KOTANSIBE

We present a play titled KOTANSIBE, classified as STATE BLAST and coming at you on the WARD9ice franchise.  Curtesy of the playwright, Kotansibe would be published serially on SEB and updated weekly for your reading pleasure.

SET

The Palace

Okoro’s House

Marketing Manager’s Office

Village Square

Shrine of Ogun

 

CHARACTERS

Chief Abiodun Kotansibe, owner of Kotansibe Farms

King Oyeyemi – King of Kotansibe

Narrator

Palace Chief 1

Palace Chief 2

Palace Chief 3

Chief Alayemo – City Business Man

Okoro – Village Elder

Bode – Villager

First Citizen

Second Citizen

Tanko – Villager

Abudu – Villager

Dele – Villager

Jacob - Villager

Chief Priest

Mama Chinedu – Villager

Chinedu – a young university graduate

Admin Manager – Staff of the Farms

Marketing manager – staff of the Farms

Chief Daudu – Riot Leader

AIDE – Chief Alayemo’s

Police Officer

Royal Bard

Palace Guards

Others

 

 

KOTANSIBE

 

SYNOPSIS

King OYEYEMI orders the assassination of Chief ABIODUN KOTANSIBE purposely to inherit his farmland, the only fertile piece of land in the community.

Now as Chairman of the farmlands association, Oyeyemi retrenches all the workers and replaces them with his choice personnel, his idea of rotational employment.

Given a very successful retrenchment exercise, Oyeyemi later endorses a sharp price increase of all his farm produce, a development which indirectly shoots up the prices of every other item in the market.

Consequently, hunger sets in, elders become beggars and crime rate increases astronomically, and the people are pushed to the wall.

Soon, the community launch a protest against the King to bring down the price of his farm produce. But then, unknown to them the King has sold his farmland illegally to a very influential city businessman, Chief ALAYEMO.

Soon the community find out about the illegal transaction of the farmland and launch an attack on the king’s palace, leaves the king dead while Alayemo flees for his life.

Eventually, the oracle asks for the appointment of CHINEDU, a young graduate to handle the affairs of the controversial farmland. Also, JIBOLA, the only honest Chief on Oyeyemi’s counsel, is crowned the new king of Kotansibe Community, choosen by the gods.   

 

PROLOGUE

BLACKOUT on stage, an ode rises into fullness from the background, song soon remains hummed we hear consecutively, sounds of owls and non-rhythmic clinking and sharpening of cutlasses, other metallic objects in a mood suggestive of crime brewing in perpetration, confirmed by deadly whispers, murmurings.

Absolute silence. Suddenly, a heavy fighting brakes out centre stage under dim but fluctuating lights, revealing THREE MEN, armed, assaulting, butchering chief KOTANSIBE, who screams painfully in vain for help, finally silenced as one of his assailants runs a knife into his abdomen for a Blackout.

Cock crows, a dirge rises to a crescendo from the background as Lights gradually spread from centre stage disclosing Kotansibe’s corpse lying in its own pool of blood, limbs sprawl grotesquely on the bare ground.

PASSSERS-BY stop over to have a glimpse of the victim, dumbfounded, sympathetic, grieved, some manage to utter curses on the killers in the process.

NARRATOR slowly appears amongst them, regards the deceased with pity, then turns to address the audience while Passers-by begin to depart the scene consecutively, casually. When he speaks, the song is hummed.

 

NARRATOR

Obviously, the oracle was right – right when it prophesized doom for this village – this village of Kotansibe. But the King, King Oyeyemi could not understand … just did not seem to –

Song goes up in full as two PALACE GUARDS approach, spread a white sheet of cotton over the deceased and exit with it.

Gone like an animal – butchered like one, Chief Kotansibe was the richest man in the village. But that was not the only trait that made him important … he was the oldest man in the village – humane and very generous.

But then he had no relatives – just didn’t seem to. The community believed he was not an indigene – he could have been an early settler, they had conditioned their minds to accept.

However, because of his exemplary attitude no one could question his origin.

Chief Kotansibe – may his soul rest in peace – his birth is a mystery … his death, unspeakable … and why he was refused kingship despite a clarion call by the people? … Someday answers will come. But now the question on every one’s lips is – what happens to his farmland, the only fertile land in the village – the only land that has made Kotansibe Village triumph in comfort, peace and unity? What hope is there for the new generation? (starting away) Only time can tell … time will surely tell … time will tell (exit).

 

 

THE PALACE, where TOWNS-PEOPLE are seated, including OKORO. BODE discussing informally, Kotansibe’s death while awaiting King OYEYEMI’S arrival.

 

OKORO

(to Bode)

Na wa o … So na true sey dis good man don die? 

BODE

Hmn … Okoro, my friend – you should have seen the way they pierced his abdomen –

 SECOND CITIZEN

… and sliced his neck.

 THIRD CITIZEN

… Like a ram

 OKORO

Kai! Tu-fiakai! People wicked ooo … Kai!

 FIRST CITIZEN

But this kind of thing has never happened in our community before 0 …. We have never witnessed it.

SECOND CITIZEN

That is true. But the man borrowed a large sum of money from people in the city and could not pay back.

 ALL

(amazed)

Shoooo!

 BODE

SO?

