d o not inform people when I wish. t o visit them. But Oiyeuku is the man that I like very much and it will be very unfair t o snatch him away from his family, without notice, hence I gave him a hint to prepare. Ndubuisi: Does it then go to mean that you can take any person whenever you choose to d o so ? Death: Well Mr. Man,the whole thing is that I have m y time table with m, whicb acts like a typeof : 'schedule. Every body's name, is therein listed. You might be the next person t o come. But, since I have not come to you, it i s sure that you might only have t o brag. But my arrival is sure. Truly, by letting him know in time. .Actually some. ptople might spoil me, by branding me bad. I am not so. Please hold on, for your own turn. Ikem: That is nonsense ! Death: You may choose it so t o be. But I a m not worried. The whole thing is thatonyeuku must I repeat must, come along with me. Your own time is coming, You may not even have the mouth t o say this when it is time. Onyeuku ! Onyzuku ! Come along !Come along I a t once and let us go: Forge: everythig about your property, wife and children. Emeks: Since it appears that you d o not seem t o have any mercy, I d o not know, what next, to do. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Death: I pity all of you. In fact, I do not come out for bad. Please, bear any type of inconvenience, like that. I must have to vist teach and every person. It anly depends upon the time. 1 wish you good-luck in all your own undertakings. Nneka: I had thought that even that most wicked people, have some considerations at times. Death: Madam, I cannot do otherwise. I am sure that 1 have actually spoken at length. Let it be, that whatever name you may call me right now, I shall be prepared to answer. But, there is one thing. I cannot Iqve Mr. Onyeuku. He is to get along with me. Ikem: It simply appears that you are adamant to all the please of all of us? Death: Positive! I maintain! Take yourself to be i n m y own position surely, you will do likewise. Nneka: Afterwards, the whole thing, has come to an end. Onyeuku is gone, much to the joy of his enemies. Benson: I had thought that big men do not die. The thing is that it will not be advisable, for a big man to despise a poor man and feel that he is the all in all. Fortune meets people mistakenly. Ude: The man who promised to skin me, is now gone. But however, he did me a world of good. For, he pardoned me, my deabt. Ikem, All said and done, the thing has come to an end. At any rate, no person can tell, when it is his or her own turn, to kick the bucket. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE H e who does good, it is for him and he y h o does bad, it is also for him. Ude: Mr. Death, is there no consideration for this man? Death: I am very sorry indeed. I have actually wasted a lot of my own time. If I could have considered him, you might have been late t o meet me. Benson: But remember, that he is a big man, whose death, might n3t be appriciated by many people. D z a ~ h : That is actually what I want it all to be, Ikem: But do you think that you are very powerful? Death, That might be well answered, when I come to you. Ikem: Shut up your mouth! When are you coming. Why not now, idiot? Death: No more time to waste. ( H e strikes Onyeuku dead and disappears at once. ) Onyeuku- ( A m ~ d stears) It now has become quite t apparent, that I must have to abandon all my proposals and family and get along with my sister - death. ( Enter Ude ) Ifact. I am going to a strnage land; I d o not know any person there. It might therefore, be difficult for me to make friends. However. Ude, you have now come here and I am sure, that i t is for the settlement of the debt. Take it. 1 hate now granted you a pardon.Please, pray for my own soul. ( Enter Benson ) 1 also apologise to all those, that I might have wronged, in one way, or the other. Please, pardon me and only look after my family. By the grace of God, we shall meet again. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE ACT THREE ( SCENE 3 ). Death: (Sitting down comfortably and with his legs crossed ) What a very busy day! Infact, I must have to congratulate myself, for all my activities, within the month. ( Enter Onyeuku, conducted by one of death's Officers ) Ha! Ha! Ha! There is no doubt that this is Mr. Onyeuku, the man who knew what is means, to have my orders, disobeyed. Surely, this is my own palace. You might have seen for yourself, a bit of what goes on here. How do you like the place? Onyeuku: .4lthough I am quite a new man to this kingdom, yet, I shall not hesitate to let YOU know, that as far as I am concerned, there 1s nothing very worthy of a major criticism. Men and women are lively and the place looks quite gay and disciplined Death: I am indeed happy, to hear you say so. This is a place, where people are free from worries of all types. There is no question of sweating very much for daily bread and running very fast, in pursuit of money. Here, communism is practised to the very last meaning of the word. This is one of the reasons why I pity men whenever their families cry in sorrow of my having them snatched away. But i t will be interesting to note, that those who come here, scarcely wish to get out. Officer: Pardon please your worship, May I know what type ofjob to which this new member should be assigned? Death: Of course, that is very much in line, with I the system here E! M ( Scratching his head ) H e is to clean my shoes everyday. Hey l Mr. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku, do you know how to clean shoes properly? Onyeuku: I shall have to rehearse that once mcre. For while in the world. Ican assure you, that I had servants who did various types of jobs for me including even this that 1 am now to do for somebody else. In reality, it has taken not less then ten years, since I did that last. Death: Ha! Ha! Ha! That is what you people, d o over there. Any of you ones idering himself wealthy, would at once grow lazy. See now, you have come to a place, where there is no form of discrimination. If the smallest person, receives twelve strokes of rhe cane, you wdl likewise be treated. ( Handling a cup of beer, while Onyeuku looks at him eagerly ) When in the other world, you enjay yourself very much. But here, there is no time for that. Perhaps you are interested i n taking a cup of wine as I am now doing. , Is that correct? Onyeuku: Most certainly, it is. Death: But it is a pity. No person who comes to this kingdom dominated by me, ever drinks. He will only look at me, enjoying myself to the full and will not participate. Onyeuku: Kindly allow me even a sip of the cup. Death: I am sorry my man. That, will be a violation of our principles here. However, I am getting ready for a convention and I hope that you wlll very soon adapt yourself, to the environment. We are good. We are kind and we are the real peace loving citizens. At the same time, I must not fail to let you know that, anything wrongly done here, is seriously accounted for, by -the doer. 43 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE I may or may not know. There are sufficient and able lieutenants of mine, who can deal with various issues. So, in your own interest, I reveal this, since I am only in the position to give commands, which must be executed, without acy disobedience. (He leaves for the convention). Officer: Thenext phase of it all, is to appzar before a iurv. 0nyedcu; What for? Officer: Here, it is always the policy of "NO ANSWERS T O QUESTIONS." Take note of this. (Enter the Jury) Prosecutor: Where is Onyeuku? Onyeuku: I am here. your lordship. Prosecutor: You are commaded to stand properly, before his lordship and confess all that you did on earth. Remember that you will be cross examined. Onyeuku: When I was on earth, I did certain things in order that I might become weahby. The first was to sacrifice my mother to the God of wealth. The second, was to cheat and oppress poor men and widows. That was not all. I bought one lorry, that would always convey robbers, from one place to the other for plunder. At the end of operations, I would have to share the booty, with them, But people did not suspect that I was transacting a business of that nature. For so it is, that when people see a man who drives in a car, they feel that he is above dishonesty. �TO HOW PLAY LOVE Cnyeuku: That is all I can remember, your lordship Associate Judge: Why then d o you bring this man here? His record does not seem as blcck as thought. It ought to b s noted , that we a r e to give people fair trial, s o as to be 'released from the pangs of conscience. Prosecutor: May your lordship listen to prosecution witnesses? Associate Judge: Where are thev? Callthem UD at once. There are many people to be tired and if you have not prepared your case will, this man, can be discharged and acquitted a t once, for want of evidence. Prosecutor: Selinah! (Enter Selinah and she goes direct to the witness box ) D o you know this =an who stands here as a n accused? Selinah: Yes, your lordship. Prosecutor: For good o r for bad? Explain to the court. Selinah: The man standing as an accused., is known as Onyeuku. He was my first husband and I was the first woman, that he married. Prosecutor: Why did both of you separate. Selinah: I t was one night, when he conducted his lady friend inlo my room and introduced her to me. But in actual fact, Goth of us were legitimately married in the court and afterwards, went to a priest and received some blessing. I cou!d not therefore, look to another and Ge too, was bound by law, to be in the same s a t e with me. After some hours, the lady left and of course, that wzs not wi:hout hearing a noisy quarrel, going on between my husband and me. I. clearly pointcd it out to Onyeuku, that I would expose. - - - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE the matter and have him disgraced. At once, he got infuriated and with a bicycle chain around my neck, he strangled me to death. He dug a grave that every night and let low my corpse. Chief Judge: Onyeuku, have you any questions t o ask her? Onyeuku: None your lordship Her evidence is quite correct. Chief Judge: 1 am sure, that apart from this, there is no other hidden deed of his ? Prosecutor: Yes, your lordship. Chief Judge One thing that men and women seem t o forget, is that all their deeds arc always recorded by some unseen hands. I suspect that they simply feel that they can do anyth~ngand run away from it, provided they are not seen by people. One of the offences we regard grave here, is tbat of killing somebody. For, by so doing, out kingdom is overpopulated and souls are sent to us, at odd time, Well, without wasting time, the punishnent, should be inflicted. ( An officer administers twelve strokes of the cane on the buttocks of Onyeuku. ) So far, so good for the day. We should close up. Until we are needed again. (Exeunt ) All: As the court pleases. ACT THREE (SCENE 4 ) Clerk: During the last convention, Life was the chairman. This time, in accordance with the stipulated constituion Death is to occupy the chair. ( Death gets up and takes the seat, to the applause of his supporters. ) �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Dcath: Tam pleased to have been appointed, to direct the meeting. I assure all of ycu, that it is my intention, to try my best, in seeing that ever) thlng, is will carried out. There are no new member and so, it is believed that each and e./ery person here, knows exactly when to say something and what t3 say. I t is usual, that an account of stewardship by each and every officer, is the first item on the agenda. Accident: During t5e last convention, I was ordered to bring nine hundred and nighty eight persons, into our kindom. Within the first six months, I was able to get sixty five people, through road accidents, fifty. Two, by air and after sinking a launch which made one hundred and twenty people on board, perish, I had as my to:al ,two hundred and thirty seven soul, For the next six months, the statistics, stood a s follows. lorry crashes -- two hundred people dead. Aeroplane disaster one hundred and fifty people and one train accident in which o r e hundred and seventy four souls, were f o ~di missing. Thus, on the whole, I was able to can;eplete the figureof nine hundred a n j nlnety c @ r - Death: You did a very good work indeed. . Life: May I know the exacr number of people, that we agreed upon, to be taken away from me last year? Clerk: On the whole, it was five thousand. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Life: But my own record shows that five thousand and fifty persons, were taken away. What might have brought about the surplus. Death: I feel that it would be more convenient to go gradually. After !istening to the activities of the officers, then, we can easily know, where we went wrong. War: I was ordered to combine' with Trouble, Hunger and Suicide. to get the balance of four thousand and two people. One inter-tribal war, gave us three thousand people. Hunger then, rushed out and brought more one thousand and upon finding out that two more were needed. Suicide, stepped in and got them. Thus, we completed the number. But 1 still have got a remark to make. Peace. has found much pleasure in challenging me, whenever I am on duty. In some cases, he even overpower me, since he knows our secrets. I am hereby appealing to all officers, for co-operation in the execution of our respective duties. Peace: Look care Mr. Wat! I actually challenged you as you said. I also, shall continue to do so, until you send back or account properly. for the fifty people, taken away from our own kingdom. If you d o not, then you should bear in mind, that I shall always resist your attempts to take away people from me. If possible Mr. War, 1 would not mind having theissue out with you, personally. War: I suspect that you are not in your correct senses. Infact, you are talking arrant nonsense. It is just like a speech. made by a little boy. Who are you? �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Peace: Damned fool of your own type! A person who can only be out for destruction. D o you at times sit down and think a little bit of what people talk about you! Bloody scamp! War: I find it a waste of time, to exchange words with your corward. People on earth, might talk anything about me. Infact, I do not care. That is how, those in my own kingdom are also talking bad of you too. Love: Well Mr. War, please cool down yourself. Mr. Peace, should also d o the same. If tempers begin lo rise like this, the meeting might have to end in a fiasco. ( War and Peace, shut up their mouths ). Birth: There might not be much need for my own speech. As commanded, I transfered five thousand people safely, from Mr. Death's Kingdom, to Mr. Life. Death! From where then, comes the difference ? Did any officer take more than he was ordered? (Silence for a while. ( Every officer, re.cheking his list ) Trouble: I now remember one thing. Life: What can it be ? Trouble: There are some, that keep on knocking at the gate a t odd hours when asked how they were brought, they cannot explain. They have no tickets and so, and keep on roaming from one end to the other. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Death:I have now come t o know, the cause of that. There are some, who fall c n their fellow people, out of anger and kill them right away. Since it might not have been, the time we expected such a victim, the soul keeps on walking to and for Thus, such will neither be for lrfe, nor for me. Even in my kingdom, not less than forty souls have appeared and given evidence against their murderers. Truly, we d o not encourage murder and my chief judge, is always ready to apply disciplinary measures, whenever such is noticed. In fairness of it all Mr. Life, you will then appreicate, that I have not robbed you. It is only a mistake on the part of tbe people your in own kingdom Right from time, we had worked co operatively and it is my most ardent wish thatsuch parity should always be maintained. Life: Thank you very much Mr Death, for your statement, which has now thrown light, into the whole issue. It can now be seen, that none of us is wrong and so. tempers should no longer rise. Let us forget the past-indeed, the exchange of words, which took place between one of your lieutenants and mine. Really, they are not small boys and they ought not be reminded, to apologise, without hesitatio one t o the other. War. Well Mr. Peace, I am very sorry for what had earlier taken place. Please pardon me, for any bad statement, that I might have made. Peace. Goodbye to skirmish. Let us re dedicate ourselves to our duties. Mr. War, J am sorry for causing you an inconvenience. (Both of them shake hands and smile,) - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Death: I have very well come to realise that everybody is alive to his job. P'else. let us get along like this and hope to ahieve a great future. Exeunt ACT FOUR ( SCENE 1 ) Ikem: Well, my friend Onjeuku is dead. Nneka: That is, as clear as crystal. I cannot help it. I am only pleased, that you, his personal frlend, were here during the most part of the incident. You now can see, that I have automatic ally become a widow, at this ycung age, sequal ofcourse, to no direct fault of mine. I am just like a sheep, without a shepherd. Infzct, just like a ship without a pilot. Whither I head to, is not easy for me to tell. Emeka, my only son is still young. Indeed, too young, to manage a family. Ndubuisi, my husband's bcother, is very greedy and jealous. Onyeuku's dcath: has come to dislocate the entire frame-work, of the family. The days of Cowfort, seem to have vanished. My former greatness, is now, something to be told as a tale to children, during moonlight. ikem: You may no doubt realise, that I am still a bachelor. Nneka: That, I very well know. But in what way, d o you think that it will help, solve the problem that I now face? Ikem: My l a t ~friend's wife Nntka. Please note, men are one at all times and every-where. What might differ, is the position, as far as fortune is concerned. However, please be satisfied with the fact that no man or woman, was born together with a bag of gold. 51 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE I concede, that the material thing is life. He who has it, will be capable of doing anything of his, own wish, provided there is the chance I am fully confident, that, hope combined with a burning ambition, will offer such challenge t o misfortune, that neither the devil, can stand. What seems'to matter more in life, is peace and not pieces. With this family, I had been infimate. That is entirely, beyond all reasonable doubts. It is as clear as dayliqht. Again, you can easily confirm, that I had not on any occasion, misconducted myself, either to the annoyance of your own self, or my late friend Onyeuku. Thus, with implicit confidence, 1 maintain, that you can be proud of me. By this time ofcourse, you can also tell about my character. It will cause me a lot of tears, to see my friend's wife languish in agony, f because of the inevitable lcss o the pillar of the family. If and only but if. you can agree, as 1 feel that you might like to consider, I would not mind drawing nearer you. it is in this way I presume, what might have been deemed lost, can be regained, Further, Nneka. it would be ungrateful of me, to refuse to let you know, that you were the main cause fo my friendship, with your husband. Earlier, I had been contemplating upon having a secret deal with you, during Onyeuku's life time. But, just as if plans had worked exactly in accordance with my hopes, he �HOW TO PLAY LOVE kicked the bucket, ofcourse, not at all, to my cwn joy. At arly rate, it is indeed, something that we cannot help. Let us therefore, say goodbye to the past and face nothing but the present. Yaur graceful manners, together with your personal charm, often compel me run crazy, anyday, that I kil to catch a glimpse of this face, which is as bright as the morning sun. Your shape alone, is not to be rivalled, by any other. Truly, I feel that it will be very unnecessary of me, to say all that you might have heard me say. For, you are also a living witness to my behaviour towards you. If 1 am talking a lie, please, without any reservalion, prove me! Prove me at once 1 say-much to my own disgrace ! Nneka; You are not wrong in any from. Ikem: Wellthen, what next?Shall we have to wait for Onyeuku to rise form the dead and instruct us so to do, before wc become active? Surely, if the dead see, he will be very grateful for this approach of mine. Nneka: How then will my consent, ring in the ears of people, particularly, those who might have hated my husband, when be was alive? Ikem: Leave that for me. I shall be prepared to face the scandal My long association with Onyeuku, actually tutored me a great deal. Today, 1 can surmount an insurrection, in all its ramifications. The personaiity of Onyeuku, has been gently transfered to me. It is by his own spiritual guidance, that I move In the dream, he tells me many things �HOW TO PLAY LOVE which 1 shall not be prepred to reveal to even my own mother. Now Nneka, let us bes eriaus. I am not acting on my own directives. Only promise me your love and also, have that effected, at once. Agree that I have become your own sincere husband and I shall take you as my own beloved wife. (Looking at her, straight in the eyes, smiling and holding her arm) Nneka: It is not difficult to agree that I am your wile. Infact, If f had not loved you enough, you could have proved that too. But what binders our getting closely tied up together, is just one thing and that is how will my children or the entire family reach to this new atreement? Emeka is there. At the moment, he is regarded as a small boy. But in reality, he is not all that. He can easdy know what is wrong. Again, Ndubuisi is a full ffetched man. I t is possible that he might form an opinion, which can be detrimental to the tranquility of both of us. However, in doing that, he ought to be supported by even, public opinion. When people are hastily after something, they d o not seem to mdke out some chance to think over certain delicate issues, they might be involved. See now, it can safely be said, that in order to achieve our ends, both of us, had to conspire and kill Onyeuku. We cannot escape the allegation. We shall therefore, be subjected to scandal, contempt and ridicule. Witb what face, can I then stand - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE amidst my fellow women and have a say ? there, will be many opponets and of course, the end might have to mean much, if not tragic. In truth, In truth, I do not disagree to your request. For, it is really quitedifficult, for a women to remain for years, without a man. I know for certain, that death is a national catastrophe, from which no person can escape. Tnat is very sure. But at the same time, you ought to realise, what I am particularly afier. Towards this, I would like you, to give the matcer, a second thought. (Enter Ada) Ikem: If men were only listening to what people say, things could have not been executed in the normal form. (Ada running into ikem's laps and crying, Papa! Papa!) There you are.! Everything now seems to have been made qui'te manifest to you. Let them say anything they like. Forget that and let us execute the proposal and thus? prevent further distress. I assure you, that it w~il in any form, strain relations. not Nneka: I need not to say more. (They kiss) Ikem: Am 1 now your husband? Nneka: Yes I am your wife. Ikem: Truely, together, shall we enjoy the beauty, and prestige ofthis house, by the grace and glory of God. Exeunt (ACT FOUR ( SCENE 4) As one of the elders of this town, I have actueIly found it necessary to summon all the citizens together, so that we can decide upon what steps to take, in finding a person, to take the place of Onyeuku. 55 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE All of you, are fully aware of the fact, that Onyeuku, when al~ve,was our chief. Today, things seem to be going very wrong, since there IS no ruler. It should be made clear, that if we continue like this it then simply means, that we are heading towards a di5aster Fellow old men, youths and women, let us all join hands and make our town, respectable and dignifying. However let it be clearly understood, that I am not longing for the post, since it is something that can be done by means birthright. Thank you Sir. On behalf of the youncg men of this town, I stand up here to move that, the question of having a chief, should be by election. Infact, I d o not support dictatorship. Our former chief I am sorry to say, was very much hard-hearted. He had no regard for the poor people. In truth, he felt that any man favoured by fortune should torture the less fortunate. I d o not belleve. that this ought to happen in a free society, where democracy, is daily harped on. For my part, I do not even pray, to have a ruler. At the same time, I will be interested t o know, who is to be tipped for the position. In my own eyes at the moment, no person seems fit. Joseph: 1 may not find it easy, to agree with you. I have not got much to say. Give the right thing, to the r:ght man and that is good. Kingmaker: Even while in the dream, I was instructed to allow Emeka his right. All: Yea! Right choice ! Grown him ! Kingmaker: Now I consider the opposers as very unfortunate indeed Thus, let it be know this day, that Emeka, the son of late chief Onyeuku, has taken over nls fathers stool. Em-kn: lam grat efui. Inspite of my lender age, J promise to do my best,. with your full-coperation, of course. 56 ��How Tshombe and Mubotu regrettG the death -of Lumumba - 14. HOW get a lady irr love. fo .. . Olritrhr - Nigeria. � 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 play love Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource 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 : Njoku & Sons 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.c3275 Description An account of the resource This quirky yet refreshing play by Felix Stephen (a.k.a. Nathan Njoku) does not spell out a clear moral or seek to be prescriptive, unlike many of the Onitsha plays. In addition, the misogyny is downplayed. In many ways the play's title is not a clear representation of its message, since death trumps love (and money) here. A somewhat disjointed story, How to Play Love lacks the development of other plays written under the name of Nathan Njoku that appear here in the Onitsha Market Literature Collection. Each act of these four-act plays could stand on its own, and none of the plots or characters have much impact on the other acts. The play begins with the search by Uba (the main character of the first act)for a prospective lover. He tells the audience that he will "play love and will, [sic] not care what people may say," (pg. 5). However, he appears somewhat inept at the game. He approaches the first two candidates through letters because he was too tongue-tied to seek them out in person. He declares that since love is a magnet, there is "no need of rejecting me," (pg. 5). Neither letter nor approach receives a desired response. Uba then decides to try to be more direct. This is how he meets a vampire, Helen Nwamma, who would happily take him as a lover, albeit with a few conditions. Uba finds some of these conditions distasteful. He states "my approach of you, might have been somehow misdirected . . . Please, I can now say goodbye to the request that I had earlier made. I shall always continue to be liking you," (pg. 13-14). Uba discovers that he does care what other people may think, and he realizes that not all beautiful women are good partners. The second half of this act brings in Onyeuka (the rich man), Abel (a friend of Uba's), Agnes (Abel's wife), and Margaret (Abel's lover). Abel and Agnes have recently married and are having difficulties. Abel flees to Margaret, and he discovers that Margaret also wants to get married. Abel tells both women that he is not a man to be trifled with. He runs into Uba, who tells him of his fearful encounter with Helen. All four end up locked in a room with a gun.Uba mistakes Agnes for Helen. Helen, the vampire, serves as a warning against powerful, demanding and beautiful women. This mistake is fateful and reveals some of the underlying misogynistic logic of the play. Agnes, like Helen, is unreasonably demanding and bloodsucking. One can only assume that this mistake costs Uba his life, as Abel ushers them all into the room and murders Uba,Margaret and Agnes before committing suicide. The second act begins with a rich man, Onyeuku, declaring that rich men are immune to death. Thus begins the other main story line--a declaration that the power of money and the privilege of wealth have limits, for Death reigns supreme. This message continues for the remainder of the play, and each of the following acts show how Onyeuku is punished for his rich life. The final insult occurs as his loving wife happily marries his best friend. 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/7af16e4439f8d25f168f36c0676d2d08.pdf 9574f775488611364676f57802719985 PDF Text Text I Ik..P P ��BEAUTIFUL MARIA ''EMMAN & MARIA'' Published & Obtainable from:- MICHAEL ALLAN OHAEJESI 17 Bright Street Onitsha. c A v ? A n m 216 Copy Right Reserved. Net Price. ��Contents Act one, scene one, the tussle 5 Act two, the love tutelage 8 Act two; scene one; the confession 15 Act two, scene two, the meeting. 18 Act three, the end of love journey. 24 Extra love dealers. 31 Wise sayings and advices 38 �PREFACE This is a drama, specially prepared for African readers anc!. actors. I t is a comedy which suits men aad women of all classes. To children, it portrays more of the type of life which ought to be led by youths of decent character when engaged in love affairs. Like my other drama pieces, I have no doubt that readers will equally enjoy it. The language is quite simple, infact such that it could easily be understood by anybody who can read a little. The characters used here are very fictitious and bear no form of relationship whatsoever to any existing persons, since the stories are in the main imaginary. This is an original work of the author and any person or persons who wish to dramatise it should obtain permission from the publishers. FELIX N. STEPHEN (Dramatic) �ACT I SCENE 1 THE TUSSLE M y master Emmanuel has refused eating anything for two days now. DAVID: IS he undertaking some religious fast? JOE: Not at all! It is rather awkward! He has been worried in mind over his failure in gaining the love of Maria. DAVID: But he is quite handsome and many other girls are after him. JOE: JOE: Well David, tastes differ! Maria has frankly told me that she will prefer me to my master. I very much wonder what the result of such an undertaking will have on m!, future a poor page of my own type without any type of attraction. I like your master very much. If I were a girl, I would not hesitate to rush to him and ask him to be in friendship with me. You imay' not think youiself attractive. But there is no doubt that Maria might have seen some attractive qualities in you, hence her statement. Handsomeness is not the only attraction a man can have. I have seen some ugly men who at the same time attractive. It might be through a man's gait of walking, how he barbs his hair, fashion, emoothness of the skin, how he laughs or comports himself or even how much he can d o at boxing or footballing o r racing, In short, sportsmen are always liked by girls. But what do you think of your master's treatment of your person? In the first place, according to what he presents himself to be - DAVID: JOE: �before me he is no less than any gentleman. Again he is kind. I can assure you that, I make quite a good sum from him every weekend. He is liberal. Many people think that both of us are brothers. He scolds me in private when I go the wrong way but defends me in public when any person underestimates me. I d o not wish to leave him in time anyway. I wish I can get a master like that. I was once living with one big rascal. A very chronic drunkard, a chain smoker and in his sight, every ugly women is beautiful. He would come home every night after all the pubs might have closed, staggering, cursing, swearing and vomitting. I was ashamed of him. One day I could not brook his treatment of me anymore and so went back to my parents. It was my sole intention to remain in his house not minding his fooly. But he would starve me at times and then g2t into the pubs for drinking of liquor. That is why you see me still living with my paren!s. D o you not think that you can help this man who has been all that kind to you? DAVID: JOE: What else can I do? Maria has said that she does not want to hear any message from him any mcre. In any case, if your master returns and finds me sitting at ease in his parlour chatting with you, do you think that it will not reflect upon you seriously? DAVID: JOE: Although my msster is not ill-tempered yet, I feel that he will not be back very soon. 6 �Did he tell you. to..where he was ,going? Not all that! DAVID: JOE: (ENTER EMMANUEL THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE) Welcome Sir! EMMAN: Yes thank you! Anjr person looked for me? JOE Nobody Sir. DAVID (Standing) Welcon~eSir. EMMAN y e s my friend Welcome too Joe, Is he your friend? JOE: He is my friend Sir. His name is David. EMMAN (Giving to Joe) Take this hmmount of five shillings, buy some light refreshments for your friend and after that send this letter of mine to Maria. But Joe, (patting him on the right shoulder) try to pull your weight before her. Present me in a reasonable way. If you succeed I shall reward you nicely. Meanwhile, I am going out. I hope to get Fomz good news from you, on my return. JOE: I shall do as you commanded. Thanks Sir! DAVID: I am very grateful to you Sir! (EMMANUEL LEAVES) What? Is this man like this? lo@: told you! I DO not worry again. We must convince Maria. Let us only hit a t a plan. JOE: I understand that many people have tried her and failed! DAVID: 7 �That does-not matter! Take me by my words! She does not know me, does slic? JOE: She does not !(now you at all. DAvrD: I shdl go in your company to her. In that case I shall use my mouth very well. JOE: That will be a grmt assistant.: indeed. But I hope your father will not be dfended? DAVID: No person wtll tell him. JOE: Thank you. L& us go. DAVID: (BOTH OF THEM LEAVE) ACT 1 E N 2 THE LCVE TUTELAGE I have blzen approached by Inany suitors, but I find it qui!p: difficult, to take a d~cision. TIIERL'SA: Coes it sitiwly go to m a n that none of them measurcs up to expcctatian? MARIA: MoI:~ of them are presentabl?. But inf-ct Theresa I only want to n;sks wri. that he to whom I shall agree to give my hand will not disappoint me later on. It is for this sake that 1 am of the opinion to give trials to many mco. He who succecds will do so, out of the gravity of love that he has on mc. T I I ~ ~ A : yo:^ at this stage no! Can guess of any man that is languishing for not being able to have secured your love? MARIA: I haw heard of one Emn~anucl.Really I cat: not jqst tell if !I= is scrious. I want to give him a tough time first. If I do not do so, he will deem me very cheap. His boy often comes here. MARIA: ��Personally I have many male friends. I do not like to keep to one. That is why it appears that I haw got some good amount of money MARIA: DO YOU think that all of then1 who come to you pay the money joyrully? TIIERESA: Whcther thcy d o o r not is not my rea! concern. It is my policy that wilkout their money I do not give out my love. BIARIA: Can that be taken as trc~eloye? THERESA: That is why 1 can say IS the best way for a woman to follow men. They are deceitful. IF you are soft with them, they become very insultive to you. MARIA: I will also like to have my own sound experience of men. But I shall like t o exp-riment on one man only. THERESA: (ENTER JOE AND DAVID) Oh! my little f ~ i e n dJoe how are you getting on with things these days? JOE: Just as usual, thank you! (Hands over a lctter to Maria) MARIA: From whom is this? JOE: A man who bas for some days now been ianguishing great1 y for having not been able to h a w your love. If it is from l o u r maslcr, w d I must have to suggest to you thst there is no need waisting rime. 1 had on some cccassions toid you frankly that I do not want him !o spcsk to' me on this matter anymore I repeat that if you would like to comc in as suitor that J shall not wasl timc to grant. MARIA: �I suggest that you read the letter. Who knows .whether the content might not agree with the former ones you had receivzd? THERESA: DAVID: 1 really see with you! MARIA: Against my will I open and read this letter. JOE: You may even find it quite interesting. Does it mean that you read the letter before bringing it to me? MARIA: JOE: I t does ~:otmezn so. I saw the mood in which he was while writing it. I wonder what it is that can convince any right thinking lady not be pleased with Emmanuel. In the first instance he is presentable, gentle, straightforward, liberal, inteligent and above all kind. Again he is optimistic of life. His fellow men like him and wish that he were a lady. As young as I am, I see clearly what some msn tend to prove t o be. If he w x e a big rascal, I could not have gone near to him. But he is a good breed and his parents are noblc. Such a msn i? rare to get in this era. Were it that love is not just a thing which cannot be helped Emmanuel, ought to have been without a companion. From all reports 1 have collected sbout Maria, I could easily predict that where she and Emmanuel are joiried up together the joy that will exist in such a company will be infinite. From my own youthful opinion I could say that tbere is nothing as good as two people staying together in peace and harmony. Life without true love appears to me to be not worth living. Please let me not be mistaken. DAVID: , �May I keep it crystd clear that I have come here neither to praise Maria nor Emmanuel. But I am of the type that without any fear of contradition approve a good proposal and condemn a bad one. What actually worries my mind is that I cannot easily tell if Emmanuel loves me as much as he professes to. MARIA: JOE: How many times do you expect to hear from me now the ynungman talks of you? He makes poems in adoration of your beauty which he maintains excels every other. You may not need a devil to tell you this. If there are more gentlemen on whom I rely, my master is a top class. I t is however, very puzzling to observe that he has such a very deep love for you. This is very much unlike him in his dealings with women. Suffice it then to say that the moment you cut off from this sincere request made by my master, my face, you will no longer see me in this house. F0.r me t o be in love with you and at variance with him, is one of the things that T consider most impraciicable in this life. Rather I shall be a very proud and happy person to have you in the house as my master's only mistress. Just now I cannot but b ~ dyou adieu! MARIA: Stay for a while Joe! JOE: There might be no need for that. The longer I keep here the more embarrased I become. If you really loved me as you claim, you could at least grant my request. �My mind is getting soft. 1 cannot give any rcply right now. I must have to see your master and discuss with him facr to face. MARIV: Well done: If you are in terms with one. the rest will repay you in such coins. I do not believe in ingratitude. I like fine .things and beautiful women. I shall be more grateful, when those whom I like realise the fact and then fulfil my dedres. You are not a babe. The time has come foi. you to apply your discretion in every matter. Even if your heart be as strong as stone, there is every reason to keep it a bit subtle, for you to be attached to a person of sound reputation who will cater for you in all aspects, is better than to be attached to a wretch who may be good at the onset and prove a regret in the end. DAVID: JOE: I now leave you to your conscience. DAVID: Good bye! MARIA: Thank you! (David and Joe Leavz) Upon seeing a page like. Joe, it may be thought that he is just a poor innocent fellow. But his words today proved to me that he does not seem as small as I think him to be. His friend s.eems to be more advanczd in love affairs. Perhaps. he is aware of my intentions. MARIA: - Men are never small. It will be highly misleading to deem any of them so. But what .are the contents of the letter? ~ERESA: �(Reading the lcrter aloud) "My dear Maria It is indeed a pity that you have chosen to torment a heart that loves you very dearly in this way. If I am allowed to confess, I must say that I am not a love-crazy stooge to another. Your beauty really bebitched me and your manners are so elegant that I cannot afford more than to have you nearer me. If you might have found me wanting in any, form of personal charm, implore thee forgive and only grant my humble request of your accepting me as a lover. MARIA I know very well that you might not deem it all that degrading when I make you realise that neither nor even Lucifrr himself shall take sides with you for keeping me at arms lenght where any mishap eventually b~fallsme for failing in this well determined attempt of mine. You m~ghtftel that I am worrying you very much, But I cannot help it, since it is a pressing need. Never on earth h2d I recieved a similar torture. No! not even in the business field. If I might be deemed behind in fashion, I must assure you that above that, I am a gentlcrnan. Shylock would like to cry at this hard heartedness of yours, Lady Macbeth wo~ild feel that this treatment of my person is rather wicked. Ebenezer Scrooge himself would also prefer your spending more than one hundred pounds to get this offer from me. Like every other good lovers, I shall be quite ready to do your wish 3s much as is withie my own capacity. Please take me serious! Consult any of your good , friends over the issue! You m ~ g h thave been misled to think that I am only pretending when I am really not. �Finally, I hereby wish to make it clear to you that t h ~ swill be my last letter to you relating the issue. Althoxgh I am not in a rage, yet I have the honour to say that %hereit is still very much against your wish to accept me-adieu! But even if I get another, I pray that ordinary connections between us not be servered, since my interest in you' is still strong and ever will be. Keep fit Emmanuel." THERESA TOme, it appears that the youngman is serious. MARIA what then is your suggestion, Theresa? THERESA Just now that it is burning in him I suggest that you accept him as a lover. Such a p t r s w will make an ideal husbmd. The wardings of his letter Portray him as a gentleman. MARIA: I understand, he really is, THERESA The earlier you met him in pzrson, the b-tter. MARIA Thank you that I shall d o now! (Theresa goes away. Maria sets out for Emmanuel. A C T 2 SCENE ONE THE CONFESSION I am sure that we had actudly tried to boast up the prestige of Emmanuel before Maria. Joe: I have no doubt that she was interested in our conversation with her. At this juncture David, I must have to thank you very. much for your activities there. Really, you spoke as if you had been very much advanced in the affairs of men and women. DAVID: �1 wish my mister were there to hear you urge Maria to accept him as a lover. If there is snccess in our vetiture, I owe it much to you. mvm: In fiiirncss of it all Joe, I have had a good experience oT love affairs. 1 had played it and still determine to plry it becaus:: it is a pleasure to do so. JOE: I have got some good savings this time and will like,to invite you to any girl, before whom I shall appza: as a ' suitor. But is it your wish that both of us shall remain to love ourselves for long? DAVID: m Joe: We had actually done everything that c be possible between two male friends. It is not all that essy to do more if not, we could have. DAVID.' JOE Where it all.turns into a miracle? We have it then. But no other type of miride can be easy. Tn life or in death David, I shall rind it very dificult t o forget you. : I always have. a very deep !ove Joe. when I mean to. Your own might not be as much. At any rate, life sccms to be a trial and men and women, all live by experiences. DAVID JOB : Yes, an exact type of experience that I have had in this house. Emmanuel has helped me in many ways. He has even found me an employment which coupled with serving him, affords me a comfortable living. David I know by all means that bo:h of us arc of the same age group. �DAVID: JOE: (Smiling) I believe so. One thing about you worries me a bit. Any body ~eeing you in a lady's atire will a t once mistake you for a member of the opposite sex. Even in manners you look romantic. In constitution, you also look effeminate. Yes, That is my way, while dealing with very intmate friends. But, for the second dme, I will like to know from you, do we really have any true love existing between both of UP or it is just a mere flattery? The question is bnffling indeed. For my part, I have nothin: to subtract from our already existing love. DAYID: Please d o not be suprised anymore at my repeated question in this respect. Tomorrow might Drove to be another thing hence for the purposes of certainty, I wish to get the assurance. DAVID: People may quarrel and forget. We are all human beings, with various temperaments. Our only guide ought to be that when you find me offending, please call me back to order amicably. This is always a very simple way of avoiding quarrls between two intimate friends. Even though I have declared my intentions to marry, yet, that will not - in any form interrupt our friendship. DAVID: Yes Joe, I know that none of us is a girl. But intimacy, a very deep one too, could compel us do anything. Take this ring which I have removed from my finger as a taken of remembrance. JOE: �ACT 2 SCENE TWO THE MEETING This lady they call Maria is giving me a very tough moment. According to the replies I got from her through Joe it sinlply appear that she does not want to see me at all. But why ? If I am very ugly, what of the mummies who still win the admiration of very beautiful women? If I am uncivilised, then I could have been given cold shoulders by the highly civilised company that I keep. Perhaps the minor deceives me. But then I am not deformed. Although I cannot boast of perfection in anything yet I can only realise the fact that I am not very far behind when compared with other youths of my own age. As much as I can observe my morals are not base and I am confident of that. For some days now I have not eaten anything. Why? Simply because a lady has not agreed to have me as a friend. This is foolishness. I am only very sorry for Maria, If she had but knonn my intentions she could not have behaved thus. For the sake of getting her come into amicable terms with me I belittled myself. Now, I should look for her no more! EMMAN: I should only bear the disappointment that I had, bravery. If Maria is very beautiful, �there are more. beautiful ladies. I shall take heart. I am confident of the fact that if I had not seen her, I could have met another, let her go ! This bluff is getting to be very much I can brook it no longer I must keep myself happy. (ENTER MARIA) EMMAN: What! Are you here? Yes my dear! EMMAN: I wonder what might have brought you to this house today. MARIA: Perhaps you were not sincere in your' appeal. EMMAN: This is where you might have got me wrong I do not intend to kill myself before you make sure that I love you. A few minutes ago, I was only resolving to look for another since all possible attempts to secure your love seemed to have failed. You will surely see with . m e that 1 had tried' a great deal to- make you realise my love on you. It, does not seem very safe to dispatch a page to a lady together with whom a man would like to be live eternally. But I did it simply to please you. Upon all such contemptious attempts, I could not b e favoured. Thanks be to Providence that you are now here. It is therefore your own turn to 'express your views, since I have determined to worship a lady no more. MARIA: Your speech frets me. 1did not suspect that the reception could have taken this very shape. Really speaking I do not hate you. Apart from the things 'you had told. me, I have heard good reports of .you. MARIA: 19 �Yes! I wish my speech could fret you the more.. Infact, I am determined to be on more drastic basis. MARIA: But what if I do not allow you get up to that extect ? EMMAN: In what other way, can I be.a stranger to your humiliating treatment of my person ? MARIA: Perhaps yon are hurt in your feelings. But p-rmit me to say, that I did not really mean to keep you so. EMMAN: I have read of people, who remained as bachelors until they died. It made no type of difference in their fame. No wonder, there are misogynists. But yet they survive and feel happy too. If I happen to miss a lady's love, what have I lost ? EMMAN: This is rather strange! are you quite sure that with your own hands, you wrote those letters to me asking for my love.? Can I believe your 'boy's story of your desire to have me as a friend or was it just a fiction? EMMAN: I wrote tho letters to you and I sent my boy to your house to make the request on my behalf. MARIA: MIA: What devil then might have triod to counterfeit the love crazy spirit in you. Much suffering over something keeps a person hard-hearted. You will bc wrong to blame me when instead of romantic words I began the reception of you with words of sorrow and regret. I am of the opinion, that man should control and not allow himself controlled by a desire. EMMAN: �MARIA: Can we forget the past and face the new? ( pausing for a while ) This will be s~bject to your being serious over what you mean. For my part, I had determined to have you and keep you as comfortable.as I can. You were only wasting time. But I shall be quite prepared to throw back the rage in which 1 had been and then if our plans work well, we tell of the early psrt of this meeting in stories by the fireside on cold nights. EMMAN: ' MARIA: That is indeed whzt I want. But Maria, your torture of me has been an unprecedeated one in the anals of the history of suitorst I even undertook some fast because ofit. Just at the verge of taking a strong decision, you entered into this room. But if l'do not really love you, why should I persist in having you. Love is a type of a magnetic force which when it draws up cannot easily be cast .away. EMMAN: It is for thie sake, that I' have turned to be a beggar to a lady whom I thought would sel with me and be greatful in lerting my wishes be satisfied. I have every hope that you aifl not think me ungreateful. If you do, then it is a mistake. Men are difficult to understand and they are never on the loosing side when the game of love is played, I ' a m but a lady, a n ordinary feeble creature liked because of my present appearance. Peradventure I becpme spilt, then it all means that I have got to be as MARIA: �helpless as a skiking stone; I do not take it that I have given you a c a m for a perpetual dislike of my person. I only feel that for the purposes of security, it ought to be necesary to get a fimi assurance from . a suitor and that should be conducted 'in a Kay not different from the. one I did. You are not ugly. You are not deformed. Your morals have been testified of by many people as eiamplary. I am even jealous of you. But how would you think it ~easonablc 'for a lady who wishes to exercise a lasting love on you to jump out and openly declare :so at once? True it is, that pkace comes.'after war. I can see here that you had spoken at length and of course not without bitterness. If you really mean to have' me, the gates of success are wide open. This I declare in' order to swerve your mind away from the misconceived idea of' me which seems to be infesting your mind, even at the moment. You might have understood my speech. It is not always possible, for ladies to men and gi5e themselves out to them. This might tantamount to cheapness and then the end is always fracas, .discontent and separation, a forced but quick one too. If I had no deep love on you I could not have allowed you to me so. Deep love on me and I have a deep love EMMAN: on you too. What then is the object of any form of disagreement ? . I am of the opinion that your former speech is from the bottom of your heart and so, I shall be a brute if I keep on prolonging the past. MARIA:. I had earlier, requested that of you. But where you still stick fast to your angep , 22 �well it then, me-an*. that I cannot do any other thing than to registcr it in my memory, that a man bas miguidedly disappointed a lady who loves him very dearly. For your confession - Maria, 1 am interested in informing you that I am not at all offended. I was only. trying your sincerity. Towards this, I feel that both of us might have agree in plan. If I have caused any. inconvenience, please pardon me. For 'it is after storm that the gentle breeze comes. Oh! for a hundred beauties Maria, I shall not have another if you once promise me true love, then I shall waste no time in sending for a priest to have us united. I am not out for any monkey love. I am direct in my dealings. and will always pray to God . that you be so too. Thus, peace and joy shall dispel all disp~rities. EMMAN: Much talkink and little deeds might be of no significant importance. If you were to enter my mind then nobody could have told you how much I love you. MARIA: It means then that none of us is mistaken to have come near each other. Let us now seal this blessed proposal with that sign that two great h e r s often show. EMMAN: I shall waste no time in obeying you my dear and my real husband to be. MARIA: ( They Kiss first and look at thems?lves eye to eye and kiss again.) 23 �ThiS AMAN: gesture has - convinced me of our, love. Your' willingness to have this with me means much. But Maria, your gentility makes mc - lovj you the more. Your facial. charm seems to bewitch me the more at every moment. Your shape is yet one of .the most ' attractive, thlngs in you tbat will, make other youngmen to jealaus me for securlng your hand. YOU are no .iess. Your physi0gti6~ is MARIA: not only' balanced but depfcts a lot of nobility. . . EMMAN: Talk no more my own angel of 'light: Our marriage is fixed ' against fen o~clock tomorrow morning. ( They kiss again )MARIA: i h a l l go away, prepare'ind come back. Thank you my sweet ..heart. ( Maria goes EMMAN: while Emmanuel escourts her for a short distances ) and comes back. ACT 3 THE ENDOF A LOVE'JOURNEY JOE: Ro& what I iave .heard' this afternoon 'in this town, I can guess. that my master might' .have succeeded in winning the love of Maria. However I shall not conclude just now. I must. have. to wait until my. master confirms it. But it is true and I wish if my only friend Dacid were here. .We eould have discussed at length since my master will no longer be an unhappy man. Very good ! Yes !. my master will now give m e a good .reward according to his promise. If it is cash, I must divide it into two equal parts. ,so that David. who contrri-. . ~ 24 �buted nwch towards the success of 'the ventnre, will have one half ( ENTER HELEN ) Welcome my dear lady ! How are you ? HELEN: Not very bad please . thank you. 1 am Helen, a sister to David, are you his friends Joe ? JOB: I am Joe. When is your brother coming here ? 1 want him earliest ! HELEN. i t was .on his instruction that I come here. JOE: That is very good of you. Both of you have the same resemblancr. Tnfact, were it not that you are clad in the attire of a lady, I could have wasted no time in calling you David. HELEN: At any rate I hopa that if you d o not sce him in time, you may like to have me as .a substitute. JOB: By a11 m a n s f m x t exerciss the same deep-ro~ted friendship existing between David and I 'on .any of . his relatives. Thank you very much ! HELEN: But you laugh, (alk and look like him too ? ~OE: Yes ! It is thz characteristic of our fdmily. HELEN: ~ o a Th?t.is : gpod indeed. HeLEN : YOU, being n male and I female, shall we not be tempted at times? JOB : God fcrbid ! Except my friend David approves of it. But I might find it difficult to yield t o such a temptation in the inrerest of our unrivalled love. ;cry �Kindly surppress your emotions ! David y o u friend. Did what ? Is he no longer your brother ? JOE: HELEN: Please listen. JOE: Yes ! I am anxious to know, whenever that name is mention, I am always very eager to hear ,everything without delay. David in short, is my brother as I told HELEN: you. Having been instructed earlier. I complied and hence I am here now. Rcally he is dead and buried. JOE: Perhaps I did not understand you well. Do you mean date, debt and borrow? HELEN: (Bringing out a letter) . Take ihis and read for yourself. Pirhaps it will explain the issue more. HELEN: (ENTER EMMANUEL) JOE: (Taking the letter and opening it, reads) "My dear Joe, I thought it a great deal of injustice to est away from this world without dropping a few lines for you. On my death bed, I managed to ovcrpower the pangs of death and then compile this to bid ycu goodbye, Herewitb my sister Helen. You quite remember how intimate both of us had been. Please, for tho purposes of consolation, you may have her near you. But where this is not to your help taste let not my. letter. I cannot it. This i s the uneptcted bitter end of mine and I must go. Please great your master and make it a point to help him get tired up to Maria. I could have done more as you know 26 �but the ineritable has now served as a barrier. Lament for me not very much, for I have gone to pay the sure price mankid. yours affectionately David". (Joe bursts into tears) Can this be true ? Yes, it is indeed. 0 ! confusion, why now? 0 Death ! have you come again ? You have snatched my parents from me and that was during my tender age, why have you come now to keep me friendless? David my own trust worthy companion who ka'rure prominently in Maria's residence during our last visit! He so praised my master as if both of them had once lived together ! He so spoke to Maria a bout my masters' dignity that the lady was trembling for having tri:d to 11 use the mau ! Cold hands of wicked death ! '1 The abstract agent of destruction ! You have wronged me. Why not take me too to that land instead of keeping me socially stranded ? O! David! David. How can I get another like you? O! my confidential, handsome and far sighted David! Only some days ago, we were cracking jokes over the solidarity of our affection and I did not know that death the idiot, would overlook every other person and steal the youth away. ' Afterwards, life is a slow process of death. It is only like the shadow of a well dressed man or woman which only vanishes as he or she leaves the mirror; T must mourn thy loss my only friend; 1 am even shocked at this. I came into this place with the happy news of m y vedding with Maria at ten o'clock this morning. I did not know that one of the agents who contributed greatly towards the project has now been snatched away by death. Rend your heart no more. God before things will soon assume a good shape. EMMAN: �I have corn.: to reward you for your faithful services to me. S o u will be free ,from me as from today. I shall marry for you. Towards that, if Helen will like to be together with us in this' house, the better. This will enable us to take heart whznever we think of David. Ycu and your wife, will live in this house with me and even though you are employed somewhere, yet, I shall maintain both 3f you for one year. I shall also be after your interest. (Handing over t o him) Take this bank cheque of one hundred pounds which you are privilleged t o use any how you like. JOE: Thank very much Sir, I a m - now a confused man betwean joy and sorrow. In view of the fact t h a t Joe an3 my late brother David were very frieadly, I d o not hesitate t o accept the offer which Enmanuel the owner of this house has made. 1 will like t o live with you and be a part and parcel of my brother's friend. JOE: Thank you Helen. I see with you and will neither add nor subtract from what you had already said. Take me as your brother while I substitute you for him. HELEN: I am now going for the priest who will tie us in holy wedlock. (He leaves) EMMAN: HELEN: JOE: Are gcu really in deep love ~ i t h David. Even if I-had the dagger at my neck saying yes, I must say it! HELEN: Where is that ring ? 28 for �JOB: Here i t is. (Showing it to her.) Who told you of it, was it David ? HELEN: JOE: HOW? Are you ~ a b i d ? HELEN: JOE: NO! I really gave i t to. you,! By all means, I am. Such a deceit might add more to my sorrow! 0 ! poor Joe! David is a man. Helen is a lady. How t h m can ?his miracle b e ? Perhaps you are not serious! Surely, you want to taste me. I am serious if you please. Now suppress your surprise and listen carefully. I am David your friend. This is my real face. Really, David is a feigned name under which I began to go after the death of my mother who mas the last to die, my father having died when I was only five. No brother and no sister. As a poor orphan, I did not want men to worry me about. Hence I clad myself in the attire of men, served m y first master who made no trace of the trick. HELEN: (ENTER MARTA) The man in whose house I am living now appears to have adopted me somehow. He too is quite igoorant of tbe whole affair. You wete also in the same soup. I love you and if you still remember last time, I demanded t o know from you if you loved me as much. I decided to try you and so did all that you might have experienced today. �JOE: (Embracing her and looking straight into her eyes) You are quite correct my dear! (Looking 'at her again and then kissing her once.) Former. bitterness is now changed into sweetness infact, an everlasting one. O! how deceitful is this life ? My sorrow, is now changed into joy. How glad ! At any rate in remembrance, of the whole issue, I shall not call you Helen but D. which is the beginning letter od David. HELEN: With all pleasurz Joe; (They kiss again) (ENTER EMMANUEL .AND'THE PRIEST) I have no doubt that both of you will make the second couple in today's engagement. MARIA: JOE: That is very sure. I am now a married man and above all, no longer a page. That is so. Now three hearty cheers for Joe's Freedcm. Hip ! Hip ! Hip! EMMAN: Hurrah! EMMAN: Hip ! Hip! Hip ! ALL: H u r r a h ! EMMAN: Hip ! Hip ! Hip ! ALL: H u r r a h ! (All of them clap and stand) PRIEST: Marriage is a means whereby a man and a woman are both united o n . earth in the visible form and also in spirit. When some .people ar: thus tied together, they cannot ALL: �be separated even in heaven above .because it is a command by, God. .Husbands, love your wives. In return, wives respect. your husbands. Now unto God the ' father Almighty, I dedicate Emmanuel and Maria who have today become husband and wife and also Joe and Helen who have bccomc husband and wife too. May the blessing of God dwell abundantly upon you ferever and ever ! ALL: A m e n ! ' " Then they unite tor life marriage and death will only depart them." EXTRA LOVE DEALERS .As a matter of fact, some women think that men are entirely stupid. Below is .given . an extract of a letter written by a spinster to one of her friends:My dear Julia, It is one of the most v onderful things that I had ever come across.. Since ' my arrival from home to this place, I have actaully not found things as difficult as I had expected. Men in fact e\en those of my father's age scramble for me and keep on spending tkeir hard-earned money for the purpose that will not in any form benefit them. In some cases, they even fight to have. me. I might go ' to b? the mediator. But more often than not, they refuse my appeals. When I discovered that it was only a way .of making the whole �situation worse, I stopped to pacify. them and simply left them to their foolishness. You might even be surprise to hear that not all of 'th-m are bachelors. In the night, I would keep on aondering how responsible they are. Truly some of them are wageearners whilz other arz wha! we in our local language cdl 'big men'. The latter comes in their cars and simply say, Lady get into the car"., Really, no price will be fixed. Well, it would o ~ l vbe a qustion of taking the lady to one hotel. There the bill for a stay will be. defrayed. But in the end, the compensation must be given to the lady. Of course, in such cases, nothing like thank you is said tq them. Rather than the men will be pleased and return thanks. " As a matter of fact, when I came newly, I alnays had to receive any amount given to me. But now, I have learnt to express my feelings, where the money is n3t something sufficiently enough. Even though this is the situation, ye: I must assure you that the part is not all that easy. Some of them who came are ruffians. The gentle ones do not worry at all. They feel that neither fighting nor no disgrace would solve problem. It is for this sake that I have been teld to charge them highly. That of course, I have been doing. You might be pleased to hear that I have now got one family iron bed a thing 1 did not at first think if possessing. In those days, I thought that any person who had one, was one of the richest. My trunk box is something sizeable and lovely. 32 �. -Indeed; it is :one .of.:the..:most.. cUt..staading in the .whole of.. our town.,: Again; I .am.: now. well. knoivn . a i d hany of the ..young inen'. struggle. .to.have me. Th: township is quite a good place I eat any time that I'like and of coarse, you. may not dare comparz my. food with what whom we take as the richest msn ie our home town takes. SO you see that the excessive libertjr that I enjoy, here is something epviable. I do -not even car to get married to any man again. For he cannot satisfy .,me as much. as I am a t the present: Jiving. I am only very sorry, that you are .suffering' at hbme. I have nowgot some-goldand you quite realize that your husband might not be able to buy that for you. In fact, my shoes now, number twelve in pairs. You may even have to unylerstarid that I no . longer. deal with inferior things. I only did that in those days when there was no.money O! I remember, of course, you need not be remainded how both of us suffered together. When I think of those bad old days and compare them with the present, I simply glorify God for his mercy towards me. X can 'only .suggest that you abaudon your' husbaod,and come to .this earthly paradise where tbings are most enjoyable. ,You will be surely enriched by men. You will be happy and at . the same tim'e free from the molestation of the man who calls himself your husband. Keep fit, Yours Sincerely, Arit James. �.Julia. had actl~ally lived ,with .her. husband for a period not belon three-years. The man hin.self was Etim. He did all he could' to keep the will quite comfortable. At any rate wh'en a man and a woman live together in' one room, there might be some type of misunderstan3ing a t times. But the young man tried very much to prevent any open quarrel1 that might come up. People mostly praised him for his mild temper and cool-head. In all dealings with his wife, he was very gentle and sincere. He was indeed the type th.it considered it worthwhile to desist from hating a wife simply because she had not l e t got any issue. Even when Julia had no child, Etim kept on managing things in that way. When he .could no longer hope to endure the troubles constantly given by his wife, he simply approached Emmanuel for some pieces of zdvice. That of course he thought would help him tide over the entire difficult situalion and then just as Emmanuel sat down one bright afternoon, Etim entered. . EMMANUEL: UP) ETIM: You arc welcome my dear! (standing Yes thank you. Please sit down. I have no doubt that. you will be pleased to .explain to me more about your family. But where it does nct conform with your own' principles, then you might simply have to pardon me. EMMANUEL: �EMMANUEL: In any case, I am opined that you as an experienced man, can agree with me that one of the problems facing men is the one of relationship with women. This is partieularly so when speaking about house wives. You seem to look somehow worried in mind. Perhaps, I cdn guess your trouble a bit. Oh dear! If you would not mind it, I shall be prepared to call you a soothsayer. You have actually mentioned the root cause of my distress. It is for that, I have come to you for the purpose of obtaining some advive. I always jealms people who live happily with their wives. For my part, I can only say that I am very unfortunate to have gat a type of woman that would bend upon kezping me in uttermost discomfort. She associates very much wlth free women and even though she is given full liberty in this house yet, she does not appear to have realised my kindness. I am even thinking of committing suicide because of this wicked woman. ETIM: (ENTER JULIA) I suspect that you might have understood that your husband is here. I am really very pleased to get you here. Your husband seems to have been somehow offended over your actions towards him. In fact, the earlier you ETIM: �make a change the better <I hope it will be. -I.am'.sure that if both of you remain in peace, there wdl not be much to worry for. Thank you Sir. Truly, I have decided not to worry in the house' any more. Just of recent, I received a letter from one of the ladies who was at first in this town. She is vary much desirous cf haviug me outside as a free-woman. She explained to m$ that there is a lot of money to be realised. Pleas'ure she maintains is abundant. JULIA: DO not worry. Thess things must pass away but .love shall not cease until such a time that the inevitable end of mankind will have to step in. EMMAN: In any case, God forbid that,. death should come at this time. Let us live and hope for future progress and betterment. Dismiss trouble, for it is bad. Stay in love and peace and comfort, will have to be in your room. Happiness will also enter and of course, you realise that it is a great gift. I shall not tell you that I do not querrel uith my wife. But we always settle things in a very amicable form. 'It is in that way we easily prevent people from mocking or laughing at us. EMMANUEL: �JULIA: I have actually heard and understood you. I shall no longer make a mistake of getting to be in dispute with my husband. I shall be prepared to accept him as my brother and then keep things going. I am also grateful at this. I trust that by the graGe of God, I shall be the last person to cause any rift within the family circle. I now say pos~tivelythat P shall kezp her happier since she has with her whole mind decided to be in pzace with me: I really love peace and hate pieces, You have lived for long, with your own wife and people envy both of yau. If I can onlv live like that, I *am sure that my days will be longer even when I am not God who ought to decide. ETIM: Let all things be so. I have heard your'assurances. When mistakes do not come up in love affairs, it is not all that easy to effect true love. Let us hope tbat God will seal up all that we might have said here. What I like in my life is to say something and mean it. If you d o so, there might not seem to be any type of misunderstanding which you will not be able to suppress. Men and women EMMANUEL: �always like la tnlk. But you should not be wor.cd. Keep cool all the lime and io thr en4 you will come l o a a l i w that i t is mare folly l o keep oo quarrelling sod creating confuadon hrrc an" there. m w : Much talking might not go to help us. We shall onlytry lo we i f wc can live up l o expmation. O m moa, I ray, thank you. Good hye m" dear ymngman. I hall not look h e n or l h s c for any advim again. The bad and lcccirfvl lrllsr that I got will not fake me away from the right path. Good byc Sir. ,"Em The E d TEE WISE SAYINGS A rtranar with hrtrer attitude en,ertains the host. Onc docs nor need any light i n the dark to rrcopnise hi* frirnd. Two husband do not reject thefood prepamd by n goad smiiing woman. One nn't see wcll i n the battle using mirror on her eye oat a Lime. Hiddcn words should never be told to ths talkerrivea. I f your hrolhcr'r purse catcher fire, wet youo immedialdy. No matter how tall you am, your shadow will atways noc he met while irackiog. �Wcsllb o f f e d fa a fool ia like water fillcdia a lcakio bucket. The birds take lhrmrelves as land awoers, yet fear the farmcrr. A haPw expiprcuion inspirer confideoa., We klmow ,those that wc lovc bur thore who lovc "a we Loow rare. Tho csltlc informs ita o w n that it is ready. How juvenile EIOYS PO d m his inteligeam. A good wife does thing8 accbrding to the husband's cammand. People 11auelling with Ihcir encmy, must understand that they arc rravelliqg alone. A thief has no stamp on his ram. A l l that you have to enjoy are all that you have 81 prescn,. DiRculBcs can be realis. by trying. Nothing Wid with tho mouth ,bat ir m e t . me wisc does not go to functions to f e d !hemselves but for understandings. The h u n m man r e m c m k n aU the food be r u s t e d when he i r hungry. I f )on hope on your parmta you will die poorly created. Hs who hasgooe to k i c o will s s j much of it. sew m , i went 10 ~ h cmarket with shrcla on his clothes. The wlf aduiwr term the b e instead of me hooey. r n e d a r not know the +vcl i l l n r u o f another. The vulrum islhe indicator of dead s n i m s b The fling bird dcfeslr the long ,,oatred human. N o t all !he lcavcr i o the bush are eatable mc 39 �He who kncws how a rogue breaks the door is a rogue himself. The good words in the jungle and its sufferings are tqual. How old a woman is, she is bearing sweetness to her husband. The goat will orver trace thz way of the hyene. The grave of a wlk lies where she married. To give to the new born is to provide for the old age. The appearance of the brave is an evidence of what he is. A person has the cock but public have the crow. Where the Juvenile points while crying there you will find thy father or mother. He who sleeps under trees does not mind the leaves A town may be far but there is another behind it. Never trust a person who does not mind his business. Wealth is not his that has it but he that enjoys it. The one cutting a path in the bush does not realise how crooked it may be He who suffers from yaws watches where he places himself The fowl dances happily at the function the hawk has not attended. If you dance while every music on, you will soon be lame in both legs. ��1 Intmrting Nm1s and Advisable Novels in rtwk. Eaough d i i u n t wl ba made in the price on quaotitj ordered, * il I i . .. ;'?P/ . ;I'... '.'