₦airaland Forum

thenewmunir:
Centino,this is a great work.
Pls keep it up
More ink to ur pen
And more data also
#ghostmode_deactivated.

Nice to have you man.

clumsydyna:
I stumbled on this thread on Monday and was able to complete the episodes yesterday albiet almost wearing eyes out, I must say this is a wonderful story and it had me laughing at some of the familiar languages and I could also relate with most of the happenings of such a collection of families. Centino Abasi odiong nfi, I hope you understand that.

Of course I do. Sosongo. Welcome to Katakata Street

Dhavido:
I often picture the story in my head while reading and I must say that it’s mind blowing, it’s suspense filled, intriguing, it’s full of comedy as well as love.

Centino, I don’t know the process of getting a tv station like Africa Magic to invest in your story for it to be acted and shown as a series in their station. Keep up the good work bro, I see you going places with this magnificent piece

Thanks man. Hopefully someone who knows is reading

mimilight:
use to support Togo anytime.. They are playing match but
people think am supporting Nigeria..
This one got me thinking of Akpabio's "my heart was with you in 2015 election, I even voted for you" statement to buhari.

first time commenting. Nice story

Akpabio said that? SMH.

Ayn Rand's 1957 1168 page magnum opus titled Atlas Shrugged. Conquered it in the end and it did take me up a few notches. One hell of a challenging read it was.

Attempted William Golding's Lord of the Flies in JS1. Never completed it. Never touching it again.

My man Youngzubi. Correct guy.

I get you totally man. What I must say however is that no plagiarist is worthy of the credit for losing your mojo.

Guy, you see this internet, once you click send/submit/post you no longer have control. If you try, you will be grasping at straws. First time I found out they were stealing my work, I came here and threatened fire and brimstone. Then in the dead of the night I begin reason the thing. When I brought my work to a free platform what exactly was I expecting? The people that pitch their works with publishers and/or spend their money to self publish (In Lasisi Elenu's voice) ARE THEY MAD?

If you want to write here or for any free platform, you must be sure of the reason you are doing it, and do not take yourself too seriously. Once you begin to feel like that, then know that it is time to package your work and go and find a publisher or start your own website or find any of those escape routes our readers always accuse us of here on Nairaland.

Nowadays when I talk about my Katakata Street being plagiarized, I am doing so only for the benefit of the thief because I know that the thunder that is warming up to fire them is such that even I will have pity on them when it happens so I advise them to do the ethical thing for their own safety.

All those gymnastics so that they will not steal something I am already giving out for free will only be dispiriting. It is not as if Seun is sharing his billions with me for the traffic I bring to his website.

connkg:
@Centino
I meant to ask if the sentence shouldn't read "Mama Willy Willy had just finished sweeping her frontage...",

Spot on man. Fixed.

connkg:
@Centino
I think the two women went to meet Mama Willy Willy. Do check to correct.
Minor typos elsewhere still had meaning, but error above was confusing.
Great story, you OK? Something changed awhile ago. Characters dipped somehow....

I don't quite get you man. Pls be specific. I'm open to criticism and suggestions because I write mostly off the cuff. For this project to work I have had to silence my inner editor which can be a nightmare for a writer because of the lure of perfection. I reread just once, and when it's time to update I look at the last line and continue.

I read all comments and take suggestions. 3 come to mind that influenced the course of this story significantly. When I was contemplating moving from the 1st to 3rd person narration, sheycrown suggested Ndifreke got a job. I thought about it and sent him to the wharf and started telling from other POVs. Another time Youngzubi asked about Akunna and that resonated with me. Soon after he returned as the champ . Then there was a major error with papa Efe's reaction when Akunna knocked the light out of Efe and EkopSparoAyara pointed it out and I made the change. Same dude recently asked about Sister Esther and that was at the back of my mind as I wrote the last episode.