 SECOND CITIZEN

Well, he couldn’t pay back, so they sent people to kill him.

 BODE

Nonsense! How can such a rich man be indebted?

 SECOND CITIZEN

Na-Dem-Sey. (all, disappointed)

 BODE

You see? (mockingly) The man borrowed a large sum of money from people in the city and could not pay back …

 THIRD CITIZEN

Chief Kotansibe … Kai! May his soul rest in peace. (to First Citizen) Everybody was shedding tears at his burial yesterday … True, the man was good.

 FIRST CITIZEN

On this side of the world, however good a man is he must have enemies. Such is life.

 THIRD CITIZEN

Enemies – how can one identify them? They laugh with you, eat with you, play with you, yet like the camellion, they look straight but also look sideways.

 BODE

Talking about enemies, what has the King said about the chief’s killers?

 FIRST CITIZEN

Hmn… Unbelievable … The King’s Chief Priest em … Tanko; he consulted the oracle …

 THIRD CITIZEN

(curious)

And then?

 FIRST CITZEN

… Said the Chief was cursed in his youth to die like an animal.

 ALL

(amazed)

Cursed?

 FIRST CITIZEN

Who are we to doubt the gods?

 

Enter King OYEYEMI and his Chiefs, unnoticed by Townspeople.

 

FIRST CITIZEN

The hope of this community is bleak. If such a man could be sent to the grave like a lamb, then those of us who are nothing are doomed already.

 SECOND CITIZEN

Infact, it’s –

 FIRST CHIEF

(to Townspeople)

Silence everyone! The King is here present!

 TOWNS-PEOPLE

(postrating)

Kabiyesi ooo!

 OYEYEMI

(snaps)

Shut up your dirty mouths, all of you. You want to claim you didn’t see me enter the palace since?

 TOWSPEOPLE

(postrating)

Please, forgive us your highness.

 OKORO

Your highness – it’s the new breeze that has come into our midst. Kindly, forgive us, your highness.

 OYEYEMI

You can all seat.

 TOWNSPEOPLE

(doing so)

Thank you your highness. You will live long for us your highness.

 ABUDU

Your highness, the lion has met his death and fear has taken over the fowls. Your highness, if Kotansibe could be murdered in cold blood in this community then our lives are in serious danger, your highness. It is –

 

 

SECOND CHIEF

(snaps)

Shut up your mouth. How dare you speak of insecurity before the king? Can you swear by the gods that the King has not been sensitive to your problems?

 OYEYEMI

Abudu, omo iya alata, leave my palace now!

 ABUDU

Ha! Your highness. Please, forgive me … I didn’t mean –

 OYEYEMI

(thunders)

I said, leave my palace before I call the wrath of the gods on you (he exits) My people, you have done me great wrong.

 TOWNSPEOPLE

(postrating)

We are sorry, your highness. Please, pardon us your highness.

 OYEYEMI

Sorry for yourselves. But then, I don’t blame you … When the bush is on fire the goat no longer hides from the lion. Why should I blame you? A child is always grateful to his parents when they can fend for him. But the moment trying times set in, he turns against them … I don’t have to blame you at all …

 TOWNSPEOPLE

Forgive us your highness. May Eledumare destroy whoever is against you, your highness.

 CHIEFS

Ase!

 

SECOND CHIEF whispers into the King’s ear.

 

OYEYEMI

You can all seat (they do so) People of our land, we all know why we have gathered here today. Yes, our dear friend chief Abiodun Kotansibe has left to join our ancestors. May his soul rest in peace.

 

ALL

Ase! (Third Chief shakes his head in disappointment)

 OYEYEMI

Yes. But  his farmland, Kotansibe Farm as we all know is the only fertile land in this community.

 FIRST CITIZEN

That is very correct, your highness.

 

THURD CITIZEN

Your highness, that land is the bedrock of our livelihood in this community.

 

OYEYEMI

You’re not wrong either. Kotansibe Farmland has brought honour to this community. Neighboring communities and towns, even prominent traders from the big cities converge in this community every market day just because of our healthy and irresistible farm produce. Indeed, we are very lucky to have such a soil in our territory (ahems) Emn … My people, I, virtue of my position as your King, have taken a very wise decision to take over the management and ownership of Kotansibe Farms. (Townspeople murmur in support while Third Chief shakes his head in pity). And I have also decided to constitute an entirely new management (Towspeople are stunned, begin to murmur again)

 

SECOND CHIEF

Keep quiet, the King still stands before you!

 OKORO

B-bu-but you – your highness, how do –

OYEYEMI

My beloved people of Kotansibe Village, there’s no reason to look and feel so disappointed. You see, I want to give everyone the chance to benefit from Kotansibe farms, sort of a rotational management scheme. Emn … (to Second Chief) Please, read out the names of the new members of staff and their designations.

 

While Second Chief produces a long list of names from a pocket file and begins to do so Townspeople are dumbfounded, bemused, some gaping, into Blackout.

 

OKORO’s House. Okoro arrives worried, angry from the meeting.

 

MAMA CHINEDU

My husband, nno. (seeing anger in his face) What’s the matter my husband? How was the meeting with the King?

 OKORO

(solemnly)

Mama chinedu, have I ever killed a man?

