₦airaland Forum

Omoefe loved the bush bar that was not too far from his home. Once in a while, he came around to partake of the regular meal of pepper soup with assorted fish and a bottle of chilled beer. Today was one of such moment as he reclined amidst the noise from the speaker at the main seating area, that of the ever boisterous patrons and that from outside the bar. He was sipping from his beer while lost in thought. He had struggled to suppress the disappointing news he got from the permanent secretary all to no avail. It was a simple plan on his part. Put up the whole solar project like his and ask from a subvention from the ministry without Sarki knowing anything about it. Unfortunately, he was wrong. The permanent secretary, Mr. Essien, despite the fact that he was not from the North of the country had ended up opening up to Sarki. He clasped his hands in anger. His earlier optimism about work in the civil service have been dampened since his deployment to the ministry of works and productivity. He could barely bring himself to acknowledge the fact that a project that ought to bring a solution to the problem of power supply could be scuttled by the jealous and corrupt ways of Sarki. He drank the remaining beer in haste and settled the bill.

It was 8:00pm when he left the bar. He arrived home just as the electric supply went off. He was greeted on arrival by his wife and two of his sons who were working on some school assignment with the light emanating from an electric rechargeable lantern. He left for the bedroom immediately. He had a quick shower and returned to the sitting room. It was quiet by the time he returned.

‘’ How was your day?’ his wife asked.

‘’ It was not so good. Where is Benjamin?’ He asked.

‘’ May be he is in his room’’

He relaxed into the couch. While he tried to bat the thoughts of Sarki’s overbearing influence, the lack of power supply gave vent to his frustration with the retrogressive state of events.

‘’ I made Eba and Egusi soup’’ she said.

‘’ Okay’’

She served him where he was sitting in the sitting room and he ate in silence. He ate little as a result of the meal he had at the bush bar. He was still resting in the sitting room when he heard a knock on the door.

‘’ Who is there?’ he asked.

‘’ Benjamin sir’’

He walked to open the door while he instinctively looked at the wall clock. It was 9:00pm. Benjamin locked the door behind him and walked to where Omoefe was sitting.

‘’ Good evening Sir’’ he greeted.

‘’ How are you?’ Omoefe asked.

‘’ I am fine sir’’

He sat down amidst the silence that followed.

‘’ Sir, is there any news about the project?’

‘’ No, there is no good one yet’’

Benjamin studied Omoefe’s facial expression. Since his meeting with Usman, he was suddenly in doubt of Omoefe’s support.

‘’ So what is holding the project back?’ Benjamin asked.

‘’ I have told you not to worry, you won’t understand the whole situation if I tell you’’ Omoefe replied.

‘’ Is it a problem with the permanent secretary?’

Omoefe was dumbfounded.

‘’ Who told you that. Who have you been talking to?’

‘’ No one, I am just tired of staying in a spot’’
‘’ I have told you to be patient but if you want to leave, you are free’’

‘’ I think I want to leave’’

It was an uneasy silence that followed Benjamin’s statement. Omoefe relapsed into a grave silence as he struggled to come to terms with the new Benjamin.

‘’ Sir, I am ready to leave soon’’ Benjamin pressed on.

‘’ Why, I don’t think you understand the implication of what you want to do’’ Omoefe replied in angst.

‘’ Sir, I am tired of waiting. I don’t think I can manage the situation any more’’

‘’ Okay, how about tomorrow?’ Omoefe asked.

‘’ I am ready sir’’

Benjamin averted Omoefe’s look as it was piercing and intrusive. He had not thought of the implication of his meeting with Usman until now. He had thought of the possibility of working with Usman and this had embodied him to consider the option of leaving. He left the sitting room conscious of the fact that Omoefe’s eyes trailed him. He sat on the bed and brought out his phone. It was 9:00pm. He dialed Usman’s number.

‘’ Good evening Sir’’ he greeted.

‘’ Good evening, who is this?’ Usman asked.

