Call To Duty #40

The Local Government Chairman has been very busy. He had been so busy that he had almost forgot all about his political party that brought him to power. So, when he was summoned by his party chairman, he had to go see him.

"Mr Bayo, how are you it's quite a while" The Party chairman welcomed him

"Yes sir, it is. Evening sir"

"Ever since the little scuffle you had with the governor, you've acting a little wierd. What is the matter?" The Party Chairman inquired. The Local Government Chairman laughed.

"I'm sorry for the mix up and lack of communication all these while. I've been busy sir, that's all"

"Busy, you say, busy doing what?"

"Haba! You know now. There have been a lot of activities recently in my local government and..."

"You mean the Corper's many projects? Yes, I've heard of it. But it's funny that you didn't seek our consent before embarking on such gigantic projects in such numbers. Any ideas of what that have caused the party?" The Party Chairman interjected.

"Well sir, I..."

"Look here, Honorable, we are not against the development of your local government, after all, it is to our advantage as a party. What we are really after is the maintenance of law and order among the ranks and files of the party. Some other Chairmen like you are upset that your sudden rise in popularity is causing them a lot of trouble in their respective LG's. You are making them look like 'school boys' and that's just not too good for the party spirit. I hope you understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Good! So what are you going to do about it, are ready to make amends?" The Party Chairman asked. Honorable Bayo looked a little surprised.

"Sir, Wh-what are you..."

"The Projects, you need to stop them immediately!"

"What?!"

"Yes, Honorable all work must stop at all the different sites immediately. You are making the other Lg Chairmen look very bad!" The Party Chairman declared. The LG Chairman couldn't believe his ears.

'Am I dreaming?' He wondered.

"This is the stance of the Party, this is the stance of the Leader!" 

" The Leader?"

"Yes!" The Party Chairman affirmed. Honorable Bayo laughed.

"What's so funny, Honorable Bayo?"

"Sir, you don't understand. It's not my project, it is actually the Oba of Ijinle that initiated the Projected and having tried all in my powers to subtly make him slow down and he refused, I had no choice but to join in. I did all I have done so that we may not lose face with the people. I honestly don't know what the Corper did or how he did it, The Corper have indeed awoken a gigantic sleeping giant in the King and he would stop at nothing to improve the lot of his people" Honorable Bayo explained himself. The Party Chairman was dumb founded for a while pondering on what Honorable had said.

"Okay, okay...so what is your opinion on the matter, what do you think we should do?"

"Honestly, chairman, if you'll ask me, I'll suggest that we join them"

"Hmm???"

"Yes! I mean, it is the people that are behind the projects not the King himself. Initially, I was thinking that it was a pipeline dream and that perhaps the King won some lottery and was ready to squander it. But, to my dismay, I later learned that he had actually summoned his subjects and had been able to convince them to pay certain royalty to him!"

"Ah! Common, that's is impossible!" The Party Chairman was shocked.

"Not anymore sir. It has actually happened in Ijinle town!" Honorable Bayo confirmed. The Party Chairman went on another very thoughtful silent session.

"Hmm...now that is very cocky! If the people are aware and are gladly supporting the King with his project, it means that sacking the king or making such threats are out of the equation. So, what are we going to do about it" he asked

"Now, sir, I had been at that stage and past it. This was what caused the scuffle I had with the Governor over the matter. They have been very careful with their tactics and have blocked all loopholes we might be hoping to explore. This is why I had no choice but to join them just to save my skin and ensure that our party continues to win elections in the town." Honorable Bayo responded.

"Hmm...that's very thoughtful of you."

"Thank you sir for the complements. You are welcome"

"Ehn, but what is with the other settlements that you are now including in the developmental projects?" The Chairman asked curiously. Honorable Bayo laughed.

"It is the for the same reason why my fellow LG Chairmen are asking me to stop the Projects! Don't you get it sir? The moment I joined in with the King of Ijinle town, supporting him with all that is required of me, I started receiving emissaries from other towns that thought I was unfairly favoring the town over them. I had to call the Corper to attend to them as he had done with Ijinle town. To be fair to the boy, he has been very helpful of very good conduct. His level of creativity like none other I have met, wallahi!" Honorable Bayo swore.

"I see...that boy...what is his name again?"

"Adisa"

"Yes, Adisa. I'll like to see him."

"Yes sir, but why?"

"Why, are you asking me why with all that you have just revealed about him? In case you don't know, the whole state knows about his activities. It's all over the News!"

"But, sir, he's still busy with our local government and..."

"Look, Honorable, that does not concern me. He created this mess for me, he should be the one to clean it up! Don't you worry, he is safe so long he is ready to do what he is currently doing in your local government area for others too!" The Chairman announced. Bayo thought about it for while and then smiled.

"No wahala, sir, he'll the first person you'll see tomorrow sir"

"Not tomorrow please. I won't be available till next week Monday, tell him to be here by 10am on Monday, okay?"

"Okay sir, I shall deliver your message. I shall be taking my leave sir"

"So soon? Haba! Or are we no longer in good terms?" The Chairman asked. Bayo was shocked and then, laughed.

"No way sir, Haba!"

"Tor! Then, sit down and let me entertain you as my guest. Besides, it has been a long time and I believe we have a lot of catch up to do, don't we?"

"No, we do sir. Thank you sir, for your hospitality"

"You are welcome, always welcome!"

____________________________________

"Keji"

"Mmm?"

"Rumour has it that your husband is dating one small girl like that"

"Ehn, who, Akanni"

"Ah-ah, see me see prosperity, how many husbands do you have?"

"Ha! Thank God!" Keji said raising her hands in gratitude. Her friend was shocked.

"Keji! What are you doing?"

"I'm thanking God Almighty for answering my prayers, what does it look like?" Keji affirmed to her. She stared at Lara stared at her friend for long while with mouth ajar.

"But, but...ah-ah, am I dreaming?" she muttered.

"Look here Lara, you are not dreaming, it is reality. You won't understand"

"Certainly I won't! I was expecting a very different reaction entirely which is normal...not this your..."

"Lara! Don't stress yourself. If Akanni desires, he should marry ten wives, I don't care...it doesn't matter to me. As a matter of fact, I prayed for this to happen and I thank God it finally did!" Keji interrupted her friend who obviously haven't recovered fully from the shock. 

"You see, my friend, it is before our marriage I was boasting and vowing that I won't share my husband with anyone else. It was the case even after marriage till 5 years ago." Keji explained.

"What happened?" Lara was curious to know.

"Hmm...my friend, nothing much o. I discovered that I'm not as sexually active as Akanni. During our first week together, we used to have sex at least twice in a day. Both the time period and the number of times we have sex started increasing until I learnt to say no. When I ask, he would say that I'm so beautiful and very sexy. We later talked it out and we agreed to 5 times in a week and with only 3 rounds. Even at, I couldn't cope because, Akanni had found a way to increase how long he lasts in bed! We had an agreement so, I couldn't complain of the sex duration. It was from that time I realized that polygamy isn't a bad idea after all. I later realized that it was the only available solution at hand. So I started scouting for a second wife for Akanni."

"Ehn???!" Lara exclaimed

"Ehen na! What do you expect me to do, allow him to kill with sex?" Keji queried.

"No..no,no...I'm just shocked...a-a...I mean...ugh!"

"Look, Lara, if you're thinking that I am wronged, I understand, it doesn't change anything. I'll still be his wife and he my husband. My co-wife would be my friend. I'll ensure that. I'll need her to keep Akanni busy while I'm away. Listen, Lara, it is a win-win situation. Now, getting permissions to embark on business trips would be much easier now and when I need sex, I'll be getting just enough not an overload as before. I'll be having enough to myself and my children now" Keji submitted, smiling.

"No, Keji, you don't understand what are you saying...a co-wife? That's crazy!"

"Okay, would you prefer him have a girlfriend instead, a woman who is not bound to him like I am, a woman who gets all the goodies without bearing any responsibility that a wife bears? No, my sister, no. Let him marry her and not keep her as girlfriend. Let her come in as a wife to share the burden too...a junior to me in the house. In that way, I get to decide how we shall live together and I shall do all it takes to make it a peaceful one. Guess what, I'll be giving some of my turns in bed out to her!" Keji said with a big smile on her face. Her friend couldn't believe her ears.

"Oya, give me her address so that I may pay her a visit"

"And what kind of visit would that be?"

"Ah-ah! a friendly one of course. I want her to be rest assured that  she has no problem so long she marries him and not stay as a girlfriend" Keji answered. Lara was dumb founded.

"So what's her name?"

"Aina"

"Ehen, it wasn't that difficult, was it? Now, can I have her address, please?"

Call To Duty #39

It's been a week and Adisa is returning from one of the very many seminars he had been holding with youths from neigbouring villages and towns. This is courtesy the Local Government Chairman who these days seem to have found a new reason and mission to be the Chairman. It's been long that he had anything doing with the state governor or any other politician of his party. If not for the cautions he received from Adisa, the King and the Professor, he had wished to denounce 'the Leader' and the political party that brought him to power. 'You are not at war with them', the Professor had warned.
The Seminar had been the talk of the town and obviously, it's making the desired effect in the youths who seem to leave the seminar hall with much more fire in them than which they had come in with. The King of Ijinle was more than happy to host the youths. He's particularly happy that his town had taken the leadership role he had always believed was the rightful position for his kingdom. The roads, the bank and the general improvement that had come to his town sometimes make him so proud that his wives have noticed him eulogizing himself in private. The Balogun, the Youth leader (Olori odo) had taken full charge of the projects while the King, the Professor and Adisa are busy tending to the needs of the whole local government area in terms of hosting and training youths from other towns and villages to replicate the development activities in Ijinle in their respective communities.
As Adisa was about to open his door, he heard a sexy female voice greeting him. When he turned around to know who it was, it was Shereefa!
"Shereefa, how are you?"
"I'm fine sir, thank you sir" She responded in a rather sexier voice.
"Eer...what's today's date?"
"I know, we are meeting tomorrow. I came to the neighbourhood and thought I should just branch to remind you about tomorrow."
"Ah. That's very thoughtful of you...ehn. Thanks for the reminder because, I must be very sincere, I have forgotten all about it!"
"Forget ke? Ehn, please, don't forget o, or should I sleep over so as to remind you?" Shereefa asked teasingly as she sexily closed the gap between her and Adisa. Adisa laughed as he systematically turned around to open the door.
"That won't be necessary, Shereefa. How can I forget you?!" He said with all the confidence he could gather just to hide the panic of doing something funny with the little girl that seem more than ready to get down with it. She walked in after him twisting and tweaking really crazily as she closed the door. 'Kai! I must act fast...very fast!' Adisa thought to himself.
"Look, Shereefa, I would be lying to you if I say that I don't understand your message" Adisa opened up as he turned around to face a girl that's very horny and really, really need it now.
"Ehn, corper, is that so?"
"Oh yes! I know this from the first day I joined the School" He said as he, too, moved to close the gap between them. Shereefa was surprised at the way the Corper had responded to her advance.
"I know that someday, you'll be coming for home lessons, just didn't know when. Besides, I had Shade on my mind." He continued as he took her right hand in his.
"Now, she's gone which leaves just you and me." He said as he kissed the back of her hand very gently. Shereefa closed her eyes to enjoy the kiss, she shuddered as his lips made contact with her hand.
"Babe, don't you worry, I'm going no where without you. It's just that the time have not come...patience...patience...please!" Adisa begged. Shereefa was speechless, the response of the Corper had shocked her beyond words. All she could muster was a nod. This Adisa got, smiled and pulled her to himself to give her a hug. His bulge was probing and rubbing between Shereefa's navel and her hips. This she noticed and rubbed it against herself the more.