 MAMA CHINEDU

Nbanu! God forbid!

 OKORO

Then be prepared because I’m going to cut a man’s head.

 MAMA CHINEDU

(shocked)

Mba, my husband. What’s the matter? … you’ve never talked like this since I married you. Please, don’t allow evil to occupy your mind … don’t make me a widow at my age, biko –

  OKORO

Woman, if you find a chicken arriving at your meeting, shouldn’t you hide your grains?  Did I say I wanted to cut my own head? How can you be a widow then?

 MAMA CHINEDU

I know. But Baba Chinedu, it is you elders who say it’s the mouth that says cut the head, cut the head that will also fall when the head is cut.

 OKORO

Yes. But when a man bites your nose despite mucus, you have to bite his anus despite faeces. Mama chinedu, I’ll kill the King!

 MAMA CHINEDU

(frightened)

Abomination! Ha! Baba chinedu (while she looks around to make sure no one is eavesdropping, Okoro disappears into the room and returs in a jiffy with a cutlass, she quickly kneels before him) Baba Chinedu, what has our king done to  you?

 OKORO

Our King? No – not anymore - he’s not fit to be our King. Mama Chinedu, when fish rots, it rots from the head … the King has decided to put a barrier between my mouth and garri, and if I don’t cut off his head now very soon, we will all die of hunger.

 

 

Enter Bode, enraged. 

 

MAMA CHINEDU

(rising)

Good day, Baba Liade.

 BODE

Good day? (looks around, feeling the atmosphere) No, Mama chinedu. The day has refused to be good.

 OKORO

(to Bode)

Biko, Bode, please, tell her proproly – I need to cut a man’s head.

 BODE

(shocked)

What?

 OKORO

No matter how tall a tree is it has its roots somewhere. Bode, don’t tell me the king has also taken your ears away from you. I said I want to cut a man’s head.

  BODE

But you can not stop rain that has already started falling. No, Baba Chinedu, not like this. We will fight back – peacefully …

 OKORO

Peacefully?

 

 Sudddenly, Okoro strikes the cutlass on a dead wood on the ground, discovers it’s blunt, abandons it, dashes into the house once more. 

MAMA CHINEDU

(sobbing silently)

Oh! Chineke! A tsetse fly that tries to bite the tortoise at his back wastes its time … Baba Laide, biko, tell me – what happened at the King’s palace that has turned  my gentle husband into a rascal?

 BODE

Mama chinedu, a lot has happened … The king has sacked all the workers on the farms and has brought in his own people. Mama Chinedu, I have also been sacked…

 MAMA CHUNEDU

Oh! No! That one is very bad,

Suddenly, Okoro dashes out of the house with s sharpened cutlass in hand. But he’s stopped by Bode, while he struggles in vain for freedom his wife kneels on the ground, sobbing calling for help. Enter CHINEDU, shocked at the sight of his parents until blackout.

 

VILLAGE SQUARE. Okoro, Bode have been sauntering along, halting while they speak, Okoro, still furious.

BODE

Ofcourse, I know … I know … But Okoro, my friend, a stone thrown with rage will never hit a bird. You have to calm down first.

 OKORO

But Bode, the king has insulted us. I mean, no matter how small pepper is, you cannot use it to wash your face. We are all human beings, no bi so?

 BODE

True word … true word … But the bird that feeds far away from home easily falls into a trap. You’re just an elder in this village – don’t say I didn’t warn you (Okoro laughs confidently)

 OKORO

How you make me laugh … you said I’m just an elder … Tell me, the bullet which kills an elephant is it as big as the elephant?

  BODE

Of corse not. Yet, I warn you. If you do not know how death is, then look at sleep. Okoro, we shall see tomorrow. Bye-bye (starts away, Okoro remains thoughtful, rooted to a spot).

 

OKORO’S HOUSE. Okoro, seated, still thoughtful. Sipping from a drink. Enter Chinedu, reads his emotions silently for a while.

 CHINEDU

(approaches)

Papa, you’re still wrapped up in thought … Do you know you’re endangering your health in the process? (takes a seat beside him) Papa, let’s be hopeful. You’ll certainly have something else doing … another job … even better one than that which you’ve just lost.

 OKORO

(sighs)

My son, he who waits for a dead man’s shoe will go bare foot for a long time. Besides, tell me, Chinedu, what good job do you think an illiterate farmer like myself can find in this village. I would have loved to cultivate my own farms, but as you know, in this village the only fertile soil is that of kotansibe farmland. Believe me my son I have thought about it, there’s no other place I can work in this village apart from Kotansibe farms.

 CHINEDU

(after a thought)

You elders say that when the music changes its tune, the dancer must also change his steps. Papa, don’t you know that you could make it as a distributor?

 OKORO

Distributor … what is that one?

 CHINEDU

Papa, distributorship is a form of business involving buying and selling. I mean, you buy farm produce from Kotansibe farms at a cost price and sell it on wholesale to retailers at your own price.

 OKORO

(gives it a thought)

Hmn … my son … you see, this university school is doing a good thing to your head. Hmn … Infact, Business Administration, that one you read for school, is very good. But come, how do I start the – the – em –

 CHINEDU

Distributorship, Papa. (Okoro agrees) capital … I mean, some money to buy the goods – That’s the first thing you will need, Papa. Then –

  

Enter Mama Chined, returning from the market.