$ The African Youths Guide 3s. dozen 12s A Guide to mmiagc 2 6d. dozts 12s. s Beam of women 28 6d. doun ga Braotifu) Abrmm in Crazy love Is 6il doma IOs Drunkard$ bClisws .barrrs Heaven 1s 6d dozen 9s Hew to su* in life 3 . ,dozen. 13s 8 M tf j : & act of true IoYe 2s dd, dozen 17s uiu $ in the * Naw to apoverty 1s 6s dozen 12s H & I Ibo, Y m b a d English m@e easy 2s. dozen 128 ~ Man 'spffbm is 6d. dozen gs ha'R3ogct 2s6d dozen I&, Iia in the romance of,&$iny 2s 6d. down @s M i i &tarfort's heart cries for T&b.g66, dome 1% o'0; I8 . NigeriainBeohelors Guide 28 2s, d* 66, ?Iknq .b1ooming beauty z,@& ,cif ;lOs ' love 2s 6d, dozen Ha ur pf man b 6d, dozen 9 Thc,.,W birtbry of Zik ZI, doze3 15s w.M is hard Is 3 4 dozea gs ?Be q&ror of life is 6d, d6zm 12s T e lif6.i~ prison yard is 6 d dozen 8s h the Two ie the romance of m%vay Iovtr 1s 6d. d p lk w Whrt w w ace thinkingabout men.(No. lbomb to wnmol)'1$ 6tl dozen IOs .Wbp mcd never trust women 2s 6d, dozen 13s Roamnary and the taxi driver 2s dozen 121 Sllfurday Bight disappointment 2s dozen 12s Zk la @C battle of freedom 2% dozen 14s i Lwe s h d mva d 3 dozen Us , The86 are few of the nowls have in stock and ~lrqmise ta add more in future. &large your vocab by reading novels. Send your qflcn todr forquiclr &livery. AU orders are posted f m . 1 qJ& p p all yid. m a p J - .. Printed by AN Star Printing P m , 62 IIReLa Road; O [ . n* � 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 Beautiful Maria in the act of true love : "Emman & Maria" Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Stephen, Felix N. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha : published and obtainable from Michael Allan Ohaejesi 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 Chapbooks, Nigerian Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3566 Description An account of the resource Felix Stephen advertises this play as a comedy that depicts moral behavior for those in love. He says that it can also be read, and notes that it was written specifically for African readers and actors, (pg. 4). This might suggest a performance history. However, performances would have occurred in schools or in social clubs, since at this time there were no established theatre groups in the region.  The pamphlet cover has a woodcut of a European couple, perhaps French, in court dress. The play appears to borrow heavily from Cyrano de Bergerac,Shakespeare and from many of the comedy-of-manners plays written in the 18th and 19th century. It is fairly well developed compared to Stephen's other plays in the Onitsha Market Literature Collection such as, How to Play Love. The characters include Maria, Theresa, Emmanuel, and the servants David and Joe. David and Joe run love errands for Emmanuel. Maria, who is Emmanuel's love interest, wants to test any future lover for emotional endurance and commitment. Theresa serves as a well-developed foil to Maria. The servants serve double duty as plot developers and analyzers of class issues. In one potential plot twist, Maria suggests that she might accept a love application from Joe rather than his master Emmanuel. Maria: If it is from your master, well I must have to suggest to you that there is no need wasting [sic] time. I had on some occasions told you frankly that I do not want him to speak to me on this matter anymore. I repeat that if you would like to come in as suitor that I shall not waste [sic] time to grant, (pg. 10). However, this plot twist never develops and is replaced with the classic one of concealed gender identity. Joe is getting ready to embark on his own quest for a marriage partner when he stumbles on David's true identity as Helen. The play ends with Helen and Joe, along with Maria and Emmanuel, getting married in a nearly Shakespearean double wedding. This plot twist is discussed in the essay on drama. Like much of English comedy, this play relies on plot twists and servants to drive the plot and the humor. The pamphlet ends with a sort of epilogue to the play in which Emmanuel prevents a friend or associate's wife from leaving him for a life of prostitution followed by two pages of wise sayings. This ending suggests that this play was meant for the reader and consumer of pamphlets, by purchasing this play one receives the added value of advice and wise sayings. 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/d0bf7ee07d438dc8b7af74b42ac78a94.pdf 7b573c4f7c077c4dc8581d00971726ea PDF Text Text �3 HOW TO STUDY k AND d k & T? % WRITE 3 GOOD LETTES, ) & A PPLIC4TIONS, COMPOSITIONS, & c!! id 3 3 3fI 3 3 )& k TELEGRAMS, AGREEMENTS, BETTER SENTENCES IPORTANT LETTERS, -% y;( SPEAKING IN PUBLIC 3 7 3 G4bQD EJWGLISH 3 % =if 3 7 3 % 9 3 AND TEACH YOURSELF -- -- - $I k k - BY WILFRED ONWUKA -- k k k - & & k k & r 4 PRICE 316 Net 3, 4 kfFfF"ARAARFFFVFFF3 �OBTAINABLE FROM 6 E B 0 BROTHERS S. 4, No. 11 MAIN MARKET, ONITSHA. STUDENTS' OWN BOOKSHO'P No. 17 BRIGHT STREET, ONITSHA. �PREFACE This text book captioned 'New Grammar Book' is indeed very interesting to read. My principal aim in producing the book is to contribute my quota towards the educational building, progress and development of Nigeria and the world in general. There is no doubt that a student will achieve a rapid improvement, if he follows the example laid down in this book. The book is constructed for senior primary and students in the secondary schools. It is also useful to the students in the Teacher's Training Colleges and other general readers. To be candid, it is a book for all ages. WILFRED ONWUKA (Author, Compositor, Poet Novelist and Dramatist) (Master of Pen) �CONTENTS What is a letter How to write ordinary letters Warning and legal notice Business letters Applications Specimen of an application Love letters Composition Kinds of eassays Agreements Telegrams Part I Contents verbs Means of transport Lessons To come, to go, 10walk; to run, to ride, etc. To find, to found To discover, to invent, to explore To learn, to find out, to know To drown, to be drowned, to sink, to float To be born to die, to be dead To say, to tell To hear, to listen to To catch, to take, to obtain, to receive 41 44 46 48 51 52 55 58 60 �what ji a Tettei? 'A 'letter is a written or printed message from one to another. How many kinds of letters have we. There are five main kinds ol' letters. Name them: 1 Ordinary letter 2 Business letters 3 Application letters 4 Love letters 5 Letters of protest. How to write ordinary letters To construct ordinary letter, one must get one's point ready and arrange them paragraph by paragraph. For you to understand what I am saying below is a. typical example. Here is a letter from a person to his sister advising her to be careful about what he described as 'Modern Boys'. When writing an ordinary letter write your address at the risht and at end of the letter, sign or write your name in full. No. 10 Ukpor Street, Fegge.Onitsha. 7th November, 1962. Dear Sister Joan, To be candid, I would have written to you since, but owing to the fact that I have so many commitment, that kept me busy, I was accurately unable to do so. Indeed, what prompt me most to lift upmy pen to write this letter is one dangerous and risky rumour that I have been hearing about you. The rumour which wasconfirmed by many people claimed that you are the comforter of 'Modern Boys'. The rumour further clalmed that .your house over there has been turned into a complete boarder. Joan remember that one does good for himself �,and at-tin:es, . d~ei'for.ihe.:mn . sneself.-4s from ysur -childhoodi!J have. been i.giving'iyou' this: parti;cula&advice; :but,you do.: not .seem t o . understand me.' You are fair in so many thing+but you like 'The Game of Love' most in your life. That is one thing which is wrong with you. Do not forget 'that it was the reason whyyou did not marry immediately you' left the elementary school. You could remember that a wealthy and well educated )oung man who came t o narry vou heard of it and :ran. away viithout turning back, yet you do not care to repent. After those events. I spent a lot to see thatyou are employed as a school teacher,. so ' t h a t x p u could earn money. and stop all those ugly things, now the .fair situation 'is just like a battle tield of armed. forces. Please, my sis:er if you know that y w will marry at all in your life, stop 'all those illegal love deal, hence it ha brought your name to the ,public ridicule. odium and contempt, 'Beware of modern Boys'. They have: dangerous plans that .'is always 'capable of bringinz dangerous results. Ttiose type o f crooks wouldrnot mind: toy spend heavily in order, to get somejne. .The,headmaster. of your school also wrote me sayingthe.sahe.thing which others said and that made me to believe. I ' ' At pesent time I do not intcnd to inform our father ,about this serious matter, until 1 see that.there is no change in your character. Try to change because everything has its own specific times and you will be tired whea time for that comes. I should also like to know about your savings. How much is your money in the bank? I put this question, to you because 1 learnt that you have so many / uniforms, golden earrings and costly footwears. Therafore, I am suspecting that you have no rea- �sonable and fabulous accounts i n the hank. If you have, pardon me because of my wrong assumption but, in case you have none, try to have. Next year, yoo will he going to training, so as to qualify as a higher elementary teacher, then money will be needed for that period. Though I am to contribute a lot, yet, that is no licence for you to suffer from squandermenia. Frankly speaking, the day I will see a change in your character I will be a red letter day in the history of my life. Watch me, whenever you see me mishehavinp, criticised and correct me as I have just done. Thanks in advance. Yours dearest brother, Rufus Odogho. Miss Mabel Obi, Box 18, Nnewi. After completing A letter, put it in an envelope and post it at the Post Office. Do not forget to affix a 3d stamp and in case of a registered letter which will be claimed within Nigeria. But if on the other hand, it happened to be an overseas letters claimable outside Nigeria, the stamp of one shilling will be used if such letter is going by sea mail. Subsequently, any overseas registered must bear a stamp of one shilling and nine pence. �Remember to draw,,two ,opposi&...pqjnllel ::lints ., . 'both a t t b e back and the face of the e n d o p r , con. jtaining the'letter. The two lines will form :our angiis, and each edge will be 900. After registering a icttcr be sure that you are given a receipt by the post Office clerk. Do not miss the receipt hence t h ~ \onsequence is obvious. .Below is an example of registered letter from a trader to his overseas customer warning him to ship his goods to him, immediately. Messrs AS. E. Onwuka & Sons, No. 90 Moore Street, Onitsha/Nigeria. .2nd November, 1964. Mcssrs Hebu Trading Corporation, P. 0. Box 4486, Kober Japan. Dear Sirs, R~gistered Our Order of Toy Pistol No. 24 We are deeply concerned over the. extremely long delay in the ,shipment our of order of toy pistol No. 24 of 1964. Asa matter of fact. we see no reason why you should be delaying theshipment of our order. You have shipped. those ordered by our competitors to them, while' you know properly that we booked our own order before.them, you deliberately refused to ship our goods to us. When we were booking the order, we wrote and informed you' that it is a seasonal goods and that after the Christmas period. none o f ' it could be .sold. Following that,. you acknowledged the receipt'of the letter and assured us tbat the article should be shipped t o . us to the middle of November, so that we could be, selling it . before' the Christmas ' day. None of . these 8 �promises has been fufilled. rhey are rather fake and base ess. After a long delay i n the shipment of the ordera we wrote many reminded letters to you asking you to ship the order to us, but you did not even care to reply those letters. At present time, others are selling their articles but ours is no wtere to be found. You want to push us into a beavy loss. WARNING & LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to you that if you fail to ship our goods on or before 14th November 1964, a well democratic and instituted legal court action will br instituted against you. We have handed over all necessary documents to our solicitor' for close study. You are playing with our business including yours because, if you had shipped the order early, we would have opened another L/C in your favour. Take notr that we will be claiming the actual cost price of the goods including the selling profit from you. We wait to see. Yours faithfully, A. E. Onwuka. for - -.............".......... ............. ............,.. .... ...... Manager. - s. 9d. Messrs Hebu 'Trading Co., P. 0.Box 4486, Kober Japan. Diagram showing the specimen of an envelope of a registered letter. This is an oversea letter and it bears 1/9d stamp. The letter is to go by air mail. �REPLY. Messrs Hebe Trading Corporation, P. 0. Box 4486, Kober Japan. Messrs A. E. Owuka & Sons, No. 1 Moore Street, OnitshaINigeria. Dear Sirs, REGISTERED With reference to your registered letter to us dated 2nd January 1964, we hereby assure you that yoor articles and goods have been shipped to you and they are likely to land at the Port Harcourt Harbour at about 14th November 1964. The failure of our machine during the working period made it impossible for us to comply with the promise given to you, but now, all is alright. We do not intend to enter into legal hdttle with you, hence we know that we are wrong. Please suspend all about cmrt action because at the circumstances surrounding the event can be described as an "Act of God" and nobody is to be blamed. To assure you that we are frank and candid we enclose here with all necessary documents that would enable you to clear the goods with most easiness. Yours faithfully, For, Hebu Trading Corporation ..................................... .... ...."..Mr. Okey Acha, Director of Business ? . - Here' again is an example of an ordinary letter. It is from a girl to her brother requesting him to send her school fees. ' �CInitshrGirls' 3choo1, P. 0. Box 7, Onitshs. I st Decen~ber1964, My dear brother, I am writing this 'letter with heavy tears in my eyes and a great sorrow in my lieart. This is. because I am driven out of our school by our headma;ter owing to the fact that I have not pqid the school fees. The amount of scnool fees is (£2) two pounds, per quarter. He, the headmaster warned me to Fay my school fces before December 7, 1964 less my position will be given to another fellow. Please, my brother kindly send me the school fees before this given time so tbat I will be re-admitted in the class. Our final examination is now approaching and all classes are now making an intensive revisions, over their previous lessons. If I miss this revision, it all means I hat I will fai! the examination and repeat Standard Eve next ytar which is uot a good economic dceisisn. How about Hope, Ngozi, Chida and Mabel. I am with all aod every hope that they are well just as I am over here. Hoping to hear from you in few days, I wish the Yours Sisterly, Joy Obi. Mr. Emeka Obi, Box 646, Onitsha. �FAVOURABLE REPLY Box 646, Onitsha. 5th December 1964 Dear Sister, I enclose here with ( t 2 : 10s) two pounds ten shillings Postal Order No .... .. payable to you. Draw it out and pay the school fees with (£2) two pounds, use the remaining (IOs) ten shillings as your pocket money. Ctudy very hard so that you will catch up. At any rate, I know that you are very intellipent and that you must surely succeed. We are all well. Yours brotherly, Emeka Obi. Miss Joy Obi. 0. G. S., Onitsha. Never you leave any stone untouched when ' writing any ordinary letter explain yourself properly and simply, so that the reader will immediately understand you. Avoid the use of bombastic words, because by doing so you make yourself a fool. BUSINESS LETTERS Business is one's profession. In doing business one normally write some letters and those documents are known as business letters. As we all know, there are different types or kinds of business. When drafting business letters, one says simply and in the most obvious understandable form. Here is an example o f a business letter. Mesm Rufus Odogbo Trading Co., P. 0. Box 646, Onitsha-Nigeria, 6th March, 1964. 12 �Mrssrs Willg d Co. Trading Corporation, No, 2, Journey Street, England. Dear Sirs, DIAMOND TOURCH LIGHT We thank you for your letter dated 22nd February 1964. Weregret to say that the price of 519d which you quoted as the most competentive price of diamond tourch light is too dear comparing with the present market price over here. So consider and ship tbe goods to us at net price of 2s 9d a dozen. DIAMOND TOURCH BATTERY :- Subsquently please give us your samples and most competentive price of Diamond Tourch Batteries. So that we will consider and book orders from you. Frankly speaking we are very anxious to establish goods and reasonable business relationship with you provided tbat you would welcome us. As of us. We are not sample mongers, but true importers and exporters of general merchandise. HAND BRAND LAMP: We have today agreed to your quoted price of £5 10s. (five pounds ten shim llings.) Again, we have deposited the sum of 565 (sixty five pounds) with the Bank of West Africa in your favour, being the amount of PIC. SHIPPING: Please ship the goods to arrive at the Port Harcourt wharf between the months of September and October 1964. PACKING: Park three doxen into one carton, and four cartons in a wooden case. �MARKINGS: A t each of the four corners of any of the case, mark t e word "Lamp & Glass Handle With Care." We demand this so as to avoid careless handling at the wharf. We also demand that each .tamp should be wrapped with c tton wool to avoid any damage to the lamp globe. The initials of our name "R. 0 T. C." should be marked at the case. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Dispatch all necessary the documents cdn'lrected u i ~ h goods to us immtdia. tely. The documents will he1p.u~ to clear the goods with easiness cn arrival. Your immediate attendan e to our orders will be highly appreciated. We are anxiously waiting lo hear from you soonest possible. Thanks in advance. Yours faithfully, For, Rufus Odogbo Tgadinp Crmpany Ltd. REPLY Messrs Willv Trading Co. :Yo. 2 Jocrney Street, London. 11th March 1964. Messrs Rufus Odogbo, Trading Company Ltd., P. 0. Box 646, Onitsha-Nigeria. Dear Sirs, We are in receipt of your letter dated 4th March 1964. And submit that the prices of 2/9d which you offered to pay in respect of dianond torch lights is considerably ton low, comparing with our cost of production. We will be unable to ship the goods to you at that low rate. �However, in view of future-business relationship and transation, we have oonsidered to raduce the amount to 3s per dozen instead of 5s 9s. Our motto you to scli it is "LIVE AND LET LIVE' so we w s ~ t with prcfit and that is why ' we have made tais fantasti- reduction. HAND BRAND L M : A PWe have s h ip p e d your order on this item. Secondly, we have complied with your advice and instructions coocerning shipping, packing of the goods and marks on the case. NECESSARY DOCUMENT:We enclose herewith important and relevant documents t h a t could help you to clear the goods e a d y . We ere therefore waiting to obtain your favourable reply. Yours faithfully S~gned ...... ........ ...... blaoager. for Willy & Co. Trading Co. A company or a firm is not bound to accept he price quoted by his custo Tiers. TIk company has all and every right to offer the price which she has to pay. When writing business letters try to difinite the item you wish to order properly so that your customers will understand you. If you make a mistake, when quoting article or invoice number, it could lead to a serious mistake and such mistakes are capable of bringing fantastic loss of money, "Beware of overseas crooks" When doing business, always examine all invoize or letter sent to you by thcm. Some crookish film would not mind to qllote an aricle to a customer and finally ship another thmg to him. If this is don? by your customers, write :nd register a letter of protest to tbe cosmercial jepartmeot of oJr government. informin!: them of the incident and at the same time, requesting her to help you state your case before the Government of thq firm concerned. Try to surrey such goods with a licenced surveyor 7. �APPLICATIONS An application is a closed though or attention. On the other hand it can be described as a request letter. We have employment applicaticns and so many other types. Specimen of an application Umu-Ana-Edo Electrical Establishment 30A, Iweka Road, Onitsha--Nigeria. 131h February, 1964. Rufos Odogbo, Trading Company, Box 646, Onitsha. Dear Sirs, 1 have the honour to apply to the post of a sales clerk at the office of your company near in the Enugu, having. seen t'l : 4 1I S :n 1 Daily Times Issue of 12th February, 1964. Aged 10 years. I am a holder of R. S. A. Certificate in more than 10 subjects. I have served for years under tbe U. A. C. of Nigeria but owing to the fact that my salary was not so sufficient, 1 have no alternative than to resign. I Schooled at the Prince Commercial Onitsha. I attended a special cause on importing, exporting business, management, commerce, economics, Arithmetic, Book-keeping and Accountancy. If my apphcation is considered and approved I assure you that I would be a valuable and good asset in your office. Also I promise to be loyal and obedient towards my senior officers. Subsequently I will be careful, pain staking and energetic during the performances of all the duties assigned to me. 16 �With all and every hope, that you:. will fayour-. able give m y applicatinn - a-dui- coiiiiirwafion. The Manager, R. 0 T. C . . 4 Oeuta Road, Onitsha. I remain, Yours obediently, Peter Obi Oowuka. FAYOURABLE REPLY Rufus Odogbo Trading Company. Box 646, Onitsha 14th February 1964 Pe:er Onwuha, Um71.Ana. Edo Electrical Establishment 30A Iweka Road, Onitsha. Dear Sir, Your application dated 13th February was received considered and finally approved. We need your service as contained in your application provided that you will always adhere t o our rules, regulations and ordinances. Therefore, you are invited to an interview a t the Manager's office, No. 4 Oguta Road, Onitsha by 10 a. m. Your are also requested to produce all materials for writing. including ink and pen when coming. Take note that if you happen to succeed in the test to be given to you, salary of (£18: 10s) eighteen pouods ten shillings is to be paying to you monthly, but if you damage any of the Company's 17 �propertv you have to bear such r i s k Thanks in advance. Yours fa~thful, Signed: M. P. Okenwa. Manager. for 'Rufus Odogbo Trading Company OF-' asset, Here again is snother application from some m e requesting to be admitted a s 2 member of the Dynamic Party of Nigeria. No. 2 Ehi Road, Aba, 20th Avril 1964. Tile Secre a r y Gereral, Dyarnic P ~ r t y Nigeria, of dox 388, Onitsha. Dear sir, A application to be admitted as a member of the n Dynamic Party of Nigeria. I, Raphael Onwuka, whose name and signature appears below desire to be admitted as a member of the Dynamic Party of Nigeria Formerly I was a member of Nigeria Peoples, Party but owing to the f a t that, that Party is foundalistic and squandamenic, I resigned from it. If my application is approved and I happen to be a member, I swear to abide w ~ t hthe rules. regulations and ordinances governing the Party. 1 will also contribute my quota towards the Liberation of Africa and her Unity. �1 enclose here with the sum .oi 11. for, the purchase of membersh~pcard and . + n o t h e ~ y u mof (C2) , tb.'hejp to , $ i t pounds hiins 'v6iu"ta'ry..:'.do;i<ti'dh. increas'e the fund of the' party. Long live the party. Long live the fatherland. Yours in comradeship, Mr. Raphel Onwuka. FAVCURABLE REPLY The Secretarv General. Dynamic paicy .of. ~ i g e r i a Box 388. 'Onitsha. 23rd April, 1961 Raphel Qnwuka, 2 Ehi Road, . Aba. Dear Sir. ' . . , .. With reference to .your 'appli&ion . dated 20th April 1963, I h a v e to inform you that you are now edmitted as a member of theDynamic Party. Subject to the following conditions: 1 That you should .abide with the rule, regulations and ordinances of Dynamic 'Party. 2 That you should always abide with the decision of the.elected central executive committee of the Party - 3 That you should always .respect the. leader of the Party aud assist him in 'waging relentles..* war against bribery, nepotism and sq:~andermenia other of . . Nigeria -Political Parties. 4 That y o u will bz ready to serve' Africa bdth during the time of peace and, war, and. secondly help 'the. sanie :Africa" to gain her economic freedom. ' ' �If you know that you will fulfil these conditions, proceed on 28th April, 1964 to fill your membership card. I remain, Yours faithfully, S. E. Okeke. Signed for, Secretary General of Dynamic Party of Nigeria. Long live the party!! Long live the fatherland!!! When writing an application, try to explain your qualication very clearly and at the same time express what you could be able to .do if your application is considered and approved. This if done, .will help the person or firm to whom the application is being sent to understand the contents and, thereby know where to start and what to reply you. Important: LOVE UTTERS The word ''Love" means fondness, Pre-eminent kindness benevolence, leverential regard or the object of affection. Then love letter means a messive letter or document showing o r containing the above mentioned words, or phrases. When playing the game of love, the people in the field d o write letters, and such letters are known as ''Love Letter". Below is an example o r specimen of a love letter. The letter is from Esther Onye appealing to Gabriel Chukus to fall in love with her. �Holy Rosary. School -0-nitslia, 17th' February,' 1962: Dear swcet honey, Application to be in love with you I, Esther Onye, whose signature and n a ~ appear e below desire to be your lover. Born in the year 1944;I am a student of Holy Rosary School; Onitsha. At present time. I am in class four.. Yellow in comp'exion, I am bold, beautiful, attractive and posses pood and reasonable chap. In 1960, I . won th:: contest of Miss Africa beauty competition. Thus I won Miss Africa in 1660. . If you agree to be in love with me, I assure you that I must be comforting you always. Subsequently, I must try to satisfy your requirements and keep you absolutely happy.. Take note that as a good lover, I would not like you to give me any. thing or spend on my behalf.rather.1 will be spending on your behalf. I am anxiogsly ,waiting to hear from you soonest possible. Your dearest love. Esther Onye. Mr. G. E. Chuks, Box 6. REPLY P. .O. Box 6. Onitsha 20th 'January, 1962. Dear Esther, Your lovely letter dated 17th January 1962 was received with great thanks. It was when I received your letter that I knew that you have interest in me. �As of lover a Modern Girl, I bave accepted your love applicatior~. Even, 1 am ready to spend on you and if time permits, you will be the mother of my future children. Therefore, 1 invite you to come on Monday by 3 o'clock p. m. in my house for the game of lote to touch all parts nf the body but not to interco~rse with n y lovrr hence such practice usually result pregnancy. Waiting t o see you on the specified date. I remain Yours affectionately, Gabriel Chukus. Miss Esther Onye. H . R. S. Onitsha. Another love letter is from Paolina Eze, asking her lover to send her what she described as Christmas Presents. No. 24 St Jobn's Street Enugu. 2nd July, 1960. Dear Rufus, It seems to me that you have forgotten all about our love, but devil forbid. I have written at least four complete letters to you but you did not care to reply any of them. Have you lost interest in me. If so, inform me to that effect, so that I will switch to modern boys who are eager to intercourse with me. Please if you really know that o w love is still shining, send me Christmas presents as the celebration only remains two weeks. I need carring cloth and foot wearings. Also, I have no spectacle �s6-hp&h,i,$.;,w&fiTvtllrenF our pci?Cf?%.iind &n&' &- ;-41!r'\:chb$s 'f$;v$Y&s .: 1bi ..pr& defe&lih3'itbee. re~aj,Gi.ik&i . , . I.8m .eipkt.$tp:~i . :hear. frcim,&+efcsr.; days; . w yd,,? .you i i f epaiilin& .. . ,Mr. Rufus Obi. ' , . .. W ~ P A BRE~L-V.. ~E P 0 BOX 32, ; Port' Fiarccurt, 10th .July,,,1960. Dear, Paidilia; .. I have seen that what you want is.. to liquidate me. and see;that m y . pocket is empty ,and. nothing more..YLiu ,ark not, a;';true li)ver7';'otherwise, ,there is ncr'ieasdn wRjl..yod sha~ild 'be'.'demanding f r ~ m me always like that. . : T Ikfrfrahk a d c a t i d i d , I have.gothing' to .give '"& you as Christmas preielice. .If .you d a n t to switch to modxn boys .,because I did not give you,,money and Christmas presence, 'do t:iat without delay. Recgltly, my motheraied, but: you did not care e you are t o sM me message'6'f 'condole~~ck,;,iris'tedd ask.ing'for Ckristm i s :prese~$e. 'Thi$ shows ,'the: type of;i?;irl. you"are.. 'It $ubsequentIy proves': t6 me':what wb'itld have'4fappend ' tiad 1 ' agreed to have ybu as my: wife: as.:jrsu.jjrevi.ously wggtsted. . ; ~ . ~ bwtite~me :;gain. I 'donot usually,:tiefrieud ," i gijls of. your type. Yours ,faithfully; Rufus Obi. I @ ~ R T A N T : - When.. coqstructing. iove. ..letter .try.. to say,,,: scy~thing;that ig.to,.-,attract , your :..lover. and, ,., perhaps remind him/her of the past events. In case 23 �his relative dies, d o not fail to send him "message @fcondolence", because this will make him t o understand that you are a true lover. T o demand always from a lover is bad. Love is equal. Any lover could spend on behalf of the other whether male or female. COMPOSITION Composition is a way or channel of expressing ones idea on a particular topic clearly, and properly. In other to score a good mark in a composition, one must start very well and at the same time, end very well. The compositor must arrange his points paragraph by paragraph so as to present a reasonable outlook and at the same time convince the reader or the examiner, so that he/she will become an expert in essay writing. If this important objective is not achieved, the essay may not be interesting which will result t o a loss of make. Below is an example of a good composition. The topic is "Benin Village of Tomorrow" BENIN VILLAGE OF TOMORROW There are many in our country who idealise the Village of Benin City. Kwaki was one of these, Philip also had a yearning for the quiet countryside where one could regetate and reminate to one's hearts content, and yet perhaps a few of us today would like t o be permanent dwellers in a village. As a member of Benin community, I would like to be swept forward in the current of modern life even at the cost of being somewhat dizzy with the motion. We d o not want t o be left in the backwater of a n antiquated age which constitute life in a village. No one will for a moment, under-value the quietness, the sweatnesr, and even the poetry tbat the greent fields, the blue �skies, the colourful scenery -of a - v i l l a g e.hold up before.aor eyes; But- mddera. lif&--is.fwttj&-activity. There -is much to do an round, so much to change and to build anew. In the past, man was the slaves of an unkno*n destiny, !tie victim 01 change e\:ents. Today, :IS the poet sings 'man is she master of all things,' and therefore man has to nork inorder to build up a 'Brave new world' which he feels is for him to make or to unmake. The City and not the village, is the place bvhere most. of this work can be done. Villages, of course, cannot and must not be abolished as long as the ear111 has to be cultivated to give us our daily breLd, we will have villages, s"al1 semi-self contained se~tlements where the tillers of the soil live in close touch with the earth, and in intimate and fruitfulco-opemtion with their fellowmen, wha bring them help in many ways. But, the village tomorrow will not be at all like the village cf the past or exen of today. She will have to b e unbanished. She will have to be something between a viilage and s town -- a toHn in the midst of orchard and gardem, and surrounded by greet] corn field. The first step towards this urbanisation is to bring electricity to ekery cottage. Electricity will remove the depressing darkness of rural evenings. An illuminated night time will mean an extension of the day, and therefore, an addition to the span of human life. Not only will our homes look brighter, we will have clubs and hbraries aud even contiuuation Schools, for our workers, Try to imagine an electrified villsge booming with activities of all kinds, p h y s i c a I and intellectual and the differences with �the .village.~ ftodap.wil~.::bc. . at ,.once apparent. Fortuo; telyiour hy n~:leqlrm multi-purpose scheme Damode, Bhakra, Hirakud, fangabhadra. etc, will soon carry electric p0wc.r to distant villages, und thus transform thcm. Rural economy rest on small cottage, icdustries. The importance of artisan and the craftman, who bring to bear upon his art a ~ craft the personal d touch the hereditary skill that makes for beauty will always, remain. But electritication will also lead to the setting up of small mqqhines which will save labour and increase productio'n accorfing to the law of economics. Dr. Chike Obi's ambitious project of developing cottage Industries on the Russian model, may change the outlook in Benin villages The cottage will have their small machines to mdnufacture parts that will go into a common pool to a th: miking of bigger mao~inery. T : wat:h iqdustary in China is organised on this plain. 4 modern village will have scope for many new industries, like canning fruits pasturising milk, producing butter, and so on. Necessarily these will mean increased wealth for the village. They will also meau more vital existence. They lazy indifference of the village of today will be-substituted by a wide awake, many sided outlook. The Benin villagers of my dream will have all the amenities of the city ~ i t h o u tthe dearincss that goes with it. It will fell the stir of life without it's fretful fever. It will nor allow nerves to become frayed not the mind to become weary- It will cherish betuty and peace as things to be valued, but not at the expense of the Dynamic Urge which sweeps us through the years change to change unceassily. We are looking forward to the time when the completion of our river valley project will help us to transform our village into garden town. 26 �Remember that we have there kinds of Eassy:. I Descriptive Easjy 2 Argumentative Eassy & 3 harrative Eassy. Whenever you wish to write a composition. 1 Try to think about what you actually want to write 2 Hold some neccessary and also interesting important phrases. 3 D o not forget that your duty in writing .cornpositian is to sdy all you know about the :opic and not to change it. 4 Know the use of some parls of speech, such as: Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adverb, Adjective. Preposition, Conjunction and Interjection. 5 Let your composition have a good beginning and ending. 6 Check your your tenser whether present or past tense stick to one tense. 7 Try to make your oucline or headline to enable you to write briefly. 8 Avoid the use of big words for small w o r h because by so doing, you are trying to make youself a fool. 9 Do nct feil tbat when )ou use big or colloqual words your are well educated. 10 Give a good pilragraph to enable people to understand you. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 These are the example of "headlines" 10 use, if you were asked to write a composition on the "Stenographer" Who is a Stenographer? A Historical Note Importance in modern Office Qualification Technical Professional Some general reflection Conclusion 27 �7. (a) (b) (c) I 1. When constructing an essay on ' Farming 4 s a Career" use the following outlines:Farming generally applied to the cultivation of the soil for raising food crops. Gradually it came to mean organised production of all food material 'ncluding milk, poultry h0n.y etc. It's immense scope i n a large Agricultural country like Niper,a. It offers scope for variety s s well as large scale production, The worid shortage of food also is an incentive, The educational side of farming is gaining . importance. Modern farmiop is based on scientific vrincivles Hence the necd for Agricul~ure ~ o l l e ~ eand s research Industries These could be attached to big farm s o r located in ao area of large scale farming operative The organisatiooal side is all-important Kinds of Organisation Large scale farming to operative farming Collective farming--these are different type ~f organisation favoured in America, Indin and China respectively. . The India way sezk a synthesis of the Amercan and communist way The basis of all is the supersession of manual me~hodby mechanical appliances. The use of tractors for cultivating the soil, of incubators for hdtching egss etc. Different Departments of farming: Agriculture poultry, dairy, bean farming. Each has it's specialised training. And includes not. only scientific product~onbut of presertion as wellHence the scope for opening useful occupations is very great. What should be done so that farmiog would develope more, in general. Conclusion. 28 �If you want to write an easay oo "A College Debate" use the following outlines:1, 2. 3. 4. 5. Important of debate in modern times. A debate described. The subject matter. The speakers The chairman and other judges. 6 Voting 7. Remarks by the chairman. Judgement not on moral reflection or meaning but on points raised by the speakers. "00 point" raised by the speakers. 8. The result. 9. Impressions. Let me write a composition with these headlines so that you will follow me quite well. "A COLLEGE DEBATE" We are living in an aee of parliamentary democracy, We have to train ourselves to bc effective speakm and ready debater$. A good debater must be ahle to speak extempore, to aoswer the point raised by the previous speaker, to state clearly with reacons his own points of view, and to be able to combine arguments that convince with appeals that move the motions. FIe must not onlv speak fluently, logically, and with eloquence, but he must excel in the cut and thrust of debate in smart repartee and good humoured rebuff. T o acquire masmy over these, a good deal of training and practice is neccessary. Hence in these days, debates often comdl~cted on parliamentry line have become a feature OF college and eveD of school life. 29 �principles, ani dangerous in practice, and should be forthwith abondoned. As the resolution mooted a subje.:t on which feeling was running high, and was couched i n rather provocaWe language, the interest was great indeed and, u e back-benchers gathered together in laree numbers i3 expectation of a highly exciting debate. On ihe due date, classes were suspended for some time before the debate was takiog place and the students filled into the college hall aod took their seats, it wss apparent that a great deal of lobbying nad already taken place, for the promergers and the anti-mergers occupied opposite secrors of th- hall, grouped i n compact bodies. The neutrals not that there were many of them took there seats as they were attracted by conveniecce o r fiendship. The mover of the motion was allowed fifrecn minutes i n which he spoke in support of his resolu!ion. He had come, prepared and he spoke concisely, and pointedly. H: s:t f x t h th: genesis of the proposal, adduced arguments in support and explained the powerful reasons against it. His was a balaced speech. But not so speech of :the ssconder. It was a fiery oration, full of personal attacks, scathing criticism and withering scorn. And with that, the atm0sphe.e suddenly became electric words, were bandiee about noisy interruption proved strong counter attacks, crles of '~ithdraw' 'withdraw were met with louder cries: of 'shame,' 'sbame.' Some oi the spee~bes showed high oratorical gifts, some excdled inectite, orthers in argument, some spoke with deliberation others with anergy. The chairman, I must say, d'd his job admirably. �3 e pulled up speakers who were too personal or too irrelevant; he cooled down rising temperature with untimely jest, in relaxing the prescribed tirnelimit for speakers, he wisely took the sense of the house. After a full two hours debate, the mover was called upon to reply to the criticisms made. From the manner in which he disposed arguments that had been raised against him, it was clear that he -Mas a trained speaker. He made votes by promptly accepting a verbal alteration suggested by one member in an amendmeot which substituted the word 'Antinational' and 'angrous' by the less provocative word 'wrong' and likely to be dangerous. I believed that the acceptance of these sight changes was responsible for the overwhelming majority by which tbe resolution declared carried. So, overwhelming indeed was the vetd~t that a counting was not considered neccessar y. I am not a good or even tolerabie speaker myself. Perhaps that explains the admiration I felt for the various qualities exhibited by many of my friends. But my honest opinion is that many of the speakers sbowed excellent promises, and if given the opportunity at last, some of them will impress large audiences in the years to come. AGREEMENTS Agreement is a concord comformity, bargain o r contract between a person, company or group of individuzls and the other starting clearly what and how the person or persons agreed upon the matter. An agreement must be duly signcd by the people concernd, and their respective witnesses. Stamp should also be affixed acc. rding to the nature of agreement. The value of the stamp on an agreement depends upon the type of ageeement. �There are two kinds of Agreements, One is a "Written" agreement and the otber is a "Verbal agreement: AGREEMENT: Verbal Agreemenst is the one which is not written, but simply agreed upon i n the presence of witness invied. At the moment, we are not concerned with verbal agreement, but only a written one. VERBAL " DANGER" Of Verbal 4greement: Verbal agreem e x is not good and advisable in this age of modern civ lisation and parliamentry democracy. People could easily denv rhe other hence the agreement was not jotted down. If such issue 1s taken to the lnw court, the court is to fild it difficult to discover the truth, hence nothing was written In the olden days when people were God fearing and trustwor!hy, verbal agreement was good and useful. During these days, people were not educated and even there were no no schools at all. And in fact, they h ~ d alternative crder than verbal agreement. But now, let us forget all about \ertal agreement, and rdhere to the written one. Below is an example of a written agreement. "The agreement is made between Mr. Ikeotuonye Akpugbo and Albert Ibe" negotiating for the sale of a motor car. "Agreement b e t ~ e e nMr. Ikeotuonye Akpugbo and Albert Ibe. T o day being 29th Februarv, 1964, we Mr. Ikeotuoove Akpougbo and Albert Ibe both of Nnewi agreed as follows:-1, That a motor car, "E. 0. 7721" which fcrmerIv beloneed ro Mr. Albert Ibe has been sold to ~ r lke%uonye;Akpugbo at tbe cost of (£200) two . hundred pounds 2. Thsb hence the car has been sold to Mr Ike. otuonye, Mr Albert has no legal claim over it again. �That Mr. Ikeotuonye is the only person who has a legal claim over the said car. 4. That all the documents relating to the said car has been transfered to Mr. Ikeotuonye who is the legal onner of the car. 5. That after Mr. Ikeotuonye, his family members are to be the legal owner of the car. 6. That all the car documents bearing the same of Albert remains valid, though Mr. Ikeotuonye is the legal owner of the car. 7. Th3t if any one violated abuses or break this agreement, he will be liable to a court action and he is to pay a total cost of (£250) two hundred and fifty pounds to the other excluding the awardb of the court. SIGNED: M . Ikeotuonye His signature. r Mr. Albert Ibe His signature. In the presence of the following people as witnesses:1. Chukwuemeka Onwuka His signature I$ ,* 2. Wilberforc,: Onwuka Tnis agreement is signed before me on this 29th day' of February 1964. SIGNED WILFRED I. ONWUKA 3 Typist and witness to the whole signature Five shillings stamp affixed to make this agreement absolutely valid. Before you sign an agreement between you and any person or company 1 Try to read it over and over for several times 2 Be sure that it was what you actually agreed upon that was written 3 Study the whole phrases and clauses in that agreement properly as they may carry a differem meaning 4 Try to sigo it in the prestnce of the whole party concerned. �5. Be sure that it was not drafted by yourself alone. And also be sur; that others signrd the agreement. 6. Be sure that it is read and interpreted in any understandable local language. If possible, an agreement is supposed to be signed berore a lawyer or a legrl expcrt. Be io case a vendor or purch-ser is an illiterate or not properly educated, let him or 18er p r o d ~ c z his or her closed educated relative to read and interpret the words of the agreement fix him. This is to ascertain that the whole people concerned knew the actual contents of the agreement befor sloging it or affixing their thumb print. TELEGRAMS A telegram is written urgent message frorne one person to another, in the most shortest and precisent form. The amount of money lo be pald to the post and telegrm dcpertmeni depends largely upon the number of the words in the telegram. How to draft a telegram: If one wishes to draft a telegram, one must try to draft in the most shortest form inorder to avoid paying heavy amount of money. T o show you what a telegram is, let me send a telegram to Margret lkemefuna who is now for holidays at Sokoto and it bappens that ,on school will suddenly reopen on 29th Jaouary, 1964. But, she did not know before. The telegram will reads as follows:- Margret I kemefuna , Box 2 Sokoto Proceed school summoned 19th January Tbis telegram contains, only 10 words, and the person who is sending the telegram will have to pay about 216 to the post and telegram department. �HOW TO SPMK .lW PUBLIC 1 How to use your voice. It is very important to know how to use y5mr voice properly when speaking in public. 2 A few simple exercise can be recommended for a person. 3 As a matter of fact everybodyuses the riddle po:tion of the voice for ordinray conversation 4 You must also remember that the mouth should be well opened and the teeth apart otherwise your voice well. 5 In the first place there is the position of the speaker to ,be considered 6 If the occasion happens to be a wedding, break- fast, a dinner party, there wo4d be no plantform from which to speak. 7 A simple start in this way would be imposible for a local parliament which must have a fzir : number of me.nbers if it is to b a success. 8 This wonderful power of linking together words or facts uhich appear to have no relationship 9 Tkere are many other examples in our language of fine differences between words one of the most abused examples being the popular confusion between want and need. 10 This last point is indeed the essenst matter a couple of friend. of the �CONTENT VERBS To beat, To Hit, To Strike, To Kick, To Pucnh be a t bear beaten. hit hit hit strike struck struck kick kicked kicked punch punched punched . *.- Look at the following sentences: 1 John beats his donkey, (with his hand) 2 His father beat him. (with a strap (or) piece of leather) But. 1. Tom hit Henry (with his hand) 2. Tom struck Henry (on the face, with his hand 3. Albert kicked Joe (on the leg, with his foot 4. Henry punched Sam with his fist, as i3 boxing or 1. Tom hit the ball at tennis 2. Sam kicked the ball at football Also Sam beat Joe at tennis, at boxing; ie :. Sam won and Joe lost. . DRILLS A. Ask and answser the following questions:Example: Q. Did Tom hit Jim on the nose? A. Yes, he did. 1. Did Joe beat Henry at tennis? 2. How did Charles hurt John's foot? 3. What does your father do to you when you behave badly. �4 How is the man cruel t~ his '~ousz? 5 What are you doirg with the football? b Does Albert hit tbe ball hard at tennis? 7 Where did Herbert strike his nei,:hboor? 8 What is the servant doing to the carpet? 9 What did you do to make your brother? 10 How did you hurt your eves? B But in the missing word and then reDear the sentence as a w h o k - George. the ball into the goal , the other boy on the nose Sam Henry..........the dog with the whip Oscar............his school mate in the face with his open hand. Richard .........-.a nail in the wall We.......... the visiting school at football f You should never -...... anyone smaller than yoursel You can, ......a golf ball more than three hundred yards My carpet needs ........... 10 He .-.... me with his book GAMES SPORTS GYMNASTICS NOTE: 1 To play games, I play football, or To go in for games or I go In for football 2 To go in for spots. I 40 in for boxing (shooting, riding, etc.) or 1 box, (I shoot, I ride, etc. �3 To do gymnastics; or. tn go.in-.fclrgymntistiW GAMES footblll tenis tabletennis basket-ball cricket to play c.r hockey to go in for squash golf polo chess cards backgammon SPORTS box ., . ivrestle. swim run jump to ride shoot in fcr hunt walk fish skate ski .$aki'$g. .+resrfia$ .syirnmi@ rur~ning jumping to go ridink shooting hunting walking fis;:ing skatinp sking DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions: - EXAMPLES:- Q. What does George do? A. He plays tennis, or he goes in for tennis Q. What does Thomas do? A. He boxes, or he goes in fbr boxing. 1 What does Tom do? 2 What does Joscph do? 3 What does Henry do? 4 What does George do? 5 What does Albert do? 38 ( tennis ) ( table tennis) ( swimming ) ( cricket ) ( boxing ) �6 What does Herbert do? (walking) (basket-ball) (chess) (skating! 7 8 9 10 What What What &hat B. Ask and answer the following questions:Example:- Q. Ans. does Mary do? does Robin d o ? does Richard do? do you d o ? ( 7) Does Sam ride? Yes, he rides, or Yes, he does. No, he stGims, or No, he doesn't ride, he swims. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Does Alfred s ~ i m ? Does your brother go in for boxing? Does Arthur skate? ( N ........................tennis) Does George play back gammon? No .,. . chess Dots your friend play cricket?, No ............ ..swimming 'Does your father shoot? No .............................. working Does Charles play basket-ball? No ..................skating Does Henry fish? No ...................... hunting Does James go in for hunting? 10 Do you go in for golf? MEANS OF TRAVEL T o go by Train, Bus, Boat, etc. Look at the following sentence?:- 1 The best way to get to the cinema from here is to go by bus. 2 He went there on a dookey. �NOTES:We,.g~.._by, vehicle, by train,_:& bus. by car, by bicy.cJei.:,by aeroplane, b y . train,, ets. But we go on foot, on horse-back, on a donkey, on a camel. A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Q. Is i t quicker to go on foot or by car? Ans. It is quicker to go by car. 1 1s it cheaper to go by car or on foot? 2 Is it more comfortable to go on a horse or by train s 3 T it quicker to go by plane or by boat? 4 Is it more comforti ble to go by bicycle or by car? 5 Is it cheaper to go on a donkey or by car? 6 Js it cheaper to go by planc or by car? 7 Is it quicker to go by carrlage or on foot? 8 Is it pleasant to go by bus or by train? 9 Is it noiser to go by train or on a horse? 10 Is it dirtier to go by train or by plane? b. Ask and answer the following questions: Q. D o rich people usually go by car or on a donkey? Ans. They go by car. 40 �Q. To get to the other end of the street, Would yau go by train or on foot. Ans. I should go on foot. To get to England from America, would you go by boat or on a horse? Do people in the very North of Europe go on camels or on foot? Do more people travel by train or by plane? To get to n Londbn house from the office would you go by bus or on a camel? To get to South Africa from Egypt, would you go by plane or by train? To get from New York to tbe pacific coast of America, would you go by bicycle or by train? Do people in Denmark go short distances go by bicycle or by aeroplane? Do you come to school on foot or by car (If neither, how) To get to the next town, would you go on foot or by boat (If neither, how) Do every poor people go by car or on foot.? Do you prefer to travel by boat or by plane. To get to the top of a mountain, would you go on foot or on a horse. To cross a lake, would you go by bus or by bicycle. (If neithx, how) To have a healthy holiday in the country, would you go by plane or on foot. Do villagers in the Near Easter travel on donkeys or by car. �Tocome, To go, T o walk. To run. To ritlc etc. (It is adviseable tnat this,Section be done in conjuction with the previous one si Ice the two are very closely connected. ... 1 :. I came here by car.. 2 1 went there by car. 3 I walked there. as it was nof far. 4' t ran' there, as there wa.s fi'ftle time. .5. 1 ; rode there,-as my friend was nb!e to take me in his car.. XOTE- "The 'most 'common verbs of mot~on or movement are to come and to go. We can use them '('with or without. the helpof adverb phrases)to express,.any k i n d of motion -(see 'Means of Travel' p, 94.) Thus you can sav. "I came (or went) by car (or bybus, by train, by boat, on foot, etc.) Never say, 'I rode here in a car.', Say either necessary to mention what kind of vehicle it was, simply" .'I rode here.' "I walked here" and 'I came here on foot" mean very nearly the same thing. I came here on foot, ,may also mean I ran here. Do not mlx their two expressions up. Above all, never use the verb *to run for anything except fast motion on foot. ( T o run can be used in other way, but it is safer to keep t o its chief meaning.) Other verbs of motion that you may sometimes -peed a r q l . t o sail, to drive, to swim, to row, to . 'march' to fly. Do.,,not use any adverb phrases to make the meaning clear. The complete meaning is ':already iWfhe verbs. , �Ask and ioswer the following questions:- Examples: .Q. How would you go if you h a . d no money? A. If I had, no money I should walk, or I should go 00 foot. Q. How would jcu gel across a lirte boat \kith oars? A. 2 lake if you had I should row across it How would you get across a river if there were no. bridge and )ou had no boat? , 2. How would yo.1 g,) from India to England if you were in a hurry and had plenty of moncy? 3. How would you reach the polic station in the next strect if somebody had juht been . murdered? 4 Hou would you get to your work. if it ,were : too fdr to walk?5. How would a co n p n j of 'soldiers get to the next town if they were alt on foot? 6. How would you go from Europe to the far East if you waated a pleasant journey of about five weeks? . 7. How would you go donn rbe river Nile if there were n6 steamer or motor boat. 8. How shodd you go across France if you were by yourself and had a car? 9. - How would you go from Paris to Rome if you want ihe quickest way? 10. How would go if you waated to spend an afternoon in the park? 1. �11 12 13 14 15 How would go up a .river if you had a small sailing boa ? How woald you get to rhe fire station if a fire broke out io o u r house and there were neither telephones nor L , chides of nny Kind. How would you go about if you were in the country and had a house? 8 o w would you go i t the place you wanted to reach is only a a d z awav and had a bicycle. How would you get if )ou w & @ d to to get to one end cf L o c d o ~ , frc m the other the quiekest way TO FIND, TO FOUND fiad found found found founded founded Look at the following Sentences:- 1 I found a shilling in the street 2 1 cannot find my hat 3 The letter was founded amoung the rubish. 4 Mr. Smith's fathe'r founded thz business 5 The business was founded by Mr. Smith's hther. NOTE T o find has the sense of to discover, to come upon. The past tense is found and the passive . infinitive is to be found. T o found has the sense of to start. We use it especially of such thing, as building (schools hospitals) aud business. The past tense is founded and the passive infinitive is to he founded. �Never mixt the two r*ord~ up. to find is a wry common word and to found no1 a very common word. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Example: Q. Wculd you find o r found a pocket-book? A. You would find it. , Would you find or found a long lost friend? l 2 Would you your food? 3 Would you own. 4 Would you 5 W o d d you 6 Would you ,ticket? 7 Would you 8 Would you 9 Would you 10 Would you find or found a bite of dirt in find or found a big shop of your find or found a letter on the table? find or fouod a home for old people? find or fouod an unused ra~lway find or found new museum? find or found the way home? find or found a dog in your garden? find o r found an old shoe? 8. Complete each of the folbwiog sentences putting i n the correct form of, to find or to found. Repeat each of the sentences as a whole. �Example: I have.......................a fly in my glass. A I have found a fly in my glass. Q 1 If I had enough money, 1 should ............a house for the poor children. 2 He............ the key he thoupht he had lost in his trouser pocket. 3 I cannot any rest here. 4 Haven't you ................ your pen yet? 5 Lord stop shire the club fifty years ago 6 I cannot ................ the answer to the question 7 Whsre wai the baby .............................? 8 Charles Dickens ...................... that newspapers. 9 He.................. gold watch in the Gar a 10 Tne society was.... by the president. 11 Can't you ..---..". any thing to d o ? 13 Hasn't he............ anything to do? 13 If you turn left you will ..........thz buildin: opp6site you. 14 Your hopes are on sand 15 Diamonds are ,................in South Africa. To Discover, To Invent, discover discovered discovered To Explore invent invented invented explore explored explored Look at the following senteoces A I Cbristopher Columbus discovered America. 2 The driving power of s!eam was discovered by Hero of Alexandra. B I Trevethick invented the Railway eogioe. 2 The aeroplane was invented by the Wright Brothers C I Mungo Park explored the river Niger after discovering it. �2 After discovericg the new land, the men explored it and so learned many interesting things about it. NOTE: T b -disk&er ineans%oEnd or' t o - find a thing or a place :for ~ht&sr t h e .. . ~o'jnvent: means to think out something:newl T o cxplere:- .fleans to travel through a. strange place and learn something about it. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:Example: Q Who discovered Hawaii A Captain C o ~ k discovered Hawaii Cook did or Captain 1 Who discovered disease germs? (Pdsteur) 2 Who discovered the River Niger'! (Mungo Park) 3 Who discovered Tutankhomen's tomb? (soward Carter) 4 Wllo discovered the malaria-carrying mosquito? Ross 5 Who discovered the sea route to I n d ~ a ? (Vasco Da Gama) 6 Who discovered a cure for smallpox? (Jenner) 7 Who discovered the Victoria Falls? (Livingstone) 8 Who discove~ed the heavenly body Uranus? (Herschel) 9 Who discovered r.rdium as a cure for certain disease ? (Curie) 10 Who discovered the reason why bodies fall to earth? (Nowton) 47 �B. Ask and answar the following questions:- 1 Who ivented a printing press in Europe (Gutenberg) 2 Who iovented a way of makinn steel? (Bassemer) 3 Who invented the first practical steam engine? (Savery) 4 Who invented the cotton gin? (Eli Whitoey) 5 Who inlented the sewing machiw? (Howe) 6 Who invented the telegraph'! (Morrison) 7 Who invented long distance wireless telegraphy? (Marconi) 8 Who invented the telephone? (Graham Bell) 9 Who invented electric lightine? (Edison) 10 Who inveoted the safety lamp for miners? (Davy) C. Ask and answer the following questions: I Who explored some of the coldest parts of the world? Shackleton 2 Who explored parts of "vlexico? Cortes 3 Did Columbus explore America after discovering it? (No) 4 Have you ever explored any of the ancient Egyptain temples? 5 Have you ever explored your village? 6 Have you ever explored-the capital of your coun~ry? 7 Have you ever explored the desert? 8 Has the whole world been explored yet? 9 Have you ever explored any old buildings? 10 Wbich part of the world would you like to exploref �TO LeARPJ, TO FIND OUT, TO KNOW You learn a subject Thus, I am learning French You fin3 out information Thus, I found out his name (You can often use to learn instead of to find out 'Thus, "I learned his name.") You know something you have already learned or foun dout. Thus, 1 knowmy own language (Because I learned it as a child.) DRILLS Put the correct forms of to learn, t o find . out, or t o know in each of the following sentence and then repeat each sentence as a whole:Example: Babies must ....... .how to walk Babies must learn how t o walk I am ~ o i - g o the station to.................. nt when the train .starts I am goiog to the station to find out when the train starts. Fish ......- how t o swim Fish know how t o swim. �A' ' g o d teacher ......how to keep hi*'pupi.ls:.in 2 We are now ......... English 1 order 3 Have you ever - .. ..Russian? 4 Do you ........... Russian? 5 Can you ...........if he is coming 6 Birds............ how to fly 7 Yesterday I ............ a pzom by he@ .* . 8 I it so well now that I cao say it backwards 9 A successful business man .......... how to make 'money 10 You must ............... her address tomorrow I I Please.......... whether he still has my watch 12 They................. that I do not believe them 13 I have ........how to do it now how to do it now? 14 Do you ............ 15 You me very well 16 He was drowoed because he did not ..... how to swim 17 He was drowned because he had not .....how to swim 18 Most people......how to ride a bicycle very quickly 19 I want to......where ought to go ........... 20 I have forgotten where it is, but once 1 what has happened to him 21 Nobody 22 It is the business of the police to.......... who committed the crime. my friend, don't you? 23 You 24 Have you ...... the lesson? 25 There isnot enough time to ............the trick 26 D o you ...... where I can get one? 27 I came to see you but..- that you had gone out how to do it 28 It took us a long time to 29 All English children in secondary schools .....French 50 �30 W e you - sta+.qhool you---how hn to speak 31. He' hasn't'been able t........:....what they are doing 6: 32 You are wrong: I...... -..-it docs not cost as much as that. 33 Would you mind ............, if the cat is still in the house. 34 I don't.,. ,... how to tell you. 35 You will have to.. , - to be more polite. TO Drown, TO be Drowned, To Sink, To F l a t . sink drown drowned sank drowaed sunk float floated floated Look at the following sentences:. 1 Many men were drowned when the boat sank 2 The man sank and rose again to the surface of the water. 3 The ship was sunk by the guns of the enemy. 4 Iron sinks: wood floats. 5 The man drowned his cat. 5 The man drowned himself Note To To To To drowned to cause death by water. be drowned: to die by water. sink: to disappear below the surface of water. float: to remain on the surface of the water 51 �Ask and answer the following questions - I How many men *ere drowned when the boat sank-? 2 How ixany won en drowned nhtn.the beat sank? 3 How many childrendrowned uhen the boat sank? 4 Wer, many of the crew drowned when the boat sank? 5 Did the ship sink in deep water? 6 Wtere did the ship sink? 7 Why did the ship sink? 8 By whom was the battle zhip sink? 9 W h ~ did the crew do when the ship began to sink? t 10 Why did ihe man drown the rat>? 11 Why did the man drown himself? 12 Will you be dromned if you cannot swim? 13 Where was he drowned? 14 Were many people drowned in the flood? 15 Would yo11 help a man who was drcwnin,? 16 Does a paper sink or floot? 17 Does gold sink or floot? 18 Do heavy metals sink or floot? 19 Does cork sink or floot? 10 Does rubber sink or floot? ,To be Born, To Die, To be Dead. die died die �Look at the fdtewing sentencee: 1 2 3 4 5 - My brother was born before I was. William Shakespeare uas born in 1564 and died died in 1616. Napoleon died in 1821. He is wearing black clothes because his father has just died. H i s father is not alive; he is dead. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Example Q. When were yog born. Ans. I was born in 1921 or I was born-years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ago. When was Napoleon born? (1759) When was Harounal Rashid born? (1786) When was Louis Pasteur born? (1812) When was Peter the Great born? (1672) When was Ahmed Shawki, the famous Egyptian poet born? (1853) When was Mar:oni born? (1874) When was Galizo born (1564) When was Sir Issac Newton born? (1642) When was Thomas Edison born? (1864) When was Tennyson, the Fmglish poet born (1852 �A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Q. Where were you born? Ans. I was born in Egvpt. 1 Where was your king born? 2 Where was Shakespeare born? (England) 3 Where was Victor Hugo born? (Fmnce) 4 Where was Nelson horn? (England) 5 Where were your brothers horn? (England) 6 Where were your parents born? 7 Where were your uncle born? 8 Where was Alexander the great born? (Maccdon) 9 Where was Plato born? (Greece) 10 Where was Voltarie born? (France) b. Ask and answer the following questions. Example:- Q. When did Swift, the English writer, die? Ans. Swift died in 1745. I When did Queen Victoria of England die? (1901) 2 When did Alfred the Great die? (1626( 3 When did Francis Bacon die? (1901) 4 When did Lord Beaconsfied die? (1881) 5 When did Marco Polo die? (1323) 6 When did Duke of Marlborough die? (1722) 7 When did Marie Antoitte die? (1793) 8 When did Philip V of Spain die. (1746) 9 When .did Rousseau die (1778) 10, When did James Watt die (1819) �Q. Is he dead? Ans. Yes, he is died Q. Hai he dead Aos. Yes, he has died. or Yes, he is. No he is not dead or No he is not (isn't) or Yes, he has. No he has not died or No he has not (hasn't) Is Is 3 Is 4 Is I 2 Julius Caesar dead Christopher Co!umbus dead Cleopatra dead. Hitler dead? Has Hitler died? I. We only use this form of people who have been living recently. 5 Is your father dead? 6 Is Marco polo dead ? 7 is Aristotle dead? 8 Is Shakespeare dead? Has your father died? TO SAY, TO TELL. Look at these sentences: A. I said to him, "I shall return soon." (Direct speech) I told him that 1 shall return soon. NOTE:- (Indirect speech) 1. Change sly to (said to) into tell (told) when changin direct into indirect speech �2. When you use tell (told) in Indirect"kpeech, it must be followed by the name of person by a personal pronoun. Now look at these sentences:- B. He said, "I am angry" (Direct speech) He said that he was angry (Indirect speech) When turning D~rectinto Indirect speech do not change say (said) unless it is followed by the name of a Person or a ~ersoni1"pronon. NOTE:- DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Example:- Ans. I Q. What did he say when you shouted? He said that he was not deaf. What did he say when you came late? : What d ~ d say when vou gave him the book? he 3 4 5 6 7 What did they say when they heard the news? Who said that there would be a holidays soon? Who said that there would beno lessons tomorrow Who said that the war would end soon? Did you say that you were sad. 8 Did you sav that you were happy 9 When did he say he would return 10 Why did you say that' you would not come. B. Ask answer,the following questions:- 1. What did he tell you when you said that you had failed. 2. When did you tell his father that he was in need of money? �3 When did he tell you itre gaod newsZs 4 When did he tell his father that he was i~ need money? 5 Who told you that there would be holidays soon? 6 Who told him to work hard? 7 Why 'did you tell him t o go away? 8 Why did you not tell him what had happened? g Did he tell you that he was ill? 10 Did he tell you that he was going to England soon. MOTE:- 2 3 4 5 The verb 'te tell' is also used as follows:- T o tell a story. T o tell the truth. To tell a lie. T o tell the time. T o tell one thing from another. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:1 Who told you that story? 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 When did he tell you that story? Did he tell you an interesting story? Why did you tell lie. Was he punished for telling a lie? Will you be believed if you always tell the truth. Do newspapers always tell the truth. Can you tell the time of his arrival. Who told you the time of his arr~val. Can you know a good book from a bad one. Can you know a horse from a cow. �12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Can you tell the difference from a pen and pencil. Do you tell lies? Do you always tell the truth? Can you tell me an amusing story. Can you tell the difference between a boot and a shoe. Can you tell me the time of his departure. What happens to people whp tell ties. Are people who tell the truth honesty. Does your teacher tell you stories. . TO HEAR, TO LISTEN. Look at the following Examples:- 1 I heard him speaking but was too tired to listen to him. 2 Listen to what I say. 3 You should always listen carefully to what your teacher is saying. 4 I listened to his speech but did not hear any thing I have oot heard before. 5 I have just heard the sound of a gun. When you listen to a person talking, you will not only hear him but you also pay attention to what he is saying. You can hear a person talking without paying attention to what he is saying. NOTE:- �Drills (a) . A k and answer the following questions : s - 1. Can .you hear the rain beating zgainst the windows. 2. Cim you hear what I am saying? 3. Did you hear the noise of the children phyirig? 4. Can deaf people' hear? 5. Would you sit near a speaker 0:: far away from him if you wish to hear him? 6. Can you hear the noise outside? 7. Can you h+ir the wind blowing? 8. Have you ever heard a .great mao's speech? 9. Can you always hear well when someone is 10. Have you ever heard birds singing? (b) . Ask and answer the following pestions : I. Did you listen to what he was saying? 2. D o you always listen to what ycur teacher is saying. 3. D o you always listen to t!le acvice your father gives you? 4. D o you listen to his speeches? 5. What will happen.if you do not listen to a person when he is spe3king to you? 6. Did you listen to the music which was played last night7 7. Did you listen to him when he was telling you a story? 8. Will you remember what your teacher says if you do not listen to him? 9. Can you hear a person without I'steoing to speaking to you over the telephone? him ? 10. D o you like listening to a good speaker? 59 �TO catch, to take, to obtain, to re;eived receive obtain received obtained obtained received Look at the following sentences : (A) I. I caught tbc which he threw to me. 2. I stayed in bed all lasbweek because I tad caught cold. 3. The policeman ran after the thief but could not catch him. catch caught caught take took taken I. Take this and don't ask for more. 2. I gladly took the money which he gave me. 3. 1 have forgotten to take my books with me when 1 went our. ( c ) 1. I obtained high marks in my last examination. 2. You can obtain all kinds of food at grocer's 3. He obtained d l the money he needed from ' his father. (B) When did you receive that letter? 2. Did you receive the book I sent you yesterday. 3. As soon as he he received my money, he sent me a receipt. (D) I . Drills (a ) . Ask and anlwer the following questions : EXAMPLES : . ( q ) Did you catch the apple as it fell from the tree? ( a ) Yes, I caught apple as it fel! from the tree, or yes, I did. ' No, I did not catch the apple asi'it fell from the tree, or no, I did not/l didn't. �Order Your NIGERIAN NOVELS r . m n 17 Bright Street. o n i t s h i Friendship between boys & girlsand how to make it *s 9d The important book for Nigerian Bachelorp . ., 3s How t o write: good Letters. dad Applicati~ns 3s Forget m t not Is How to mske mertings 3s Husband and Wife 3s Awolowo and Akintola in Political Dattle 3s 6d 3s :6d How to study Hausa, Ibo. English' Languages . . .. 3s 6d How t o Write Love Letters 3s f d How LO make friends with girls Yever trust all that love you 2s 6d A guide t o Marriage 3 s bd '3 Why boys of nowadays d o not marry in' time No Condition is Permanent 3s The Way t o Succeed in Life 2s 6d About boys and gir!s 3s How t o make Love 2s- . Beware- of Women . . -3s. 6d How to get a Lady in Love 2s 6d How to write business Letters and Correct letters 2s 6d How Lumumba suffered ln lire and died in Kataoga 3s 6d Money Hard 2s 6d ,2s.6d Wonders shall never end Love shall never. End 2s 6d The Game of Love 2s 6d 3s Boy's life of Zik the man of Reason 4s' The last journey of President Keonndy Mouey hard t o get because the World is hard 3s '. First Step to study Engl~sh,.Ibo, Hausa .Yoruba 3~6d and Efik Languages Learn -to s ~ e a kEnrlish.- lbo. Hausa Bnd Yoruba Languages 3s 6d .3s 6d. How t o study and write English etc. Love at First and Hate a t Last 3s 6d: Life turns man up and down 3s 6d Man has no Rest in his Life 3s 6d Modern Hand Book 3s 6d How t o Start Life and end it well '3s 66 3s Cd English t t e language of the Modern World . . Order your copies today and become of one of onr &ntomers Immediate attention to every Order made. Order.' and have your own copy immediately. Orders should be msde with .*postal Order or Stamps. Always order your Nigerian Novqls horn: - GEBO BROTHERS SIUOWS' OWN BOOKSBOP, I7 BR16HT SIRtET, ONITSHA. P~infedby -- ALL STAR PRINTERS. 19 EMODl ST.. ONITSHA. 1 �, , , . . , .... . . ' 8 . 1 4 . ' $.