________________________________________

"Rachael, with the way things are going, I doubt if we are leaving this town anytime soon"

"What do you mean?"

"Look now, weren't you in the hall when Adisa was promising heaven and earth to those guys from the neighbouring towns and villages?"

"Of course I was!"

"And you think we are going to finish off all that work in a year or two from now?" Kole inquired. Rachael smiled.

"Kole, how does that concern you. You can leave anytime you want, Adisa can't stop you from leaving if you are able to secure a better offer else where now. So, relax, the reason why we are still here is simply for the fact that this is still the best offer available to us right now and believe me, there are very few jobs out there that can beat this one!"

"Hmmm... you are right, you know?"

"Yea!" Rachael affirmed.

"You know, kai, God is wonderful! Who could have thought that we could secure good jobs as these in a bush like this one? Omo, Adisa na man, wallahi!" Kole said. Rachael giggled

"He is so intelligent, with intelligence, he had created an empire of this Ghost town, Ijinle. My dear, don't let us be in a hurry, I sense that he's about to create something bigger this time."

"Really?"

"Yes! I mean, look at what he had been able to create from scratch, now imagine what he's going to do with so much money, people and authority at his disposal this time! My brother, I think he's going to create something very, very big...in fact I doubt if it's going to be less than a billion!" Rachael said.

"Hm! Rachael, are you sure you are not exaggerating things a little?" Kole asked skeptically. Rachael held his hand to her bossom and ran the other hand on his cheek.

"My dear, let's stay as long as the money keeps on coming and I know it won't stop coming. Let us, at least make a few millions before we leave." she said kissing his hand.

"Hmm... in that case, we should start planning for our wedding, don't you think?" Kole asked smiling at her. They both laughed. Rachael drew closer to him and they started kissing.

_______________________________________

"Ah-ah, Aina, why are you doing me like this now. Let's get done with this thing, ehn, give a date for me to come for your hand in marriage. You see, I'm tired with all this hide and seek games!" Akanni declared. Aina laughed.

"Akanni-kanni, olowori mi ale elo mi. What's the hurry now, don't worry, you own me, I'm going no where and...considering Anti Keji, hmmm... I dey fear o!" Aina replied. Akanni smiled as he drew her by the waist to himself.

"Aina, don't you trust me? I have everything properly planned out. I can assure you that nothing bad would happen to you. Just give me the green light and see what I can do... hmm, so when should I come with my people?" Akanni asked looking straight into Aina's  eyes. She blushed shrugging her shoulders shyly. 

"I don't know o!"

"What do you mean you don't know? I'll pick a date myself o!" Akanni threatened.

"Ah!"

"Mm!"

"No o!"

"Yes o!"

"No!"

"Yes!" Akanni replied, tickling her this time. She giggled trying to break away, but Akanni pulled her back and they hugged tightly.

Call To Duty #38

The Passing out parade (POP) had just been concluded and Adisa was back to his room at Ijinle town. He laid down like a lifeless body starring at the ceiling. The thought of his parting with Folashade fills his heart with a little heart break and tears beclouding his eyes. He fought back the tears but his heart remained heavy. He misses Shade a great deal already. This was a girl he has been somewhat stalking and had been looking out for a perfect time to talk to her. She just slipped through his hands...or did she?
They never had any discussion in that regard, so, he might never know especially now that she's gone. But he feels that he had been slow about it. This is because, she definitely was available until just before she traveled. 'I stood a good chance before her journey' he thought to himself. All that does not matter now, what matters is that she's happily married and has gone to join her husband. The best he can do now is to wish her a blissful married life. 'I'll have to find my own girl' he concluded as he turns over to take a nap.

 ___________________________________________

"Ughmmm!" The Principal cleared his throats. Kole and Rachael were kissing and cuddling each other so intimately that they didn't notice the Principal's presence. They quickly broke away.
"I'm sorry to badge in on your privacy. I just had to inform you about the fact that we are almost commencing the sent forth party for you guys and we need you all to be seated before the opening prayers" the Principal explained himself.
"Oh, okay...we are coming sir. we're sorry for the troubles." Rachael answered.
"Ah... never mind, I understand...hmmm...you remind me of my first week with my wife as a couple...ooooh...it was memorable!" The Principal said. The duo giggled.
"Anyway, it's okay, you may join us as soon as you can"
"Yes, Principal!" They chorused as the Principal walked away.
"Hm! Did you hear that? Even the Principal knows this for a fact...the first few days as husband and wife is always very exciting!" Kole said
"Thank God he said 'first few days after the wedding' not before the wedding!" Rachael responded trying to walk away but Kole pulled her back into his grip and engaged her in another onslaught of kissing. She let him have his way for a moment before she broke away again.
"That's okay, there'll be plenty of room to do that Mr Ajishafe!"
"When you become Mrs Ajishafe in matter of days from now!"
"Yes o!" Rachael said excitedly. Kole rolled his eyes and she laughed. They hugged each other.
"I love you" Kole says
"I love you too babe, I love you too!" Rachael responded as they hugged warmly for just a moment longer before they both went on to join the gathering.

___________________________________________

The King had just asked the Corper to move his things to the new apartment he had arranged for him as agreed earlier. He no longer had to teach in the Community School where he did his primary assignment as a corps member. Although reluctantly, he is moving his things. The fact that Kole and Rachael shall be traveling home for their wedding ceremony was kind of a source of a second heart break. He could remember back then when Rachael and Kole had a quarrell and he and Shade were still together. He remembers how much of an active role they had played to bring them back together. But as fate would have it, they were the ones that wouldn't be married. 'What an irony!' he thought.
There was a knock at the door. Shereefa, one of the S.S.S. 3 students in the School came calling along with her friends. They offered to help the Corper move his things to his new apartment. Despite his refusal, the girls insisted and eventually had their way. It took them like an hour and half to finish the task. Adisa was grateful and offered the girls a drink but they refused. as they were making their way home, Shereefa came back.
"Corper!"
"Yes"
"I...I..."
"Shereefa, talk, what is it? Spit it out please!"
"Okay, corper...em....em..."
"Young lady, what is it?!"
"I...I... I want you to take me Mathemtics and English and Chemistry and...and..."
"You want me to take you on private lessons abi?"
"Yes!"
"Okay. When do you want to start?"
"Sir?! To..tomorrow. Tomorrow will be good sir, thank you sir!"
"It's okay. But, how are you going to pay me...it's not going to be easy because my fee is little on the high side"
"Ehen?"
"Yes!"
"So, how much are we talking about?"
"N5 000 per month"
"Ha! Corper, that's too much now!"
"Yes, I know it is, that's the least I will accept"
"Eyeh! Okay...okay corper, but...can't you give a little discount...please?"
"No..."
"Pleeeease!" She said as she moved extremely closer to Adisa.
"Okay, okay...it's okay. How much are ready to pay?"
"N1 500"
"Ehn?!"
"Okay, N2 000...em N2 500 plus I shall wash your clothes and take care of your apartment for you..I can cook! I know how to cook very well!"
"Hmmm?!"
"Yes, Corper, I'll do anything, anything to pleas...no! I'll do anything to take those lesson classes!" Shereefa begged. The Corper was not too sure about this lesson arrangement but from the way it's going, he'll have to accept it.
"Okay then...."
"Yes!!" Shereefa jumped up in joy.
"But, you can't begin tomorrow"
"Why not?"
"Because....beacause I'll be busy"
"Busy doing what?"
"I'll be busy attending to community affairs. That's why I'm still here isn't it?"
"Hmmmm...okay, so, when do I start?"
"Em...Next weekend"
"Next weekend? Ah-ah! That's far away now!"
"No, it isn't. Before you know it, it would be here!"
"Mmm! Okay, I'll wait"
"See you then Corper"
"Yea, take care!"
"Okay, bye!" She waved as she cat walked deliberately shaking her big behind sexily to the Corper who had started feeling a growing bulge between his legs. 'Ehn? God forbid!' he said to himself as he walked into his apartment. 