 MAMA CHINEDU

Good day, my husband.

 OKORO

Welcome. How was the market?

 MAMA CHINEDU

Fine.

 CHINEDU

(helping her with the shopping basket)

Welcome, Mama.

 MAMA CHINEDU

Thank you, my son. But I thought you said you would return to the camp today?

 CHINEDU

Yes, Mama. I did. But I came back not quite long ago. I mean, since the programme is already ended I only needed to pick up some of the items I had left behind.

 MAMA CHINEDU

I see. So na work remain now, eh?

 CHINEDU

Yes, Mama. (carrying basket inside)

 MAMA CHUNEDU

Papa chinedu, you heard what our son said? That means we have to start finding him a good job …

 OKORO

Not in this village. But in the city. (Chinedu returns) I will think about it.

 MAMA CHINEDU

(starting away)

Alright. Let me go inside and prepare some food.

 OKORO

Woman, wait. Food is not the most important matter now. It is job …

 MAMA CHINEDU

Job? I thought you just said you would think about it?

 OKORO

No. Not that one.

 MAMA CHINEDU

(sitting)

So, what other job is it?

OKORO

Chinedu, my son, biko, tell her about our new business …

 

 BLACKOUT.

 

 

MARKETING MANAGER’S OFFICE where Okoro is discussing his new business idea.

MARKETING MANAGER

Sorry, Mr. Okoro. But we cannot do business with you. 

OKORO

But why?  Wetin I do una? 

MARKETING MANAGER

You see, Sir, Kotansibe Farms, now known and addressed as Oyeyemi’s Farms has a new policy on produce distribution as necessited by the highly competitive nature of our farm produce. Hence, on distributorship the management accepts a minimum cash deposit of one hundred thousand naira. 

OKORO

(amazed)

One hundred thousand naira? 

MARKETING MANAGER

Exactly, and besides that, we do demand a reasonable collateral as security to facilitate necessary credit considerations on the purchases. 

OKORO

(bemused)

Kolatra – do you man, Kola? 

MARKETING MANAGER

(amused)

Ofcourse, not. Sir. Collateral is an item, an asset, a very valuable property which the owner should be prepared to forfeit in case of a default in any business agreement. You see apart from the collateral, before you can completely be awarded distributorship in this company you must present a referee who

OKORO

Referee? Come, what concerns refree with this thing we dey discuss? Na football we wan’t play?

MARKETING MANAGER

(laughing)

Please, Mr. Okoro, a referee in this case is a business concern. It is that important personality who can vouch for you or stand by you in business transactions. And in your case here your referee must either be a clergy or a general in the Army. (Okoro is lost in thought) But don’t worry, since you’re an ex-staff of the farms we can spare you the collateral and referee but you just have to find the One hundred thousand naira, and in which case you’ll not be granted any credit considerations.

OKORO

(thoughtfully)

One hundred thousand naira … (shakes his head in self pity) 

THE PALACE. Oyeyemi and his chiefs in a meeting with senior members of his employees, including Marketing Manager, and ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER.

OYEYEMI

Thank you, gentlemen. Now you’ve heard it all. There’s a mad rush our farm produce. What that means is that we must consider an upward price review of all our commodities. Mr. Marketing Manager, how far?

MARKETING MANAGER

A hundred percent increase, Your Highness. (Third Chief shakes head in disappointment)

ADMINISTARTIVE MANAGER

(amazed)

A hundred percent, Your Highness? Your Highness, wouldn’t that be economically unbearable to the people of Kotansibe Village?

OYEYEMI

(snaps)

Listen Mr, admin. Manager, this is business we are discussing here. And in business you don’t embrace sentiments, and you can’t satisfy everybody either. You understand that? 

ADMINISTARTIVE M ANAGER

Yes, Your Highness. (Indicating the statistics). Your Highness, according to the records we really don’t have any reasons to consider a price increase for our products since our cost of production has remained constant.

THIRD CHIEF

Your Highness, I think I agree with him. Besides, things are no longer rosy for some members of this community. The intended price increase will be disastrous to majority of our people in the community.

OYEYEMI

(disappointed)

I see. What more do you have to say, you two? Nonsense! How dare you oppose my decisions in this meeting over which I precise, and if a company which I am Chairman? How dare you? 

THIRD CHIEF/ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

(prostrating)

Kindly forgive us, Your Highness. We are sorry.

OYEYIMI

(ignores them)

Oya, Mr. Marketing Manager, O jare – what is the appropriate date – I mean, the convenient date for the price change?

 

Lights fade and returns, same scene, as before, but only Third Chief (AJIBOLA) and Oyeyemi, present, discussing.

OYEYEMI

Jibola, tell me, what wrong have I done you? 

THIRD CHIEF

Me? Wrong? Ah! (prostrating) None! You have not done me any wrong, Your Highness! 

OYEYEMI

I have not done you any wrong, you say?

THIRD CHIEF

No, Your Highness. Not all! 

OYEYEMI

I see. But why have you suddenly stood against every decision I take concerning this village? You used to be very cooperative and understanding, very supportive and encouraging. But ever since Kotansibe’s demise you have changed totally … But I ask again, why have you suddenly stood against every decision I take concerning this village?

