AS IT WAS

This is a work of fiction. It is the story of some African

leaders who lived in the nineteenth century; it is about
Oloja, the generalissimo of Alele land, who was a loyal
subject to his king, Ale. Oloja was sent on exile by Ale
the supreme head in order to cover his secret
atrocities that were exposed to Oloja.

He went on exile but Ale did not remain the same

again and according to Oloja, “Arewa there is only one
person I am afraid of in this life and that person is a
man the gods are fighting his battle, if the gods are
my defense, do I need to bother my head about Ale’s
hatred, suspicion and misplaced anger. I am working
towards the peaceful reunion of Alele’s indigenes in
diasporas, strange land cannot become sweet home.
Alele indigenes are scattered all over because home is
no longer home. I came happily with my car and I
cannot even drive it out for people to behold,
everybody carries long face. Love is lost in Alele……”

He returned as a triumphant man but met an empty

town; the story is still the same till today.

Olutosin Oladosu-Adebowale presents infiction the life

history of the indigenous Yoruba people of the
Western region in the Western part of Africa,
imagination let loose.
CHAPTER 1

Arewa walked into the hall where all the chiefs were
silently seated, she wore a black blouse and tied a
cream color woven wrapper around her chest, she has
black and kinky hair, parted at the middle into two
equal parts closely looking at her ankle, one can easily
notice that a chain dangles on her ankle and there is
also a beautiful brown bead on both ankles too, a tiny
beads hung around her neck. She held her head high
and was undaunted as she walked into the midst of
the seated chiefs. She is very tall for a woman
because she is taller than every man in the hall.

Oloja cleared his throat, immediately he saw her

approaching his seat and began to address her;
Arewa, are you ready? She looked down at Oloja on
his seat, and directed his question to him, “I learnt
that you sent my parents to the local prison, how
would you feel after all I mean when all these is over?,
you incarcerate me and now my parents because of
forceful marriage, with which face will you see my
parents I mean this would be in laws when I agree to
marry you, Oloja? This was her sharp response.

Are you ready now? Oloja inquired from her as he

directed the King’s guards to set her free from the
chains in her ankle, “Akoda release the chain”, Akoda
moved towards her, but she shouted “leave my ankle”
I am not ready, I will be ready when my parents are
back in their house, the dowry paid and a formal
apology sent to them through your emissary who are
all ears but no good advice to you”.

She walked slowly, as a result of the golden chain tied

on her ankle, it is painful because of both
psychological and emotional trauma she has gone
through, she has suffered humiliation in the hands of
men she had been betrothed to in the past, by force or
by trick she has found herself in the hands of men she
has no iota of love for, always married against her
wish from the first Oloja who asked for her hand in
marriage to the second one who inherited her at all
cost.

She managed through the tiny passage to the small

hall as she grope with hands into the inner room in
front of Oloja’s main room, it was a dark passage,
short walk hall-way that led to another self contained
chamber with a square hall conference. She walked
into the dark room and slammed the door behind her.

Oloja cleared his throat again it is a habit that has

been with him for ages,
‘Alase should be ready by now’, he said to no one in
particular

Alase is the beautiful wife that cooks for Oloja, she

comes out on few occasions whenever it is
compulsory, Alase is Oloja’s favorite wife, she cooks
naked because no woman must wear cloth in Oloja’s
kitchen. It is her turn to supervise the food meant for
the chiefs who are in the meeting with Oloja.

Akoda stepped backward towards the entrance of the

hall that leads to the wives’ hall and beckoned to one
of the slaves sitting on the stage at the largest
conference hall; it is on the left hand side of the
access road that leads to the kitchen. The kitchen is
out of bound to everybody except to the selected
Alase who is normally the favorite of elected Oloja.

One of the slaves came in with a short wrapper tied

around her waist, Akoda sent her on an errand and in
minutes she was back with Oloja’s youngest wife
Ologe, she is about sixteen years of age beautifully
dressed in a woven traditional dress, she painted her
legs with the traditional dye locally called ‘laali’, there
are different types of shapes ranging from animals
such as, rat, snakes to flowers all drawn from her
palms to her arms and legs, closer looks gives the
impression that she has no other works than to
decorate her body, or her main interest is body
decoration she walked towards Oloja and knelt down
in front of him ‘’my Lord, I answer your call’’ this is the
tradition of Alele land, the women are expected to
kneel down fold both hands at the back as a sign of
respect.

Oloja did not lift his head to behold this young

beautiful girl before he sent her on errands, ‘’go into
the kitchen and tell Alase that her attention is needed
here’’ Ologe as she is popularly called due to her
penchant for fashion walked backwards, thoughts ran
through her mind, how can she please Oloja? but must
she please a man? if not for her father who is really on
her neck, forcing her to marry Oloja against her wish
because he wants her to bear children for the high
chief, there are many men outside who are striving to
speak to her, some have even asked for her hand in
marriage but her father will never respond to those
young men.

There must be other reasons behind his forcing her to

marry Oloja who unfortunately is not interested in her
couple with the fact that she has waited in vain night
and day for Oloja who has never knocked her door
since she has been given to him in marriage. She
cannot reconcile her father’s desperation for this
marriage and his gains from the forceful union.

She sighed and moved back towards the door which

leads to the hall, it is the same door that leads
through to Oloja’s room then into the kitchen. Alase is
naked except for the beads, cooking Oloja’s food
because according to the tradition, any woman
preparing Oloja’s meal must be naked with the
exception of beads used to cover the lower parts and
the chest, it is called Ukpolo, she dreads when her
time would come, if it ever will and it will be expected
of her to cook naked for Oloja.

She moved towards Alase “mother my Lord is calling

you”,

Alase left all she was doing and moved into an inner
room where she applied Tiro the black eye pencil and
she powdered her face with the brown local powder
known as alagodo, in actual fact, painting her face is
not her usual traits but one cannot but try to look
good in the presence of Oloja.

She walked briefly towards the conference room when

he reached his presence she greeted all the chiefs and
wished then happy deliberations and knelt in front of
Oloja.
“My Lord Ologe delivered your message”.

Oloja did not look up, what are you doing Alase? he
said,

“Your food is ready my lord” she answered

“give my food to Arewa” he said, Ologe moved

backward and turn toward the big door that led to the
main hall, several slaves sat on the stage, the men on
the right side and the women on the left side she
walked towards one of the palace rooms to meet the
first wife called Iyale, she is not the oldest but the first
wife of Oloja, Alase entered the inner room where
Iyale laid on a pavement doubled as a bed, she
greeted her before lodging her complaint.

“ iya wa my lord rejected his meal again, he said that I

should give it to Arewa, this is the fifth day and I
cannot see what is in Arewa that we do not possess,
he has been living on egg yolk and he speaks little
even to his younger chiefs and high chiefs, wont you
talk to him”?

Iyale smiled before she responded, “you are still

young, with time you will understand him but Ologe
now, I cannot confront his anger, go and do his wish”,
she concluded.
Alase moved to the next room, it is Ajike room, she is
one of Oloja’s several wives, she sat on the mat
singing lullaby, to her youngest son, Alase knocked
with sounds to indicate that there is someone at the
door although there is no door but a small wooden
gate, she said Ajike how is Oba? is he eating? Is he
drinking? “Thank you Alase”, she answered before
asking her question;

“Are you here again because of your meal Alase?,

please spare me all that information, Oloja has his life
to live. I singlehandedly cater for four boys with the
exception of his miserable tubers of yam, just
according to the tradition and here you are always
complaining about Oloja’s comfort, what I think about
is more than his stomach, my children eat like ants,
every moon’s tubers of yam, which no one has ever
inquired how I prepare soup or do you think that they
eat it with ordinary water and salt”?

She continued ranting and complaining, “even many

children who are from poor homes are in school with
their books but my children do not have any, please
there is more to life than Oloja’s tubers of yam and his
refusal to eat your food”.
Alase turned back without opening the wooden gate
which is meant to debar pets from entering rooms, she
passed through a narrow room like corridor across the
palace, it is directly opposite Ajike’s room, she went
straight into the inner chamber which has the
entrance that led to the kitchen she hung her woven
wrappers on a nail on the wall revealing a beaded
blouse she continued with the preparation of meal.

Arewa started singing her voice rings like a bell,

A ee oni me oja, ola me oja

Ola me oja, ola me oja
A ee oni me oja, ola me oja ogho o

She sang repeatedly, singing about her departed

husbands, their praises and how they were
undefeated warriors, she is so conversant with the
oriki and it was so fluent that Oloja’s hair stood on
edge. Oloja immediately stood from his stool and
moved towards the dark corridor that leads to his
chamber; the more he moved closer the more Arewa’s
song became more penetrating. He continued walking
towards where the melodious song and oriki came
from, it was the small room by the left side of the dark
corridor where she was kept. It was Oloja’s late
mother’s former room.
Oloja knocked and waited for an answer, within few
seconds Arewa answered “come in” and the noise of
the local key being opened from behind, Oloja moved
into the room where Arewa was under chain and lock,
the room was dark, it has a very small window if it is
opened, anyone can watch the wives hall where each
woman has her room but the window is perpetually
under lock.

Oloja instructed Arewa as he came into the room;

“light the lamp, there is a palm oil light behind the
door” he concluded, Arewa answered him sharply “no
lamp Oloja, if you cannot talk without the light you are
free to suspend your discussion or is it mandatory that
you must see your mouth before you talk? if you are
afraid of darkness, you are free to move outside I will
follow you and we can discuss outside the room where
you can see your mouth”.

Oloja kept quiet for a while and it took him some

minutes before he responded to her sharp remark, he
felt the room with his hands before he got to the
pavement-like-bed that Arewa sat on, then he began
his speech. “Arewa you are the only woman who talk
to me the way you like, what is the reason for all these
insults and why is it I cannot keep my passion from
you? He asked rhetorically.
Arewa did not utter a word, Oloja moved closer to
Arewa and continued “If I have offended you in any
way, can you forgive me?”

Arewa hissed before she responded,

“Oloja, you have not offended, how can you? My

parents are in the local prison courtesy of your
Lordship’s verdict, do you see people who come back
from the court to continue friendship?”