‘’ Benjamin, the …’’

‘’ Okay, I expected you to call. Hang up let me call you back’’

The line went dead and Benjamin waited awhile before his phone rang again. It was Usman.

‘’ Hello sir’’

‘’ Okay, Benjamin. What is the news?’

‘’ He didn’t confirm what you told me. He was angry instead’’

‘’ I hope you understand the help I am rendering to you. So what do you plan on doing now?’ Usman asked.

‘’ I have told him I intend to leave Abuja. It is possible I leave tomorrow’’

‘’ Good. You must protect that which belongs to you’’

‘’ Thank you sir’’

‘’ You are welcome. I will keep in touch’’

The line went dead and Benjamin fell back on his mattress. He had barely had time to think and now the confrontation with Omoefe was about to send him back to the village, a possible dream-killer.

Faraway in Wuse, Usman had just dropped the call to Benjamin. He was relaxing in his sitting room under the glare of the mercury-lit bulb. He was watching a musical performance. After the call he made to Benjamin, he was quite delighted at the turnaround in events. He quickly placed a call to Sarki.

‘’ Hello Usman’’ a familiar drone sound.

‘’ Good evening sir’’ Usman greeted.

‘’ What can I do for you?’

Usman gave him the rundown of the day’s events while smiling contentedly.

‘’ This is good to hear’’

The line went off immediately. Despite the abrupt reply from his boss, Usman was sure he had effectively proved an able lieutenant in crushing the threat of the latest adversary. He increase the volume of the music and drank more from the bottle of wine in front of him.

Omoefe did not go to bed after the meeting with Benjamin. He was instead trying to come to terms with Benjamin’s decision to travel back to the village. Why he could easily accuse him of being ungrateful and impatient, he also knew that there was little or no time for Benjamin. After all, going by the slow pace of government activities, it could actually take a long time for them to get approval for the project. He was deep in thought when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

‘’ Why don’t you come to bed’’ his wife said.

‘’ Alright, I will come soon’’

He stood up from the couch and followed his wife to the bedroom.

Sarki stared with anger at the clock. He was waiting for the arrival of his right hand man, Usman. It was a week already since he heard the most unfortunate decision made by Omoefe. He gritted his teeth in distaste at the effrontery of the boy to go beyond him in his quest to launch a supposed novel project.

‘’ This boy has bitten more than he can chew, I will ensure he is destroyed’’ he gritted his teeth in disgust.

Usman came into the office just at that moment. He knew his boss would be angry especially from the way he sounded on the phone. His expression was not different from his anticipation thus he cowered in fear.

‘’ I am sorry sir for coming late’’ he stammered.

‘’ Sorry for yourself, so what do you have?’ Sarki asked still agitated.

‘’ The boys have reported little information except the fact that a young man lives with him. Also they said they have seen them together going to different places’’ Usman said.

Sarki urged Usman to sit. He stood up and started pacing. The permanent secretary had called him that morning to inform him of Omoefe’s request for a substantial sum of money. He ought to have known before the permanent secretary and the fact that Omoefe went ahead of him in the process had got him angry.

‘’ It is time we engage that boy’’ Sarki said.

‘’ Okay sir’’

Life in the city was an experience Benjamin was gradually growing accustomed to. His days were mainly spent indoors in Omoefe’s house. He was gradually losing his patience as he was not used to staying idle for too long. Occasionally Omoefe had taken him around the city. They had made little headway in getting approval for the project and his effort at job-hunting had resulted in little to cheer about. Suddenly, he realized that the man he looked up to was just a lucky minion in a game of giants. It had been a month since he arrived Abuja but he could barely point to any positive. He was instead feeling claustrophobic especially as a result of his relations with Omoefe’s wife.

On this day, he had no thought of making any significant move even as he had resigned his thought to the possibility of returning to his village. He decided to take a stroll when he came upon a team of men clad in polo and jeans. They were three in number. They stopped him immediately and they surrounded him.