THIRD CHIEF

May I stand up, your highness? (he does so as Fayemi flags his staff of office on him) Thank you, Your Highness. Your Higness, only if you would search your conscience you would find all the answers to your questions.

Oyeyemi suddenly gets wrapped up in a brief but intense thought.

OYEYEMI

I know. Yes, I know it all. Thre is no reason to hide it from you. But JIbola, it is the times … every leader does his own thing, and more often than not these things are a necessity. Jibola, that is the way of our society… the way of the world.

THIRD CHIEF

But Your Highness, it is wrong and you know it. I mean, many innocent ones are now suffering for your own crimes, your selfishness, and yet your pride yourself in – 

OYEYEMI

(angered)

Enough! Thank you. One does not cut a tree and expect the leaves to wither immediately. At the ideal time I will put the wrongs right. Yes, when the time is right. 

THIRD CHIEF

And when is the right time, Your Highness? Your Highness, remember that many will join you to lick a finger full of palm oil but no one will join you to lick a finger full of blood.

OYEYEMI

Thank you.

 

OKORO’S HOUSE. Mama Chinedu, pensively seated, practically an empty shopping basket beside her on the floor. Enter Okoro from the inner room, setting out, notices his wife’s awful looks.

OKORO

Mama Chinedu 

MAMA CHINEDU

(kneeling)

Goo-day, my husband 

OKORO

Thank you. (she rises to sit) You return so early … worry is in your face, woman. Tell me, if you did not match on faeces on the way what then is the problem?

MAMA CHINEDU

My husband, things are happening in this village o. Do you know that almost all the prices of food stuffs in the market has increased by hundred percent. 

OKORO

Ha! Chineke! What’s this I am hearing again? My God, what is happening?

Silence, as he seats and remains thoughtful.

 

MAMA CHINEDU

(sighs)

My husband, have you been able to find to loan you the money you talked about?

OKORO

Hmn … My wife, infact I would not have believed it if anyone told me I could be refused anything in this village upon all the plenty-plenty friends I have. Mama Chinedu, honestly, people are now greedy and jealous, including my friends, my own very friends. 

MAMA CHINEDU

You mean, you couldn’t get a penny from anyone? 

OKORO

Exactly. Not a single penny. But I discovered all the problems of mankind

MAMA CHINEDU

My God, I know the end of the world is certain. But will it start from this village?

OKORO

(rises)

I’m going to see Alhaji Tanko. He is the last person I have in mind to borrow me some money.

MAMA CHINEDU

Alhaji Tanko, the King’s Chief Priest?

OKORO

Yes. He used to be my good friend some years ago. (starting away). I won’t be long (exits) 

MAMA CHINEDU

Go well, my husband.

 

THE VILLAGE SQUARE. A dirge rises into fullness from the background, Okoro consecutively runs into three sets of families abandoning the village, sadness all over their faces, on each occasion eh stands-by and observes them with sympathy. Soon he runs into Alhaji TANKO, while they converse the dirge ceases.

OKORO

Ah! Alhaji Tanko, I salute you.

 TANKO

Okoro! Okoro! Okoro, my old friend. The only man with lion heart. I’m happy to see you.

OKORO

(shaking hands)

Me too, I’m very happy. Long time …

TANKO

Yes. A very long time, my friend. I don’t use to see you again. Did you travel?

OKORO

Me? Nooooo! It’s you we no dey see, Alhaji Tanko. Since the king made you his Chief Priest you’ve been scarce like the one hundred thousand naira I’ve been searching everywhere for.

TANKO

Hmn … That’s true, my friend. You only see me around when the king needs me. But what’s this one hundred thousand naira thing you just talked about?

 

The previous song (dirge) continues here again but hummed.

 

OKORO

Hmn … My friend, I was on my way to your place before we met just now. Things have changed terribly in this village. You know I was affected in the retrenchment exercise …

TANKO

Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you were – Oh, what a pity?...

OKORO

Yes. But since then I’ve been trying to start business.

TANKO

(soliloquy)

Kai! What’s happening in this village? Is the king insane? People are leaving the village every passing day because of his authoritarian rule, because of his selfishness hunger has set in, crimes are on the increase, elders have turned beggars, and worst still he has refused the divine warnings of the gods. Now because of his inadequacies he has forced me into propaganda, forgetting that the gods always have the last laugh. But what can I do to stop this mess? I know the beginning. I know the middle, and certainly, I can feel the end already. But must the end be as disastrous as I so feel?

OKORO

(taps him on the shoulder)

Chief Tanko, na wetin? … What’s the problem? I dey been ask you question since?

TANKO

Oh! So sorry, my friend. Emn … you said you wanted one hundred thousand naira. What sort of business do you want to use such huge amount for in this village?

 

The dirge ceases simultaneously as lights fade on them for a freeze. Same place, but a few metres away, DELE, having run after Jacob in bated breath, speaks –

 

DELE

Jacob! Wait now …

JACOB

(halts, turns around)

Ha! Dele, what’s the problem? What’s pursuing you?