Oloja was listening but could not see the face of who
he is conversing with, yet he continued his speech

“Arewa they are well taken care of, their three square
meals are taken to them daily, Oloja explained

“Come to think of it Oloja, have you ever seen a

husband and wife happily dining in their prison room?”
She queried

“I only did that to force you to love me and I can see

that it does not change you but I come to beg you to
forgive and forget. I have not been able to eat or drink
and the more I see you the more I feel it is unlike me
to beg a woman for so long a time there are women in
the palace, and the only place where you can find
more women is in the King’s palace, these women
though I am no longer interested in them again, and I
continue to wonder, you are not a virgin but a woman
with two children, what I feel for you has not changed
all these years. Arewa kindly accept my proposal and
a befitting wedding will be arranged”.

Oloja unrelentingly continued “when I was coming

into this room, I had made up my mind to release you
and forget about you but I know my mind is not
releasing you”.

There was a strange silence in the room after Oloja’s

address but Arewa broke the long silence, “Oloja I
have married two Oloja’s before you and I have two
children, why you are belaboring me with another
marriage is not clear at all, I am not beautiful than
these young ones you have here, you piled up women
as if you are in a race of women’ life, other said you
were a eunuch when you came into the world the first
time and now what you were starved of then you now
seize your second coming to make a glutton of, the
problem of Oloja’s wife is wearisome and I have been
a widow twice, lately people have been calling me a
witch, if I marry you and olojo (death) comes knocking
your people will stone me to death, and I am not ready
to die because I have seen several corpses they are
hardly beautiful to behold”, Come to think of it, how
many husband and wife have you met in the prison
enjoying their dinner?

Oloja cleared his throat as usual, this has been the

first time when Arewa and himself will have a genuine
heart to heart talk, he was so joyful at least he heard a
genuine and good enough reason from Arewa
although people have even told him so.

Oloja replied her gently “Oloja the first died at the age
of eighty two, he left you when you were very young
with a daughter. His cousin inherited you, had a child
before he died at seventy four before I became Oloja
the third. In age, I am the youngest Oloja to reign in
the history of this land but I am older than you, yes,
more than a decade older than you, your wisdom
makes you feel aged, you are not more than twenty
six years whether there is date of birth or not”. Oloja
paused but Arewa made no attempt to respond and
Oloja continued

“Arewa death is in the hands of the gods ,it cannot be

determined by age, the affection I have for you must
not be mistaken for stupidity, I have gone too far now
to back out at this stage Arewa ,think twice, it is not
my intention to marry you, but my mother made me
to promise her at her dying bed, she said you are the
only Alase around because you are a very loyal wife,
she took time to study the ones I married before she
told me to fight for your love. I take my leave.”

Oloja maneuvered his way grouping in darkness till he

came out of the room. He did not lock the door
behind; neither did he leave the door ajar.

The chiefs in the hall have started munching their food

which Alase had supervised its preparation and served
by some slaves and freeborn, it was egidi, a special
pounded corn; it is so hard that people believe that it
can block the anus but it is a delicious meal that is
useful when one is ready for a hard day’s job.

Egidi has a peculiar odour, and it is a general opinion

that no man can finish two wraps, with the exception
of Yoyo, the rest of the chiefs were munching with
okro, Yoyo does not eat okro, he sings whenever he is
coming in to Oloja’s palace, “yoyo does not eat okro”
and it is everyone that knows that he must be served
with “okotogho”, which is made from melon seed,
Yoyo broke the silence, thank you my lord for this
meal , this is delicious may your purse never run dry,
you are the green snake that hunt anaconda due to
“comfortability”, you share five children with their
parents, you took three out of the children and handed
over the remaining two to their parents, if they are not
pleased with the method of sharing they should hand
over that two to make five on your side. A snake that
crawls into a gourd cannot be killed, If you add smoke
to the calabash you are in danger”.

He was about to continue his praise singing when one

of the High chiefs cut him off.

“It is enough Yoyo, you finished egidi you are

babbling, what if you were served palm kernel wine”?
said one of the lower chiefs,

Everybody washed hands intermittently in a big pot,

Akowa moved closer to Oloja he made a signal to him
signifying that he would love to have a word with
Oloja, and Oloja accepted, he moved a small stool
meant for the slaves towards oloja and began his
words of advice.

“My lord, if you accept me as a friend, accept my

chastisement, the way you go about Arewa’s case is
bringing out the woman in you, she is not the most
beautiful woman in this town, I handed my young
daughter to you last moon, till now she is yet to be
filled up, she parades here day and night and you do
not show any concern, the next yam festival will make
the third that you have been working towards Arewa”
He continued nonstop and Oloja did not reply.

“There are thirty women in this palace, you sleep and

wake alone, no woman on this stool beside you,
whereas it is meant for the woman you love most or
the one you can confide in, how can the queen’s stool
be continually remain vacant when you are not
married to only one woman who is on a journey?

Oloja cleared his throat, “Akowa , what a child loves to

eat will eventually kill the child, Arewa is a poison to
my vein, I have never search in vain Arewa will not
escape, she will eventually swallow her pride. I have
spoken”.

Akowa stood from the stool and walked back to his

seat.

Arewa remained silent in her tiny and dark prison, her

mind was befuddled with roaring thoughts, does it
mean that Oloja has no love lost for her? Is just a
marriage to satisfy a dead mother’s wish? What could
have made the woman enforced her son through such
a rigid and unrealistic vow, what lies ahead that made
her a sought after bride, a woman loved by warriors,
but is beheading the antidote of migraine? Will she
continue to shut the door of her heart to a man she
secretly admire, the first young Oloja. She resolved to
take a walk through the garden of her future as she
lay on the pavement-like-bed and was overpowered by
slumber.

CHAPTER 2
The meeting continued, the chiefs have proceeded to
the session of case settling Oloja usually divides the
duties among the high chiefs present and all the
Baales of all the villages under Oloja, the Baales are
the village heads, they are like kings in their
respective villages but they report to high authority, in
Ale there are six High class chiefs who are higher than
all the high chiefs. Oloja divided case but jots down
points from one group to the other; this makes cases
easier to handle in his own jurisdiction, only serious
cases that are life threatening is passed to Oloja.
During this meeting, Oloja moves from one corner to
the other, it is a very large conference room, he is
very fortunate to be educated; he is the only educated
high chief in his district.

His main duty is to report all important cases to the

king. The only case he has not reported to the king is
Arewa’s case which is threatening his own existence
and causing unexpected sleeplessness it has been a
source of gossip in Ale for years, he knew it is stale
news to the king and he is already a laughing stock
among his people. Every strong man in Alele wants
Arewa for keep.

Oloja stopped what he was writing immediately

Arewa’s case came to mind, he felt a pang of anger
and he moved smartly through the dark corridor and
knocked the room wherein Arewa’s was locked and
walked in without waiting for any response.

He instructed in a very sharp tone “Arewa have your

bath and sit beside me before the end of the case
session check the boxes, they belong to mother they
are now yours, it is a taboo to divide our inheritance
among her children”.

He removed the bunch of key from the door and threw

it on the bed, “that is the key, loose your padlock” He
wanted to walk into the room but restricted himself.
Arewa unlocked the padlock, removed the chain and
stood up like a hypnotized woman walked through the
small inner palace into the kitchen where Alase was
busy singing, immediately she heard the faint sound
of footsteps, she looked back and was shocked at
Arewa’s presence because she comes out only at
night to have her bath and arrange whatever she kept
in a small bag, though she refused to greet or interact
with anyone. Arewa greeted Alase which is the first
time she will utter a word to anyone in the compound
except Oloja, she has become a subject of gossip
among the freeborn and the slaves in the palace. A
child that will grow tall will be blessed with long legs
and the sound of noise will never kill a bell, popularity
will never kill stop the moon from shining, Arewa is
used to gossips.

Arewa went straight into a small bathroom that is

adjacent to the kitchen in few minutes she was
outside and within thirty minutes, Arewa was gaily
dressed in beads and a cream color woven traditional
wrapper which she got from the one of the boxes
belonging to Oloja’s mother, she opened the tine
window and was watching at Alase who had left what
she was doing in the sacred kitchen and walked very
fast into Iyale’s room and after some minutes Iyale
was outside walking towards the large conference hall
meant for Oloja and his chiefs.

Arewa smiled, Oloja is living among his enemies, it is a

taboo, Alase must not come outside the chamber to
reveal whatever Oloja is engaged in, that is why she
must be naked, but this is another type of Alase, who
was not trained on how to manage Oloja or refused to
accept the mandatory initial training before becoming
the Alase.

After gaily being dressed she stepped barefooted into

the largest palace extension hall where the case
session was going on.
Arewa greeted the chiefs, “may you all live long loyal
chiefs” they all muttered greetings, no one said
another word or make a cynical comment but they
were stupefied as Arewa knelt before Oloja and began
to praise him; “big eyeball, may you reign longer that
your ancestors” Oloja was very proud, he fought back
tears and reminded himself that he is a man. “Have
your sit Arewa”, he incoherently said.

He stopped jotting in his note and walked back to his

seat .She was taller than every man in Oloja’s palace,
very dark and well built like a man, she sat beside
Oloja. For the first time in years, Oloja felt like a
complete Oloja because his mother was always sitting
beside him till her death, although it is not an
acceptable tradition but their closeness was
exaggerated.

The session continued till late in the evening, some

cases were settled while others were adjourned. The
cases involving boundary were assigned to junior
chiefs, they are to travel to the villages and share the
land among the villagers. At the end of the day, and
they all left one after the other till only Arewa and
Oloja were in the Hall.
Oloja broke the peace, “Arewa, today is my happiest
day on the throne, I have always dreamt of a day you
will sit beside me amongst my people”, Arewa smiled
and answered him, “it is alright my Lord, my parents
are still in the prison”, “oh no” replied Oloja, “they
have been released immediately I left your room, I
sent an emissary to them.

She continued, “my patients are still there, it is an

issue we will have to jointly agree on”, Oloja sighed,
Arewa, you cater for people so selflessly, it is unusual
to cater for mad women and you are too young for
that Arewa”.