Call To Duty #37

The King was happier than words can ever express. As he stood in front of the standing mirror in his room, tears of joy rolled down his cheeks slowly. His third 'Olori' walked in wondering what was keeping him back in the room.
"Kabiyesi!" She exclaimed as she walked closer to him.
"Is everything alright?" she inquired. The King looked at her, he puts his hands round her neck.
"My dear, don't you worry, there's nothing wrong...they're tears of joy" The King said. The wife smiled.
"I'm...I'm just a little overwhelmed with the giant strides we have been able to make within a few months. I'm so grateful!" The King said in the midst of sobs.
"Kabiyesi...haba!" Olori was irritated.
"Are you sure that there's nothing wrong?" She asked again. From the way she sounded, the King got the message. He quickly wiped his face of tears and made ready to go out.
"I'm fine, my dear...I'm fine!" He assured his wife as he went out to join the waiting crowd outside. As he stepped out, the people have started hailing and singing victorious glorious songs. It's the launching ceremony of the town's micro-finance bank. The King rode on his royal horse to the venue as people escorted him to the place with a lot of singing, dancing and fanfare.
As the King arrived at the venue of the bank right at the centre of the Town, everyone rose to their feet to pay their homage to the King. At the high table sat the members of the Royal council, the Professor and the Corper. Also seated are a handful number of prominent personalities of the town both from abroad and at home in the country. They all stood up to pay their homage to the King who was very happy and glad about what is going on.
There was yet another big fanfare to welcome the Local Government Chairman as he made his way to the high table. He was beaming with smiles as waved in acknowledgement of the warm welcome he's being treated to. This time, both the Balogun and the Youth leader were seated at the high table, a master of ceremony was hired to anchor the program.
Everyone took turns to deliver short but thoughtful speeches as to how the Town is evolving from a very simple shanti town to a must visit community. The Professor went as far as tagging it the 'Dubai of the Nigeria' to the adoration and admiration of the people in attendance. The Corper didn't say much, he only thanked the King for giving him a chance to express himself freely like he was his son, he also thanked the members of the Royal council for their support and the Professor for making his job extremely easy. He thanked everyone telling them that it was made possible because they supported him one way or the other.
The Program went as planned. The climax of the whole ceremony was when the King stood up to deliver the votes of thanks. He took his time in praising and Thanking God Almighty for His infinite mercies on him, his family and the Town as a whole. He was particularly grateful for the giant developmental strides he had made especially considering the ease with which the feats were achieved. He, then, turned to Corper Adisa, after appreciating his efforts, he prayed for him for a long while before announcing to the Public that Corper Adisa along with two other Corpers would still be around to finish what they have started. The Whole exploded with very loud noise of joy.

Call To Duty #36

It's been 3 months after the Meeting between the Chairman and the King. as promised, the Chairman had successfully done all the paper work as regards to the Micro- finance bank of Ijinle town. He had also paid official visits to the neighboring towns and hamlets under his Jurisdiction imploring them to adopt the Ijinle town's model of development with an assurance that he'll personally see to it that all government paper works are easily obtained on his side. He, however, warned that he might not be able to do much as per the financial aspect. The more reason he's advocating for the adoption of the Ijinle option.
Ever since, the king of Ijinle town has been receiving delegations upon delegations and the Corper has taken the role of a developing consultant. This has forced him to the library again. the Passing Out Parade is drawing nearer and Shade had returned a married woman. The Chairman had invited the Corper to his office.
"Corper Adisa!"
"Yes sir"
"The One man battalion"
"Not at all sir" Adisa responded. They both laughed.
"Well, Adisa, I cannot thank you enough for your selfless service to the community and the Local Government as whole. Yes, you might not have any community development project to your name per se, but, truth be told, there can't be a bigger project than the one you delivered to us." The Chairman started.
"We are truly grateful. Adisa"
"Sir"
"Can ask you for a favor?"
"Of course you can, if it's within my capability I would be glad to oblige you"
"Are you sure?"
"If it's within my capability, I will" the Corper assured the Chairman.
"It is within your capability, it's, however, a matter of I want to or not"
"Okay sir, let's hear it" Adisa responded looking rather curious. The Chairman paused for a while, then, heaved a big sigh.
"Adisa, can you please stay back after your Passing out parade next month?" The Chairman asked. Adisa heaved a sigh of relief and smiled.
"Well sir...I..."
"There, I need you to help develop the other neighboring settlements to Ijinle town. I want you to repeat the feat you have achieved in Ijinle in those other places so that the whole Local government may be very prosperous and... of course, my re-election as the Chairman would be guaranteed" The Chairman interrupted.
"I have to open up and tell exactly what I want so that we may have a hitch free journey to great success together. Mind you, all expenses and payments for services shall be delivered as at when due, God's grace...I am not asking you to do it for free, I shall be paying you handsomely. What do you say?" The Chairman inquired.
"Hmmm! Okay sir, I'll think about it and..."
"No o, Corper, this matter is a very simple one na. Please, accept my proposal so that we may swing into action immediately. To make it more interesting, I'm willing to start paying you starting from next month and as soon as you're done with your POP, I already have an apartment made ready for you and your friends that took part in the Ijinle projects too."
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Okay sir"
"Okay what, are you in?" The Chairman wanted to be sure. Adisa smiled and nodded in confirmation. The Chairman was glad, shook hands with him and hugged him.

______________________________________________________

Akanni, Jamiu and Komolafe have just returned from the capital and are seated in Akanni's vulcanizing shop to share their profits as usual. Keji had sent Sheyi, to deliver Akanni's lunch to him.
"Good afternoon sirs" Sheyi greeted
"Ah, Sheyi, how are you, how is school?" Jamiu greeted
"School is fine sir, thank you sir. Dad, mum asked me to bring your lunch"
"Ehn, okay, put it there on the table."
"Yes sir" Sheyi responded as he moves to put the warmer containing the food on the table."
"Sheyi is now a big boy fa. Come, let me give you something" Komolafe said as he reached for his pocket.
"Komolafe, no" Akanni said
"Oh common! Have it...I say take it!" Komolafe shouted at the hesitant Sheyi was making quick glances at his father for approval. His father later nodded and gestured that he may take it.
"Haba! Akanni, nawa for you o! Does that mean that..."
"No. I do give him money but not like this... not like this. One has to be extremely  careful with the way we indulge our kids when it comes to money matters. They must realize that money is not easy to come by. we must at times create artificial scarcity to teach them the lessons of prudence in spending." Akanni explained.
"Ehn, we know that now. But, while we teach the lessons of prudence, we must not forget to teach, also, the lessons of prosperity and surplus too. It won't be a crime to indulge them at times too, right...abi? Jamiu, say something now!" Komolafe demanded. Jamiu remained silent a little while longer, then, he sighed and picked a wad of Naira notes right in front of him and started observing it like it was a strange thing.
"Komolafe, Akanni, both of you are right. Both lessons are vital and must be taught to our children for real. But, like Komolafe rightly pointed out, we must learn to make a balanced set of lessons so that they would neither be stingy nor extravagant in spending... the middle course must be maintained at all times. Akanni, there's nothing wrong in giving out surprise money gifts to our kids. God has blessed us, we need to let our families know this from time to time, okay?" Jamiu commented. Akanni sighed and nodded.
"It's okay, I understand...I know how you feel, we were there together, you know?" Jamiu continued. Akanni's eyes were full of tears. Jamiu patted his friend at the back gently.
"Let's do justice to this money so that the food will not run cold on us, shall we?"
"Yea! Come to think of it, Komolafe, how far with the bank accounts we are planning to open?" Komlafe asked.
"Ah...we're almost done with that...according to the banker, all the documents including the ATM cards would be ready by next week we get back to the city."  Akanni explained.
"Okay. Shall we share the money now?" Jamiu asked. The men, then bent down to do justice to the money.

Call To Duty #35

Corper Adisa had organized a meeting between the King and the Chairman. Olori Odo was expected to anchor the program but Balogun won't have any of that, he took the mantle from the Olori Odo. The whole thing went as planned. It was the time for the Chairman to address the gathering of the Royal Council. He stood up and bowed with humility.
"Kaaabiyessiii o!" He saluted the King prostrating before the rather happy and glad King who shook his 'irukere' in acknowledgement.
"I greet you the great king of our land, I greet you the council of chiefs that serve as the pillars that have upheld the sanctity and the well being of Ijinle land. May God Almighty continue to bless you all and your families" He prayed and all chorused 'Asheeee'.
"It is my pleasure and a great honor to be among you today. I'm particularly grateful to the Corps member through whom God had mediated between us and have actually inspired us on how to go forward from where we found ourselves. I'm sorry for not being there right from the beginning. I was too blind to see the light...not until you had commenced the construction of this much needed road that would link the town directly to the nearby Federal road did I realize how foolish I have been. I don't want to waste your precious time with the details of how I got to the point of making a 'U' turn to join you in the ultimate goal of developing Ijinle town to greater heights." He said. Everyone clapped in applause.
"Kabiyesi, I am back and for good. Whatever it is that you might require of me to do, I shall do, so long it is in the interest of the progress of the town." There was yet another round of applause.
"To start with, I heard from the Corper that the town desire a bank of their own and were looking for a way to get it done as quickly as possible without delay. Kabiyesi, I beg you in the Name of God to leave the matter to me. We shall have a duly registered community bank that shall bear the Name of the town God's willing before the end of the year!" The Chairman promised. The whole palace was shaken by the thunderous cheers and celebration of the statement. This was the peak of the meeting. It took a while for the Balogun to restore decorum. The King was so happy that he began to shed tears of happiness. The Chiefs rallied round him to comfort him and thanked God for Him. The Corper just sat back and watched as everything unfolded. He doesn't know what to think. 'Alhamdulillah!' was what came to his mind and he chanted it repeatedly within his mind.

______________________________________________

It was 5:30 in the morning. Seyi had gone to knock on his parents' door to wake them up. It was a working day and it was getting late already. His mum used to wake up by 3:00 every morning, but, today was different. Keji had celebrated with her husband over the new truck he had bought in collaboration with his friends.
"Yes, who's there?"
"Mummy it's me, Seyi"
"Seyi, what is it?"
"Mummy, it's 5:30 already and you haven't finished the packaging of your red oil you want me to deliver to Iya Kudi on my way to school fa!"
"Ah! That's true, I'm coming" Keji said as she struggled to get out of bed.
"I'm coming for where?!" Akanni demanded as he pulled her back into bed.
"Yeh! Akanni, you won wound me ni?!" She exclaimed.
"No, I'm not, oya let's finish what we started..."
"Finish what, Akanni...after 3 hot rounds?"
"You dey count am? Me, I don loose count fa...oya let's do one more...spread your legs na!" Akanni begged his wife.
"Akanni...nooooo! Time has gone and...Lara would be cross with me if...ah-ah, Akanni, kai...oh oooo...hm!" She struggled with her husband who is far stronger and more resolved about another round of sex. By the time she could say another word, Akanni had entered...