-.L>' , - . HOW TO STUDY ~ . nWiTm n ions, Compositions, AGREEMENTS, BETTER SENTENSES, lMfT'JRT,dt,NT LETTERS SPEAKING PUBLIC AND TEACH IN YOUR SELFESGLIS . H � 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 study and write good letters, applications, compositions, telegrams, agreements, better sentences, important letters, speaking in public and teach yourself good English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Onwuka, Wilfred Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : Gebo Brothers [and] Students' Own Bookshop Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Business communication Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3292 Description An account of the resource This pamphlet is another how-to guide described as a "New Grammar Book" in the preface. The author, Wilfred Onwuka, is also listed as a "compositor, poet,novelist and dramatist." He is referred to as "Master of Pen." Written mainly for "senior primary and students in the secondary schools," Onwuka notes that his aim of the pamphlet is to contribute "my quota towards the educational building, progress and development of Nigeria and the world in general," (pg. 3). This pamphlet has morals and political statements within sample letters. Onwuka's creations include disappointment with a sister's behavior, the business dealings of an offshore company, and a request to join a different political party because the Nigeria People's Party is "foundalistic and squandamenic," (pg. 18) Onwuka's section on love letters offers advice about writing letters "when playing the game of love" (pg. 20). One sample written by a woman named Esther professes her own beauty and willingness to spend [i.e. make purchases] on behalf of her lover, (pg. 20). The response, from Gabriel, suggests an expectation of sexual relations "for the game of love", but not intercourse, since the practice often leads to pregnancy. This is an example of safe sex with "a Modern Girl" in Nigeria, c. 1962. In another sample exchange between greedy Paulina and a mournful Rufus, the author demonstrates that heavy demands placed on a lover can cause dire results, when Rufus rejects Paulina's demands for Christmas presents that will "liquidate" him, (pg. 22-23). "Love is equal", argues Onwuka, and Paulina's failure to offer condolences to Rufus after the death of his mother is cited as an egregious oversight, (pg. 24). Other sections of this pamphlet explain how to write composition, agreements and telegrams. The last section of the pamphlet contains drills and exercises to improve readers' grammar and vocabulary. 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/7532076f82bc88d185302829b06da8b2.pdf 26c8dd5732298b6f458262206e0f20d7 PDF Text Text TURNS MAN ] DOWN M O N E Y A N D GIRLS TURN M A N UP A N D D O W N Tbir man tbinks about bis life. his p r o b e s are many. I am very sorry frr lim NEE PRICE 316 ��GIRL Now, see how this girl turns Dick up and down. Comfort is holding Dick of being responsible for her PreganncY while Dick denies. "LEAVE ME! LEAVE ME!!" Said Dick. o "I Will never leave yo, unless you agree ! .marry me as you promised me before, said Comfort. This a a lesson to boys and girls of nowadays." Who thinks that intercourse is a pass port to life. �Preface -.... -.--. .-.Dedication ....Life and money turn man up and down ....Poverty ...-.... Tonic for your personality ..... Important sayings ofwise for your life to, -widen .. ..... .your knowledge My important words to men Life turns man up and down ... Youths without exper.ience -".. -.... ' Lack of patience The privelege of citizen Still in love secretly . I -....Men die in many ways because of money-and .women Questions for men ....-... ...Important words of advice against what may happen to you in future ... -Men .versus money -.. . General brokage in Nigeria today Very fast with life ... ... ...An undiscovered treasure , -- -" . . -" . . - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - 5 7 9 11 17 19 21 22 24 31 32 33 36 42 49 51 52 �Every place I go, "people shout the strong man of the pen". I very much appreciate this type of popularity and.-I am encouraged more to push my pen with all the. advisable words at my disposal. Apart from shouting the 'The strong man of the pen'. Readers write me congratulatory letters almost every day. I am sorry I caanot acknowledge those goodletters one by one but I an1 very thankfull to those writers and hereby re-ffirm my efforts and determination to makt my pamphlets "food for thought" at al! times. In this pamphlet named "Life and money turn man up and down" you will usually acquire considerable ideas with regards to life, and learn much. It is also a physchological pamphlet! THE STRONGS MAN OF PEN. �A picture of a Lagos Boy greeting his bar Lady Friend. "A Highlife man and hi!; lover" This man is a womanizer and a smooker. He can finish ten packets of C. G. a day and can not pass a night without any lady. He does not care for anybody. He doesn't know his home town again. He does not care for his parents. What he knows is to take his C. G. and to chase girls all about. Just look at his waist. He hasn't known that C. G. is dangerous to human beings and girls are poisonous to boys. He will one day suffer them. �UFE A N D MONEY TURN M A N UP AND DOWN "THERE IS A NEW POISON IN AFRICA" . . . , TODAY! ~ l a s h p , trash music and absence'sdllb on the streets in bars,, hotels and homes"are running a countless number of lives bbth youllg aria-ol'd. Bad music that stirs up animal lust in ' men Alid women and causes them to lose their honour and respect is becoming more,.popular every day. . �''M~ch present day African music as well as some music introduced from foreign countries in ' crude reckless and steer noise! Hundreds of people are enslaving then~seb~es the Devil by constantly to listtning to songs which rob their hearts and minds of beauty, decent th'inking and moral strength. 'Take Me G o Corner' and hundreds of other songs in that same cla<s stimulates sinful thoughts in the mind, drain all purity from the heart, and rob a man of strenght of character. Not only our youth, our but adults also are succumbing to these evil songs and obscene music. They think that they are having fun, while in actual fact they are selling their souls and their lives to the Devil and to ruin. We challenge all right thinking citizens of Africa to take stock of what they allow to fill their minds and to take up their time and energy. Bad music is a hot bed for evil, and obscene songs are destructive to the soul. Life And Money Turn Man Up And Down. We feel that musicians like all other citizens, have a great role to play in the task of nation building in Africa. They have a duty to give us music and songs which will build up character in the younger generation. They will utterly fail society if, in order to achieve popular acclaim and to earn money, they dish out only profane, calamorous and morally objectionable songs and music. Such music will dull the mental perception of our people, deaden their consience, and excite beastly and degrading desires in them". (AGican Challega Writer) �POVERTY ,Poverty pains the heart too much. Poverty makes ond to look weak and ugly, and fades one's personality. Poverty makes one to be inactive and to talk less. Poverty reduces one's power and makes one to walk and appear as a sick persbn sometimes. . '. Poverty makes one to be popular in his community because he has no means to "advertise'"himself. A poor man dies un-noticed because not many people know him, but when a rich man beq6mes mere sick, radios, newspapers and other information .organs will report it with sensational iieadline's. �A poor ma.n thinks every npw and .then. He is u.ot happy. Hiinself and his family are not enjoying life. They buy and use secondhand dresses and shoes. -A soup cook:d with 2s lasts one week for thr poor man and'his family. A ,poor man wears 'Patch-Patch' dresses not because'he does no: know that T it is not all that g o o d , ' ~ u tbecause he cannot afford to buy new clothes. A poor man suffers inferiorty complex. He cannot be offered an honourable seat at an occassion. A poor man receives insults even from his very relatives because people respect the money and not the person. The poor man thinks more of his daily bread but the rich man thinks more of his thousands of pounds and another profitable business to establish. The poor man lives in a small unrurnished room because he cannot pay for a decent spacious room. The poor man knows nice things but his condition has forced him to ignor those things. The poor man very hardly pay his tax, rate. or levy from his church or town. A poor man oppases any expenses which may call for new donations or l ~ v y his association because he cannot donate in or simply pay his own levy. �When a poor man's wife delivers, be will be partly happy. and sad.. He is happy because his wife delivered. On the other hand, he is sad. because he. has no:money to meet up with the hospital br maternity bills, and the maintenance of the child.and the wife. A poor man shakes his head when he sees his juniors or age-grades enjoying life. He asks himself "What type of world do I come?" ' In short a -poor man live a poor life, and suffers many things and infact, the poverty pains the heart too much. Tonic For Your Personality. Success is like a tonic, it makes life worth living. People who have never been successful and have not moved forward in life are usually unhappy. People develop interesting individuals as they achieve certain goals they set for themselves. And when they are not progressing, the results are bound to spoil their personalities. Mary was an example of a person who was suffering from a 'standstill' she did not progress in life. She had to leave secondary school before she had finished, and look for a job. So she took the only job she could tiad, filling in a small office. �But many has musical talent. Without training however, her talent was not developed. Filing, filing filing, and how she hated filing. This was not success, and she knew it. Naturally, it sl~owed in her personality. She had not happiness, and there was constant confl~ctin t e r mind. . Nothing is more pitiful than the person who is not progressing in life. As we progress, our personalities become more attractive. What happens to a person who continually fails? He becomes discouraged. and he says, 'Why bother to try? I can't win away'. This kind of person is likely to become suspicious, blaming people and circumstances for his lack of success. It is not uncommon to a person like this to complain of headaches and nervousness. It is surprising then that psychiatrist and psychologists agree that this basic phychological need, the need of being successful. must be met in a person's life he is to be his best. There are some people who have some success even though not complete success. They are likely to be more interesting than one who fails in life entirely. They are usually optimistic, and they inspire hope in others. Successful people look forward to the future. Why? Because the past has been profitable, and the present is encouraging. As a result, they face tomorrow with confidence. --("African Challenge," 12 Lagos) �Important Sayings of Wise For Your Lie To Widen. .Your knowledge. .'1 small man's mouth is his protection. ' 2 . Never boast that you will do this tomorrow because sickness or death or money can disappoint you. 3 poverty is better than illness. 4 A good girl friend is better than a bad wife. . . . . .. . ; 5 All the good or bad deeds done to your parents will come back to you when you have your own. children. 6 Big heap does not mean big bmio. 7 It is better to hear that a man beats a woman than to hear that a woman beats a man. 8 To hold one important certificate is better than to hold seven minor certificates. 9 A child that goes message for people receives many gifts. 10 A wife with bad manners does not gain much from her husband. 11 Life turns man up and' down. 12 Poverty sometimes stops a man from visiting 'his town, and again makes him to : disassociate with his relatives and towns people. 13 �13 Arich man is "Everybody's friend. 14 The man with bold eyes does not see more than the other fellow with smaller eyes. 15 He who borrows money reveals his difficulty before he may be considered for the loan. 16 A woman's gift gladdens the heart more than that o f a man to man. .. . , -a 17 Some disappointments are really disappointments but some are blessing. 18 No man agrees that he is poor before a wo- man. 19 He who dislikes his parents plays with his life and bis life becomes miserable at the 11th hour. 20 When a man who has not up to £5 sees another person counting his £100, he will not be happy with his condition. 21 if something wounds you and the person who supposes to sorry for you fails .to d o it, do not complain, wait and you will see a similar thing happen to him. - 2 2 A' person who laughs a prisoner should bear in mind that nobody is sure that he will never go to prison in life. �23 If you have persistent misfottunes, people . will .. . . mistake it for your sins. .. 24 Without harlots womanizers shall "spoil" girls more and worry marrird females too much. 25 When one remembers death he lessens'his anxiousne s in earthly things. 26 If a beggar asks much he may not be given anything again. 27 if you see two brothers quarrel!ing, do not side anyone because they shall latter settle their differences and come to talk against you. 28 Sometimes generousity is mistaken for richness and quietness, for weakness, and noise making for strength. 29 I f you see a mother who hates her child, really something is wrong with the child. 30 When you mention somebody's mother or father during a quarrel then you have provoked the situation too much. 31 If a thief steals a thief he needs no sympathy. 32 He who is betrayed by his relative is done for. 33 A child does not call Mama when it needs nothing. 34 A man who says that he could burry himself alife forgets that one of his hands would be still left uncovered. �'-.35.': .One does pot ,k~~w.::how . ... ... . mother . .. .-.vadablq;.a . . is until she is dead. 36 In many cases, poverty is tbe result of ones. own faults. 37. If a fowl chases you early in the morning try to run away for you never can tell if it had acquired teeth during the night. 38. . A man who claims that he knoysev:r)thing know nothing. 39. Time is always too much for the idle. 40 Education is like gold. When you want it, y ~ have to do some digging for it is rarely avaiu lable on the surface. 41. One finger cannot remove lice f r m the head. 42. Think always of pleasing; please and you will end being pleased. 43. The 'difference between the fool and the wise is that one misunderstands while the other understands. 44. Two wise men cannot share three cowries. 45. The bird that compares itself with a vulture will sleep at the back of the oven. 46. The beggar's hand is usually longer than the givers. 47. A wife not do any who does not trade or does other b u s i n e s s t h a n t o 16 �stay at home, coo: and chop to her satisfaction, does not know the hardship of money. - 48. A bad writer blames hi3 pen at any time. 49. Half education is better illiteracy. 50. other. than complete If everybody is rich nobady will serve each 51. If another person's corpse is carried the unconcerned regards it as a bundle of firewood. 52. A poor man who does not know that he is poor and spends more than he should not, shall die poor. 53. A sensible visitor eats half belly but the visitor who has no sense eats everything in the plate wholly. 54. A husband and wife who quarrel or fight in the presence of a visitor are both good fools. 55. When a child calls you to come and eat with him and you do so he will never respect you again, and will take you as his age-grade. 56. A disfigured girl with bad manners shall remain with her parents for ever. 17 �.. ... . .. .. . .. . 57.' A bfind man .who hides; wifi not know when he is seen unless he is touched. 58. Whenever you see a person you did a bad thing your mind will cut, and sometimes in your bid to avoid him seeing you, you collide with another person or bicycle or vehicle. 58 He who falls with great debts will hardly rise up again. . . 60 An ugly wife with good manner is better than the beautiful wife with ugly manners. 61. The man whose house is on fire does not pursue aoy rat that comes out of the house. 62. A "bigman" who hates his people and prefers to associata with nobody and stays alone, is like an up-stair without a strong foundation. 63. If you have a wife with a sweet tongue you will not notice easily when she tells you a bad word. 64. No matter how sharp your teeth may be, you cannot bite water. 65. Not only youths make love, our old people play it with their age-grades. 66 A peaceful man lives longer than a trouble maker. 67. It is very scarce to find a man who hate love affairs. �68. A man with wife and children, any day he lacks chop money, he will be running up and down to get money, but a bachelor any day he lacks chop money, he would go to a friend's house and eat. 69. One of the worst sin is to lie again a dead 70. He who talks nonsense makes himself nonsense. My Important Words To men! 1. Since man was naturally born to eat by sweat and labour, man should not keep idle. You should work and work hard. 2. Man should be good "planner". You should plan for how money will be coming by itself. If your plan for money fails, then .you will not rest, becaue man was not born to rest, you should put up fresh plans and struggle about. 3. Man should face his problem as a man and not as a woman or a child. You should not cry when a problem .comes instead you should laugh at it and find its solution. hlan is known when a big thing happens, and not when there is no event. �4. Man should not talk as a women and should, not behave as a woman. Woman has her natural, manner of talking and behaviour. ad has also .. his natural way of things. . . 5. Man should not rest otherwise hunger comes.. but man should not over work himself too much, otherwise sickness or death comes. Wealth accumulated has no power to save you when d k j h comes. So many millionaires had since. died. Their money did not save them. Therefore man should not over work himself too much or value the money more than his life. 6. Man should not quarrel with a woman in the public because her mouth will over take your own and she can tell you anything and you become ashamed. Man should not also fight a woman. 7. Man should be courageous, and vigilant in time of inevitable battle. 8. Man should not fight wrongly or declare unjustified "war" against fellow man. 9. Man should not abuse manhood and should every time uphold the dignity of man. 20 �LIFE TURNS MAN UP r\ND DOWN Life turns man up and dowa, my brother. Man. falls several tinles before he becomes somebody. Sometimes, you will have no chop money and rentage, fees aod this will make your landlord to insult you every now and then. You will keep on borrwoing money from friends and relatives. As you keep on borrowing the money, so will people talk about it in your absence, spoiling your name. You might have seen a man who owned a private car and after sgme time could not own a common bicycle but later r2gained his riches after dramatic fa11 and rise. Now read how life and money turned a man who had $2.000 up and down. £2000 MAN BUT NOW A BEGGER. I was a trader who had £2,000. This £2000 . later f i n i s h e d b e c a u s e of a s h o r t a g e loss I sustained from the goods imported. 21 �Thus I became poor and was laughed by my enemies. I left trading and was employed by an European Company to be a sales agent. Not very long the company terminated me. Not only that I was caught by illness which took all the little money I got from the company. After my recovery, I tried several other business and could not succeed. I am now a begger but I still have hope in God because, hence there is life there must be hope. Some struggling youths are impatient. Life is not easy. All these rich men and women you know if they tell you how life turned them up and down you will be marvelled. They suffered and sometimes there would be no penny to buy common garri and drink. Therefore man falls several times before he becomes somebody. However, in some rare cases, you will see some boys who are very lucky to stand strongly in their early beginning of business. �YOUTHS WITHOUT EXPERIEMi E Soue youths who have no experience with regards to life use to bluff the poor and say whatever they like. They will come to regret their bluffing, saying of bad words and careless usage of money when life teaches them a lesson they will never forget in life. Some fallen angels are now 'passenger collectors', some wander about and some other are in the lowest degree of lives. Whatever amount you get, do not be confiden: that it can never get finished through one way or the other. Nothing is impossible for God to do. Whenever, your progress gives up in any business do not be discouraged. Pick up courage and attempt other works. It may take you fairly long years or short years to see what you want. On the other hand you can still continue your fallen business provided that you can manage things. It does not pay too much to run from this work to the other one, unless you have tried all you can for long and become sure that the work cannot help you any longer, than you leave it for another one. By this time, critical observers will not blame you or critise you for impatience. �LACK O F PATIENCE You see, some of our struggling youths have no patience and again many people are not satished with their works. Ttey would stay in this business and envy others in another works. Thinking that there is more profits in those works more than theirs. This makes some people to quit their business. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE THE TRUTH ABOUT CiGARETTES Until1 recently the public looked upon smoking as a habit to enjoy. Young men and women though it was a sign of 'grown up modem, smart". Older people enjoyed it as a luxury. Some doctors said it was harmful, and some pastors said it was a habit that Christians should be kept away from. But most smokers igoored the warnings as not being serious. Medical reports were denied by cigarette manufacturers and ignored by the public. Now the public overseas is being shocked awake Medical research has proved so strongly that cigarettee smokiog is highly dangerous to health, that smokers are becommg frightened. Cigarette sale are going down in America and Europe. Doctors themselves are stopping smoking and telling their patients they must stop. Even government departments in Russia, Europe and America are issuing warnings. �The importance OF the new c ~ l o o k smoking on is shown by the fact that the wo~~li's largest magazines are publishing articles revealing the dangers. This is worth nothing, since most map;~zines depend on money from cigarette advisers to help support their publications. Yet Reader' Qigest, Times, Newsweek, and other leading magazines now believe that smoking is so dangerous that they are willing to risk loss of advertising money in order to warn their leaders. . In the face of all this we are shocked to learn that cigarette manufacturers are allowed to increase their sales in Africa (see news report in April 1964 Challenge). As sales go down overseas, manufacturers try to find new buyers in Africa T o do so they use advertising that decieves our pub'ic into thinking smoking is modern smars, healthful. They link it up with sports, entytainn~ent, university graduates and professional men. While the public overseas, has been enlightened by their Press and Goverdment, our people are being put to sleep with cigarette smoke: Why have our newspapers and magazines said very little? Are they afraid of losing advertising money? Why don't our governn~entr!epartments warn the public? Are they afraid of losing cigarette taxes? Isn't the health of our people more important than advertisement and taxes? Life and money Turns man up and down CHIEF H U M A N W A N T S The Primary human wants are: (a) Air to breathe. (b) Water to drink and for trade and domestic purposes. (c) Adequate wholesome and nurishing food. id) Land on which to build our houses. (ej Sufficient clothing to keep us warm and to enable us to conform to the accepted standards of decency. (f) A house or shelter to protect us from the sun, wind and rain, and to ensure the privacy necessary for human beings in a civilised society. �(1;) A fire or fuel to enable us to cook our food. THE PIIIYILEGES OF A CITIZEN. 1. Perhaps the greatest privilege of a citizen is his right to have share in the government of the country. He can do so by his vote. 2. In the eyes of the law all citizen are broadly speaking, equal. Whatever our station in life, whether rich or poor, .all of us are liable to punishment in the ordinary courts of law for breaches of the law. 3. Unless he has been suspected of committing a felony a constable may not arrest a .citizen with, out a warrant. 4. No citizen can be legally punished or deprived of his possessions except-by the decisions of the ordinary courts of law. 5. All citizens enjoy equal protection from the law. The protective hands of the Police Force are there for us all. 6. Every citizen enjoys personal freedom: short of breaking the. law he is free to do what he likes. If a citizen is wrongfully deprived of his liberty he can obtain redress by recourse to the law courts. 7 Every citizen has a right to freedom of discussion . This means that he is free to say, write or publish any thing he pleases so long as he does not commit a breach of the law. The law is infringed if he says or publishes anything of defanatory, seditious, blasphemous or obscene character. 8. Every citizen has the right to public meeting. People may nieet together whenever or wherever they please in so far as they do not offend against the law. They can be apprzhended for committing a nuisance or tresspass or constituting an unlawful assembly. Also the public have no right to meet in a public throughfare, or public resorts. 9. Every citizen enjoys the right of self-defence, He is justified in using a proport onate amount of force in defence of himself, his wife, his children. his house or his property. �The responsibilities of a Citizen to His Tunw or her town A. 1. A Citizen's first duty is loyalty to his Queen or President and country. In exchange for the protection extended by the Queen or President every subject owes a "natural and legal obedience to her or him" 2. It is the duty of the citizen to obey all the laws of the land. 3. Since the revenue of the Government is used to defray public expenditure, it is the duty of the citizen to pay all taxes and rates which he has to pay and not try to defraud the revenue. 4. If called upon to help, it is the duty of every citizen to give active aid to the police in the apprehension of offenders. 5. The citizen must d o all in his pDwer to belp suppress a riot, or other outbursts of disorder, or to help repel an invasion. 6. It is his duty to aid the cause ofjustice by giving evidence as a witness in criminal or police cases. 7. He has a responsibility to register the birth of his Children soon after they are born, to have them vaccinated, and to see that they recieve elementary education B. The above are the legal statutory duties of a citizen, but it must not be supposed that the responsibilities of the citizen end with these. If a citizen faithfully adhered to the above he could be described as a law abiding citizen. If he were apprised of all the information in the foregoing pages he might be considered an informed citizen. But this would not in themselves make him a good citizen. It is important that the citizen should realise that he lives in a civilised society and that he has certain moral, social and community obligations. In times like these there is no place for the "lone wolf." Out actions are dependent on the actions of others with whom we have to associate. If, therefore we wish to be worthy citizen of our country, there are certain principles which we must try to observe. These are: (I) Proper human relationship. (2) Service for the community. 27 �Proper Human ~dationship the Art 'of Living. or This is an important element of good citizenship. This calls for (a) consideration for the feelings of others: (b) respect for other person's point of view; (c) Co-operation. (a ) The consideration for the feelings of others Jesus put it this way: "Do unto others as others would have do unto you". Think how much better our society would be if we all try to be (i) Less selfish, (ii) Conscious of the dignity of human personality, (iii) Appreciative of the effects of other people, (iv) More humane, (v) Obedient and respectful to those in authority over us, (vi) Better users of the Queen's Highway. (i) So many of us want everything for ourselves and our families. Let us remember that other people have as much right to happiness and the good things of this world as we. We shall all try to bear one another's burdens by acts of helpfulness when the need arises. (ii) In the eyes of God all men are equal. Every person regardless of his station in life, has a dignity and importance far greater than lower animal. He or she is a human being and should be treated as such (iii) All of us are proud of the things we do. Let us cultivate a sense of gratitude, the habit of giving due praise and thanks to people for what they do for us. or what they do for others because of us. Little gifts of flowers, Birthday or Christmas cards bring happiness both to the donator and the recipient. Also we must not be too ready to blame others, for we all make mistakes. (iv) We mus8 try to avoid the bullying, aggressive scowling and critical attitude in our relations with our friends or subordinates. (v) We must not be in subordinate to our supperiors. Insubordination is is distasteful to any employer. It antagonises him and be-gets retaliations and victimisation. In the long run it is the employee who suffers. (vl) If we only gave a thought to the untold misery ' 1. 28 ' �whichhtoad accidents bring to the homes of so many families. We would all develop .a,better road sense and observe the Highway Cod:. (b) Respect for the other pcrsm'spoint o view f This would be a dull and monotonous world if we all think alike. It is said that variety is the spice of life. None of us has a monopoly of brains or ideas. We must therefore learn to be tolerant of the views and opinions of others. Don't do all the talking. Listen to what the other persons have to say even if their view on a question is not the same as yours. Theremay be a lot in what they have to say (c) Co-oporation It requires little thought to realise that we have to depend on each other at every turn of our lives. Production under the modern system is based "division of labour" "specialisation" whereby several kinds of workers have to co-operate to turn out one finished manufactured article. Similarly no one today could be entirely self-sufficient in every respect. Every person has to depend on the labour of other people on certain commodities which he cannot produce himself. Thus all workers are dependent on other workers whether they be agricultural manual. factory, technical, clerical, administration or professional worker. 2 Service to the community This is one of the noblest duties of the citizen. A number of voluntary organisation such as the Red Cross Society, Child Welfare League, Boy Scout Movement, Girl Guide Movement, Literary and Cultural Clubs, etc offer innumerable opportunities for people to render services to the community. Incia dentaly, these organisations help to develop in their members the qualities of leadership and a sense of responsiblity, and aim t o produce the kind of citizen our country needs at the present time. �Now read a letter from a man who was poisoned by his own wife because of his love. I married in 1947 and wed in 1949. What a honey moon I and my wife began to live happily, not a small one, but a big one. She loved me quite alright, and I myself also loved her. We don't hide anything for each other. If anybody spoke to her on the street, when she returned, she @Is me. she could not eat without me, I myself could not also eat or taste without her. We lived very good for complete two years before devil came in. I HAD A FRIEND What brought trouble? I had a male friend who was very handsome Each time this my friend visited me, my wife admired him. He attracted my wife very much. To talk the truth so that the devil w!ll be ashamed, that my friend never first chased that my wife. My wife gave him all impression and showed him likeness, before that my friend become interested in her. After I heard that when I left for my work, that my friend came and began to play with my wife. That my wife had not taken her money and cooked fresh fish for me but I heard that she used to buy fresh fish and cook it for that my friend. I never took any action when I heard this because I don't do my things like that, I wanted to witness everything with my eyes. One day when I returned work, I saw my two tumblers broken into pieces, I asked my wife who broke them 30 �but' s h i . t 6 ~ drrik'that it"wiii'bui 'ixe$etii'$aby. After ' I heard from my house boy that it was broken by that my friend when he was playing with my wife after both had taken two bott1,:s of beer. I counted this two. One day again, I retorned and saw peculiar thing. 1 counted it three, and began to keep watch of them. One day I left my house for my work, shy about 10 a. m. the very day, I told my manager that I was attacked by big headche and that I wanted to go home and rest for three hours, he permitted me because he was a good mao. I went back to my house and met both parties swallowing pounded yam with fresh fish. I looked on my bed, it was rough, not as it was in the morning the very day. When that my friend saw me he nearly ran mad. Shame was his lot. That my wife could not know whdt to do. Only God knew how she felt. I never showed them that I was highly offended I brought out two bottles of beer from my cupboard and presented it to that my friend, he was unable to finish one cup, before I drank up the beer. I left bim with that my wife and went to my work. -When I returned in the evening. I did not see that my wife she has packed her things and ran to her people. I waited and waited for her to return but I could not see her. According to the native custom, it was my business to go to my in-laws to �inquire why my wife ran and what was her anger Upon all what ,she did to me, I carried two jars o i tombo wine and -went to her parents, when I reached their house with some of my relatives, that my wife saw us and ran out. 1 We. formally presented 'the twd jars o f tokbo . 4 -5 wir.e to those my in-laws. After drinking the wine . .I told them the purpose .'of 'our' &mi&. ~ h &my . in-laws sent a messenger who called in that my wife she' greeted us.with shaide." My in&.' said 'that there was no need for long talk, beciusc theyhad . . heard what they "called deplorable thing" i t bas the tresspass she cdmmitted made her run away they told They begged greatly to 'forg& hen' because i t was, the first offence. They. added that to er;' is human, to forgive i s divine. . - , , ' ' f A. "s' I had earlier decided in my mind that. what ever happened, I will not marry .her again. But I surrendered when an irresistible presure was 'brought and bear on me, by my relatives to receive that my wife back once more. That my wife returned back to my house two days after we came to their house. We begad to live again. Each time we went to bed, she began to beg me to forgive her. I told her that I have forgotten everything, but I added: ':'let another do not happen again". She swore that she would not do that type of thing again �After all these. had .'happened,':;,1thought that my wife and that my friend were no more in love, that they had separated, but I soon heard that they were still in love secretli. 1.investigated and i t was true. I ,went to one o f my. relatives and told .him. He told me to. prepare and sack that my .'wife, I was in preparation, that .my wife gave me poison'that my. friend. gave her t o . give. ,me, so that if . I .die they would be chanced quite alright' to carry on, witb' their love and marry together. The poison nearly killed me. It suffered mi and I s p o t £154: 9s : 8 d t o cure it. That my wife left m e during the'time 1 was sick because she was'informed that 1 have known that.she was.:the person who poisoned me. After, 1,heard that she was. living with ,that my .friend. They married for a year and ' o n e day, they got a big buarrel, and fought, and each sustained injuries, and they qarted. This is the end of my story. My ' name; i s Paul. P. 0.Ebeme: Private Mail Bag ,2819, Kpoko ~ o y and girls, men and women and dear bros ther's and sisters in this life .problems and happiness, man do suffer,till sweat comes out !before,he eats. In tbis troubled world man cannot, record a l l what had happ5ned ,to him in the scramble for money and. the grievous disappointmentwhich life . has fired him. And , I 'can 'tell you :that man. whether short, thin or poor cannot be taken as a small man because any; man . has a .way .,,it]. which ,he shows his manhood, .either.: ; power, I:: cleverness, ;:: foresight, commonsense charm o r . trick: ' , , 33 . : �b1EN DIE IN MAtlY :WAYS BECAUSE OF MONEY AND WOMEN Men die in many ways in finding'.moneyi:~om&, .. .. . . ,.... men had died in the motor accident, many had. died': . .. , for over working themselves. ~estlessness .of. "mind! . . . . . , ,.: and 'heart failure have killid millions of men. :Infact; . mHn do suffer, and man is .a iesponsible being fii'; the following reasons: ;, '(I) Whether a man has money o r not,' d f::".:,c mi t s t . : :. e ~ $ , . , contribute financially to the development "ofi3.bis: . community. (2) Whether a man '. is poorer than 'church:kt'.. he . . .. is liable to pay tax. (3) Whether a man has money or not the desire for marriage sleeps with him on the bed every night. (4) Whether a man has money or, not. he is being looked upon by his relatives to help them. (5) Whether a man has money or not be is responsible for the maintainance . of his parents. (6) . - Whether a man has money ornot he is responsible to maintain his wife and train his children. There are other numerous responsibilities .-which man has. �.. , \ . , -' . , I . QUESTIONS FOR MEN ( 1 In what way is a man known? A man is known by courage, endurance, cleverness and hardworking. ' (2). 1 what way does man overcomes. his problems? h . Man conquers his problems first by prayer,. common-'. . . sense and contribution of advic? received. from.?wi& thinkers. . . $ (3) Is a born to have things easy? Nan is born to sweat before he eats, :,knowing; thisi : we need not worry our mind whenever .we are ' troubled. (4) What type of men are expected succeed in life? Men who are expected to succeed are men who are courageous, patient, kind, honest, labourious and fearers of God. (5) What type of men are expected to fall in life Men who are expected to fall in life are men who have too much competitional mind, men .who envy, men who are dishonest and men. who hate the pro.gress of the others. (6) What type , of men .are expected to be poor forever ? , 35 �There are m:n who hate t o work but love delightful things. They are also the type ,of men that are idle. (7) . What type of 'men are wanted'! Men wanted are men who hnderstand others point of views, men who love their neighbours as themselves, men who are faithfuli simple, sympathetic Godly and poor in heart. (8) What happens t o men who are arrogant and rich in heart? Fall and shame a l w q s be theirs. (9) Is it true that good men d o not have big money? That is lie, the only thing is that good men d o not, as dishonest and unfaithful men, have money one day but have theirs gradually. (10) Is it true that wicked and bad men have money greater than good men? The fact is a that a thief can haveE10.000 a d a y , but thatJ money will finish within a short time while the man who gathers by labcur increase daily.' (11) In what way is a bad man known? A bad man is easily known by words of mouth, attitude especially when you d o a business of money with him. �(12) In what way is a good man known? :.:. .. '. .. . .. ... BY words of mouth an'd .actions.you .know.+ good man. a (13) What is that dkbt 'that mln b&s his 6ohinuUUUu . ..., . , .... nity ? , The debt is wife. When. a man marries he has, . . ?.. . . .. paid his people. (14) Do men maintain their parents greater than their girl friends? . < . It is deplorable to oboerve that some mendoh't ' care about their parents instead they will maintain their parents who born and su~reredfor ,them, they take to drink and maintain thrir girl friends. I have seen many parents going naked xhile their sons wear robes and drive costly cars. (15) Are men who keep tnemselves clean'womaniscrs? Cleanliness is holiness so it. is .very foolish: to think that those who keep themselves clean do, so' in qrder to attrack women but do so for their personal pleasures and to have respect before the public. Infact, 'simplicity of dress and .cleanliness of the body . . : . and mind is lifely.: (16) What does dirtiness earns a man? Dirtiness earns a man under assessment of wealth, . ... disrespect and disgrace. :' (17) Does cleanliness mean wearing of rich clothes costly hand watch and gold? ? . . ' In short. cleanliness of the body and clothes . . whether cheap or costly. . .. . . . , . �But it is not bad to wear eminent watches and gold and robes if you have what is called money. ,(IS) Is it bad for men to rub powder? Every thing depends oo having time and the type of business one does. If you have time to powder your face it is not bad. After all, we do things t o keep our lives long, and have happiness. (19) What makes some men who had got money before to die poor? ' It is a shame to do a common work. (20) ' What type of men regain their wealth after life had blown them? They are men who are not shy or shameful to do the' work of a common man. IMPORTANT. WORDS OF ADVICE AGAINST WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO YOU IN FUTURE Here comes a letter from a man whose former boy asked to come and serve him seven years as he had served him and ,the advice given him and you (1) Dear master of life, I heard that you' are a. great master of life and a famous adviser and I have read your books and was convinced that you are a wonderful being I write. 38 �But if you were rair'to hirl and he insist not to help you until you serve him then he has not the slightest respect and sympathy, and I.advice you not to go and serve the., b.xy because his mind-+ not good to you and his aims at bigh. What * I can, tell you is; Forget the boy's money and take thing mainly for n o condition in this w0r.d is Fermanent and life, you see is empty dream.' Again from today stop to pray to God to take away your precious life and nerper attempt to commit suicide for it is arainst the law of the state and that o f God. And don't have little mind, encourage your!self as a man by prayer and labour you shall regain lyour wealth and become a man whoIhas astory of . life to tell. Here comes a second letter from a €I per month court messenger whose, wife denands more than his ,salary and the advice given him and you. 2. I am a court messenger receiving £5 per month. [when I receive it I share it. To tell you my own miserable state: formerly I had many dependants and what was called money but now I am no where. I have no person to help me financially except my former boy, Robinson, who insisted that he would not help me until I have served him for seven years he had served me. After the boy said this, my brain scattered and I was unconscious. What I did was to pray to God to take away my life instead I will live to serve the boy who had served me. Now tell me what to do either to go and serve th? bay or s t a ~ d firm in my decision ot to go and serve the boy however. hunger worries 39 �Your case is a difficult one but I will try. Nobody except y ~ u , can tell whether you treated yixr boy fairly or not during his service to you. If you were cruel and gave him tough time it might t ? his annoyance a ~ why he insist that he will not d hel;, you until you serve him for 7 years he had scrved you in order to return every wickedness for uickedness. That is to retaliate. Advice: I gave. my wife £4 for,what we will eat for one month. I ' used 5s for my pocket money and saved 15s for our cloths and eventuality. But what is paining me now is the persistent complaint of my wife that hunger worries her at any time because the £4 is not sufficient for one month. When I asked' hcr to tell me the amount she thinks that will d o for one month, she said £8. AS I cannot afford £8 what will I d o ? 1. 0. ISELLE UKWU W. NIGERIA Advice: I don't think that your wife knows your income. Try to make her know your salary to avoid undue demand because she is over assessing you. In view of the present high cost of living manage to give her small amount to start small trade, from there she can help to what you eat. Here comes the third lrtter from a woman who explains why she divorced her husband. and condemn men and advice given her and you. 3. Dear Mr.' Njoku, I have been reading your books wit11 interest. �1,;ould ..gatherdhat''you.a r e an impartial writer bGt 'I don't know how you will f d l . to;. read me criticise me as you a r e a man b u t m y how,. I will ' strick .because my pen is not. a rrspxter of ,anybody or a disrespect, t~,well.-fashioned ientlemen.. 1 was i n the school when. a certain young .man approached my parents' to marry me. The. man. .was a shop boy i n the' U. A.'C. but when asked about his occupation he;replied: "I 'am a branch manavr o f the U. A.'C." 'He told me 'secretly that he had f 2,OCO saving in the' Bank and promise, to pleaseand maintain ;,he if I agree to marry him. I'was not impressed by 'the : E2,000 he claimed to have had in the Rank but I was impressed by his promise. to pleased and rcaintain me. ' 'I was also impressed by his appearance. I agreed and we married together. The first month I came to his house I received a good treatment. Everything 'was normal. But when, we entered the second month I experienced a slight change. The third and fouth month were deplorable and miserable. The man started- to show me his true tolour and I regretted my marriage with him. , He started to beat me, started to make mouth a t me for the slightest offence. started to do me all sort of things a man supposed not d o to bis wife. What action did I take? I left the man with his insincerity, with his unfaithfulness, with his cruelty, with his senselessness and his wickedness. The attitude of the man has made me to condemn men and always look at them with unreliable eyes. The ' littles in them pretend to be big. No more with me and men I have chosen independent life. �Aivice: Elizabeth, I can assure you that I am nor a ~ n o y e dbetause you critised: men of which I am among. I'm only, ageinst destructive criticism I am also sorry for your broken marriage. Whom will 'I td. n e, is it you o r the man for the failure of thc mmiage? I will 19ot blame any party for being respo~siblefor the,failure of the marriage until I hear both sides. I have heard'lou but have not heard not voice of your former husband; One book says: "don't givz judgment until you h:ar both sides of the case." Do you know Elizabeth that woman is born to be under man as man is born to carry the responsibility of a woman? That woman who is disobedient and has quick temper cannot succeed in marriage? Referring to your decision to become an independent girl, it is the worst you have said. Do you know,that an independent woman has no way to refuse thecbarge that she is a prostitute? That is very hard to resist the trials of men? That people will look you very down! Please revoke your plan if you want to save yourself from blemish and regret. The last is your condemnation to entire men. You have misfired. Don't you know that all men as well as woman are not bad or good. To say the truth, the number of good men leads the number of the women who are good. If you don't know, know it as from now. And it is unwise to assume that all men are unreliable simply because a certain man disappointed you. The fourth letter comes from a man whose wife over-powered. during fighting and the advice 'given him and you. �4. M y OWD case is ihis; My'wife Paulioa is a strong woman and a .:tireless fighter.. Instead I will overpower h e r 'during fighting.. she 'overpowers .me being that she knows that st.e is stronger than,me, me what [.will she disregards my orders. P1easC:tell ... ...... do. to this cvoman.' ., ' OKEREKE UCHE, ABUDU N. NIGERIA There is n o 'reason why a woman should overpower you. Why say wk.t .is expected from a woman? It means that it is :b certain thihg you d o : which makes you very weak o. are you sick?. You cannot d o the woman anything. than to avoid affray and keep your bouse in peace by displinary action. Don't fight next time, fighting lets- some one down and you cannot- reform a woman by beating her o r quarrelling with her., Advice: The fifth letter comes from a girl who is .in difficulty in choosing a good husband and the advice given her and you. 5 Two men are coming to marry he. The one I love has n o money to mairtain me but the one I . dan't like has much money to give me. Please tell me what to do. VERONICA 0. B. EBI ONITSHA. Advice: If you know that you cannot marry the man whom you love because he has no money and cannot also marry a money man you don't like wait for the man whom you love and at the same time have money. Be very careful in engaging a man. Ty to know the work of money and love in r mamage. �"MEN VERSUS MONEY" . , \ . . . . .. . The struggle for money has gone so far, that s j m e have now begin to ,ask; which is .it that controls the others? The' lifeless or the animate men? The uneasiness.money of this life, is mostly caused by money, ..many dic in the strife. Other still remain in want. What evil has it not introduced? Where there is peace it intrudes. Those who has not often complain. Those who has it also complain. Dearest friends has it seperated, so from father has it disunited, husband and wife hastit. brought t o a clash that is how money handles man's life. . But man is made to control . money 'and.not money to control man. In whatever-condition .you may be let not money change your mind. To,.:the ..rich and poor give good treatment, for the Lord:$ .. ,. ., .-the maker of them all. .. , Remember the great 'END' that respects no& and treat others as you would like to be treated. BHOKACE OF NIGERIA WORKERS "BROKAGE" is Nigeria workers, .number One disease. They cry, '1 am broke among Nigerian workers that one often wonders whether there is a Nigerian wage earner who does not go broke before ..the end of the month. "Employers in Nigeria know the 'brokage7 disease too well. Often, though always grudgingly, they give their ernplojees salary,advance t o tide them over the rest of the month. The 'brokage' problem naturally causes many employers a great concern. "Many of them, have come to know that at 'no time does a worker loose more concentration, become more downcast and agitated and worried a s when he is' broke. When the Nigerian worker is broke it shows on ' his face and only a little ::money, 'either by way of loan from" a friend. or , ' 44 �salary advance from his employer. can restore his self--confidence and make him do his work conscientiously. Tht question that Nigeria Governments and other employers of labour have been asking is: Why in the Nigerian worker always broke"? ,Most Nigeriaos, including the workers themselves, will promptly answer that they go broke because of the low salaries paid in the couctry. There could be so if it is only the members of the lower income group of workers that go broke. Unfortunately this is not so. 'What about the highly paid worker, the senior servicemen who is often referred to as an overpaid Nigerian? Why does he go broker Why is it that it is among this class of well-paid workers that 'brokage' is most pronounced?. "It is 'an open secret that in Government mimi. stries and in commercial houses, chief clerks and other better paid officials often borrow money, when they are broke, from t h e junior workers under them and by subtle means. Often the borrowing is covered up with the excuse that 'oga' (the boss) has no loose cash with him". 'On this pretext the 'oga' will order the messenger to buy him cigarettes or soft drinks or kolanuts or other such little things with his own money as 'op' has no lcose cash with him". "At times, the 'oga' comes out bold, with the same no loose cash excuse, to demand two, three, five or more shillings from his mesienger nr his compound cleaner or junior clerk in 'the office. �' e does this almost every other day from the H tenth of the month. .And .at'the ' end of the month it will be discovered that the 'oga' is owing a number of his junior staff sums of money that range from five shillings to f I. A witty messenger in a Federal Government Ministry in Lagos who knew the game once shocked his deputv permanent secretary out of his witts. The deputy . permanent secretary had, with the usual story that he only had a £5 note, asked him to buy a packet of cigarettes outside..^^ But the messenger asked the deputy permanent secretary t o bring the £5 since it could easily be changed by the cigarette seller. Rut the deputy permanent secretary had not even a five shillings note on him. The story was told by the deputy permanent secretary himself. A defence very oftell put up for brokers is that it is our social system that compels a wage earner to cater, not just for himself, but also for stines of other aged mother, father, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and. so on that is responsible for this social melody. While there is no doubt that our social system makes some contribution, it will be certainly incorrect t o hold it u p as the main cause of 'brokage' among Nigerian workers. Indeed, workers who minister religiously t o the needs of their large families hardly complain of brokage. They prefer t o bear their burden in silence and make every sacrifice, including self-denial in order t o discharge their responsibilities to their families. �,. But eve.0.' a;$suiniog"that . .family re:~po,cisibilities: are~~the main.cause' of 'brokage', what is the sedse in a man accepting more responsibilities than he can bear 7 The truth is that most of those Nigerians, who are saddled with family responsibilities fail to tell their people their true positions, how much they earn, how much they spend it and how much they can afford to give to their families. They lie about their incomes and so increas their relative expectations. Take the case of a senior executive officer in a commercial house who earn £960 a year. He lives in a flat of £20 a month, he pays £15 each month to his company to defray his car loan, he spend f25 on his family of five (himself, wife. two children and a maid): £2 goes to his provident fund; f 2 goes to his family medical expenses, the nany takes, £3: he sets aside $3 for entertainment, and his family union dues and his newspaper claim seven shillings and nine pence. At the end of the month he is left with barely £10 and on assumption that his pay is tax-free and that his car basic allowance and mileage claims during the month will be enough for him to run his car. We have not considered a life insurance policy for himself and family or his saving for the rainy day or his buying books to keep up to date in his job or the school fees for his children and clothing for himself and family. Why should a man in such a position not make tbe position clear to his family? Why should he agree to being further saddled with 'the responsibility of paying for a sister or a brother in a College or University 7 47 �.Is there any sanity in his agreeing t o assume re~~oiisibility old uncles and aunts: at home?. '. for Surely if a man takes the members of his family into confidence, they will understand:and'dra. stically cut down on.what tbey expect from hi.n. Bur4:have said i t is never the . w & k < that carries family 'respmsibility :'who' grumble: most about *,brokage'The worker who complains the loudest . and always pesters his employer for salary advance .and runs round the money lenders, offices often has hardly any family responsibility. He is merely. .an arch . -broker. -: . . On what does' he spend his' money, that '.. 6. e . i ~ ,..broken,before the fifth of every new month?, .The answer is simple but eainful." ~e : spends his money on' wine and woman, on inesential .loxuries and on.putting up false shows .just t o be .like ': the Joneses next door.. . . . . .. ~ ~ a i the reason for the extravagance in most ", Nigerians is simple. . . . The majority of Nigerians believe, that what matters in life, is not what they are or what .they :can. do by themselves or what moral and intellectual .. , qualities they possesses; not what they bring into life or what they give t o life. The matters to them is the number of persons they know and the number of persons who know them. This, they believe, is the passport to,success, since to reach the top in society, all one needs t o 'do is to press the right buttons and make the right contacts through the persons who knows and the persons who know one. , . ..With this wrong belief firmly planted. 'in their minds, most Nigerian workers, instead of working ,hard, instead of husbanding their incomes .well so "as to improve their personal lasts and these of their -' �families: : instead .of employing their earnings to : advancii 'their.metlta1; moral and~.intelledtual..abilities spend their hard-earned money. ' i n ,cultivating the companies of 'big men' and living fast lives. they can ill-afford. ' So on a salary of £960 a year, or seven less this class of Nigerians move into a flat of £25 a month, get the flat expensively furnished on hirer purchase terms, employ a driver on a salary of £10 10s a month go in for a big car for which they pay about £30 a month ( .there are cases of workers who buy ears when they are not yet qualified, by their status in their offices, to do so), keep a string of girl friends that cost them about £25 a month and spend at least £ 5 . every week--end on pubcrawing. Although some of such Nigerians may have cook stewards at home, they do not go home for their meals because their native dishes-eko, amala, eba, egusi, ewedu and okoro are .too mean for them to eat. They must go to big hotels daily for their lunch and dinner and always with girl friends and one or two other friends just to show *off. They called themselves the new civilized Nigerians. They keep the company of ministers of state and business men whose income in a week pays their year's salary. In the night clubs, they go in for drinking contests buying more drinks than they need. By the end of the month they find that they have overdrawn their accounts in the bank by more than £50 and that number of cheques they have issued had bounced. Worse, they find that their petrol bill have ' 49 �soared , t o more than f20, not because they have been going' about much in the interest of their jobs but because they have been darting from one girl's house to another playing the big boys. Today in Nigeria, it is not unusual or strange for an executive officer on a salary o f f 1,200 a )ear to give expensive parties every quarter for Ministers of State or for well-known business men or even2 for girl friends just for the fun of getting his name and photograph in print. Neither is it anything to make people raisestheir eyebrows for a young man on a salary of less than £800 a year to change into expensively tailored suits every week-end. With his background then, the answer to the question of what makes the Nigeria worker always broke becomes simplified. The Nigeria worker goes broke not necessary because his income is inadpquate: He goes broken because he does not live within his income. The Nigeria wage earner will not be broken at the end of the month if he. draws at list of what he really needs, and not what he wants each month. Learns to refuse to accept a family responsibility that he can't carry. Re-examines his present carryings on so as to find those that are really worth the troubles and .expense and those that are not. . . . ~ e c i d e st o ' . deceive . himself. no.' nibre . and, see himself as he really is-(Sam Uba). . . . �GENERAL BROKAGE IN #ICERIA: TODAY. Not only the Nigeria workers broke, other private individuals broke. If you will have the chance to go to any hotel you know' and see how people larvish their money. They order beer with competition. This man will 'order six bottle. The other man will order twelve bottles at ago. This beer is not to entertain an important visitor but just to show. off and win the love of postitutes in the hotel. Apart from wasting money on beer in the hotel there are other ways that traders and businessmen lawish their money and later broke. I list below very few of the ways: (I) Common buying of cars nowadays and maintaining them by even those who are tenants. (2) Common buying of motor cycles this time by those who cannot afford to pay a fine of £150. (3) Spending much on women. : (4) Being too fast with modern life. Infact. I used to laush at some boys who are tenants yet buy cars. Why not use that money and buy a landed property so that when you may broke then you sell it and begin business again. Some boys buy the cars with the pretext that it helps them to run about for business. In. as much as 1 have noticed, so many boys buy cars in order to carry woman up and down on the front. You will hardly see them carrying their wives in the cars. They prefer to give 'lifts'. There is no sense in your purchasing a car wben your capital is not big and when you have not been able to build even a single house in the township. �Do not be fast .with life stherwise ynu..broke. When y o u , get n car, you. will.run. much evpen.ses. -Your''people vGll t:ake f o r . granted..that . .your pocket has become tcb heavy and you cannot deny it. Then they will contact you constantly help If you tell them that you have no money they will never be satisfied, hence you drive a car. Apart from your people, friends will come to borrow money from you. In fact, some youths who are-fast with life d o not know the implications in buj;iig cars when they are not qualified. It is shameful to drive car this year and ride on a bicycle next year because of brokage. Your enemies will laugh you t o scorn. My friend, God's time is the best. A trader in the market who trades with £500 is not qualified to own any type of motor cycle how much more a second-hand car is cheaper. It is cheaper and better to join a taxi whenever there is an urgent business call than to own a personal means of transport with the capital which cannot even survive the present unhealthy trade competition. Some boys this time furnish their rooms with considerable sum of money. Boys who have just begun lives should not over tide their rooms. You can buy a radio and leave record-changer as this is wastehl. In short, you should not buy unnecessary things otherwise you broke. It is regrettable to observe that some boys who havejust began lives by family beds with £12 10s English matress, because the locally made £4 matress is too low for them. You see all this makes nonsense of a careful life and invites brokage ' �O u r boys this time arcvery fast with life. They need cars, radiograms and other luxurious things. Bicycle is no longer regarded this time because of car. If you are too fund of car when you are not eligible to buy it, well you may go to the firm that sells it and buy one. N ~ b o d ywill teil you to re-sell the car but the tning that will tell you to re-sell it by auction, will tell you. "IT IS A TRUE WORD" "It is a true word" that some wives d o not salute their husbands good morning and "thank Sir" after choping. When I heard this, I could not believe -but when I conducted an intensive investigation, I came to see that "it is a true word". NO EXPENSES NO DIFFICULTY! One would not make any expenses in salutation 'and there is no difficulty in it, it is a question of "open mouth and close it". Therefore any wife who fails to salute her husband has neglected her husband to the last, and must' be aware o f . the coesquences. When I was conducting the investigation with regards to the salutation, I came in contact with one housewife who did not salute her husband at all, I qucrried her QUESTION: I have noticed that you do not salute your dear husband in the morning and after choping, why? Wife: "Yes I don't I am annoyed with my husband. He does not buy me dresses and other things necessary that a wife must use. This is the reason wby I stop to salute him this time." �Other housewives probably have a similar reason as to why they do not salute their husbands. Bur there is no sense in it. That your husband does not buy you things must not stop your saluting him. Perhaps. he has money. Some housewives demand things, fram their husbands without assessing the income of their husbands You should not demand gold beads and earrings when your husband cannot afford to purchase them. You ask for the things you know he can afford to buy without 'pains' otherwise vou kad him into debts. On the other hand, any husband wh? intentionally stops to buy her wife necessary things, since he has the means, calls for disrespect from.his wife. AN UNDISCOVERED TREASURE. "A Christian worker entered a wretched poverty stricken home. Beneath a rickety table, he saw a dust covered Bible. As he left, 'he said. "There's a treasure in this house which if discovered and believed would make . you all rich"! A deligent search was made f ~ the hidden treasure. r Could it be a jewel or a pot of gold left by the former occupants of the home? asked the searchers one of another. Their search was ,in vain. No treasure was found. Not long there after, the mother picked'up the old Bible. She began to shift the pages of the unread Bible. On the flyleaf were written these words: Thy testimonies are better to me than thousands of gold and silver! 'Ah'! she exclaimed, "Can this be the treasure, the stronger spoke of? She and the other members of the family began to read the Bible A change came into their lives. A change came into the home. Love, joy and peace came into hearts which were formerly filled with, sin and discontentment. When the Christian worker returned to the home the grateful family exclaimed, 'We have found the treasure, and in reading it and receiving it into our hearts, we have also found the Saviour!" 54 �, . BOOKS PUBL'SHED BY: NJOKU 8r SONS ' BOOKSHOP 1.: The life story of Dr. Nkrumah. Dr. Cl~ike Obi arid other leaders in Nigeria . 39 2. Hausas and Ibos 31216' :3 No condition is permanmt 4 Why boys of nowadays never marry early ; again 5 Beware of women 6 How to make love with girls 7 Now to get a lady in 10% , 316. 8 How Tshombe and Mobutu regretted after . the death of Lurnumba 316 316 9. How to play love 216' 10 How to write love letters 316 ' I I ' Life story of boys and girls 12 Hausa, Ibo, Eoglish and Yoruba made easy . for beginners 216 13 How to write Better letters, Applications and Business letters 3114 The Nigerian bachelor's guide 216 15. How to write good English, Letters, Compositioos and welcome address 316 2r6 16 A guide to marriage 17 How to write agreements and receipts 216 18 How John Kennedy suffered in life and died suddenly 216 19. How to study and pass examinations 316 20' How to marry a good girl and live in peace z with her 316 21'; How to write and speak to girls for : friendship 216 22: Questions and Answers on Typewriting, Short-hand and Office Routine . - . . 316 23 How to study proverbs and their meanings 316 A ~ p l yfor our Catalogue and be one o j our successful custombs with 3d Stamp, ro NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP No 6 Arondizogu Street, Fegge-Onitsha ALL STAR PRINTERS ONITSHA. �BOOKS PUBL'SHED BY: NJOKU 8r SONS BOOKSHOP 1. The life story of Dr. Nkrumah, Dr. Chike 39 Obi arid other leaders in Nigeria 2. Hausas and Ibos 313 No condition is permanent 216 4 Why boys of nowadays never marry early again 216 5 Beware of women 216 6 How to make love with girls 216 7 How to get a lady in love 316 8 How Tshombe and Mobutu regretted after the death of Lumumba 3 16 9 How to play love 316 10 How to write love letters 216 1 1 Life story of boys and girls 316 12 Hausa, Ibo, English and Yoruba made easy for beginners 216 13 How to write Better letters, Applications and Business letters 3/14 The Nigerian bachelor's guide 216 15 How to write good English, Letters, Compositions and welcome address 316 16 A guide to marriage 2,6 17 How to write agreements and receipts 216 18 How John Kennedy suffered in life and died suddenly 216 19, How to study and pass examinations 316 20 How to marry a good girl and live i n peace witbkr 316 21 How to write and speak to girls for friendship 216 22 Questions and Answers on Typewriting, Short-hand and Office Routine 316 23 How to study proverbs and their meanings 316 Apply for our Catalogue and be one of ow successful nwtomers with 3d Stamp, to NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP No 6 Aronduogu Street, Fegge-Onitsha ALL STAR PRlNTERS ONITSMA. �rg L1 LIFE, MONEY A N D GIRLS TURN M A N UP. A N D D O W N Now, see how thi girl turns Dick op and down. Comfort is holding Dick of being responsible for htr pregnancy'while Dick denies. "Leave me!, leave me1 ", said Dick. "I will never leave you unless you agree to marry me as you promised ma before " : Comfort. said This is a lesson to boys and girls of nowadap wbo think that intercourse is a p a s p r t to life. C. F I sc . $3 .r J � 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 Life turns man up and down : money and girls turn man up and down Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olisah, Okenwa Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria: Njoku & Sons Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 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.c3309 Description An account of the resource This cleverly-titled work from Sunday O. Olisah, also known as "the Strong Man of the Pen," is described as "a psychological pamphlet" that examines the connections surrounding poverty, unhappiness, success and progress, (pg. 3). The cover has an illustration of a pensive man seated on a chair with a caption below that states, "This man thinks about his life. His problems are many. I am very sorry for him." A strong theme running through this advice-filled pamphlet, also common in much market literature, is that "Men die in many ways because of money and women," (pg. 34). One example of how "girls turn man up and down" appears on the first page where Comfort holds Dick responsible for her pregnancy, (pg. 1). Dick wants Comfort to leave him, but she insists that they marry. Olisah makes his message clear to any reader "who thinks that intercourse is a pass port [sic] to life," (pg. 3). Another story of a life turned upside-down comes from a long letter written by Paul Ebeme who laments his wife's attempt to poison him after carrying on an affair with his friend (pg.30-33). Although he recovers from the poisoning after paying for an expensive cure, his wife decides to leave him to marry the other man. This is just one case of how "Man is born to sweat before he eats," (pg. 35). The author includes sayings labeled as "wise for your life to widen your knowledge" that include "A small man's mouth is his protection" and "Poverty is better than illness," (pg. 13). Some expressions have disturbing connotations related to masculine pride, such as "It is better to hear that a man beats a woman than to hear that a woman beats a man," (pg. 13) and "No man agrees that he is poor before a woman," (pg. 14). As a counter to these statements, Olisah notes" One does not know how valuable a mother is until she is dead," (pg. 16). Others contain even more wit such as "if a thief steals a thief he needs no sympathy," (pg. 15) and "a man who claims that he knows everything knows nothing,"(pg. 16). In a right-side-up world, wives would respect their husbands and the state would respect its citizens, according to Olisah. 