’ Can you identify yourself?’ one asked in a rude voice.

Benjamin looked around confusedly. All had fiery looking eyes which he thought was their ploy to intimidate him.

‘Sir, may I know you?’ he asked.

The man who had asked laughed rather hysterically.

‘You are joking if you really want to question me. We know what you are up to’ the man replied.

Benjamin was obviously shaken by the man’s accusation. He had no knowledge of what the man was referring to.

‘Sir, I think you have got the wrong person’ he retorted.

The men looked at each other for a moment before the leader spoke again. This time his tone was polite.

‘We need you for a special operation’ he said.

The offer was an absolute surprise to Benjamin. It was true he needed a job but the manner of the offer was beyond his imagination.

‘Okay’

‘’ You will have to come with us’’ the leader said.

Benjamin was still not sure of the offer but the look on the leader’s face conveyed some element of sincerity and assurance.

‘’ How about you tell me where you are taking me to?’ Benjamin asked.

‘’ Benjamin right’’

Benjamin nodded in shock at the man’s knowledge.

‘’ We are not going far from here and we can assure you of your safety’’

‘’ Okay sir’’

He followed them and they stopped by a Toyota Camry parked at the side of the road. One of the men went to the driver’s side, opened the door and proceeded to open the others. Benjamin entered the car along with them and they drove away immediately.

They arrived at the front of a beautiful restaurant after twenty minutes of driving. The location was Wuse, a high class area in the Federal Capital territory. Benjamin watched as the leader who had sat beside him opened the door and walked to the restaurant. He spent just a few minutes in the restaurant and returned to the car.

‘’ Benjamin, please come with me’’

Benjamin obeyed despite the doubt that was still hanging heavily in his mind. He was sure of one thing though, he could get away without being hurt considering that there were at a public place. They walked in and the leader turned to the left and led him to a table where a lone man sat. The man was dark, wore an embroidered cap and was dressed in a kaftan. He was clearly a Northerner and Benjamin could easily guess that he was less than fifty.

‘’ Sir, he is here’’ the leader said.

The man flashed a reluctant smile and shook hands with Benjamin.

‘’ How are you, gentleman?’ he asked.

‘’ I am fine Sir’’ Benjamin said.

‘’ I am Usman, what is your name?’ he asked.

‘’ I am Benjamin’’

Usman gestured that they should sit and Benjamin obliged.

‘’ What would you like to take?’ Usman asked.

‘’ Nothing, I am fine’’ Benjamin replied.
Suddenly, he felt relaxed. It was a surprise though as he was yet to know the man’s intention.

‘’ I will urge you to relax. This is a meeting that could give birth to a successful partnership between me and you. I think I know something about you already’’

‘’ What do you know about me?’ Benjamin asked completely unsure of what the man was pointing towards.

‘’ I know you could easily be sitting on a multi-billion naira project at the moment’’ a strange chuckle followed.

‘’ Don’t worry, I was joking. You submitted a project for approval at the ministry of works and productivity two weeks ago’’ Usman said.

‘’ No’’ Benjamin replied.

‘’ Then who did, I don’t know if I am intruding but I saw a name Benjamin Udu in the file submitted by one of my co-workers’’ Usman said.

Benjamin could barely lay his thoughts on any clue relating to what the man was trying to tell him.

‘’ Do you know any man that bears Omoefe?’ Usman asked.

‘’ Yes sir. He is my uncle’’ Benjamin replied in surprise.

‘’ Then I think there is a red flag here. You must realize that patent infringement is rife in this country but I can help you’’

‘’ Sir, I think we are getting something mixed up here’’

‘’ Don’t worry, I understand your fear. I will give you my phone number and I need you to call later this evening but you need to do something for me’’

Benjamin could barely bring himself to accept the fact that he was about to trust a complete stranger. Nevertheless, he took the paper Usman gave to him. He had written his phone number on it.