_______________________________________________

Adisa had just finished receiving a call as Kole sat by his side on a bench in the School compound. He looked a little down cast and kole noticed it.
"Who was that on the phone"
"It was Shade"
"Shade?"
"Yes"
"You should be happy man, why the long face?" Kole asked, but Adisa was silent.
"Hey, dude, it's okay, what happened?"
"Shade is getting married"
"What?! What happened, how, when...did you guys quarrelled?" Kole was shocked.
"Nope. She had told me about a guy she met in her native town with whom she had a relationship. The guy just showed up after several years of no contact...well...she's staying back a few more weeks to get the knot tied...the wedding party shall be after the POP".
"Oh no...I'm sorry man!"
"It's okay...em...life goes on,you know?"
"Yea...Yes!"
"Yea...okay!" Adisa said as he shook back the tears that were going to find their way down his cheeks.
"I think I should give you some room...it's okay man shake it off! Hm?!"
"Yea...I'll shake it off!" Adisa said nodding in agreement. Kole patted him at the back gently before taking his leave. 

Call To Duty #34

As they cross the Bridge back to their town, Lara and Keji could not but take time to look up the newly constructed bridge.
"Hmmm..."
"What is it my friend?"
"Lara, look at this bridge, who can ever imagine that we as commoners are capable of such a land breaking project?"
"Ah! No one, no one at all not even the Professor or the King!"
"This is why I see that corper as a God sent Angel of prosperity"
"You can say that again my friend. He has changed everything, I mean everything!"
"Yes o!"
"Look at this!" Lara said showing her friend how much money she has made
"All these money, all because of the bridge. No more extortion by the Ferry men, they can go and die for all I care!"
"Haba , Lara! Don't be that wicked!"
"Who is wicked, I or the Ferry men that have been reaping us of virtually all the small profit we make. Especially that old fool, that call himself Baba Ibeji. You won't believe it, the man made advanced at me simply because I was pleading for a discount on the charges he imposed on me. It took the special intervention of Iya Abu who offered to pay the Balance for me. Those men are evil, with this bridge, they will suffer!" Lara Boasted.
"Thank God for Iya Abu, at least, you didn't fall a victim."
"What of those that have, Keji,what of those that have, hmmm...it's not easy. Wallahi, it's not easy o
"I know, but, what can we really do about it, ehn? Look, I'll strongly suggest that we leave that for God to handle, He knows how to deal with them, after all, He created them and only He alone knows how to bring them to book"
"What are you saying, are trying to imply that rapists like those men should be spared when caught in the act?!" Lara is literally boiling by now.
"No o! No way! If they are caught, they should be dealt with according to the laws of the Land. But, we both know that these Ferry men's case are a little different. They don't have to force you to do it, what they do is that they trade a helping hand for sex and if you have no choice, one might just fall victim. Like I said earlier, God has His ways of dealing with such people. I mean, look at this bridge project, you can see in their reactions how uncomfortable they have become from the inception of its construction. Only last week did I hear that Risi that sells jewelries made a mockery of them in the Market. Due to low patronage, Ladi, one of Baba Ibeji's boys offered a 50% discount for a return journey across the river!"
"Ehn! It's a lie"
"Lie ke? It's nothing but the truth!"
"If that's true...then...hmm... I think you are right. God have started dealing with them and they have seen nothing, they have just started. They will beg us to ride for free sef!"
"Laaaraa!!!"
"Wo, leave me jare, those guys are nothing but animals!"
"Well sha, take it easy abeg, we should be showing gratitude to God that have saved us fro them instead of mocking them."
"Let us make jest of them, they haven't been nice at all, let us make jest of them jare!"
"Lara!"
"Hmmm!"
"Lara!"
"Hmmm ah! leave me jare, I dey vex, I dey vex!" Lara shouted as she walked briskly across the Bridge.

____________________________________

"Hmmm...Rachael"
"Yes, dear!"
"You know, God is wonderful"
"Oh, yes, He is!"
"You know, there was a time during our trying period that I lost any hope of getting you back, I mean I was so frustrated!" Kole said as he kissed Rachael on her neck. He had his hands wrapped around her waist from the back.
"Me too, I felt that way too...I felt it was all over and the thought of ever having another relationship looks so bleak."
"Really?"
"Yea! I mean, it was so depressing. I trusted you, I believed in you...I mean...I loved you...or so I thought before Folashade came trashing me silly with her opinion."
"Shade"
"Yea! She met me in the staff room and she was like relationships aren't really all about love and  infidelity. According to the discussion we had that day, I realized that love is not what we actually feel when we say we are in love."
"Ehen?"
"Oh yes!"
"If it's not love, what is it?"
"Lust"
"Lust?!"
"Yea."
"No o...no way!" Kole said as he let go his grip of Rachael's waist
"Kole, let me ask you this question. May God forbid it happening. But, if just a few days after our wedding, we got attacked by armed robbers at home in the middle of the Night and I got raped by their leader who went ahead to pour his seeds in me..."
"Hey, hey! Stop that nonsense! What kind of rubbish is that?!" Kole reacted angrily.
"I'm sorry, but that's why I said..."
"Stop it! I said stop it final!!!"
"Okay!" Rachael said in obedience and walked away. Kole felt sorry after a while and went on to apologise to her. She smiled.
"Baby, you shall be the only man in my life by God's grace,no other man shall lay with me...none ever! But, I understand your reaction and feel proud of it. But, I need to make you get it straight, love relationships are made and held together much more by sense of responsibility than lust that we call love. When you see marriage as a sacred institution ordained by God, you won't leave, no matter the pressure and temptation." She said holding Kole's head for a kiss. She kissed on his lips. Kole sighed and nodded in agreement. They both hugged each other compassionately. Rachael giggled as she slapped Kole gently on the hand with which he had grabbed her butt.

__________________________________

"Ah! Corper! It shall be well with you!"
"Ashe!" Everyone chorused. The King continued praying for the Corper for several more minutes.
"Thank You, Kabiyesi. May God continue to shower more blessing on you and the entire royal family. I can still remember that faithful day, it was you, out of your wisdom that gave the Corper a chance to do so much. Left to us, back then, we would have dealt ruthlessly with him a long time ago. But, today, we are happy and know better." Iyalode announced.
"That's true...very correct! I was particularly angry that day. It's a good thing I didn't have my way that day." Balogun commented laughing.
"Thank you my people. It was God's doing. Ordinarily I should have been the angriest that day, but, some way some how, I was overwhelmed with an unusual calm which kept the temper away. One lesson we must all take away from this though is that no matter what, we shouldn't let anger becloud our sense of reasoning...never!" The King said. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Ehen, Corper, what brought you here this hour, I don't think we have an appointment, do we?"
"Not at all sir, I had to deliver a very good news to you sir?"
"Mmmm...good news, that's good, let's hear it!" The King urged. The Corper stood up, cleared his throat with a smile on his face.
"Kabiyesi, I am delighted to announce the acquaintance of a new and very important team member."
"Really, who is this new team member?" Iyalode interrupted.
"Iyalode! Allow this boy to talk" Balogun rebuked her. She eyed him mockingly.
"Ehen, Corper, please continue?" Balogun urged.
"Em, yes sir, the new member is none but the Local Government Chairman!" The corper announced loudly. But, to his surprise, for a moment, everyone was silent as though they were still waiting for him to make the announcement. As he was beginning to think that it was a bad idea, the whole palace suddenly exploded with a very loud noise of jubilation. Everyone was happy and were moving around felicitating with one another. The Corper let a big sigh. He was glad it wasn't a mistake after all.

Call To Duty # 33

"Morning sir"
"Ah, Corper, good morning...please, take a seat!" The Chairman gestured him into a chair at his desk.
"Thank you sir"
"You're welcome. I hope you've enjoyed your stay with us so far?"
"Oh yes sir, I have...it's been quite exciting!"
"I see...and how has been your...what do you call that again?"
"CDS...Community Development Service sir"
"Aha! CDS, it's being a while I completed mine. So..."
"I understand sir" Adisa acknowledged with a smile.
"I can see that yours is much more elaborate than any other in the country...it's like you are gunning for the grand price with it ain't you?" The Chairman teased. Both men laughed.
"Actually sir, I wasn't interested in CDS, asin I had no plans embarking on any project. I got into trouble with the King and had used that as an excuse out of the mess"
"Trouble? I don't understand"
"Well...sir...it's a long story sir, really, but in short, I said something about the King's current rankings and how I think he could have gotten it right without resorting to begging of submitting to the Governor's pressure. He somehow got to hear about it and summoned me to his palace...and...that's how it all started sir!" Adisa narrated not quite sure if it was right to do so. The Chairman nodded slowly.
"Wooow! I can imagine how threatening and terrifying the whole thing might be for a little like you standing in front of rather angry elders in another man's land" The Chairman commented. The Corper laughed softly in approval.
"Well, corper, relax, I can see that you are tensed up, don't be, I'm not a foe but a friend. I actually called you to swear my allegiance with you on your developmental efforts, if you need anything that you feel I should be able to handle for you, please, feel free to contact me ASAP! Okay?"
"Oh! Thank you sir...wow! I really appreciate it sir, thank you much!"
"Oh, common, I'm the one that's supposed to be grateful not you. I mean, I joined politics...partially for financial gratification which I agree shouldn't be part of the motivation from the word 'go'...but, you know, man must 'wack na'!" The Chairman explained. The Corper agreed by nodding and smiling softly.
"That's the idea all over sir"
"Yea, but it shouldn't be...it shouldn't be.However, for me, the main reason is to help setup a little system of governance that'll result into a tiny window of extra opportunity for my people...you know? That was what I was doing and so far, I haven't been able to make a head coz...hmmm...the power that be in the state is so greedy that such mission is hopeless...you become an accomplice for their heinous agenda as soon as you join them. You are also afraid of leaving coz, you are afraid of the fact that it is suicidal in nature. Even when you are planning to leave, you can't tell a soul, not even your wife...it was that horrible until you came in my dear." The Chairman continued.
"Me, How? I haven't spent a year here sir!" Adisa inquired as he was surprised of what the Chairman had said. The Chairman laughed.
"You won't understand my dear, even if I explain"
"Please, try me, please, explain sir!" Adisa requested curiosly.
"Okay. Just before the News spread about your numerous town hall meetings with which you had prepared the town for the revolutionary development plans that you have, the Dynasty have been having very nasty times with the Federal government. The Leader was falling out of favor with local authorities all over, but, they dared say it. Some were fed up and have started speaking out but the bulk of them all, especially the Rural Fathers had no choice but to stay put. It was among the politicians that we have a handful showing their anger and enmity. But the moment the News filtered in that a Corps member is driving serious developmental programs home in his place of Primary assignment and he had a rock solid plan to not only bypass the State government but to find the much needed resources within the the town to achieve his goals, people like got inspired by the move and have ever since garnered enough courage to start thinking and acting on our own. We used to think of the Leader and the State government the Almighty powerful, but, with your inspirational re-orientation seminars you have been dishing out to the people of Ijinle, we have been freed from the mental slavery we've bonded to all our lives. As we speak, I'm planning to denounce the Dynasty of the so called Leader and join forces with my people and you to make the Local Government a region to beat in the State and Nigeria as a whole...all thanks to you, my friend!" The Chairman concluded. The Corper was speechless, he would allow the tears of joy he's been concealing while listening to the Chairman roll down his cheeks if he responds. The Chairman saw this.
"Don't worry, you don't have to say anything. Even if you stop contributing today, we can carry on by ourselves and the credits would still be yours! For your information, the Leader, would be receiving a shock of a life time this month end...he won't be getting a dime from me as the Chairman of this Local Government this month!!!"

