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! 

Call To Duty # 25

"If you like slam your head into the Wall, I still refuse to be swindled. I will not partake!"
"It's okay, it's okay! We hear you. Jamiu, our friend have refused to be scammed, like we choose to be scammed. Let's leave him alone, after all, it's his life!"
"Abi o!"
"The only thing here is that when we start to dey enjoy the benefits of being scammed, make no one come dey disturb me o!" Akanni warned. Komlafe hissed.
"Siddon dia dey dream. I pity una. Ehen, when some people get scammed make dem no come my dommot dey cry o. Because, I go take style rubbish dem!" Komolafe too warned. Jamiu and Akanni looked at themselves and laughed.
"Let's change the subject abeg!" Akanni urged.
"Yes. My friends, I want to thank you both for being so nice to me. There was I thinking it was all over and you guys came to my rescue. It's only God Almighty that can repay you. I can't, I obviously can't!"
"It's okay Jamiu, haba, what are we friends for. Stop all those gratitude thing abeg, it's getting embarrassing!" Akanni responded.
"Eh, you won't understand, I know what I'm talking about"
"It's okay! Ah! We are here, we are here...we are here for one another. Whatever I do for you, I've done for myself abi Akanni? Talk now!"
"I have and I know he understands now. You see, Jamiu, you are like a brother to me and to him. When it comes to our daily lives, we are one and the same. The only difference here is the religion. He's a Christian, I'm a Muslim so are you. Even at that, we still celebrate together and wish ourselves well. It's only during the religious festive periods that we are not together. But that doesn't mean that I don't eat his food on Christmas day and he too accepts and eat Sallah meat.This is the only difference we allow in our relationship...religious matters only. We tolerate each other and forge ahead together!" Akanni explained.
"I know these things. I've been with you guys long enough to know that. It's just that I never expected the kind of financial help you've been offering me. Ordinarily, what happens is that I'll get sidelined the moment it's clear that you guys are on a higher level of finance. It happens everywhere! Instead of doing that, you guys decided to pull me along. I'm so grateful, May God Bless you guys abundantly!" Jamiu prayed.
"Okay. Now, I understand. But you need to stop the excessive thank you thing, okay? We don't like it. If we did something nice, you can say thank you that day and the following day and no more, okay?" Komolafe explained.
"Okay.Thanks for the info!"
"You're welcome"
"So, how far about the Woman, what do you think of her now?" Akanni changed the subject.
"Ah! That mad woman? Don't mind her, who knew she would end up paying so handsomely for the same set of fish she had so down played its quality?" Jamiu asked. Komolafe and Akanni laughed.
"Na so e be o! Na packaging!" Akanni answered.
"Ehen, packaging?"
"Yes na? If we hadn't repackage the fish for you, she would have done far worse things." Komolafe chipped in
"Ehen?"
"Yeeesss!"
"You need to know your customers and present your products to them the exact way they'll love to have it. That woman is no local woman, she is the working class type who would pay double for a product just because it is wrapped in some cheap fancy nylon bag!" Akanni continued.
"Really?"
"Yes! When I started selling bitter leaf and locust beans, all I do is to just put the leaves in a nylon bag after they must have priced it to the extent that all that's left for me on the vegetables is just a few Naira...sometimes, my profit is less than N5 on a bundle that I was expecting to make as much as N20"
"Ehn?"
"Today,I dry my locust beans after I have washed and mixed in some salt for preservation, I'll get myself small plastic bowls and stuff them in...I also get to grind some into powder. as for bitter leafs, I cure them, cut them into shreds and air dry them before I pack them in some fancy nylons. Come and see pricing!"
"Eeehn?"
"They no longer argue with me. I triple the price and they pay without a word of objection!" Akanni said.
"Wow!" Jamiu exclaimed.
"The same thing goes with my rice. I buy at very cheap price from my Tapa friend who sometimes give me a few more bowls as bonus. According to him, I'm his first customer that buy from him regularly. Others that buy as much as I do come only once in a while. He had also noticed that I tend to buy more every time I come around. To cut the long story short, I take the rice in its crude form and hire a few youngsters right there in the market to remove all the dirt for me. There are also some women I employ to use ordinary water in removing all the stones in the rice. All these costs me very little money. It's only after that I dry and bag the rice and print my name on it"
"Do you have NAFDAC number?"
"NAFDAC number, wetin concern me with NAFDAC number? I write the name sell like that!I no go international now,I've not even covered a local government. I'll get NAFDAC number when I might have covered more than half of the local governments in the state. Then, money go don full ground and na that time NAFDAC sef go dey find me. For now, I sure say dey no get my time!" Komolafe concluded. The three friends busted into laughter.
"So, Jamiu, the koko na packaging...na packaging we dey chop!" Akanni submitted.
"Okay! Now, I understand. Make I dey think of the best ways to package my fish now!" Jamiu said. They all laughed.