Arewa did not allow him to conclude the sentence

when she replied, “Oloja that is what people say, but
my reward is the satisfaction, inner peace and
contentment, you know our belief, if you receive a
dime in this village because you cared for someone
with mental sickness, one of your children will suffer
mental sickness, whatever stone thrown at the palm
tree will be sent back to the sender, why disturbing
myself, collecting from paupers God has blessed me,
the more I help them the more I am helped by others,
the issue at hand is where to keep them, do not forget
that it is not every generation that breed a healer”.
Oloja answered her after a prolonged silence, “Arewa
keep those sick people at the favored people’s hall” it
was a matter of fact statement; he knew that Arewa
will not be favored with that and she snapped back
“the favored hall is the cemetery for strangers and
slaves in your territory my Lord”. “yes Arewa, that is
where I can afford to let go, the delivery room for the
mothers can be one of those room at the backyard
that is the best I can release for you, every woman in
my palace is entitled to an inner and outer room,”
thank you Oloja may you continue to watch over us
with the right eye, Arewa stood up, I want to relax,
Oloja, it was a long session, Oloja followed Arewa.

Arewa settled comfortably in Oloja’s palace after her

marriage to Oloja, she had never experienced such
manner of love in her marriages; she was given out to
her husband when she was fifteen years and the man
was closer to the grave than to being a bridegroom.
He died and she was inherited by his brother who was
very old, she made up her mind to take care of the
children and her patients since she believed she was
unfortunate with marriage.

Her parents were well settled by Oloja and in addition

to allowing her patients to live in the favour’s hall in
his palace. She became an enviable and happy wife
for the first time in her existence.

CHAPTER 3

Arewa was singing in the backyard, beside her were

post natal women with their babies on their laps, some
were sleeping while others were sucking breast.
Arewa’s normal routines include visits to the women
who are pregnant or in delivery rooms but in the
favored hall she treats the sick and mentally
disordered patients but every market day during the
case session Oloja does not allow her to leave his
presence, until all the high chiefs have left; she is the
only woman who is allowed to contribute to their
deliberation. It is surprising because it came as normal
to all chiefs, though it has never happened in the
history of Oloja that a queen not Oloja’s mother
contributes to case session.

She had married two Oloja, but has never been

privileged to sit among the high chiefs although she
was married as a teenager but now she is growing to
adulthood but with richer and better experience than
women of her age, she has paid her sacrifice,
engaging in what the elders do and she is allowed
among the council of elders. Arewa has slaves that
attend to her as errand ladies, she is known to all in
Ale as the midwife.

Kiki, the first daughter of Arewa to the late Oloja, she

is light in complexion unlike her ebony black mother,
Arewa made sure she understands leaves, herbs and
roots, she will not leave those for slaves but Kiki must
run errands when it comes to plucking leaves and
uprooting shrubs. Kiki came into the backyard where
Arewa attends to babies “she refused to pluck the
leaves for me, that all leaves have gone back to the
farm, she rattled on as she finds a small stood to sit
on; is that your greeting kiki? Arewa responded oh I
am sorry, Good morning ma, I greeted you in the
morning now, she explained; Arewa stood erect, “ I
have told you to always greet everybody, whenever
you arrive home from on errand, it is expected of a
well brought up girl, tomorrow make sure you leave
very early in the morning, some leaves loose their
potency and “return” to the farm so early, such is
degbe leaf but it is good for conclusion in children, you
can grind the crab , I have roasted them, tomorrow
you can add degbe leaf then.

Arewa is a very knowledgeable woman when it comes

to traditional medicine and she has accepted that as
her role in the community, she commands equal
respect with men but this is subtle as nobody utters
such words in the setting.

When she finished instructing Kiki, a slave walked in

and knelt before her; iya wa, (our mother) Oloja wants
to see you, she left what she was doing washed her
hands; walked into the main hall that led to the stage ,
Oloja was outside with some children, it is too early for
folktales she wonders as she knelt down,
“May you live long, My Lord, I hear your call”, yes
Arewa , “sit beside me, every child returns to their
mother’s abode”

Oloja began, “I received a telegram from the Queen’s

country that I should visit queens land along with the
king of Ale, it is so strange because the king has
visited them severally and I have sent tones of kernel
but nothing has been paid through the king, and I
begin to wonder whether the king has been paid or
the whites people have been buying on credit, the way
we kill a layman is not the way an expert should be
slaughtered. You will have to take care of my district
till I return, Akowa will assist you”

Arewa was surprised, she has never heard of any

woman assuming the responsibility of Oloja, even with
his intelligent he still consult elders on issues, “my
lord, I am sorry but it is not possible ,I am expecting
our child and I will not be able to sit down for a very
long time with Akowa but I promise to always assist
whenever possible, but as regards the issue of going
on a journey, have you inquired about the safety of
the journey, I do not trust the king, because he has
always being envious of your position and affection to
the populace”.
Oloja laughed, “can a king be jealous of a chief?” “A
chief can only be jealous of God, he may want to be
like one of our gods, have you forgotten the proverb; a
king that is search of a charm for making money
should just look for a charm for becoming a god. He is
educated, he also helped with my mandatory
education at catechism class, I respect him as if he is
my father’s age mate and his children are my
contemporaries, why will he be jealous of me?” Oloja
explained to her

Arewa sighed before she began, “you are a chief that

is higher than a king, to Ale, you are a threat, and a
running mate”, Oloja smiled, Arewa, my lineage can
never become a king, it is forbidden!” You have thirty
wives, he has forty aside this, he is always trying to
outdo you, all I have to say is be careful and do not
allow those white people to confuse you” Arewa
concluded and left abruptly.

Arewa walked towards the door that leads to the

backyard when she turned back, Oloja was looking
into the space, when Arewa came back,

‘Oloja, be at alert, I will visit Baba Iroko this evening,

whatever he says will determine whether you will
travel or not, he knows the final decisions through
divination, also my Lord I will call a meeting of the
wives and discuss the journey with them” she
informed him, and before she turned her back Oloja
shouted

“come back here if I need a town crier, I know where

to get one, I did not send you on emissary of
revelation, you are sending message to witches and
wizards” Oloja continued, severally have I told you,
you are not my wife but a companion, did I not see
those ones before I called you? Arewa you are
offending me, you are the new wife but my life is in
your hands, we have discussed this over and over
again, I hate dwelling on trivial issues. Arewa smiled,
Oloja, this is not a trivial issue, how can you leave this
land and the whole of Ale will not know your
whereabouts talk less of your household, the life of a
man is in the hands of his creator, you are not going to
the next own or the state capital, you are going to the
queen land, you are spending months not days, the
king will soon blow it open, to full proportion, we will
only apply wisdom and caution but all the wives must
be aware before they hear from outsiders”.

Arewa left Oloja’s presence but there is one thing she

is aware of, all Oloja’s wives are one while Arewa is on
her own.
 She has refused to take over the cooking of Oloja’s
food because of her patients and passion for healing
but Oloja eats from her pot. This is not the normal
practice, it is an aberration but no one has challenged
either of them, because it is discreetly done, it is
either Alase is unconcerned or ignorant, she cooks,
serves and pack the remnants though does not really
care who eats the food.

Oloja has a walking stick specially carved for him it is I

form of a snake, it is brown and shining, although he is
a young man but he carries it about, it has become a
habit just like the way he clears his throat at the
beginning of a conversation. “May you go older than
your ancestors” Arewa looked back it was one of the
king’s emissary that climbed the pavement while the
remaining two were kneeling on the open ground
carrying the beaded stick “ah how are you, the Lion’s
husband of all mountains, it is nice to see you, hope
the king is well?”

“Yes he is reigning “replied the king’s emissary, “e

wants to consult with you urgently” concluded the
emissary Oloja instructed the emissary to inform the
king that he would be with him in a jiffy and they
departed.
Oloja went into his inner room and when he came out,
he was in a woven white buba and sokoto (men’s local
blouse and trousers)and he also wrapped himself with
a white woven wrapper which he ended and tied at his
shoulder, he wore a shoe made of beads, with beaded
neck and arms, he called Arewa and two slaves ran to
the backyard to deliver the message, Arewa followed
the slaves into Oloja’s presence, I have left for the
king’s palace, Akowa is in the inner hall, stay in the
hall till I come back the patients do not need you to
eat their meal.

”Yes my Lord Arewa replied as she began to sing his

praise, you killed the man that showed you the right
path so that he will not direct your enemy through the
right path too, your path will never be slippery”

“thank you Arewa”, Oloja thought about this woman

who makes him feel that with her there wouldn’t have
been any need for a second wife, he realized why her
mother made him promise her before death
overpowered her.

Oloja knew why he was being summoned to the

presence of the king, the adage says he who knows
his fault will not remain long on his knee begging, he
walked out of his compound while his entourage
followed him, Oloja must not work alone, at least ten
slaves will move whenever he moves, the crossed to
the other side of the road because the king’s palace is
a walking distance adjacent to his palace.

The main market which is opened daily is beside the

kings palace but opposite Oloja’s palace, as he
stepped out, women and men from the market
community left their wares to greet him, they started
praising him from his mother’s house to his father’s,
some gave gifts to his slaves while those who were
singing his praise received coins, he sprayed their
forehead with coins, those who were not on seat were
called to come and behold the handsome Oloja who
seldom come out of his palace except on very special
occasions, but his wives are aware that there are
times when he meets with the high chiefs in the
middle of the night.

This is the usual attitude of his people which he has

not made any attempt to stop because secretly he
enjoys the popularity which had not waned in years.

Oloja is a very respectable man, loved by the masses

and easily accessible to his people, and he was the
only man who had a credible relationship with the
white catechists, he is a loyal black man, assigned to
the Catholic Church by the king.

Oloja believed that at last the white man’s language

would be useful in reading the Bible, but after the
Kings’ several trips to the white man’s land, he was
able to convince Oloja that the white man’s language
has several other benefits than reading the Bible and
jotting case sessions. The white man’s language can
open doors of opportunities. And the whole clan know
that Oloja understands the tongue of a white man
although when they chose to speak through their nose
while they decide to close their mouth.