Call To Duty #32

As the Balogun and the Youth Leader continued to slug it out as to the next project to be executed after the road construction, the King watched the Drama with a lot of excitement as it unfolds. The Professor too, as well as the Corper seem to have decided to be spectators just as the King have decided to be. But, after more than half an hour, the King seems to have had enough.
"Alright, alright, that is enough. Prof, what do you think, which project should we take on to next? Thank God, the Road is almost completed and the revenues just keep on coming in and I honestly don't want to disappoint my people, especially those that have enough faith in me to have supported my dreams and aspirations for the town with their hard earned money!" the King submitted. The Prof was silent for a while.
"Hmmm...well, Kabiyesi, this is, indeed a very sensitive situation. But that doesn't mean that it's complicated. In my opinion, I think we should go for the socio economic development of the town." The Professor replied.
"Hmmm... that's true, the socio-economic development of the people shall translate to more revenues for the Town which in turn means a ceaseless number of projects shall be executed over time. Abi, Corper, don't you agree?" The King asked.
"Oh! I very much do sir. Ever since the beginning of the program,I've had it all worked out in this manner. I cannot but thank God that everything is working out according to plan. The most important part, in my opinion is that everyone is on the same page every time a decision has to be made. No time is lost to lengthy debates as to which way to go. That's an uncommon favour from God Himself!" The Corper commented.
"Glory Be to God. So, where exactly are we starting from?" The King queried.
"May I suggest a bank?" The Corper asked.
"A bank, will that not be too ambitious of us?" Queried the Youth Leader.
"Yes. I think I agree with the Olori Odo" The Professor said.
"But, sir, considering the millions that would start to come in, I want to believe it's the best thing to do now" The Corper argued.
"Don't you think it takes a lot of time, energy and resources to get a bank started especially when we are not in good terms with the state government?" The Professor pointed out. The Corper smiled.
"Not when it is a proposal from a non indigene of the state who has chosen to put his headquarters at the Capital city" the Corper responded. The Professor nodded approvingly. So did everyone in the room.
"Hm! Corper, you are wise!" said the King
"You are wiser your highness." The Corper returned the compliment.

________________________________________________

Keji had just returned from taking the kids to school and had barely entered the kitchen when Akanni pounced on her from the back. They have been kissing and romancing themselves right there in the kitchen when they had a visitor.
"Ah! Thank God!" Keji said as the couple broke away.
"Ehen, thank God abi?" Akanni murmured
"Yes o! Thank God. At least I'm safe for the day"
"Who says, from where? Just stay right there while I go check who is at the door"
"Who else would be at the door if not your friends? Wo, me I dey go market...I'll see you when I return" Keji said mockingly as she rubbed Akanni's left cheek teasingly. Akanni made a face and slapped her voluptuous behind as she walks past him.
"Go and come back, I go catch you tonight!" He threatened as he watched his wife sexily walking away and deliberately shaking her behind to arouse her already frustrated husband. Akanni makes his way slowly to the main entrance as he tries to conceal his very hard erection. Unfortunately for him, Keji guessed right, it was Komolafe and Jamiu that were at the door.
"Akanni - kanni!" Komolafe hails as the duo make their way into the living room.
"Okunrin lo nke si!" Akanni responded
"How far, this one wey you guys come dey block me for house so, hope all is well o?"
"Oh, everything is perfect!" Jamiu assures his host.
"Okay." Akanni acknowledges as he sat down.
"Na your friend I saw for my domot as early as 6:30 am today"
"6:30 ke, kilode?!" Akanni exclaimed. His 2 friends laughed it off.
"Hey, hey, no dey make jest of me fa. Na who really sabi say na this way the whole thing would play out? Nobody, not even you!" Komolafe retorted. His friends took to another round of laughter instead of heeding his warning.
"Omo, if we dey tell you something, make una dey listen!" Akanni told him.
"Abi o. As you have rightly said, we didn't know for sure that the King would perform. But, he's our King for God's sake, we are his people, his only hope and he came all out begging for our support and blessings to his highly ambitious program. The least we can do is give him the element of doubt and support him to see what would come out of it." Jamiu added.
"Okay, it's okay! Enough of the long lectures about loyalty and trust. The good thing is that I've succumbed and played my part" Komolafe said.
"Ehn? Komolafe?!" Akanni was very surprised.
"Na so o! No be im I dey try tell you?!" Jamiu said. The trio kind of jubilated over it with a lot hand shakes in the process and a lot of noise.
"No, no, bro, welcome to the hood" Akanni said jokingly as he stretched out his to shake Komolafe who took the hand shake jokingly too.
"Thank you sir!"
 _____________________________________________

Rachael was making ready for her last class for the day when Kole strolled into the empty and slapped her back side. It jolted her.
"Kai, I don't like it"
"What is wrong with you, stress?"
"Maybe, I don't even know. Just feel like I've heard enough of all these"
"All these, what?"
"The whole thing jare!"
"Oh, babe, common, relax, I've always said it, you need to learn to whine and dine at times. You have finally allowed stress to get the better part of you"
"But, I do rest"
"That's not what we are talking about. As in, when was the last time you let everything go and have fun like a baby?"
"Like a baby?"
"Yea! Like the 10 - 12 years olds in the J.S.S. 1?"
"Never!"
"Now, that's the problem, you should sometimes...that's the true essence of the Holidays. It's a time to ease off all the stress and enjoy yourself to the fullest"
"Even if I'm supposed to do that, where in this village can I do that? Wo, leave me alone jare!" Rachael dismissed. Kole looked stated at her until she realized it. Then he stood up, walked closer to her and then, pull her hands forward.
"Babe, I don't know about you, but, I think we should get real with this our relationship" Kole said. Rachael looked at him surprisingly before hissing and taking her hands back.
"What are we saying, what is he saying?"
"Babe I'm serious!" Kole  affirmed. Rachael paused in her steps.
"Is that a proposal?" Rachael asked without turning back. There was a momentary silence. Racahel was overwhelmed by it and quickly looked back only to see Kole kneeling on one kneel.
"Babe, pls, be my wife!" Kole pronounced with an outstretched hand holding an engagement ring. Rachael was shocked and lost her voice for a long while.
"Will you marry me?" She still couldn't respond, but nodded tearfully pulling him up into a very warm and tight hug.

  

Call To Duty #31

The Chairman has his head buried in some files  in his office when his Personal Assistant bumped in.
"Oga..." He said as he made his way in.
"Is it true that the Governor is trying to get to the King and the Corper?" He asked as he settles in a seat.
"Abi o, na so I see am o!"
"Ehn... what are you going to do about it? Abi..."
"Abi what?" The Chairman asked as he raised his head angrily.
"Sorry sir"
"Don't be...what a pity! I can't stoop that low, Segun. Apart from the fact that it's unholy and immoral, it's degrading indeed! You need to see the Governor talk about the plan, kai, it's so disgusting!" The Chairman said.
"But, sir, is there another way out? I mean if the King is not tackled on time and tamed...ehen...sir, it could spring a revolt which our leader might not be able to handle" Segun submitted. The Chairman stared at him for a moment and then bust into laughter.
"Sir, it's not funny!"
"Oh, it is! I mean...look at you, my P.A. for so many years, you should know better. Can't you see the writing on the wall? The Revolution has begun already.The Leader has lost it! Throughout the years, the secret weapon, as in, the secret tool by which the Dynasty was built and built upon is selective generosity of the Leader to the people."
"Selective generosity?"
"Yes, 'chop make I chop' style of government. He is the godfather that has been fighting tooth and nail to serve the people despite the inadequate flow of resources... this is how the people see him and they have been praising him for his philantropic gestures especially when the state finds it difficult to pay salaries" The Chairman explains. His P.A. giggled along as he was talking because they both know that the tale is a mere make - believe story that the state government have been selling to the illiterate majority of the state.
"Why are you laughing now?"
"I'm sorry sir...please continue"
"You laugh because we both know that this is not true. We both know that the greatest hindrance to development in the state is the Leader and his political machinery that we are, unfortunately, part of...we joined because we thought we had no choice. But, that boy just proved us all wrong. He has taken the initiative and the spring board of the NYSC to launch a land breaking revolution against the status quo. The boy is in my good books." the Chairman confessed.
"Is that why you are not partaking in the Palace coup?" the P.A. queried.
"No oooo! No way!" The Chairman responded shaking his head and making a 'no' gesture with his hands. Then he gasped.
"You know...I didn't take part in the Governor's plan because, the plan will fail, what am I saying sef? It has failed already!"
"Fail?"
"Yes!"
"How, have you warned the governor about it?" Segun was worried.
"Relax, my friend! Yes, I did warn him, but, he still wants to go ahead with the plan."
"But, why?"
"Ah-ah, because he didn't see what I've seen. He thinks the Dynasty is still as invincible as it used to be..."
"Is it not?" Segun interrupted out of curiosity.
"Unfortunately, my friend, the Dynasty is withering away slowly. Before it comes caving in, we should all be putting a plan 'B' in place." The Chairman replied a rather very confused Segun.
"I...I...don't understand sir..." he stammered. The Chairman stood up from his work to join his P.A. on the other side of his desk.
"Let me ask you, in your neighborhood, like how many people do you know that speaks well of the current dispensation?"
"Mmmm...I get your point. We are no longer commanding the kind of respect we used to command. But, does that matter?"
"You will answer the question yourself very soon. When you are loosing face, when you are loosing respect and still refuse to stop doing what is making you loose face, what do you think will happen with time?"
"Ah!"
"My brother, the Dooms day is fast approaching,we had better make ready for it!"
"How do we do that and...how close are we to it?"
"As close as the next electioneering year"
"What?! Haba! I'm sorry sir, but I disagree!" Segun said laughing sarcastically.
"The Elections are just 15 months away and as it stands, more and more people are talking and blowing really hot online. Many opposition groups have sprung up most of which have members that are taking the fight to their immediate communities. They continue to expose the many ways the Dynasty is bleeding the state. We have started feeling the effects of these activities every now and then when we appear at a function or the other. Aren't you a witness and almost a victim of a little scuffle at the fundraising diner party at the 'La Porche' hotel?"
"Yes...I wassss" Segun remebers.
"Okay. Now, this one...the Royal scuffle!" The Chairman added. Segun sank into his seat very worried.
"But sir...sir..." He stammered and gasped in disgust.
"Are you still in doubt?"
"No sir...yes sir!" Segun answered, confused. The Chairman laughed.
"I hope you haven't forgotten that we are no longer in terms with the Federal Government who controls all the organs of both security and elections?"
"Hmmm..."
"This means that in the forthcoming elections, we shall be participating based mainly on our popularity which we no longer have, do we, well, are you still doubting the fall of the Dynasty?"
"But sir, are you saying there's no hope?"
"Of course, there's hope. It's just that the leader is too proud to stoop low enough to do the needful"
"What is that sir"
"Oh, it's easy, by making up with old enemies, saying the words 'I am sorry, I won't do that again' to the people in general, the restoration of the dignity of those that have been hurt, the King of Ijinle for instance and showing serious signs of change in the way business is done. With these and more, the Dynasty might still stand a chance to stay afloat!"
"Eh!"
"What is it, do you think the Leader is ready to do all that?" The Chairman asked.Segun shook his head slowly.
"I didn't think so either!"       