This has become our story and inputs are welcome. If the characters dip, lemme know what you think may not be working. You know that I still write even when I'm happy, sad, hungry, hurt, broken hearted, fearful. It's a commitment I've made. The "come and update" crew don't want to know so I have to Crack on everything not withstanding. Good thing is that there are times when I'm very motivated and it's also noticeable in the output.

When the day comes when I have to sit down and work on this for a publisher or something, trust me you're gonna like the final product

chizko4me:
Centino you want make i vex abi?
Open standing Breast, yet Castro and Irekefe are not anywhere close to witness it.
I no like am oh. Were is Castro self?

Na true o

We'll see about that

SunFlow:
Centino my Oga... I remember how we started 2 years ago right from the first chapter of this story.

You have proven your wits timelessly.. God bless you

Thanks man. You're one of my favs you know...

EkopSparoAyara:
So,what happened to Irikefe in front of Nurse Josephine room when Evae showed up wearing a Thong??

Looks like you missed "Charity Begins At Home." Go to page 127.

eyesofpearls:
What a way to unwind after a long day! Thanks man! You’re the best! You came through!
I just dey laugh anyhow!
You too much!

ManBeast:
This Agbonyibo nah confam brainy man, see as he confuse dem elders with him daughter standing Breast, even the almighty Mr Kingsley wasn't left alone.



Oga Centino make I confuse you with this standing nyansh.

Chai badt guy! No spoil me and Kaycee9242 o

Xavier5:
Mr Centino, bia bia bia, come come come, how come you know so much about witchcraft. You sure say you no be one of them?

#Xavier.

OluwabuqqyYOLO:
'And I know that they have beautiful animals. The donkey and dog from Togo behave differently to the ones from Nigeria.'

This killed me!

Eberechi24:
Maya should open her eyes o. Ndifereke is playing a fast one on her. How can you demand for your money, he give you marriage proposal

Vulcanheph:
Did anyone notice that when centino started this story it started in a autobiographical manner (everything was told from Ndifreke's perspective).... But I think as the story progressed centino realised that the characters have evolved and it would be unfair to be telling the story from Ndi's eyes alone.
And I love his way of thinking and how he's been to change the narrative technique without the readers noticing..... My advice to centino is to try and publish the book(because it's bestseller potential) or sell it as a script to a Africa magic.

Thanks for the kind words man. I'm truly open to anything as far as this work is concerned. For now I'm enjoying the writing journey

Xavier5:
Dear Centino,

I've always been a ghost reader since day one but lie lie, I have been arrested on my way to Damascus and please don't ask me how and where my where my Damascus is? take am like that, na arrest dem arrest me close to Damascus and, ***in paul's voice*** "Glory be to GOD, I have been unghosted readingly".

Centino, I must say, you are one hell of a writer. Everything in this story, the comic, arguments, drama, romance, supernatural, ideologies (even if I don't agree with some), violence and logics are just Legit. The way you captured, described, narrated, explained and projected every detail of the story is amazingly awesome. Keep up the good work.

The theory that one's name affect him or her or might be true (even if I don't believe it). Number 225 katakata street, no wonder everything in that compound is just katakata.

To me, Cosmas is just bias and sentimental. How can you believe some part of the bible and debelieve other part. There is nothing like partial obedience to the bible, you either believe the bible or you don't at all. What is the essence of believing some part of the bible when according to him is invalid. What does that make him?

Now that I have spoken what I want to say, let me join the "Centino Come And Update Oh Ranters And Crews" and honourably say

#Xavier.

Great to have you Xavier. Everyone knows I always rejoice at the conversion of every ghost reader

Thanks for the kind words man. In the days to come, I will make Cosmas respond to your charge. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, I don update o. Na Nairaland mods come alter my calendar with ban.

olumose001:
Wow, back here after a very long time.. Centino still delivering as usual with much wisdom.. not surprised why those guys took you for a cross bearer, your words carry so much wisdom and different from the view of others, although you put out your words with sense unlike most cross bearers I know who are very aggressive.. Keep up the good work man, we Love you

Thanks man. Great to have you back.