The King’s palace is larger and spacious than Olojas’,

it has several halls and conference chalets, it is
painted in white, there is a very big but local museum
of antiquities in front of the palace and it shares its
wall with the only primary school in the town, and on
the left side is the main market, it is a taboo to point
to the king’s palace, and it is the common belief that
anyone that pointes to the king’s palace will have
leprosy, for this singular reason most people dread
passing through the palace in case they mistakenly
point to the palace.
The people believed that education is the cause of the
king’s unfriendliness but with Oloja’s behaviors has
debunked such notion. Even with the white man’s
tongue, Oloja remains friendly and approachable

The king was seated all alone in his personal living

room, this is meant for him and his favorite wives,
Oloja is privileged to share some of his privacy by the
virtue of his rank.

Oloja entered into the living room and greeted the

king,

Leeji wa gbo, (my king, you will live long)

Leeji wa to, (long life)
Wa joye ba e (you will reign on you father’s throne)
Pe pe pe (many years)
He knelt down in front of king, and the king prayed for
Oloja too before he started the discussion, “Oloja, I
saw a telegram from the queens land, the customers
requested your presence, as I have already told you ,
they refused to pay your money and I have decided
that you accompany me on my next journey . it will
take several days on the high sea but the gods are on
the sea with us, the snake moves simply, no harm
shall befall us, you have to make preparation towards
the journey, save some money there are lots of
beautiful things to buy, no one else will accompany us
on the journey but make sure you travel with thick
clothing, the white man’s land is very cold as I always
say, we shall meet once again before we take off”.

Oloja as usual allowed the king to finish before he

showed his excitement and surprise at the same time
pretending he has not received the telegram but what
he did not understand is whether the king is aware
that he has received his own. I will make the
necessary arrangements, Oloja replied, both men
exchanged pleasantries before he left the king’s
presence.

The king sat on his arm chair, the palace did no justice
to the beauty of the living room, it is so well decorated
that one can easily conclude that the king cannot miss
leaving the city to ascend his father’s throne. He wore
a pair of eye glasses, he rarely read without his
glasses.

He opened five envelopes and read the content one

after the other and smiled, he folded the envelopes
and dropped them in his drawer. These are four
scholarships opportunities in England only for the less
privileged who have excelled in their academic
pursuits, it is being sponsored from the king’s alma
mater in England, he did it, he used his influence to
obtain this, no one except his children has used any of
the scholarship, not even his queens are aware of it,
they all believed he single handedly sponsored the
children abroad, this is what no man can do in Ale,
where children are raised by their mothers.

Which father will not want to be the in law of the king,

the white man’s friend? He has never rejected a
woman, no culture will favour any king that does that,
he kept the envelopes in his drawer and walked into
the inner chamber where only the invited can enter,
even his queens cannot enter uninvited.
CHAPTER 4

Oloja crossed from the king’s palace into his own, he

went straight into his inner chamber, when he came
back, he has removed the woven wrapper he tied
around his body, he was bare footed, he sent a slave
girl to call Arewa, though she is aware that Arewa has
left the palace immediately Oloja crossed to the king’s
palace but she could not face him to answer his next
questions after such revelation. She ran to the
backyard and came back to Oloja, father, she is not
around, and there is no clue as to where she went to,
Oloja sent for Iyale after the necessary greetings,
Oloja started “ I want your children registered in
school tomorrow, at the Local Authority Primary
School, I have instructed you time without numbers
but I am convinced that I am too small to give
instruction in this palace but soon we shall know who
is driving (controlling) who”

Oloja continued while Iyale listened attentively, a

behavior Oloja has leant to live with it in his
relationship with Iyale, she is ever attentive but will
never follow the instructions. chastising a child will
never snuff life out of the child and education is the
bedrock of any economy and a time is coming when
this farm work will not sustain the children, they will
want more because their friends are learning new
innovation that will catapult those ones far away and
render the uneducated vulnerable to all sorts of
atrocities, they will be ashamed to queue wit their age
mates when they come back from the cities, because
they will have no contribution towards relevant
discussions not because they are daft but because the
y cannot speak the language of progress”

Oloja wished Iyale would understand and accept his

advice.

Iyale thanked Oloja and was about to leave when Oloja

said “These children must learn to read and write, I
have been speaking English for more than five years, I
have not contracted any disease and the language has
not blocked my nose”.

Iyale bent down and thanked Oloja “Yes my lord, I

have heard all you have to say my Lord”

Do not say yes my lord and do your own wish by

packing your bag and baggage with your children to
the farm, you did that twice, then I was lenient but if
by tomorrow, I did not her that these children are
registered, I will summon your parents to the palace
here and you will be fined for disobedience” Oloja
concluded, they will be in school tomorrow she added.
Iyale stood up and was about leaving when Oloja
asked her “where is Arewa?” se smilingly answered,
she has left immediately you turned your back, she
said she was going somewhere” Oloja was angry but
just trying to contain his anger “everywhere is
somewhere I want to know where everyone is, and
which slave follows the women to wherever they go,
always walking around the town like god of thunder”
Iyale volunteered “she will explain the reason behind
the action, because she will soon introduce another
culture in to the palace and the younger women will
follow in her footstep too” Oloja went into his inner
room awaiting the arrival of Arewa.

She did not return until late in the evening, everyone

had hinted her at the main gate of the palace that
Oloja has been waiting and shouting, she walked
slowly into her room, the room is adjacent to Oloja’s
inner chamber, she changed her clothing and came
into Oloja’s presence, he was eating in silence his
dining stool is made of clay adjoining the passage
between his chamber and the royal kitchen, his
favorite meal, pounded yam and vegetable soup.
Arewa greeted him but here was no response. She
waited “are you counting the number of bolus, do you
need to hear me shout before you begin your
confession, I am greeting you my lord, answer first
Arewa said. Oloja’s burst in anger, I give instruction
and no one follows; now you are standing like a
statute counting my food”

Arewa was smiling “ so my question has no answer

Arewa, you are the white mother hen who does not
know herself as the elder” Oloja you are offending me
again, I am a just woman, I told you that I will be
visiting Baba Iroko today and you consented, it is all
because of you to inquire about the journey, if your
road is smooth or not and now look out how you are
paying evil for good, always looking for trouble, when
we agree on certain issues you will come back to
change it, now I must not tell the women you are
travelling but should tell them I will be visiting Baba
Iroko, I know what is good and not eh kind of woman
who will wait for husband before paying for locust
beans” Oloja washed his hands with water and some
ashes and rubbed the water in his hands on the two
ankles and he cleared his throat.

“Super woman who will not wait for husband before

building her house, you are trying to lord yourself over
me in this house because of the preferential treatment
I give you, it is not new, every polygamous man has
his favorite” Oloja continued ‘do not forget that you
are like every other woman in this place, everyone has
one complain or the other about me and the overt
show of affection, who knows if it is true that you have
cast a spell on me that makes me restless whenever
you are not around”.

Oloja sat down again and looked at Arewa, I look for

you as if you are a doll Arewa, I want to control
myself, I have married numerous women before you
and by now I should be able to control myself, please
eat the leftover and pack the plate” Arewa washed her
hand, the left over is a chunk of meat and started
eating it was prepared by Alase.

Oloja continued, “but you are not deaf, give me a

reasonable answer to why I am always thinking about
you”

Arewa smiled as usual and swallowed the meat I her

mouth, “I will give you a credible answer when you tell
me why I always run helter-skelter that you may live
long, why I am always afraid that you will die and my
joy will be short lived, release me from your spell, you
are not my first husband either”

Oloja was looking at Arewa as if she was on a stage;

he was convinced that the love is so different from
what he felt for other women in his life.
He laid on his bed, he is the only person in the palace
who sleeps on mattress, he bought it in the capital
city, tough it is his intention to buy a new one for
Arewa but it will spark jealousy in the palace, it is
really expensive to buy more than thirty mattresses
for different women, only the king can afford to do
that. Arewa, packed the plates and let us discuss what
you heard from Baba Iroko”.

Arewa smiled, this is the time she has been waiting

for, “after your allegations, you will have to dip your
hand into my mouth to force those words out, you
charmed me with some love potion and now you are
accusing me of using charm on you, , but in a jiffy I
swallowed my words, I vowed never to marry you for
locking up my parents in the local jail you later down
played it by giving them a piece of land at jugbe, but I
want you to realize that all you are saying now are
recorded on y left palm, will not use it to eat” Although
it was not funny but Oloja smiled, Arewa, you don’t
know your mates again, you are writing things on your
left palm when you cannot even hold a chalk perfectly
and do not know how to position a plate, or are you
now the local letter writer? You refused to attend the
local catechist class even your children are not in
school, how come you know how to write utterances
Oloja laughed Arewa did not take the joke lightly, but
she replied him, “ Kiki refused to enroll in school, her
other sister followed too but by God’s grace, the new
baby I am expecting will enroll immediately his feet
touch the ground, Oloja laughed roaring again, the
ones with legs on the ground refused enrolment, is it
the one you have not seen that would be enrolled?
Look at all of you here, you will press breast milk in a
up for a five year old, please I do not want to be
dragged into a meaningless discussion, what did Iroko
tell you?”

Arewa sat on the edge of the bed, you are playing

upon my intelligence, you did not send me to Baba
Iroko, and you are fond of exercising supreme
authority over everyone under your roof. Oloja is
losing his patience but he cannot force words out of
Arewa, Thank god it is people under my roof, so as
long as you are under my roof, you are under my care
and my authority, Arewa why the lack of respect, you
can look at me straight in the face and tell the fact, it
is not done not in this house, it was only my mother,
who could do that, you are not afraid of me” Arewa
was now confused but must explain reasons behind
her actions. Oloja I was brought up to respect myself
and others, the highest regard is for you that is why I
agreed to marry you, I have swore never to marry any
Oloja again, I did not enjoy the first two marriages,
they died too soon” Oloja cut him “do you think I will
die very soon just like the ones you married? Is that
why you are always afraid of my love advances? Oh
no Oloja, you have a full house with more that n thirty
wives and more to come, and you know how many
pots of water you are fetching, they are not yet filled
up and you are disturbing me. Arewa, it is not all pots
that are used to fetch water, some are for decoration
those ones no water must spill in them, they are to be
pampered and given out as a gift to other men who
will value them, Arewa, you did not escape the first
moon, soon you will put to bed while so many are out
there I have not knocked there door and will not”

Arewa knows where the topic is leading to, she

decided to relay Baba Iroko’s message “baba said that
you should make some sacrifice to the mouth, that is
all” So that is all you spent five hours to hear” Oloja
asked before an unusual silence that covered the
room as if an angel passed by, followed by a repeat of
what she said by Oloja “sacrifice to the mouth is that
all, what sacrificial items are needed for that? Nothing
replied Arewa, “just watch what you say nothing to
buy but I add that you should also watch what you eat
on the journey, may the gods see us through, I will
always visit him but next month is my month and my
mother is old, there is not much assistance she can
do. My suggestion is that you should move to your
mother’s house till I come, now that you are talking
about your mother’s age, do I remember that you
might not be able to assist Akowa. I will always pray
for you” he concluded.