‘’ I want you to ask him about the letter he submitted at the office of the permanent secretary’’

‘’ Okay’’

‘’ I will be waiting for your call. Just give me a ring and I will call back’’

Benjamin got the message and stood up immediately. Everything appeared like a puzzle to him but the man definitely knew something that could resolve the static state of events around him. He was assailed by different thoughts as he made his way out of the restaurant. He saw the car still parked at the same spot and he walked towards it. The leader opened the door and asked him to enter. They drove off immediately. Usman sat reclining in the chair at the restaurant. He had a bland look despite the fact that he could acknowledge that the meeting was indeed a successful one. He would wait to see how events pan out.
****************************

xaviercasmir:
Another good work. Keep it up

Thanks. Good to have you here.

The dark had descended on the Federal Capital territory. In the upper class region of Maitama, citizens ever so open to fun had gathered at the various hotels, restaurants and clubs that dotted this part of the Capital. Money was the common relationship that existed between the service providers and the fun seekers. Blaring music could be heard from the surrounding fun service outlets. People of different ages, size and colour walked in company of twos and threes.

Down at the Deep Blue hotel, an architectural masterpiece, Sarki sat almost oblivious to what was happening around him. He was seated at the bar where other people of similar ilk, upper-class men with loads of cash to spend sat amidst the music that was blaring from a speaker placed at the top left corner of the bar. Sarki was a man in his early fifties, he was a bit taller than average and had a big round pouch. He had as company, Usman, a man that had almost outgrown his youthful years. In between was a table that contains four bottles of star lager beer, two plates of pepper soup on it. Sarki wore a serious expression while his companion took time to hold his gaze from time to time.

‘’ That boy must be taught a lesson’’ he grunted ‘’ he had barely spent a week in the department and he is already pointing fingers at some projects I am supervising’’

‘’ Sir, he is a perfect example of a rebel’’ Usman blurted.

‘’ I hate confronting rebels though I have had a fair share of them in the past and all of them have ended up in the dump yard. This boy is brilliant though but I won’t consider that when it is time for me to deal with him’’

‘’ Sir, there is little he can do. He is no different from the several career civil servants…’’ Usman stopped.

Sarki had not taken kindly to the statement as he eyed him with anger.

‘’ I am not in a hurry to act but won’t let him push me to the wall either’’ Sarki noted in a tone of finality.

Sarki had much to think about as a director in the ministry of work and productivity. He was in charge of the supervisory duties at the new power projects. He had everything going well for him until the coming of the fresh-faced Omoefe. Due to the enormous authority he wielded as a director at the supervisory unit of the ministry, he had cleverly used this to accrue benefits in cash and kind for himself. Omoefe came with an impressive C.V as he had served meritoriously at the ministry of petroleum and other allied matters. The difference in their world-view became evident from their first meeting together.

*******************
Omoefe had paid little attention to the device in his bonnet. His mind was firmly on the road as he had miles to cover before he would arrive in Port Harcourt. He had bought a flight ticket that would take him to Abuja. He had just being promoted to the level of an assistant director and was redeployed to the ministry of Works and productivity due to his stellar performance at the Ministry of Petroleum. Unfortunately, he had met with Dr. Sarki, a difficult and corrupt individual. It was a surprising fact that he was not corrupt especially in the murky and highly politicized world of the civil service. His stance on doing the right things had only earned him little and surreptitious praise amidst the web of hostility that tends to define his relationship with his colleagues. The oppositions had only made him grow a thick skin and this had earned him a promotion from the lower end of the civil service to the enviable role of an assistant director.

From time to time, his mind kept on weighing how he was going to fulfil his role as the most influential man in his village. He knew the reception was not a mere occasion. It was a subtle confirmation of his coronation as a vanguard of prosperity for the populace. The arrival of the old man and his son thus was not much of a surprise but his attention had instead been arrested by the manner of assistance he could render with the documents in his possession. After a long drive of four hours, he arrived Port Harcourt and drove straight to the house of his friend, Mr. Dickson. They were colleagues until his recent transfer to the Federal capital. He met Dickson’s wife at home and she led him to the guest room where he rested for a while.

