AROCHUKWU TV enter10ment: The Editor

I, the editor, consider this research project the most difficult but rewarding task that I have ever had to undertake all my life. There was no amount of money that my friend, Mr. President, could not have afforded just to ensure that this research project was successfully completed. I accepted the task, not for the money, anyway. I accepted it when I realized how beneficial it would be, particularly, to Africa at this time that the continent is almost breaking under the heavy weight of Western religions that ushered in Western education, fashion, politics, trade and military, which are nothing else but a mere campaign for White supremacy. It will not be proper should I go on and write without dropping my pen at this juncture to introduce myself to you, the reader. My name is Ekeagbaudu, the ancient Avatar of Aru-chiukwu. I am a child that does not sleep at night – I have taken it upon myself to restore the dignity of Africa. I am always thinking critically about how to save the children of my beloved Black Mother Africa. I am the only eye at the centre of an ancient pyramid that can see through the confusion of an illuminated prism. I am an illustrious son of Arochukwu ancient Kingdom and a prominent sun of the Sun – Chiukwu – the Supreme Light of the world. I am an offspring of Nne Ani-na-Miri – the Holy Mothers of the Earth. I see submerged secrets through the omniscient Eye of Chiukwu, and my ancestors speak through my mouth. Let me state unequivocally, and without circumlocution or ambiguity, that I am not the narrator of the story you are about to read. I am, only but, the editor. I was commissioned by my friend, the President, to write a historical novel that would be based on his real life experience. He narrated his real life story while I edited. To be honest, this is the most challenging of all the tasks that I have ever had to undertake as a creative writer. My friend painted a vivid picture of what the finished story should look like. He was specific in his demand: “The story should look exactly like a mini-skirt, short enough to be inviting, but long enough to cover the subject matter”. It is up to you, dear reader; I leave the judgment to you. If you are not completely engrossed in the story from cover to cover, it means that I have failed my friend. It also means that I have wasted his millions of hard currency which he invested in this project. Indeed, building a fantastic historical novel with a political and biographical background is a task more tedious and expensive than building a skyscraper atop the Atlantic. EKEAGBAUDU, EDITOR. Lowering the Union Jack

The office was spacious. It contained a shiny mahogany table and a padded black swivel chair. It also contained a sofa and a glass center table for visitors. There was a seven-foot tall refrigerator stocked with expensive foreign drinks. Dr. Dike, a reputable journalist, studied journalism in Cambridge University.

Since his return from the United Kingdom, it had been his earnest desire to see his country's flag hoisted in place of the Union Jack. Sacrifices have been made and prices paid for the country's independence. Though, Dr. Dike never expected that political freedom would come the easy way and served on a platter of gold, not after studying the challenges other African countries faced in the struggle for self-rule. Relaxing in his richly decorated office, nostalgic memories were dangling gently in the mind of Dr. Dike. A knock on the door abruptly ended the daydream. He quickly looked at a wall clock hung on the wall and got provoked. His anger was not that he heard a knock, but that he had warned his secretary severally not to be allowing visitors between the hours of 12noon and 1pm on Mondays and Fridays. “Today is not an exception,”