Call to Duty #30

Akanni was filling a customer's tyre when his friend, Komolafe came visiting. Akanni apologized to him and assured that he'll soon be with him. By the time he was done, Komolafe could hardly control himself.
"Ehen...what is this thing I'm hearing about Jamiu becoming a contractor over night"
"Contractor...oh! That!" Akanni said as he sat down adjacent his friend.
"Yea...he got awarded the contract of supplying the King foodstuffs"
"Supply of foodstuffs including rice, beans and yams, abi?"
"Yea, what's the big deal?"
"Oh, you don't know what the big deal is, right? Your friend is taking out my customers and..."
"No, no, no, your customers, which one of your customers did he take?"
"The King of course!"
"The King?"
"Yes! Do you know how long I've been trying to penetrate the Palace?" Komolafe lamented. Akanni was silent for a while and then busted to laughter.
"Now, what's funny about this?"
"Oga Ade, relax. The King, is not your customer, he's Jamiu's?"
"What do you mean, how?"
"Well, he told me all about it. He woke up on a faithful Saturday to the message of the King. On getting to the Palace, he got the greatest shock of his life"
"A shock?"
"Yes, you won't believe it, the King actually called him to give him the job."
"The job, what job?"
"Which other, the food stuff supply of course!"
"You mean..."
"Yes! Remember the Royal levy?"
"Yes...I remember, what does that have to do with anything here?"
"Everything"
"Really?"
"Oh yes. Unknown to us all, the King and his royal council have decided to reward and encourage those that have agreed to pay the Royal fee by the provision of employment for as many as they can. In the case of my friend, Jamiu, luck smiled at him when the former suppliers of the King were among those that have refused to pay the Royal levy. The King decided to show his disappointment to them by deciding to change them. The Olori Odo was the one that suggested Jamiu to the King. After a few rounds of supply which was more of a kind of test by the King, Jamiu won the secret competition. Ever since the incident, Jamiu have been extremely busy. So busy that he hardly come to see me." Akanni explained as Komolafe listened very attentively still looking surprised.
"Nawa o!" He commented as he leaned back in his seat.
"You, what about you,did the King remember you too?"
"Of course! I supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the King's Kitchen thanks to Jamiu!"
"Ehn?"
"Yes o!" Akanni responded as he too leaned back in his own seat too. Komolafe was speechless. all he did was to nod his head as he sat there thinking.

_______________________________________________

Rachael and Kole were in the world of their own. They were there in Kole's room romancing and kissing passionately when Adisa knocked at the door. They both quickly adjusted as Kole asked as too who is at the door?
"I'm sorry, am I disrupting something?" Adisa asked as he poked his head into the room.
"Of course not! Please, come on in!" Rachael responded.
"Thank you." Adisa said as he made his way in.
"Adisa - disa! The Prince! How far na?" Kole hailed. Adisa gave a wide smile as he settles in one of the 2 chairs in the room.
"Prince ko, prince ni! I've come here as regards to the update in the data base as we agreed. Were you able to effect the change?"
"Ah-ah, you should trust me now! I did it as soon as I reached the office yesterday from the field"
"Okay."
"But, guy, I dey fear una o!"
"Fear ke? Abegi no fear me o! I no be fighter o!"
"O'boy! You be fighter! I swear!!"
"Omo, kai! You are deep, very deep. Omo...it's like opening a door where there no door in existence before. I mean, it's like you created the door with locks on and opened it as if it was not locked...the best part is that the door is heading to paradise!" Kole said. Adisa and Rachael laughed heartily.
"No be me o. Na God and then, you guys!"
"Ehn...no wahala na! We thank God" Kole said.
"With the way everything is going, Ijinle town would soon be competing with the Capital in terms of infrastructure" Rachael said.
"Ameen o! It's my prayer that the State and Local Government won't find the developments offensive"  Adisa commented.
"Who cares? In fact, they should hide away their faces in shame if you ask me!" Kole responded.
"That's true, but, that's not the case. Remember the visit of the Chairman to the Z.I. ,remember how much hell we went through before we were able to gain the support and the consent of the Z.I. again ?"
"Yes I do"
"Something tells me that we haven't seen it all, I have a hunch about their recent silence over the project."
"Okay, so what are we going to do about it?"
"We have to make adequate provision for security...security is key to the success of this project. It must be protected and guided jealously. I think we need to put in our own security system!" Adisa responded.
"I agree, I think you sould discuss this with the others" Kole noted
"Oh yes of course, that we would do before it's too late" Adisa assured.
"Okay...I wish you luck!" Rachael said. Adisa laughed.
"Thank you" he responded.

Call To Duty #29

"Chairman, is it true?"
"True, what?"
"That your king is employing based on the payment of the royalty fee he's illegally collecting?"
"Yes sir, it is true...but... who told you about it? I just confirmed the matter last night and was coming to report it in person." The Local Chairman was shocked.
"Forget that please, tell me, how he's able to do that considering that he is still a third class king. Where is the money coming from?" The Governor inquired. The Chairman laughed.
"Now, I know that you have underestimated the potentials of the King of Ijinle town. He's smart, intelligent and very ambitious. What he lacked all this while was a sense of direction which he has finally found, courtesy of the Corper?" The Chairman explained. The governor was silent for a while, he started dashing up and down his office. Then, he suddenly stopped and turned around to face his spectator who has been watching him dashing around since.
"Chairman, I've been thinking, can't we...you know...coarse him...you know?" The Governor muttered. The Chairman squinted his eyes thoughtfully for a while then shook his head  disapprovingly.
"Your Excellency, I'm sorry, that won't work. Haba! you know who we are up against now! This is the guy who was heavily sanctioned by the abandonment of all state projects in his domain and worse still, he was denied his promotion for the second time to a second class king, what did we get? Nothing but a higher level of defiance and his people are still backing him up strongly!"
"May be we should dethrone him!"
"How are we going to do that?"
"We can always think of something, you know?"
"Hmmm...nope! I still don't think it's a good idea"
"What is wrong with you, why are you being so antagonistic?" The Governor was mad.
"Your excellency, I beg you, calm down. This matter requires a lot of care, we just can't afford any further mistake. Please, bear with me, it's for the best. We can't afford to loose out on Ijinle town. That community is a hot spot for us!"
"I know, but can't you see that's it's slipping away already?"
"The more reason we cannot afford to take rash decisions concerning the town."
"Well, I just bore my mind on the matter, do you have a better idea because if you don't, that guy is a gonner"
"Your Excellency, the people..."
"I don't care what the people say! If he is not for us, then, he is against us and whomever is against us must go!" The Governor roared. The Chairman shook his head in disapproval.
"Your excellency, I need time, give me time to think this over. Like I said earlier, I came here to inform you formally of the newest developments. Now that you are informed, I'll urge you to show restraint, we can't afford the consequences of another rash decision here. I'll surely get back to you pretty soon okay?!" The Chairman begged. The Governor sighed.
"What is going on Chairman, this is so funny. The opposition party is no longer our biggest threat. It is now a King, a king we literally feed!"
"That was then, sir, we no longer feed him, yet, he still manages to survive without us! You should have listened to me, the Leader should have listened. Now he has grown from being a sheep into a roaring lion. You cannot deal with a lion as you do with a sheep, can you?"
"Oh yes, we can. If a sheep's transformation into a lion makes him misbehave, he might have to answer to our guns!" The Governor declared. The Chairman laughed.
"No hunter dares to shoot a lion in his pride. He would rather creep into hiding for the safety of his dear life and would use the gun as a means of defense as he creeps away from the presence of the Pride!" The Chairman retorted.
"Your Excellency, if you make any funny move behind my back on this matter, you can as well count me out of any further discussions on the matter. The King of Ijinle town, you may not know, is enjoying a very huge home support from his people. We left him hanging for too long for him to fear us anymore. As far as he is concerned, we no longer exist. He has no use for us which is true.We are the ones that need him now. Unless we do something fast, we won't be getting a single vote from the whole town. we both know what that means, don't we? Ijinle town is a role model in the area, there are so many villages and towns in the Local Government that look up to the King of Ijinle for guidance and leadership. Wherever Ijinle goes, they go. Unless we make peace with the King, we are definitely going to loose in the coming election season." The Chairman submitted. The Governor gave a big sighed as he sunk into one of the 3 seater chairs in his office.
"So, if I get you clearly, we can't dethrone him?"
"Yes sir!"
"Then, what should we do? He has just successfully created a parallel government. I mean, he collects taxes, embark on projects and now, he is employing people to work!" The Governor asked.
"We would mend fences with him"
"Mend fences, is that the best you can do?"
"Your Excellency! That's the best we can do!We have lost the battle. It's time to wade in and manage the situation. We need to salvage the situation before it goes worse. If we join hands with him now, we still stand a chance. But, if we don't, we shall loose out not only in Ijinle town but the state as a whole!"
"The state? You must be kidding!"
"Oh! I'm dead serious! People would start to spot the difference, the Independence of Ijinle and would start to inquire as to how he did it. Before you know, copy cat effects would start to emerge statewide. By then, things would have gone way beyond repairs and the Dynasty of our leader will fall and we shall fall along with it!"  The Chairman bellowed. The Governor didn't like what he heard.
"Ah ha! I said it!"
"Said what?"
"That you have betrayed us!"
"What?!"
"Don't bother, I have everything recorded. The Leader must hear of this! You dare open your mouth, gbagam, to prophesy the doom and fall of the Leader's dynasty, how dare you?!" The Governor accused the Chairman who is already on his kneels.
"Ha! Your excellency, I didn't mean it that way..."
"How did you mean it? You questioned the authority of the Leader about his sanction on the King of Ijinle...abeg, tell me, what would happen if the Leader ask me to dethrone him, what would happen, what can anyone, even you do about it?"
"Nothing!" The Chairman agreed he had started sweating profusely despite the fact that the air condition of the room was still blaring very cold air around the room.
"Better watch your tongue! Who would believe that you were the one talking about a lion becoming untouchable for the hunter not long ago? Get up, my friend!"
"Let me remain on my kneels sir"
"Get up jor!"
"I should get up?"
"Get up!"
"Thank you sir!" The Chairman thanked the Governor.
"So...when do you say you'll get back to me?"
"Ah! No sir, whatever you say?"
"Whatever I say?"
"Ehn...whatever you say!" The Chairman was still jittery.
"Chairman! Hahaha!"
"Yes sir!"
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. But em, why do you think it's impossible to dethrone the King. I mean, once he's dethroned, we can put anyone of our choice in place and the whole matter is buried forever. Or...maybe we should...you know cancel him...as in kill him...what do you think?"
"Whatever you say sir"
"Whatever I say?"
"Yes sir!"
"Ah-ah! Nawa o! Chairman!"
"Yes sir!"
"Tor"  
 