DELE

Nothing … I’ve be - been run – running after you for minutes, calling … shouting – you – your name …

JACOB

But you know I no dey - emn …

DELE

Sorry, I forget sey you no dey hear word well-well. But Jacob, no need for long tory. I’m dieing of hunger. Please, give me money for food... For a few days …

JACOB

Money? Abeg Dele, if this na loke, Abeg stop am oooo …

DELE

Joke ke … My friend, na very serious matter O. I dey die small-small O. You no sey since prices of everything don go up for dis village my petty trade don collapse. My customers no dey show face again. Whose fault be that? (indicating it) See! Nothing. Notin-notin for pocket … How for do? I think, think, I nearly run mental, then I come decide sey make I open my mouth before I die of silence.

JACOB

That one good. But you for open your mouth for where money day now. You know sey, I no get money.

DELE

Emn … I know. But even if na one thousand naira, I no mind, I swear! (At the mention of the amount Jacob faints. Dele is frightened, tries to resuscitate him). Hey, Jacob! Wetin now? You be okay? Oh my God, you never chop too?

JACOB

(regaining consciousness)

My friend, sorry. Na one thousand naira make me faint so …

DELE

(amazed)

Sho! If na sey I mention the money nearly kill you, to bring am out go really kill you finish be that O …!

JACOB

(after a thought)

Dele, you be my very good friend. You see, times don hard well-well. (brings out a few dirty naira notes from his pocket in multiple wrappers, peels off one note). Abeg, manage this fifty naira. I dash you, you hear?

DELE

(disappointed)

Emn … I mean, thank you. (pockets the money slowly)

JACOB

Yes, mention. But come o, you must find something to do to get money o. dis take that-take this-business no ko help you o.

While they now continue to discuss inaudibly, lights angle widen to include Tanko and Okoro, still discussing. In the process, Dele watches them unnoticed.

TANKO

(brings out a huge bundles of naira notes from his pocket, peels off a few notes)

Please, manage this three thousand naira. I want to use the money to buy some cement for my new house.

OKORO

(pleased)

Oh, thank you, Alhaji. Thank you. I’m very grateful, Alhaji.

TANKO

It is well. But please, get the balance fast so that you can start the business and refund my money o. You understand?

OKORO

Y-ye-yes, ofcourse.

 TANKO

Alright. Now that you are owing me money, please, let’s be seeing often o. (starting away) Take care, my friend.

While Tanko continues in his direction, and Jacob exits same direction, Dele who has been silently watching, briskly corners Okoro and robs him of all the money he just received from Tanko and runs off despite struggles from Okoro with his cutlass. Finally losing the battle, Okoro drops helplessly to the ground and begins to cry like a baby.

Now Townspeople (women inclusive) troupe across the village saquare, singing war songs, carrying placards bearing their demands. Okoro suddenly notices them, quickly wipes his face as their spokesperson, Abudu approaches him.

ABUDU

Mr. Okoro, what were you doing on the ground?

OKORO

(lieing)

Me? No o! I-I-I was only picking up em – (changes the subject) But where are you going with all these people?

ABUDU

Okoro, we have been pushed to the wall enough. We can’t keep suffering in silence any longer. So, we are all trouping now to the King’s palace to tell him to bring down the prices of his farm produce which has influenced the prices of every other commodity in the market.

SECOND SPOKESPERSON

And it’s also the people’s demand that the now so called Oyeyemi’s farms should with immediate effect be run as the people’s farm land just like the former owner did while he was alive.

OKORO

(his face suddenly lights up with renewed confidence)

Very good. (brings out his cutlass from its sheat) But what about cutting some people’s heads if they refused to listen us?

ABUDU

No, Mr. Okoro! I mean – em – Yes! But only when very necessary. I mean, anything can happen, you know?

OKORO

(brandishing his cutlass)

Ngwanu! Let’s go! Let’s go! Yes!

ABUDU

Mr. Okoro, for now, please, no cutlass. Use this one. (gives him a placard)

OKORO

(considering the card)

Hmn … well, as long as garri would come back into my mouth. Ngwanu! (they match off with a protest song).

THE PALACE, Oyeyemi and his chiefs, sitted in council with the townspeople, Okoro and Abudu in attendance.

OYEYEMI

My people, I have heard your woes and seen your tears. You see, you are all my children. What kind of a father would relax in comfort while his children remain in pain, hunger and grief? (First Chief now whispers into his ears). My people, from today, infact this very minute King Oyeyemi’s Farms would regularly allocate eighty percent of its farm proceeds for the development of our village (Townspeople hail). Also, this new development includes Awards and Scholarships to the very brilliant children of this land, and the establishment and maintenance of public utilities, like schools, hospitals, exetera, exetera. (The people hail again and again. First Chief once again, whispers into King’s ears). People of our land, I thank you all for your praises and the maturity you have exercised on this matter.

Suddenly, heavy bata drumming bursts forth, and Townspeople dance-off to the rhythm until blackout.

 

OKORO’s HOUSE. Okoro arrives, meets with Chinedu, munching a chunk of meat from its bone.

OKORO

(surprised)

Chinedu, did you go hunting today?

CHINEDU

No, Papa. Welcome, Papa.

OKORO

(crious)

Thank you. (takes a sit). So where did you get this one you’re eating like this?

CHINEDU

Mama slaughtered it. It’s our he-goat.

OKORO

(stunned)

What!? My he-goat?!