Arewa left the room with the dirty plates.

CHAPTER 5

Arewa laid on a sack spread the floor, it was her time

and with no assistance she started some incantation,
mixed some herbs and pour it in her throat, she
swallowed the mixture in a gulp, within a few minutes
she gathered enough strength, removed a very tiny
gourd that is tied with a rope from her wall, the gourd
was filled with some liquid, Arewa poured the liquid
mixture on the floor, she continued with the
incantation and sat on the sack again, she pushed
hard and in minutes the baby was out followed by a
the placenta. Arewa brought out a fraction of snail
shell from a bag hung on the wall and cut the
placenta; she called Kiki who was sitting in front of the
room waiting for her mother.

Arewa instructed Kiki to call Iyale, because the baby is

here but not crying, Kiki ran outside to call her. Iyale
followed her immediately, ah Arewa do you want to kill
yourself? The baby is not crying, hit the floor three
times, he will cry, I need some pap (corn flour), I am
so weak” You should not endanger your life, I saw you
come in here less than an hour ago, after washing
those cloths, you were tired already, why did you do
this to yourself? Iyale hit the floor three times and the
baby screamed, immediately Kiki came in with a big
calabash cut like the shape of a basin, bring some
palm oil too Iyale shouted, the room was filled with
slaves and reborn immediately Kiki announced to the
people, but Iyale turned them back. Arewa was served
with hot pap congratulations, ah within a few minutes!
You are a strong woman, nobody is aware of this in
the conference hall;” she said Arewa told her to bath
for the baby in the small conference room. Kiki went
out to bring in some hot water.

Iyale poured some oil on her hand and rub it on the

baby’s body from head to toe, before scrubbing him;
the child cried an Iyale said he must be scrubbed well
because of body odour. Kiki assisted in giving her the
needed items, Arewa had already sowed different
types of cloth with her scarves and some pieces of her
cloth and the baby was laid beside Arewa who had
had her bath too with very hot water. Iyale instructed
Kiki to boil some water for Arewa, she used a piece of
cloth to mop her body Arewa screamed as Iyale
pressed every corner of her body, it was hot water and
painful. She made some cotton seed soup immediately
and forced Arewa to drink is like water, it has healing
herbs too, Iyale confirmed. Iyale sang for the baby,

omo mi o akurubete kube (my beautiful child)

omo mi o akuru bête kube
ku we ku ma raso fun (if you live, I will buy many
dresses for you)
ku we ku a ma ra ogba okun (if you live I will buy a
beautiful belt)
ogba okun yo mu so ma loja
eru mbara ni o pon o pe o (my slave will strap you to
her back)
akurubete kube
my Lord is not around to see his child, so much like
him, the lion will always give birth o a lion” this is
small lion, Iyale concluded before Arewa burst into
tears, stop the tears, the baby will suck tears in the
breast and it is bad for his health corrected Iyale.
Arewa continued but Iyale did not stop her again, it is
tears of joy, let it flow, no woman deliver Oloja’s son
and not cry, he is second to none” said Iyale.

Male or female, I am too tired to talk said Arewa, a boy

replied Iyale, a child is a child in Oloja’s house, you did
not even take a look at the child, Oloja is the only man
in Ale who believes that a child is a child irrespective
of the sex, no preference and the gods has blessed
him with many beautiful and healthy ones, no sickness
no disability and strangely, all the children work in the
farm at the same time and same pace and our slogan
is, a child is a child though most women still prefer to
give birth to a son” Iyale looked back to see that
Arewa has faced the wall and slept off, she placed the
well fed baby beside her mother and tip toed out of
the room.

Kiki has already spread the news to all the people in

the palace, but Iyale cautioned them not to disturb
mother and child everyone was now seated in the
biggest conference hall where Oloja entertains his
chiefs, they know that if Oloja were to be around, he
would have declared free food for all according to his
tradition. The people named her Bidemi because Oloja
has travelled and a wife has given birth in his absence.

Arewa is an unusual woman, this she exhibits in her

character, although well respected but everyone is still
in doubt because of the belief that she has some
queer behaviors, what if she is a witch? That is the
general song in other women’s mouth; but nobody can
slit her throat to know the source of the strange
character.

The journey to the white man’s land took them three

months, Arewa has two major duties to contend with:
nursing of the new arrival and the day to day running
of Oloja’s palace and these she performed to the best
of her ability while Kiki took over the care of the less
privileged, mentally ill and the nursing mothers in the
palace. During conference on market days, Arewa
settles disputes among the clans and villagers, the
provision among clans and villages, the provision of
comfort for her husband’s households and the chiefs,
this really gives her the opportunity to utilize her
leadership skills and in no time people were coming
from different cities to seek her assistance on how her
leadership skills that in no time, people were coming
from far and near to seek her assistance especially
learning how to cook soup that cures barrenness, it is
on record that no barren woman eat the soup and not
conceive except it is her destiny or the gods are angry
and if it is the latter there are sacrifices to be made,
appease the gods and she will be blessed with the
fruit of the womb. Her special consultant has been
Baba Iroko, if he does not want her to lay her hands on
an issue, she always think of when Baba Iroko will rest
with his ancestor because the vacuum will be hard to
fill; potent herbalists are hard to come by because
they have pitched their tents with strange beings in
thick forests.

Arewa walked through the large palace hall to the

backyard where women who came for ante-natal were
waiting for her, she greeted them and they were on
their knees, she handed over Bidemi to Kiki who has
become her small mother. She brought out some
leaves and herbs from a sack, the soup will be for
these three women, any woman from Ado must not
eat from the soup, this is Nene, it grows under water
hyacinth, it cools the womb, this is called cat fish, it is
another coolant too, but these other seven leaves and
roots will be set underneath the pot of soup, the local
pot must be used and when you finish cooking, place
the hot pot directly in a cold water, the underneath
must not touch the floor until you finish eating the
soup, add locust bean and salt as ingredients too, eat
while standing and do not converse with anyone while
eating the soup, make sure you offer silent prayers,
the gods are interested in the intent of man. Lastly,
stretch your hand to children and pregnant women
during this period, may you come with your children
this time next year. They all sat down and she
prepared the soup; she is so skilled in her midwifery
duties. Kiki sat beside her, watching, she could repeat
all her mother said.
This is a lecture she has listened to ever since she
could hear and it has become her mother’s daily
routine.
Arewa moved to the section of nursing mothers, there
were only two women and they exchanged
pleasantries, the women sat down after greeting
Arewa on both knees, Arewa prepared the cure for
convulsion, it is a black powder, she uses the powder
for almost every child, convulsion is of two types, she
explained, the worst form is the crab convulsion, it
causes midnight cries, degbe leaf and crab is the
solution, roast the crab until it is crunchy black and
pour degbe in to the pot do not stop stirring them
after which you pour on the stone to grind, Kiki will
pluck more degbe tomorrow morning and you should
buy the local crab at the market, for it to be more
potent, gather the local maize cobs, break them into
two equal parts and remove the foam-like white tissue
in them dry it in the sun or by the fire side and add it
to the ingredients make sure it is dry and grind also
mix the powder with pap and force the child to drink
it, children love sweet food but it is the bitter food in
this world that is advantageous, always remember
that the mouth loves sweet while the stomach wants
bitter herbs” Arewa concluded.

Arewa divided the little portion she has among the

nursing mothers and advised them to buy more from
the market; she is very different every other herbalist
will only give the already made mixture in order to
conceal the content. “crab that moves in the bellies of
these children will die immediately they swallow this
mixture and the children will excrete the crab you will
see them in hard substance when such children
defecate, do not be afraid, the children have
overcome the crab” she explained.
Kiki listened attentively but will not stop to wondering
how those crabs enter into the children’s stomach, a
mystery she will never unravel. She continued to
learn with keen interest all the intricacies of midwifery
from her mother with keen interest although it is rare
in the town to see a child learning her mother’s trade,
everyone believes that it comes naturally but Arewa is
strange, Kiki knows that she must learn.
Ironically, Arewa is admired and envied at the same
time by all, especially her mates in the palace, this
has turned to a rage of jealousy among the young
wives but this has not changed her affection for them
or their respect for her Oloja has always accused her
of struggling to protect her rivals at her own expense
Oloja always warn her that definitely a vulture will
snatch Arewa’s head while protecting her mates’.
Oloja’s journey created a vacuum that can only be
filled by Oloja himself, it began to take its toll on
Arewa, she has mixed feelings about the journey and
will not stop telling everyone that cares that she is at
alert, Oloja is not in the king’s good book, his pretense
is much still no one believe her, their relationship was
not cordial but he taught Oloja the way forward, they
are the only people who could read and write except
the teachers and the Reverend fathers, then the
young learners too, it is so strange , why is he doing
good to Oloja and still envying the outcome of his own
effort, she is always amazed about Alale’s character
yet Baba Iroko assured her that Oloja will return
safely.
CHAPTER 6