By the time he woke up, the sun was gradually retreating to its rest. He sat for a while before remembering the device that had been given to him at the village. He had the file in his suitcase and he proceeded to open it. The file had sheets of paper which contained some graphic designs. He read through the introduction on the first page and discovered that it was a final year project of the son of the old man. It was a detailed analysis of a solar electric system. He was stunned and he left the room for the garage in order to take a look at the prototype in his car. The machine was a clear piece of amateur work, wires were roughly connected and the metal covering had been crudely joined together. He studied the machine with interest that he didn’t realize when his friend drove in to the compound.

‘’ Hey man’’ Dickson called.

‘’ Oh, you are back’’ Omoefe said surprised.

‘’ What is that you are holding. Your mind is firmly focused on it’’ Dickson said as he walked to him.

‘’ Man, I got this from a boy in my village. It is a prototype of a solar powered electric system’’ Omoefe said.

Dickson had stooped in order to get a good view of the machine.

‘’ This is a good work but what do you intend to do with this?’ Dickson asked skeptically.

‘’ I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I will just let this lay low for now. So what’s up’’

Omoefe closed the boot. They chatted on their walk to the house. They had a long chat and parted just before it was 10:00pm. Omoefe had a nice rest in readiness for his return to the capital. As soon as it was morning, he got ready to leave for the airport. Dickson drove him to the airport and they bade each other good bye at the entry point. Omoefe was expecting his car in Abuja in three days’ time as he was not interested in driving down to Abuja. The flight took off an hour behind schedule and he arrived later than he had wanted.
He arrived at the Federal Secretariat building just before 10:00am. He hurried to the office of the director in charge of his division. On arrival, he knocked and opened the door. He met three men in the director, Dr Sarki’s office and they were conversing.
‘’ Good morning Dr. Sarki, I am sorry for coming late’’ he apologized as he hurried to sit.

Sarki shook his head while the others acknowledged him with a stare.

‘’ So before the interruption, what is the plan for the week?’ Sarki asked.

‘’ Sir, the inspection tour of Kabilla power project is scheduled for Wednesday’’ Usman, one of the men said.

‘’ Okay, I think that will be all for now’’ Sarki said with a wave of his right hand.

The men stood up and left leaving Omoefe and Sarki who was reclining in his swirling settee.

‘’ Sir, Is there anything I need to know?’ Omoefe asked.

‘’ Isn’t that a funny question to ask. You just go and have a good rest’’ he said in irritation.

‘’ I thought I was supposed to be part of the team for the inspection tour of Kambilla…’’

‘’ That was until you decided to stay away from the meeting we just held. Efe or whatever you are called, you must understand that business is handled with utmost priority here and time is of the essence. I hope this serves as a lesson to you’’

Omoefe left immediately Sarki was done. He was beginning to dislike the man and he was sure he needed to do something fast to quell whatever plan the man had against him. He sat gloomy in his office throughout the work day. He left as soon as it was four in the evening for Nyanya, a suburb of the city. He lived there with his wife and their three sons. He met his wife and their little boy Joshua, in the sitting room. He embraced his wife and left for the bedroom. The thought of the event at the office was a burden that refused to ease. He took his clothes off and laid on the bed to relax his frayed mind.

His car arrived on the third day as he had arranged and he paid the driver the agreed sum. The arrival of the car took his mind back to the meeting he had had in the village. He had barely taken a look at the file but once he set eyes on the prototype, he decided to do a thorough study that same day. He had done substantial study of the documents enclosed in the file when his phone rang around 8:00pm.

‘’ Good evening’’ an elderly voice greeted.

‘’ Good evening Sir’’ Omoefe replied.