“SEE BOBBII!”


Eyes almost popped out of sockets when she came out of the corridor wearing a wrapper and colourful beads around her waist and just white body paint of calabash chalk on her torso up to her neck. She reached the gathering, knelt down, kissed her father’s feet, and then turned and looked every man in the gathering in the eye. It was the best Mr Cosmas could do to shoo the children away when Willy-willy shouted, “see bobbiii!”

Satisfied that the men had had a good impression of her, Evae glided back into the house, aware that there were a few jaws on the ground at her retreat. Time stood still until Agbonyibo began to cackle.

“Na my pikin be dat my brothers. No man don touch am before. Na him make my wife open him breast make una see as he stand.”

“I can’t believe this,” Mr Kingsley said. And when everyone turned to be sure he had just spoken in plain language he said “Many are the wonders of the world, and none so wonderful as man – Sophocles.”

“Yes, I agree” Achike said. “Agbonyibo is a wonderful man.”

Mr Zubi cleared his throat and swallowed and was about to speak when he heard an unmistakable voice from afar making its way to the gathering.

“What am I hearing? Men of number 225 Katakata Street! What is it that I am hearing? Mama Wily-willy repeated.”

“We are having a meeting, woman!” Mr Zubi said.

“What meeting? What nonsense meeting!” Turning to Agbonyibo she said “Oga Togo. What do you think you are doing? Where do you think you are?”

“Madam wetin I do?”

“How can you come and parade your LovePeddler in front of people’s husbands?” Turning to Willy-willy who was by her side she said, “She came out here naked right?”

“They rub only nzu on her bress,” the little boy said.

“Oga thank your stars. Thank your god if you have any that I did not meet her here.” Turning to her husband, she said, “Let’s go inside. That is the end of this meeting.”

“Woman!”

“Don’t woman me!”

You could hear the sound of everyone’s breathing in the seconds that followed. Then Mr Zubi said, “Gentlemen, we will meet again. Thank you all for coming.” Then one by one, the men dispersed. However, Mr Kingsley, Achike, Lukman and Josiah did not leave Agbonyibo’s side.



Ndifreke heard a knock and stood and up and went and let Maya in. He knew his Maya. He knew something was wrong.

“Nothing is wrong Ndi.”

“I know you Maya.”

“Alright. I have a request to make.”

“What is it?”

“I want my money.”

“What money?”

“My sign on fees.”

Ndifreke studied Maya. She had her eyes everywhere in the room apart from on him.

“It’s you mother isn’t it?”

“What are you talking about Ndi?”

“Don’t try to lie Maya. I can stand anything else but not that.”

Maya fell into his arms and began to sob.

“She says terrible things Ndi. I want to give her everything. Every single naira so that she stops saying those things to me.”

“You should not be intimidated Maya.”

“I am intimidated. She is my mother. My father, her husband is in jail because of me. I am also just hearing that she almost lost her life having me. If one million naira will buy back my dignity where she is concerned I will be happy to give it to her.”

“I put it in a money market fund.”

“I don’t know what that is and I don’t care. If it is my money, I should be able to have it when I want it.”

“You are right about that,” Ndifreke said and let his head drop.

“Please darling. Let’s give her the money and go away from here.”

“If we give her the money, it will be harder to go away.”

“Okay I don’t mind another one room. But away from this place. I don’t feel I belong here anymore."

“But Maya.”

“No buts Ndi. Let’s find a place and move out.”

“I don’t want you to move in with me just like that.”

“What do you mean Ndi?”

“You will only move into my place as my wife.”

Maya’s eyes flickered at the realization of what he was saying.

“Are you asking me to marry you Ndi?”

Ndifreke plumped down in both knees and Maya parted her legs so that he could get even closer to her.