Call To Duty #28

"Akanni, Jamiu, where are you coming from?" Komolafe asked his friends.
"Ah! No vex ore, we had to reach the Palace to drop our royalties with the King" Jamiu replied. Komolafe laughed.
"Don't mind me jare, I've forgotten that you one of the very mumu's that are left in this town.You need to see how a stubborn goat like you guys was disgraced in my neighbourhood this morning. But, knowing him for who he is, I know he would still see it through. But, ah, ore, the embarrassment was so horrible that his wife wept for him.He had to force his wife and grown up kids to pay the royalties because, left to his kids and wives, known of them would be paying the yeye levy"! Komolafe narrated. His friends shook their heads pitifully for him.
"Eh, na so e be my friend, all of us cannot be wise, the society would not be complete without fools like us." Akanni said
"Abi!" Jamiu commented mockingly.
"Shall we go straight to business?" Akanni suggested.
"Sure! why not?" Komolafe agreed. The three friends settle down and Akanni opened the minute book of their meeting.

_____________________________________________________

"Kole, how far ?"
"Omo not too far jare, I dey kampe!"
"As you know that we are gradually coing to the end of our service year here in Ijinle, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind to stay back and work with us... you know... for a while?" Adisa asked. Kole smiled knowingly.
"Adisa, you are funny o! Anyway how much are you willing to pay for my service, what makes you think you can afford the services of a graduate? As an Economist, a graduate of the Prestigous Obafemi Awolowo University of Ife my take home would not be less than N100K per month with a befitting living quaters and an official car among other benefits!" Kole Bragged. Adisa could not hide his surprised with his eyes wide open.
"Ah! Oga, no vex, I was thinking that you wouldn't mind working with us now and getting paid later. I was thinking that you'll be able to to delay gratification for a little while our efforts starts to bear fruits. I'm very sorry for disturbing your peace...it...won't happen again. Sorry!" adisa said and turned back.
"Ah ah, bros, them no dey shakara una ni?"
"As how, you call that shakara?"
"Yes now, you don't expect me to just give in like that now...okay, how much you won pay?" Kole asked.
"N20 K"
"Ehn?! Money for wetin be that?"
"Ah-ah, for your upkeep na! Look, if e no reach you, no wahala, make I dey waka..."
"Ah-ah..." Kole pulls adisa back by the arm.
"Your shakara sef do dey too much, omo, twenty bay...on top all the suffer suffer wey I suffer school? Haba, that one no fair now! Make, make you try adjust small...as in add something now and make your boy happy!" Kole urged him.
"Okay, thirty bay, last!"
"Ha! Thirty bay..."
"Yes! No more, no less!" Adisa declared. even though he's not too happy about it, Kole was glad that he's getting a head start
'At least that would be enough to keep soul and body together in the mean time.' he thought.
"Okay o...chairman, I don hear o!"
"You hear or you gree"
"No be the same thing, shooooo, I tire for you o!"
"No be the same thing abeg, this is business care must be taken in everything. O'boy, Rachael go dey useful too o! You talk am for am?" Adisa asked.
"Which kain tin be that, abi you won put personnel manager join the one wey you won give me?"
"How you dey talk like that? You know say, I no sabi am reach you and i know say she go quickly gree if you talk to am than when anyone else does...please na" Adisa begged Kole who is already rubbing his cheek mischievously.
"Ehn...no wahala na...so...how much you go give me?"
"As how?" Adisa with a frown.
"Ehn, how you go dey frown your face like that...no be job you give, abi when e don become a crime to get paid for a job?" Kole asked. Adisa was furious. He hissed.
"You no serious!" He said angrily as he turns away. Kole pulled him back laughing.
"Nawa for you o! Them no dey play with you? Kai! You too like money!" Kole teased.
"Anyway, Rachael is staying back with me. You should know now...we are both like the snail and it shell...no snail leaves it's shell behind, okay? So, calm down it's a done deal. But, you go find something for her too o!"
"That one no be problem. You should understand by now, that I no fit do you guys bad. I deliberately asked that you guys be included if you show interest. I did this knowing fully well that you no get anything at home to keep you busy just like myself. Although I couldn't tell for Rachael, Shade already made me realize it that we are in the same category in the regard so ..."
"You decided to ask from me, her boyfriend?" Kole chipped in jokingly.
"Exactly!" Adisa agreed. Kole was happy to hear that and showed off with a knowing smile and a slow proud rub of his bare chin.
"It's okay, I'll talk to her and i know she'll agree. Just make sure you keep your side of the bargain"
"Oh, you can count on that!"

_____________________________________________

"Keji, is it possible?"
"What?"
"All the things the things the Balogun and Iyalode said"
"Why not? I believe it is very possible if they are have sincerity of purpose. But how many have that today, Omolara?"
"Ehn? I hope you are not insinuating that ..."
"I'm not insinuating anything my friend. It's just that it is hard to come by anyone in this country of ours that would be that faithful. as Yoruba would say, 'Bi a ba lowo lowo, iwa oniwa lama nwu' (meaning: the true character of a man is manifest only when he becomes a man of means)"
"Hmmm...you are right ore mi!"
"This however, does not mean that they wouldn't do anything. They would, my prayer is tat they should do more work than embezzlement"
"Amin ore mi" Lara responded.
"Ehen...don't forget that tomorrow is the D- day...this one that you come to work late these days...hm! Nawa o! My just be careful!" Lara said jokingly. Keji laughed.
"Don't mind me. I won't let that happen tomorrow. I would not sleep in the room tonight and I would be wearing like 3 shorts altogether!" Keji said. The two friends laughed heartily as they make there way back to their place of work.

Call To Duty #27

In just 3 weeks after the announcement, people have started asking where and when they could start paying the Royal levy. The King was impressed and had summoned the Corper, Balogun, the Youth leader and the Professor to an emergency meeting. Balogun suggested that the Iyalode too be included and the king sent for her.
"My people, with a very light and glad heart do I announce the pleasant surprise I've been experiencing in the past few days."
"Pleasant surprise? Kabiyesi, we are all ears and ready to celebrate with you. Please, tell us all about it" Iyalode urged the King.
"Hmmm...thank you very much Iyalode. People of all works of life have been coming to the Palace to pay solidarity visits to me and have been expressing their readiness to play their part by paying the Royal fee. The surprising part of it all is that when I responded that we are still working on it, they'll urge me to ensure that the payment begin as soon as possible!" The King narrated. Everyone laughed.
"Kabiyesi! I thought I was the only one being confronted, I never knew that they have been coming here too" Balogun said
"They have o! They have and I've been getting a little jittery myself because I know fully well that we have not done anything in that regard and these people are wishing we should start collecting the revenues immediately"
"Well, Kabiyesi, let's kick it off this very minute!" The Professor suggested.
"How???" The King queried. The Professor turned to the Youth leader.
"Olori Odo, please, go to my house and tell my wife to hand over my laptop to you..."
"What for?" The King asked
"For Drafting the necessary documents to ensure the collection begins today!" The Professor replied. The King laughed excitedly.
"Prof - Prof!" the King hailed the Prof who bowed gently
"Kabiyesi o!"
"Eh...don't bother, you can always make use of mine and...okay, since we have agreed and have swung into action, I shall order for like 5 laptops and ipads to kick off the revenue collections and I shall also donate the sum of a hundred thousand Naira to the fundraiser." The King announced and everyone present hailed the King and  paying homage to him. They chorused
"Kabiyesi o!"