Enter Mama chinedu

MAMA CHINEDU

My husband, welcome.

OKORO

(ignores the greetings)

Woman, what are we celebrating that you have to put my he-goat in the cooking pot in this hard times? (exit Chinedu quietly, slightly in fear)

MAM CHINEDU

My husband. (sighs) Emn … It’s not like that – you see, in just two weeks eight of our live stocks have been stolen. I came back from the market this afternoon only to discover that only one out of the last two left. I mean, only the he-goat. All the hens and cocks, gone. The ducks, not a single trace of them.

OKORO

(very upset)

SO?

MAMA CHINEDU

(apologetic)

So, I was scared we might suddenly loose the he-goat, and I-I-I decided, my husband, to-to-to quickly make a feast of it. (on her knees). But please, my dear husband, if I was wrong about my decision please, forgive me, I didn’t know what else to do. I have been so confused about everything lately.

OKORO

(helping her up in consideration)

Please, stand up. Stand up. You did a wise thing. It’s okay.

MAMA CHINEDU

Thank you, my sweet husband. May you live long for us.

OKORO

Amen! You see, actually, there’s cause for celebration.

MAMA CHINEDU

Hmn … How do you mean, my husband?

OKORO

Hmn … wait! First, bring me my own share of the feast so that while I’ll be chopping it I’ll be strong well to give you the good news. And call me Chinedu, tomorrow I want him to follow me to the meeting at the King’s palace, just incase they speak grammar wey I no understand.

MAMA CHUNEDU

(cheerful)

Okay, my husband. (exits)

THE PALACE, Oyeyemi has been presiding over a meeting with select eldrs of the village. Okoro, Bode, chinedu, Abudu in attendance.

OYEYEMI

My people, I really want us to address this issue of fair placement of employees on my farmland. You see, I want the bread-winners of every household to have a place on the farms. You will agree with me that –

Suddenly, employee’s representatives of Oyeyemi’s farms match into the palace in protest.

ADMIN. MANAGER

Your Highness, may you live long!

ALL

Ase!

ADMIN. MANAGER

May the crown last on your head, your Highness.

ALL

Ase!

ADMIN. MANAGER

Your Highness, Amagadon is not only certain, but very near, your Highness. I greet you again, your –

OKORO

Mr. Admin. Manager, biko, talk what is killing you quick and save our king the pain of sus – em – sus – Yes! Suspense!

MARKETING AMANGER

Your highness, elders of our land, this city people have come with their wahala o.

ADMIN. MANAGER

They have left the big contracts in the big cities to come and deprive us of our jobs on the farms. (everyone is curious)

SECOND CHIEF

(pretentious)

Is that supposed to be a joke? Look, if you don’t have anything reasonable to say please, take your madness to the curer of sick heads.

ADMIN. MANAGER

Please, forgive us, your Highness. But this morning some big people from the city of Lagos came to the farms with police and ordered everyone out. They say they want to constitute a new management board, and that they don’t want to see the present workers around the premises.

BODE

Unspeakable!

OYEYEMI

(pretentious)

What is this I am hearing? No! No! This cannot be true!

Suddenly, enter chief ALAYEMO, accompanied by his AIDE and a POLICEMAN in uniform. Elders mumour on their arrival.

ALAYEMO

(bows)

Your Highness, we greet you.

FIRST CHIEF

The king greets you too.

OYEYEMI

Chief Alayemo, whatever has brought you to my palace all the way from the city must be very serious.

ALAYEMO

Your Highness, (indicating a document in his hand) I have a document stating the terms of agreement on Kotansibe farms as leased by the former owner, late chief Kotansibe. (hands the document to the King through First Chief). I told the present staff through a round circular that I was not interested in them, but rather than comply they threaten to lynch me and my officers. So I decided to come and see you as soon as I found out you were the chairman of the farms, your Highness. 

There is silence, anticipation, as the king reads through the document and passes it on through the elders to who attempt to decode the content with all forms of stupidity, Oyeyemi remains thoughtful.

OYEYEMI

(feigns a disappointment)

My people, what can I say now? You have seen it yourself that without the knowledge of anyone of us the late chief Abiodun Kotansibe had sold his farmland to this gentleman, chief Alayemo. I mean, the document bears it all with all the witnesses and signatories. 

Before now Chinedu has been assisting his father to decode the content of the document. 

OKORO

(suddenly destroying the document)

Your Highness, this is insult!

ELDERS

(in a chorus)

Yes, your Highness. This is injustice!

BODE

Your Highness, how can the only fertile land in Kotansibe be sold to a complete stranger? Our only source of livelihood, given away just like that?!

OKORO

Your Highness, we cannot stay inside water and allow soap enter our eyes. This one is very bad! 

While the king watches soberly, others keep gapping, Elders rise up slowly in solid phalanx, hatred on their faces, exit the palace consecutively and casually in two’s, three’s and more until blackout.

Same scene as before, but now only Oyeyemi and Alayemo are on set, chatting cheerfully over drinks. Aides and Police man remain at their duty post, and unnoticed, Chinedu is at a corner, eavesdropping.

OYEYEMI

Tell me chief Alayemo, did you ever study acting in school? I mean, the way you acted here a few minutes ago before those confused illiterates, I was almost convinced it was real. (they laugh). But come o, Alayemo,this is only between us o … just you and me o …

ALAYEMO

Ofcourse, I know, your Highness.