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/0b0d0e729a4e536da48094cf000ff835.pdf c61922c9dba3a52ec69ce837d2d56607 PDF Text Text ��660MENALARISM'' SERIES 1st Edition June, 1963. AN enquiries and orders to: Mr Okenwa Publicationst 13 Nnewr St., Ooitsha. �THE IBO NATIVE LAW AND CUSTOM BY Okenwa Olisah (The S t r o n ~Man Of The Pen) FOREWOREDED BY Barrister Chukwnno Metub Copyright reserved �CONTENTS Foreword Preface Title Taking Or 'Ichi-Ozo' M~rriage Funeral Ceremony Wrestling Worshipping of "God" The Toad & the Tcrtoise War Song An Ibo wifo Birth Ceremony Popular Ibo names An Apology The towns in Ibo Man and woman Abornindons Capital Thefts HOWto Address Ibos Ibo market days How Natives prices articles Salutation Sieniflcaocz of the Kola Nuts shing Ibo Feasts Devolution of a deceased's property �FOREWORD There has been many books written on various aspects of life in Nigeria embracing in particular, the social life of the people. Admitedly these books may have dealt with the law and custom of some of the tribes. However, none has been written to deal exclusively with the Ibo native law and custom. It could b e argued that 'cOMENUKO" did go a long way in thls branch of study. Nevertheless, as its title suggesrs, "OMENUKO" is not a book that deals specif~cally with i b o natlve law and custom. I n this booklet, the author has attempted to provide the general reader with facts which are common to all Ibos. I t is not an overstatement to say that there are as many customs and laws as there are iowns. The author has very carefully avoided confining himself to dealing with the laws and customs s f any particular town; lest the town be taken as ,repres'enling the rest of Ibo towns. Thus, this booklet does not in the least pretend to be an exhaustive catalogue of all that one could look for in the cus;oms and laws of the Ibos. There is every likelihood that the g:neral reader who is not an lbo will have a reasonably good general information of the nature of the laws and customs of this dynamic tribe. ' CHUK WUNO METUH, BA RRISTER-AT-LAW OF [KENGA GAMBERS, 73 Venn Road Sauth, Phone 9139 ONITSHA. �PREFACE With greatest respect,, I humbly have the greatest pleasure to produce this little informative work captioned "THE IBO NATIVE LAW A N D CUSTOM". I trust that i t will give you vast knowledge or idea about the Ibo native laws and customs which are unprecedented throughout the world. However, the Ibo Christains are doing away with some native laws and customs which are considered inconsistent with the life of a Christian. Biit Ibo pagans observe the native laws and customs in full swing. You may agree with me that an Author who wrote this type of book must have taken mnch tronble. I visited many elders, natural rulers, councilors and other classes of people and held interviews with them. I obtained interesting informations and facts from them. The names of some ceremonies and their performances could differ within the Ibo towns but this makes n a much difference since all Ibo towns d o not speak one type of Ibo yet they are all Ibos and understand one another easily without an interpreter. I have done every t h i ~ g possible to avoid false informations or embarrassing ones. I hope that students doing Ibo in the General Certificate of Education Examination, or West Africa School Certificate Examination, will be helped by this book very much. 11 issimple to be read and to follow. I am indeed very grateful to a number of friends especially to Chukwuno Metuh. fcr all the immense help and careful correction of the manuscript Constructive criticisms welcomed. OKENWA OLISAH, Strong Man of The Pen). h he �Title Taking Or "Ichi Ozo" The ceremony of the title takinp; cdlled <Icbi Ozo" is every where in Ibo larld very grand and interesting to wateh. A poor man cannut perform this ceremony in view of the considerable amount c f expenses involved. Certain "Ozo" takes up to £500 to perform. In fact, it takes money. The Ozo has grades, the first class takes more money and n o r e materials to perform. An 'Ozo' title holder shall have his 'Ozo' nameThis name is t o mean something, sod he is to be saluted w ~ t h this name. Before he is t o qualify t o take the title, he must satisfy all traditions and customs connected with it without the slightest irregularities. Some people perform 'IGBU ICHI' ceremony before taking the 'Ozo' title, but some people d o not. This is how to perform the "IGBU 1CHI": "IGBU ICHI" - TRISAL M A R K S : A native doctor will be calied by ihe ma0 preparing to take the "Ozo" title to come and inflict tribal marks on the face of the fellow. On the arrival of the native doctor, he gives the fellow the tribal marks. This is always very servere to bear and in view of this, there is always a tendo ency i get a few strong men to hold the man by the hands and legs to enable the nativ- doctor carry on his d u t y without any disturbances. Although the fellow is not forced to perform the 'IGIRU ICHI' yet owing to the grevious pain that is U B I I ~ I I Y encouniered, the fellow would disturb the native doctor's duty, w~thout a few sirong men holding him fastly. Another Light Method Of Performing *Igbu Ichi': view of this fact that "Ichi Ichi" usually In gives �much pain, it has been lessened traditionally. Under this state, a small mark is to be given on the forehead just to symbolise the I'lgbu Ichi". You might have seen men with the main tribal marks-the 'lchi'. When the wound of the main tribal marks heals, it appears on the face very well. Some Ozo title holders cannot drink anything in a function with a general cup. They put their attending any private eups in their bags when occasion. An 'Ozo' title holder cannot under any haste take his breakfast without praperly washing his hands. He who possesses 'Ozo' title of the first class usually has a major share whenever an animal is slaughtered. An Ozo title holder shall be in his 'Ozo' mood when attending a customary furlction. He is not to forget putting on his cap with an eagle feather. He is also to hold with him his elephant tusk called 'Oduenyi'. This is to be bluwed whenever necessary. He ir to blow it when getting near to the place of the fi~nction. On hls returning, be is also to blow the tusk for his household to know that he is returning. THE DAY OF YCHI OZO" OR TITLE TAKING: When the day of the '1c::i Ozo' comes, many "Ozo" title men will attend. Elders and many people will also come for the ceremony. The man who is going to take the "Ozo" title will send invitations to important personalities. Thts ceremony is to take plaoe in his house. His appearance* that day will be in accordance with the custam. He is to provide food and wine in great quantity. Donations will be made. Native drummers will supply music. The occasion will be grand. After the ceremony in his house which has made him an 'Om' titled man, he has t o visit �the native markets on their respective daqs. He will go in the company of some people for the ceremony. By this time he is rejoicing for he has become an 'Ozo' title holder which costs fabulous money to perform. This last ceremony is called "Izu Ahia Ozo". He is to take donation.. in the markets. Traditional drummers will best aod he will blow his tusk. This man has cOzo' title. He appears like a certain man who slaughtrred three huge cows during his ceremony of he 'Ozo' title tukinz. This man is attending a function. He holds with him: tusk, bag contarning a native cup for wine drinking. �MARRIAGE In accordance with the Ibo native law and custom, a girl shall marry a man before she gets a child. Likewise a man, is to marry before he gets a child. However, if a girl in Ibo land happens t o be pregnant without the actual marriage, she must not marry again, until the child is del~vered. Then after the delivery of the child, she can marry a man. However, the issue delivered by such a girl will be owned by the girl's father :2nd not by the man who was responsible for the pregnancy. T h e man has no claims t o the child inasmuch as he paid no bride price on the girl prior t o the . pregnancy. If the child delivered happens t o be a female give the girl's the Ibo native Law and &tom dad the fullest authority and right t o give the female away in marriage, and the money realised is the bonafide claim. But if the child delivered is a male, it will answer its mother's father's name. Under nomal circumstances, if such a girl who has once delivered, wishes to marry, her bride price is usually low inasmuch as a child has gone away from her womb. Apart from the above condition, the first normal thing to be done when a man wishes to marry a girl is that he will make an approach to the girl's parents with about two gallons of native wiue in the company of two of his relatives and a middle man. On this people's arrival, the girl's father will call about three of his relatives. The visiting party wdl be acoordingly welcomed, and there will be a presentation of kola nuts which will be broken first and taken before the intending husband and his party will say what they come for or present their wines. �It is the assignment of the middle m m (intermediary) to declare the marriage talks' open after they have presented the wine they came with. T h e h e n d i n g husband is not to say anything at-all during the negotia~ion. H e will give instructions t o the middle man and to other members of his party who will be talking on his behalf. . : After the middle man has spokehout whatthey come for, he would be supported by another member of his company. The service of the wine will be in operation after presentation. The visiting party having said the object of their coming, the girl's father if he knows that her daughter has , matured to marry, he would tell the visitors to go and come back to enable him to cross-examine his daughter on major issues. Another reason is to conduct an investigation and find out waat type of person the intending': husband and his entire family are. If this investigat6n fails to favour the intending husband or that the girl tells her father that she does not like the man, message will be sent to the intending husband to hold on coming again until further notice. This is an . . indirect system of saying No. On the other hand if the girl 'and her parent6 are interested, there would be no fwllstop to the man's repetition. -_ �SECOND VISIT: On the second approach of the intending husband he would increase the quantity of wine and the number of his company. But before this second call, a message must be sent t o the father of the girl to stay in and again, there is usually food entertainment to the visiting party in this second approach. When the visiting people arrive, they will be welcomed and kola nuts presented t o them. After taking the kola nurs, the visiting party would present their wine. While the service of the wine is in operation, the visiting'vparty through the middle man will renew the object of their coming. However, the service of the wine would be interupted sometimes during the marriage talks. The father of the girl is to call out the girl in this second approach as she is no: t o come out to the place of this her marriage talks without invitation. She is to consent or refuse it in this way: A cup of wine would be handed over to her to drink. If she drinks some and gives the remaining t o the intending husband, it automatically means that she has agreed with the man t o marry her; but if she fails t o give the man this remaning wine, the marriage talks will wound u p at that moment. Tbe intending husband will go with his company. All wines spent will not be recovered under the native law and custom. Tbere is another method of finding out whether or not a girl likes t o marry a man. This custom is not every where in Ibo land but some apply it. Here comes the questions put by the middle man �QUESTIONS FROM THE MIDDLE MAN TO THE G I R L AND ANSWERS:(I) Middle man: Are you willing t o be the wife of t h ~ man? s The girl: Yes. (2) Middle man: Are you ready t o render bim serv. ices both during the time of poverty, illness and happiness? The girl: (3) Middle man: In case, he happens to be annoyed and gives you beatings, would you bear that? The girl: (4) I am ready. I will bear that. Middle man: Will you love another man instead of this man? The girl: I will not. At this juncture the girl will move away while the intending husband would also be cross-examined. Middle man: D o you like t o marry this girl? Intending husband: Yea. Middle man: Will you be ready t o brush her up and make her to shine like other girls? Intending man: I will d o that. Middle man: In case this girl happens to be ill, will you care for her med~callyaud morally? Intending man: Yes, I will care for her. Middle man: If this girl happens to act foolishly and stupidly, can you bear that? Intending man; I can bear that. �At this stage, the spokesman of the visitors would ask the girl's party to tell them how much they would accept as bride price in respect of the girl. Following this the father of the girl is to speak out. If the amount he said favoured thevisitors, they are to agree. Then that day's event would come to the end after the entertainment of the visitors by the girl's motber. Entertainment being over, the visiting party would go and the next meeting is to be scheduled indefinitely. , During the departure of the girl% intending husband on this second visit, the girl would be instructed by her father to follow the intending husband and inspect the place where she is to marry. This is always done so that the girl could understand the physical features, history and conditions of the place where she is to marry, before the bride price is to be paid if the girl likes the place. Admittedly, the girl at that stage may not sleep with the man, instead she would be sleeping with the man's sister until about four native's weeks which is approximately 16 days. During her stay there, she is t o be perfarming domestic services and show her manners. On the other hand, the intending husband during the temporary stay of they girl with him, has to examine the general manners and behaviours of the girl. If the man is not satisfied by the girl, the talks about the marriage will be abandoned, even if the girl approves of the place of the fiance. But if fortunately, both parties have nothing to complain against each other, then, t h e talk about the marriage will have the cause to cantinue. Another visit will be made by the intending hnsband. It will be the third call and obviously the last. �On her going home, the intending husband is to give her one gallon of wine which she would give her father. When she arrives her father would have private consultations with her. Mainly, she would be asked whether she likes t o live there. If the answer is "YES" the talks would continue, but, if it happens to be "NO" the man would be told not t o come again. And the wine which he spent would not be recovered. T h e third visit which is regarded as final is to be attended by the people of each party. But before that, message is t o be sent through the middle man by the visiting party, to the girl's father. T h e message is to be filled with relevant informations, narratmg the exact date of the visitors' attendance, the number of people to attend, and lastly the accurate period of the visitors' arrlval there. On the specifled day, the party is to make a third approach, purposely t o pay the bride price and take the girl home finally. Having arrived, and the oecasiou havlng opened, there would be a native blessing to be given by the eldest man from the girl's side with "OFO" (the symbol of divine power). In his blessing, he would ask the Almighty God t o bless them all and make their gathering a successful one. This being over, the eldest man from the vis~tors' side would perform his own blessing. During the time of each " O F 0 blessing, each person is t o break Kola nuts which would be distributed to the people present. At the end of the event, the bride price is to be brought out by the intending husband and handed over t o the middle man' The middle man having counted it properly 1s to hand the money over to the girl's father, who in turn is to give it to a careful young man for further re-checking. At the close of the rechecking, the man would say how much he saw. If, there is an agreement as t o the oorrectness 17 �of the bride price, the bride price is t o be taken by the girl's father. Lastly, the visitors are to be entertained. But, during the proecess of the whole talks. distribution of the wine remains in operation and earh is allowed t o drink t o his or her satisfaction. Moreover, after the food entertainment, and usual native salutations, the party would go, then the girl is henceforth called the person's wife. When following the man the girl is t o take her dress, but not property, unless she..likes t o take them. MIDDLE MAN :The Middle man has several assignments in marriage. He is the person who is to find the girl for the man, and again, find the men for the girl. I n shcrt, he belongs to no party. If dispute happens to arise between the pnrties, he is the person to settle such a dispute and bring them together again. In most cases, thia middle man will be paid some commission by the girl's father for having found someone who married his daughter and at the same time comroissioned by the married man for having got a wife for him. On the cmtrary, to be a middle man is not all that simple and safe, because any trouble that comes out would involve him. It is noteworthy that bride price is not only the money one has to pay. There are some monetery presents one would give to certain relatives of one's father-inlaw. In some places, certain money :alltd "Ego Umuokorobis" (Young men's money), or "Ego Umuagboghobia" (Young women's money), must be paid. One's mother or father-inlaw has no share in this money. There are other type# of gifts which marriage demands. NATIVE MARITAL SEPARATION:- A man or a eirl can get a separation from his or her wif - �or husband. For example, if a girl is maltreated, she may return to her father's compound. The man, in turn, is t o visit his father with about two grllons of wine in the company of his relatives including the middle man. On their arrival, the dispute is to be settled, and he goes back with her amicably. Rut, if the wife is severely maltreated and the father or the stepfather is very much annoyed, the settlement may not be effected that first day. The huslband has to repeat his visit with wine, until all is settled. Not only that, if the two parties could not settle such dispute, and if the girl refuses to follow the man, that is a native marital separation and the girl's bride price must be refunded t o the mau. In some cases, the bride price may not be refunded until the girl gets married to another individual. But, if the bride price had not been refunded to the separated husband and the girl happens to be pregnant, the issue delivered is t o beloag t o the man The Ibo custom allowes a man to marry as mally wives as he wishes. It is certainly known that the Ibo native marriage is good hence the advantages are obvious. PLEASE NOTE:- In some rare cases, if a man fails to get a male child, he may not give one of his danghters out in marriage. Certain customary performances are to be carried out and the girl would continue t o live with her fa~her. If this is done, any child deltvered by her is to belong t o the father. When the father dies, the daughter will own all the father's property. �FUNERAL CEREMONY There is a period in Ibo land when if a heathen dies his death will not be proclaimed and no type of funeral ceremonies will take place. If a married man with issue dies his family will not cry as the death has not been made publicTand above all, there is a customary bad situation Lwhioh does not allow the announcement of the death. The situation based onfcustom, [tradition, and' paganism is regarded as dangerous to any funeral ceremony, and whenever it is in existence all deatha by that time will be regarded as unfortuuate ones. As 1 have earlier said, nothing will be done with regard to burial ceremony. However, those died in this time will be buried secretly without any ceremony. Only inlaws and few immediate friends are to come and withness the secret burial. Members 3 of the public who hear of the deaths, j must not go to sympathize. When the situation ceases to exist, the natives would resume the funeral ceremonies of their dead ones. Let us assume that Mr. "Nnake" died two months ago, on a bad period and the bad period gives up today, his family announcement of the desth would say that the death occurred on such and such day. And that day they would start to cry and mourn the death of the fellow, who has died quite a long time ago on such day. This is ' i n accordance with custom and tradition. The policy of weeping by the breaved and the relatives of the deceased is common throughout the Ibo land. This indicates sorrJw. �During the first stage of the funeral ceremony in a free period, there is usually gun shots in the air. Native dancers and masquerades will attend. If it is the funeral ceremony of an "Ozo" title holder other title holders will atrend and have some assignments with regard t o the performance of certain ritss. The blowing of the elephant tusk called "Odoen$ will be in operation at intervals by them during the funeral. A man will be engaged to be beating the tomtom eallcd "EKWE" which carries some meanings. The breaved familly, is t o provide wlne. This is to be served indiscriminately. However, there to will be a private entertainment of ~ i n e strangers and certain people. If the dead fellow was blessed with daughters, his iolaws would attend the occasion with cows, clolhe and wines in the oompany of native dancers. Sonaeclothes brought at burial ceremony by inlaws and affectionate friends are put in thd burial box (coffin), but should there be much congestion in the coffin, a small piece of each cloth wdl be torn out and put into the coffin. Before a person is buried he is t o be well dre ssed, some people use t o wash the deceased. And no dead man will1 be buried with the coffin already used as some other tribes do. THE SECOND BURIAL: The first funeral ceremony is not the end of the burial ceremony of the deceased. The second which 1s the final shall be performed. This usually tak5s some years af:er the first burial ceremony, and it is believed to be spiritually more powerful. The f ~ r i n g of guns usually start in the night of the following morning that any funeral ceremony will take place �HOW T O MOURN: When. a father dies, h ~ s wives, sons, daughters, close relatives and immediate friends are, to mourn for the death. T h e widows ara to mourn more than others. Their bair are to be shaved off completely. They are t o put on pure black clothes and cover their heads with the same kind of pure black headtie. They are not t o attend any public function or market until about a period of one year or two years. The children of the person and his close relatives and very intimate friends usually put on light black clothes. The duration of their mourning is to be shorter than that of the widows. When a wife dies, her husband is to mourn for her for shorter period. He has to shave off all the hair on his head and put on black cloths, but he could attend market and public occasion within three months. However a wife o r a husband could mourn beyond the normal period; that dc pending on the nature of love the living has for the dead. PLEASE NOTE: A person who committed suicide or killed by smallpox or leprosy, is not openly mourned for in many Ibo towns. No type of burial ceremony will ever be performed. �This Man Beats the Tamtam (Ekwe) At A funeral Ceremony. Some specialists in tomtom beating use to charge the breaved family money for t h i s job. Tomtom is an important thing in Ibo land. �WRESTLING Wrestling is the most popular sport in Ibo land, and it is always very interesting to watch than any other sport. A wrestler must be clever. strong and experienced in order to be a champion. At some wrestling competitions, native music is supplied as this inspires power in a wrestler. A wrestler who defeats his rival is carried shoulder high. In the olden days, a stranger passing through certain Jbo towns to his destioatien, would be stoped by some group of youths for wreatling. An Ibo man prefers to show you that he is more powerful than you through wrestling instead of fighting. �These Strong Men Are Wrestling. One would defeat the other, but at times when both wrestlers are equally experienced and energetic, there will be no winning, and it becomes draw. �THE. WORSHIPPI.NG.OF "GOD" BY 'PAGA.NS' . . .... ' O ' ' WORSHIPPING:- There are so many gods GDS inthe Ibo .land, both .male a n d female. If a pagan', Eipp,p-n<to be ill and fears' that a certain god is troubling him, he could meet a soothsayer (fortuns t&Ile~] an&seek his advice. If the soothsayer tells him to offer sacrifices to the god, the fellow would me6f::th.e god:s priest and dnrs so through his, &ssisifahce.~'Iiisome part of lbo land, this is called ''lchu,. Aja". In some cases ihe situation may not, warrantithe calling. of..the god's prizst's . attention. Then, in such circumstance, the offerer could do it by himself. HOW TO QUALIFY AS A 'GOD'S PRIEST:- A pagan is to be a god's priest through certain rotates qualification. At times it rotates. If it to that fellow's turn, he would bo installed. "GOD'S DWELLING PLACEm:- dwelling place of A god is usually in a bush.' It is assumed that he is not to live with human beings especially in the night. Even the god's priest is not customarily allowed to sleep there overnight. 'ITU NZU3':- During the god's worshipping, this is done according to the title the perscn holds "Itu Nzu" means the use of native chalk in the god's worshipping. Under this custom, ~ a t i v chalk is e to be ground and kept at the ' entrance of the god's door. Then, if a visitor comes there he is to use the ground chalk and make some marks on the ground. A person who holds the biggest title makes more marks. None title holders usually makes their own marks according to their ages. �HOW "GOD" TAKES FOOD OR MEAT:- If a fowl or any other thing is lifted up to the god, it is assumed that the god being a spirit has taken it. The blood of the thing is to be stained on the god's image. If it were food, it should be dropped before that god's idol. RESPECT TO "GOD":- Respect is always given t o the god by heathens. Nobody is allowed by custom to urinate or drop excreter in the god's bush. If someone dies, and his relatives fear that the deceaaed had been killed by a certain god, because of the offence the deceased commited they shall be afraid of retaining his property. Following on this, they shall invite the god's pr~est come and remove the dead to person's property. If this invitation is sent, the god's priest is to come and the whole property will be removed to the god's dwelling place.. The god's priest is forbidden from eating certain things that he likes to eat, because of the god he serves. He also is forbidden from drinking certain drinks for the sake of that god. Again, if a god's priest suspects someone of commiting certain native crimes, he shall not respond to any salutation given to him by such a fellow. For instance, he shall not reply to a salutation given to him by a thief who has not performed "Ikpu Ala" (cleansing himself) which is done with sheep and other materials. PREGNANCY & DELIVERY:- Oftenly, when a woman pagan finds her pregnancy very difficult or impossible after taken various medicines, #he goes 10 a "Juju" or god and promises that if it helps her to pregnant and deliver safely that she! will give it something. Usually i t is a goat. Again, when a woman pagan is delivering regularlyuandgthe children die regularly; she fears that a certain god might have been causing it. �If she mcets a soothsagcr and he confirms her suspicion that a certain god is causing the death ef her cl~ildreu, she 'has to do sacrifice -.. to the god so that tbk god may stop killing her children. "Juju" priest in shrine. Me prepares to slaughter A fowl for his god. �STORIES Tbere are many interesting stories told in Ibo land. Tortoise is the most popular creature mentioned in the stories. The tortoise is regarded as very cunning and wise. Native stories are usually told in the night when people relax i n the moonlight. Here icl one example of the native stories. The Toad And The Tortoise Once upon a time, there lived a toad for whom tortoise was nursing a baby. When the toad was going to Eke market, it brought out for the tortoise some quantlty of water to give t o its child whenever it was thirsty. The toad warned the tortoise not to make use of any water that was inside tbe pot. If this was done, the warning further said. the tortoise must go and fetch water from a river called "Okpataowagu" whose water is not fetchable on the Eke market day. When the toad's child became thirsty, the tornursing the child, gave it the water which was brought out by its master - the toad. But when the child f~nishad the water brought out by toad. it was not satisfied, it began to cry for more water. Then the tortoise on the strength of the persistent demand for more water from the child, went and opened the pot it was warned not to touch, and took more water. When the toad returned from the market it went straight t o the pot and saw that the tortoise tampered with the water therein. When it questioned tortoise in this respect, it replied that due to the further demand made by the child, it (the tortoise) had no otber alternative than t o go to the pot and got mow water for the child. 29 �The toad was highly annoyed. It firstly resorted to cane, and after wiping tortoise, i t ordered it (the tortoise) to go and fetch water from the "OKPATAOWAGU" river whose water was not fetchable on the Eke market day, that this inc~dent happened. The tortoise had to take up a pot aud proceeded t o the "OKPATAOWAGU" river. On the way, it met a big snake and narrated the whole incident to the big snake. It told the big nake that the water that it was going to fetch was forbidden to be fetched on that Eke market day. But its master the toad wanted to penalize it too severely. I t further told the big snake that when it pleaded to the toad for it ( the tortoise) to fetch other water like Eze. Owelle. it refused bluntly. The big snake which was one of the owners of the "OKPATAOWAGU" water strictly not allowed to be fetched on the Eke day, then sympathized with the t o r t ~ i s eand allowed it to pass But the big snake would have killed the tortoise if not because of the heartrendering inadent. - The tortoise passed and after some poles it met a tiger, and narrated the whole incident to the tiger which would have kilied the tortoise if not the punishment by the toad. The tiger allowed it to pass. The tortoise again met an old woman and the same thing happened. However, the tortoise was terrified f i r ~ of all by the old woman, the big t snake and the tiger. When the tortoise landed t o the "OKPATAOWAGU" river the river took an offence and started t o jump up and down and the tortoise was all this time ilnarrating the whole incident which led t o its coming to the river on th-, Eke. The river cooled �down and divided into two. The tortoise went inside and fetched water. When the tortoise returned home with the water, the toad was greatly surprised and called the attention of its 'co-wife' slying that tortoise fetched the "Okpataowagu" water wh~ch was not fetchable on the Eke day. The toad then proceeded t o go and get its own 'Okpataowagu' river on the strength that the tortoise went and returned safely. When the toad was going, it met the same big snake on the way, and ordered the big snake to give it chance to pass. The big snake gave it chance with annoyance. The same thing happened when it met the tiger and the old woman. When it came to the river the "Okpa~aawagu" was offended and it was jumping up and down. Tbc toad started to abuse the river, and asked the river whether it was eleeping when tortoise came and fetched its water. The river then divided into two and when the toad entered in order t o fetch it, the river covered it up. And that is the reason why the road lives in water. And the lesson o f this st2ry is that it is bad to be bad, and g ~ o d be good. to WAR SONG 'Enyimba-enyi': is the most popular war song in Ibo land. Whenever this is sung, breach of the peace may take place, if there is no precautionary measure taken by the police. However, the Ibo man is not easily provoked. He has respect for law and order. AN 180 WIFE When a wife uses abusive words against the husband, or refuses to give him chop, members of tbe family will be called, and after a trial and the wife is guilty, a fine of one fowl or a goat as the case may be, would imposed on the wife. �BIRTH CEREMONY When an Ibo woman delivers a child, relatives, frierds, well-wishers and neighbours will come and rejoice. The father of the child will provide Kola nut, wine and Cigarette. Presents and donations are usually made. An lbo child must have a native name. Many people will suggest the name to be given to the child but the father of the child will finally determine the name to be given to the child. When a child is b o r n the father of the child will despatch message to his mother-inlaw who should c o m e with some quantity of nice fish. She will spend about two weeks. When the time of her departure comes ':he father of the child will purchase a reasonable cloth for his mother.in-law. Besides, the man shall also give her some money in the neighbourhood of two pounds (£2) or even more according t o the financial capacity of someone. This is Ibo custom. POPULAR IBQ NAMES These names are popular in Ibo land : Okeke, Okonkwo, Okoli, Nwafor, Nweke, Obi, Okereke, lfeanyi, Mgbafor, Nwugoye, Nwugonkwo, Okechukwu, Okpara, Ngozi, Nwangbake, N~aohukwu, Obiageli, Ifeoma, etc. These names are common names in ibo land. AN APOLOGY Tbe Ibo man believes that an apology should be tendered when one finds himself on a wrong side. In Ibo land, on apology bears more weight when it is m d e along with koia nuts. When you offend an Ibo man and go to apologise with kola nuts, he will take you very seriously. It indicates that you hold the person at a high esteem, and that you feel your mistake or offence greatly. �THE TOWNS IN IBO These are some of the towns that consist. the Ibo nation: Orlu. Owerri, Amaigbo, (Dick Tiger's town) : Nkwerre, Oraifite, Okija, Nnewi, Abatate, Amichi, Ufuma, Ndizuogu, Ihiala, Umuahia, Oba, Ojoto, Umuchu, Obosi, Ogbunike, Orsu, Awka-Etiti, Awka, Nibo, Udi, Awgu, Ogidi, Osurnenyi, Ihembosi, Ezinifite, Ukpor, Osumuoghu, Ozubulu, Mbanesi, Lilu, Ngwa, Oraukwu, Igbo-Ukwu, Nnobi, Umunya, Awkuzu, Nkpor, Un~uoji,bnubi, Abagana, Owerrinta, Ngbidi, Ichi. Akokwa, Urualla, Azia, Nnokwa, Okigwi, Nsukka, Nise, Nachi, Ugwuoba, Achi, town of Chief B. C. Okwu, East Minister of Health); Makku, Akpo, Abriba, Item, Agulu, Nawfia, Ekwulobia, Mberi, Aguata, Achina, and so many other towns you may have not heard of. T h e list uf the remaining towns continues in the next edition of this book. Each and every one'of the towns mentioned above, have the activities and qualities for which they are respected. MAN AND WOMAN [n xome towns a man and a woman cannot shake hands. They could only embrace each other. Anotber thing forbidden in most towns, is brothers shak~ng hands; or for one to shake hands with a relative. ABOMINATIONS A number of crimes are called "ALU" (Abomination) in Ibo laud For instance, a man must never have :I sexual intercourse with his sister or a relative. But if this ugly thing happens to occur, an "ALU" ha: been committed by the man. In view of this, natives will no longer regard the person as a genuine citizen. ' �They may boycott visiting him or accepting his own visit, pending his "IKPU ALU" pdomance. He has to perform "IKPU ALU" as this means cleansing himself. Sheep is the principal material for this IKPU ALU. CAPITAL THEFTS In some Ibo towns thefts like stealing yam, fowl, and kola nut ou its tree are capital offences carrying "IKPU ALU" penalty, because it is an abomination. In this case, the theft of goat carries less gravity than that of fowl theft, in accordance with a particular native law and custom. HOW TO ADDRESS lBOS "IGBO KWENU": When you wish to deliver a speech to an Ibo crowd, they may not be moved by your speech until you apply this phrase "IGBOKWENU". The translation of this "lgbo kwenu" into English is difficult. I t may mean "IGBO RESPOND" o r "IGBO AGREE". In fact, I have no specific translation for it. What I know about the phrase i s that it is peculiar to "lboism" and usually makes the Ibo listeners to have interest or likeness in a speaker. And this is a sufficient explanation to the phrase. - Furthermore, when addressing the Ibo audience, be sure that you have a truth to tell them. Half truth or lies or distortion of facts will b t discovered by them. Many of them sre very sensible and wise. Avoid any sort of impres~ion capable of constituling arrogance. The Ibo listeners acccrd publ~cspeakers warm welcome and support provided that such rpeakers or orators can say out the truth. �IRO MARKET DAYS The following are the Ibo market days: Nkwo, Eke, Oye and Afor. Some of the popular Ibo names are taken from these Ibo market days. For example : ( 1) Nkwo: Nwankwo (a female born on Nkwo market day); Nwanyinkwo (a male born on the Nkwo market day). (2) Eke: Nweke ( a male born on the Eke market day); Nwanyieke (a female born on the Eks market day). (3) Oye: Nwoye ( a male born on Oye market day): Nwugoye (a female born on the Oye market day (4) Afor: Nwafor (a male born on Afor market day); Nwanyiafor or Nwugoafor (a female born on Afor market day. And so on and so forth. The week of the natives with particular reference t o the heathens is four days called "IZUOKKE" in many towns. From this Nkwo to the next one week". From this Eke to the next is "One Eke is "One week". From this Oye t o the next one is "One week", and from this Afor to next Afor week. is one �HOW NATIVES ARTICLES PRICE You may be surprised when you travel down to some Ibo rural areas and see how market goes on. If you yourself come with some commodities to sell, the native who will offer to bay one or them, will first offer very high price. Then if you are a fresher or having got no knowredge of their market prices, you become too happy and a8k the one to bring money. When you tell the one to pay, he or she will then reduce his offer considerably on the first price he or she offered. The reduction of this price would continue until the purchaser is satisfitd. T h e difference between this type of marketing in some rural areas and in the townships is obvious. In the townships, a buyer offers a low or normal price first and when the seller refuses to sell a t the price offcred, the buyer may increase money But in the rural areas, a buyer offers a bigb price first which he or she knows is too ml~ch and' which he or she cannot pay for. SALUTATION In Ibo land there are native salutations particulary used by heathens. Foreign salutations like Good mowing, Good day and Good evening are unpopular to the pagans. The native salutations carry more respect and honour more than the foreign salutations. In some towns in Onitsha Division, they salute .'O-M' to an adult male and "OMO-0" to an adult female. �Some towns-in :Orlu Division salute "Do-o Nna" to an adult .male and "Do-o Nne" t o an adult female and some other have theirs of which I need not mention. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE KOLA NUT Kolo nut is the most popular present in lbo land. When! you visit an Ibo man, the firs: thing he would present to you 1s kola nut before any other thing. The kola nut has no good taste and does not refresh the body yet it is very highly regarded by an 1bo man. ln most native occasions, the presentation of the kola nut is compulsory. And it7;usually invites argument as to who is to break it. If it is not well shared, it ciuses some trouble. There is something called "IGO OJI". That is the person breaking the kola nut will have to say something very vital to life and humqnitv. I t is a !sort of prayer. When be holds the kola nut, he will ask God to bless "Each and every one! of us". He wdl request long life, happiness and prosperity for every body I n Ibo land when you visit a person, immediately he brings out a kola nut. there is nothing t o be discussed again unless it is broken. This is to be taken first before wine. PLEASE NOTE: The breaking of Kola nut is done by the in eldest man in an ~ccasion,: some Ibo towns, on the other $,hand, this is stnctly done by the youngest, in some towns, �SHARING When ao edible is shared, the eldeqt man will take first. Coming to work or a labour when this is shared, the youngest will first take the lighter one to do. Thi. is a popular Ibo custom. IBO FEASTS It is a custom to conduct festivals througbout the native years. Some festivals are held to mark the begining of the cultivation, while some are held to mark the end of the cultivation. Not only that, festivals are held to mark the starting o f t h e native year and its ending. NEW YAM FESTIVAL: The new yam festival is held during the time of harvesting new yam. SPECIAL GIRLS' FESTIVAL: Pagan girls 'have their own festivals. They celebrate them for their god. They dance and praise the god. Generally, the Ibo festivals are featured by traditional dances and masquerades OF various types, excepting the ones conducted by girls themselves. �DEVOLUTION OF A DECEASED'S PROPERTY It is a custom that when a person for instance a father dies, his property will be divided by his sons. The first bo1.n son called "Diokpala" or 'Okpala' will have 50 percent. For example, if a polygamist married four wives, and each wife has a son, the division will run thuo : the first born if theyk want to share L100 (hundred pounds) will be entitled to fifty pounds (ESO), then the next son in age from another mother side will be entitled to twenty-five pounds (L25) and the remaining twenty-five pounds (L25) will be divided by the two remaining sons coming out from respective mother sides. The "Senior" will have two thirds share and the younger one will have one third. But if a fatber made a native WILL, the division of his property cannot take place again. I t is bow a property is divided, that a work or expences will be divided. The firat born son will undertake fifty (50) percent of the labour and cxpences in thc~ family, and so on and so forth. About daughters they have something to share but usually it is minor things like cocoyam. The sons will divide the major property like buiidings, motor cars and money. In case of a man who has no son, his wife whom he married under the native law and custom cannot retain the property of h e r husband, the immediate brother of the dead man will be the right person to own all the property. The immediate brother can also re-marry the widow. In some places, a widow is re-married by the son of her husband or tho brother ss the case may be. �In some places. the ceremony is performed in this way: The intending husband will lift up a matchet and give to the widow, if she accepts the matchet the marriage bas started. However, the new husband has to go to the people of the lady or woman and pay a meagre amount s as bride price with some wine. If this 1 not done, and the lady or the woman :happens to deliver a child, the child will never &t?long to the new husband. The child will be for the previous husband. It must be born in mind that the payment of the little amount and the wine involved cannot be compared in any way with the original bnde price. Re-marriage of a widow does not cost much in the family. Take note that. n wihw, cannot be compelled to consent to re-marriage. It is her right to say yes or no, not by rncuth but by custom. . I n case where a widow refuses to agree to a re-marriage to the son of her husband or immediat. brother, she could stay without any husband and any issue d:!ivered would bzloug to the dead �.- .* < ; n.'. , . " a ':.'*' FOR GENUINE MOTOR SPARE PARTS I r e rA '-x , .- . +.. -A .i , .- ,, CONSULT: Mbaebie. Brothers Trading Co. Dealera in Motor Spare" parts and acecsmrics, Specialired stockists in Meroedes Benz and\ V. W. Spare pa-. Baz, Lorries, L312, L328, Cars ImD, '1190, 3194 22@ 1957/61 190 1961/62 Models 8 Ope1 parts. , 1 Residence: 11 SANNIEZ STREET, 0?4TSHA. Offlce Address: 3A MOORE STRBBT ONmHA YOU ARE WELCOMED BUSINESS PROMOTING MANAGER New Era Press, 33 Iweka Road Onitsha. � 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 Ibo native law and custom Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olisah, Okenwa Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onistsha, Mr. Okenwa Publications Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Igbo (African people) Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3561 Description An account of the resource With this pamphlet, the prolific pamphleteer Sunday O. Olisah, known as the Strong Man of the Pen, attempts to fill a gap in information about Igbo customs. The author describes elements of Igbo society to provide the non-Igbo reader with "reasonably good general information of the nature of the laws and customs of this dynamic tribe," (pg.7). Olisah warns that Christian Igbos "are doing away with some native laws and customs which are considered inconsistent with the life of a Christian," (pg.8). Chinua Achebe gracefully develops this theme in several of his novels. Olisah consulted with elders in his research for the pamphlet, lending an air of credibility to this work. Ibo native law and custom details the process of gaining a title, the proper behavior of a titled man and the significance of tribal marking. The pamphlet also discusses marriage negotiations, funeral and mourning ceremonies, wrestling matches and birth ceremonies. Olisah explains the significance of kola nuts, festivals, market days, tortoises,names, and greetings. He warns against theft and other abominations. The cover has a representation of a titled man and announces that "Igbo exam candidates, students, traders, workers, businessmen, foreigners and other general readers" would best benefit from the pamphlet. 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/b275ab983d72a50ff47ecba72c62dfef.pdf e54b404b8121f7167144c3fc166d456e PDF Text Text �Contents. Introduction .. This short play is written fcr the reading pleasure of the simple minded who read lor relaxation. The idea behind it is far from the exposition of high classicality and skill. The writer, may be, tries to bring to light his enjoyment of the fun of opposing prevailing conventions. The conventions could be found in the numerous pamphlets that over flood our markets. They tell us of the whys surrounding successes and fililur~s love making. They tell us how people work themin selves up from extreme poverty to fablous richness owing to their industriousness and high sensibility. "The Struggle for money" is tired of love making and left it out entir:ly. Its cmtrary idea about industriousness and riches is glaring. It rather favours opportunity and chance and not high sensibility. The general idea of money being supreme above everything in our new society is expressed with sadness. The writer tries to bring in people from different parts of Nigeria into the play. This is in condemnation of the Clanish and tribal attitudes displayed in many pamphlets and in our nitional life. It is given the background of Nigerian day to day life to make it appeal to the simple minded and all who like to read for relaxation. MO. J. OKAFO. �ACT. 1 "THE STRUGGLE FOR HONEY" In an evening of a wet season four decades ago, an old Nigerian was dying. He WLIS old Ubabundu. He called his only son and the only companion near his sick bed. It was to blcss him and to give him the last fatherly advice. His son Akubueze knclt near his bed in tears. They went on: Ubabundu: My dear son, it is a pity; I have got to die. But, you needn't cry. What can't be helped must . , be endured. Akubueze: Papa, pa-am, what shall I do? Where s l ~ d l I be? 'Am done for. Live a little longer for me. You will not die. Oh!! 0-- 0--. Uba: My son, I can't leave you if 1 could. Listen-for the time is up. God will guide and bless you. You will not suffer poverty l~umblelife. in vour life. I have lived clean-simole-and Y&, I suffered to death because of p6vcrty which had k.een my lot since my youth. Your mother dicd'when you were yet a baby of nine months. 1 could .not sfFord to pay for the treatments she was receiving when she was sick. The doctor was angry and st6pi;ed thc treatments. Nothing else could be done. My wife died. My friend, Ekpo took you from me. He saw to it that you are nursed, and trained up as you are now. My----life! I am unabltj to show him in any practical wsy that 1 am grateful to him. He terminated your secondary education which he promised to finance to the end. I made efforts to get money. But I wanted only clean money,- no cheating. I never allowed any body poorer than myself to suffer while I have any money to help him out. Thus 1 am drifting from lifepoverty into death. Akubueze: My father, stop saying all this. You will not die. You are not too old to live for many more years. Papa 2 �Uba: My life---stop interruption or I die, and you iep eat my mistakes. You need not be told all that we have suffered because of our poverty. Our diet is the poorest; we have no pleasure what so ever, no respect. We sought for refuge and happiness in the church.. Even . there we were kicked for being nonfinancial members. .. Faith without work is dead;' So they say. My prayers -where a 5 they? ' You must be sensible and learn-from'ourpast :E*s. The life in Nigeria today is life of. money. . 'if you have money you survive. if you haven't you.are c~shed.'Money can cleat- your : w2y to your heart's content in all fields. But it. is a pity; it:is so.. Foi.even education in itself without moxeyis..held:-.dueless, . 'It a ' change biif'-n0~.4wy ay soon. if you want to get on well, .you m e t s@ggIe- to&t money like others. Once you ..get it, ybu. .musf :b;e:kre of other things need in this society. Avoid'my.atittudes towards monsy. . But do not be all vincgar,nor.alf sugar. May Gud consol, and prosper you.' Blessi~ig's- luck &n-d I-i-fe- (He died) Bueie: touching his dead father . and'cr)iingOh! my father! my mother! and my friend! You have left me alone to mourn and suffer. Am I to mourn your death or for all that' you have shffered in. life? Yes for , . . the misery that awaits me. My dear, rest in'peace, Think of me where you are. Your kyords will be my 'guide. ,The reinembrance of you will always lighten my burden; 'God rest y0ur.soul till 1 come to you. Uba was buried. i is son, Bueze was left to cansder, interprete and use or reject his advi*: Three months after his death his son started to think of the 'new. life into which he found himself. This was when all. the sympathisee who' were 'with hiin during his father's burial ceremony had al1,gone. He was lone? and.always hungry. ,He went on thus: . 3 - % . ' �Bueze; to himserf: All is finished now. My father is dead. The small amount he left went into his burial rites. Our friends have all gone. None seems to think of my situation. I am left alone in this poor little hut with nothing to keep life going. E w-o-o! my God! what am I to do? He went into a deep sob, and then cried bitterly. Poor fellow, there was none to console him. He cried and was tined. He consoled himself and tried to face his problems. Bueze: But you need not cry! M h u -u! He knew what he said. Cry for the rest of my days? It can't be enough. Yet to what end? "Prayers" - yet he suffered and died miserable. Crying indicates maximum Sorrowfulness. But it can't solve problems. No food; no money, no work, no companion, no protection. Well, I shall go to my relatives. Of course, they hale the poor, but I must try. - - H I S RELATIVES IN A MEETING 1st. Relative in their meeting: Ubabundu is dead now. He was foolish. He had no savings. He cared for the poor; gave them food, clothing, and 'a11 yet, he was a church mousc. 2nd. Relative: His son is there crying every day and night in his hut. He has nothing to eat. All his father's a' friends. are poor. They cnt help him. Surely he will soon die too. 3rd. Relative: Poverty? Not me! his burial is the poorest I have ever witnessed. And if his son dies too 1 wonder what will happen to his.. 1st. Relative: Brothers, you are quite right. One thing I hate is that our people talk too much. They peep into what does not concern them. 2nd. Relative: Yes. They say we are responsible for the poorness of Uba's burial ceremonies. You remember we contributed one-shilling qpd nine-pence each towards that, could we hake done anything more than that. - �1st. Relative: 1 wonder ! 3rd. Relative: They will have more to talk if Bueze dies, as it is certain he must die if left alone. 1st. Relative: That is why I called this .meeting. What the people talk in general is public opinion. Since they talk ill of us, it means that the public opinion is against .us. 2nd. Relative: What does it matter? Whatever you do to please the world people must talk of you. 1st. Relative: I feel it matters. If the public opinion is against us it will affect our popularity. Our positions and all we do in this society. Further more, it may affect those of our posterity. 3rd. Relative: Sincerely speaking, 'I always feel that we did not help that old man enough. If we had helped, and cared for him as it is expected of relatives, he would not have died so early. 2nd. Relative: hat is nonsense. You still have his son there. You are free to help him. You are at liberty to satisfy your conscience. 3rd. Relative: I have n't'the means or I should have done so. 1st. Relative: This is a serious matter. We need not make a joke of it, or quarrel over it. We must do wmething to save our faces. If Akubueze will die, he must die. But we must do something to make the public feel that we have done all we can to help him. It is not in the least my intention that we take up the responsibility of making him somebody. That is the responsibility of a father to his son. His father failed to do so. It can not be shifted on to us. �2nd Relative: Yes the responsibility cannot be shifted on to us. I can't' pretend to be doing what I don't want to do. Count me out of any plan to help that boy. I hate to do so, and I hate him. His father was a wreck. He 1.f; t!x ceeiin; in a n z y an.i went away. 2nd Relative: on his way home: If 1 see him in my house I make him die sooner. He is too dirty to enter a gcntle man's house. He is not fit to be a house boy. An embecile: Let him come and smell it hot. 3rd Relative ro the 1st; My brother I thank you for all you have proposed. You see, I depend entirely upon you for my own maintenance. Other wise i should have taken up the responsibility of helping our .cousin. Now I can't do anything. Take him as your house boy as you have proposed and if you please, train him up. He may be of some service to our family in future. 1st. Relative; Alright. I 'll do my best. Good !ye. A T T H E 1st RELATIVE'S HOME. Bueze in tears; Goodevening Sir. 1st Relative: Goodevening.. How are you, Bueze? Bueze: Am well Sir. But I am lonely............................... ............ hungry.............. "........................ a-n-d worried. '1st. Relative; I see. 1 can notice also that you are .wearing out rapidly. You have been advised not to be thinking very .much about the death of your father. In fact crying never helps people. Go to my wife and let her give you some food. Let her come here for :nstructions after giving you the.food. Bueze: Thank you very much Sir. rlst. Relative to his wife: Bueze is going to live with us. You remember how useless his father had been to ;us. He was against us in the ways we make money. He made no pl.ovisions for his son. Well, he will live with us because 1 won't want our people to say that we neglected .him. ' �His wife: That's nice. We can afford to feed him till he is able to get his own daily bread. 1st. Relative: Yea- You needn't think that we are going to take up such a responsibility. Be careful to see that you don't exceed our normal domestic expenses and my children and us must be well fed. His wife: That will mean starving him. How can we-. 1st. Relative: Cuts in; I know you are a lawyer. You can interprete it in which ever way you like. My instruction is that you should feed him with the remnants of our meals. Let him do the domestic services in return. Do you understand? His wife: I do. Excuse me. She left the room a little annoyed. She obeyed her husband, for any sign of disobedient would send her out of his house. The 1st. Relative was able to avoid the attacks of their local public opinion in connection with their young relative. He was even praised for his kindness to the boy. Yet the boy was suffering in silence. He . grew thinner and thinner everyday. He soon decided to throw himself into the world. Bueze; To h m e f I must leave this place. If not I shall isl die. How can I be working the whole day with empty stomach. I have jumped from frying pan into the fire. 'Am growing thinner, more depressed, and very miserable. The only thing is to run away tonight. Where shall I go? Poor me! No body wants me. I can work now. Well, to Onitsha. I can serve traders, carry loads for people and earn some money for my bread. It is tonight. But to money for my transport fare to Onitsha. Just sneek into the bus, and hide out at Onitsha. God forgive me this dishonesty. �In the night he carried out his plans. He reached Onitsha alright quite undiscovered. He helped traders in arranging their wares, and in carrying some loads. He earned just enough for his daily bread. He slept in the market stalls. His health improved and he grew stronger. O N E D A Y A TRADER W A N T E D H I S SERVICES. TRADER: E-yi ! Young man, come! Bueze: D o you mean me? Trader: Yes, Come here. You are a good young man. Bueze: Good morning Oga a. Tradec Goodmorning. What's your name? Bueze: 'Am Akubueze Ubabundu. Anything Sir? Trader: Well, nothing bad. I notice that you have no job and that you seem to be a brilliant, nice and strong man. I am in need of a person of your type as an apprientice trader. Will you like the idea? Bueze: Yes sir, I shall be very thankful if you will take me. Only that I have got no money to pay you. Trader: Ha ha ha ha ha a a! I laugh! You don't need to pay me. You will serve me for some years. Of course, you will be learning trading during those years. At the end of the period, I shall give you some amount with which you will start your own trading. Bueze: Kneeling and Bowing his head down before him went on; Thank you sir. I am grateful. I shall follow you right away from now. Trader: Ah ha! Not like that. You will go home, call your father and we shall make an agreement. The agreement will show how many years you will stay with me and how you will serve me. Bue5e: B j t my father is dead. My relatives don't want me. I have no body to call for the agfeement. Two of us can make the agreement. - - �Trader: I am really sorry for the loss of your father. Well, if you have nobody to call we can make the agreement. How many years will you like to serve me. Bueze: Five years sir. Trader: Ah! Five years is too much. You will serve me for three years. If you prove yourself a good boy and serve me well, I shall give you one hundred pounds at the end of your service. With that you can become a big trader. Bueze: Thank you very much sir. I am very happy. I promise to serve you with all my heart and will ever be grateful io you all my life. Trader: Don't mention that. Since we agree on all the points, I think you better start right away. rhere is no need for a written agreement. I am sure we must all keep to our words. Akubueze became an apprientice trader. He served him well for three years. He was a good boy all the time. He did not know any kind of cheating. He was sincere to his master and the trader always praised him for his good services. But traders hardly give away money, unless when it will bring them profits. The trader was not ready to give him the hundred pounds at the end of the period. Let's see what happened. A T T H E TRADER'S HOUSE. Bueze: To himself: My master has been good to me for the past three years and five months. And I am now five months over due to be a free trader. He promised me hundred pounds and freedom after three years good service. I thank the Almighty I offered him the required service. Yet his promises are over due to be fulfilled. I shall talk to him tonight. I shall remind him about our agreement. May be he wants me to do so. Freedom and money- �A small boy rushed in shoured; Bueze, Papa wants you in his Chamber! Bueze: What is it? Anything wrong? The boy: Nothing wrong! But he wants you immediately. Bueze: I am sure something is wrong somewhere. He never sends for me in this manner. Well, I shall tell him that I shall talk to him tonight. Trader: Bueze! Bueze!! Bueze!!! Bueze: Sir!! Sir!!! Trader: Didn't boy tell you I want you hek'immediately? Bueze: Please sir, he did. I am sorrow for the detay. Trader: You stupid ape! You have changed your manners since the time for your becoming free became a little over due. I learnt you have been talking about it all these days. Bueq: I am sorry sir. It is not so sir. I was only--Trader: Yes, It is not so sir-Your thought i s centred on my hundred pounds. Your duties are badly neglected. I learnt you have been neglecting my wife since six months ago. And now you think you can do the same to me. I picked you up in Otu Market, brushed you up and trained you. You want to pay me with ingratitude? Bueze: On his knees: Please forgive me sir. I shall never repeat it. By my honour. Trader: What honour have you? I had been thinking of making you heaven and earth but since you are ungrateful you must leave my house immediately. Bueze: Forgive me, I had never offended you since three years and five months. It is only this once, if it is--Trader: Yes, You ' ve calculated it even to . the n e a r e s t second. T h e next t h i n g i s to �ask me for your hundrcd pounds. Bueze: Not so sir. 1 won't sir. Trader: You won't? Yet they 've told me all your plans on how to use my money. Your father died in poverty and you think you will grow rich with my money. Bueze: What have 1 done that you are saying all 'these to me? Trader: A ha!% is only when you have be headed me that I should talk to you in strong terms. Bueze: Dear master, please tell me why you have sent for me. Don't be playing on my nerves by reminding me of' my father and stop anything about that hundred pounds. 1 hwe never talked t3 you about it. Trader: You address me like this? You are to tell me when 1 shall t21k about something? I must never talk about it in my life. You must go imniediatcly. Go! Pack your things and lcavc my house or you find your body in the river tonight. He did not allow him to talk any more. Bueze was forced out of his master's house that evening with nothing in his pocket. Bueze in a Market Stall: My God, is it my lot to suffer all my life? Three and half years sertice is paid in this way. What shall I do? I shall be ashamed if people see me in this condition tomorrow. 1 car.? remain in Onitsha any more. I must follow Northern trzders to Jos tonight. If I remain at Onitsha my master may say that I stole his money. I am only happy I was sincere to i:im all the time. Well, to Jos, tonight! The trader: to himse& Let him go. How can I subtract hundred pounds from my capital? What will remain for I should have helped him. He is a good me? a n d h o n e s t boy. But i f I give him a n y ' 11 �money other traders will be richer than myself. Let him go and suffer. It is his destiny. It is not my fault. I am not responsible for his low birth. Bueze went to the Motor Park. He helped the conductors of a Jos transport lorry in loading their lorry. They were preparing to leave Onitsha for Jos that night. They also agreed to take him to Jos free of charge. They left Onitsha at 8.30 p.m. and travelled safely to Jos after a few days journey. There he made friendship with Mallam Hankani. ACT 2 Bueze AT JOS. Bueze: To Mallam: Goodmorning Mallam Mallam: Goodmorning Aboki. What do you want to buy from me? Here are leather bags, Purse, Sheath and Sandals. Bueze: I am sorry sir, I can't buy anything. I have no money. I want somebody to help me. Mallam: Haba! In what way? Bueze: I am a poor fellow from the South. I have no mother, no father and all my relatives don't want me. I served one of them. He illtreated me, starved me and I ran away from him. I served a master for three and half years at Onitsha. He drove me away because he didn't want to give me the money he promised me. I learnt that Northerners are very kind. I came up to see if any of you can help me. Mallam: Sorry indeed. Ah! Southerners I know them very well. 1 lived in the South for seven years. They hate their brothers. They know too much. There is nothing they can't do in order to get money. They reject their brothers, kill their mothers, make charms with the blood of their wives. For nothing but to get money. Bueze: You are correct Mallam. They do worse things than these. �Mallam: Haba! Can 1 talk what I don't know? T k y love money more than life itself. I remember, they hoard money and starve themselves to death. They can't help you. I fear them for their greed. Any way, I shall like you to become my friend. 1 can help you as much as I can. Bueze: Thank you Mallam. Can I live with you? You know I have no where to put up. Mallam: O! Yes, You will live with me and enjoy everything in common with me. I shall also teach you leather work. Do you like it? Bueze: Very much indeed. I am very thankful Mallam. Mallam: Don't mention it. We do everything for Allah. And of course, I shall teach you Hausa. You know, we are all Nigerims. We are brothers. We Northerners help one another. Only these people who talk of politics are bringing troubles into our towns. Bueze: I see with you Mallam. Thank you for your kindness. How many years shall I serve you as an apprientice in leather work? You will be working with me every day. Mallam : Immediately you are able to produce any good work youare free to sell it. The money realised will be yours. I don't want you to become my servant. You ate my friend. Sit down and watch me as I make this bag. Bueze: Thank you Mallam. I am glad I came to the North Bueze sat down and started leather work. He lived happily with his friend. He was quick in learning the trade. He soon become perfect in all kinds of leather work. Mallam Hankani loved him. He was proud of him and always praised his skillful work. They lived together for two years and worked together. They were making a lot of money from their trade. The news of his progress reabhed Onitsha. �His former master heard of him. AT ONITSHA. A trader to his master: Ogu, I learnt that your former boy, Bueze is doing very well at Jos. But you didn't even tell anybody why he left so suddenly. Trader: Who told you that he is doing well? A trader: Those traders who go to buy fish from Jos say that they always see him at Jos and that he is now rich. Trader: So you can't imagine why? Well, you can't expect me to be running about our streets crying that Bueze stole my money. At least you can notice that my articles decreased greatly since he left me. It was when I went to Lagos that he stole three hundred pounds from my cupboard and ran away at the dead of the night. The next I heard about him was that he went to the North. A trader: Why didn't you go there and get him arrested. Trader: I don't want to enter into any Police case. Let him go. God will pay him well. A Trader: Ogu, but they told me that it is an Hausa leather bag maker who is helping him. If he had got such a lump sum of money ,he would have started a big trading business. Trader: rhat is your own idea. You don't know that he must hide the money and join leather work in order to deceive people. How can leather work make somebody so rich in such a very short period? A trader: He has been there for more than two years. And you remember that he is very industrious. Trader: Yes, 1 know you won't believe me. Go to your Shed! and don't disturb me. A trader: Ah! so easily annoyed? He went away. Trader: To himse& Bueze-very rich now! I know he is industrious. Oh, God has paid him for his good services to me. The glory should have been mine had I given him the �money I promised him. Had I know always comes last. He will be richer than myself. Any way, when he comes down and shows any disrcspect to me I hand his wealth over to the night marauders. A N OUT BREAK O F SMALL POX A T J O S Bueze: The dcy is very dry and dusty. I feel very dry in my nose. Mallarn: This season is always very dry. People are always very sick in the season. Buezc: To!! Small pox is the common disease of the season. Nditrm: There are already many cases in the neighbouring villilges. No deaths yet. Bueze: It is always severest at Jos. Sanitary Oficers will soon be going round to vaccinate people. Mallani: Well, let's settle down and face our work. Let Allah do His will. Mallam: Two days later: Bueze, there are many cases of Small pox in Jos. Bueze: The worst is that many of our neighbours have it. It is spreading like a wild fire. And we are not vaccinated. Mallam: The Officers are no where to be seen. What shall we do? BUEW: Let's pack away from here. Mallam: Where shaI1 we go? It is wide spread in the North. Can we go to the South? Bueze: Yes, Straight to Onitsha. We can go by "Onye anwuna ma ibe ya efuna" transport to night. Mallam: Where shall we live when we get there? Bueze: Packing quick1y:We can find a house in the Hausa quarters there. Mallam: 0 yes. Some of my friends are there. It is already �6.30p.m. Let's go or we miss the transport. Bueze: Let's run. Bye, Bye to our dear house; till the disease is over. Mallam: Yes, We shall come back at the end of the season. Bye, bye to the North. They caught the lorry alright. They travelled safely to Onitsha. Unfortunately they reached by night. As they were slowly walking to Hausa Quarters they fell into the hands of the night marauders. IN THE MIDST OF NIGHT MARAUDERS Mallam: Bueze who are those? I can't see their faces. They are wearing somethings on their faces. Bueze: Mallam! we are finished. They are thieves. They will rob us of all we have. Mallam: That won't matter if they spare our lives. Bueze: Let's hide under that shed, but if they discover us we shall not resist them. D o you understand? We shall yield all we have and beg for our lives. Mallam: I do follow. Let's hide. Jaguda: the gang leader of the marauders: I saw two people hiding under that shed. They are rich Hausas from the North. Let four chaps get them here immediately. Four Chaps rushing to the spot: Come out from there. Who are you? What were you doing there? Bueze: We are two friends from the North. One of the Chaps: Nonsense! Come to our leader a t once. If any of you talks, both of you are dead. D o you hear? They nodded their heads, and six of them marched to, Jaguda; Bueze and Mallam flashing glances at each other. Jaguda: Put down your loads here. Where do you come from? And where are you going. �Bueze: We are from Jos and iLe are going--Jaguda interrupted: How much do you think is the woffb: of your loads? Bueze & Mallam: Some hundreds of pounds. Jaguda: 'Ah! you are my friends. Well which do yoit choose-your lives or your loads? Mallam: Our lives! Jaguda: Good, Chaps send those thing into the room. friends strip off your clothes. You are going in pants. We want everything. I am the famous Jaguda. The routes Onitsha -Aba, Lagos-Onitsha, Enugu -0nitsha are under my command. No police can interrupt, or he floats on the river. I mean if you make a noice .you are both gone. D o you hear? Bueze: Yes, friend. Jaguda: You can go! Make sure you don't mention us. Bueze & Mallam: Thank you. One of the Chaps: The other man is an Hausa. He can avenge with his charms. Jaguda: You are right chap. Take him to the hole. The Chap: What of the other man? He is an Ibo. He can reveal what happened to his friend.. Jaguda: He will join us o r h e dies too. Young man, you see, we are all rich. We get thousands of pounds every day. If you join us you will be rich too. If you refuse, you will die. If you are'wise you will follow us. Afterall, all that people do in this world, is in order to get money and nothing more. When you get money, money can get you any other thing you desire. Yes ? Bueze considered for a few moments; He remembered what his father told him about the struggle for money in Nigeria. He remembered all that money can do in his Society. He decided to live. Bueze: I shall join you. �Jaguda: That's nice. Chaps go and do away with that wizard. Bueze: Please Sir, he is not a wizard. He is a good man. He will join your gang too. Don't kill me. He will serve you. Jaguda: Stop that! He won't join me. An Hausa man? Not me! Allah will not allow him. He will send all of us to the police tomorrow. If you talk again you go down after him. Mallam: Friend, Bueze good bye, and God bless you. Bueze: God bless your Soul. Goodbye my dear, Goodbye. ACT 3 T H E DEATH OF MALLAM-BUEZE, A THIEF. The good Mallam is dead. Akubueze is made a thief. He is convinced that the only way to success open to him was to robb his fellow men. Why did he not run away from the group and report them to the police? He didn't even avenge the murder of his friend, Mallam. He can explain better himself. Bueze after some days: Ah, my lord! I am now a thief. We were running away from death. Yet Mallam is murdered. Allah did not send him a deliverer. The happy life at Jos. The people there are good. Good men suffer; even good Moslems too. I can't go to the North agin. I can't disclose the truths I know. I am bound by oaths and I am watched by my fellow robbers. They take note of every movement of mine. I have no real need to run away. All the people in the'gang are progressing. Things go well with them. Our good life at Jos was interrupted by disease. My good services to the trader was not honoured. My father died miserable despite his honesty and kindness. All others progressed. Yes, he told me to struggle for money or be crushed. I shall remain in the group. I am making a lot of money already. 18 �Jaguda: Ah! Bueze those chaps arc clever. Only Seven of them stopped a transport lorry and collected all the money those traders (pnssengers) werz carrying to Lagos. Do you know how much? Tctal equals four-thousand T, pounds. i i ~ ni;X ;In! Ha! Ha-a-a!! Bueze: They are really clever. The 'same amount as the onc we co1lect:d on Monday night. Jagudai We shall share-the money very soon. I shall buy a transport lorry with my own share. But, Bueze, I heard thzt Otu traders are going to drive all thieves away from Onitsha. They are very serious. That Traders' Association is b2d. Any decission they take there must be carried out. Buezc: rhey can't do it. T they stop our work during f the day, what of night business? Jaguda: Ah, you don't know this Onitsha. They know each of us even by name. They can catch us at any noment. Any way, if they begin the Campaign . we shall shift our head-quarter to Asaba. Bueze: Yes, there we can make sure that wc take possession of three quarters of their goods from Lagos. Jaguda: Indeed we can, but I am really afraid of Onitsha traders. No body will know when they are going to lunge at the camgaign. We have given them bad blows. Just think of it, more than one and half million pounds in two. weeks. Bueze: It is a fact. What shall we do then? Jaguda: We can try our luck this week. If we can get something reasonable, we can move to another place. Further more, we shall always be watchful. When we get any sig~l their attacks we leave Onitsha immediately. of Bueze: Oil Jaguda, you know the business very well. You have studied every bit of it. Jaguda: Why not? That is business. Well, let's go out. You will go to Ericco while I go to Chibuzo. Make sure you come back with some-thing reasonable. I am sure God will help us. ' �Bueze: Alright. I wish you good luck. Jaguda: And same to you. IN T H E M E E T I N G OF T H E TRADERS: The Leader: Ladies and gentlemen, You need not be told that to-day is the day. Those dandies have rendered us useless. All our money, goods and even our freedom of movement, are gone. We must be very severe on them. Don't fear the Police! Don't fear any body! We all could be hanged for those Abani-diqwu people. We won't mind. You have known them a t least those in the chief gangs. Kill them straight away.' It will he very poor of us if any of them escapes. We are ready to face the consequences. Since the police can't help us, of ourse, the reason is clear. 