Alele and Oloja arrived safely but unceremoniously as

they left, it must be the secrecy for fear of witches and
wizard who would ride with them in the ship and
waylaid them on the journey back home, Oloja
entered his palace in the middle of the night,
everyone was asleep when he entered her room,
guards do not sleep at night because they must watch
the seven entrants to Oloja’s palace, they were the
first to welcome him though, When Arewa heard the
knock, it was unusual, Oloja will never knock his wife’s
door, she jumped into his arm, My lord, oh Baba Iroko
thank you, he said you will come back safely but that
you refused to make the sacrifice to mouth that it will
cost you years of suffering, but I told him that you will
make the sacrifice, how was the journey? Oloja sat by
the edge of the bed, watching Bidemi, Oloja cleared
his throat, he is a boy” Arewa answered smilingly yes,
he is asleep

Oloja moved closer to Arewa and spoke into her

earlobe as if someone was listening “Arewa we must
leave this night”, to where? she asked you are just
coming in, and now telling me that we must leave in
the middle of the night” where are we going? Who is
pursuing us? Arewa there is no time for answers, Alele
accused me of treasonable felony, that I want to
overthrown his kingdom” Arewa stood up” you are
making a mistake, if that is his accusation then we
must sit down and talk over the issue, invite all the
kings in the Western region, we have equal right, even
if it is a conflict it will be settled, we settled for others,
how come the settlers are now the ‘scatterers’? Arewa
it is so surprising because, it is a well now fact that my
ancestors cannot contest for kingship talk less of
overthrowing Alale” yes Oloja, your lineage has ruled
from the origin of Ale, Oloja stood from the edge of the
bed and was about to walk out, Arewa, you are like a
man, there is no time for deliberation but you must do
as I say this middle of the night, move your valuables,
call the women, inquire from the m, those who will like
to follow me, it is not mandatory, they have freedom
of choice and for those who will prefer to wait behind,
the graves must be neatly kept and remind them to
use cows dung to rub the graves every weekend most
especially my father’s grave, I believe in the support
of my ancestors, I will come back home, I will not be
buried in a strange land, Arewa burst into tears, Oloja
castigated her, so you were expecting my corpse
because this should have been what to expect form
you if Ale packed my corpse in a bag” Oh no Oloja, I
was expecting a situation whereby every indigene will
meet you at the capital city and we will sing and
dance, with lots of gifts for everyone” Oloja replied “ I
am alive” Arewa continued weeping and cursing Ale
and the white men who she believed set up Oloja.
Oloja was becoming impatient with Arewa, I want you
to stop cursing Ale, it is an abomination, anywhere
there is a wall Ale will hear whoever cursed him
except there is no wall there, every wall works for Ale,
please reverse the curse in this instant before the
gods will send your curse aback to you and your
children, the god’s are the only ones who are
permitted to judge Ale, be careful Arewa”, Oloja
warned.

Arewa handed Bidemi to Oloja he woke up while his

mother r was crying, Oloja looked at him with
fondness, an exact replica of his father, she walked
out of the room.

Oloja wept.

Arewa rang the gong it is an unusual method of calling

everyone’s attention especially in the middle of the
night, within minutes the news has spread like
wildfire, the slaves cannot keep sealed lips when they
saw Oloja entering his palace empty handed. Arewa
addressed the wives, at the stage in the largest hall
she relayed Oloja’s message and the reason behind
fleeing at night .

Iyale was the first to talk, she climbed the stage and
thanked the gods for bringing Oloja back but would
not leave Ale because she was in charge of children’s
enrolment in Oloja’s palace, Arewa was surprised by
Iyale’s decision other women gave different reasons
too but those who are still young agreed to
accompany Oloja. At the end she laughed at her own
foolishness when she was asked about the destination,
she forgot to inquire form Oloja where in particular the
whole family is heading to.

It is hard to be faced with the problem of being

banished from your land, migrating by force with
immediate family-like a whole town like immediate
family, leaving in the middle of the night means that
she will not see her family members, will not bid her
parents farewell and if they die, will not be privileged
to close their eyes, witness the burial, or pour ashes
on their coffin. she began to understand what she is
faced with. Nine women decided to follow her; they
separated themselves from the rest of the women and
joined her on the stage.
Arewa dispersed the assembly, came down from the
stage and whispered certain instructions into iyale’s
ears, and instructed the nine women who volunteered
to follow Oloja to pack their valuables and be ready in
thirty minutes, she opened the stage door that led to
her apartment, right behind the doorway is Oloja
carrying the baby, he had been listening to all the
women and the reasons, Arewa knelt in front of Oloja,
it is a taboo my Lord, Oloja must not weep, I have
lived with some Oloja, never see any one of them shed
tears even on the death bed, Oloja’s are the strongest
men on earth , be brave, be strong, may you never
disappoint your ancestors, Oloja laid his hand on
Arewa’ head, may you always find succor in me,
Arewa and your child will reign in my stead” Oloja
drew her from the floor. She walked down into her
room, “we must pack immediately, all the children are
awake now, Oloja entered his inner chamber, Arewa
followed him immediately, she was afraid, “my Lord,
do not behave like a man today, do not come here
unaccompanied, no not act like those brave men, we
need you, your family is a town, rule over us, I cannot
carry the burden” Oloja looked at Arewa, “I will never
commit suicide, because of Ale, I am fighting a just
battle exercise no fear about me, when I look back I
see reason s why I must win the battle, without me the
battle is lost” Arewa packed all Oloja’s valuables and
he said “ My ancestors, I will continue the battle, but
may Ale reap whatever he sows” he came out and
walked directly to the conference hall and passed
through the small door that leads to the burial ground,
he started reciting incantation like prayers “whosoever
says I will not return to reign on my father’s throne will
be dead before I return” he spat on the grave

Oloja entered the largest conference, all his people

have converged in the hall, his freeborn and slaves,
for the first time, he greeted them but did not mention
why and where they are migrating, three out of the
nine wives have decided to stay behind, the youngest
wife; Akowa’s daughter changed her mind, while the
remaining two young girls left for their parents hone to
bid them good bye but Oloja decided to leave them
behind.

They moved en masse.

As they journeyed out of the town, Oloja was walking

behind, Arewa strapped Bidemi on her back and
walked beside Oloja, “We are going to Ado, that is
where my ancestors migrated from, we will be well
received by the people of the land, I have never seen
them before, but my father told me when he was alive
that, there is still a place to place a load whenever you
are wearied, I will place it on my back and move on, it
is called life.

They journeyed towards Bini.

The journey took several days and at every village

they stopped to rest, the village head will entertain
them, strangely, he refused to divulge the reason for
his banishment, but he promised them of returning to
Ale in due course. Oloja settles conflicts among the
people as he journeys towards his new town, he was
presented with gifts, but at night, his men will sleep in
turn while others watch over the rest. The more he
rest along the road, the more the journey becomes
cumbersome because village chiefs and villagers who
know the worth of Oloja usually add to his loads.

Arewa restrained herself from inquiring about the

reasons for being excommunicated from and sent on
exile Alele, the journey to the white man has caused
untold hardship and unplanned journey out of their
root. Queensland journey uprooted Oloja and his
precious ones from the land learnt to cherish. They
have succeeded in breaking the bond among her
people, she feared confusion, the white man can
never be understood, who can understand the white
man’s language like a white man, they bite their
tongue severally before they finish a conversation.

Arewa believes that, Oloja trusts people too much,

that is why he is suffering in silence, for years he has
been exporting palm kernel, but there is no payment
now that is ting palm kernel, this is his turn to collect
his money that joined hands together to banish him
from his roots and his people, pounded yam on credit
is very delicious but to pay the debt is always another
problem, pounded yam you cannot return, the money
you cannot release. She was startled by Oloja’s call,
he break into her thought, we are approaching Ado, it
is the next village, we have been on our feet for more
than two weeks, yet the children are not sick, the gods
are with us, Arewa, do you promise to stand by me?
Arewa was startled by the question; you have known
me these few years you can judge by your intuition”

Sit down Arewa, the entourage can move on

unaccompanied now” Arewa cut some Akintola leaves,
removed the baby she strapped on her back and sat
by the roadside with the baby on her lap, she begin to
breast feed as she listens attentively to Oloja.
Oloja cleared his throat, “we were on board in a
mighty ship, I was at alert all through the journey
because of Baba Iroko’s earlier warning”

“Yes as long as you listen to his instructions, I know it

will be well with you” Arewa confirmed

Oloja continued “and according to Ale’s instruction

too, that I must wear very thick cloth and many
underclothes, it was true, the weather was very bad,
and I had cold during those days, so it was easy to
deceive the king with my layers of cloth like that of a
cockroach, I secretly tied a bag of skin cloth, on my
neck before wearing layers of cloth like a cockroach”

Oloja searched through the goatskin bag he was

carrying across his shoulder and brought out a bottle
like shape leather bag.

“it was a gift from my father, he used it as water bag

when he was alive, I tied it on my neck with a twain
and on one Sunday night there was an unplanned
party for all the royal fathers and crew members”

Arewa cut him short “ah! a party in the ship, so bad

you have not been able tot narrate the events of this
journey to us, thank god that your heart is lighter
now”
Oloja smiled and continued “there is no time to
discuss actually I was afraid about our safety and now
that we are in a safe distance from Ale, I can divulge
some information about him and the journey”

“Ale brought a special wine from his travelling bag

during the party, the wine was new, sealed and
handed it to me, I thanked him and collected it, it is
not unusual of him but I was afraid, though it was
sealed but Baba Iroko’s warning rang in my head, I
will turn my back towards him whenever I want to sip
the wine I was pretending to be high I did not use a
cup either and I was moving from one location to the
other, it is a very big ship, almost the size of a town”

“Ah” Arewa shouted, “the white man is a witch, a ship

as big as a town!”

Listen to me Arewa, Oloja warned and continued “no

one was able to detect that when I turn backwards, I
will pour the wine in my skin bag hid underneath my
chest, in no time, I poured all the wine from the bottle
into the leather bottle and staggered into my cabin”

Arewa was watching him with rapt attention as he

continued his narration, “when I got to apartment tied
the bag an hanged it on the wall, to my greatest
surprise, Ale was the unusual visitor in the following
day, he has never entered my room during the journey
until that morning, it was my duty to wake him every
morning with praise but that day I could read the
transparent fear in his face, we exchanged greetings
and he left immediately, fear gripped me and I shut
the door, ran to the bag I hung on the wall, I shook the
bag there was no indication that there was any liquid
in it , this was a bag in a room I consciously locked the
door before going to bed because my intuition was
warning me, the wine had turned to needles for
sowing clothes, it was like a dream”.