“This is not the way I wanted to propose to you. Heck, I don’t even have a ring. But there has never been any doubt where this was headed. While you were pregnant and all that happened, happened, I told myself that the first thing I would do if I had the means was to bring honour to you. Despite how life has turned around for us, there are people who still remember that once upon a time two penniless people claiming to be in love almost had a baby and became objects of ridicule. I want to rewrite that story. I want there to be a happy ending to that story that people will remember. I want it to be on record in this same 225 Katakata Street that we celebrated our union, and restored the reputation of love.”

“Oh Ndi. You have not asked the question.”

They both laughed and he said, “I’m sorry darling. I guess I needed to get that off my chest. Maya, will you marry me?”

“Let me go and tell mum.”

“So is that a yes?”

“Yes Ndi. What is life if I do not end up as your wife?”

He grinned and kissed her.

“Is it okay to make love to celebrate this?”

“You will have me forever Ndi. For now, I want to go and tell my mother so that we do what we have to do and get the hell out of this place.”

“Okay hun. Run along then.”



The men that had stayed behind with Agbonyibo continued to smile at each other like idiots. Agbonyibo was also smiling as he waited for them to speak. Then Achike went first:

“You know, Togo is one of the most important countries in Africa.”

“That is very true,” Josiah said.

“I used to follow the National team of Togo whenever they play football. People think I support Nigeria but it is actually Togo that I support. I know all their players not just Emmanuel Adebayo. I was very happy when they made Steven Keshi their coach.” Lukman said.

“And I know that they have beautiful animals. The dogs and donkeys from Togo behave differently from the ones from Nigeria,” Josiah said.

“That must be why Mr Agbonyibo is in the animal business,” Lukman said. “Is it so Mr Agbonyibo?”

“Yes sir. Me I like animal na why I dey train dem.”

“I said it! Erm…do you have a dog, a small dog that I can buy and be sending message?” Achike said.

“Yes sir. I get dog. If you buy am I go train am for you. I go train am e no go dey sh*t anyhow.”

“Hahahaha I trust you Mr Agbonyibo. You are a very intelligent man.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Erm Mr Agbonyibo, since you came you have not had a haircut? I offer free haircut once in a month to compound members” Lukman said.

“Kai!” Achike said. But Josiah nudged him to be quiet.

Mr Kingsley had not said anything yet. So Agbonyibo turned to him. “You no dey talk plenty sir.”

Mr Kingsley stroked his beard and smiled at Agbonyibo and said, “Talk much and they think you are a fool. Be quiet and they become curious.”

Agbonyibo smiled and said “Na true you talk.”

“Ehen Agbonyibo, what is the name of your president?

“Our President na Foure Gnassingbe.”

“I hope he is not a clone?” Josiah said.

“No o! Na him Papa Gnassingbe Eyadema wey be President for thirty eight years hand over to am when him die.”

“That cannot happen in this country. Here, when our President dies we go to Sudan and get a clone.”

“Enough of this clone thing. You know it is ridiculous.”

“It is not. That is why Aisha Buhari has joined the opposition. She wants Jubrin to lose so that she can have a peaceful widowhood.”

“She came out the other day to say that two people are holding the government hostage. The question is, does she live in the same house as Buhari? Do they sleep on the same bed? Do they talk at all? I find it strange that a husband and wife can co-habit and still come to the public to sing divergent tunes.”

“That is because they are not husband and wife. This is the greatest indication yet that we have an imposter in Aso Rock. Aisha does not support that man.”

“Agbonyibo, is that how the wife of your president is?”

“No sir. We president get thirteen girlfriend and seventeen children. Even the daughter of former Ghana president Nana Ama Kuffour born pikin for am. Some people say na dat one be him wife but I know say na lie.”

“Is that not better? That way there is no nonsense first lady going about and frolicking with the opposition.”

“Speaking of wives” Mr Kingsley said, “What you just showed us. Count me in.”

Mr Kingsley had spoken again!

“Yes Agbonyibo. I am also interested,” Achike said.

“And me too,” Josiah said.

“Me too,” Lukman said.