___________________________________________________

"Yes! Prof, you are right. The road should be the first!" Balogun said.
"What of the Secretariat?" asked the Corper.
"That has been taken care of for now. we can manage the rooms that the King have offered in the Palace. We need the road. If the residents of the town learn of our intention to construct a linking road to the Federal road, they'll be more than willing to join in." The Youth Leader explained.
"Hmmm...if only we can give them a road...." The Professor started
"The politicians would stop using it to score cheap political goals against us. I'm tired of hearing the same set of unfulfilled promises of the provisions of goods roads every 4 years. It's so annoying." Balogun complained.
"Okay sirs, I'm in."
"Good. Now is the time to pick on which road to work on." The Prof asked.
"That shouldn't be a problem. Which other do we know other than the main road we have in this town." Balogun replied.
"I don't think that would be a good idea" The Youth leader said.
"Why not? There are no other road available. Besides, it's our road isn't it?"
"No, it's the State's road?" The Professor commented.
"So what? It passes through our town, we have rights on the road" The Balogun protested.
"Yes, you do...Balogun, I'm sorry, it doesn't work that way. We cannot work on the road without permission from the state government..."
"What? Abomination!" Everyone else laughed.
"The State can sue us for trespassing if we do anything on that road without permission" The Professor concluded.
"Ah-ah, ah-ah! But we have worked on this same road severally without permission, why should we need permission to walk on it now?" Balogun lamented.
"Because, we suspect that the Governor is not happy with us now and he would fight back with all at his disposal. The road is definitely one of them." The Professor explains.
"Ehn, what do we do now? We need a road!" The Balogun declared.
"May I suggest we construct ours from the scratch?" The Corper chipped in.
"Ah! that's a very brilliant idea, Corper. I like that!" The Professor said
"Thank you prof" He responded.
"You are welcome, my dear."
"Would that not be too expensive for us?" asked the Balogun
"I don't think so sir?" replied the Corper.
"Hmmm...okay o! So, where do we start from" Balogun queried.
"I'm thinking of the Isale Odo" The Youth leeader suggested.
"Isale Odo? That's a foot path!"
"I know..."
"That's a perfect road to build. I know that path very well" The Professor interrupted.
"But, Professor, but, you know that there's a river on the way and there's another village on the other side of the foot path."
"Of course I do. The Happy thing is that Abule Agba is our sworn ally. We can even commence construction without permission. But, as you know, courtesy demands we consult with them first. That shouldn't be a problem." The Professor answered.
"Isale Odo. everyone agrees?" The Balogun inquired.
"Yes" was the chorus answer.
"Okay. Then, Olori Odo, move your men down to the place. They should start work immediately. I shall brief the King." The Balogun said.
"One more thing sirs" The Corper chipped in.
"Every man that would work with us must agree to the levy."
"Of course! All the three hundred are paying this month end. as a matter of fact, they think it is a very good idea and that they are with the King on this one" The Youth leader assured.
"Okay. Thank you for coming gentlemen. God bless us all" The Professor prayed. They all said 'Amin'

To be continued on Wednesday!