Arewa was astonished, and could not hide it; she burst
into curse on Ale, “and you kept this to yourself, ah
Oloja you are a murderer for allowing a murderer to
remain alive?

Oloja held her hand, “do not curse the king, the gods
will curse you too, if I have revealed my experience
you would have convinced me to change my plan, but
I never believed that education has no impact on him,
you know my mother told me a story about his father
tortoise that he used to send on errand but my father
refuted the claim and that is the past, Ale used to hear
the voice of the tortoise but, he has never seen or
heard its voice, now that we have an educated king, I
believe that his ideas are no longer parochial like men
of old”

Arewa was dumbfounded at the story “I heard that his

ancestors were very brave but I thought his
educational background would have erased all those
barbaric acts from his memory but with all indications,
Ale is worse that his father”. He concluded.

She held her son firmly and tried to conceal her anger,
“so all his visits to Reverend fathers and the Bible has
no direct or indirect impact on his life”

Arewa, the Bible has not eroded the evil in his vein, he
is as wicked as his fathers, he is equally a dangerous
man” because she wanted to hear the whole story,
she kept calm and urged Oloja to continue.

So what did you do when you found out? Arewa asked

him, I was shaking like a jelly replied Oloja, all my
bravery vamoosed and I kept wondering how I should
have handled it till today, Ale is the second in
command to all the gods we are serving, they can do
him no harm unless had reached a consensus by then,
ordinary man would have been planted six feet deep
but they decided otherwise, I was afraid Arewa, I was
with nothing except my Bible and the charm for
immediate transfer to a safe place in case of
emergency, I did not use it because the last time I
used the charm, it hung me on a tree, I was saved by
my collar that suspended me on a tree, its branch
almost pierced my navel, I only felt it is better to hang
on a tree than to be fed to a shark, death is always
death no one has a choice but we pray that god grant
us a peaceful style of death”

That is the major disadvantage of that charm, no

actual destination, it can even land you directly in the
mouth of a shark, but it is better when used on land
not on the sea or in thick forest’ explained Arewa and
continued, so it is the case of the goat we rare and
rely upon has given birth to a male, therefore
procreation is impossible and what we have in surplus
is its offensive odor” Arewa concluded.

Oloja continued his narration, “as for the Bible, I do

not really understand its effectiveness in the face of
impending danger, it is a process in itself that does
not understand emergency, you pray till Jesus decides
to answer “

Arewa, “I just do not understand anything about that

religion and a savior you will call and not respond in
the face of a deadly attack”
“Please do not talk about that religion, it is a clean
spirit that moves everywhere”, Oloja warned and
continued

“I kept to my room throughout the journey, we were

watchful of each other; I breathe a sigh of relief when
we reached the harbor. It is a long story Arewa”, Oloja
said.

“Continue, I am all ears” Arewa confirmed her interest

“We were welcomed by the royal emissary who took

us to the hotel reserved for us, I was so much afraid
that I began to suspect every move of Ale, as I kept
watch over him, he kept on poke nosing into my affair,
those men were good and honest, I made some friend,
that is another side of the story, a friend I made is the
Manager of the kernel company, he had already
purchased a building in my name the heart of
Queensland, he refused to pay my money to Ale, he
was skeptical of him from the beginning”.

“Ah, so those people are good, I have offended their

creator” Arewa screamed

“He took me to the house, gave me all the necessary

documents and I kept them in a vault in Bank of
England, definitely the children can also travel abroad
to study or for holiday, my main concern is their lack
of interest in education and the mothers over
protectiveness” Oloja said.

Arewa cuts him short, “it is the teacher’s fault, they

will send our children to farm while parents will work
alone yet their cane indicates the level at which their
palm scratch them, the children will be better in
schools without their wicked teachers”

“I do not understand you and what you think a school

without a teacher will look like” he said

“Ah, the last time a teacher beat a boy in the central

school at the village market, the boy collapsed, yet
wicked father sent the boy to school again the
following day” she informed him

Oloja looked at her stern in the face and commented

“no child will be able to travel over the sea without
education”

“Then what of the house you bought there, to be

inherited by a stranger” Arewa asked

“Is it the house you are thinking about or how far

those white people have gone? If I start telling you the
difference between us, in three months visit, you will
pack your load and leave this village today the only
difference is that most of them do not believe that we
are human being” he said

Arewa spat on the ground “they are animals”

“Better animals than us then, he replied despite the

fact that Ale pestered them to receive my share of the
proceeds from kernel from the white man he refused,
they now paid him to teach me English language and
that I should travel with him to their country”

“Wise white men” Arewa exclaimed

Oloja looked at him spitefully before asking him, “how

many tongues have you, why not listen patiently
before the judgments?”

“I am listening my Lord”, Arewa said

“No man can excel with a single language and culture

in the world and it is ast approaching, we must be
careful and learning to speak a language everyone
understands will enable your children to queue
alongside their mates as clear as that” he educated
her

“Who is stopping them from queuing?”

“Illiteracy caused by you” Oloja accused Arewa
“Alright, they will enroll in Ado” she said
“If there is a school there” said Oloja
“You start a new one then” Arewa advised
“Am I a teacher?” Oloja asked
“But you can read and write” said Arewa
“Does that make me a teacher” asked Oloja
“What is the difference? asked Arewa
“Professionalism” replied Oloja
“Until we get there” said Arewa
Oloja continued, “tomorrow is so near that it is only
today that covers it, and only the head knows where it
is taking the legs, I will want to round off in order to
meet my people at the last junction before we enter
Ado”.
“Yes my Lord, it is very interesting story”
“The proceeds from the palm kernel belong to every
farmer in Alele but Ale sat on it” Oloja opened up
“No my Lord!” Arewa exclaimed
“I have not started you are screaming” Oloja added
“Ale was full of regret because I accompanied him in
the journey, he deliberately concealed the business
from the farmers in order to enjoy the largesse, he
made it a royal business, no one is allowed to trade in
kernel except Ale, and I was surprised when I
discovered that all the consignments bear Ale’s name
except mine, education is a door. Oloja said
My Lord, why are we still continuing in the journey,
armed with this allegation we can dethrone Ale”
“So that you can become the king” Oloja inquired
“God forbid, a woman will never rule Ale” Arewa
corrected
“The last problem that defer any solution is the issue
of scholarship”
“What about it?” Arewa asked

“The University in Queensland gives two scholarship

to our best students every year, it covers, school fees,
accommodation and feeding”
“Which student? Arewa asked
“Indigenes of Ale replied Oloja
So who did you meet among the indigenes
“No one” he replied
“Where are the scholarships?” she asked
“The white men now discovered that there are only
three surnames with frequent recurrence every year,
that is the reason why I was summoned, they paid for
the trip and accommodation” Oloja offered the
information and bowed his head in silence
“What is the meaning of that?” Arewa queried
“I was given the list of students who have attended
Queensland University since the inception of the
scholarship program; they were names of Ale’s
children” he said
“Oh, that is why he bears his great grand father,
grandfather and father’s name at the same time”
Arewa exclaimed
“You understand the trick very well now Adejoko
Adelolu Ale” Oloja confirmed
“Yes! ah these white men are wise too” she exclaimed
“Oh yes, Oloja agreed therefore the school, some of
the children are Ale others are Adelolu while some
bear Adejoko for the past ten years all who have
enjoyed the scholarship are Ale kings children, but
sadly, because none of his children were in final year,
he kept the scholarship and sent a letter that there
was no graduating set because of internal problem in
the Modern school!” Oloja screamed
“Why are we now migrants when Ale has committed
an offence that can unseat his generation send him on
exile and debar his children from ascending their
fathers’ throne?” Arewa asked
Oloja was silent for some minutes before he
continued, “I revealed everything to the white men,
that all the children who had enjoyed the scholarships
are his children, he lied that they are studying in the
capital city, while some are sponsored by his former
classmates in Queensland, but did not mention of any
available scholarships for the indigenes the white men
were surprised that the eighteen indigenes of Alele
who graduated from Queensland are Ale’s children”
Oloja explained.

Arewa was so much confused that she agreed that

they should run further, because Ale is a criminal who
will not mind sacrificing Oloja to cover his evil deeds.
But she did not show any feelings of surprise, she was
angry and astonished at how the brave Oloja could run
without first seeing what is pursuing him, why the king
can afford to give birth to as many children as possible
because of grants from the white man’s land. But it is
still a bit confusing, many questions and no answers
how will the white men believe that the three men are
the fathers of every one in Ale? What if they think that
Ale is a clan or a town they have never travelled to?
What comes on the white men that made them
sponsor other people’s children? Are they barren? Lots
of questions that make Arewa became more confused
than enlightened after listening to Oloja’s tale.