“Thank you sir all of una. As e be like dis, my pikin don grow. I give una permission to talk to am. Anybody wey him like, na the person go marry am.”



Mama Tobi watched her daughter dither with excitement before finally making the announcement.

“So he now wants to marry you.”

“Yes mama” she said. “I’m so happy mama. We will show the people of Katakata street that love is not dead.”

“Love is not dead” Mama Tobi repeated, her face like the statue of Jacob Zuma in Owerri.

“Mama. Please don’t tell me you are not happy. He is finally coming to do the right thing.”

“You are a fool.”

It felt like a punch in her gut as she felt the air go out of her. She gently lowered herself in the only armchair in the room.

“Where is the money? Where is the money Maya!” Mama Tobi said, stood, and clapped her hands in her daughter's face. “You went to ask him for your money and he turned around and asked you for marriage.”

“But mama.”

“Think Maya! Think! He does not want to give you the money. Once he marries you, it is no longer your money. He will then have total control over it and over you.”

“Please stop it mama.”

“Open your eyes! Open your eyes Maya. Go and collect your money!”

Maya looked at her mother and then at the door and began to wail.



Mama Cowbell and Mama Kike, two of the more unassuming women of Number 225 Katakata Street were unhappy. They sat in Mama Cowbell’s shop and deliberated for a long time before they decided to go and speak to Mama Willy-willy about their decision.

Mama Willy-willy had just finished sweeping her frontage when the two women announced their presence.

“Ah…Mama Cowbell. Mama Kike. Una good morning. This one wey una come my house. I hope say everything dey okay?”

The two visitors looked at each other and then Mama Cowbell decided to speak.

“Mama Willy-willy. We come to tell you say we wan go Shiloh. And we want make you follow us go.”

“Shiloh? Mama Cowbell! But you no dey go church before na? Wetin come happen?”

“Na that bress wey my husband see.”

“Ehn?”

“Mama Willy-willy. My husband no dey take eye see bress. Even as my own big reach wey make dem dey call me Cowbell, e no dey belleful am. I no know wetin bring that Agbon-wetin-dem-call-am come this compound. How him pikin go open bress show my husband?”

“And you wan go Shiloh because of that?”

“My husband never sleep since dat day. I dey look am for night, e dey do mouth like goat wey dem give feeding bottle when him dey sleep. I know say him dey dream say him dey suck de bress. I know say na only God go save am. Him no go gree go church so make me I go pray for him head.”

“Mama kike, you too wan go Shiloh? You for kuku go Redeemed camp.”

“Mama Willy–willy I no wan go anywhere. I tell Mama Cowbell say make we meet Sister Esther make she follow us pray. I know say she sabi pray well well.”

“Eh hen?”

“Yes ma.”

“Okay. Good luck with that. Me I go keep my eye open, if I see Papa Willy-willy eye for dat girl body, I go soak him blokos inside fresh pepper when him dey sleep.”

“Hmmm Mama Willy-willy you know say woman like you wey go school husband dey fear una. We wey dem bring from village, if man find twenty thousand naira give you to sell small market him go want make you dey look am like God. If him carry woman sef you no get mouth to talk. So na to put everything inside God hand.”

“I see.”

Mama Willy-willy understood the worry of the two women. She did not want to make them feel any worse than they did. And she liked the camaraderie they were trying to foster. It would be useful in the future, she reasoned. For the time being, she decided to play along, even though she had no doubt in her mind how she was going to deal with the matter.

“Make we go meet Esther. That Shiloh too far. Bible say where two or three are gathered in his name, him dey there.”

“Mama Willy-willy, I know my husband. Him own need strong man of God like Papa Oyedeop or even Adeboye.”

“You think say if you reach there you go see Oyedepo? Na outside you go stand dey watch am for television. And he fit be say that time wey you comot for house na him your husband go take go pursue de girl.”

“God forbid!”

“Okay make we go see Esther.”

Sister Esther opened the door for the three women.