'l'oday we shall become our own Police. Those Chaps have hecn smoktn Indim hemp to put themselves into the mood. Today it is our turn to do so. rhis is not the day for long s~eeches. Those Chaps are very clever. They 'ill socn discover that we are preparing for them and will all run away. So every body to his own corner for the campaign. Kill as many as you can and let's clear Onitsha of rogues. I wish all of us the best of lucks. ON T H E STREETS. The traders jumped into the Streets and dashed into all the corners suspected to be the hiding places of the rogues. The whole town was in the worst confusion ever experienced a t Onitsha. Many rogues were caught and killed in the broad day light, and at the very noses of the Police. The Police could not do anything. The lives of those who attempted to affect some arrests were threatened. ' Jaguda and his Chaps were the first to fell. By the by what of Bueze? Bueze to himself Ah! The ways of the poor are full of thorns and pricks. I have been to all the parts of 20 �Nigeria. I have been to the North, to the East, to Asaba in the West and now I am in Lagos. The struggle to get money and to survive; that is the life. I have tried honest and dishonest ways to it. But all have failed me. Yet I need money. If not I shall die as n~iserable my as fathcr. The first thing is to find somewhere live in. AT LAGOS Tunde: Man. you look very strange. Are you from the provinces? Can I help you? Bueze: Yes, I am from the East. I want somewhere to live in. Or at least somewhere to put up for tonight. Tunde: That is very dific'cllt. You can go to the Carter bridge. There are some apartments at the head of the bridge. You run s t q ~therc 'till you are able to get a roo1i1. Bueze: hank you very much. Please will you take me to thc bridge? 'I'undc: Al'ight. Let's go. ~uez;; in a cell at the head o the bridge: This place f is manageable. Oh God! What happened at Onitsha yesterday is wonderful. Those traders are merciless. I saw them killing all the members of my gang. O! It was hurrible. They cut Jaguda into ieces. May be they didn't know I was one of them. I tI/ ank God I escaped. Ah! ' my father's klessings can never be realised. Well, tomorrow 1 shall begin to look for a job, and a room. 1 must sleep now. 1 am very tired. When he fell asleep two thieves who normally slept in the cell came in. They were annoyed to find somebody therc. The 1st. thief: Who is that inside our room? 2nd. thief: He may be a policeman. A C.I.D. 1st. thief: Let us run away then. 21 �2nd. Thief: Run away? why? for a man only? Let us finish him and his wriked Police work. The Lagoop will have him now. 1st. Thief: Yes. That is a good idea. Thus Bueze was killed at the carter Bridge. In the ''same night his master, the trader was killed by the night marauders at Onitsha. That was during the campaign against the Thieves. Howe\;er, the news of his murder reached his Relatives and they have these to say:1st. Relative to the two others: Brothers, when we learnt of Bueze's rapid progress at Jos, we were afraid and thought that he might come home one day. and arange on us all the ill treatments we gave him while he was young and poor. Now we have nothing to fear anymore . . for I learnt from a very reliable source yesterday that he was killed in Lagos. The rumour has it that the Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. 3rd. Relative: I read of it in the Daily Times this morning. Oh heavens! So the story is a truth? The number of the members of our family is reduced by one. We .' must do something about it. We should go to Lagos and see things for our selves. We should meet the Police . . there and know the result of their investigations. We can't sit down here and talk useless things. We must go down and see to it that his murderers are hanged. 2nd. Relative: Your idea is nice my brorher, but I have [old all of you never to call me any time you intend to discuss about Akubueze. You want me to go to Lagos to fight a losing battle for a thief who was cought and killed. I can't do it! I can't spend thc lcesi half pmny for his sake. 1st. Relative: I am very sorry that our brother is murdered. At the same time, I am sorry that both of you find it easy to misundeastand me any time 1 rise any matter about Bueze. I have never intended us to d o anything more than ' ' �formally announcing his death to our people. That's all. We should not drag ourselves into a murder case. If we do, it will cost us all the money we shall save for the upbringing of our children and our families. It is not a simple thing. To go to Lagos is very easy, but to return home from Lagos is very hard. We need not quarrel over it. It is quite unreasonable for us to go since the police never invited us. The only reasonable thing is that we shall perform some burial ceremonies here to show our people that he is dead. And we shall do it in the simplest form. We shan't allow it to cost us more than a few shillings each. 2nd Relative: Wc shall announce it to the people without ceremonies since he did not die a natural death. He was killed while he was robbing people. He was responsible for his death. It is nothing but suicide. Our people don't perform burial ceren~oniesfor peopIe who die in suicide. So my point is, just verbal announcement. In anything more than that count me out of your plans. Further more I propose we announce it here and now right away. There is no need postponing it. 1st. Relative: I have no objection, since the death will be formally announced. Let's go on. The death drum was beaten by the 1st. Relative. The Villagers gathered and the death of Bueze was announced to them. 2nd. Relative; to the people: Ladies and gentlemen. Let it not surprise you that we announced it without ceremonies. This is simply because Bueze was killed while he was robbing people in Lagos. You all know that our society here hate thieves. Such a death is regarded or should be regarded by us as death by suicide. Bueze is responsible for his own death. We need not mourn him. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. The People: We must disperse since there are no ceremonies. All of them went home. �3rd. Relative: Crying as the people were moving act o f the 1st relative's compound:- Bueze my brother Rest in Peace. Yours are brothers of no aid; you struggled for yet are dead. Next, yours is life of Peace. That is the end of the life of a poor boy who was asked by his father to struggle for money in order to survive. It is clear; he struggled for money but died. The two Carter Bridge thieves? They were cought by the Police and after the normal processes of the Law were hanged. END. 1. Onye Oma Emeka. 2. The Struggle for Money. Both are obtainable from the Versity Bookshop. Onitsha; and the National Bookshop, Owerri. �� 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 Struggle for money Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Okafo, Motulumanya J. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : s.n. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1960? 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.c3310 Description An account of the resource This play takes a different focus than the much of Onitsha Market Literature. It states that "The Struggle for Money" is "tired of love making and left it out entirely," (pg. 1). In the introduction, Okafo pokes fun at the other pamphlets' emphasis on lovemaking and rampant messages about pulling yourself out of poverty through hard work. He critiques the importance of money in society and his perception of clannism and tribal attitudes in many of the pamphlets. He wants his play to appeal to the "simple-minded and all who like to read for relaxation," (pg.1). This play does not claim to be a great play, nor does it offer the caveat that this is the author's first play, as many of the introductions to other dramas make. It also states that it is for the reading pleasure of its audience. Okafo appears to have no expectations that this play would be performed. The play's episodic structure is a hybrid of storytelling and drama. Longer sections are narrated rather than dramatized, much like epic storytelling. Scenes frequently end or begin with a narration indicating a significant passage of time:Akubueze became an apprentice [sic] trader. He served him well for three years. He was a good boy all the time. He did not know any kind of cheating....But traders hardly give away money, unless when it will bring them profits. The trader was not ready to give him the hundred pounds at the end of the period. Let's see what happened, (pg.9). Although it is somewhat tempting to see this narrative device as Brechtian, it is most likely an exploration of Western dramatic format heavily influenced by Igbo storytelling traditions. However, it is clear that Okafo had a political message in mind that challenged the prevailing climate of the pamphlets and presumably Onitsha Market itself. The play opens with the central character's father dying and declaring the injustices associated with a society where money is the only thing of importance. The father worked hard and made sure that he did not cause anyone to suffer, yet he was kicked out of the church for not offering enough money. He tells his son, Bueze, that money will solve all problems in this pitiful world and that he must not cry. The rest of the play narrates and shows its audience the greed of other people and the dangers of chance. The son is a lot like Job or Prometheus. Bueze, although good in nature, finds that goodness and industry in itself are never enough to succeed. He laments:The ways of the poor are full of thorns and pricks. I have been to all the parts of Nigeria. I have been to the North, to the East, to Asaba in the west and I am in Lagos. The struggle to get money and to survive; that is the life.I have tried honest and dishonest ways to it. But all have failed me, (pg.21). Okafo has further cultural commentary in mind when he sends his main character north to demonstrate that northern Nigerians are good and hospitable people. He uses the kindness of the Mallam to challenge the stereotypes of the Hausa that stem from the clannism and tribalistic attitudes of the market, according to the author. He also uses the words of the Mallam to criticize the market traders who "love money and starve themselves to death. There is nothing they can't do in order to get money. They reject their brothers, kill their mothers, make charms with the blood of their wives," (pg.12-13).  Distinguishing itself humbly from other Market Literature, the pamphlet is rather plain and the author does not proclaim many grandiose things about the benefits for the reader. 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/756d3f5edf753f9c52c10211ca5b1997.pdf 22c81165f8bab95b6e691268454ec6c4 PDF Text Text ��ACKNOWLEDGEMETS: I am gratefully in-debted t ~ : Messrs James A. Arimah, Producer of ''Community Social Register", N. E. Nkanu, a Typist, and Simeon 0. Beckley, (RecordingEngineer) all in the E.N.B.C. Enugu. Also my acknowledgements go to all my inforinants. �ALL INQUIRIES ARE TO BE DIRECTED TO:I. Mr. M. U. E. Nkwoh, University of Nigeria, NSUKKA. EASTERN NIGERIA. . 3 Mr. V. C. J. Mbah, National Achieves, ENUGU. 3. G. A. IBE District Supri~endent'sOffice, Nigeria Railway Corporation. ENUGU. 4. Mr. Luke C. Metu, No. 13 lbadan Strcer. Fegge-Layout, ONITSHA. ALL HIGM7S RESERVEI) Price:= Twc) Shillings. ( 2/6d BY POST �"Cocktail Ladies" is a compedium of onc in the many series of-broaCcasts made by Mr. M. U. E. Nkwoh over the Eastern Nigcria Broadcasting Corporation network in t h c pragramme "Community Social Kcgister". The progcunme became so captivating, the ideas expressed so controversial and the author's rendering of them so academic and scholarly that there hss been a nwcr ending stream or%quests for the repeti1i.n of these talks. To satisfy the onc and the many, the author considers a booklet form of these. talks desirable - hence this booklet. Mr. ~ a r i u sU. E. Eu'kwoh is an undergraduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where t o t a s teen registered fcr a Degree Course leading to Honours English. This is the crowning mark of his brilliant a c a d e m i c career. He did his Ekmentary School Studies at St. Matthew's R.C.M. Umuchu and St. Charles' R.C.M. Achina. From there hc proceeded to St. Patrick's College, Calabar for his Secondary School Education. There he passed out with an encouraging class and started to do private studies for more. advanced courses. He passcd his G.C.E. Advanccd Level Pa ers with all the nwks and all the characteristics o fJ' a scholar. One thing that has been very characteristic of him throughout his academic history is his wonderful f 1 a i r for languages. To this can be added his eternal propensity 10 write and to publish. Ever before he wcnt into the University of Nigeria, he had written much about much, and those who had the rare opporlunity to read those scripts could not but see the mark of genius on every page of those writings. �But some of them "were 'born to blush unseen' and did "waste their sweetness on the desert air", remaining unpublished till today. Here I have in mind his poems. Mr. M. U. E. Nkwoh is also noted for his rather philosophical analysis and interpretation 'of things of life. He is always interested in writing on contemporary topics, sometimes too domestic, and sometimes too common to merit the attention of any but the philosopher or the academician. These common topics are often-times very old to us but very new to him, very common to us but very strange to him; and finally on the pages of his writings, these common experiences become exciting. and captivating. You simply can't help, but admire genius. These qualities of his writings can be well seen in the present volume. As the sub titles show, the booklet deals.with things around us. After reading it, one cannot help but sit up and imagine what society is, as it is now, and what it should have been in a contemporary Utopia. But w h e r e lies the difference between what is and what should have been? It lies in these social cancers which gnaw decp into the very entrails of society. It is these cancers that the author wants to bring to the lime light. His success or failure should be judged from the abovementioned angle. . Many of the talks rnay cause a high voltage of concern and may be disapprobation to many. Man) will sit complacently on their chairs raining anathema on the author of "all these evils". But the paradox of it all is that the popularity of the author lics rooted in the disapprobation of the FEW that fcel insulted or slighted. His honour, as it were, srands rootcd in thcir dishonour. �INTRODUCTION Mr. M.U.E.Nkwoh was an Associate Editor of the I 'niversity . Magazine (The Pioneer) and Internal n Bulletin (The Arrow). He is a r e m b e r of the Creative Writing Club of the University of Nig-ria. H e was the Publicity. Secretary of the Pax Romana, U.NX Branch, and the Publicity Secretary cf the N.C.N.C. Youth Vanguard University Branch. On lastvacation hewas Assisting t t c E.N.B.S. Ncws Editcr Beforeentering the University he was popularly known as a free lar.ce journalist. Many of his articles had been published in the National and Local Press. I now rccornmend his "Cocktail Ladies" to all readers. V. C J. MBAH B. A. Horis. (Londo~t) National Archives. Enugu. �EXTRACTS OF LEmERS OF REQUEST FOR THE Series OF TALKS (FACING THE FACTS AROUND US) TO BE REPEATED C. S. NWOSU. Principal Accountants Ol%ce, Nigeria Railway Corporation. ZARIA 13th September 1961 The General Manager, Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Service, P. 0.BOX 350, Enugu. Dear Sir, COMMUNITY SOCIAL REGISTER BY MR. NKWOH OF UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA. I have listened with great interest and rofound admiration the radio broadcast of Mr. N woh of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on the above subject, and request you to send me copies of the series of his commentary on the social life of our men and women. 2. It is the desire of all those who are in the same school of thought with me to possess copies of this master piece which covers all the day-to-day activities of our youths. It is indescribable to explain how the youths in this part of the federation welcome Mr. Nkwoh's observations and thought provoking facts. 3. Should this not be available with you, may I request you to direct my request to Mr. Nkwoh and urge him to meet my humble request which will help to educate most of the uniformed scattered here and there. I enclose herewith self addressed stamped envelope for your early reply. Y u s faithfully, or (Sgd.) C.S. NWOSU R �h u m : Mr. E. A. Morka, Vivian, Younger & Bond Ltd., Ringim Station. The Manager, E. N. B. S.. Enugu. Dear Sir, Your programme of 9:30-9:45 p.m on Sunday the 20th has inspired me so highly, that I am moved to writing and requesting you mainly on two points:1. That those who heard the programme will surely be interested if you help your listeners to get it in book or pamphlet for exactly as it was read that day. Then the rush of the sale will prove to you and the composer how valued it is. 2. That 1 personally request you to repeat the programme twice more at least before letting it off. If you kindly accept my request of later, I prefer it on Saturday the 26th and Monday the 28th August, 1961., at the hours of 7:15-8:00 p.m. each of the days. My aim is mostly on its being published in any form for sale, and I trust whatever amount you or the "author" may fix for its sale, may not d e b a r its urgent clearance. For your prompt response to this, 1 herein enclose a three pence stamp. I very much regret of not quoting the tittle or heading of the programme owing to meeting it midway. Yet, the subject dealt with the "CARE-FREE" lives which our girls are indulging, and the real effect of it at last. Thanking you immensely for the careful arrangements to introduce such a touching programme. Sincerely yours, (Sgd.) E. A. Morka. �St. Matthias' NDD. Mba., c/o OW/NTA P.A., Via ~ b a . 26th August 1961. The Gen. Manager, E.N.B.S., ENUGU. I humbly ask that a copy of the last night's speech, entitled- "THE COCK-TAIL LADIES9'.may be sent to me at any cost. I am very sorry that I could not get the name and theaddressof the person who presented the programme. I think I heard something about the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Please, if you cannot give the copy to me, you c n a let me know more of the producer of the programme so that I may not fail to have a .copy of the speech. Your help and your advice are needed. Yours faithfully, (Sgd.)' Sidney E. Amanze. �FACING THE FACTS AROUND US (SERIAL TALKS) Chapter One NIGHT MARAUDERS: THEY CONSTITUTE A DANGER IN OUR MIDST so insecure; What is left to aallman when his life isfundamental his property removed and his right to live his own life, possess his own property, is so badly threatened? The sacred duty of any government and in fact any society for that matter is to ensure this fundamental protection of human life and property. Life is not to live merely but to live well, happily and peacefully; yet there are some among us who live without any designs at all or witbout any visible means of livelihood, and still live the most luxurious lives in our best hotels or our most popular pubs. How do they manage? For some years now, Nigeria has been under the influence of night marauders. The P r e s s had reported of their depredations; the radio had punctuated their atrocities. It remains now for the television to dramatise their heart-breaking activities. Every day, we hear the news of these infernal people. Cars are stopped and the drivers brought out and beaten almost to death; while the keys of their cars are removed and the cars driven away. Many have surrendered all their bodily belongings at gun-points and half-deadly, half-nakedlystagger away in pants. Mouths have been forced to close, hands tied with ropes, while pockets are carefully searched tor gold, Faces have been slapped red when nothing or an insufficient amount is got. Some have been castigated and go away with swollen kuttocks. One becomes so unfortunate to encounter these heartless souls! pray, become not a victim. �12 COCKTAIL LADIES Nowadays, strange letters are written by anonymous people commanding a surrender of itemised property or articles on appointed days, at an appointed place and at a stipulated time. Failure t o comply with such unjust instructions disposes the affected to serious consequences. And the consequences, what are they? Your house or store can be broken into by force and the occupants forced out to make room for a thorough clean up of removal of all your valuable property. Motor tyres can be removed from parked cars in the garage; valuable furrriture; clothings and what not, are duly packed away. Treasuries had been broken into, lorries stopped on tb.e way and the passengers searched at gun-points. Many a time it is reported that thousands of pounds were removed from this or that treasury or that merchant's firm. Everybody hears of these havocs everyday. What is to be done? Where d o we go from here? We a.re living in a state of fear and our life and property are so unsafe. May God save us from the hands of these wicked people. Recently an English lady (I think a Mrs. Urogbo at Surulere, Lagos) wrote a very pathetic letter, through the Editor of the 'Sunday Times', to these night (and nowadays day) marauders. In that letter she rcq~~estea thieves to return her only belongings the which they had so unkindly removed The worst aspect of the story was that after despatching t h e letter, the thieves visited her house again for a final shake up. Poor lady! She went back to England a s :I result. Many Nigerians felt insulted by her letter since it was published. They might be right and they might be wrong. One thing we must not forget is what was her mind's disposition at the material time of writing. Nothing was left for her from all her cherished property. What would you have done in a similar situation? I agree that banditry is not pecu1i:ir to Nigeria and highway men orerate in England too, RLII i s t h a t a sulkient o r y u IT) e 11 t to �THE NIGHT MARAUDERS. 13 condone evil? Nigeria can't afford the expensive joke of marauders' atrocities s i m p l y because high-way robbery is a world-wide cancer. Why must we Imitate a bad thing because it is done everywhere? How then do we make our unique mark as a new force in the world? We must face facts and view things objectively and realistically, from the background of contemporary events. We must resist, immediately, this newest threat to human life and property with all forces a t our command. In Eastern Nigeria today, people are alert all night. It is life or death. "Traders and Tenants Associations" arc formed to drive out all thieves from all the big towns in the Region. The Police Authorities are well informed of these associations. They even attend some of their meetings. Acccrding to these associations, anybody found comporting himself in a manner likely to arouse suspicion, either at odd places or times, are arrested by the people. Sometimes, the suspects are handed over to the police and sometimes the law of the jungle is applied. In Onitsha, Aba and Enugu night vigils are kept. Other towns do the same because this wave of terrorism is passing on from town to town. It is just like the trade winds and could blow to another town tomorrow. This is a serious matter and the position requires an immediate handling by our governments, by the police and by the people themselves. It is not a matter to play politics with; nor one to make headlines in our newspapers. Anybody that pretends that this or that Region of Nigeria is holier and freer from the havocs of these night marauders then the other one is dishonest and a cheat. He is a brazen hyprocrite. This position has become deplorable and like a canker worm is fastly eating the body fabric of our society What is to be done? Who are the night marauders? How do they operate? What implements do they use? What time of t h e night do they operate most? Who can tell us? �To say exactly who are these night marauders is to tread on a dangerous ground. It is to go to that place where angels avoid. It is to challenge the devil and in fact to invite trouble. However, my guess in this talk will be as good as yours. "Nobody i; more like an honest man than a thief". During the day, all that suit up are not gentlemen. Their politeness, good grammar, excellent poise (personality), superb gait, fashion of dress and cheerfulness, are but dressed falsehoods. They are all hollow and are just whited sepulchre. When you are iii the pubs, those very liberal offers of drinks with "get him four to six bottles" are to be looked at twice. Mind those latest fashion of hair-shave, short shorts, tough knots of tie, chimney smoke of cigarette, especially the "taxi high society" or those long pipes. And look out for those loudest speakers, braggarts, classical dancers of "cha-cha" and sometimes "ro-po-pow, or the latest heat of a "high life" music. Then don't over-look those that bring out their walletswhich are full of "red notes" (pound notes) and just carelessly single out one to order a roast chicken and bottles of beer. This, they often do to impress the bar-maids around! You see, I am only trying to suggest that thieves are the people you can't suspect as being anything but honourable gentlemen. Have you ever been told by an apparent well dressed youngman to "excuse me", and then to give him just five shillings to complete his money to collect an article just around the corner? well, try Lagos or Aba. It is the fashion now for some thorough-bred loafers to stop gentlemen at Aba and ask for some money. "for God's sake", just to go and eat. And these people are so hale and sound! My God! What is wrong nowadays? Who are the night marauders? Some people often suspect some taxi-drivers as being thieves because msny a time their cars are used by these marauders. �rn~ NIOBT MARAUDERS 15 The argument is that if they are not, then they are accomplices. Well! I don't share this opinion as I know many honest taxi drivers. Nevertheless, there could be a Judas in every group of twelve. Some people say that "Passenger Collectors" ('ocho passenger') are the real thieves. How can they, when so many of them are responsible men with big families and have children in colleges and even nowadays, in Universities? But there could be Judases in their fold all the same. There is the assertion that the night marauders are jobless men among us. This suspicion appears teneable in the light of bitter facts of reality. Yet, if they are, from where do they get the dynamite with which to explode treasury safes? Who buys guns for them or the cars with which thefts ace committed? Who teaches them how to remove plate numbers or tyres of motor cars? Who provides the money for all the necessary equipment for their thieving adventures? Some people suspect some lorry owners and mechanics are thieves. I think these people are too big to be thieves. This accusation would be an insult to their class, seeing that they have enough money and to spare. Who are then the night marauders? Once more, your guess is as good as mine. Personally, I think they are a combination. They can be drawn from taxi drivers, passenger collectors, apprentice mechanics, jobless folk and from big men in offices or even at home. Some big men employ these thugs to loot and bring back booty. These are the people who provide the night marauders witha leadershipand all that they would need. Already they have got the money, but yet want more and more money. Humad greed! It can know no end. What is to be done? And by the way, have you ever had the misfortune t o see a night marauder? If you have not, then have an idea. My informant told me that the real experts dress in black all over, imitating the "mark of Zoro". Those that do not dress in this full regalia, cover their eyes with a handkerchief which eyes, and paint their faces dark, �bear holes for the possibl with charcoal. They carry about jack-knives, torch ight, a short-gun and at times a matchet or a club for dealing heavy blows to resistant objects like windows or doors. They have also some carpenter's tools to lift stores, remove hinges of doors or draw out nails. Some of them carry dynamite to explode safes of treasuries or firms or offices while others carry about with them some quantity of chloroform with which to keep occupants of a visited house sleepy. Some carry long and hooked sticks to remove clothes hung inside from the .windows. Before these tough boys set out for their 'depredations, they often smoke the Indian hemp (from where they get it, I don't know) or drink to a point of intoxication. !' Where do, t h e y live? Who are their friends? Generally it is believed their friends are hotel girls. Their home is ever here and nowhere. But my information was got rom one of them who was caring for himself in a pub. The pub is definitely the place to look for news. Down at one corner, all alone, was a fine and well d r e s s e d gentleman. He was carving for himself a chicken, wlth four bottles of beer standing on his table. Two had been drained by him while two remained undrained. I dec7ed to keep him c o m p a n y with my friend. He was all welcoming. More beer was ordered for my friend and I. Four bottles. It appeared my informant goes by four. The drink continued and discussions progressed too. A time came when he had to boast of his various activities and this time often comes with people who drink without control. At such a time, the most humble can reveal the w h o 1e of his life. What more for a die-hard rogue? -This was how I got all my information. Don't ask for more, please. Something must be done about these night marauders. Can house to house campaign do to comb them out? This is already being pract~sedin Onitsha and Aba. Can the Police (and they are over-worked, being so few now, with hundreds of them in the Congo) do? fY" �NIGHT MARAUDERS: 17 They can, especialy by patrolling along the street as they used to do. 1 wonder why nowadays they have ceased. You cannot see a single Policeman on duty along our streets nowadays. When there is any shout of "thieves, thieves, thieves" nobody comes to your rescuse. No whistles are blown by the Police. The chese is your. own risk. Sometimes, in the chase, m'any have lost parts of their bodies or become killed even. Let the Police Authorities revert to the old good practice of stationing Policemen on beat along our streets. The Reservation Area (if any such area still exist in these independence days) are not the only places that inhabit honest c i t i z e n s who pay their taxes regularly to enjoy the security of life and of their property. The Magistrates can be.empowered to give thieves life imprisonment. Parliaments can empower them with neccessary weapons of the law. We can not continue to live our lives at the pleasure of thieves who sleep during the day and convert the night to their own days. Alternatively, the people can choose to employ the law of the jungle. The practice now at Aba is to search every-house for suspects and comb them out. As a matter of fact, every street in every township knows its own loafers. Thcse people should be made to realise that their power is not invincible. Some public denunciation of these powers of darkness is necessary. When a thief is caught, he can be brought out to be tried and then punished in public before he is imprisoned. He can be spat upon: his face can be slapped and anything that will disgrace should not be spared. This will be a lcsson to those not discovered yet. �Chapter Two COCKTAIL LADIES n my first talk in this series, I spoke to you about I t h e dangcrsof night marauders in our midst. ~ o d a ~ , I want to direct your attcntion to ailother group in our society whose existence is becoming disgraceful. I have chosen to call them "cocktail" ladies. Let us therefore considcr them tonight. The mistake of fcminisni nowadays is that women want to do cvery thing that men do. Womcn want to go to the moon or to sound the deepest oceans. They want to out-smoke and out-drink men. They think t h e y can easily be soldiers, pilots, enginedrivers and other odd jobs that men do. Why do they think and want these things? Well, just to rival mcn and to be cqual with them. Already they are succccding and will soon morc than succccd. Today you see women in almost every fcild of life, in thc Policc Force, in Civil Service Ofices, in Parliamcnts, in Hospitals, driving about their own cars, hcing rcputable contractors or wealthy traders, broadcasters, tax-collectors and tar-payees too. Soon we shall liavc women taxi-drivers. But the fun is that womcn forget thatbeing different bcings, they have nlmlutcly special and difkrcnt characteristics. Thcy forget that the hocd docs not make the monk. It is therefore not i n wcnring "tough pants and shorts" which men wear that thcp b e c o m c automatically men or men-like. �19 COCKTAIL LADIES Take a look at our society ladies! Their motto is "let your life be as happy and sunshiny as you can make it. the men are always around to foot the bill". With this motto, these cocktail ladies, these human parasites, these lazy .drones and good-fornothings, go about living in a manner not altogether respectable or desirable. They know all the "big guns" in town. They have been to all parties held at the Governor's or Premier's lodge. They have been driven a b o u t. by big men in their big and long American cars. They are sure to be at the next Minister's Cocktail party or at the marriage of a big personality in town. They will be at all places at all .times. How d o these self-elected society elitie come about? What are their qualifications? Have youever thought of their undersirable existence or have you never felt :their presence?. Take a look around you. Visit some big men; attend some parties: -watch your television sets (if you are lucky to have any). These ladies exist in every big township and know all the big men of the town. They can be working-class or nurses or Women Police or bank clercks or typists or sales-clercks of firms or telephone operators They can also be school teachers or some clever housewives, disgusted with their husbands or those glamorous seekers of ostentatious jobs. You can always know these people hy their ways. If they had been "Miss Any Townships" or mere " r u n n e r u p s" or even "attempteds". then they m u s t let all the world know this by how they dress and talk with a borrowed accent (even though they did not pass .the standard six nor ever crossed the River Niger). They paint their lips, finger and toe-nails and retouch their eye brows with a blue pencil. - �20 COCKTAIL LADIES They use scent, different ohtments and assorted cosmetics and these, only to advertise their painted beauty. To augment, they sew dresses that are kneetight ("cross no gutter" I think they call it) and mount on shoes that are a foot high. On those "knockabouts" they skate around, false living and false feeling. This is the time when they attract attention and consequently win introductions. In' the offices, t e l e p h o n e attendants (or do you call them telephone receptionists or "operators?) are wonderful people. They t e 1e p h o n e anybody that matters Sometimes they apologise and say that they thought it was "so-so and so" they met at a party held last night at Mr. X's residence. But the fun of .it all is that the person telephoning simply wants to be there. "Don't mention" is often the reply and "you are cordially invited, if you please". With this weapon of a previous telephone introduction, everything else is smooth sailing. The day b e c o m e s crowded moments- for the turkey-cock. Her work is no more properly done. The party becomes the talk of the day. She telephones o t h e r cocktail ladies, asking whether they will be attending. If they would, the dresses to be vorn are discussed; the make-up to be pasted on the face not left out ofcourse. Suitable men to match are intimated to foot the bill of transport and other incidentals of the occasion. This does not provide any difficulty because these cock-tail girls have a thousand odd and different boyfriends. The only qualification of those boy-friends of course is the possession of a car and a disposition to spend freely. The boys must belive in buying roast chickens, sausage rolls, drinks (shorts of ginger or brandy) and must take them out regularly to the films. What these girls want is a busy life of vanity. Nothing more, nothing less. �COCKTAIL LADIES 21 There is another group of cocktail ladies. These are "carnival boats". (By the way, have you ever .attended' the "Alpha Carnival" show?). Their skates a r e very s h o r t and wide,. infact rather too wide in .circumference, (umbrella skates.) Around the waists of the wearers appear to contain some soft materials,. perhaps p a d s of a type. These materials raise the ladies' buttocks to fit with the umbrella skates which will swing low, high and a r o u n d , at the slightest movement. The hair-do is any thing of your guess, provided you guess the unusual. Some of them $0 about with such shampoo'd, plaited or stretched ham It is a good curiosity to watch the novelties of our women's latest. hair-do. From styles they call "rats and rabbits,' "hill-top", "samba", ayakata", ajakaaja", .to plateau", "basket" "double weave" and "society emblems". With these they are simply on ,top of the world. Nobody is regarded again except one who can 'richly pay to help them live luxyriously and smartly. When fully dressed, how these ladies -carry about themselves! The neck is kept stiff and &rect; eyes are down cast or at times half-closed and -the p a i n t.e d lips kept tight and ready for the slightest necessity to advertise the teeth. The hoppinggiat is carefully p r a c t i s e d and some smarting ways of speaking the English language is memorised. Everything is simply put into the show. The fun of these cocktail ladies is that because .they are "birds of passage or changelings to every big man*', they go about swell-headed. In officesan ordinary typist or telephone operator who is friendly .with the boss does not regard anybody again. What can you do? Can you give her a query? Will you report her? To whom, to the boss? Whichever you do, you can be surc to enter into trouble with.the big man, and that if you are not careful. If you give her a query, �22 COCKTAIL LADIES she wilt tear it to pie&, even to your face, and curse: you with such abusive language. What can you do? You are rendered powerless because she is a cocktaitj lady, and besides, a friend of the big man in chargelor , your office. Take a look at a young Police woman who:is in the: good books of the A.S.P.! Every constable, even an Inspector, is cheap to her. She will novtake instructions. from any except from the A.S.P. But she forgets she is in the Force. This situation is the same in all walks of life where women infest. But who is a woman? A certain English poet defines a woman thus:Woman, doubtful theme, I sing; Dear, delightful, dangeraus thing! Magic source of all our joy, Tempting, trifling, tinselled toy. Every faculty possessing: That constitutes a curse or a blessing: witty, empty, fond, capricious. Pious sometimes, often, vicious, As Angels handsome, devils proud; Modest, pert, submissive, loud; T a cheer 'and to torment us, given. Without them, what, ye gods, is life? And with them, what but care' and strife? According to a certain woman writer, Marie Coreli: "a \\;oman considered in the rough abstract, is only the pack-mule of man; his goods, his chattles, created specially to be the vessel of his passion and humour. Without his favour and support, she is by a universal consent, set down as a lonely and wandering mistake". �COCKTAIL LADIES 23 A woman, despite her false airs, still says to a man: '1 want m o n e y, buy me a . bangle-watch, a .fancy bag, a pair of shoes, dresses, a fancy hat, eggs, fish, pork meat, beverages and what not she may desire. A woman does not know it is hard to get money or . if she knows, she pretends not to bother. Our women, including the society ladiesandgirls, are too money-indeed. House-wives find clever reasons to 'leave their husbands simply to live. smart lives, to be driven about in cars and to attend big parties. Young girls take to. the streets merely to be glamorous society ladies. Marriage and child-bearing are yet things absent from their vocabulary of thought. They want to be on the move with the society elite all the time. The greatest surprise is that they have what they call cogent reasons .for all their way-ward behaviours. . I recently encountered one cocktail lady and simply pitied h-r plight. She.had upsuccessful1y;contested the "Miss Nigeria" competition on provincial basis for three years ,now running. She can't now. walk a yard because slie has been used to be driven about by big men. Her cslours are fastly fading away, indeed they hnv: faded out. She is now a "wash out"- aild yct does not. know. She will'be dying and yet' wili: not believe she is so doing. She ktill goes abo,ut'looking for jobs from one office to. another. Whcrevei s ! ~ goes, people fight to have a glance, a talk, a touch (starting with a haiid shake..first of ,all) an'd finally a "can I drive.you'home"' courtesy? And yet this lady is so stupid. She cannot .add up.ten blus.ten. She can't read correctly' nor understand .'simple English. . Beauty is her .only qulification. Today women hat2 .wonlen's duties. They hate to manage the homes, cook meals and rear up children. Sometimes the men ofthe house go hungry because the wives are 'on s t r i k e . :Some of them are women and some "Mi s s N i g e r i a..' maniacs �24 COCKTAIL LADIES As a matter of fact, the introducticn ofbeauty competition into this country has turned so many girls' h e a d s to directions not altogether praise-worthy. Women are made to help and not to nag, s a p or impoverish men. They should not be a burden, nor parasites, nor nuisance, nor articles of commerce. There is still plenty of time for our women to think twice. Mad rush for gold and fast living all the time will definitely not do. "Gold, gold, for ever! What will it not do? It will bring the proud, to their knees; it will force the obstinate to servile compliance, it will conquer aversion and prejudice. The world is a slave to its yellow glitter and the l o v e of women, that perishable article of commerce, is for ever at its command." I often think of what is to be the fate of some of our cocktail ladies in years ahead. Most of them are definitely deceiving themselves now. Do they ever remember that the greatest beauties h a v e withered and died? Rose flowers bloom only once and then fade away. The morning is surely to give way to the afternoon, and the noon to the evening. Health has no duplicate nor an alternative. How many society ladies have ended i n ignominous deaths, sickness, leprosy, epilepsy, tuberclosis or veneral diseases? Here is a story of a girl who got a sack from her job. Lucy is a cocktail lady, smashing and glamorous. In comportment, she is elegant and in feeling, very soft and delicate. She is a typical woman or what a woman should be. She knows all the 'rules of high society behaviours. Her boy-friend is a young man with a *great f u t u r e ahead. His post is even now enviable. He simply makes Lucy crazy because he keeps a date with her every day. Life therefore has no worries for Lucy. What does she need? The boy friend provides her with enough. Is it dresses? Even �COCKTAIL LADIS 25 those are abundant. Is it a fine car? Ope1 Capitan is just sufficient for two people who have determined to make life run smooth but very fast. Lucy's boy-friend has a wife who has for him three fine children, two boys and one girl. The wife is even now expecting a child, may be a female, to balance. the equation'of creation. Lucy knows of this, but is determined to get the "awufu money" or do you call it "chawuta"? Recently Lucy's services 'in her department were terminated. Every big man came to sympathise with her, except the boy friend. The reason is obvious. Lucy had been an expensive girl to maintain. He therefore feels relieved now. Previously, Lucy had been sacked from different posts she had held. The reason had always been the same. She is not serious in her job. She is always absent. She is always abusive and insulting when ever she is corrected. Now Lucy is terminated and she has. fallen sick. The nature of her sickness is dubious and' serious. I know that people are not allowed to go to see her. When ! interviewed her Doctor, I was told in confidence thaf: her trouble was a terrible misuse of her life. I wish her a speedy recovery, if she is lucky to recover. Our cocktail ladies are not sufficiently facing the true facts of their lives. Youth and beauty are not to last for ever. Make-ups will never be adequate substitues for the prime of life. Cars will not be always around to collect them. Old age will surely creep in and the realities of life will stand stark-naked before them. It will be too late to learn how to use the.lefi hand when the right hand had long been in use al: their lives. Servants may not be around to minister unto them. The free-money-allowance will cease one day. The worst will be that some day they will not even be welcomed to those parties that had spoilt their heacs �26 COCKTAIL LADIES in ,youfh. Now is the time for a second thqught and this.,is:their only time. Continued .false living is d8n gerous and has its own serious ~epeycussions.Nobody .can ever cheat nature, but i'f the cocktail ladies think that tlj.ey can, well, let them do. They should .boyever remember' that their betters, had, trieB ,and failed. . A word is now enough for the. w ~ i e . a 05 Finally 1 .am a d v i s i rig' those them that are youthful enough and still marriageabki:to go now and marry. They should now. in the words of a poet:: Gather ye rose-buds wfiile ye may Old time is still a-flying And this same flower that smiles today, Tomorrow will be dying. The glorious lamp of Heaven, the sun, The higher he's a-getting: The sooner will his race be run And nearer he's to setting That age is best, which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times still succeed the former. Then b e not coy, but use your ti&; And while you may. go marry; For having lost but once your prime You may for ever tarry. I can add nothing to thc above quotntion. It on!y remains for the cocktail ladies around us to re-esamine their lives. They should now face the facts around them and consider their life past, now and to come. May God give them the understanding and the grace t o change their vain ways. �Chapter Three L a s t week, I spoke to you about c&tqil ,ladies; tfiose wc$ii:en who have betbnie so s o p h i s t ic a t e d .with v c i t y that their presence is becomiirg,disgraceful to all of us. Today 1 am directing, your attention ,t6-'another group, ''those hypocrites arounij .us." 'live. in a world of realities .and unrealities. This life, which is a very g r e a t gift from God, is such ti curious business. N o doubt, many of us walk through it like ghosts as if we were in it .but not of it. We. look but d o not see: listen but do not hear, start but do not feel. Indeed "all the world's a stage and all men and women merely players". Have you -ever watched, from a vantage ground, the .hypocrisy of men, the vanity of women, the boundless ambition of youths o r the presunipt~o:lor claim to wisdom of the aged'? As we reach years of discretion, we naturally ask ourselves what should be the m a i n object of our existence. Some of us are therefore fascinated by an attempt to forcast something of the conditions of lifc a s they will be in centuries ahead. Some indulge in s p e c u 1 a t i o n and some in dreaming: For this reason. life has for us many troubles wh~ch are o!' many kinds. Our own problenx therefore are just like these troubles of life. Take a look at the faces thet kave a church on a Suliday, those that comc? out from a big rally or a foot-+all match held at z certain stadium o r the sayings or happenings of this world! How v a r i o u s the faces and how vario~z indeed the i n t e n t i o n s and natures they purport! �28 COCKTAIL LADIES To some extent, there is no honesty or reason for some of the things we do. Many of us say many things in this life that we never meant or believed t o be true. We act, speak, walk and behave at timos because it is the fashiori.of some peopre to-do so. Let us begin with our modern ladies. Some of them have become more sophisticated than those they imitate. They now Paint red their lips, finger and toe nails and retouch theii eye brows blue. In time, they will begin to paint their ears and all other parts of their body. Already the face has got its own layers of make-up. Why do they do these things? A red paint on a black lip! Your guess is as good as mine. But I think they want to be smart, elegant and charming: otherwise they want to impress all beholders. A woman is-a.vcty':good example of a human masquerade. Say what you may, I am of that o p i n io n. Tell her she is the most beautiful lady in town; then watch the turkey cock as she be&s to swell! She smiles d e e p l y and loses her head. Inform her "you are my love" and watch the airs. graces, elegance and satisfaction with which she reacts. But let her. turn the next corner .and meet another man (more "braining and eloquent") who can call her "h o n e y", "sweety" and what not romantic terms. She soon forgets the first man, with all the joys she ever had with him. Why do women do this? The truth is that women are by nature very cunning and full of falsehoods and pretences. They cherish flattery and appear to live well with it. The question is: can they live without equivocations? When a woman says she hates you, then know that she secretly admires you. When' she is stern in looks, of course she is s e c r e t l y darting amorous glences. Her q u a r r el is just the begining of her agreement and love. �THOSE HYPOCRITES IN OUR MIDST 29 If she scolds you, then know that she loves you. But if she says that she loves you, you can be sure she does not but is only interested in the things that she can get out of you. The trouble with our modem women is that they can never say what they mean and mean what they say. Love to them is a m a g i c word with which to trade. No wonder some of them have now become articles of commerce! Marriage is no more contracted because of real love but because of security and position. A man's person does not matter any more in love affairs except his prospect, his car, his building (if any) or his social standing. Is he a lawyer, a doctor, a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary? Is he "senior service," or a g r a d u a t e ? Why do they do these things? Why all these masquerading and counter-feiting of life? This stitution has led so many men to resort to a deceitful living. How many men have hired a taxi cab for a day (with the word taxi wiped off) just to pose that they are car owners before certain "tough ladies"? How many have feigned to be lawyers, doctors degree holders or "senior service", simply to impress? How many men have suddenly changed their manner of speaking simply to appear "I have been to" or walk with what gait the "been tosWcali "Univerthe sity Hunchback"? How many men haveindeed shed tears at the feet of the girls they want to convice they love and would die for? We've got to be honest with ourselves and face the facts around us. Why should we live false lives? Watch some of our ladies nowadays when the appear in some television programmes. They simply out-do their parts and b e c o m e such strangers to their true selves. Equivelent to these "show girls" are some "tough boys" who go by b o g u s names and under false �30 COCKTAIL LADIES pretences. These boys make it a fashion to telephone every lady telephone-operator on duty in o r d e.r t o conduct a telephone c o u r t s h i p They start .with introducing t h e m s e 1 v e s as a "sci-so and so" Honourable Member from Lagos o r a Barrister just a r r i v'e d from the United Kingdom. They disclose there names as one Mr. Obl~k, Gaby o r Mike. They are l o o k i n g for l o d g i n g and they are inquiring if the lady te1ephone;operatqr-. can help. "H-m-m, can I come to drive you-out td' the Catering Rest House for the evening?' they oftemask politely. If he lady i s cheap, of course the outing takes place and the rest can besettled then. If the lady. refuses, to be dc ceived, these tough boys threaten to report then1 to their managers o r who-ever ishcharge or at the highest post in the department. Of course they don't d o this. They. only want to intimidate the ladies. Sometimes these "tough guys" .demand the names of the ladie's they. are speaking lo. This t h'ey.: do with such assuining Su'peyi~rity air$.of.importance. and ' And. these, useless .talks g o on for t e n s ~ f ininutes,. a t times up to an'.hour: (For full confii'gation..of t h b information, intewiew any respxtable 1ad.y'telephorie. operator.) Sometimes. you can. take' up youChand'Lt,. .and unfoituli~tdy hear these uselkb talks going ~ri;''.~f you interfere ,to' a&' i h e young 'man t o alloy th'e lady' d o her job. h~ insults'you; Th? sGrprise is t h a t sonie qs'. mes i ~ c ~ ~ dha~vsno-shame at' all. Leaving men and womeo a 1o n e ,. let, mz delve. further into the hypocrisies of liiost of us. H&ve,you ever noticed how some people feign'to be..consta~le~ or messengers from some magistrates? The aim, is always to win money through false pretences. How 'many quack-doctors have we, around?. These .are. responsible for so many u n t i m e 1 y deaths. . Those ' �THOSE HYPOCRITES IN OUR MIDST 31 seeming friends around us, who are they? Ninetynine pertent of them are worse than distant enemies. According to the way of this world: they are summer friends who often come with the season of prosperity and depart with the anti-trade winds of adversity. Many are they that laugh with us today and at our littlest turn of our backs tomorrcw, scorn and mock, back-bite and slander us. What is then the need for friends? A cheerful friend should have been a sunny day that sheds brightness on all around: a beautiful flower of nature that should expand and make its colours grow more brighter by the warmth of the sunshine that stimulates it. Happiness indeed depends much more on what is within rather lhan what is with-out There is no need for our counterfeiting and God's Earth is wide enough for a forthright and honest living. This world is moved by the I o w e s t and pettiest motives. It works for the most trivial, ridiculous and perishable aims. Hollow things often appeal to our sentiments. The wicked appear to succeed more in life and their success and masked kindness make us forget awhile their wicked nature. We tolerate and even praise or be-friend them because we arc in need of their assistance. A recalcitrant criminal that can argue well his case in court, baptising his defence with lies that are seeming truths, often wins the day whilc the innocent suffer and often-times are imprisoned. The gloom within often reflects in the shadows without and the face becomes the index of the soul; yet human beings are so clever that they can counterfeir conscience and feign brightest when they are indeed darkest within. "No harm" or "don't menlion" they readilly ejaculate where there is every harm and a need to mention it. �32 COCKTAIL LADIES Do you know that people buy certificates nowadays? It could be the G. C. E. or the Cambridge. Do you know that people of about forty years of age now declare before Magistrates that they are only twenty, just half their true age? This they do to win an end; it could be a post or a scholarship. Do you know that every lady that competes for "Miss Nigeria" (no Mr. Nigeria yet) must be nineteen. Even my mother (and she is at least sixty now) can qualify for this competition if only she declares eighteen. You see, we are succeeding with our hypocrisies, but for how long can this counterfeit of life do? The Government of Eastern Nigeria passed a law that fixed bride price at £35; but how many parents today obey this law? Daughters are still sold away for upwards of £200 to £250, and a receipt of £35 officially and ostentatiously given in .manycases? Where do we go from here? In big offices, do you know that nobody should demand or receive bribery? Perhaps you do not know of the boss's satellites. These people do the yeoman's job and yet those big men in those big seats in the offices pretend they are incorruptible. Promotions are still with-held until palms are duly greased, sometimes strong drinks, a turkey or a sheep are offered through agents to appease the angry, and very often, a hungry boss. "Eye service" is the first lesson of any "Police R e c r u i t". " Condo" is a word every police man knows. There is an ulterior motive for most of the things we do. Students befriend their teachers and lap about their feet with a hope to pass their exaninations with distinctions, whether they study diligently or not. The things you buy in the market nowadays are somctimcs adultrated. Europeans are charged more thm thc usuel ccst of the articles in our markels or in trsi Pares. In the Ci~urchc;. thc �THOSE HYPOCRlTES I OUR MIDST N 33 best places are still reserved for those with costly clothes and commanding personality. Foundation members of many of our big Churches are still those who have.big money and not necessarily holy life which is expected by some Churches' Commandments and Laws. Let us look at the things around us very critically. Take the case of a man on a salary of E300 p.a. who has so many storey-buildin s in town. Did he win any football pools? If so; ow much? If he did not, where did he get the thousands of money to erect suchmagnificientbuildings? Some Civil Servants, politicians and parliamentarians are living beyond their income. They do things that are not commensurate with their salaries..Some. parliamentarians spend more - time in erecting buildings than in facing the duty of the state. And yet theseaare the people who, speak loudest about honesty in public life! What is more, they speak of economy measures which will cancel car advances and basic allowances. They talk of cutting down the salaries of some. people and support every measurc that will tighten up the benefits that can go to some workers. Are these people honest? 1 have my doubts.. You see, I am speaking about haman masquerade. Human hypocrisy is a world-wide cancer. Take a look around you nowadays. Human strivings and uprisings which bring about the crises of human history are nothing but the echoes of personalities who seek more and more freedom to express their innate longings. Just look at what is going on in Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Angola, Congo, Loas, Tibet. Germany, to count a few! Recall to mind some past p r o n o u n c e m e n t s of some world powers and then try to reconcile them with their a c t i o n s. f �34 COCKTAIL LADIPS Great Britain condemns South Africa's apartheid policy but always abstains from voting against it in n international conferences. Portugal's l a s s a c r e of Africans in Angola is equally condemned by Britain but yet the same Britain sold her air-crafts to Portugal and promised her more military equipments and training. In ihe meantime, she (Britain) is doing a yeoman's job in maintaining peace and order in Kuwait; The same Britain pleaded foi' the retention of South Africa in the Commonwealth when every Commonwealth c o u n t r y (except Australia) wanted South African to quit the Organisation. Look at the almighty Russia! Their scientific prowess and i n v e n t i o n s not withstanding,.they are a people with a double face. Their cry, as far as Africa is concerned, is against imperialism. At the last session of the United Nations Assembly, Russia moved for an end of colonialism in Africa and Asia. This was a laudable note struck by Nikita Kruschev as far as the Afro-Asian block was concerned. Nevertkeless, Russia should let her c h a r i t y begin at home by liberating her Communist colony of Eastern Europe. We still remember the incidents of Hungary. How do we then reconcile Europzan imperialism or American r x e prejudice or Russian ruthless and goodless dictatorship or French high- haudedness and brutality or Portugal's atrocities in Angola or South Africn's inhuman policy of apartheid with their leaders' mere pronouncements,and vociferous utterences of equalitj, liberty and the brotherhood of nations? Don't you see that it is all a sham? There is no sincerity and honesty in the things we do nowadays. We simply play to the gallery and become i n our particular ways mere Pharisees and S c r i b s Is there any wonder .;herefore the unrest that now blows across the world? ,The trouble in' the world t o d a y is double-faced dealings. The powtr blocks are the money magnets. �THOSE HYPOCRITIES IN OUR MIDST 35 Quite liberally, they deal out largess to the beggar countries in the hope of buying over their affiliation. To this end, they will go any lenght in assisting the gigantic projects of under-developed countries. We should not be imposed by appearances and mere utterances. We should always check our impulses and moderate our desires. Let us keep reason in her own power and be not satisfied with superficial view of things. We should penetrate into the matter, form and end of everything. A little analysis will always show us the true nature of things or the perosons we eacounter. In Nigeria today, the posts we hold should not make us feel that the world is in our hands. We should be honest with ourselves. False-living cannot help. �Chapter Four ACCIDENTS ON OUR ROADS. oday I a m all taxi lorry Tpedestrains. appealing ttoall these andboys,todrivers, car owners, truck pushers, cattle cyclists I wan people please and lend me their ears. Every day our hospitals are full of cases of serious accidents. In. many cases limbs are maimed, legs fractured, heads broken, faces defaced. Besides, many are the unidentified bodies that lie in our mortuaries. The frequency of untimely deaths on our roads today is alarming. Who are responsible? Negligent and reckless drivers, self-styled expert taxi-drivers and bogus death-proof lorry-drivers. What a blessing it is to travel! What joy to leave our little comers, our smiling fields and rich woods, our hills and mountains that abound with sweet valleys, rivers, lakes and the peace of such places, just for a change of sight! What a happiness to leave our islands. heaths, churches, cathedrals, work places, friends and many a spot that has become immortalised in the history of our country, just for 2 travel to other places like these! But yet. what an uncertain venture this can prove nowadays? Many indeed have left their houses so happily for a little travel but never returned. They were trapped by death on account of the so many accidents on our roads nowadays. Many a time, a whole family is affected. Sometimes, a school team becomes the victim. Death waits for us everywhere on our roads today. Our taxi and lorry drilers have no feeling for other users of thz road. They have no manners a n d obey no �ACCIDENTS ON OUR ROADS 37 . traffic and high-way codes. "I can drive myself and my wife can drive too" they shout wherever they see one driving one's own car. With this nonsensical e'aculation they make it impossible for the car owner* driver to use the road peacefully with them For this reason they occupy the centre of the road some of which are very narrow) and expect the "I can drive myself" to enter the bush simply to overtake them or to be overtaken. As the edges of our roads are in many cases rugged, death is just around tho corner. i Much has been written about a c e i d e n t s on Nigerian roads. Much too has been spoken, but the position is still the same. No amount of writing or speaking can do without a change of heart on the part of the taxi and lorry drivers. Nothing can be achieved without a fellow-feeling for other use= of the road like us and the passengers in those "Gwongworo Buses" or Ranch wagon taxi cabs. How can a driver of a mammy wagon or a 403 Peugeot taxi cab ( a ranch wagcln of a type ) with three quarters ( 2 ) of his body outside the window and at a speed of 60 to 70 m.p.h. c o n t r.o 1 his car when. another one is just around the corner? The speed of our drivers is terrible. What are they after? To get rich quick? I wonder, because sometimes more haste is less speed. Make a trip from Enugu to Onitsha or to Aba, or to Port-Harcourt or to Oron. Alternatively cross the River Niger to Asaba and embark for Lagos or travel from the ninth mile corner at Enu u to Jos. After that trip, if you are lucky to return, o m your own opinion. Imagine a driver of a five ton mammy wagon from Jos to Onitsha, sitting above the wheels, with the wagon's body some eight to ten feet high and open, racing like a sputnik: B �38 ACCIDENT ON OUR ROADS Under full load, the speed is anything between 60 and 70 m.p.h. and to show how hardy, tough and deathproof these drivers are, they control steering with one of their body to hand and remove three quarters the window. With this train load and tens of human beings perched on top of the loads, t h e s e drivers speed day and night.-under rain and sun. At night there is nothing like dimming of light nor a lessening of speed for any other approaching vehicles. And yet in the event of any accident some of these calous beings escape unhurt. Good God! (a) Recently a gentleman went home for the week-end in his own car. As he was returning to Enugu, ~ f t e r Udi, anddescendinga hill, he met his fate. An oncoming mammy wagon with its light- undimmed was coming with such a terrific speed. To avoid the danger, the gentleman tried to slow down and negotiate an overtaking by the side. Unfortunately there was a ditch near by. The light had dazzled his eyes. He therefore could not see a foot ahead and down he went in a crash. The gentleman is still in the hospital. The sorrowful aspect of it was that the driver of that nlammy wagon steamed past like a train engine. He did not stop. He did not even care to know if. the young man died or lived. It might be that he had insured his life from God and will not die again. Yet one day presents us with a book of all our records and we-must give account of our s t e w a r d ~ h i ~ here on earth. If you go to Lagos by road, it is a hair-raising adveature. Timber lorries are just the counter-parts of mammy wagons from Jos to Onitsha. Thcsc timber lorries carry such loads that w o u 1 d m$ke a good cargo for any ship. Yet with these loads, the drivers speed to pass any small cars. There is never a journey �from Lagos to Asaba or vice versa in which you can fail to see these monstrous human beings at their worst speed. If you escape them, then you are lucky, indeed very lucky. Every day on our roads there is such a fantastic watage of human lives. The amount of human blood that has been shed on the altar of Nizerian roads should have by now been sufficient to appease the god of calousness which our lorry and taxi drivers worship. What is to be done? My suggestions are as follows:The issuing of licences should now be reviewed. Driving tests should now be made very strict. Age (say between 22-30 years) should count very much, not declared age but real or apparent. The senses of the body should be all correct. A school of driving should be immediately established like many other trade schools. The basic qualification should be Standard Six pass, so that every driver should know how to read and write and also know the parts of the devil (the machine) which he is manipulating. The penalty for reckless driving should be severe. Licences can be withdrawn indefinitely. The police should be more on their alert in their sacred duties to check recalcitrant drivers and bring them to the warm embrace of the law. Their Accident Prevention Vans should be more. The taxi drivers that prove so rude and insolent could be taught good m a n n e r s and fellow-feeling in the "cell" for at least a day. It is no c r i me to have a car and to drive it by oneself. It is a point to be proud of and emulated so as to practise economy and humility. There used to be too much bigmanism in the past. We can't now afford the luxury of a class d i s t i n c t i o n by employing a dtiver, a .car washer, a mechanic, a car packer and what not: simply to maintain a car that will take us to our offices. From where will all that money �came to pay the legicn of servants or. do you call them employees? The time of senior eervice false living is far past. Let taxi and lorry drivers understand this once and for all and stop the nonsense of those cat-calls "I can drive myself and my. wife can drive too". Another cause of frequent accidents on our roads are truck pushers. "Ugbarugba"1 These people declare themselves outlaws and occupy the centre of road with all their ears deaf to car horns., T h e slightest admonition you give them. they leave their trucks for you, making sure that you must- have damaged your car on then). These people are so unfeeling and to some extent very stupid. They appear disgruntled with everybody and yet nobody forced them to that brand of occupation. For how long must our government tolerate this danger on our roads? Can't the police go out now and remove those saucy fellows that appear incapablq of any good reasoning.? The p e d e s t r i a n s ' path is too wide for their trltcks. The plea that they have licence, like anybody else, is sheer nonsense. Surely they have not licenses to threaten the lives of other users of the road. Will the police look into this menace and bundle all of them to the normal pit in their. charge office for questioning and prosecution? here is yet another group. There are cow boys. I don't. mean American Cow boys or t h o s e who imitate them here in Nigerie. I mean those Hausa boys or men who drive around Nama Cows. Many a time, traffic c o m e s to a standstill because the animals have secured the right of the way, and that, the whole road. What can you do? Can you fight the cows? Can you collide them with your car? If you try the collision you will for ever regret your folly and that may .be in another .world. Have you ever seen the sight where a Nama Cow capsizes a car? It is .in awful sight. Many a time the animal goes �ACCIDEXTS ON OUR ROADS 4 1 unhurt. The'mischief or damage which the horns of that devil can do is shocking. Something should be done about these careless and carefree Hausa chaps who tend these cows. By all means these cows should not share the same road with man. Many a tinle one runs away from the fold and constitutes a danger to lives, especially children. Many people have run against a vehicle in an attempt to run away from the animals. It is like flying from the frying pan into the fire. Sheep can be such a menace too. But been sheep they remain and act like sheep. People should keep their sheep at home. Recently I had the misfortune to to wrestle with one while I was riding. I had reached the ground before I realised what had happened. To continue with my suggestions to limit the number of accidents on our roads, I suggest that taxi and lorry drivers should no more be fined in courts for reckless driving but imprisoned at least for upwards of three months, and with hard labour. In addition their licences should be withdrawn. They might become sober thereafter. Strict measures should be taken by our governments to chcck this newest threat to human life in Nigeria today. The roads should be widened and tarred too. Control posts should be established at every fifteen miles distance. I mean leaving police men on duty at these posts to check the speed of the lorries that pass. We are to face facts if we are to exist as an independent people. Threats to human life and property cannot do. We must eschew such impression that our lives are so unsafe on our roads. 'There is also the menace of tipper lorries that b carry sand. To this group can : added those foolish people who carry planks or wood acrcss roads without l~okingboth ways. �42 COCKTAIL LAblES In the passing, let me call attention to another way of checking accidents. Mothers should take care of their children and warn them from playing, walking, singing and dancing on the roads. 