‘’ This is Uzuo, Benjamin’s father’’

‘’ Okay. I am sorry for not replying on time’’ Omoefe said.

‘’ No problem’’ Uzuo replied.

‘’ I must say that your son has a very good project. Please can I talk to him?’

‘’ Yes’’

A little shuffle in the line and then he heard the voice of the younger man.

‘’ Good evening sir’’ Benjamin greeted.

‘’ Good evening Ben, I spoke to your father about your work’’ Omoefe said.

‘’ Okay Sir’’

‘’ I like the concept and would not mind having you come around to Abuja to see how well we can go with this project’’

‘’ That will be great Sir!’ Benjamin exclaimed.

‘’ Okay let me speak with your father’’

Another shuffle and he heard the old man make a croaky noise ostensibly to clear his voice.

‘’ Sir, I hope you won’t have a problem with Benjamin coming to Abuja to stay with me’’ Omoefe said.

‘’ No problem if that is what is needed to make his dream come true’’ Uzuo replied.

‘’ Okay, give me some few days. I will have to make some arrangements’’

‘’ Okay, thank you very much Oza’’

Omoefe dropped the call and breathed hesitantly. He had never thought of the idea he just shared with Uzuo but there was little he could do now than to honour his promise. The project was indeed a novel one, a grand design to supply electric power to rural communities with solar energy. The only obstacle was Sarki. He needed his support to push forward the project. A lot of money was needed and he knew there was no easier capital than the seed fund managed by the ministry of power and productivity.
******************

Omoefe sat through the session looking on smugly. He was uninterested in the festivities going on even though he was the reason for the gathering. He was far above the state they were in. The obvious reason was the fact that he saw nothing in their celebrations. He had merely provided a part of the fund for the occasion and he had some spare time hence his presence.
The elders of Ohre clan had little of the uneasiness that seemed to pervade the thoughts of Omoefe. They were in the midst of a boisterous occasion celebrating the promotion of one of their illustrious son to the post of an assistant director at the federal ministry of works and productivity. This all but confirmed their confidence in the lad who has gone on to achieve great things in recent years. Omoefe was the poster child of the yearnings of the people of Ohre. He is the first university graduate in the whole community his past efforts was the stuff of legend.

Omoefe was comfortable with this weight of expectation in the beginning but of recent, he was growing weary of the burden attached to it. He had battles to fight and the more he felt vulnerable, the more he felt incapable of representing the earnest wishes of his people. He stood up mid-way through the programme and walked outside. It was already dark and he had his phone to his ear.

‘’ Aye (wife)’’ he said.

‘’ Honey’’ a soft feminine voice replied.

‘’ Sorry I have not called ever since. The ceremony is a big one and it did not start on time’’ he replied.

‘’ Okay, good night’’ she replied.

Omoefe smirked and turned round to face one of the attendants who was standing behind him. He was a teenager.

‘’ The chairman asked me to call you’’ the boy said.

‘’ Okay. I will come soon’’ he replied.

He shook his head in exasperation before walking in. He took his place by the side of the chairman. The chairman and some elders were seated facing the crowd of onlookers on a specially designated section of the hall.

‘’ Omoefe, it is time to give a speech’’ the chairman said.

He had not prepared anything but it was expected that he should give a symbolic speech. He cleared his throat and swallowed some saliva. The music that had been playing was gradually dying down and he got prepared to give the expected speech.

‘’ Good evening Mr. Chairman, the elders, the people of Ohre, I appreciate you all for your love and reception to what seems like a personal achievement. It is important for me to say that I appreciate your love and support which have been instrumental to my success in the past and recent years. It is not wrong for you all to celebrate this noble achievement as it is your support that has motivated me. I recognize my role as a model to everyone and a pioneer of sort and I can only pledge my commitment to assisting the youth of this community in whatever way I can’’

It was a loud standing ovation that greeted his pause and he could see that they were eager to hear more.