Mama Kike spoke this time.

“Sister Esther. Na de thing wey happen for this compound carry us come.”

“What is it?”

“That small girl wey open bress show all our men.”

“How is that my business?”

“I want make we come together as women pray. I see devil hand inside.”

“Don’t be ridiculous all of you.”

“Your man Kingsley dey there. E no worry you?”

“Please please please I am not in the mood for this."

"No be lie we dey tell you. We need prayer."

"I don’t trifle with my Creator. There are better things to pray about.”

“Sister Esther. No talk like so. We know say you be woman of God. We also know say you and Kingsley dey do fellowship for night. We no talk say na bad thing you dey do because we know say every woman need man. But this kind thing wey happen, we need to call God put inside before our man dem miss road.”

“Mrs Zubi. You are in on this?”

“Yes Sister Esther.”

“Kingsley will not do it. How will he explain himself to them? He has vehemently refused to talk normally. And from what I hear you must pass through the father to get to the daughter.”

“Kingsley is talking. They saw him negotiating with the Togo man.”

“It’s a lie.”

“Esther you know me. I will not be here if I did not know what I was saying.”

“Kingsley was talking to the Togo man?”

“Yes he was.”

Sister Esther took Mama Kike’s hand and said “Sisters, Please let us pray.”



TO BE CONTINUED.

Essyprity:
it's not a laughing matter

I see that

By end of day today then...

Ditto MhizSuccess

KpagoGIN:
Na like this Castro take follow Efe go club end up with stitches..... Take care the Lord is your strength.

dupsai:
Centino I beg give us something light!

I fit o. But una go shout say e dey short. Make una relax. 2 updates for sure by Sunday

Chai, my people. Make una no vex. Update was 60% complete and some of my buddies came around and lured me out. I think say I go come back on time come complete am but they had big plans for me. No be clear eye I even dey take type now

If I finish tomorrow I go post. otherwise...

TheStarsAlign:
If no update today e go be double length for Wednesday be dat

Wadewaltz:
I called so u watch as greatness is unleashed startin dis day

Fantastic. Best of luck buddy.

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME


Indeed, it was Evae. With jutting breasts and burgeoning n*pples; waist slender as a willow wand and hips curved as the heart of Cupid. Christmas had come early for Irikefe. He had already made up his mind that when his father threw him out he would relocate to Togo. From the evidence before him, good things happened in that land. Nigerian girls needed to learn how to behave from this angel.

Irikefe knew they did not have much time before someone appeared on the corridor. People always went out to the bathroom to urinate at night, and so he had to make his move quickly. He would take her to the backyard and minister to her there. Then he noticed something was amiss. Evae suddenly froze and her eyes became like fire. At the same time, goosebumps covered his body and he felt sudden cold air that blew the lust out of him and left him feeling giddy.

She wanted to take him by the pen*s and drag him away when her eyes made contact with the necklace. What she saw was the slithering tongue of a reptile from a slit that emitted red flame that smelled like incense. She felt her life force ebbing away as she looked at his neck. She could have vanished as soon as the danger became apparent; but she had the presence of mind to kick him hard on his testicles and whisper, “no try that with me again” and watched him buckle under the pain before she took two steps and appeared on the roof in the form of an owl.

“You came like an owl. It must have been bad.” Her father said.

“There was no time to take a fancy form.”

“You are a brave girl. Most witches I know would have just vanished.”

“He knew I was there in the flesh. He would have known if I had disappeared. He is smarter than most in this compound. He would have drawn his conclusions.”

“Where would he have gotten such protection from?”

“His father I suppose.”

“I know but where did his father get it?”

“I wouldn’t know my king.”

“What happens now?”

“We let him be. There is no reason to persist. We know where to channel our energy.”

“Indeed we know.”

“But how will you handle the aftermath of tonight? You know him, he won’t lie low.”

“He will be confused in the morning. I will also report him to his father.”

“You will make an enemy. We do not want that. We do not want anyone to suspect us.”