_______________________________________________

"Ooooh! Akanni, leave me alone o! Ah!"
"Baby, relax, the day is still very young?"
"Young you say? It's 4:30 already!"
"That's my point...ok, let's wrap it all up with a little quickie..."
"Quickie, after 4 solid rounds, Akanni, you are beginning to scare me, maybe I should move to the sitting room"
"What?!"
"Yes! Four rounds and you are still acting like you haven't had it at all"
"Oh, baby, no be my fault na"
"Ehen...whose fault is it?"
"Yours of course!"
"Me, how?!"
"You are too sweet to be resisted...to be candid, I think we should...you know, skip work today and..."
"Ah! Now, I know you are not serious,leave me joor!" Keji said standing up from the bed. Akanni quickly went after her pinning her to the wall by the door and started romancing her.
"Oooh! Ah! What is it now....Oooh...Akanni...Akanni...no...please stop!" Her voice started getting lower as she spoke. Akanni had started kissing her before she could mutter another word. He pulled her slowly back into bed...

_______________________________________

Kole had barely reached the staff room before lamenting the 'Torture' he had just received from the Senior Secondary School 2 students he had just finished teaching.
"Nawa o! Honestly, Adisa had just added to my work load and it's not funny at all!"
"What is it again, corper is any student acting funny?" The Agricultural Science Teacher Mr Jatto asked
"No, no sir, it's actually the whole class"
"The whole class?"  Mr Jatto was mad. Kole was amused
"Ah! Not like that sir!" He said laughing
"Ehen?"
"Yes sir, it's just that they bombarded me with much more questions than usual and funny enough it's all about the activities of my fellow corps member, Adisa."
"Oh, okay. I can understand why they are so curious. Just like we the grown ups, we never thought that anyone is capable of what he is doing outside the government. This is why we have been suffering for so long in silence." Mr Jatto explained.
"I understand sir. Come to think of it, it's not like he is doing something extra ordinary. In my opinion, I think the extra ordinary part of his activities is his bravery and courage to not only think but act 'out of the box'!" Kole submitted.
"Now, that's the simple truth!" Mr Andrew, the Government teacher said
"He literally blew my mind with his move. When I quizzed him after the launch of the project, I was like, why didn't I think of this?"
"Well, to me, the answer to that question is that we never thought of being creative...this, as funny as it is, is the main problem of this country...lack of creativity!" Rachael contributed to the discussion
"How can we be creative when we are starving?" The Government Teacher asked. Everyone laughed except Mr Jatto.
"Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. What better motivation to creativity is there than hunger? Truth be told, Rachael is right, we have been foolish indeed! We lack passion for our job and anything for that matter. It is not possible to go creative when you lack passion for your profession.
 Most of us here in this staff room are not contented with what we have, our minds are not here, we are always looking and hoping for that better job, hence, we pay the very least of attention to what we do. We don't really care about the students we teach...the only reason we teach is for the salary! This is the main difference between us and that boy, Adisa. This at least is what I learnt from all these and I'll be forever grateful to Adisa for the invaluable inspiration he has given. It has helped me reposition myself and I see myself doing great things not only in school but also in the society in general" Mr Jatto submitted to the admiration of his audience who he left speechless afterwards.

Call To Duty # 26

"Keji, Keji, Keeji!!!"
"What is it?!!"
"Guess what?"
"What?" Keji asked her friend who is obviously out of breathe. She took a moment to catch her breathe.
"The Corper...the Corper, Balogun and the Professor are at the Isale Odo path with some heavily built youths."
"What are they doing there and how does that concern us here?" Feeling disgusted.
"They say that they want to build a road there"
"Road? I don't understand."
"From what I can gather, the King had sent them to construct a road there"
"Haba! This our people self. I wonder how they think. What is wrong with the main road that passes through the town, instead of wasting time and effort on constructing a new road, why don't they just finish up this one that the State government refused to complete, ehn?"
"Abi o!"
"Anyway, na them sabi. Whatever they want to do, I wish them well. It's high time someone breaks the monopoly of the state government"
"Abi o.Government with all their false promises. In fact, I'm tired of them, Wallahi!" Lara commented.
"No be only you o! This is the more reason I shall be paying the levy promptly!"
"What levy, you mean the King's levy, are you serious Keji? Anyway, you are rich. I don't have money to waste in my own case"
"You see, this is the problem, this is the reason why no one has come out all this while. The people that you wish to sacrifice for, most often are not worthy of the sacrifice...they don't even think you are doing it for them. Their believe is that you are looking up to some rewards. So, they most often than not frustrate your effort in helping them. Ha! Africans, when shall we wake up, when shall we stop thinking like fools and wise up a little bit?" Keji lamented.
"Are you talking to me?"
"Does it look like I'm referring to you?"
"I mean, what have I said to deserve all those insults? You know what we go through when we travel to the hamlets where we get our raw materials from, the local government men are all over us in the market, now the King too wants to have a bite too? No way!!!" Lara declared. Keji looked at his friend pitifully and suddenly busted in to laughter.
"What's so funny about what I've said now?"
"Lara, haa! Na wa for you o! Ehn? I can't believe you are this ignorant! Wait o! Ever since the State and the Local government revenue workers have been collecting money from you, what have you gained from them?"
"Nothing! The more reason I'm not paying the King's levies!" Lara proclaimed. Keji shook her head in disappointment.
"The state and local governments collect N50 - N50 on daily basis from you and you can not even complain about it. The King is asking for just N100 per month from you and you have already judged the poor king before you even give it out!"
"Who can complain about the government? We all know what happens when you complain. The King of all people should know that it is not easy coping with all those taxes for him to compound our woes with his own customized taxes. What has the King too done for us, ehn?"
"He has conducted a Census and according to the Corper, the Census results shall help the King plan and serve us well. Where do we expect him to get the money with which he would carry out his proposed project for us. You said it yourself, the youths are already at the town's border, making moves to commence the construction of the much needed road for the town. This is the first time, the King is making such a bold step, why don't we at least pay the levies for a few months to see what comes out of it? "
"Keji, it's not easy..."
"I know, but we all know that we owe the King our loyal support...he's our King...our leader, we can't rubbish him like that, we shouldn't turn our backs on him especially when he hasn't done anything wrong so far to warrant that! He says he is ready to serve us, let's give him a chance...just a chance!" Keji urged her friend.
"Keji, Keji! A true Daughter of the land! I don hear o,I shall pay the levy"
"Ehen! Now you are talking!"
"So when are you going to pay?"
"I heard, the register is already open and people have started paying. Why don't we go tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, Monday, no problem,I'll go with you!"
"Thank you my good friend...Ijinle ko ni baje o!"
"O baje ti" Lara responded. The two friends laughed it off.

______________________________________________

"Kabiyesi o!"
"Corpers, please, rise"
"Thank you Kabiyesi"
"You are welcome. You have come to see your friend?"
"Yes sir" Shade, Kole and Rachael chorused.
"That's good...that's good...Corper!" The King called out to Adisa who was actively supervising the work of the youths with the Professor, Balogun and the youth leader. He ran to meet them.
"Yes, Kabiyesi"
"Your Corper colleagues wants to see you. I don't know why they have refused to join you actively in the great work you are doing with us? May be you should talk to them too... I would really appreciate it if they'll do as you do" The king said.
"No problem sir. I believe they are working on one project or the other for the town.We have all agreed to leave a good impression and a memorable mark on the town before we leave sir"
"Is that true?" The King asked the other Corpers.
"Yes sir": They chorused.
"Ehen? That's interesting and good to know. I'll be expecting to see them."
"Yes sir" They chorused again.
"Alright then, Corper, as you already know, I'm taking my leave, please tell the others to supervise and see to it that the working youths are well catered for."
"Yes sir"
"Tell the Balogun to see to it that the youths go home with the special package I've provided for them."
"Yes sir"
"Okay. I'll leave you to attend to your colleagues now."
"Thank you sir. Kabiyesi o!" Adisa had said. His colleagues followed suit paying their respect to the King as he took his leave.
"Adisa disa! The Crown Prince of Ijinle town. Abegi, na wetin you see for inside this town sef?" Kole asked
"The Future"
"The Future?"
"Yes,the Future"
"What future? Abegi pack well!" Kole said. Adisa laughed.
"You'll never change. Anyway, guys, I've been longing to prove to the world that there are alternatives to the politicians. I figured out that this is the best way to prove my point so I keyed in"
"Does that mean that you had it all planned from the beginning...as in from the time you made that statement that got the King's attention?" Shade asked.
"Now, that's the thing with opportunities. They just come gboam! Like that...no warning at all. I didn't plan it this way, I made the statement out of conviction. But when I was asked to defend myself, I saw the opportunity not only to escape punishment but an opportunity to make my dream come true!"
"What dream is that?"
"To make myself both name and money!"
"Ehn?!" His colleagues exclaimed.
"Yes! What do you think I was aiming for?"
"I thought you were doing it simply out of love and passion for the people" Shade said. Others nodded in agreement.
"Yes, That's true, but, like you should know, the question is, in the end, what do I stand to gain as the hero of the people? Fame, Power and immense wealth of course!" Adisa laughed.
"Oh! That...pheew...that was a very, very expensive joke. Stop it!" Shade said with a deep sigh of relief.
"Yes. It's a joke and it is not a joke. It's also the truth...that's why it pays to be good. Be the people's hero and they'll literally worship you!" Adisa said.
"I see..." Kole commented.
"So, what brings you guys here?"
"Well...we thought you should share the booties with us"
"Booties?"
"Yes, the booties...in the same vain, we think it's equally imperative for us to contribute our quota to the CDS you seem to have monopolized"
"Monopolized? Please o, abegi o, I no monopolize anything o!"
"Oh yes you have...this one that you are asking everyone to contribute to the town's general development, who would listen to us if we ask for funds to build the labouratory we planned to build?" Kole asked.
"We...as in.. I don't understand" Adisa said.
"We, as in I and Rachael"
"Oh, I see. But what I'm doing does not stop you fa"
"We know, we were just kidding" Rachael who has been silent all the while said amidst a smile.
"Toor. Thank you, Rachael for saving the day"
"You are welcome"
"Is there anyway we can help...with anything?"
"Sure! There's plenty of room. You just tell me which part you wish to help with"
"No, I think you are in the best position to do that" Kole said.
"Okay guys,I'll see what I can do"
"Okay, no problem. Guys, let's go" Shade said. Just about then, Balogun called on him.
"I got to go...catch ya later"
"Byyyye!" Shade said childishly. Adisa looked at her and winked. She winked back with a smile. Kole, saw it all and coughed jokingly. Rachael laughed patting him gently at the back as they took their leave.

To be continued on Monday!