'I'hz worst practice of these kids nowadays is to stand at the side of the roads and throw stones at passing cars. Sometimes they gibber and mimic thedrivers of passing cars. School teachers can help too. Pastors can even use the pulpit to sound notes of warning. We have to help ourselves. The police cannot do all things for us. All possible avenues should be' explored to lower the rate of mortality on our roads. As for old people who find the main roads the best place to discuss their personal problems, I have no sympathy. Personally, I should suggest a little lowering of speed by drivers and then a registering of sound strokes of the cane and then push along. Old pcople shoud know better. . It was one of such foolish men that cost the llfe of a .Nigerian Barrister at Ogbaku, in Owerri Division. Some people may frown at this suggestion but we can't continue to suffer because of stupid people who turn the main roads into picnic grounds. There are sitll other road users I want to address. They are the gentlemen cyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrians shoukd keep to their paths, look both ways before crossing roads whether in big towns or in rural areas. Cyclists should not claim to be out-laws because they have no cars. All of us can't ride cars no matter our individual ambitions. As for the "1 can drive myself", 1 suggest that they continue to show good examples. They s h o u 1d give lifts liberally but not with any ulterior i.lotives as is the case with most of them when they see ladies. As a matter or fact our private car owner-drivers appear to give more lifts to girls, ladies afid women t.han to their fellow men. �Funny enough, 1 have not seen an owner-driven car (a woman) give a lift to a man. Why? Finally, I believe that the best.. suggestion is to appeal to our sense o f fellow-feeling, .respect and love. Afterwards, all of us are capable of death. Let us therefore be honest, fellow-feeling and respectful to one another. O r independence can mean more u that way. �V E ARE VERY SUPERSTI'IIOUS V INthis series of talks, attempts have been made to spotlight existing shortcomings in our community. The target has not been any partict?ly individual nor a group or class of people, but the society in which we live. The series are given in good faith, in the spirit of "if the cap fits you, then wear it". I make this explanatory note because many of us listen but do not hear; read but do not uilderstand. Some of us talk of decency when we don't even understand the true connotation of that word. Many a time, many of us rush to destructive criticisms because our sex or relations are concerned. We therefore fail to consider the matter at issue with unbiased minds. In the end, we succeed to make big fools of ourselves because truth, no matter how many times frowned upon, will 'nevertheless remain truth. Why therefore complain? The facts around us must be faced no matter how bitter or disagreeable to some people. If we fail to face these facts, we shall be deceiving ourselves. But time for deceit is past. We are now faced with the responsibility of nation building. How can we do that in the spirit of hypocrisy? My series of talks are therefore out to cater for how best to correct and amend those bad ways of living of our society. Today I direct your attention to some superstitious practices in our lives. "Fear is the bogy of the African. Fear causes the African to become superstitious. Fear causes the African to believe in ghosts, in witches, in wizards, in fairies, in evil spirits!! As a �result we live in a state of fear. 'Ti~is, the author of "Renascent Africa" thought made the African petty and small minded. But that was his opinion ~n 1937 and backwards. Whether, t h i s is still his opinion today is another question. Nevertheless, look around you for your own opinion. Evidences still abound. - What is superstition? It is a godless religion or a very devout impiety. To understand what superstition clearly means, a close study of a superstitious person is necessary. The person is always fond of observation. He is very servile in fear, worships God as he likes, giving Him what He asks not, or at times, more than God ever commands. Such a person does not move an inch further in his journey whenever a stump strikes against his left toe. That is a bad omen! ~f he continues his journzy, he will meet with bad luck. And that "bad luck", what is it? Superstition of its own class, no doubt. If he sneezes, he crosses his breast with the sign of the Cross and thinks that some loved one or relation has just remembered him. Already his mind is clicking that way. He listens to all sorts of cries of birds and knows those that mean imminent dreadful events. If his eye-lids begin to shiver continously, then he thinks someone to dear to him will die. Every dream consequently has a significance and he has r e a d y interpretation for all of t h e m. In his own, he believes himself a Joseph of the Old Testament. His life is so ruled by phenomena. A Yogi such as he is, he lives in constant fear of the unknown. Superstition portrays a man i g n o r a n t, timid, gullible, prude and stupid. In Nigeria today, superstition has become in many parts, a canker-worm that is eating far deep into the f a b r i c s of our people's way of life and beliefs. A c e r t a i n bird, �46 COCKTAIL LADIES black throughout, ("fairy bird") that cries at midnight is throught to bc a witch. If a person is sick and an owl cries on top of his housc. then the sick man must die. A boil on the eye-lid is supposed to be a sign of mis~rliness on the part ~f th: suffcrcr. If y o u have a slip w h i l e eating. then y o u r ancestors have required that morscl focd that fe!l off. But we :zIl know "therc is many a siip betweerr the cup and the mouth." Why therefore must oar ancestors interfere? Can they t e so hungry, bcing incorporeal? Ignor.~ncc i:, ihe father of mischief for when people do not know. inischief makers find thenl easy prey. There arz instances of healing by magic. People prefer dark mixtures and incantations to hospital treatment. There are still cases of dctermining truth by drinking from "a certain bowl". Caszs of "juju mei!accP arc still frequent. Nowadays they even reai their ugly heads in courts of law and interfere in the administration of justice. Baren women travel long d i s t a n c c s to drink from "certain waters" in certain dark woods.. These dark waters are capable of giving them children. At least that is their hope. Where that fails, a zertain religion that operates at midnight causes the baren women to be locked up (possibly with certain men members of that religious body) and prayers said for lheir productivity. Even now, in every big township, this religious body operates. The fun is that many educated people are staunch members and they b:lieve they see visions and dream dreams. God help us. That is all wc can say when our. govern~nentshave not thought of the advisability of looking irlto how all these late-conier religious bodies operate. May be that is freedoll1 of worship! are warned In some partsof the lbo-land, not to v~!listlc 3t night. Why? For ofcvil spirits. 1.f rear �WE ARE VERY SUPERSTmOUS 47 Why? For the fear of evil spirits. A snake is never called by its name at night because it will hear. It is rather called a string. If you are bitten by a snake at night you dare not say a snake has bitten you; rather, a string has stung you. If you dare say a snake has bitten you, then you become so ill with the bite that you cannot move an inch before falling down, and perhaps dead. In either case, whether you fall down dead or alive or walk away with the pain of the snake bite, the snake is sure to follow you that night to whereever you go: even if you climb a house-top or fly to the sky if possible. Why does the snake track your trails and dog your heels? Is it a Nemesis? Well, t o get a hair from your head. If it fails to get this hair, it dies. And this is a belief. Believe it or not, it is still some people's ardent belief. If you have not heard of "Ogbanje" (re-incarnation) then know now that there are people who will argue with you throughout a day, convinced that there is "Ogbanje". But what is "Ogbanje"? It is a belief that some wicked children are born; they die and enter their mothers' wombs to be born again, and continue this ever-lasting circle of birth and death. Some believe ihat thunder can be sent from one place to another by human beings to 'commit havoc.. Even "rain-m. kers" are said to have thepower tomake lightningor thunder during the process of rain making. They have only to strike something (perhaps a banana stump) on the face of the "rain-stone ' and the devil goes up to the sky as"Amadiora"-the god of thunder-ready for any mission of mischief. The belief that people change to a leopard or any olhq animal for that niatter is not new. You have Only to deny this belief .n Ib~bio land of Eastern Nigeria and stand your ground, if you cdn? ' �48 COC~CTAIL LADIES' There was indeed a time when this belief CEkpe Awo' or 'Man Lcopard 'Society') was such a menace. Many lives wcrc lost through the. fear of this Society's atroc7ties. But thanks to the Government's timely i n t e r v e n t i o n into that Society's devilish machinations. Superstition includes exorcism, witch-craft; the power of ghosts, spirits and fairies. If a s o u 1 departed begin; to wander in the like~ess a man of or woman by night, tormenting people; then someone must go to his tomb and stop him from coming out again. Some people even go to the length of exhuming the body and burning it. This is to make sure it will not disturb again. 'Yet a spirit has no body nor substance! It can therefore not be burnt. I t is just like taking arms against a ravaging flood; shooting guns at it, nlatcheting it and as a last resort, slapping it with both hands. Of-course the flood flows on and. if care is not taken, it will do worse damage. "Juju doctors", magicians, charmers, exorcists etc. help to promote superstition in our midst. This position has made the ground very fertile for ''rnmeydoublers", "wonder-men", "sevcn-sevens", "once a year" etc. to carry around their wares of cheat and fraud. The trouble is that we are too gullible. How many civil servants today still be:ieve that promotions can't be got without charms? How many students today still believe that examinations can't be passed without charms? Did you not hear recently of a school b o y a t Onitsha whose head was set on fire by a magician. The poor boy simply wanted to pass his examination the easy way. How many christians today still bclicve in 660do" or 'Ogbanje" and gird the waists of their children with supposcd antidotes? You have only to examine so many children, . �What is that small parccLaround their waists, necks or arms? What are those marks on their boZys fcr? Pcrhaps tribal 1r.m ks! Civilization and educaticn 51-ould by now havc endcwcd us with the power to makc thc dark places of our minds bright. Why must we remain so gullible? Why must a certain dye ("Uri") be uscd round the ankles, knees, elbows, necks, etc. to curc us from the attack of measles when we can go to the hospital to be treated? Wc have to fight and wage a lifelong battle against thc hrces of darkness. Anything that turns thc edge of our reason blunts thc surest and most pot:nt of our weapons. Simple psy&ology t( 1 s us 1I1;1.1 most of our stlpers1 tition is a direct resultof our fears. There are many certain events in life which must come to pass. Thes.: changes and events are ice~litoble. It is hopeless to fight against thtm or try lo avert them. Why must libatiiolls be liovrcd, drums tcaten and dances staged only to win a Coo:-ball ' match? Why must certain foot-ball playcrs eliter a stadiun~ with their backs or climb in over thc stadium walls? Why must innocent spectators be searched because they were suspectcri to be "charm-men"? Why nlust a case in court be adjourned bewusc of "'juju's" interference? Why must readers first look up what the stars say i n llic Newsplper? Why ~ u s t cvery death bc ascribcd to witch-cral't, poison or "Ogbanje"? Why do pcoplc still go lo -'juju dortors" for their future determination? Why must effciency not deteiminc pron:otions rather than charms? Why must 'girls nct love boys without the intervention of "pins of love" or low pnwders and mirrors'? Let us think on these things and slop fooling ourselves. Superstition is the biggest weakness of any man. It makes. us look so little, pdty, suspicious and fearful. �50 COCKTAIL LADIES Recently I had an argument with a certain "power." He claimed to know everything. I asked him toconsult his "powers" so that I would win £75,000 in the football pools. He did and said that his "power" showed him all the teams that would play "draw" but forbade him.from using them because they would be discovered in England when his coupon reached there. Poor ignorant man! He has not realised his folly yet. He still believes in his powers..It always needs knowledge and courege when you are faced with some of these obnoxious superstitions. Remember always that superstition, like lawyers' houses, is built on f m l s heads. Are you superstitious? Well, look around yourscll' in self examination. We all or nearly of us all :;\kt fair number of chances in life. Often we,do not know enough to be able to take them. We even some times pass them by, unconscious that they exist at all. But '"opportunity comes only once. If it is not utilised, no amount of superstitions will bring it back. 'Trying to bring back passed chances is like taking arms against the sea and trying to stop it from flowing. But the hand of time writers and passes on. In conclusion, let me draw your attention to possible things that often exaggerate the possibility of truth in superstition. Many people, through melancholy. imagine that they see visions, spirits, ghosts or hear strznge voices. Why mtist a widow not imagine that sl-c saw her beloved husband when she is left all alone in this world of woe and tears? After-words her minds is all wrapped in and consumed with thoughts of the drpnrted loved one. But then can her imagination be i reality? "Between the ideal and the reality lies i t.42 shadow." It is all a shadow and never once a stibstilnce of her loved husband. Some people too. �through some imperfection of sight, see doubles in everything. They are even afraid of their own shadows, Some people, again, through the weakness of their bodys have such imperfect imaginations. Take the case of a drunken man. He sees trees moving and men walking upside down. The world is a merry-goround in his brain. His images are circles for ever going round and round. How can such a man not see devils and swear that they were a legion? Once again, it is his imagination under that unkind treatment of Mr. "Bachus." Superstition however is not peculiar to Africa. It is a world wide malady. It dominated England of Shakespeare's time. This can be seen in some of that immortal's works like the witches in "Macbeth' ghosts in "Hamlet" and "Julius Caeser" and fairies in Mid summer Night's Dream. The Indians are heavily addicted too. They have charms and rings for every thing. Every irregular movement of the elements has a meaning. All phenomena have meanings. America is not even free "D Lawrence" affair and other Red Indians' wrong beliefs are still existing. The Irish had their "leprechons" (fairies). France, Spain, Portugal and Russia are not free. Superstition is inherent in mankind but appears more pronounced in Afrcia. This should not be. The African should not be petty and small minded because of his fear and gullibility. This is 20th Century; an age of science and outer space explorations. This is an age that cuts across aU barriers of superstition. �� 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 Cocktail ladies Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nkwoh, Marius Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Nsukka, Nigeria ; Enugu ; Onitsha : M.U.E. Nkwoh Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Women Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3299 Description An account of the resource This pamphlet is compiled from broadcasts made by Nkwoh over the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation network. According to the introduction written by V. C. J. Mbah, these broadcasts, a combination of an editorial and a talk show, were deemed fairly controversial. Nkwoh's positions on these issues, however, were considered to be well informed. Each chapter is a separate broadcast and the pamphlet's title comes from the second chapter about "cocktail ladies." This broadcast discusses a group of women known as cocktail ladies, a class that Nkwoh purports to be career women who have abandoned the idea of marriage and live off of sugar daddies and big men. Nkwoh describes them as " human parasites, lazy drones, and good for nothings," (pg.19). Deceived by feminism and the promises of a fleeting beauty,these women "infest" every walk of life they now occupy, (pg.22). Nkwoh points to feminism as the main culprit, for it misleads "cocktail ladies" into thinking that women can and want to do everything that men do, (pg.18). As a result, these women have become "birds of passage or changelings to every big man,"according to the author, (pg.21).  In pursuing their "radical" lifestyle, cocktail ladies contract diseases, lose husbands, serious boyfriends and jobs, and fail to play their true and proper role in society as dutiful assistants. Nkwoh explains, "Women are made to help and not to nag, sap or impoverish men. They should not be a burden, nor nuisance, nor articles of commerce. There is still plenty of time for our women to think twice," (pg.24). However, he continues "they should now face the facts around them and consider their life past, now and to come [...] Nobody can ever cheat nature . . . I am advising those of them that are youthful enough and still marriageable to go now and marry," (pg.26). Other chapters include broadcasts about night marauders, hypocrites "in our midst," road accidents and superstitions. Originally presented in a series of talks called "Facing the facts around us" that were broadcast over the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource [1961] 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/3cfa4757fece0587dc023abab6c977e0.pdf e2b0bbcc0a18bb199fc3dae1afc021ed PDF Text Text BNIBERY AND CORRUPTION I (BANE OF OUR SOCIETY) BY I M#RIUS NKWOH, B A. (English) Nigeria, . (Information Officer] Publicity Division, Ministry of Information, CNUOU--NIOERrA �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION (BANE OF OUR SOCIETY) MARIUS NKWOH, B. A. (English) Nigeria, (Information Officer) Publicity Division, Ministry of Information, �Dedicated to :My Mother. �BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR Cocktail Ladies Talking About Love The Sorrows of Man The Voice of Umuchu Copyright Reserved First Impression 1965. Price 3/- �CONTENTS Chapters Pages Introduction . vii-xi Foreword v-vi . Prcfacc Corruption in the Police Department Corruption in the Railways . 12-28 . . 29-39 40-49 . . . 50-60 . 61-73 Official ~ o r r u ~ t i o n . . Official Corruption Continued . . 74-84 Corrupt Council . . . . . . BL-FL Corruption in Politics . . . . 96-108 Judicial Corruption . 109-1 17 . . . .. . . . 1l t L l 3 l Misccllancous Case of Corruption Conclusion �FOREWORD v Many who feel that they would like to know more about the social cancers that gnaw deep into the fabric of our social system find themselves unable to do so for the simple reason that adequate sources of information are not available. Relevant sources of information on this subject are not as easily available as the source materials for History, Geography, Literature or Law. The obvious reason for this is that the people who perpetrate these evils and know their mechanics, are not the people to cause their impressions and experiences to be recorded for future consultations. A man who desires to achieve posthumous greatness does everything under the sun to accumulate wealth which after his death will be distributed to a host of poor people who will attend his funeral, wearing caps of freedom and bearing evidences of his liberality. It is not for these people to question how the wealth thus distributed was accumulated. Theirs is to enjoy portions of that wealth. One of these social cankerworms is bribery with its twin brother corruption. The author, Mr. Marius Nkwoh, B.A. (Hons) English (Nigeria), has chosen this subject "Bribery and Corruption" as a compendious and imaginative headline under which he puts down his impressions and experiences gathered during a long period of research into the question of bribery and corruption, how they arose and how far they have putrefied our scoial system. What are the legal implications and what are the remedies? All these are described in the lucid language of this prolific writer on contemporary topics. I commend this book to all those who really want to know more of the causes of bribery and corruption, the various forms they could show their ugly heads, �and the methods of fighting against them. No amount of time spent in going through it over and over again could be regarded as time wasted. I congratulate the author for putting his views in prir~tfor public consumption. -F. 0 Zhenach6, Chairman, . Public Service Commission. �INTRODUCTION vii My concern so far in all my attempts at writing has always been to mirrior the social conscience of our age and to reform, where possible, certain ills of our society. I see into and through the conceits, hypocrises, weakness, selfishness and wickedness of mankind and laugh or weep. What can I do? I can't change the course of life were I even a Hercules. But I can comment and tell the truth as I see it; without hyprocrisy, without sentimentality, without any ulterior motive, without malice or bitterness. I have always thought that the business of writers is to commend the virtues as well as to expose the faults of their contemporaries; to confute as well as support a just accusation, to find out real crimes which are sufficiently grave and threatening to the social order and to caution people against same. There are certain social depravities which mankind has suffered through the ages and bribery and corruption are among these. Every Nigerian today agrees that bribery, corruption, injustice, jobbery, nepotism, favouritism, partiality, selfishness and other kindred social evils are wrong. Every Nigerian denounces these. evils publicly, in the Press, over the Radio, on the Altar, at the Pulpit and on a political soap-box. And we do this with the vehemence of the strongest terms! But does experience not show us that all these public denunciations effect little, if anything at all? How can we condemn these evils in the daylight when so many of us are arch-givers or receivers of bribes in the secret of darkness? Are we really sincere and do we really mean what we say? In many walks of life today, bribery and corruption are the order of the day. They are now accepted as a way of life at various levels. Service at times becomes self-centred. To get a job in many departments, it is �viii neither what one is nor one's fitness for the job that counts. It is rather the weight of one's enveloped purse that matters. One can be anything, yet one will get the job provided one knows the back-door. Those who can't pay, get nothing or if they get anything at all it is the worst that can be offered. I t is no wonder therefore that when one gets a job, one is not sufficiently interested in what one does but in what one earns. And this is why the generality of the public. meets with such inefficiency, incompetence and indifference in many offices and departments which are maintained with public money. What is'bribery? I t is the offering or acceptance of any undue value reward to do ro refrain from doing anything contrary to the values of honesty and integrity. Originally it meant alms, especially those given to beggars. Later on it meant living upon alms or professional begging and hence theft, plunder, spoil, which later on changed to blackmail. Bribery therefore means a gift received or given for corrupt purposes or a thing stolen or robbed. It is a reward given to pervert good judgment and by so doing corrupt the conduct of a person in a position of trust, for instance, an official or a voter. Bribery is always an undue reward for anything against justice. It is one of those unjust ways of taking another's property. I t is taking money or money equivalent from a man in order to do a service which we should do without remuneration from such individual. Gifts are sweet things and are capable of melting the hardest of hearts. Bribery and corruption are therefore sweet things to some people. But their effort does not endure. The cost of things may never bother us when another person is paying; yet the desire for many more beautiful and valuable things will continue. Who will �always pay for these desires for us? If there are no people to pay, of course the answer is that we shall have to steal such' things. And if we are caught, of course we will be tried and imprisoned. This is exactly the case with bribery and corruption. The indulgence is sweet; but one day is one day. The briber or the bribed will be caught, tried and imprisoned. We should therefore avoid these social evils and help raise the moral tone of our Nation. Bribery and corruption are things of the heart. One can avoid them by determination and selfwill. In this Republic* era, Nigeria needs youths who will rise above bribery, corruption, nepotism, favouritism,. jobbery, injustice, etc. Until each and everyone of us 1s determined to discipline ourselves and avoid these ills, all preaching and condemnation of bribery is sheer hypocrisy. And we need not deceive ourselves any more. Think how often you have seen the Police collecting two shillings from lony drivers! Think of the many times you have been refused promotion because you have not seen the "Oga"! Think of some allocation of land, some contract awards, some scholarship awards, some loading and offloading of goods in the Railway! Some Rigistry clerks of our Magistrate and High Courts are not too honest in the performance of their duties. There are thousand and one corrupt persons in this country, big and small, politicians or civil servants. Let's resolve now for a change of heart so as to fight this monster that is called bribery. That's the only way to avoid it. The fault of modem life is that sometimes thereis no honesty or sincerity in the things we do. We seldom love our work for work's sake:It is 'government work.' We perform it solely for what we can get out of it. 'Gwemment money is nobody's money.' The body is �our chief care. We make much o it; feed and pamper f it. We guard it from such little things as pinpriks. We flatter ourselves that all is well or must be well. Why not? We have plenty of money, (never mind how we got that money) plenty of nice robes, a chain of cars, buildings, fine girls (whether wives, friends or concubines) and the best that life can offer. But all these do not last because at times our honour has been rooted on dishonour and our wealth built on extractions from poor people. Even the dear body we caress so much is but clay and like its kind will surely split and crumble. And this is but Nature's way. Bribery and corruption are now a way of life. Should this be the case? Honesty is no more necessary for the effective performance of any task or achievement. We have cleverly discovered a short cut to richness - 'getrich-quick philosophy.' Honesty is no more necessary for any effective functioning of our moral selves. Even our body has been a thousand times prostituted to win certain ends. Some women cannot deny this because to some of them 'fair or foul is the strategm.' Honesty is no more necessary if we are to have and maintain pleasant relations with others. How can we when everybody suspects everybody? And this is the life we live today. The world is a slave to' gold. And the glitter of it has fooled people for long! I have been anxious, silent, pensive and sedentary. My days have been hours of care and my nights those of deep watchfulness. The things I see today! You too, I believe, see them. Our society is sick. Think of the crimes (highway robbery, murder, etc.) I hear of nowadays; the immoralities that have now become the fashion ('topless' fashion is even not my concern); the threat to human life and property by night marauders; bribery and corruption, nepotism and favouritism; un- �employment and dissatisfaction at every comer; uprisings and revolts throughout the world; assassinations and cold wars; tribal discriminations and hatred, political victimization, persecution and prosecution; the atrocities of thugs or what is now popularly called 'political stalwarts!' Where do we go from here? It is because of these ills of our society (and indeed the world's) that I choose 'Bribery and Corruption' as the province of my present investigation and discussion. I am not doing anything new. I am not even saying anything new. Many have written and spoken upon this subject. But I want to approach this topic from quite a different angle - how bribery and corruption really operate at different levels and places of our society. My investigation is conducted from place to place and not merely hearing reports and then rushing to make undue conclusions or generalizations. No, I will give in this book the exact descriptions of this public disease which is eating deep into our body system. And I implore all good citizens of this great Republic to raise their voices against this social disgrace. -M. U.E. NKWOH. �PREFACE PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION Dr. Zik in his Renascent Africa (p. 165) has this to say:- 'As in the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, so too in the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Some leaders perch on alters defied with the stench of conuption, chicanery, egocentrism, tribal prejudice, cowardice, get-rich-quick philosophy.' Later on in the same book, he bitterly pointed out the sins of the blackman to the blackman. Said he:- 'The blackman is small-minded. He is petty. He is spiteful. He sees no good in the work of other blackmen. All he wants is for self, for family, for relatives, for immediate friends and for those who accept crumbs from him. Go to the public officers and you will see the blackman there. He damns; he curses; he swears, he orders; he threatens. - Go to the law making chambers and you will see him there. He will not co-operate. His task is to blacken the character of others and to paint them in sombre colours for his selfish delectation. Go to the make-believe homes of 'society folks' (do you call them contractors?). You will see the blackman there trying to live as a lord in a manor. Debts upon debts are piled upon his head. His very home is mortgaged. He will not scrupple to sacrifice his wife so as to keep with the Joneses.. . ' And Zik has not minced words at all. He understands the blackman, his weaknesses and ills. He has correctly described the type of blackman that is an easy prey to bribery and corruption. We know the truth he has spoken, but we pretend the situation is not as painted. Well, let's listen to another voice crying against the same thing. A certain young man, Mr. Ray 0. Nwaroh has C. �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 13 to say about bribery and corruption, which he described as 'a matter for us all.' According to him "these words are so constantly used that the actual impact on people, if any, seems negligible. They have become such a cancerous growth in the community that some never think of either the repercussion or the harm they do the community at large. Any nation which has a conscience must do anything to eschew bribery in every form. In its totality, bribery cannot be justified, no matter by what name we call it (a tip, freedrink, entertainment or kola.) When many things go wrong now; they are often attributed to the aftermath of colonial administration, but mind, many things were not as bad then as now. Britain for their part, never left any legacy of bribery and corruption take ascendency over achievements and proved endownments? I wonder if this is the new gospel of Independence. "But who is to blame for this moral depredation? Let us examine our consciences. The recent talk by Mr. F. Iheanacho, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, was quite encouraging. He asserted that the public often tries to tempt those in position of trust. Therefore, we are the accusers and the accused. Today an average Nigerian believes that nothing goes for nothing. Any favour granted on merit, even with good intentions, is looked upon with suspicion. Why shouldn't a person have something he should have freely? He too, on the other hand, must feel some compunction if he had it, because the conscience has been morally distorted and socially debased. "The public often looks on the 'police' as the worst offenders in this considered field. But I say no. The clerks at the counters the motor car and cycle licensing �14 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST 4RIBERY AND CORRUPTION agents, nurses, road overseers, masters, men in the upper sector of the public life are all cited as co-offenders. A school leaver is put in a dilemma; if you do not bibe, you have no job; if you bribe, you break the law of honesty. But to avoid being called unemployed, he reluctantly succumbs to the second alternative. The appointment of the "X-Squad" was welcomed as a release. Why does it operate very inactively? Has it been bribed out? Did the members vie for office3 by bribing themselves? We are back where we were having moved in a vicious circle. Let the Ministers of Social Welfare take note. If this country is genuinely serious about curbing the menace of bribery and corruption, what helps do the different governments give to prospective prosecutors of the victims of this act? "They can't present an attitude of just being ignorant, or to say the least, not being interested in the affairs of the electorate save a t the election time. If the govemments are nonchalant, nobody would risk his personal freedom to organise campaigns and clandestine attacks. Let the government come to the help of people prepared to waylay bribe givers and receivers. By this means, the country will be cleansed of the leprosy of bribery to which it has been subjected and by which it has been menaced. "We must need imitate what is good no matter from what country it comes. Let us look round and see how the salaries of the Ministers in other countries compare with those of the peasants there. Is the gap so wide as to cause mass dissatisfaction? I am not a professional economist but in my humble opinion, salaries of legislators should be slashed to bring their scale in line with that of people working independently for themselves. Any commission set up in this country will fail in its �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 15 duty if the sky-rocketed.salaries of this mentioned class are not cut, importation of luxury cars banned, allowances reduced, plurality of income from appointment stopped, and rents controlled. These legislators, having given so, much with the right hand to secure a senior post.or a ministerial appointment, so much will be taken back with the left to replenish the gap already created; thus bribery in this country is circuitous. If you cannot bribe your way to promotion,:you must be static and eventually redundant, worse still, if you have nobody to put,in an influential word for you, you suffer the same fate. "Why have'we to raise such a hue and cry against one expatriate who asserted t h a t many Nigerians including Ministers are corrupt? Perhaps, it was the right thing from the wrong mouth. Why also condemn the Editor of the West .African Pilot who also claimed that corruption comes from.the upper segments of the Public? May be, the Editor is talking too much. After all, was the bitter truth not spoken? If there is a preferment by and a lobby to any Minister or Premier, can we not safely describe this act as corruption?. Let us examine the dangers we face when the traffic meri'are such as are mainly concerned with collecting cursed shillings from drivers. (a) Lives of passengers are endangered by over loading; (b) Proper road worthies of vehicles is never insisted upon. "Imagine the optional and forced contributions these vehicle owners' make. But we must pity poor drivers who are not prepared to corrupt, but to avoid waste of time, they are corrupted to corrupt. "It may be useless to launch the Six-Year Development Plan when the economy so raised will slip into the pockets of Machiavellis. The peasants feed the cow and they milk it. Let us first launch Six Years of Anti �16 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION Bribery Campaign. If the governments of the Federation are worth their salt, severe and effective laws must be enacted for curbing the menace of this plague. I will suggest right away - punishing the offender by the Firing Squad. Why can't Ministers, who by long service have out-lived their useflness, be changed? Why can't a Premier be removed, having lost the confidence of his colleagues? Why offer them bribe to. retain office? If I were such a Premier, I must resign having lost their confidence. "The concept of bribery is deeply implanted in the minds of the peasants by legislators who spend every available penny to go in to share the poor taxpayers' money, ride four cars, live in overplus luxuried houses. Peasants have their weapons, history has proved it. Imagine a candidate spending £3000 for an election! He must recoup himself of his losses as soon as he succeeds. I wonder if Parliament is the way to make money anyhow. 'If the Scholarship Boards at the Regional and Federal and Council levels offer awards to the highest bidder and not to the best qualified, we shall be guilty of dishonesty. Scholarship and appointments are said in most cases to be offered or distributed before applications are invited. Why this back door business? Unless a man is recognised for his worth and achievements and unless only the best is regarded as good enough for this country, the nation is corrupt and has no conscience. Concluding therefore, those who may be touched by my article, I impore their grace of pardon and ask them to join me as vanguards in this crusade, but for those who think that nothing can be done without bribe, can the nation rightly call them HONEST PATRIOTS" �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 14 Mr. Nkwaroh is but one of the voices crying in the wilderness, praying for the reform of our society. But there are still many more; people in high places and Iheanacho, Chairwith bigger responsibilities. Mr. F. 0. man of the Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission, has also joined these many voices crying against bribery and corruption. Below is a text of a lecture he gave sometime on the topic. Said he:- "Bribery and Corruption are so evident all around us today that to those who would like to see these evils chased away from aU ramifications of our national life the opportunity to discuss ways and means of doing so is one to be hailed with the greatest enthusiasm. "I propose to discuss this subject not with any air of sanctimoniousness, or any intention of pointing an accusing finger at any or all of you. The problem of bribery and corruption is, I think, the first problem of our national well-being today. After the great battle of independence which raged and went by but only yesterday, the most serious hreat to our nationhood and independence today comes, but from bribery and cor~ p t i o n .It behooves all of us, therefore, Christian and non-Christian alike, to ponder the problem of combating these evils in all the spheres of our public and private lives. "The occasion of this meeting offers us the opportunity of pondering the problem and in that spirit I should like us to consider the subject. In order to be certain that we are thinking about the same subject, I think our first step in this discussion is to seek clarity on precisely what we have in mind when we speak of bribery and corruption. I do not think this is a difficult first step. There are several dictionary meanings of these terms, but a careful analysis will show that the differences �18 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION are only apparent and a matter of word usage. Fundamentally, there is general agreement as to what the terns cannote. "Bribery in ordinary usage is the offering of gifts in money or in kind with a view to procuring action, legal or illegal, in favour of the giver. It includes the soliciting of gifts as a condition or reward for performing one's duties. Thus it is at law a crime not only to offer but to receive bribes, and both the giver and the receiver of bribes are equally culpable before the Law. "Bribery is not only an offence constituted by law; it is also a grave social evil which strikes at the root of social cochesion. Its social consequences will indeed form the major part of this address but before we delve into that, let us consider the other term, corruption. Corruption in public life involves a state of moral deterioration. In such a state, those placed in authority are willing to sell their honest judgment for illegitimate g'i. They perform or are made to perform their public duties in disregard of the rules of public conduct laid down for the performances of those duties, and in response to the undue influence of the bribe giver or favour evidence of the promise or transfer of money or other gifts between the office holder and the person or persons excerting influence of him. "When a man of high rank and status aproaches a lowly public official and induces him to give employment to his brother, sister, relative, friend, or other connection of his in defiance of the rules of procedures for staff recruitment, and as a favour against the claims of other candidates, such a man corrupts the public official although he may not have offered the official any material gift. The corruption in this case does not lie in the �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 19 promise or offer of any gift but in the undue influence which the man is able to exert by the mere fact of his elevated station which places the official under severe duress and inclines him more readily to oblige the man against his honest judgment than to incur the man's displeasure. "This goes for all of us, high and low. No matter what our position may be, whenever we bye-pass the rules laid down and seek to obtain treatment for ourselves, our blood relations or our friends, we are guilty of corrupting the official whom we induce to confer such favours on us. I t is otherwise when a man in such a position makes such approaches as a means of by-passing some corrupt surbordinate officers who will not like to unless they have been given something beforehand. I push forward applications to the Heads of Department personally make such approaches when it comes to my notice that a suitably qualified applicant has been asked to pay some money before getting a job. The pity of it is that these applicants usually refuse to disclose the name of the officer who makes such a demand for fear of what might happen to them later. "Corruption in the public life of any country may be obvious or concealed. In the former case, it is easy to combat and the law usually does not fail to catch up with it. In the latter case, however, it poses a difficult and well-nigh insoluble problem. Everybody knows it exists and most people feel its pernicious impact, but no one can pin it down or I prescribe for its effective cure. You will come across it in every conceivable aspect of a person's national life. You will find it in the public official who is weak-kneed and without character and who on account of these failings is willing and ready to respond favourably to the blandishments of those �2 0 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION who seek to purchase his judgment. You will find it in politics in the practice, now common in many countries, of converting public money into party funds by clever and devious procedures; in corrupt practices at elections; in the demand by men and women in the villages for monetary or other reward for going to the poll to vote for candidates for parliamentary seats; in the consequent and all too easy propensity of many a politician in high office to trade on his public position. "This last manifests itself in many forms, including a good deal of ostensibly innocent goodwill presents and favoured consideration at the hands of local and foreign nationals and companies. You will find it in the contractor who buys his way to the away of a Govenunent contract and purchases the conscience of the Inspector of Works to the extent that they are no longer able to detect any fault in his manner of execution of his contract, even when he supplied saw-dust for cement. You will find it in the teacher who either sells examination papers to candidates or juggles with the marks awarded to candidates in such a manner as to reflect not the actual performance of the candidates, but the order of merit which conduces most to his personal whims add caprices or satisfies with wishes of those who seek favoured treatment for themselves or for their relations and friends. "You will come across it in the Judicial Officer who will either not give jugment at all or will give unfair judgment if he is not paid handsomely by one or other of the parties to the case. You will find it in the lawyer who knowing fully that his client's case is hopeless, collects exorbitant or even moderate fees from him on the false assurance that the case will be won with ease, although all he intends to do is to put in apprearance �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 21 in court in order to earn his fees. You will find it in the doctor who trades on the fortunes of rich patients by subjecting them to prolonged treatment for imaginary ailments diagnosed by him from no other motive than that of creating an opportunity of collecting excessive fees from the patients. You will find it also in the doctor who being a public official will not give patients proper and honest professional attention in hospital, but will prefer that they report to him at his home where he can charge them heavy fees to his heart's content. You will find it in the businessman or trader who engages in the adultration of his ware or supplies to customers articles which he knows to be inferior to what he makes them believe they are paying their money for. "There is no need to go on with this catalogue of corruption in various aspects of national life. Whenever a person either of his own volition or under pressure does that which is not in strict conformity with the rules for discharging the responsibilities of his position, there you are likely to have corruption in all its notirety. "I have dwelt longer on corruption than on bribery, because it is the wider of the two terms. This is not, however, to say that bribery is a lesser evil, because it is not. From what has been said it will be obvious that bribery and corruption are twin evils and for all practical purposes synonymous terms, carrying the same weighty and disastrous consequences for every nation as for every individual. "Although they are widely condemned throughout the world they tend to retain surprising vitality in the social life of most countries of the world. Indeed there are some who would l i e to see these evils openly recognised as respecctable methods of doing public business. For- �22 PUBLIC OUTCRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTON - tunately these are a microscopic minority the greater generality of mankind heartily condemns bribery and corruption as social evils, and rightly so. To understand the attitude of this majority, let us consider what the position would be in a state ridden with bribery and corruption, or in a state in which bribery and corruption are openly accepted as a way of life. "Because bribery 'and corruption reign' supreme in such a state no citizen can hope to obtain the usual, services which government owes him until he has paid for such services at every point of control by the public officials. The derk in the post office will not sell a stamp or money order or postal order to the members of the public, or deliver their mails to them until he has received sufficient reward from every customer who i . il wishes to be served by hm The clerk in the office wl refuse to file the petitions received at his office or will fail to bring them up to his superior officers who will deal with them until the petitioners have sufficiently oiled his palm. "The policeman on beat duty will conveniently go to sleep and let burglars have the run of the banks, of the government safes and offices, and of the houses of rich and poor citizens, unless the owners of these are prepared to pay through the nose for his vigilance. He will even close his eyes.to open acts of murder, arson and other felonious deeds and may glandly lend the weight of his evidence in court to prove that the murderer or the incendiary is innocent of the crime, depending on which party is able to pay handsomely for his testimony. "The members of the Public Tenders Board will extdrt so much money from the contractors that to win a government contract will sooner or later come to be re- �BRIBERY AND C O R R U P ~ O N 23 garded as a fatuous plunge into the precipice of financial ruin. Justice will be sold to the highest bidder by some of the judges in the local tribunal. The far-reaching consequences which will result from this state of affairs are too obvious for comment. But perhaps these are not immediately obvious to some, and for this group we may pause to analyse one or two of the possible consequences. "When justice is put to public auction, we may be certain that the end of the state and of social cohesion is in sight. For when you come to think of it, you will iind that the basis of the state and of the society encompassing it is the property rights of the individuals and groups of which the society is composed. The law exists to secure these rights but where justice is sold, only the rich and well-to-do can have the law on their side. Property rights will change hands and will tend to accumulate in the hands of those who have more than to spare and less in the hands of those who have little to spare. "Your plot of land, your house, or even your wife and children today may not be yours tomorrow because your covetous neighbour can tomorrow secure these for himself by taking you to court in a trumped-up case and of purchasing the co~science some of the Court Judges who sit over the case. Thus the "haves" will more abundantly and the "have nots" will have less and less until they have nothing. In such a state, the road to social upheavals, to revolutions, coupe detats and civil wars is not a very long one. All this is as it should be in the internal life of the state. "How about'its external relations? We are here concerned with the conduct of those who wield the scepre �24 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION of supreme 'authority in the body politic. We are concerned with the political office holders who in virtue of their own position at the apex of the pyramid of authority in the state exercise responsibility for the state's relations with foreign nationals and foreign countries. We are considering the conduct of such politicians and the consequences of their conduct in a stage of legalised bribery and corruption. Their ruling motive in such a state is, of course, the enrichment of their personal and private fortunes by trading on their official positions. "In their bid to amass private wealth, they hold truck with firms reputable and disreputable; they will throw open the doors of their country to all who are able to ~ t i s f ytheir appetite for gain, and they will not be inhabited by any visitations of conscience in selling the dearest interests of their country to those foreigners who are able and willing to enrich their private bank accounts. AU these will be perfectly in order since, ex-hypothesis, the state we are considering is one in which bribery and corruption are legalised. But retribution waits at the door post for both such a state, and the political office holders who indulge in this orgy of acquisitiveness. "When the social fabric has been sufficiently soaked and weakened by the effect of bribery and corruption, the handful of the wealthy who know how to bribe their way to the top find the tide of social upheave1 too strong for weathering. I n the tumult that ensues, the cry of the hungry masses is heard and the wealthy hpresented with the choice of delivering their wealth ?d hkir necks or both together to the masses. "They generally seek aid from their foreign payf maate~cbctwhe story o their end is invaribly the same. it ~ ~ f s f l s c ? p & c ~is usually as captives to their foreign �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 25 protectors and often at the price of their country's independence. I n the long run all will be quiet again, there will be a new redistribution of the social product, and a new alignment of the "haves" and the "have nots." But what a price has been paid for this? "All this is true of our hypothetical state of legaliised corruption. But no one who is alive to what goes on below the surface in most modem states will fail to recognise the close parallel in actual life to these pictures we have painted. Bribery and corruption need not be openly recognised or legalised to produce the consequences we have outlined. Where the attitude of the people to their evils is one of condonement rather than of unequivocal condemnation, the state is tantamount to one ~f legalised bribery and corruption. The consequences to be expected in such a state are neither more nor less than those we have sketched. Corruption in public life is another word for moral decay. "It is the kind of decay which once it sets in goes to the heart of the social fabric and shatters, deprives, and sweeps away the society in which it is permitted to grow. It has been the ruin of nations great and small, of empires which the clanger of steel and the assaults of armies could not subdue, of people now forgotten but once dominant and triuphant. Is it any wonder that from the first time man trod this earth and learnt to live in amity and fellowship with the members of his species, bribery and corruption have been condemned as social evils? Those who would condone these evils today do not stop to ponder their grave social effocts. If they did they would have no difficulty in seeing the urgency of the need to eradicate them from human society. "Indeed the major problem of bribery and corruption is not one of being able to see the disintegrating and �26 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION grave consequences of these evils. The problem lies in fact that although the greater majority of mankind fully appreciate the evil consequences.of bribery and corrup tion, the temptation to employ them as a method of securing personal advantage is almost always irresistable and not always sufficiently resisted by me. "What is the explanation of this state of affairs? It is simply that under the pressure of immediate necessity most of us are often prepared to sacrifice our long-term interests to our immediate advantage. But if we are not too far-sighted to recognise the self-defeating nature of our advantage, our consciences will sooner take up arms against bribery and corruption than use them as a weapon for fighting the battle of life. "As Christians, what attitude should we adopt to bribery and corruption? We have seen that these are evils which have a disintegrating effect on society because they involve the deprivation of the rights of honest and poor citizens by the wealthy. This is the exact antithesis of the golden rule, "Love thy neighbour as thyself." For whoever loves his neighbour will not wish to take his property or right from him. The attitude of all Christians should therefore be one of emphatic condemnation of bribery and corruption in every shape or form. To offer or take bribes or to condone the offering or taking of bribes is to be less than a Christian. Whoever practises these twin evils cannot claim to be a true Christian. "Is all this an altogether abstract discussion of bribery and corruption, unrelated to what goes on around us in this country? This is no place to wash our dirty linen in the public and I do not propose to use this occasion as an opportunity to proclaim to the world that our �BRIBERY AND C O R R U P T I ~ 27 public life is more ridden with bribery and corruption than that of other countries. "On balance it is probably true that we are neither better nor worse than other countries in this matter. Yet the admission must be made that the canker-worn of bribery and corruption does take its toll of our private and public life to an extent that must be alarming to those who love Nigeria. An all-out war on these evils is urgently needed to stamp them out. That war, if it is to succeed, must be fought in the hearts of the people of this country. The battle is not one to be fought by inserting a few neatly turned legal phrases in the State Book outlawing bribery and corruption. It cannot be won by smelling out and penalising one or two offenders whose distinguishing offence is not that they offered or received bribes but that after offering or receiving bribes they were too unlucky to escape detection. The battle will be won only when there is a change in the attitude of the entire people or of an overwhelming majority of the people, making briberly and corruption not only boo words but also practices that can be indulged in only at the serious risk of social ostracism. So long as we persist in the attitude which supports or condones the use of bribery when our personal interests are concerned and condemns it only when others use it, so long will bribery and corruption persist. "Next to a change of heart in society is a change of outlook and attitude in the individual. The one and only injunction given the individual was, and always has been, "eschew bribery and corrupt methods." This is an prescription and one which is gladly accepted and light-heartedly rejected. �' 28 PUBLIC OUT-CRY AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION "With Nigeria now an independent country matched against the normal excellencies of other countries, now is the time to take a firm and irrevocable stand against bribery and corruption. These evils once revaged most of the present day advanced countries of the world, including Britain, the United States of America, France, Germany, Russia and a host of others. But most of these can stand akimbo today and face debates on bribery and corruption with an almost sanctimonious, betterthan-thou smile on their faces. If they have been able to fight these evils to a halt in their society, we too can do the same in this country. "It is said that the battle of freedom is fought not in the history of a nation but in the hearts of its free people. Freedom from the evil effects of bribery and corruption offers us the challenge of the most gruelling battle after that of independence which we have just won. This battle must be fought not only in the law court but in the hearts of our people. I t will be won the day we reach the decision in our individual and collective minds that bribery and cor'ruption are evils, and resolve in our hearts to sets our faces against them." Many more people have spoken or written on Bribery and Corruption. I t is not possible to make extracts from all these and incorporate into this analysis of the evil. Suffice it to say that everybody who has spoken or written about this public disease is adding more weight and strength to the force of argument which will surely minimize the practice if not entirely pull down the superstructure of this plague. �CHAPTER ONE CORRUPTION IN T H E POLICE DEPARTMENT "Any person, who being employed in the public service, receives any property or benefit of any kind for himself, on the understanding, express or implied, that he shall favour the person giving the property or conferring the benefit, or any one in whom that person is interested, in any transaction then pending, or likely to take place, between the person giving the property or conferring the, benefit, or any one in whom he is interested, and any person employed in the public service, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment." Every society has its own ills; those cankerworms that fastly eat down the fabric of a community. Bribery and corruption are among these. Here in Nigeria, bribery and corruption are almost synonymous with the Police. Everybody believes the police are the greatest offenders in this respect. I shall however show that while some members of the Police Force are corrupt, they are nevertheless the worst offenders. Proverty, greediness or what may be described as economic and social imbalance have been the major causes of bribery in some societies. Added to these are low salaries, ignorance, prejudice, lust for offices, lack of moral conscience, feeling of insecurity resulting from poor or no education. In the Police Force, bribery and corruption are practised during recruitment, in the Investigation Branch, Traffic Branch, Water Police section, Immigration section and Township and Wayside police stations. �30 CORRUPTTON IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT The initial stage of selecting a police man requires no corruption because physical requirements have to be fulfilled; e.g. the chest must measure 36 inches and height not less than five feet six inches. What happens is that the selecting officer sees a man physically all right and asks him oral questions. From how the candidate answers these oral question shows the officer how intelligent or otherwise the constable-to-be is. The selecting officer then repeats this process with a number of possible candidates and having decided who are the clever ones, calls them together, collectively or individually, and tells them that the big man would like to see them. This seeing of the big man ('Oga') is in fact an understood from each affair. The big man wants £2&£30 and every one of the possibles and it is the selecting officer who is the middleman. The big man's share may eventually turn out to be £10 for every possible candidate whiie the rest goes down the pockets of the selecting officer. The possible constables-to-be however pay this required amount and then are permitted to sit for the written examination with oher qualified candidates but who did not pay anything. This is really the first stage of the corruption. After the examination, of course all those who paid will pass with distinctions and the list of passes ostensibly published. It may be that only five people are required and only those who paid of course turn out to be the five. They are asked to prepare to go to the Ikeja Police Training School for the real training to become police constables. These people are therefore going as corrupted persons who believe that everything in the Polic Force depends on corruption. One has only to pay through one's way. Naturally as soon as they come out of the training, they want to recover all the money they spent before entering and �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 31 to add some profits into the bargain. This is why many of them (Recruits) go to Prison immediately they are out of Ikeja Training School. In big stations (townships) these recruits will not be posted on beat duty as is required of them at least for a year so as to get themselves acclimatised to their localities and environments. What normally happens is that having known the game, they canvas for lucrative sections of the Force; e.g. the Investigation Branch or the Traffic Duties. The person in the 'I' Branch (Investigation Branch) is not naturally corrupt. What happens is that circumstances corrupt him. A complainant, for instance, may want a certain person who has offended him (seriously or trifflingly) to be arrested. To get a policeman to satisfy his pet desire, he tips the constable and the police man proceeds immediately to justify that gift of money. After the arrest, the complianant may desire to pursue the case further by offering the policeman more money to lock up his offender in the cell or to register a stupefying slap on his cheeks before his wife, children or girl-friend. The idea is to show the offender that the complainant is a big man. And many big men in our society do this! For all these obligations, the constable is of course thanked handsomely. You can see now that money is offered to and taken by constables for diverse reasons. Sometimes policemen threaten to arrest and charge people to Court purely or civil matters. This often happens in Rural Areas where people are very ignorant. There the policemen are 'terror' and what the natives do is to collect money and offer to them so as to avert taking them to Court. And the amount is always a handsome one. �32 CORRUPTION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT How do you know corrupt constables? Go to their houses or to their bankers or Post Office Savings Account. The furniture in their homes are all out of proportion to their slender earnings. Some of them have many landed property while others have a fleet of taxi cabs or lorries bearing names not their own. Alternatively, go to the Hotels and see how some Policemen (in plain dress) consume endless bottles of beer which wash down the sweet morsels of roasted chickens. And to round up, they branch off to their 'lodger-customers.' Do you blame them? Money is intoxicating and pushes those who have it to diverse directions. The Traffic Duties are the most lucrative side of the Police Force. A constable has only to be in this section for a year and then "commands thousands of pounds." Don't tell me "Traffic is no more lucrative." It is even more today. Many a time a passenger is travelling in a lorry which is stopped at certain points by Traffic Policemen. What did he see? The next he noticed was a little 'hush-hush' busines! He understood and money (the normal toll tax) passed from one hand to another and the vehicle passed as all right, despite the overloading and leaking tyres. This toll tax could be 21- to 51- or £1 to £5 as the case may be. Much depends on how serious or otherwise the offence is. Sometimes a passenger wonders why the driver of his lorry should pay anything at all even when the vehicle has complied with all the t r d c regulations - no overloading, the driving and vehicle licences being all up-to-day. Well, let me tell you why wise drivers always provide for a future rainy day and pay the normal toll tax (bribe) to the Traffic Police, even when their lorries are brand new. In every vehicle, no matter how new, �there are at least two traffic'6ffences if properly checked. As a matter of fact there are at least fifty traffic offences,, twenty-three of them for vehicles, 'seven for oninibuses or buses and the others for other 'types of vehicles. Let me give some of these.offences below:- ' Vehicle Offences Permitting a vehicle to be driven without-identification number (Dealer's Number in, front .and behind. Permitting a.vehicle to be drive without a vehicle 1 ' lcence. Failiig to give notice of chaxige of owneiship. Failing to provide proper sitting.accomodation. Permitting a vehicle to'be driven without efficient brake. Driving after sunset without the headlight. Sleeping whiie in charge' of a vehicle.. . Drunk while in charge of a vehicle. Failing to stop on demand by a Police Officer i n uniform. Failing to'stop aft& an accident. Driving recklessly or negligently. . Driving furiously to the terror of the public. Refusing to give name and address. Givinc false information. ~ o a d G g an insedure manner. in Overloading: Sitting on the tailboard. Distracting the attention of the driver. Causing discomfort tb uasserigers. 20. Failhito wear condukor's bidge: 21. Failing toexhibit tab1es':of fare. �COilRUPTION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Selling goods or printed matter inside buses Damaging any part of the omnibus. Spitting on any part of the omnibus. Refusing to pay fare. Sinokiig in an omnibus where a notice prohibiting it is pested. Causing discomfort to other passcngen'; e.g. vomitting. There are many more traffic offences. Supposing a car is running on an untamed road during the rainy season and collects some quantity of mud which obscures the plate number; this car has already committed an offence. Although the offence is not intentional yet that's the law. To avert such trouble, the driver gives money to the Traffic Police. Somebody inside a bus may spit out from the window unknown to the driver. But this is an offence whether done inside (on the floor) or outside (through the window). The offence is not against the person who spat nor the owner of the lorry but against f the driver, even though he does not know o the incident. To avert such trouble, of course the driver tips the Police. Selling newspapers, printed matter or goods in a bus is an offence. Smoking is prohibited. Causing discomfort to passengers e.g. vomitting or adulterating the air is an offence. So many other offences compel the driver to give bribe to the Police so as to avert prosecution. There are, as I said earlier, over fifty traffic offences found in every vehicle. A driver finds it convenient to give 2/- to 5/- or any amount asked of him. It is more convenient for h i that way and the reason is simple. Failing to 'wntribute' or pay 2/- to 5/- or more when �BRIBERY AND GORRUPnON 35 demanded of him means wasting days at the Police Station and finally going to Court. But these days are of immense value to every driver and if eventually he is charged to court, he wastes more days there too. There are many adjournments to be faced. There are lawyers to be briefed and money goes in each case. This waste of time and money will teach the driver a lesson to pay up his dues on demand the next time he is stopped by a Traffic Police man. The Court might have fined him upwards of £20 to £30 when he could have paid only 21- to 51- to have averted this waste. This is a police man's logic for receiving bribe and drivers see the reasonableness. What is to be done? The police is as corrupt as the drivers who give him bribe. Why does a particular constable remain in the Traffic duties all his years in the Police Force or at least for the greater part of his stay there? Why does a particular constable stay a year or two in the Traffic duties and change to General duties only to return to Traffic again? Is it because he controls traffic more than any other constable? No. I t is because he can give out a huge part of his booty to his senior officer who is responsible for posting. And despite this huge part of his daily collections which is paid to his senior officer, the Traffic Policeman still has enough to spare. Even his immediate Sergeant can. get a share! A police man on 'beat duty' has no £50 to £100 to give to his senior officer after his normal eight hours shift simply to be posted to the Traffic Section. He will therefore remain in General Duties until he can pay through his way. This situation even induces him to demand and receive bribes so that he can bribe his senior officer whose duty is to post h i to the Traffic Section. Sometimes the senior officer likes to change the �36 CORRUPTION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT duties of some Traffic policemen and revert them to General Duties because some of them are not paying up their dues regularly. The officer wants obedient constables who will pay up regularly. He may have unfinished buildings at home. He may be contemplating to buy a transport lorry or plots of land. But he may have no This is the normal "hush-hush" business while checking transport lorries on the road. Is the Traffic Police Officer in front of the lorry checking or standing attention? This at the back of the s lorry, i he examining the soil or picking u p something? constables with sufficient money ready to pay before they are posted on Traffic Duties. Here "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush." And so the old ones are called and warned that they are not paying up handsomely and regularly. They are however allowed to continue �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 37 in their Traffic Duties and to bringback proceeds handsomely, to the tune of £50 to £100 a month. And so the trouble continues and bribery and corruption become a way of life. The Water Police are charged with the responsibility to look after goods in ships. Part' of their qualification is that "you must be a swimmer." But not all of them are swimmers. Anybody from the Ship is to be questioned by the Water Police. Oftentimes this questioning takes the shape of a fiftylfifty business or failing which an arrest is ostensibly made. Anybody who is familiar with the activities of some members of the 'Waterguard' and 'smugglers' know what I am talking about. Supposing a person from a ship has 40 costly watches. An understanding can be reached where the Police on duty has 20 and the person 20. This is why Water Police men wear very costly watches, some costing as high as £50. There are also gold, diamond, jewelries etc. These are contraband goods which nevertheless find their ways, in good quantities, into our society. How did they manage? And there is the strong drink (brandy, whisky, etc) palaver. These can be found in many homes. How did they manage to reach so many homes in such quantities? Simply this: Some members of the Water Police are very corrupt. Nothing more. An Immigration Officer is expected to check credentials, whether they are genuine or not. If genuine, few pounds are added to the passport forms to speed up action. If ungenuine, many more pounds are added and of course, you obtain your passport or visa all the same. So many custom officers are like these and there is always an understanding with policemen on duty. �38 CORRUPTION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Some constables are eternally posted to wayside stations or rural sub-stations. They are never posted to the township stations. Not that it is difficult to transfer them to the big stations in the towns but because they generally pay, like Traffic policemen, handsomely to remain in their lucrative stations. In this way bribery and corruption are perpetuarted. Bribery is a two edge-sword, for it harms some people and elevates others. For instance, if two people go in for an interview and it happens that one is more qualified than the other, and if the less qualified candidate bribes the officer conducting the interview, he is likely to get the post. Here, bribery does good to mediocres to the deriment of qualifid candidates. Many people have through bribery risen to positions of trust, positions they would not have reached were it not for bribery. Some people have escaped dangers through bribery and thereby live longer than they should. Bribery had saved many people innumerable inconveniences. But though bribery has some merits, shall we because many people have survived through it encourage this social menace? As an elevator, it is also a deterrant to social justice and equity and therefore impedes progress. From time immemorial bribery has caused the downfall of many nations. For instance, if a citizen is bribed to reveal the secrets of his country, the entire nation will be doomed as a result of the bribe which is taken by one of its citizens to achieve his diabolical ends. From this also will result a national disgrace and an ultimate downfall of the country concerned. This is why I think that Policemen, on whom much hope and faith is built, should not disappoint their fellow citizens' expectations. �BRIBBRY AND COBRWnON 39 Theirs is the charge to see that law and order are maintained. Their duty is to protect life and property. They are to see that justice is done. How can they do this if some of their members are so corrupt? Nothing is free in the Police, I am told. To be promoted you have to bribe. To be lucratively posted, you have'to bribe. To be rccruited at all into the Force, you have to bribe. To avoid constant 'Orderly Room,' (the normal Civil Sentice query) you have to bribe and always be a favourite of senior officers. There is 'eyeservice,' 'condo' and allied ways of seeking favour from people on top. There is the 'oga sent me' falsehood to receive money. There is 'your file case is receiving attention' until doomsday. There is 'come to the Charge Office.' There is change of vital statements and clever loss of vital exhibits in a serious case. There is everything that militates against fair play when corrupt policemen want bribe and it is not given. And they make things l difficult. In a l that is good, we implore these officers to help our society by resisting the temptations to ask and receive bribes. �CHAPTER TWO C O R R U P T I O N I N T H E RAILWAYS "Any Person Who:- being an agent corruptly accepts or obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain, from person, any gifts or consideration as an any person, for himself or for any other inducement or reward for doing or for forebearing to do or to be done or forborne to do, any act in relation to his principal's affairs or business, or for showing or forbearing to show favours or favour to any person in relation to his principal's affair or business; or corruptly gives or agrees to give or offers any gift or consideration to any agent as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do any act in relation to his principal's affairs or business, or for showing or forbearing to show favour or difavour to any person in relation to his principal,'~ affairs or business; or knowingly gives to any agent, or being agent knowingly uses with intent to give his principal any recipt, account or other document in act of which the principal is interested and which contains any statement which is false or erroneous or defective in any material particular, and which, to his knowledge, is intended to mislead his principal; is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of five hundred pounds. . ." �(For the purpose of this section the expression "consideration" includes valuable consideration of any kind; the expression "agent" includes any person employed by or acting for another; and the expression "principal" includes any employer). Bribery cuts across our social, economic, political, educational, religious and culturd life. There are many causes of bribery when it is critically surveyed. One of these is sheer poverty. When an officer on a salary of £30 a month spends nearly all or more than his salary, the alternative of course is to find means of getting extra money to balance his budget. This is why some Railway Officers take bribe from traders to load or offload their goods into or from Railway wagons. But besides poverty, another possible cause of bribery among some Railway staff is grediness or an attempt to get rich quick. So many of them are jealous of each other simply because some of them have no buildings, lorries, costly clothes, plots of land, stores or plenty of money which is used to train children in the Colleges or Universities. Because of this, a young man who has just come out from School is employed as Station Staff wants to be a millionere over night. How does he do it? I will tell you. At the "Goodshed," collected money is shared every week-end. The Stationmaster always receives his share even though he does not know how the money is got. His weekly share is sometimes between £30 and £40, depending on how heavy or otherwise the proceeds are. The process is like this. There is what is called "sealing of wagons' for which 2/- is collected from traders for every wagons sealed. The same 2/- is collected for the opening of wagons before goods are offloaded. Even money is paid for the offloading trouble. . �42 CORRUP~ON IN TR& RAILWAYS In the "Booking Office," a passenger's load may weigh about 2 cwts, but the Booking Clerk makes it less, say 2 qrts. The cost of the less weight o course goes to f the Booking Clerk. And then there are train porters to convey goods to the wagons. They are employed by the Railways to carry goods for those passengers entraining. But except you tip them, they may ,well leave your loads behind. The result of course is -that many passengers have travelled without their loads in the train. What happens to these loads left behind is anybody's guess. Loading Clerks at the Goodshed may refuse to load customers' goods, bcause their palms have not been properly greased. 