“Then I will not report him. I will try to confuse him further.”

“How will you do it?”

“I am a woman. I am beautiful. A man’s brain usually takes flight when he is before a beautiful woman.”



Irikefe managed to go back to bed without his father noticing he had gone out, or so he thought. By some miracle, he fell asleep soon after he lay down.

First thing in the morning, he went to look for her. He found her in front of the compound brushing her teeth. He did not mind that the compound was bustling with people. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards the shops and they stopped in front of her father’s.

“What was that you did Evae?”

“You no call me Eva again?” She said, careful not to look at his neckwear, forcing a tear at the same time.

“Alright, Eva. What was that?”

She sobbed and turned her back and said, “You disgrace me.”

“How I disgrace you? You kick my blokos like say na unripe mango, and you come say I disgrace you?”

“You say you like me, you wan go fvck nurse.”

“What?”

“I see you!”

“I don’t understand. Why you come out n*ked then?”

“I come give you the thing.”

“How you take know say I dey there?”

“I been dey wait for you.”

“For where?”

“For backyard.”

“But you no tell me.”

“You for know.”

“How I for take know? In the first place, you say make I go ask your papa. Which kind thing be dat?”

“You for do as I tell you.”

“We no dey do like that for our country. Besides, as I no ask your papa, how you come take come dey follow me for night?”

“If to say you like me you for know. But you disgrace me. Go meet your nurse.”

“But, Eva…”

“No talk to me again.”

“Wait, wait Eva. You mean say your papa for gree? And you ready to give me?”

“I know why I tell you to go ask am. I also know why I come meet you for night.”

“I’m confused Eva. And I no even know wetin concern your papa inside or the kind person wey him be.”

“No worry. All of una for this compound go soon know my papa.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“No worry. You go soon understand.”



One by one the men took their seats. Everyone now knew about Achike and Chisco. The council needed to intervene. As they waited for everyone to arrive, someone mentioned Buhari’s parley with Nigerians in Poland.

“After this has been raging in this country all year, he waited till he got to Poland to address the matter. The question is why doesn’t Buhari talk to us in Nigeria?”

“He is contemptuous of us. In the end, he shot himself in the foot. The International media have now gotten hold of the Jubrin story. He is being mocked the world over.”

“He said he is not Jubrin. As if we expected him to say anything else.”

“He is Jubrin whether he likes it or not. For one, Buhari promised us jobs, good life and everything. Since he did not deliver, he is Jubrin.”

“Which kind of logic is that one?”

“I don’t want to get into the picture evidence. From the standpoint of failed promises, he is Jubrin Al Sudani. If he likes let him go to Venezuela and deny it. He is Jubrin.”

“This Jubrin thing is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I wish the talk will just die already.”

“It won’t. Bishop Oyedepo lent his voice to it. He asked the government to come out and clear the air.”

“The government accused him of fueling the rumour.”

“He said it as if he believed it actually.”

“It serves the government right. When Buhari was sick and was flown out, we asked them to tell us what was wrong with our President but they will not say. For three months they kept us in the dark. Since they hid the truth from us, we found our own story. So whether he likes it or not, he is Jubrin.

Did you see father Mbaka embarrass Peter Obi over donation to his church?”

“Disgrace. Just because the man refused to be extorted from, he opened his mouth and brought shame to the Catholic mission.”

“He called Peter Obi stingy, that if he did not take time that he and Atiku would end in shame.”

“His people do not like him because he does not dole out cash anyhow. They know that with him protecting the cookie jar, it will not be business as usual.”

“Father Mbaka is a disgrace. His church has distanced themselves from him. You know he is high on the wrong substance when he said that both Atiku and Buhari will fail? So who will now win?”

“Maybe Oby”

“Dream on.”

“Meanwhile Luka Modric won the Ballon d'Or. If that is not bad enough, the GOAT was voted fifth. In which world is Luca Modric better that Lionel Messi. Or even Christano Ronaldo.”