‘’ The task of building this community is one that I have sworn to ensure to completion and I look forward to joining hands with other enterprising youths of Ohre to make it happen’’

The applause grew louder this time and he sat down immediately, a subtle confirmation that he was done with the speech. The chairman, a middle aged man, fair in complexion and average in height stood up to talk next.

‘’ We thank our son, Omoefe who has continually made us proud due to his remarkable achievements that have now gone national. His speech also goes a long way to confirm the fact that our trust in him is not misplaced and we the elders can only wish him the best’’ he said.

A raucous applause followed the chairman’s speech. Omoefe received the hand of the chairman in a warm handshake and soon all the others at the table followed as they shook hands. Just at that moment, food and drinks were brought in and they started distributing it among themselves. The meal was eba and soup served with palm wine and other assorted drinks. Omoefe ate little of the meal given to him while he watched as the people ate their portions. He felt honoured to have been the subject of this gathering but he knew this was no relief. Instead, his mind and thoughts were firmly fixed on upstaging the vicious attacks of Usman, a colleague at the headquarters of the ministry of work and productivity. He managed to maintain a cheerful appearance though despite the nagging thought of possible defeat.
The meeting ended around 10:00pm. He sighed in relief as he walked towards his car. Suddenly he saw two men walking towards him. One was taller than the other. He waited a while seeing that he was the target.

‘’ Oza, we need your help’’

It was the shorter and elderly man that spoke. He was dark and the surrounding darkness only made a curious imprint of his silhouette.

‘’ Okay’’ Omoefe said.

‘’ This is my son’’ the man drew the other closer’’ he has an important equipment to show you’’

‘’ Is it here?’ Omoefe asked.

‘’ Yes, but will you be able to see it in the dark?’ the older man asked skeptically.

‘’ What is it he wants to show me?’

‘’ Sir, it is a little machine’’ the son interjected.

‘’ Sir, I will be travelling very early tomorrow morning. Let me have your number and I will send a message across once I have looked at it’’ he suggested.

‘’ Okay, Benjamin, give him my number’’ the old man nudged his son.

The boy called out the number while Omoefe dialed it. After a while, the boy gave him a file.

‘’ Sir, that is a graphic representation of what I intend to do’’ the boy said.

‘’ What is your name?’ Omoefe asked.

‘’ Benjamin sir’’ he replied.

‘’ Okay, I will go through this and make sure to get back to your father’’ he said.

Omoefe opened the front door of his car, entered and drove off as soon as the engine started. Father and son stood for a while as they watch the car drive out of sight. That was the beginning of a triangle of events that would uncover one of the brewing battle that had seemed under the radar.

This is a story owned by Okoribe Aruakpo.

Every event described is completely fictional hence any resemblance is entirely coincidental. I urge no one to copy this write-up without permission.

Judging by the behaviour of most writers, they are largely learners who willing take the plunge but are unable to continue the race. Story writing is not easy and I must say your suggestion about writing many pages before pasting is okay but inspiration sometimes is gotten from the comments if Nairalanders. My little advice, read works here with less seriousness as they are only works in progress.

RIP to a legend. It was great to read your great book. I hope grace take you to the Creator's kingdom.

Words are like honey that sweetens the mouth. Beautiful essay no doubt with a deep message. So many we say English language is difficult and not their mother's tongue but we can see that it is worth trying rather than resigning to failure.

I like this idea of students having to write essays before getting admission into colleges. It will go the Nigerian system great good if emulated.

Interesting. You can only go higher.

Confidence by Alan Mcginis. See if you can get it.

pweetyz:
the story was awesome I must say
I did expect it to be longer tho and go further into their future.
It's awesome either ways
Thank you so much
Keep up the good work

You are very much welcome. The future is open to your imagination.

Blessytee:
I'm sorry, manage it that way. I'm just a beginner.
and I don't study arts.

No need to be sorry, just a form of criticism.

Not much of a rhythm. Words are almost too literal rather than figurative.