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Dr. Dike soliloquized and waved his head disappointedly. However, he had to awash his emotion very quickly. The door handle slowly turned downward and the door was pushed gently. A foot of a man appeared below the curtain. The sight of the foot gladdened Dr. Dike. “That's a familiar foot! It must be Odogwu!” happily exclaimed Dr. Dike. The man stepped in and shut the door behind him. Dr. Dike stood and duffed his cap to the visitor. They curved their arms in such a manner that they appeared like the pointed heads of two cobras. They hit the tips of their fingers together for three times as if the cobras were, and performed a special handshake. “Ima ifem mma! You know exactly what I know! Odogwu Akataaka ugo nabu tu n'isi – the double Chief. You know what I know,” hailed Dr. Dike. “Atakata abua! Atakata abua himself! The man of the people! A political gwugwuga! ” hailed Chief Odogwu. “Point of correction! I am a political gangagwu – timber and caliber! The area scatter! Okpokuru Ozopia” Dr. Dike praised himself. They laughed heartily and had their exclusive handshake once again. Dr. Dike brought out an expensive wine and two wine glasses. “Eh! Anu nka nka mpi! The animal with exceedingly strong horns! The only carpet grass that fears no ground!” hailed Chief Odogwu. “Let it be known unto my enemies that the sound of a gun cannot frighten the gods,” Dr. Dike said in praise of himself. “Dike n'onwe ya! Atakata abua! Dike himself!” hailed Chief Odogwu. They, once again, performed the handshake. “Aku n'atakasi gi alu! Obu gi bu ometala uka aku eje nga! The only man that can commit a crime and money, too much money, will be jailed in his stead. Ometala uka aku eje nga! Your wealth is excessive! You're stinking rich. Aku n'uba bu odibo gi! Wealth and riches are your servants. They run errands for you!” hailed Dr. Dike. Chief Odogwu graduated from Harvard with a degree in Business Administration. He owned oil wells and the largest drug business in the whole of West Africa. He was a very good friend of Dr. Dike. They met at a conference organized in the UK by the International West African Students' Association for all West African International students. It was at that conference that the elites and nationalists decided to foster the struggle for Africa's political independence. Since graduation, they had maintained closeness and cordiality. Chief Odogwu granted financial aid to Dr. Dike with which he established a media conglomerate. It was on that indigenous media platform that the nationalists enlightened their countrymen on issues of political independence. They were all smiles as they relaxed in a sofa. “Doc, you know I have so much respect for you. You're indeed a political Maradona,” said Chief Odogwu. “The point is that if politics were the round-leather game, our opponents would never know when or how we would score them 6 goals to nothing just in the first 45 minutes,” added Dr. Dike. “Ogwudugwudu! Amusu ajo nmuo! The wizard of an evil spirit! Finally, the long awaited day is here,” exclaimed Chief Odogwu happily. “Obiago nu! It has come! My friend, I've always believed deep down my heart that this day will surely come. We worked hard for it. Some of our countrymen laid down their lives for it.

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We have paid a huge price,” added Dr. Dike. “I just came to find out your level of preparation for tomorrow's power change over,” said Chief Odogwu. “What do you expect?” asked Dr. Dike jokingly. They laughed heartily. “Oha ma Dike gburu gburu!” exclaimed Chief Odogwu. “I've written, typed and printed my inaugural speech,” proudly said Dr. Dike. “That's great!” I knew it! Oha ma Dike gburu gburu! Atakata abua!” exclaimed Chief Odogwu. “The foremost Prime Minister to be,” he added. “You always leave out 'interim'. Don't always forget the word 'interim'! ” Chipped in Dr. Dike as a joke. They laughed to the joke. When Chief Odogwu wanted to leave, something occurred to him. “Lest I forget, Doc, you need to talk to your secretary. I'm sure she doesn't know the level of our relationship.” “I hope she wasn't rude to you?” asked Dr. Dike. “Not really, but she practically stopped me from coming in,” added Chief Odogwu. “Don't worry, I'll talk to her,” Dr. Dike promised. After hails and hearty laughter, Chief Odogwu took his leave. Shortly after he left, Dr. Dike slowly walked to his secretary. At that moment, any fly that accidentally perched on his face was bound to die. “Chidi, what's today?” asked Dr. Dike. Chidi already knew the offence that she had committed. “Today is Friday. I'm very sorry,” she apologized. “At what time did you let in Odogwu?” he queried still. Chidi quickly flipped through the pages of a register on her desk. “It was 12:35 pm. I'm very sorry sir!” Chidi pleaded. Dr. Dike looked at her for about 15 seconds. Without altering a word, he went back to his office and shut the door.

Chidi would have preferred lashes to the stare. She was a new employee; about 3 months old in her office and had been trying to understand the likes and dislikes of her new boss. Dr. Dike's presence and behaviour were scary and weird to Chidi. Though she did not know why her boss forbade visitors on Mondays and Fridays between 12 noon and 1 pm, she noticed that he was living a secretive lifestyle. There was a small book that Dr. Dike always meditated upon on Mondays and Fridays between 12 noon and 1 pm. Chidi suspected that the meditation could be his reason for the avoidance of visitors. The first day she saw the small book was the first day she went to clean up the office. She read its title from the cover and got the goose bumps all over her body. She never attempted to open the book. The title read: 'Master Key to Power'. At the national event center, all the nationalists, members of labour union, advocacy groups, other groups and individuals were seated. Those who could not attend watched the event on television. The paramilitary forces entertained the audience with breathtaking march past and procession. The height of the entertainment was the lowering of the Union Jack and the hoisting of Nigeria national flag with a 21 gun salute.

Dr. Dike was officially declared the interim Prime Minister. He was saddled with the responsibility of organizing general elections in the country and handing over to a duly elected civilian president.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Dike informed the people that a date had already been slated for the registration of political parties. ... Loading ...