“The whole thing is politics. Far from transparent. Let us even agree that they want to give the award to a midfielder. How do you explain that Xavi – for many years the metronome that made that great Barcelona sides tick, or even Iniesta never won the Balon D’or but Luca Modric did?”

“In 2010, Holland’s Wesley Snijder won everything and also finished second at that year's world cup and had scored more goals and was more influential for club and country and got overlooked for the Balon D’or because it was an individual award. And now you give it to Modric?”

“Those awards really should be scrapped. Football is a team sport. You can award the highest goal scorer. The highest number of saves for a goalkeeper but never an individual as all round best. No one plays the game alone. It is not tennis.”

“Okay gentlemen, now that Achike is here, we should deal with the matter at hand,” Mr Zubi said.

“Erm council of elders, with due respect, I don’t think I want that matter discussed. It is a family matter.”

“No Achike. You know how we started. We will not turn a blind eye. Tell us what happened.”

Irikefe nudged Ndifreke where they stood and said “I told you. They want to here about the sex. As if they don’t know already.”

“I am not going to open my mouth and say that dirty thing. You people already know. And because of that he is not welcomed in this house anymore.”

“Achike. Chisco did not commit a crime. He did not rape or steal. What he did I believe was consensual. He is an adult. It is not wrong.”

“Yes I know he is an adult I agree. Every adult should be able to take care of himself. So let him go and be his adult somewhere else.”

“He cannot afford to. We hear is sleeps at the bus stop. How can you go to bed at night knowing that your blood brother is exposed to that kind of danger and you live alone.”

“The boy crossed the line. What if something happens to him as he was doing what he was doing? Who will my people ask questions? When they nearly blinded him here, who was running up and down?”

“Well he was not in any kind of danger from what I hear happened.”

“Who told you he was not in danger? What if she gave him HIV? He will now come and live with me and give it to me too.”

“How will he give it to you Achike? Don’t tell us you are that ignorant, or even a pervert."

“He is the one that cooks, he can cut himself and put it in the food so that I will die and he will take over my business.”

“Ah Achike!”

“Okay if that doesn’t happen, when he falls sick and turns to okporoko who will take care of him? Who will be packing his sh*t?”

“Oh Lord Achike!”

“As he has decided to eat adult food, let him go and be his adult somewhere else.”

“No Achike. The reality is that he is homeless and helpless and you can help him. We insist that you do.”

“And if I don’t?”

“It will not come to that Achike. We know you are angry. But we cannot lose our humanity because of that. And there is no evidence that he has HIV.”

“You people should stop wasting your time. He is jealous. Chisco went to a land he had been dreaming about.” It was Irikefe from a distance.

Many put their heads down to hide their amusement.”

“God punish you there,” Achike said.”

“Please think about it Achike. Chisco is a good boy. We hate to see him suffer. And please make up your mind quickly.”

Achike did not say anything.

“Anything else gentlemen?”

Agboyinbo cleared his throat and said “good morning sirs.”

“Good morning Agbonyibo”

“I get something good wey I wan talk.”

“Please say it Agbonyibo.”

“I wan tell una say my daughter Evae don reach to marry. Small time some men go dey come look am. E no go good make somebody come from outside to come marry my pikin when plenty men dey this compound. Dem say charity, na for home e dey start. So I say make I tell una. If anybody like my pikin, and my pikin like am, make him talk so dat we go do as our people dey do.”

The men all looked at themselves and then at Agbonyibo. Then he called out to Evae.

No one was prepared for what came next.



TO BE CONTINUED.

Jaynom029:
Oga Centino how far naw no midweek update nii?

Shortly man...

WAACUT:
The man of the people.. Centino baba.. Am back from.. Efcc detention...

Guy, if you go EFCC detention that means you na big boy. Anything for your boy?

Wadewaltz:
Centino,Emmanaira20

I dey here. Who calls?

Thank heavens for editors.