'No room in the wagons' is the usual reply. At the 'Delievery Section,' if customers fail to claim their goods in time, 'storage charged are often collected for the Railways. But if affected persons sufficiently tip the Deliery Clerk, the Railways may get none of these charges again. The same thing happens at the 'Luggage and Parcels Office.' Failure to claim your goods in time means incurring "cloak room charges." But the process is the same and you will not pay the charge if you properly grease the palms of the clerk on duty. The attachment of loaded wagons also requires bribe. Sometimes a customer is lucky to have his wagon loaded. He has paid the correct charge to the Railways; yet unless he tips the shunter, his wagon will be delayed and of course his goods will perish. The same thing happens with Cattle wagons. Shunting of these to the Cattle Shed requires bribe. Hausa people (cattle dealers) are generous and so play well their cards, but failure to do this exposes the animals to starvation and of course to consequent deaths. �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTlON There is intriguing red-tape in the Railways. So many officers do the same job. The difference is only in name. When a trader in Northern Nigeria once loaded his wagon with yams and consigned same to his counterpart in Eastern Nigeria, it was noticed that the wagon arrived Enugu and stayed there for three weeks. The owner came down to Enugu to inquire about the cause of the delay. He met the D.S. (District Superintendent) who referred him to the S.T.C.O. (Senior Traffic Commercial Officer). This officer referred the trader to the T. 0. (Y). (Traffic Officer, Yard) from where he was referred again to the Y. M. (Yard Master). The last mentioned officer referred the trader to the Shunter who nonchalantly explained the 'delay was due to much work.' He however assured the trader that his wagon would be despatched to its destination without further delay. This angry man departed to his destination and hoped his wagon would reach there before him. But how could it? He had come to Enugu to inquire about the delay officially, through the biggest boss to the smallest Shunter, his humble self. He should have known better and done the only thing expected of him. A week had passed after the inquiry. Two weeks also passed. There was still no sight of the wagon at its destination. The trader was still waiting. But he decided to make another trip to Enugu. This time he was properly advised and having done the expected thing, he went away. Two days after, his wagon load of yams arrived. I t was unloaded and to his greatest sorrow, more than four hundred y a m had got rotten. This was the penalty for his honesty. I a trader fails to bribe, his punishment is this type f of experience. His goods would perish and he would lose so many hundreds of pounds. His life may be ruined �44 CORRUPTION IN THE RAILWAYS as a result. The fun of this experience is that sometimes f mere official referring o customers to other officers suggests that the customer should play his card. This is so because both big and small in the Railways know of the existence of these corrupt practices. And none of them cares to eradicate them. May be they are beginning now. Nowadays, traders have formed a union. This trade union functions in this way. Membership enrolment is anything from £20 to £50. Any loading which does not pass through this union means trouble for the Chief Booking Clerk. It is these traders who say whose gmds will be loaded or not. And by this method they control the C.B.C. (Chief Booking Clerk) who sometimes works for the Union (mark you for the Union and not the Railways) even on public holidays. Bribery and corruption are safely entrenched in many Departments or sections of the Railways. Take the Staff section (Establishment) for instance. This section employs clerks or station staff. They are charged with the responsibility to promote staff. They handle leave matters and transfers. Relief Clerks often tip some members of this Section to get transferred to some money-making stations for relief duties. 'Sleeping and relief allowances' are often collected when staff stay long on relief duty. Because of this, station st& elect often to be transferred to good stations where they can make quick money. And much money is paid for these arrangements. In the past, money was taken from applicants who wanted to go to the Railway Training School at Yaba, Lagos. After training and posting many Station Staff become rich people with a lot of landed property, so many lorries and buildings. So many of them go Overseas �BRIBERY AWI) CORRUPTlON 46 for further studies especially in law. What is to be done? Bribery and corruption have got tap roots in the Railways as well as in other Departments. No one section is free. The Accounts Section is even involved when some of its members go on line to pay wayside staff their salaries. Much cheating and stealing is done. Even Clerks are not so keen on preparing the usual mileage 'voucher' except the drivers and guards tip them. At every comer you meet with a demand for bribe or your case will not be treated timely. Have we forgotten the Stores Clerks? Some of them are wonderful people. Much of the Stationery is sold. Have we forgotten the Train Guards? They are wonderful people too. Some of them bargain and convert Railways money (ticket collections) into their personal accounts. Have we forgotten T. T. Cs? They are like the Guards. Their van is used for purposes otherwise intended by the Railway Authorities. Sometimes female passengers, who are travelling free of charge, hibernate there. Have we forgotten the Enginerring section? Their activities with Contractors are well known. Sometimes it takes fortune to register as a contractor, to award him a contract and to pay him the necessary fees. It can therefore be seen that bribery and corruption are serious social evils. They threaten all senses of justice and fair play. It mortgages people's conscience. Where it exists, people find it hard to speak the truth. Justice is not allowed to take its cause and people are usually found in the wrongplaces. Things do not take their normal shapes in the society. The painful result is that where bribery is the order of the day, people do not find it interesting to make honest effort to improve their ends. Instead they depend on bribery and corruption to achieve their ends. �46 CORRUPTION IN TRB RAILWAYS If bribery does not exist, people will be interested to work hard and struggle honestly for something. They will be proud of such struggles. Economically, bribery kills the incentive to work, reducing productivity and lowering both individual and national incomes. To free the society from the evils of bribery, something must be done. Employers of labour should devise a means whereby candidates should compete for ' vacancies in open examinations and the markers should be men of high integrity. To check bribery, everybody in the State should declare his property. When this is done, there should then be a general evaluation of people's property and their yearly income. This will actually reveal that some people have defrauded others in order to build for themselves financial empires. People should be promoted on the basis of their skill, productivity and educational qualification. I t is bribery that has given rise to promoting unqualified people to various posts thereby creating difficulties in the way of honest labour. In certain sections of the Railways, promotion is are not encouraged. SF 94 (query) is sometimes issued to people with malice to deter their progress. Secret visits are made by some sectional heads to the 'Officer' or 'Boss' to paint the names of certain junior staff in sombre colours. The intention is always definite. Until such junior staff bribe some of their immediate sectional heads, there is no recommendation for them and consequently no promotion. This is why you can see in the Railways today so many people on First Class or Assistant Chief Clerk maximum. So many Clerks are Clerk Grade I1 while few lucky ones are Clerk Grade I where they mark �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 47 time till God knows how long. The situation gives the impression that the Railways is sick. What is the cause of this sickness? Part of it comes from a deep rooted corruption in the Corporation. Another cause comes from the general indifference of certain Officers to the affairs of their Junior Staff. The result sometimes is hatred, malice and all manner of injustices. This is why some of the Junior Staff are This is a typical Court Official in the Registry's Office. He is e very busy man; receiving telephone calls and writing at .the same time. He has no time evn to know that a person standing by his side is dropping down an "envelope". �48 CORRUPTION IN THE RAILWAYS corrupt. They do not do their work properly. They believe they have no future in the Railways and because of this they grab money from whichever person that offers same. Their logic is always the same - 'make hay while the sun shines' or 'prepare always for a rainy day.' Some of the younger clerks spend their office time more on their tuition lessons than on Railways duties. They pass their G.C.E. (Advanced Level) and enter the Universities, leaving the Railways to carry along with its policy of no promotions to the Junior Staff. What is necessary in the Railways today is a change of heart as well as that of policy. The junior staff must be encouraged so that they can take more interest in their work. There should be a prospect for which they work. New extensions can be provided to retain old hands, even though they are now graduates. Real checks should be made to eradicate bribery and ,corruption among the rank and file. Anybody caught should be tried and imprisoned so as to set an example. But those caught should not bribe those who caught them and by so doing free themselves and thus perpetuate the practice the more,This will defeat all honest attempts to eradicate the disease. Everybody's care, indeed everyman's care, should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart. Next to this, he should try to escape the censures of the world and do those things which win the approbation and applause of the public. A man is more sure of his conduct when the verdict he passes upon his behaviour is confirmed by the opinion of all that know him. This is the time to examine our conscience and to give honest verdict of our lives. The Railways today harbours so many corrupt officers. Some of these officers are expatriates. Some of them are Nigerians. Some too are Junior Staff and some Senior. �BRtBERY AND CORRUPTION 49 A 'holier-than-thou' attitude will not do. Pointing accusing fingers form above to below or vice versa will not do. All that is required is an admittance of guilt and a resolution to live a better life in future. 'Man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong; which is but saying in other words that he is wiser today than he was yesterday' (Alexander Pope). �CHAPTER THREE JUDICIAL CORRUPTION "Any Person who:(a) being a judicial officer, corruptly asks, receives or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything ommitted to be done, by him in his judicial capacity; or (b) corruptly gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers to give or confer, or to procure or attempts to procure, to, upon, or for any judicial officer, or to, upon, or for, any other person, any property, or benefit of any kind on account of any such act or omission on the part of such judicial officer; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years." (The term "judicial officer" in this section includes a member of Native Tribunal, an Arbitrator or umpire, and any person appointed to act as a Commissioner under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance, or before whom, under the provisions of any Ordinance, proceedings are held in which evidence may be taken on oath). "Any Person who:(a) gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers to give or confer, or to procure or attempt to procure, any property or benefit of any kind to, upon, or for, any person, upon any agreement �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 51 or understanding that any person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial proceeding shall give false testimony or withhold true tcstimony; or (b) attempts by any other means to induce a person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial proceedings to give false testimony or to withhold true testimony; or (%) ,Any , (a) asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person, upon any agreement or understanding that any person shall as a witness in any judicial proceeding give false testimony or withhold true testimony; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years." Person who:being.a peace officer not acting judicially, or being a perscn employed in the public service in any capacity not judicial for the prosecution or detection or punishment of offenders, corruptly asks, receives, or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or other person, on account of anything already done or ommitted to be done, or to be afterwards done or ommitted to be done, by him, with a view to corrupt or improper interference with the due administration of justice, or the procurement of facilitation of the commission of any offence, or the protection of any offender or intending offender from detection or punishment; or �52 JUDICIAL CORRUPTION ( b ) corruptly gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers to give or confer, or to procure to attempt to procure, to, upon, or for, any such person, or to, upon, or for any other person, any property or benefit of any k i d on account of any such act or ommission on the part of the peace officer or other person so employed; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years." William Hazilit in one of his essays - Advice to a School boy - said inter alia :- "Do not begin to quarrel with the world too soon, for bad as it may be, it is the best we have to live in. If railing would have made it better, it would have been reformed long ago. But as it is not to be hoped for the present, the best way is to slide through it as contentedly and inocently as we may. . . We may laugh or weep at the madness of mankind." Mr. Hazilit is entitled to his own opinion. For my own part, I like to "laugh or weep at mankind" and to think that the business of our life is indeed not to see what lies dimly at a distance of us, but to do what lies clearly at hand before us. Bribery and corruption, more than any present social evils, shake the foundations of our society. Mere lip service can't do. Mere condemnation won't help. Mere speaking and writing about them, will not do. What is necessary is an acceptance by all that bribery and corruption are now a national disgrace. And we fmd these evils in every walk of life. All is not well in certain arms of our Judicial Department. The irony of justice is that behind every High or Magistrate or Customary Court, there is the Registry's Office where bribery and corruption are practised ex- �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 53 tensively. Whenever a case is to be tried, certain preiiminaries are to be fulfilled. Every Plaintiff wants his case to be heard immediately and to achieve this, he "co-operates" with the Registry's Office. If it is "a claim of money against somebody," he meets the Registrar to decide the summons fee and other things relevant to the case. To fix the date of hearing to suit the Plaintiff, money is sometimes taken, to do this. But sometimes the Defendant comes too. He also wants the case to be deferred so as to enable him get money to pay the claims. To achieve this aim, he has to pay, but much higher than what the Plant8 paid. Already the case is the balance, tilting to the side of the highest bidder. The Judge or Magistrates is not yet aware that such a case has come to his Court. In the case of a writ of "fi-fa" (fieri facias) the Creditor normally wants everything to be fininshed immediately so that he can sell the property of his debtor to meet up the debts he owes him. The procedure is thus:After judpent, the debtor files "leave to pay." This may expire and the creditor bribes his way for a "fi-fa." If this is granted, the Bailii usually serves the debtor a "court order" to take inventory of his property on a stipulated date. During this period or in the process, the debtor can bribe him to exclude some of his valuable property which are usually taken away at night. Sometimes too the Bailiff bargains with the debtor to dudge receipt of summons. If this happens, he ostensibly returns to the Court to report "Debtor not in town." If however the Plaintiff gives him more money, the Bailii usually lies in wait at the door of the debtor long before 4 a.m. in the morning. Sometimes the debtor bargains with the Bailiff to have his things back through selling them at a very cheap �54 JUDICIAL CORRUPTION price. To achieve this end, certain people are called (bribed) to buy back his property at very cheap prices. But very often too, some members of the public or even some staff of the Court are interested in the sale. They can bargain with the Bailiff to "hammer down" whenever they prize valuable articles. It is therefore "going, going, going, gone!" for such people. On the other hand, the Creditor can see the Bail8 so as to ensure his debtor's things are sold at a very high price. This is to enable him recover his debts. But he has to pay the Bailiff dearly for this favour. And so when anybody prizes an article and it does not reach the amount the Creditor would like, the Bail8 often puts down such article and takes up another; saying that the "offer is too poor." Later on, he will take it up again and fresh offers will be made. These offers may be higher than the previous ones because much "behind the audience" canvassing has been made. Money works wonders and many money-lenders (they are the majority in this type of case) are adepts in the business of bribing their way through. Many money-lenders influence so many people, some Court Officials not excluded. They can, for instance, undertake to pay the Bailiff's transport to the Debtor's place so as to see that the "writ of fi-fa" is served on their Debtors. But the Government pays for the Bailiff's transport; yet this does not matter neither to the Bailiff nor to the Plaintiff (Creditor). The paying of his transport or the giving of drinks on the way are merely an inducement. And this is bribers' logic. Sometimes, some Court Registrars act as Deputy Sheriff. This officer, Chief Registrar by convention, advertises that a Debtor's property are sealed up. Money �BRIBERY AND CORRUPnON 55 lenders often meet him to do this for them. Sometimes the Government is acquiring land and dispossessed peopled are entitled to compensation. The Government often deposits this money with Courts to dispose of. In paying this amount to eligible claimants, some Registrars take their own share of "thanks for early payments" from the payees. Crown witnesses are entitled to some allowances. These claims are approved and paid by Registrars. To speed up matters when the reply of "no fund yet" is made, bribe is offered to some Registry's official and fund becomes available for immediate payment for the transport which was made through a round-about land or water route. Travel by land is always preferred for obvious reasons I t is easier to cheat that way because travel by rail or air is a fixed rate for which "warrant" will be issued. Corruption in the Judicial Departmeat spreads like the heads of a hydra. The Clerk of Court prepares bail bonds for Magistrates or Judges to sign. A Lawyex may plead for bail and the Magistrate or Judge agrees But the Magistrate or Judge will go after the closing of his Court. Unless the person granted bail sees to it that necessary documents are prepared and signed, he will sleep in the cell that night or be remanded in cumdy in the Prisons. In the case of appeals, the Magistrate or Judge reads his judgement and hands over to the Clerk for typing out for record purposes. In doing this, the Clerk types out more copies knowing that the affected people will meet him aftenvards for same. A person can of course get the copy of judgment from the Registrar, but as the Registrar is a Senior Civil Servant, it sometimes costs �56 JUDIOIAL CORRUPTION very much to meet some Registrtrs. Because the Clerk of Court is junior staff, it is cheaper to get (buy) copies from him. This copy helps the affected person to get necessary facts before the normal time allowed for his appeal to be made expires. A Clerk of Court in outside stations is a big man. He is virtually the Registrar too. He fixes cases and grants bail. For performing these functions, money is given to some Clerks of Court. The idea is to induce some of them to help even where can't be of any use. A Clerk of Court in outside stations works in co-operation with the f Magistrate and Police. But some Clerks o Court can hide vital "exhibits" which can decide technical cases. This fetches a huge money because exhibits decide a lot in difficult cases. Mistakes about them always favour the accused because there are some cases in which people have travelled a long distance to hear. This happens very often in out stations and such cases can't be adjourned because an exhibit is not evailable. Even some lawyers often induce some clerks of court to sell certain exhibits for destroyal. And we know that some lawyers are really mean. Such are the type that will stop at nothing to win their cases. The end is always the same. The pursuit of wealth leads many people (even professionals) to resort to mean tactics. There is another official who works directly under the Registrar. He is the "Process Clerk". He fixes cases, writes out summons and opens case files with their appropriate numbers. He also writes out 'fi-fa' notices, etc. He is indeed a very busy man. There is always congestion on his table and he takes this excuse to be corrupt. Some Process Clerks purposely leave most of their work on their tables under the plea of being very busy. Delay �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 57 often results and to speed up matters, people who have cases must see some of them and then there will be no more delays. Things will then move faster. As said above, the Process Clerk handles all documents e. g. affidates, 'fi-fa' writs, summons, etc. He opens the files and fixes dates for first hearings of cases. On these dates, fillings are made and it is the Piocess Clerk who will quicken or delay matters. This is why so many Process Clerks are well known by people who have business in Courts. They are lavishly entertained in Hotels. They are sufficiently tipped outside their Office hours. The reason is simple. They hold the balance of many cases in the court. They say which case should come up immediately or adjourned siie die in their section. There is another aspect of corruption in the Judicial Department. This happens in claiming 'claims.' A Lawyer, for instance, can bring his claims and the Registrar assesses this and passes on to the Cashier for attention. This amount may not be paid in time and it is up to the Claimants to 'co-operate' or leave it to receive attention till doomsday. Messengers in the Courts have wonderful influence just as Interpreters have. Before a Messenger brings a case file, you have to grease his palms, failing which your file can be missing suddenly among a heap of files in the rack. Litigants can only do the normal thing and their case files will be traced out immediately. Indeed, going to Court is such a waste of time and money ! Bribery and corruption also obtain in cases of appeals. You have to pay or your appeal will not be heard �even in a year. It is impossible to get copies of the proceedings of any case free of change. Once money is offered, the Clerks will sit up and even do overtime to type out the Court proceedings of the case at issue. They work to finish the work in time when the money has reached the hands of some Registrars. The language or sign is always understood and typists always work like mad to ensure they collect their own share of the booty. What can Magistrates or Judges do when some members of their Courts are so corrupt? Nothing, except that if the public brings up one of the corrupt ones before them and then we can see whether their punishment will not be a sufficient warning to other erring officials. A Magistrate or Judge cannot go to the Registry to list up cases or write bail bonds, etc. Somebody must do these duties. I t can be the Process Clerk or Clerk of Court or another person working in the Registry's Office. But these Court Officials must be honest as so many of them are today. It is believed that bribery and corruption are hard to eradicate. But I believe that if the society and all the arms of the Law help to clamp down this evil, that devastating engine of social degradation, all will be well in God's own time. Education too can help in reducing the spread of bribery and corruption. Our youths should be trained for the right jobs. Honest men should handle such delicate issues as are involved in the Registry's Office. People should be encouraged to live within their means by making them see the evil in living about their means. Certain Registrars and Court Clerks are wealthier than some Magistrates or Judges. How did they manage? When are we having a commission of inquiry to assess people's property and income in the light of the salaries �BRlBERY AND CORRUPTION 59 they have received? In some Customary Courts where, even if the case is in your favour, you are nevertless required to bring the agreed money, shows still the miscarriage of justice. And this can lead to "action being struck off" or divided judgement given. The idea is to beg an appeal. What is to be done? The Court Clerk might not have recorded all your question if he is already biased through bribery. What of the goats, welcome money, drinks in a lands case, which requires going to the site? The thing to be done is the advisability of having our Customary Laws coded for different prcrvinces which can be quoted. Lawyers should be encouraged to be Customary Court Presidents or Advisers or Judges. Alternatively some experienced retired police officials or other government retired senior officials should be encouraged to take appointments in the Customary Courts. We are not helping ourselves if we prostitute our justice. Look at even a Lawyer's Clerk! Some of them are so corrupt. They even collect bribes before ever admitting clients to be interviewed by their masters. They also take bribes before even taking down clients' statements. While it is the duty of the Chief Clerk of a Lawyer's Chambers to give clients professionals charges, he demands money to make the charges moderate. Failure to do this means making things difficult for the client. Where do we go from here? Let us make the fight against bribery and wrruption our idividual and collective responsibility. We owe this duty to ourselves. Tendencies towards bribery and corruption have always existed and probably will always. They are human weakness. But when the voice of conscience becomes weak or still, the way is left wide open for endless abuses of honesty. If we do not check bribery and corruption �M) JUDICIAL CORRUPTION now they may well check us in future. Let us appeal to all Court Officials, Messengers, Typists, File Clerks, Guards, Interpreters etc. to work for the best interests of everybody. There is a tendency on the part of most of us now to get rid of inefficient and corrupt people everywhere. But important as this may be, it is far from being enough. To win a game of any k i d , much more has to be done to throw out the poor players. It is of far more consequence to keep adding more good players to the team and putting heart into those who are already there. This is my message. But in considering the ever-present need for additional workers of ability and high purpose, it is most important not to overlook the fact that there are large numbers now in the judicial department as well as in other departments who are fulfilling their responsibility to the Nigerian public in an efficient and honest manner. If it were not for them, the situation would have been hopeless. Thy need our gratitude and constant help. I t is because of such people that our Judicial Department is today rated so high everywhere in the world. �CHAPTER FOUR OFFICIAL CORRUPTION "Any Person who:(a) being employed in the public service, and being charged with the performance of any duty by virtue of such employment, not being a duty touching the administration of justice, corruptly asks, receives, or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything already done or omitted to be done or to be afterwards done or omitted to be done, by him in the discharge of the duties of his office; or (b) corruptly gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers to give or confer, or to procure or attempt to procure, to, upon, or for, any person employed in the public service, or to, upon, or for, any other person, any property or benefit, of any kind on account of any such act or omission on the part of the person so employed.. ." or "Any Person who:being employed in the public service, takes, or accepts from any person, for the performance of his duty as such officer, any reward beyond his proper pay and employments, or any promise of such reward, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.. " or . �62 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION "Any Person who:being employed in the public service in such capacity as to require hi or to enable him to furnish returns or statements touching any sum payable or claimed to be payable to himself or to any other person, or touching any other matter required to be certified for the purpose of any payment of money or delivery of goods to be made to any person, makes a return or statement touching any such matter is, to his knowledge, false in any material particular, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three ..." "Any Person who:being employed in the public service, knowingly acquires or holds, directly or indirectly, otherwise than as a member of a registered joint stock company consisting of more than twenty persons, a private interest in any contract or agreement which is made on account of the public service with respect to any matter concerning the Department of service in which he is employed, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years, and to be fined at the discretion of the Court. . " . Ms writers are fascinated by the attempt to forecast ot something of the conditions of life and social activities as they will be in centuries ahead. For my own part, I am of the opinion that for a man to be greatly good, he must imagine intensely and comprehensively. He must place himself in the place of another and many others. Their pains and pleasures must become his own because �since people exist only in life, they must devote their time to being alive. Life is motion and motion is concerned with what makes man move, which is ambition, power, pleasure, wealth and health. But in pursuing these ends, man should not be corrupt. Bribery is one of these unjust ways of taking m w or money-equivalent from a man in ordei to do a duty or service which we should do without any remuneration from such individual. Some sections of our Ministry of Education suffer from the disease of bribery and corruption. In the Scholarship section, whether Provincial or Urban, it is alleged that @me candidates offer 50 per cent of the worth of these scholarships. Failing to do this means no scholarship for such candidates. The cleverness of the candidates in these regards in immaterial because they are not the only clever ones. Corrupt persons are not fools and so they know how to logic out their case. A Secondary School Scholarship may be £50 a year or £250 for five years. To win this, upwards of £100 may be offered to be shared by some Members of the Scholarship Board. Post Secondary Scholarship may be about £200 a year. But I am reliable informed that £150 if some candidates fail to grease the palms of some members of the Scholarship Board, they may never win the award. The contest for Scholarships is so, keen nowadays when one remembers these awards are made on Divisional and Provisional basis. But what of a Division which has five Scholarships alloted to it but which has up to a hundred applicants? And these people l are a l qualified ! - In Corporation or Depaments, Scholarships for Overseas training are won not always on merit. So many unqulified people are doing their technical training over- �62 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION seas today. Take a look at their qualifications. Some are big men's wives or girl-friends or relatives. And then there is recent fashion of foreign Scholarship award to I'. certain political V P s Who judges who are qualified for these awards? Your answer is as good or bad as mine. Admission to Secondary Schools is another instance where corruption rears up its ugly head. This starts with collecting pounds of money for Entrance Examinations that never took place. There is the 'late entry' concession. From the so many candidates that took a genuine Entrance Examination, of course only a few( (about 30 to 60) will be taken. But about 200 are called for interview and out of these the required number is taken; yet not all those who passed the Examination turn up for admission next January. Bigmen, VIP's and influenntial women have taken their sons and daughters to the Principal and persuade some of them to admit them, even without any Entrance Examination. And so many Principals grant this request! Are they hoest? These are the type of students who turn out to be the dunces of their classes. Admission into Primary Schools is even a problem nowadays especially when transfers have necessitated removing of one's children to another town. Until some Headmasters' palms are properly greased, such children may never get any admission for a year, even though they have their transfer certificates with the necessary report cards. Sometimes children who had been in a particular school are driven away because they have not paid the school fees in time. A day can be the only difference and yet tomorrow, a child with the school fees, finds a strange person occupying his seat in �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION \ 65 class. He is told "you have lost your position because you couldn't pay your fees in time". The fun of it is that the Headmaster knows the father too well but may h a w disagreed with him over a matter. The punishment of course is to sack his son or daughter and replaced hurl or her with another child. What a revenge1 Coming back to Entrance and ~ C . E Examinations. many things happen there. So many people pass thest: examinations without ever sitting for them. Other people are bought to do them on their behalf. There are even cases where men impersonate women (girls) and sit for their girl-friends. Some of them are usually caught. There is also the revealing of question papers to get money. There is the Students Advissory Board, wherc money is paid sometimes to speed up matters. Them. are many nasty things that are done in the name c a education. I n some sections of the Ministry of Works, all is not well there too. Contractors, whether big or petty, depend on Inspector of Works. Any award of contract is on percentage basis, 50150. 'Work order' is prepared for work not done. Registration of contractors even costs pounds of money. Girls are sometimes offered to those who will award these contracts. Sometimes men's wives are dragged into the bargain. Then there is the free-drink offer to the 'Boss.' Inspite of all these, collection of the money after the work is done is not easy. What? with so many 'come tomorrow, come tomorrow' until the contractor does the required thing. A controactor has to bribe to get his due. He bribes to claim the amount from the Sub-Treasury. He bribes to know when next there will be another opportunity. I think bribery is second nature of many contractors. So many of them �66 OFFICIAL. CORUUPTION do not believe any Clerk in the Office who is connected with their work can ever do that without their first bribing him. This money is always enveloped and dropped on the table of the clerk. Of course the clerk understands. He becomes active and alive to his job. Things move fast and all the relevant things are done and the contractor of course collects his money. Sometimes some of these contractors go to the houses of some of these clerks. There, a real bargaining can be made. The following day, some of these clerks still go to the Office with sanctionious faces. But that doesn't matter. This is in a Cocktail Party. An influential Contractor is throwing this Party for his friends, some of when are members of the Tenders Board. In major contracts, there is a real business. T o register as a major contractor is not sufficient. You have to be attached to some high government official or a politiciaq who will inflqence some people in the Tenders Board. Direct negotiation begins in which about 10 per cept �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 67 is conceded to the awarding party. In this case, there is no tender. Some Government Architects might have worked out the total cost, making sure that the surplus is there. The person helping the Contractor might take about 5 to 7+ per cent. Sometimes in Council's Tender Board, about 21- per £1 is paid to some members of the Tenders Board through their agents. This depends upon the correct amount required for the tender (which amount has been revealed to a Contractor). In the Foreign Contracting Firms, wonders happen there too. Some of their workers pay about £10 to £15 to the foreman before being employed. Here, some engineers and foremen are wonderful people indeed. Some of their employers work for about five months and then are sacked. After a month or so, some of these sacked employpees are notified that work is now available. This means coming back again and paying again for uncertain and insecure work. This is why foremen of some Foreign Contracting firms have such landed property,%xi cabs, lorries, etc. And their time-keppers are equally wonderful people. So many of them are really big men Why shouldn't they? They mark 'present' and 'absent' for all the employees. And so many people are marked 'present' when they were really 'absent' and vice-versa, To get on well in the Company means being in the good books of these time-keepers. Even the c a w to sack some employees can emanate from them. Contracting firms, some of them any how, erect mighty buildings for some VIP's or Politicians who helped them ta secure big contracts. If this were not w, how c w a Politician have so many storeyed buildings? Even �68 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION some Politicians are reported to have sky-scrappers nowadays. How did they manage? Which takes me to the harm some foreign firms are doing. These people are capitalists or sons capitalists. The only language they understand is money and always big money. They stop at nothing to win heavy contracts. They agree to any terms. And so what they lost with their right hands, they always recover with their left. They are wonderful people and so many of them still regard Africans as slaves or at least people money can always buy their conscience. They are corrupt and corrupt Africans with their big money. For how long should they be allowed to wield their money influence? The system of awarding contracts nowadays is still corrupt. But what is to be done? Is there any better method? The Tenders Board method would have been excellent but for the corruption therein. Why do some of its members reveal the required figures? Why do some VIP's and Politicians influence the award of contracts and collect thousands ~f pounds from the bargain? Why do fianace clerks require tips before preparing the 'voucher claims?' Why do contractors themselves cheat the nation by exaggerating the cost their finished work? Why is money taken at all to register the name of a man as a contractor? The Tak Assessment Section of the Internal Revenue is another source of headache to all. The job of this is to assess and collect taxes. The work is done like this: The Tax Assessment Clerk assesses farmers, traders, petty traders and small businessmen in rural areas. These are the people living in the areas alloted to them. They have, in these places, agents whose duty it is to give them the �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 69 names of new arrivals as well as old residents of the area. Old men's names are also given with a view to exempt them from paying taxes. The names of people who are old enough to pay tax are given. But before somebody is exempted, the concession must be an agreed bargaining. Sometimes there are School children who couldn't continue their studies because their parents are unable to pay their school fees again. These tax agents purposely include their names with a view to attract their parents visits. This visit to beg for the removal of their names from paying tax means paying money. Very often a youngman has just established an Industry. One of these Tax Agents will quickly send him a notice of the category he belongs e.g. the £2000 to £5000 category. The owner is naturally surprised. He hasn't even begun to operate. He has not even got a mite as a profit. And so, worried, he runs to the Agent to explain. But he explains with money and then the Agent takes him to the Tax Assessment Clerk who considers his case in the light of the money he receives from his Agent. There is usually a flat rate for taxable adults in every area. But there is also the Income Grade. To give the names of this grade is at the discretion of the Tax Agent. If therefore, a man who barely manages to live from the sweat of his brow is given an income assessment, he of course runs to the Tax Assessment Clerk to explain. An understanding will be reached and matters are corrected. Failure to do this means going to Court to explain why you failed to pay your tax. Tax Assessment Clerk, some of them at least are regarded as very rich people. To stop their corrupt life, they rotate duties. Some of them stay about two months �70 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION at a place and then are ransferred. But they always come with the fore-warning "make the much you can in so small a time and then get away." Some however render correct accounts and are allowed t c stay even up to a year or more at one place. These people may not be too honest but at least are comparatively speaking less corrupt. I am of the opinion that few tax assessment clerks or their agents are honest. They may be trickish in the game and so appear honest outwardly. These may be the older hands at the trade. There is the Urban Tax Assessment Board. Normally when notices are sent out to individuals to declare their income, many people declare falsely. The Board in turn assumes the responsibility and assesses everybody. Disagreement with their assessment entitles you to the Board. But failing to do this you must pay. No court can excuse you from paying your tax. What happens therefore is that the person over-assessed appeals. This means canvassing through members of the Board before the day the appeal will be heard comes round. And this canvassing takes the form of offering bribe. Sometimes the correct amount realized from the collection of taxes is not rendered and very often false tax receipts are issued out. The intention is always to defraud. What is to be done? Everybody must pay his tax, although nobody should be asked to pay more than he earns. Everybody must play his part in raising the standard of our living. For that reason, everybody must accept just taxation as a normal way of governments to raise money. Taxes go to pay for administration, for social services and for economic development. What a citizen pays returns to him in the form of real benefits. But those entrusted with the sacred duty to collect these taxes should not trade from it. This will'only be a negative step. �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 71 We must adopt personal and social attitudes which are geared to change our society from impersonal service and lure of money. We are faced with twin evils of bribery and corruption. Unless we take strong measures and mobilise public opinion, we shall never stamp out these evils. We are faced nowadays with a widespread 'dash-bribe' system. Because of this, the pace of our administration and economy is impeded. We urge our govrnrnents to take decisive action on this grave issue. Those in official posts must remember that men who take bribe betray the trust of the nation. Bribery as a sin is a big injury to the poor. Think of a vacant post which exists in an office! Somebody pays to get it at the expense of a more qualified man. Or don't we see around us in the offices people who are worse than useless? They can't put up a simple letter (correspondence). They can't understand simple English. They are so ignorant of many things and so do things upside down. Some of them are typists who cannot type a simple draft. And if such typists are girls, well don't ask how they were employed. These are the people that shame our Civil Service. But for how long must we keep quiet over these issues? Things are degenerating. They are indeed going from bad to worse. All concerned, the State, employers and the employed, should combine to see that the obligations of social justice are fulfilled. As a minimum, employers must deal justly with their workers, both as regards wages and conditions of work. On the other hand, workers must deal fairly with their employers, and give honest return for just wages. Time for 'government or whiteman's work is past. We are now independent. �72 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION Employers should take a personal interest in their workers and sympathize with their difficulties - high cost of living, high rentage etc. The workers in turn should endeavour to understand the problems of their employers (indeed the Nation's). Both employers and workers should always keep in their mind their duty to promote, as far as possible, the good of their community. This is in a man's parlour. T h e young visitor is an applicant for a scholarship award. And "paper message." What can be those sheets of paper? Money? Social justice should permeate the institutions and the entire life of the people because it is of the very essence of social justice to demand from each individual �BRIBERY AND COREUPTION 73 all that is necessary for the common good. In this way, that is if everyone's heart is filled with the above considerations, bribery and corruption wiU be minimised. What is necessary now is for everybody to begin to think on the badness and injustice of these twin social evils. �CHAPTER FIVE OFFICIAL CORRUPTION (Contd.) "Any Person who:(a) corruptly asks, receives, or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything already done or omitted to be done, or to be afterwards done or omitted to be done, by him or any other person, with regard to the appointment or contemplated appointment of any person to any office or employment in the public service, or with regard to any application by any person for employment in the public service; or (b) corruptly gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers to give or confer, or to procure or attempt to procure, to, upon, or for, any person any property or benefit of any kind or account of any such act or omission is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.. " or , . "Any Person who:being employed in the public service, does or directs to be done, in abuse of the authority of his office, any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of another is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years. If the act is done or directed to be done for purposes of gain he is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.. ." �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 75 I t is always the aim of the Christian Churches to so form men's characters that they will conform to the spirit of Christian teaching in their dealings with one another and not necessarily to seek always their own advantage but the common good. "Love thy neighbour as thyself" is a Christian maxim. This is why I am taking this medium to ask big and wealthy people to help build this Nation and eschew all such influences they weild which have helped to corrupt the society for so long now. While the right to one's property is unassailable, its use is circumscribed by the needs of social life. Owners must not merely consider their own advantage, but the good of the community. The rich should regard themselves as the stewards of their Earthly possessions, as God's dispensers and providers of this world's good which are to be used not merely to perfect their own nature, but for the benefit of others. They should employ their surplus wealth to help their needy brethren in a positive way and not necessarily corrupt them. All I am trying to say is that many rich people are very corrupt and carry this stigma to wherever they go. The Land Department is not very innocent of bribery and corruption. Most of the Lands Officials are corrupted by these rich men I have been talking about all this time. They carry their load of money about to get plots allocations and approvals of the different stages of their building plans. The whole thing works like this. An announcement is usually made in the Press about a new layout to be leased out. Applications are invited from interested members of the public. Definitely there will 'be a limited number of plots to be leased out. But a 'hush-hush' business is already set in motion. Fake application forms are circulated. People are deceived to buy these so as to get plots. And there is always a scramble �76 OPFICIAL CORRUPTION for thse because everybody wants to own a plot. Eventually applications are made, some with the geniune forms, some with the false. So many Land Officials work overtime, secretly during this period. But it is the Land Officer who will recommend applications to the Principal Land Officer for approval and allocation. Any failure to see some Land Officers this time means a reluctance on their part to recommend such applications. The fun of this gamble is that mere application to get land does not entitle one to get it. There are con&ions to fulfill; e.g. evidence of the means to develop the land when allocated. Granting many of the applicants satisfy these conditions and their applications are recommended for approval and allocation; yet they may not still get land. There is the possibility that the Principal Land Officer must .have been over-stepped by politicians or other Senior Government Officials. After all, so many people are interested in land allocation and some senior officials in the Administration may even take over the work, thereby leaving the Land Officer and his Principal mere figure heads. The reason for this take over is ostensibly to avoid bribery and corruption. But some senior officials in the Personnel Departments influence Land Officers because they will help to promote or employ their own people. This reduces the work of land allocation to merely "help me to help you." Talking about Land Officers, mention must be made about their Inspectors. These people, whether Council Building Inspectors or Government Land Inspectors are wonderful people. Some of them are so corrupt and operate like this. Their job is to inspect the site of building and approve or disapprove same from stage to stage. This is according to whether "they have been seen" properly or not. Land Inspectors (not Council) in- �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 77 spect the land (plot) to determine its suitability for allocation to people. But there are odd portions of land here and there on which people want to put up buildings. These are not among the regular layouts. To inspect these odd portions of land and recommend same for allocation to desiring applicants means money. And still after allocation, the Inspectors continue to inspect the site, whether building is in progress or not; whether building conforms with the building plan or not; whether after the two years covenant the place is not developed. Where there is a brench or failure to build within the time allocated, the nomal thing is for the Land Inspectors to inquire. The reason may be that the applicant or leasee is yet financially incapable to erect building on the plot or that he is not yet prepared to begin developing the plot because of other buildings he is putting up in every big township. In this case, 'penal rent' and 'extension' are given him. If after the third time he still fails to' build, the land will of course be taken back from him. In all these processes of concession, money is sometimes the sole determinant. There is the compensation side of Land's work. Very often the Government acquires land from natives for Crown use. Compensation is paid after the necessary legal and charting processes. Many lawyers feed fat this time on some ignorant natives. But it is still some Land Officers who have the final say in everything. They will say when compensation will be paid or not and to facilitate matters, an understanding is usually reached between some Land Officers and some lawyers. The poor prey is of course the ignorant natives whose money (compensation) is shared proportionally. �78 OFFICIAL COIlRUPnON Traders; Contractors and Big men corrupt some Land Officials. Some of these people don't believe anything can ever be done for them free of charge. They therefore carry around their load of gold, jingle it sufficiently loud to the hearing of some of these poor officials and consequently succeed in corrupting them. When some of these poor fellows have tasted these free gifts once, they begin to desire more and more of them. I t is only natural and soon the desire becomes a habit and a way of life. Consequently it is a condition that you must bribe before you get anything from the Land Office. This is why I started this Chapter by blaming the rich men who corrupt these officials. But mere sight of money or the free dash of it should not be an excuse for Land Officials to be corrupt. The Health Office is another place where bribery and corruption rears up its ugly head. There are officials of this office called "Public Health Inspectors' or what was formerly known as 'Sanitry Inspectors'. T o help my readesrs understand them properly, I will enumerate some of their duties and show why and how of these officers are corrupt. Public Health Inspectors carry out house to house inspection for the purpose of discovering nuisances and with a view to eradicating them. This is a holy assignment; but what are these nuisances? They are house-hold rubbish, filthy drains, stagnant drains, accumulation of refuge, unswept compounds, mosquito breeding receptacles, etc. In the performance of this duty therefore, some public health inspectors are overzealous and find trouble where there is none. The idea is to 'co-operate' or go to Court. As many do not like going to Court, they prefer to 'co-operate.' Public Health Inspectrs inspect food preparing establishments, eating houses, like the Hotels, meat (animal �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 79 killing) that is to be sold in the market, liquor licensed premises, etc. (The Police and the Health Office cooperate to grant these licences). Vaccination against small pox and the control of the spread of other infectious diseases are done by public Health Inspectors; although they do not yet restrict the movement of lepers all over the place. Which begs the question when is the Govemment going to pass a legislation to restrict the movement of lepers all over the place? Health Inspectors inspect open spaces, frains, small streams or pools, rivalets, etc. for the purpose of discovering if they contain mosquito larvae or certain bad worms. The idea ii always to find effective methods or eradicating them. The inspection of bildings which are in progress is also the work of Public Health Inspectors. They check the ,proposed building plans for approval and then watch the progress of the building under construction especially the "damp-proof course" side which must satisfy that there is no moisture rising from the ground around the foundation base. (Architects say that this moisture can cause the wreck of a building if not properly checked or provided for). Also the Inspectors look for ventilation, whether rooms are properly ventilated or not; whether the "free air-space" around the building is adequate or not. (There must be at least five feet space around the building and the area occupied by the building must not exceed the required percentage of 33i per cent or 50 per cent at most). In Ports areas, the public health inspectors help to control the spread of infectious-diseases. To achieve this, they examine all the Passengers coming in or going out of such Ports. We all know that ships are notorious for conveying infectious dieases. In the performance of these �80 OPFICIAL CORRUPTION duties however, some public health inspectors make much money. In the case of inspecting buildings, either the landlord 'co-operates' or faults will be found. These faults can deter the progress of his building and the approval may wait till doomsday if nothing tangible is offered. And so many landlords spend a sizeable income Here i the boy who uirited Mr. X in hir parlour. And he is now s in arr Interuiew Room. No doubt the applicant is answering quertions, quite confidently, althouph standing attention. some of these Inspectors. And it saves them much trouble. But is it good? Must Inspectors not tell the truth when and where there is truth? Why should landlords spend their money on bribe when they are 01 1 �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 81 complying with every inch o the proposed building f plan? Why should the Inspectors not agree or disagree, approve or disapprove, when there is a just cause for so doing? Some Personnel Departments of our Civil Service are sick. There is nepotism, favouritism, jobbery, bribery and corruption in these places in the employment and promotion of staff. The Corruptions are more guilty of these sins; which is not saying that personnel sections of the Ministries or Departments are less corrupt. All over the place we see so many incompetent hands at work! How did they manage? There are so many typists who can't type a simple draft. There are many Clerks who cannot put up a simple correspondence. There are many Managers who can't manage anything. There are many Directors who can't direct the simplest affairs. Some Secretaries of certain Corporations are somply figure heads. They are merely agents of "his master's voice". And yet all these people are experts or types of experts who give no expert service or advice. And these type of people can be found right now all over the place. What is nepotism? The Dictionary Defines it as an "undue favour from holder of patronage to relatives; the advantages or opportunities for advancement, pertaining to Pope's nephew; the practice on the part of the Popes or their ecclesiastics (and hnce other persons) of showing special favour to nephews or other relatives in conferring offices; unfair preferment of nephews or relatives to other qualified persons; fondness of one's nephew". The above is th dictionary definition of nepotism. May I add that nepotism is the required qualifiation of any applicant who has a tribal, political, Regional, religious, linguistic or geographical relationship with the �82 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION boss of any Corporation, Department or Ministry. Any other DaDer aualification is unnecessaw. Applicant must have &ke form of blood relationship o; ma;iiage connection with the 'Oga' of the Office. Alternatively, he may belong to the same secret society, tribal organisation or religious association with the 'bigman' of the office. This is nepotism. This is why many Offices are filled with people from the same area or people of the same dialect. And this is one of the worst facets of bribery and corruption. What is favouritism? The Dictionary again has it as the "manifestation of partiality to the interest of one person or family or one class of men, to the neglect of others". This is a twin brother (or sister if you choose) of nepotism. I t also emanates from bribery and conuption because when you have received some material benefit from somone, you are always inclined to favour him or her. Favouritism is "a disposition to show or the practice of showing favour or partiality to an individual or class, to the neglect of others having equal or superior claims". I t is always an undue preference and this is why we see in our country today, certain top posts being the monopoly of certain tribes. The Chairmen of most of the Corporations are from the same tribe. The General Managers of most of our young industries come from the same division. All the Messengers of certain Ministries or Departments speak the same dialect. And this we live all in the name of Natioin unity and development plans. What is jobbery? The Dictionary defines it again as "the practice of corruptly turning a public office, trust, etc. to private gain or advantage." I t is the pepetration of jobs. Certian Corruptions or Departments have been turned into some division's or tribe's vineyards, because �BRIBERY AND OORRUPTION 83 Abraham and Isaac are the God fathers there. Admission to these reserved vineyards is strickly limited. But if you are admitted, (having bribed your way through) your oath of office is "thou must not say what you see and know." And so in many walks of life today, bribery and corruption are the order of the day. In fact they are accepted as a way of life at various levels. Because some Personnel Departments are not 50 per cent honest, people bribe to be employed and when they are so employed, their service to the Nation becomes selfcentred. To get a job in many Departments nowadays is an ordeal. It is not what one is that matters or counts. I t is not one's fitness for the job either. The thing that counts is the weight of the purse (enveloped money) that is given. One can be anything, but he will get the job provided he knows the back-door. Those who can't pay get nothing or the worst that can be offered. Is it any wonder that when one does get a job, one is not interested in what one does, but in what one earns, by fair or foul means? And this is why the generality of the public meets with such inefficiency, incompetence and indifference in many offices and Departments run and maintained with public money. What is partiality? The Dictionary defines it thus:"unequal state of the judgment and favour of one above the other, without just reason; prejudical or undue favouring of one person or party, or one side of a question; prejudice, bias, unfairness. . ; excessive or especial preference for a prepossession in favour of a particular person or thing; hence favourable disposition, prediiection, fondness, or affection, for someone or something; party spirit, rivalry, factiousness; one-sided, relation to . �84 OFFICIAL CORRUPTION a section as opposed to univeral . . . " Why is it that some people are continually recommended for promotions in certian offices inspite of their general incomeptence? Why is it that girls or women have edge over their men counterparts in some considerations in certain Ministries or Departments? Is is because of their proved ability or integrity in matters of office work? Why are some efficient clerks so hated and are never recommended by those above them? In fact why do the good suffer and the bad apparently prosper? These are the questions 'partiality' or apostles of it must answer. Social justice should permeate all our institutions and the entire life of the people. Its efficacy should be equally manifest in the creation of juridical and social order which informs the whole economic life. But justice is far from exhausting the whole of one's duty towards others. Over and above its requirements, there is a limitless field for that brotherly love which men owe to each other as sons of the same Heavenly Father and descendants of the same first parents. The Personnel sections of our Ministries or Departmens should be fields of initiative, service and personal sacrifice for the common good. Charity thus finds a most important part to play in our economic life. It is this brotherly love that I recommend to some of the officials in the Personnel Departments whose duty it is to employ and promote people. The same I pray for some officials of Public Health Office and Lands Department. �CHAPTER SIX CORRUPT COUNCILS "Any Person who:accepts, or obtains, or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain, from any person for himself, or for any other person, any gratification or reward whatever, whether in money or in kind, for inducing by corrupt or illegal means, or by .personalinfluence, any Local Coucil or any member thereof, to do or forbear to do any act which such Local Council is authorized to do in the excerse of its jurisidiction or to show favour or disfavour to any person is guilty of a misdemeanour; and is liable to imprisonment for two years". (Local Council is author's insertion) or "Any Person who:being authorized or required by law to give any certificate touching any matter by virtue whereof the rights of any person may be prejudicially affected, gives a certificate which is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years". Wordly sucess, measured by the accumulation of money, is no doubt a dazzling thiig. Old men are naturally more or less the admires of wordly sucess; but though men of persevering, sharp dexterious, and unscrupulous habits, ever on the watch to push opportunities may and do "get on" in the warld, yet it is quite possible that may �86 CORRUPT COUNCIL not possess the slightest elevation of character nor a particle of real greatness. He who recognizes no higher logic than that of the shilling, may become a very rich l man, and yet remain a l while an exceedingly poor creature. Riches are no proof whatever of moral worth and their glitter often serves only to draw attention to the worthlessness of their possessor. All I want to say in this Chapter is that money is good but that there are things money can never buy for us. We may get plenty of money through bribery and corruption but the worth of such money may be cheap in the eyes of the public who understands we are not entitled to some of our achievements. This is why I want to treat in this Chapter corruption in our Local Councils. Let me begin by telling my readers something about the working of Local Government in our country, and I presume in other countries. Local Government is that arm of the Government of a nation or state which deals mainly with such matters as concern the inhabitants of a particular district or place. It also deals with those matters which the Parliament of the State has deemed desirable should be administered by Local Authorities. Local Government therefore has no powers except those defined by Parliament. This is why the powers of Local Authorities are, in general, limited to those conferred by Parliament. Because of this situation, some of the statutory powers are adoptive (by Local Authorities) and statutes themselves are often directory and not mandatory. In Nigeria, Local Government takes the forms of Municipal, Urban, County, District and Town Councils. Their functions are mainly to cleanse and collect refuse, �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 87 build bridges, plan houses,. give street lights, provide public transport (buses), gwe education and provide public parks. Besides, Councils protect people's life and property through the instrumentality of their Police. They also provide institutions for social betterment, (e.g. Hospitals, Health Centres, Schools, etc.) construction and hs maintenance of works of national benefit. It is in ti way that the work of Local Councils or Authorities is legislative, administrative, executive and financial. The legislative side is concerned with the making of byelaws, while the administrative is concerned with the maintenance of works of public convenience and utility within discretionary limits e.g. streets and bridges, lighting and cleansing, swers and sewage disposal, collection of household or trade refuse, etc. The executive side in charge of enforcing, through Council officials, the above measures. The public safety side is concerned with the provision of the Polic, Customary Courts, inspection of buildings, regulation of traffic and dangerous trades. The institutions of social betterment provide education, library, parks, gardens, museums, art galleries, etc. while the financial slde raises money through rates, licences, etc. The principal of Local Councils is mainly co-ordination