Call To Duty # 24

The Radio program was aired just hours before the message of the King reached the People. It came a night earlier. The King was initially worried,but, the Professor who heard the radio program too was there for the King. He asked the King to call for a town hall meeting at the market square where he, the Professor and the Corper would set the records straight.
During the meeting, the Professor explained, as the chief speaker that the Census truly had other uses other than knowing how many people to be catered for. In addition to levying the people, the Professor said that the Census makes budgeting easier and helps to curb wasteful spending. He also told the people that the Census would also help the King to know which project would serve the people  the best.
When the Corper stood up to make his speech, there was a commotion. People started chanting all sorts of songs and NYSC jargon.
Some went with 'Corper Shun', others were chanting 'Ajuwire'.After a while the Corper gestured for calm. That was when some women rounded it all up with a heroic song for the Corper.
The Corper, who was overwhelmed by the hailing of the people greeted in the local dialect of the people and they responded happily. He acknowledged the Professor's opening speech and praised the simplicity of the speech. He also said that the Professor had done all the hard work and as a matter fact, he is only going to talk because courtesy demands it.
The better part of his speech was based on patriotism and why it would be an act of tyranny and ignorance for anyone not to key into the developmental efforts of the King. He also warned the people that it is wiser to stick with the King than with the government that's very far away and doesn't seem to remember them with any project.
On the Radio program, he said that the people shouldn't be alarmed at all. According to him, the Commissioner was right. It's just that he wasn't telling the whole truth and that he doesn't blame him for that. He announced that the King is not forcing anyone in anyway to be a part of the program. As a matter of fact, no one shall be ridiculed for not being part of the system. It's just that such people too shouldn't expect anything from the King as well. But if he were in their shoes, he would go with the King especially when it's not by force like it is with the tax state government.
For that conclusion, the people gave him a standing ovation shouting his name and hailing him. The shouting and hailing went louder when he went to prostrate to the King.

___________________________________________________

Rachael and Kole were at the meeting. They waited to the end. They had gone on stage to rejoice with their colleague who obviously was glad that they were able to make it. Adisa had reserved their seat at a VIP table that's very close to the Royal table where he sat for lunch. After the lunch, it was time to go home. They walked home hand in hand. It was a work free day for them.
"Nawa o!"
"What?"
"Hmmm...I'm just thinking about it...the irony of life"
"Yea, life is full of ironies"
"I mean, check out our current status. Who would ever imagine that Adisa would outdo us socially?" Rachael protested. Kole laughed.
"No! Think about it! He is whining and dinning with the King while we are here legging it back home...Khaarrr! It's just disgusting!" Rachael lamented.
"Well, my dear, such is life. Like they say, there is always something to learn from every situation. I've learnt a great deal from this guy,Adisa"
"Really?"
"Yea"
"Okay. What have you learnt?"
"The first thing I've learnt is to always be at alert. To always be on the look for opportunities. Adisa made a big deal of the NYSC program. While I was thinking of getting a high paying job in a multi national company, Adisa was busy looking around making connections with the Local people. This was what led him to all this you know?"
"Yea, but, it wasn't wrong to dream big as you did."
"I know. But, it was wrong to presume that it can't happen in the village"
"How do you mean? I don't understand"
"Well, if Adisa succeeds with this pet project of his,it's a matter of time that he'll be offered a place in a multi national company or better still, the project becomes so successful that he wouldn't need to get a job ever,rather, he becomes employer of labour! Why do I aspire to work in a multi national, no be for the numerous benefits? Adisa no longer have to worry about that. He is the Boss!" Kole exclaimed.
"Hmmm...that's true, you know?"
"Yea" Kole replied. There was silence for a while as they make the corner to the Corper's lodge.
"Come to think of it. It wouldn't be wrong to work with our friend, Adisa,would it?" Rachael asked. Kole paused to look her in the eye.
"No. What are you driving at?" Kole queried.
"Well, as you can see, the Project is already a success, why don't we key into it when it's still this young? We've got nothing to loose"
"We've got everything to loose.Oh, common babe, you heard it yourself, the State government is not happy with it. Remember that we are here to serve. It wouldn't be nice to be in the bad books of the Governor you know? That would be how many years' hard labour going down the drain. Spare me please! It's not worth it!"
"Of course, it does. Besides, the Governor hasn't shown disapproval."
"Of course, he wouldn't for political reasons. But, deep down there is he pleased? Certainly not?" Kole argued. Rachael was quiet for a while.
"Okay, why don't we go this way? We shall be with him until the Governor shows up and ask we hands off it. Is that okay?" Rachael asked. Kole was not happy with the idea. Rachael was so persuasive that she had started leaning on his shoulder and pleading with the bedroom voice.
"But, are you sure you'll let go?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I, no be wetin I won chop I dey find? I would be very foolish indeed to go for wetin go chop me!" She assures him. He smiled.
"Okay, let's go with him"
"Oh, thank you so much. I love you!" Rachael said kissing him.


To be continued on Monday!