OYEYEMI

Yes, and you need to know this also. The fact is I inherited that farmland illegally, meaning that I sold it to you illegally. Kotansibe Farms is actually the people’s farms.

Chinedu, shocked at the revelations, dashes of quietly unnoticed.

ALAYEMO

So? I mean –

OYEYEMI

So, you must produce another document just like the one torn by that church rat, Okoro. I mean, we need another, infact a more convincing document to tender when necessary. It is the only document that will always provide us the necessary defence on the farmland. (Alayemo laughs). Come on, this is serious, my friend.

ALAYEMO

If you live in the city you must be very smart. The copy destroyed was the fake one. Now this is the original, right here, your Highness. (showing him another copy of the document).

OYEYEMI

(examines the document with satisfaction)

Now, no one in this village can ever querry me on issues bothering on the farms anylonger. This is very good. Welldone, my friend.

ALAYEMO

I just knew it could happen, you know.

Suddenly, war songs, Townspeople, divided into three groups, armed to the teeth, invade the palace from both wings of the palace (stage) – Okoro and Bode lead group one, group two is led by Abudu, and from the auditorium the youth group, Chinedu leads. On attack, Aide and Policeman pull the trigger on the people but made ineffective by the jazz from some members of the townspeople who keep chanting incantations, while the two retreat with Alayemo escaping, palace guards, Second and First Chiefs enter and suddenly, a heavy fighting begins.

Lights now fade into total blackout and return, same scene, dead bodies litter the ground, Palace guards, First and Second Chiefs, the King beside them severely injured, struggles to speak – 

OYEYEMI

Is – th – this the end of – of life? I shou-shouldn’t have done it oooo. I ha-have lied to the people. I have robbed them , in-insulted them … (he coughs delicately in the process and gives up the ghost).

EPILOGUE

A dirge rising into fullness from the background. While all the actions in this frame are in mime, narrator appears once again, regards the corpses on the ground one after another with disappointment and sympathy, the song is hummed as he turns to address the audience, Palace messengers begin to convey the corpses – 

NARRATOR

To what can one attribute this inhuman situation – human inadequacies or callous neglect? This mayhem could have been averted if one wrongdoing was not committed. Now that wrong doing in a blind move of escape has degenerated into complexities, hence the lives wasted here today.

King Oyeyemi, how can his soul rest in peace while his body bears the blemish of his actions? Greedy, he was. Chief Kotansibe could have been crowned king of this village unopposed since he was the people’s choice. But Oyeyemi, his self-instituted rival had threatened to kill him if he accepted the people’s offer. He deprived him of the throne and conferred on him “Chief” as a compensation for foregoing his democratic rights. He also renamed the village after him.

But years later, king Oyeyemi had ordered the assasination of chief Kotansibe because he had refused him co-ownership of the kotansibe farms.

This life is not to be misunderstood. One good thing leads to another, just like one bad thing leads to another. Such is life, they say… such is life …

Lights, fading, spotlight brightens down stage revealing the shrine of Ogun, two upright palm-tree fronds supporting horizontally, a third; a lone matchet is stuck in the ground behind this, practically beneath. 

Merry singing and drumming, enter Townspeople (representatives), accompanied by elderly women in a dance procession. Also present are Okoro, limping, supported by Chinedu, Mama Chinedu is behind them, by the sides are Jibola, Bode, Abudu and others, anonymous.

NARRATOR

Now they’ve come to find out what the future holds for the village, this village of Kotansibe. (Enter Alhaji Tanko, sits on the bare ground, and begins to cast his Opele). Eye of the village, the one who knows the unknown, I greet you. Everyone waits. Now tell them, what the gods have in store for this village, this village of Kotansibe?

TANKO

This village will rise again. This village will once again taste good life, a life of comfort and plenty, so says the gods. (While Townspeople now begin to rejoice, Tanko zeroes in on Chinedu, and shrieks, everyone remains quiet). But then, on the condition that (pointing at chinedu) he is appointed to manage the farms, so says the gods. (there is jubilation in the air).

NARRATOR

Please, ask the gods, who should be king of this village since the former has gone to join his ancestors. (he does so, once again casting his strings of divination).

TANKO

(looks into the crowd, zeroes in on Jibola)

Chief Jibola! You are the chosen one.

Other chiefs come forward and invest Jibola in royal robes and crown while Townspeople dance round him, paying homage.

ROYAL BARD

Kabiyesi, you’ll last long to rule us. Kolanut lasts long in the mouths of them who value it.

 

Heavy bata drumming materialises and ROYAL BARD dance off to the rhythm. Suddenly, lighting (the gods) strikes Tanko dead, everyone watches motionlessly, gapping, stunned.

Narrator turns to look at the corpse, shakes his head slowly, starts away.

 

 

BLACKOUT.

  

KOTANSIBE IS A FULL-LENGTH PLAY WRITTEN IN 2003 FOR THE WARD9ice FRANCHISE. THE STORY AND ITS CHARACTERS INCLUDING THE SETTING HAVE NO TRUE EXISTENCE OUTSIDE THE IMAGINATION OF THE PLAYWRIGHT.