with the Government, but up to certain limitations. This is why the work of Local Authorities is transacted principally by means of committees. Local Authorities have a general power to appoint committees and to determine the numbers and their terms of office. A member of Local Council is usually appointed to two committees m d he will find that these committees have sub-committees. This endless committees is of course to find jobs for every Councillor. �88 CORRUPT C O U N C ~ Having gone so far to explain the system and working of Local GovemmentJ proceed now to show how and why all is not well in the Councils. Many Councils are very corrupt. Some are consequently bankrupt and unable to discharge their sacred duties to their citizens. So many of them are so inefficient and badly administered with the result that Councillors go to Council Meetings to feather their nest instead of serving the citizens they are supposed to serve. Let's take a look at some of the Council's committees and their members. The Finance Committee approves all budgets for capital works of development e.g. postal agency, schools, water supply, health centre, bridges, etc. What normally happens is that the town which wants any of these developments first notifies the Council. The Council in turn assesses the cost of the project and informs the town. The cost is usually thousands of money and an agent of the Council will go out to meed representatives of that town and tell them how many other towns are in need of the same project. The people should bring some hundreds of pounds so as to put their project "first on the list." Bribe is then offered and received by the Council and work starts on the project with the required money already deposited with the Council before the bribe was ever asked. Work is soon completed and bribe is asked again for the "official opening." This is again given and the opening is made, sometimes by a Minister or his Parliamentary Secretary. The Government promises to contribute 50 per cent of the capital cost and this amount is remitted to the town through the Council. But the Council will not pass this amount to the town until the town agrees on a percentage sharing. This is done and �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 89 the town gets half of the amount, while Councilors divide the other half among themselves. This is a typical operation of some councils. It is bribe, bribe, bribe! It is money, money, money, all the time ! The Councillors are more concerned with this aspect of their work than any other. And then there are drinks and food offers, goats and sheep gifts. Many Councils are very corrupt and help no person except themselves. There is always "business" in Councils. Land is got for relatives, for Councilors themselvts or their associates. Opening of new markets, Industrial markets, parks, whether for motor or pleasure, means bribe and bribe before approval of the scheme. Building of Schools, Hospitals, Rural Halth Centres, Post Offices, Maternities, Postal Agencies, etc. requires bribe and bribe and bribe. The Welfare, Halth and Building Committe can quickly demolish buildings not built according to the so-called councils building bye-Laws except those affected bribe and bribe Councillors. Council Building Inspectors will not approve any stage of a building except their palms are properly greased. The result is that Landlords spend a lot of money on these people to approve their buildings, sometimes not built according to plan. There is hardly anything you get from the Councils without first of all bribing. Will you get their Scholarship without bribing? Will you be employed as their teacher without bribin Will you be the Council's Treasurer, Secretary or C airman without bribing? Will you be a Councilor at all without bribing? There is hardly anything you get from the Councils that is free of charge. If it is water, you have to pay. If it is postal agency, you still have to pay. Rural Health Centre, Hospitals, Schools, Maternities, etc. are never approved for the asking even %' �90 CORRUPT OOUNCIL though your town has contributed all the money in the world towards the project. A typical Prison House. Notice the warder and the Prisoners. This 1 a place for all corrupt people as well as criminals. Do s you want to be there ? If not, why not stop bribery and corruption ? May we look at the Councils Customary Courts? These �BRIBERY ANI) CORRUPTION 91 ate not clean either. Sometimes justice is not done or appear to be done in the majority or cases before them. Winning of cases depends on how much people have seen some members of th Customary Courts. Losing of cases depends on how much people have failed to see members of the Customary Courts. And in this way, th business of justice is carried out. Money is such a determinant of where the swing of justice will move. But should this be so? Law is of its very essende a mandate of right reason, proclaimed by a properly constituted authority, for the common good. It is therefore of the very essence of social justice to demand from each individual all that is necessary for the common good. But just as in the living organism it is impossible to provide for the good of the whole unless each single part and each individual member is given what it needs for the exercise of its proper functions, so it is impossible to care for the social organism and the good of the society as a whle unless each single part and each individual member that is each individual man in the dignity of his human personality-is supplied with all that is necessary for the excercise of his social functions. How can a man run to the Customary Courts to seek redress and justice and return with revenge and injustice because he has not been able to bribe for a just judgment? Where then lies the salvation of the common man, the poor farmer, the small trader? Local Co(,ncils and their Customary Courts should help us. Some of their actions cry to Heaven for reveance. Their inffuence and power are not only notoriously great but also dangerous. This we can see from the officials who work for them. �From the point of view of administration, the influence of the Permanent Officials in Local Councils is important. The Local Government service is generally speaking, efficiently and adequately staffed. Many of the officials are persons who by experience and training, are capable f of exercising great assistance in the formation o the policies of the Local Authorities, with which they are connected. This has been shown in areas where the Local Councils, under wise and public-spirited leadership, have been able to secure the services of officials of high attainment who have been the means of infusiig a more progressive spirit in the local administration. The professional servant gives the Councillors expert advice, giving advice on matters as they arise; controlling the routine work, suggesting the inauguration of experimental schemes and performing other duties. But some of these officials and professionals, before long, are corrupted and consequently fail to give the much desired expert advice they are supposed to give. Sometimes, some of these officials and professionals are so bought over by the Councils that they are made to do the work as the Council direct - and want. Failure to do means plenty of trouble for such officials. False reports can be made against them. Vote of no-confidence can be passed on them. Everything calculated to injure one's character is done simply to cow such officials down. Eventually most of these officials give in and dance to the tune of the Councillors. They have no alternative. But the fun of it is that having known the game, some of these officials are worse than some Councillors in askiig and receiving bribes. And they take these bribes in a grand and big way! Local Authorities cherish their right to appoint their own staff. Why not? There is busiiess in it. Although \ �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 93 subject to general requirements, academic standards, experience and character, they are n e v e r t h e 1e s s given considerable latitude in this connection. But there is no set procedure for the making of appointments by Councils. Although vacancies are advertised, it is usually known that some people have been ear-marked long before the interview and appointment. The Council's Secretaries, Treasurers, Medical Officers of Health, Engineer, Town Clerk, etc. have always passed through this process. Failure to play up one's card before the interview means non-acceptance by the Councils concerned. What is to be done? In everything you want to do with the Councils, it is money, money, money. The world may be going to blazes, the Councillors cbuldn't careless. All they want is money and this they get through many ways - from settling land disputes, civil cases, providing amenities, employment and so forth. Their Police also help to bring in booty and anybody who does not co-operate with them is victimized, persecuted and prosecuted. The rates the Councils raise are not always used for the best ends. Licences are collected from anything and the money goes down the pockets of some Councillors. Many a time, a particular area does not see any visible signs of their rates. They complain, but the Councillors couldn't care less. They are Councillors for a term of office and must make big money before their time expires. This is the aim of all Councillors and yet no system of Local Government can be complete which does not secure the whole-hearted support of each individual citizen. What is to be done? In everything you want to do with the Councils, it is money, money, money. The world �94 COPRUPT COUNCIL may be going to blazes, the Councillors couldn't care less. All they want is money and this they get through many ways - from settling land disputes, civil cases, providing amenities, employment and so forth. Their Police also help to bring in booty and anybody who does not co-operate with them is victimized, persecuted and prosecuted. The rates the Councils raise are not always used for the best ends. Licences are collected from anything and the money goes down the pockets of some Councillors. Many a time, a particular area does not see any visible signs of their rates. They complain, but the CCouncillors couldn't care less. They are Councillors for a term of office and must make big money before their titheir expires. This is the aim of all Councillors and yet no system of Local Governmnt can be complete which does not secure the whole-hearted support of each individual citizen. # What then is to be done to stop Councillors from being corrupt? Not much except appealing to individual sense of patriotism or taking corrupt ones to Court to set the example. Alternatively it might be necessary to educate some of these corrupt Councillors on the rudimentary facts about man and the society (which are their main 'obligations). Man's natural instinct moves him to live in civil socety because he cannot, if he lives apart, provide himself with the necessary requirements of life, nor procure the means of developing his mental and moral faculties. Hence it is divinely ordained he should lead his life - be it family, social or civil - with his fellow men, amongst whom alone his several wants can be adequately supplied. This is why we have Councils and Councillors. This is why we want them to help procure �BR18ERY AND CORRUPTION 95 those means of our development both for ourselves and the State. They are servants and not masters. They are few among many and should not ever dream to lord it over those who sent them to represent them. Theirs is the duty to serve not to be served. Society is for man and not man for society. In the same way, Councils are for man and not man for Councils. Every town can do without a Council if worse comes to worst. And Councillors should know this. Every Councillor who does not understand his mission in the Council is a fool and should be removed by the town that sent him there. Every Councillor who betrays his town by demanding and receiving bribes should be recalled immediately and substituted with another person Every Councillor or Chairman of a Council who thinks he is too big, can be told the plain truth by reducing and humbling him and finally showing him the exit from the Council's premises. A part can never be greater than the whole, although we are seeing all around us nowadays individual boasts that tend to justify this unnatural situation. A tree can never make a forest. Let all our Councillors undestand this once and for all and know that the original and essential purpose of social life is to preserve, develop and perfect human person, by facilating the due fufilment and realisation of the religious and cultural laws and values which the Creator has assigned to wry man and to the human race, both as a whole and in its natural groupings. Verbum sap. �CHAPTER SEVEN CORRUPTION IN POLITICS "Today the phrase "playing politics" has degenerated into such base usage as to stand for everything ignoble, everything dishonest and everything crooked. When a man tells deliberate lies now, people say he is playing politics. Pilfering, stealing, embezzlement, brazen, armed robbery all go in for playing politics. Chicanery, duplicity, libel, sedition, treason, castration of truth, deliberate strangulation of justice and fairplay are now baptised "playing politics." When one tribe dispossesses another tribe of their hard earned property, liberty, and rights; it is called playing politics. Even when men of "honour," men of "integrity" - Lawyers of renown, Doctors, Chiefs and leaders in their own right - meet together purposely to evolve very clever and subtle methods of mass dishonesty (have you ever heard of toe-print?) - all this is called playing politics. . Even clannishness is politics.. ."Thou should not be caught is the eleventh commandment (of politicians and criminals). Blessed is the man whose sins are covered; and so in this of pretences, the vilest criminal may have a f "stainless reputation" i he is clever enough not to be " found out (J.R. Nruachukwu, Assistant Editor, 'Nation Magazine'). - . . .. What does politics mean? Simply it means the science or art of government which engenders a condition of civil order, organized society or state. Throughout the world, politics has been described in diverse terms-ungentleman's game, dirty game, tough game, expensive game, and a l that. One thing however is evident - that l �BRIBERY AND CORRUFTION 97 politics is a game and a very paying one indeed. Let us see how politics is a game. We know that for a game to be good it must have universally accepted rules which govern the actions of the players. Can we say that there are any such universally accepted rules in politics? If we cannot, who tells me that politics is a game? The fun of politics is that the actors in the game are generally capable of appointing themselves umpires but incapable of delivering universally accepted verdict. Recall to mind the Profumo sex scandal, the countless N.C.N.C. crisis, the Action Group crisis that led to the declaration of Emergency and all that! I think that it is better to call politics "a gamble" or "game of chance" in which the players are in the main opportunists and careerists. Don't get me wrong. I t is only in this sense that we can say that politics is expensive, dirty, ungentlemanly, Machiavellian, lucrative and what else have you. Politics can't be anything else because the means by which we surrender our votes should have justified the ends for which they are handed out. But what have we? During election times our politicians promise us heaven and earth - better roads, good water supply (taps), electricity, post offices, colleges, hospitals, scholarships, employment, increased salaries, all forms of social amenities and life more abundant. After elections, what do we normally have? No sight again of those we voted to help u s Taxes are increased; custom duties are increased; austerity measures are introduced and provident fund is created for compulsory saving. The next we hear of our politicians is in the House where they amuse themselves in the business of Government. It is �98 CORRUPTION IN POLITICS "hear, hear" all around. We have new models of cars, flowing robes, photographs all over our dailies. Sometimes we hear that such and such Honourable has crossed carpet and joined this -or that party. And the pity of it all is that the Constituency is never consulted. The Politicians couldn't care less. There is no honesty in our politics, Perhaps you may think this is sweeping. There are thugs, persecution, victimization and unlawful prosecution as a means of achieving political ends. There is bribery and corruption. There is nepotism and jobbery. There is favouritism and partiality. There is regionalism and tribalism. And al these are means to achieve political eminence. l When we begin to give offices to people not on the basis of ability and make injustice the comer-stone of our public life, then, we can say that our politics is a gamble. As long as our present rulers, some of whom chance alone gave the opportunity of leadership, continue to think in terms of preserving little empires of their own, empires where thugs, loafers and all manner of crooks abound, so long will there be no hope that Nigeria can ever make any sustained contribution to her internal unity or the peace of Africa or that of the world. The cold war between the regions now is becoming apparent day by day inspite of the hypocritical addresses of our leaders. What do our Politicians promise during Republican life of this country? Our brand of politics is very corrupt. Much of this corruption in the political parties originates from the outside as well as from within. But one of the best ways to keep politics clean is not to seek privileges or favours from politicians. Those who are loudest in condemning �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 99 'dirty politics' are more to blame than a l others because l they seek special privileges. More often ndt it has been found that a corrupt worker in politics got that way because someone in politics corrupted him. To exert any force, political parties must have workers who will become politically active and strive in various legitimate ways for what they consider the best interests of all concerned. Voting is not enough. Party workers, while conforming as far as possible to the worthy objectives of the organisation, must be ever alert not to put party advantage above the best interests of the country or the locality. Moreover, for every person who takes up a career in politics there are five hundred who could assist on a part-time basis. How about you? One who engages in politics must be prepared to follow a positive approach and not be content to play a negative role on the side lines. Theodore Roosevelt gave a strong recommendation on this when he said: "The prime thing every man who takes an active interest in politics must remember is that he must act, and not merely criticize the actions of others. It is not the man who sits by his fireside reading his evening papers and saying how bad our politics and Politicians are who will ever do anything to save us; it is the men who goes out into the rough hurly-burly of the caucus, the primary, the political meeting, and there faces his fellows on equal terms. The real service is rendered not by the critic who stands aloof from the contest but by the man who enters it and bears his part as a man should." Our brand of politics is dirty and corrupt. Take a typical election for an instance. There is much intrigue, much double-dealing, much disloyalty. The root cause of all these is of course bribery. People's conscience are �bought to vote for people who are not their choice; People are bought to cross-carpet to swell majority to entitle a particular political party ro rule. Victimization is used against opposing candidates and their supporters. Acts of arson and hooliganism are committed against opponents and people are bribed to do all these. The electoral college system brought with it large scale bribery and corruption. All over the place now are money-mongers, the commercial Politicians who parade in gorgeous robes. Political posts and privileges have gone to the highest bidders.. Election nominations are as high as you can.pay. Voting is even corrupt. Large scale voting papers are somehow managed into a candidate's box to ensure his victory while acid is somehow managed into the voting boxes of opponents to bum up the whole lot. Good politics'has gone to the dogs.,The lust for office and the ambition to rule are now the dominant features of our brand.of politics. Many thousands of pounds are put into an election campaign and the position is such now that men and women, who by their very nature and u p bringing, were not suited for politics now parade the whole place as "honourables." And'this is why politics has become plain business of nothing else but hard cash. All "spirit of sincerity, conviction, loyalty, devotion and dedication has become supplanted by mercenary motives and the desire to amass wealth." And so, '.'today, if as a politician you do not build plots at. .you have not started. As a politician, if all your children are not trained Overseas, you do not know what you are doing. As a politician, if yo,u do not send your girlifriend Overseas, you have not made your mark. Your wife must be a Contractor and your brother must become . �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 101 the Chairman of a well-paying Board." (J. R. Nwachukwu on 'Our Kind of Politics'). Bribery and corruption have eaten deep into our body politics. To be nominated you have to bribe. To be promoted, you have to bribe. T o win contracts, you have to bribe. To be Chariman, Secretary, General Manager of Corporations, you have to bribe. To win amenities, for your Constituencies, you have to bribe. T o win Scholarships, you have to bribe. There is no end to bribery and corruption in our own brand of poltitics. Today Politicians have introduced thugs, what they call "political stalwarts." These people are paid to burn houses, break the wind screens of cars, beat up opponents and cause trouble during campaigns. They are thickly set, muscle men who live at political parties' secretariats. They are tough, healthy looking men, whose job is to protect Politicians when they are on tour or campaigning. And they are heavily paid to do this job--from lo/- to 1 a day, excluding incidental inducements and tips from the big Politicians. Their chief food is drink and cigarettes. This is a common feature of our own brand of politics. What are we to do? Our politics is becoming very dirty. I t is even becoming more corrupt. Merely complaining about "dirty politics" accomplishes little, if anything, except perhaps to allow it to become more "dirty." Those who could make it better are discouraged from having any part in it. But if the average good citizens refuses or otherwise fails to take an interest in politics, then there .are no two ways about it - things are bound to go from bad to worse. Those who criticize and do nothing are probably more responsible for any �resultant disaster than those who actually promote it. Politics will never be any better than the people in it. The only way to improve its quality is to encourage more persons with high ideals to take an active part in everything that comes under legitimate politics. The more willing people are to start at the bottom, to serve in the ranks and generally play an insignificant role, the more valuable they will be in the long run because of their experience and hard knocks. 3 y fulfilling an earnest desire to serve the public in getting the best type of voters to the polls, people may well prepare the way for a political career for themselves in which they can render even greater service to the public. T o stop bribery and corruption in politics, let all of us act in this way: - Try to think of yourself as a "commitee of one" encouraging more high-quality persons to take up purposeful careers i govemment. You can do it at n any place - in the home, in a letter, in a conversation, in a business conference, in a clagsroom, in a park, or on a street comer. Stimulate others to be one-man recruiters. You will find most people disposed toward such a positive approach. The man in the street, the woman in her home, the student looking forward to the future, are for the most part sincere and of good will. Whatever their lack of technical or political knowledge, they can usually improve themselves by study and training. As , someone put it, "If the majority of men were not upright seekers after the common good, no govemment, regardless of how powerful, could ever exist. The police force would have to outnumber the citizenry." Stress the necessity of getting as. many young people as possible to take up govemment work as a lifetime cereer with the sole objective of providing efficient, honest, �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 103 and economical government for the benefit of all: In times of emergency it is necssary to supplement a regular staff with specialists who can serve only on a short-time basis. But even special assistance like this depends on those who are dedicated to government on a continuing basis. A supply of new blood is constantly needed. Many of our Politicians have long outlined their usefulness. They should be,changed now. Encourage little government workers - Messengers, Typists, File Clerks, Guards, and similar public servants - to work for the best interest of everybody. Every one of them counts. In their hearts they want to do the right thing. Most of them now think nobody cares. Yet each one doing one good stroke, speaking one good word, can start a trend that may have mlghty effect. Politicians are not the only people who love our country. The more interest the majority of the citizens take in seeing to it that every branch of their government, from top to bottom, is staffed by the best available career workers, the better government is bound to be. The home, the Church and the School are in a unique position of advantage to foster such a trend. There will always be a tendency on the part of most of us to limit our interests to getting rid of inefficient or corrupt people in government. Important as this maybe it is far from enough. To win a game of any kind, much more has to be done than "throw out" the poor players. I t is of far more consequknce to keep adding more good players to the team and putting heart into those who are already there. This is what we need today in our own brand of politics. �104 CORRUPTION IN POLITICS In considering the ever-present need for additional workers of ability and high purpose, it is most important not to overlook the fact that there are large numbers now government who are fulfilling their responsibility to the Nigerian public in an honest and efficient manner. I it were not for them, the situation would be well-nigh f hopeless. They rate your gratitude and your constant help. The downfall of a country is usually attributed to circumstances that are well known to all. More often than not, however, the root of the trouble is to be found in countless little instances of negligence, carelessness, or oversight on the part of the average citizen in the performance of his duties. 'One of the best indications that the ordinary citizen is doing very little in an effective way to save his country is evident in his oft-repeated phrase: "What can I do?" First of all, it is an open confession that, while sharing in the fruits of democracy, he is failing to contribute to the preservation of the roots that make the fruit possible. "What can I do?" clearly reveals that one is doing very little. Those who are dedicated to a ciuse, whether good or bad, are fired with ideas that they individually can put into effect. One never hears a man devoted to destruction say, "What can I do?" He is already doing it! Finally we should not expect God to clean up our politics. Let u s encourage a more respectful attitude. As I said earlier the tendency to criticize government is growing even among those who are ordinarily very loyal. Consequantly there has developed among many a lack of sympathy - an aversion toward public service and anybody connected with it. A bad situation, therefore, has become steadily worse. A man with a weak heart is only hurting himself if he does no more than �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 105 make fun of the heart and neglects to protect it. If his heart stops, everything of course stops. Loyalty to government begins in the home. Children pick up most of their prejudices in the home. If an everincreasing number of young people show a reluctance to undertake a career in government, it may be due to the fact that they frequently hear derogatory remarks about all phases of government from the lips of their father or mother. If ever they should express a desire to devote themselves to a life of public service, their parents' reaction is frequently a chilly one. "Don't be foolish. Don't stick your neck out too much: You'll never get anywhere in politics. You'll only get hurt." Thus children are conditioned over a period of years to do nothing but take care of themselves. How long can we allow this situation to exist? Now is the time for corrections and change of heart as well as that of the head. Good citizens should make it a matter of conscience to be honest in their thoughts, words and actions in all that affects their private lives as well as State affairs. They can make contributions to the betterment of the government and help arrest the decays that sometimes eat its vitals. Even better, citizens should help restore that condition of elementary justice which is absolutely essential if we are to survive as a free nation. We should be grateful to God that many in government service are faithful public servants, giving their best for the common good or we would have been wrecked by now. They labour hard and conscientiously at their tasks because they are people of high purpose. Their sense of duty and dication to the role that involves the destiny of everybody removes a note of drudgery �106 CORRVPTION IN POLITICS from the hardest tasks and makes each one instead a labour of love. Those who believe that honesty and integrity are indispensable factors in Nigerian Government must follow the example of these devoted public servants. They must do more than bemoan the shocking disregard for truth and justice that they observe so often. If their love for God and country is deep and genuine enough, they will take action. They will engage as best they can in local, state and national affairs. If we are to bequeath to future generations of Nigerians the precious advantage of God-given liberty that it is our privilege to possess, more of us will have to roll up our sleeves and put in the hard work that will guarantee continuance of that freedom for ourselves and for those who look to us to protect it for them. Pray for someone in government. Pray that more persons nf character and competence take up careers in govem- ment. The possibilities for good are enormous in this sphere. In one sense one can be a real apostolate. "The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest". (Luke 10:2) You can also accomplish much by praying for someone already in government service, praying that he will live up to the high responsibility of his office. This type of assistance is appreciated more than you realize. Anyone in a position of authority, as well-intentioned and as wellequiped as he maybe, feels his inadequacy a t times and looks for more than human guidance and support. Make your voice heard throngh letters. A means at the disposal of all, and one overlooked by most, is the influence for good that can be achieved at the cost ofa little time and a three-pence stamp. A simple, spontaneous, constructive �BPIBEPY AND CORRUPTION 107 letter, whether it is sent to the local concilman or to your representative in Parliament or to your Premier or his Ministies, makes much more of an impression than you think. Interest yourselves in our newspapers. Messages to the public opinion in our newspapers should not be overlooked. They are another means of stirring up interest in good government. If your local newspapers do not already include it, you may see fit to request that they adopt the custom of carrying a daily column showing how legislators, in both Regional and Federal Governments behaved, voted and carried out their functions. At election time, encouraging the newspapers to present information that will familiarize voters the background and principles of those who are running for office. -Every means, private and public, used to develop intelligent public opinion gives much-needed support in securing the type of government that the great majority of our people desire. You, whoever you may be, can render some service in this way. Yes, everybody can do something. If we do our best and not necessarily magnify trifling troubles; if we look resolutely at things as they are; if we avail ourselves of the manifold blessing which surround us; we cannot but feel that life is indeed a glorious inheritance and that government of the people for the people and,by the people is yet the best experiment in man's attempt to rule himself. The more you delve into and discover the true meaning, the true significance of politics, the better citizen you are likely to be and be, by the same token, the better politics will be. While you will not be blind to the influences that are ever at work trying to corrupt the �political system, yet you will not exaggerate them either. You will not shun politics and over emphasize the failures of those who participate ia it. You will regard this as a sickness to be cured rather than avoided. The very detecting of any ilness in the body politics will spur you to look for a remedy rather than to take a furtile attitude and abandon all hope. The price of playing a part in politics, if it is done well, not be a small one. There are bound to be heartaches and heartbreaks But in the midst of it all there will be that deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that you have served the high cause of God and country. And your reward will be eternal. �CHAPTER EIGHT MISCELLANEOUS CASES OF CORRUPTION "The peace of mind and the inner satk,faction that is felt by those who known that they always do whatever they can, either to know what is good or to ucquire what is good, is a plemre without comparison sweeter, more lasting, and more substantial than any derived from other sources"; and "To the question, What is the true object of human life, whether looked at collectively or individual? the simplest and most precise answer would be: The perfection of our own moral nature, since it has a more immediate and certain influence on our well-being than perfection of any other kind"; so that "In truth, the men who have done most for the world have taken very little heed of influence. They have sought light, and left their influence, to fare as it might list. Can we not imagine the mingled mystification and disdain with which a Spinoza or a Descrates, a Luther or a Pascal would have listened to an exhortain in our persuasive modern manner on the niceties of the politic and the social obligation of pious fraud? It is not given to many to perform the achievements of such giants as these, but every one may help to keep the standard of intellectual honesty at a lofty pitch, and what better service can a man do than to furnish the world with an example of faithful dealing with his own conscience and with his fellows? This at least is the one talent that is placed in the hands of the obscurest of us all." �110. MISCELXANEOUS CASES O F CORRUPTION There is a growing clan of people in Nigeria today wh~sk: suivival;.depends largely an their. "coxinections" and "contacts" and very little on their personal merits. They :got :or..:hope :to get their.'posts. and. pernotions not. .by .their merit but as a . result of. their birth or their ability to intrigue;back-bite; blackmail, book-lick, flatter: or. play. contact-man for bribes a n d girl-friend hunting. Alternatively they can mortage, theif.conscience, assasinate characters, carry smear ~ampai~gns .against certain individuals or cross carpets for mere political lucre. &cause of :this situation, .you.find the idlers, the never'd&wells,.the nicompwps, the unqualified and the misfits th,ese .days getting on better .in .life, than their .hardworking colleagues. And,this is..only because they have Abraham and Isaac as their .fathers. They .are god-sons or god-daughters ,of .god:fathers. on the.,throne. today. But one puestion these god-sons and god-daughters never ask.is "what happens to us when.our god-father is topped out of hi$ throne?'.And this poss.ibility . i s natural i n t h e life of min. The apwer 'would frighten. them, no doubt, but yetthe truth must be'faccd. If th.eir god-fathers are tojjpled:out 'of their throne of nepotic' Supremacy,, dowri surely will go:all,the god-sons and god-datigliters also, And a';new' set of god-fathers, .god-vn? .and . god-daugthers would fake their places and like dogs have their o w days. Which: is still the .wax of the corrupt world; This is the ineviiabiliti; which always attends ,all societies. whose siifvival .depends 'inore on filthjr'.'lconiacts" and'".tonnectio.ns'I than'on indivi'dual.merit.'.Now,.iS time for. all . . . the of us to think. Some big men do not like to go to.Prison although they like to do those things which often send men to Prison. They get small men, some jobless or poor folk, to serve their sentences. All they.have to do is simply pay such �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 111 folk a handsome money; say some £100 to £500. Some Prison officials give preferential treatment to a type of prisoners, although they know a prisoner is a prisoner for all that. There is no superiority or minority, seniority or juniority at the White College. It is equality for all or the contrary smacks of injustice. Howbeit, some Prison officials receive money to give some prisoners better treatment, better feeding, liberty, chance of meeting relatives, wives or concubines or girl-friends or permission to leave the Prison House at night to pass same in the Prisoner's house. Some Prisoners do not serve the "with hard labour sentence" because some Prison Officials have been properly tipped. More and more people are becoming more qnd more frustrated with bribery and corruption in our society. What really is wrong? Everybody, including workers, businessmen, traders (big and petty), students (High School or University), market women and even politicians are grumbling that events, trends and tendencies in our politics, trade and general life, are frustrating them all. There is a wholesale acquisition and accumulation of wealth by certain members of our society. The result is that the poor are still writhing in their abject poverty and the gap between the haves and have-nots is widening further every day. Unemployment gathers nomentum and yet there is no realistic solution advanced to stay the inroads of this hydra-hqaded monster. Many students have, out of penury, been disilluioned and stranded. Some of them might not have adopted the correct approach to win scholarships which are but niggardly doles. Our labour force has even fallen apart because some workers and their leaders have sacrificed their rightful reward and meat. There is still corruption, inspite of the X-Squad, if this has not been bribed out. �112 MISCELLANEOUS CASES O F CORRUPTION There is nepotism in high quarters. Tribalism still l k m s larger than before. And we don't seem to be worried about these things! We have found it difficult to change our hearts. Our leaders have the record of being the most widely travelled globe-trotters in the world. And also into the bargain are some of our leaders who are the greatest beggars of foreign aid! But now is the time to put it to the present generation of our leaders that anyone who is interested in leading Nigeria must make more sacrifices for the country. It does not require an opinion poll to show that many people are not impressed by the sacrifices some of our leaders may claim they have made. What? with some many luxurious cars, free quarters, free light, free water, free labour, fantastic salaries and allowances all into the bargain! The whole thing is frustrating. How long shall we continue to deceive ourselves? How long must we continue to shout austerity when those who should go austere never budgc an inch? Some doctors still receive bribes to conduct: medical examinations for Overseas trip and employment. Some of them still receive bribes to perform operations or treatment, even during government time and within government premises. Ring a doctor and a nurse or ward servant answers. The reply is "the doctor is not in" even though the good old medical officer is just there busy with patients or arranging for private consultations afterwards. Even some nurses attached to some Doctors receive tips to allow patients to go and see the Doctor for the diagnosis of their diseases. Sometimes a in" even though the good old medical officer is just person who undergoes a major operation should tip some Nurses or his wound will develop pus. That's why �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 113 Mission Hospitals are still more popular today because this practice is hardly prepetuated there. The fun of the corruption in Hospitals is that even bribe is paid before sometimes you remove a corpse from the Public Mortuary. The thing always starts like this: the person who has the key will be suddenly missing and attempts are generally made to find him to come and open the Mortuary. But he is paid for the trouble all the same. There is what is called 10 per cent deal for the party. But this is also seen in a different light. Often you hear well founded rumours that certain contracts have been awarded for the highest tenders. Sometimes also you hear gossips that some well-known building contractors and contracting firms are agents of political parties. And this is how public funds are diverted to the benefit of certain political parties. Very often you hear the names of some well known continental firms mentioned in connection with some scandalous deals. Who has not heard of these before? But who haq been able to say them? Are all of us cowards? We are still hearing them and we do nothing. Except we get down to the very heart of political corruption in our country today, we may one day wake up to notice that a traitor has sold all of us the mere love of lucre. I t is a publicly known secret today that in this country there are some political organizations use their positions to help their party finances and in many cases quite unscrupulously. Some political parties do this covertly and turn to condemn it openly. A Politician who has the power to approve or disapprove some million pounds of a deal, say £2,000,000 may find after a part's secret meeting that he has a duty to donate some £2,000 to his party. How can he do it? Of course he has to act �114 MISCELLANEOUS CASES OF CORRUPTION corruptly. Oftentimes, this big deal is organised fraud, sponsored and directed from party headquarters. In this way political corruption continues. Have you ever asked where the thousands of pounds are got to finance gigatic election operations and campaigns? To stop political corruption we must be able to trace its cause from its offshort to its taproot and then pull it out , from there. Almost every Ferry has the normal passage where the machine counts passengers that have passed through the gate. But there is another .gate through which lorries or gwds pass. People who pass through this gate pay their normal fare. But where does this go? To the Ferry's account or to some individual's pockets? Charges of vehicles in every Ferry is according to their capacities. But the weighing man determines the weight of these vehicles and issues receipts. I t has been known however that some of these official receipts are stolen from the safe and the money realized from them converted into personal ends. Corruption is rife in this country. We have been condemning it. But who will bell the cat? An M.P. quite recently made serious allegations concerning corruption at high quarters. What happened? Nothing. There was not even as a public inquiry. Produce Inspectors grade produce but on many occasions ungraded ones pass as graded because money has been offered to some Produce Officials. They can degrade your produce if you do not grease their palms. Sometimes a trader calls them to come and grade his produce and they seem not to hear. They are "very busy" but the secret is that the more they delay produce buyers or sellers, the more they suffer and their produce also. �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 115 In some mining industries, the tally system is used. Tally numbers are used to determine the number of miners who are actually working. But absent miners give their friends their tally numbers to present at the office so that they can be marked present when they are not. Even this is not the only evil practice. There is the bribe of some £15 to £20 before some miners are employed at all. And there are regular offers of drinks (strong) to the 'oga' of the office to advertise that some miners are "good boys". The thing works like this: The hewers put their numbers on the tubes while the tubmen put theirs too and push along t~ check points. But some miners' numbers have been known to have missed at this point because they are not in the good books of the clerks at the entrance to the Mines. Adulteration of goods is rife in our markets today. Cheating is the order of the day. Half measures are sold for whole. Getting of markets stalls is still a game of "lucky dip". Some many people have so many stalls which they sublet to others who could have got the stalls were it not for the blocking of the way by bribers. And this is bad enough. At the Motor Park the people who collect money from vehicles that enter and leave the park may not have rendererd honest and correct accounts of these. There should be locked up machine so that if you drop a shilling or six-pence, for instance, the receipt for that will be brought out by the machine. The previous system of hand-giving out receipts led to corruption of reprinting these receipts and using them over and over again. We are not safe. Bribery and corruption are the twin dangers of our age. Let's all unite and fight this common . �116 MISCELLANEOUS CASES OF CORRUPTION danger. Politicians make sure that some vacancies are filled by their supporters and they call this 'reward for political patronage'. But this should stop. Members of Boards receive no less than £50 a month, merely for attending meetings perhaps once in three months. This is revolting; but does it worry the people concerned? And they are some Corporation Chairmen who are employed on part-time basis. They receive some £3,000 a year for this inconvenience and add to the gain free quarters free transport and free drinks (or do you call it entertainment allowance?) Not satisfied, they present a host of their relations and friends for employment. Can this continue? Should anybody who has no bigman "brother" then suffer indefinitely? Appointment to Boards or Corporation should not be made on political basis or at least as a form of political compensation. Rather it should be done or pure merit, bearing in mind the quali-fication and experience of individuals concerned. - T o be honest; to be Our resolution must be this: kind; to earn a little, and to spend a little less; to make upon the whole a family happier for his presence; to renounce when that shall be necessary, and not to be embittered; to keep a few friends, but these without capitulation. Above all, on the same grim condition, to keep friends with himself: here is a task for all that a man has of fortitude and delicacy. With this resolution, let your life be as happy sunshine as you can make it. Have the good sense to find a joy in as well as in play. Hurt no man - especially no girl or child. Be sober. Do not invite headaches on the morrow. Resent injustice and lying for the good of all. Smite humbugs and sordid and sefish people joyfully, until the brood is extinct. Be honourable, truthful, and kind; for honour, truth, and kindness are basic conditions of a healthy and happy �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 117 time for the human family. Cultivate refinement, for it doubles one's capacity for happiness. Cherish wisdom and dread illusion, for the paths of life are slippery with the blood and tears of the unwise. Beware of verbiage. Keep a strong and self-conscious personality, for there are too many people ready to exploit it. Fear neither God nor devil nor priest, but help to make youk fellows such that you can walk cheerfully and helpfully with them to the end of the road. Do unto others as you would that they would do unto you. �CHAPTER NINE CONCLUSION "Man cuts himself off from God by irreligion; from his brethren by indifference, hatred and war; from. his soul by pursuing fugitive and unreal goods. Having separated himself from all else, he reflects his inner discord upon the universe at large; he separates everything about him, lays sacrilegious hands on the humblest tracts of divine unity; crumbles up the entrails and matter ; itself . . . " and "Our life on earth is a constant warfare; a warfare, not against creatures of flesh and blood, but against spiritual principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places . . ."; so that " A spirit of pride and rebellion embitters individuals and stirs up the masses. Urged on by the powers of hell, men strive to enjoy pleasure in all its forms; they seek to please their bodies, hearts and minds. T h e y wish to enjoy life, and beyond this they have no further aim, but for the sake of enjoyment they are breaking down the old barriers of respect for authority, of self-control and dignity, of uprightness and honesty, of faith and loyalty. All the old beliefs and customs, traditions and habits, even family and social life, are in danger of being swallowed up in a great cataclysm of foulness, bloodshed and sin." I am rounding up my discussion so far on bribery and corruption and their allied evils. I have not, in my dis- �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 119 cussion so far, posed as the Saint of our society. All I have done is to point the most serious evils of our present age and tried to give suggestions for their eradication. You may have had the same feeling with me, but why not let us pull together and eradicate these social evils? You will agree with me that these evils have not helped us at all. Rather, they have brought other evils like injustice, victimization, fraud and dishonesty. But must we allow this situation to linger further? Things now are assuming unproportional dimensions and the situation already is becoming alarming. What really is the matter with all of us? It looks as if everything is at a standstill. Take, for instance, the much talked about six-year development plan. It seems to me that a great many of us simply pay lip service to this vital programme. One should have thought that this is the time to really go austere. But what do we find? Waste, unnecessary waste, mostly in high places, bribery and conuption, nepotism and favouritism, fraud and dishonesty, injustice and jobbery. Honestly, I think the time has now come to curb, rather drastically, some overseas tours by our public men, some corrupt practices in high and low places, some contract deals of this country which based on "help me to help you" or on a percentage basis. For instance, it is publicly known nowadays that some political organizations in this country use their positions to help their party finances. Most political parties do this corvertly although they condemn it publicly. It always happens like this. A political party is accused and its members merely shrug their shoulders and say "it is politics and every party is doing it". If another party is guilty, some politicians try to cry down the heavens and urge for the �crucifixion of the offenders. They would want the Press to overstep its bounds by showing up such offenders for public contempt and ridicule. But whether this or hs that political party is guilty, the fact remains that t i practice drains our meagre resources and such should be stopped immediately. Our public men are fabulously paid: Who does not h o w this? But who speaks out? Parliamentariam on an emolument of £1,500 excluding transport expenses, attend meetings for a period of about three months in a year! If our British overlords had ruled this country in that manner, by now our Treasury would have been empty. But now we are doing things ourselves. Whom do we blame? Our brand of politics is very corrupt. It is political jobbery all the way. Politicians make sure that vacancies are filled by their supporters, and this they call "reward for party patronage". This is sweet nonsense.. And then there is another class of privileged Nigerians known as Chairmen of Boards and Corporations. Their assignments are supposed to be part-time although the remunerations attached to such posts range from £1,500 to £3,000 a year, with expensively furnished quarters free of rents and free transport also pushed into the bargain. But some of these Corporations don't meet for more than 12 times in a year and yet the fantastic salaries to their Secretaries, Directors, General Managers and Chairmen. You also know of their landed property, buildings, fleet of lorries, stores, etc. etc. etc. etc. Members of Boards receive no less than £50 a month merely for attending meetings perhaps once in 3 months. This is revolting. Has the time not really come for our leaders to reconsider these things? We are begging �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 121 about so that a few can enjoy life abundantly. Think of the many glob-trotters we have sent all over the world to seek foreign aids! Surely if the thousands of pounds paid out monthly to the HAVES of our society are invested in some type of industries, the country will have undoubtedly been the better for it. Corruption exists too much in our country today. We have been condemning it. All of us have; but the question is: "who will bell the cat?" Only recently an MP made a very serious allegation concerning the corrupt practices of some high officials and politicians. What has been done about this? Nothing, except that the MP later turned to amend the allegaion. One would have excepted an immediate invstigation. But this wasn't done. When do we hope to eradicate this evil? Let's start now. An attempt at eradication is the only important thing now. First of all appointments to Boards or Corporations should not be made as political compensation. Rather it should be done on pure merit, that is, qualification and experience of the individuals concerned. Let us also reduce the fees or remunerations of all Board, Corporation and Parliament Members to maximum of £50 per month. This exclude transport of members coming from for off places. Members should also be compelled to make use of either the Railway or the Airways; in which case, government warrants should be used. All Board and Corporation Chairmen, occupying free quarters and using free transport, should be ejected from such quarters and stopped from using free transport. We have to step into these problems now. Presently, "the reactions of the populace to the current wave of political corruption vary with the mentality of the individual. There are many among us who resignedly �122 CONCLUSION believe that politicking and plundering are synonymous; that a man, when he assumes the office of a politician, automatically assumes the role of a night-marauder, having for his daily thoughts no other motive than to rob the public treasury. "Don't mind even the critics. If you put them in power tomorrow, they would do worse", a friend once summed up a heated argument on the subject of corruption. And this friend typefies the many who today have lost faith and confidence in the fellow man inside and outside politics. They can no more trust, even their own self, with the task of mnning this country honestly. "There is the other group of critics. In this are people who religiously believe that our problem is in the hands of characters and personalities of the people in politics today. Many in this group believe that a change of faces and minds could change the trend. There is yet another. Members of this group are by their developed intellect not prone to hero-worship. They see things in terms of factors, and systems. Form this school come suggestions that a change of the political and economic system and setting alone can alter the present situation. "To my mind, the third group expresses what is nearest to the solution of political corruption. Close your eyes to the faces of the characters and personalities. Think more deeply of the factors, principles and policies and you would be coming on fine to the goal. The questions we must ask ourselves and answer are q a n y and multiform. What makes a politician use his poiition to cross the carpet for money? What motivating impulses drive a politician to give contracts to firms for money? Is it that his salary is not enough? O r that his sinecure post whets his appetite for more and more wealth? Or are the people so daft �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 123 and passive in their attitude to corruption that the polotician feels safe and secure and so goes on plundering regardless of the temptation among fereigners in our midst to lay the blame of corruption on the political unconsciousness of the people and the poverty of the politicians generally? I would also lay some of the blame on the extended family demands of our soceity on the man at the top. Full employment for all, a Welfare state for the aged and for students, may be one solution. "The battle against corrupt practices in politics must be waged vigorously along several fronts. First, the people must be less passive and more vocal in their condemnation of the evil. Second, a systematic diminution of the,politiciansl income must be pursued in practice. The aim is to make politics attractive only to those with devotion and to obviate that motivating impulse of profit - seeking. Third is to evolve a system by which correction, whether at local, regional or federal govemment level can be detected, and when detected, can be brought before the court. I am informed by my lawyer friends that a private citizen, armed with his tax-receipt, has the right to sue a politician - be he a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary for misappropriating his tax, if he can prove that to the court. "Last time, I suggested ruthless cuts in salaries, transport amenities, and I may here add, rents and even business rights. Should the people condone the practice by some politicians borrowing money (loans) from Government agencies for private businesses? I now begin to think that it is immoral. The loan-relationship between Governments and Government financial agencies on one hand and constituency representatives on the other has been largely responsible for the wanton movements of party loyalties across the carpet. �124 CONCLUSION "Carpet-crossing and loan-guided consciences are two related evils. The fellow who owes the Finance Corporation or Government-sponsored bank ceases to be a straight thinker the moment he gets himself into the obligatory position of pandering to the political dictates of the man who holds the purse string. That fellow has toppled governments without a coup. He has cheated the voters and sold the electorate to political slavery. The scene at present looks to me like a babel of money-grabbers, hurrying to make a life-long keep within the span of five years. And the scramble is too obvious an eyesore. "What then would I suggest as the best line of action for the people as a whole? First, the people should re-assure themselves that they are masters and not servants of politicians. There is so much fear of and respect for politicians in this country'that the people have almost come to accept the inferior but mistaken status of worshippers. This explains why some politicians can afford to defy the wishes and will of the people to the extent of audaciously breaking their standing contract with their electorate. They can across the carpet as many times as they are bribe-guided, leaving their crosses and their obligations to the voters behind. The people must square up to their servants - the politicians - and make enough effort to control their political behavious. There are many ways of doing this. One, and this is the time to plan for it, is to get every politician who wants to be nominated for the next elections to si*gn a contract or an agreement with the people of his constituency. The agreement should contain commitals to this effect :(a) That the candidate shall declare the state of his (and his wife's and children's) wealth on �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 125 winning the election, and shall declare this annually while he is in office as member of the House; (b) That the candidate, after winning an election on one party platform, shall not change to another political party without causing a plebisi cite to be held in hs constituency; Postscript: Some people have suggested bye-elections, I don't accept this because it would tax the purse of the government concerned. The plebiscite should place the financial liability on the party that woos a member. If a man fancies a woman, he has to pay the wooing and wedding expenses. The same argument should hold for wooing and wedding in politics. I hear that a party has in the past spent as much as £15,000 in the dark of night to buy members from across the carpet. My suggestion is that this money should be spent on the open business of consultation with the electorate concerned and with an individual member in the dark of night. This particular clave in the contract should commit the candidate or member to an agreement that he, autoi s matically renders h seat vacant by any single act of crossing the carpet without the consent of the people, via plebiscite. (c) That the candidate shall conduct his election , campaigns without the use of bribes. The people must resist all atempts by politicians to buy votes. It's often the very begging of political coruption. A politician who borrows, say three thousand pounds for the purpose of buying votes, goes into Parliament, a heavy debtor. If he is a debtor, what hope is there for you and �CONCLUSION me to stop him fom recovering that money by hook or crok? He must pay back what he borrowed, mustn't he? And from there starts the whole tale. From bribery for debt-paying to bribery for consolidating my constituency for the next election" and for re-imbursing party purse. So, we must be honest with ourselves by sending only solvent people to represent us 1n Parliament or Houses. (d) That a candidate when elected shall never involve himself in any loans transactions with the government or government finance agencies or party-influenced banks. Any politician who breaches this clause should regard his tenure of office as automatically breached. These are only a few clauses for the suggested contract. All candidates, no matter of which political persuasion, must be ~rwailed uuon to sien the contract if thev must get the ieople's voies. If th& refuse to sign it, VOTE THEM OUT, they are thieves. The situation in this country has gone so bad that the people must come together to combat corruption. I would be the first citizen to applaud anyone outside politics to form a movement dedicated to the massive task of putting politicians in their moral place. Statesmen, Churchmen, Students Unions, Market women, Trade unions, etc. cap form a common anti-corruption front. And if they can enlist the patronage of cleanminded and respectable leaders in other walks of life, they would beamassing up the greatest anti-corruption force on the land. People have made effects in the past to form anti-corruption leagues, e.g. "The League of �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 127 Bribe Scorners." The leagues are doing wonderful work in their own ways. But to my mind, the task ahead is greater than the support they now receive. Besides, they don't seem able to reach the high places where political corruption is now the vogue. "The battle against top-floor cormption demands the use of life, a social lift. As I see it, the League of Bribe Scorners operates mainly among the ground-floor residents as the Police X-Squad -operating mainly among two bob a go the underpaid junior policemen collecti~g from lorry drivers2 My respect for the X-Squad will triple the day they grab a senior Police Officer for collecting £50 to £100 bribe to promote a lance corporal. The movement of my imagination should be a socially powerful one. Such a movement, if powerful enough, can move the government to take steps that they are now afraid to take. The movement can set up its own CID (Corruption Investigation Department) and pursue specific rumours and allegations secretly with vigour and nationalist verve. It should grow large enough to encourage a Prime Minister or Premier to sack a Minister or discipline a guilty politician." (Don Nugotaf, Sunday Express April 26, 1964, Page Seven). Recently one of our newspapers carried the reports of various acts of stealing which involved the very citizens of this Republic whose duty, among others, is to check stealing. I mean our peace keepers - the Police. This is very disappointing and disgraceful. and shows a gross betrayal of trust on the part of the 'policemen involved. I am not convinced that the good old sayingUexamples are better than precepts" has lost its value. Almost every �128 CONCLUSION day the police issue out appeals to the members of the public to help them in reducing to the lowekt degree possible the rate of staling, bribery, corruption, nepotism and allied social evils in the country. And I think members of the public are co-operating wonderfully in this respec%. When the dreadful sin of 'theft' is committed in a place, the police are called upon to dig out the offenders. Now that some of shameless and malcontented members of the Force are themselves thieves, I wonder to whom the ordinary citizen should shout for help when he is at the mercy of a 'thief-man' since nothing could be more foolish than setting a thief to catch a thief. This is not all. Bribery and corruption are rife in the rank and file of the Force. Is it true that in the Police Force today some juniors are sometimes asked by some senior officers to pay bribes of between fifty and hundred pounds before getting good recommendations for promotion? Is it true that some of the juniors in so-called "lucrative" units (Motor Traffic, for instance) collect bribes which are not for themselves alone but also for some higher bosses who threaten them with disfavour if they don't "report" with part of their "takings" each day? If these allegations are true, what do we do to eradicate bribery and corruption in the Force? Presently the Inspector General of Police has taken up the matter in hand. We wish him a speedy success, but abolition of Traffic Police in the Rural Areas still will not stop bribery and corruption. What I will suggest is allowing some C.I.D. or X-Squad men to rover around such areas where the Traffic Men stop transport vehicles. T o avoid bribery and corruption in Land Department, there should be a prepared layout and development for �BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 129 an area which is intended to be leased to the public. And due information should always be given to the public concerning all the requirements for application. This will obviate unnecessary trafficking in "stereotypted forms of application for land." This is an Honourable Memeber. He promises to get job for the daughter of his Jriend or type of friend. And she is not looking badly at all ! But the boys appear suspicious. About contracts, detailed check by an Examiner of Accounts should always be made of all payments, especially those alleged extra work on contracts, and surcharge those responsible for such payments. This will help eradicate the habit of "helping contractors to help some officials." T o a v i d bribery and corruption in employment and the consequent deliberate defiance of all Regulations, Rules, Instructions and Advice in the belief that 'fait accompli" will be accepted, stricter discipline should �130 CONCLUSION be taken against offenders, especially in the cases of retrospective approvals for appointments, whether of teachers in Council Schools or officials in Corporations or other Departments. In Councils, there should be a complete review of the allocation of functions of Committees with a clear-cut division. The members of some important Committees should be men of high integrity, men whose actions should be above suspicion. The present set up is not a good one. Most of them are presently very poor and this proverty adds to their being corrupt. There should be no dual responsibility for the staff and each committee should be responsible for its own staff, subject to overall control of establishments and general conditions of service by the Finance Committee. Finally, in the words of Sir Francis Iibiam, Governor of Eastern Nigeria "Nigeria needs leaders who will rise above corruption, avarice, nepotism and envy in our body politic. Indeed, Nigeria requires men and women whom the lust of office will not seduce to betray the confidence reposed on them. Let us take inspiration from our past achievements and learn thereby to appreciate that no sacrifice is too great for the unity of our people and for the unliftment of our great country. The cause of unity must not only be paramount in our minds, but we must be prepared to make the sacrifice needed to sustain it, and all our people must make that sacrifice not in pretentious protestations of affection, but in the deep knowledge that without it our nation cannot become truly great nor our people know true happiness. The adege, "Do unto us as you would have them do to you," is a saying we must assiduously learn to practise. Our Republican status is for the benefit of all its citizens. �131 BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION If you are in a place of authority, I implore you to use your authority and power wisely and impartially. The authority was.not given to you for your personal advantage and aggrandizement. It is the undisputed right of any citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to get to the highest goal of achievement of which he or she is capable. No one, therefore, because he or she is on top has any right to put any kind of illegitimate stumbling-block in the way of another. Let us ever remember that "what is sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose." ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am grateful to the following:- Mr. C. Osi-Iweh, Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, who typed the manuscript; F. 0.Ihenacho, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Eastern Nigeria, for a copy of his excellent lecture on Bribery and Corruption; many friends who gave me useful information, especially in the Police Force, Railways, Judicial Department, etc.; my legal adviser, . . who read the script fromlegal point of view. . �� 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 Bribery and corruption : bane of our society Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nkwoh, Marius Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Aba : International Press 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.c3555 Description An account of the resource This serious political tract catalogues and analyzes many types of bribery and corruption. The author states that he has compiled a "compendious and imaginative headline under which he puts down his impressions and experiences gathered during a long period of research into the question of bribery and corruption, how they arose and how far they have putrefied our social system," (pg.v).  The introductory chapter surveys what others have written about bribery and corruption, and the remaining chapters discuss the types of bribery and corruption that exist in different sectors of Nigerian society. Areas covered include: police and traffic, railroad and shipping, civil and criminal courts, and public officials. Each chapter develops Nkwoh's ideas about how greed and poverty serve as the two root causes of bribery and corruption. The author also argues that even though all would condemn bribery, few actually oppose it. He asks,. . . but does experience not show us that all these public denunciations effect little, if anything at all? How can we condemn these evils in the daylight when so many of us are arch-givers or receivers of bribes in the secret of darkness? (pg.vii).  Nkwoh also deals with the possible consequences: the rich succeed, while poor do not; the incompetence of public officials; the loss of constituents' trust and the loss of self worth; smuggling; and the breakdown of the court system, the rule of law and the social contract. The author fears that a neocolonial state is the logical end to a political system that relies on bribery, nepotism and corruption. He cautions that corrupt officials "generally seek aid from their foreign paymasters, but the story of their end is invariably the same. If they succeed it is usually as captive to their foreign protectors and often at the price of their country's independence," (pg.24-25). Nkwoh believes that the current political system, c.1965, breeds corruption through its electoral practices. He asks, "Imagine a candidate spending £3000 for an election! He must recoup himself of his losses as soon as he succeeds. I wonder if Parliament is the way to make money anyhow," (pg.16). Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1965 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>