Oloja thought about the events of the past three

months, how it has succeeded in answering his
prayers, there were questions that he was not able to
ask Ale and the issue of continue to live under fake
leadership does not arise. The issue of many wives
too, the white men did not believe that a man could
marry forty wives whereas he was ashamed to tell
them that he has thirty wives too, he is no longer
comfortable with thirty wives now that Arewa is
playing the roles of more than a wife, the people
cultivated the idea because the women folk take care
of the children though not an accepted value all over
the world, men are supposed to be the breadwinner,
fend for the children and wives but Ale is different,
men are so lazy and love life, drinking and sleeping, it
is a different world.
Oloja was awaken to consciousness by Arewa’s
question “my lord, you are so sure that this is why you
were banished?, you should have told me before
leaving Alele” she chastised him
“So that you can start making noise about the whole
issue”, Oloja asked
“No, so that the world will know the type of god they
are worshiping” Arewa explained
“I know how to handle it but it will take much time
Oloja” Arewa said
“At least in the end my people will be free from
oppression not now that he has gifts to buy
conscience” Oloja replied
May be I wouldn’t have moved an inch if I have heard
of the tale before, so this is treasonable felony for
fighting for the masses, you now agreed to leave your
exalted fore father’s throne because of a just case but
who ought to be banished if not Ale of Alele? Who
ought to have been chased out of Ale with weaving
stick, do you remember Yeye of Ale’s case? The
daughter of past Oloja, she was on queue the day Ale
needed a new wife that will accompany him to the
city, all his more than forty wives were stale, Oloja file
all his unmarried daughters in a single line, Ale picked
Yeye out of them, the most beautiful of them, the
travelled back to the city and were back is within a
week, she died during child birth that is less that ten
months after the selection, Oloja’s palace was in
disarray, he wept like a child, do you believe that
during the first outing after Yeye’s death, Ale invited
Oloja to his palace and the following day, Oloja choose
iba, the youngest sister, she has bore him seven sons
now, she is your sister living with the man who sent
you on exile, who knows if you will still hand over one
of your daughters to him too. Is it power? Is it fear?
Whatever it is I am interested in knowing-it is a man’s
world, they say that is why I am watching to know
your peace offering or you will fight like the
generalissimo that you are”.
Peace I want Arewa, Ale must not be destroyed
because of a man, the dead will never forgive us and
the unborn will not have good history to narrate”
“As long as I breathe, I will support you, your ancestor
will not sleep and wherever you lay your feet, you will
subdue “she said.
Oloja stood up, it has being long since they have sat to
discuss but it is certain that when the entourage
discovered that Oloja and Arewa are not following
them they will stop and wait for them to because
there is the need for further instruction before
marching into Ado.
They journeyed forward and met the crowd waiting for
them, scattered under trees while some climbed the
tree, some children were fast asleep, invariably tired
because of the journey.
Arewa ordered female slave to prepare firewood and
cook, they must be well fed before entering Ado.
Oloja selected seven men as emissary to Alado, he
sent gifts and asked if he could sojourned in his land,
the rest passed the night in the camp prepared by the
slaves.
The emissary arrived before sunrise the following day,
they brought favourable message from Alado that “a
bird does not fly with a wing, tell Oloja to fly home”
They were met with pomp and pageantry after sunset,
drums and song, Oloja was welcomed by the Alado at
the entrance of the town, there was a feast in
celebration of the return of Oloja, the Oloja’s were the
generalissimo of Ado but they migrated to Alele in the
olden days, the return of the prodigal sons, his great
grandfather left in haste and bitterness but his son
came back and was welcomed with drums.

CHAPTER 7
Alado is a very accommodating king, after three
months in his palace, Oloja begged to speak with he,
he explained the reason behind being sent on exile,
Alado laughed, “I have heard of your greatness and
the love you enjoyed among your people, you are a
threat to Ale was told, whenever you are approaching
the market, I hear all men and women leave their
wares just to praise you, no king will appreciate that,
but it is because you are a goat, that is why he is
asking you about the number of your children, no one
will ever accept this injustice from any king, you fail to
realize that you were a king living under a king”.

It was as if Alado was living in Ale but one need to

appreciate the value of kings who is conversant with
happenings around them. Alado continued, “he had
looked for ways to eliminate you but it was
unsuccessful, the ancestral spirits were guiding you
and you never suspected that Arewa was the last
straw that broke the camel’s back, you did not know
that Ale sent emissary to her parents before you
signified interest and you married her at all cost, a
man that stole the king’s trumpet, it remains where he
will blow it, your king is a very self centered man, you
married the next woman after his heart, Arewa’s
beauty is incomparable to her ingenuity and goodwill
following the woman, she is incomparable among
women, I have been waiting for this day when we will
be able to discuss, I deliberately decided not to ask
you because I know but was waiting for you to tell
your own side of the story.

After heart to heart deliberations with Alado, Oloja

showed deep appreciation before making his request
“if it pleases your lordship to allow me to migrate to
the my fathers’ village which is on the right side of
Ado, very close to the village stream, you have fed my
family and my households for three moon, this you did
happily, but I will like to farm again, I hunger after
leaves, farmland and roots and an idle man dies
untimely death, also, this will really relieve you of my
burden”
Alado smiled, “ Oloja, the annual harvest from your
ancestral farmland is enough to feed us for the next
nine years, and you know that every year the farmers
build barns for the palace’s consumption so all round
the year both in famine and surplus there is more than
enough but if you want independence, you can leave
the palace but the apartment you are is reserved for
your generation, you can relocate to your ancestral
village, the chieftaincy title is yours forever therefore
do not cultivate farmland for your consumption, it is a
taboo for a generalissimo to cultivate land. He
reminded him
I will send the slaves to the farm, it will be the highest
level of indulgence, OLoja revealed
You are in your motherland, not in a strange land, I
will send some chiefs to inform the farmers in that
land to build barns and a palace for you, it will be
prepared between now and three moons but my
intention is to implore you to assist me in transforming
Ado, build schools for us, use your white man’s
intelligence here too, please allow your spirit to settle
down with us, I lay before you this secret plan I have
for Ado, please help us to start a primary school in Ado
just as you have in Ale, we are not asking for a
modern school or university in the Queensland, my
people send their wards to schools in the neighboring
villages and many have migrated because of this
education” Alado implored.
Building a school without first starting a Roman
Catholic church is not always possible, they are so
passionate about reading and writing and passion can
sustain any project, it makes the impossible possible,
but to embrace education is to embrace the religion
and its idiosyncrasies, Ado should allow the religion
and all other things shall be added to it” Oloja shed
more lights
Is it possible? Alado asked
The white man’s facilities come with the religion, the
frog says rub my back and I will rub your back, I have
the white man’s book, but I still consult the oracle the
difference is that they have one god we have several
which makes ours better, they claim the supremacy of
their God that got married and had a son, but they
cannot enforce any law on us that is why they are
better, but they can steal your children how they do
that I do not know, a god that can send a child to
further education in the white man’s land, if he steals
that child we should not complain because the gains
of education outweighs its disadvantages, the
rapacious nature of man exhibited in Ale’s character
and dealings with the white man has really strained
the relationship nurtured for years through the
acceptance of the Roman Catholic religion but with
our ancestral support, the school and churches will be
built in Ado and may our youth not be overtaken by
the white men”
“Amen” Alado answered
The white men are gullible creatures and it continues
to baffle Oloja because for years, Ale transacts
business on behalf of others, all the proceeds of a
clans endeavors were paid into a single person’s
account and you never asked him to present receipt or
a surety before collecting that money, and the people
wallow in abject poverty.
“Ale has no piece of farmland yet the people feed him
in return, he took their produce abroad, sell and
receive payment eat alone and the people will still
worship him without knowing that he is reaping off
their sweat” Oloja revealed.
While distributing farmland, Ale chose the whole clan
as his inheritance and shared the hamlets among his
chiefs, high and low. Ale inherited his father’s
farmland but the immediate predecessor’s farmland
were shared among his children, whereas Oloja shared
the inheritance without interference this is not the
normal traditional ethos, Oloja’s inheritance is never
shared but given to the new Oloja but Oloja declined,
he has more than enough, Oloja succeeded a man
who had seventeen wives but inherited just one
instead of all as the culture demands.
Oloja looked at Alado and repeated his request, “have
no other benefits except to work, grant my desire, to
farm and rare animals while Arewa will have space to
take care of the sick and the barren women in our
midst, the frog always sing help me and I help you,
you will also benefit from my contribution to the
economic development of Ado”.
I understand you my son, Oja has always being your
ancestral home, there is no Oloja except your
ancestors’, we do not appoint any new one either but
there are high chiefs whose main duties include to
settle land disputes and the likes but I pray that those
people will release you at the completion of your nine
exilic years.
History records that Ado and Oja were of the same
parents, their father in well known in the Bini
Kingdom, the quarrel between their wives caused
eternal separation between the two brothers. Oloja
has heard the story time without number and it is
mandatory that all Oloja give details about their
ancestors so that they will know that they are
sojourning in Alele. Their source is Oja.
 Arewa was sitting in the backyards he was singing
one of her favorite songs”
“If the world is good, who can eat with the back of his
palm?”
Some of the female slaves were washing clothes
“Arewa, meet me in my room” Oloja called
She washed her hands immediately and entered into
his room
She was surprised because, Oloja will never come to
the backyard but send someone, why not Kiki or one
of the slaves
“My Lord, hope all is well?” Arewa inquired
“Why is it that your parents did not inform me that Ale
was interested in you?”
“Because you never requested for the list of my
suitors” she replied
“I am very angry with you, this is not a joke and
always make sure that you answer me correctly” he
shouted
Do you receive his emissary that say I was the reason
for your banishment, why will you continue to vent
your anger on me, and if you want the list I can
recount, the first on the list is the King of Bini
kingdom, Alado of Ado, the Reverend of your Roman
Catholic church, Akowa, Ale” she listed
Alright Arewa, this is no joke
Am I smiling or do I look like a comedian?
For heaven’s sake why did you not inform me?
It is not too late, you can allow me to follow any one of
these Arewa said
Ale has been on my neck before I married the first
Oloja, that was when I participated in the maiden
dance, my parents rejected his offer but when Oloja
the sixth came, my parents told them to wait till the
following year but I believe that it was a charm
because I was forcefully given to him that same year,
Oloja was nearer to the grave than to being a father,
Kiki was never privileged to know him and I became a
widow at the age of sixteen, by that time I had grown
into woman hood, taller than any woman in our
district, I was made a wife only to keep him warm and
alive. He came to my room on the night of our
marriage and I became pregnant. Baba Ikoko made
the situation worse when he told my parents that I am
a special woman sent by the ancestral spirit and my
special skills support Iroko’s predictions”
“Is that the reason behind Akowa’s little pestering
daughter?” he asked
Ask him when you see him again Oloja, but I know that
he would do anything to marry me, but if you think
that Ale sent you on exile to marry me after three
children then you better have a rethink”
“Go and continue your chores Arewa” he said
Oloja knew he was too harsh on Arewa but he is never
a man to say sorry n such occasions.
Arewa was confused about the discussion between
Alado and Oloja but she decided to wait till Oloja will
narrate all they discussed. She believed that she can
survive anywhere and will never renege on her
promise to support Oloja.
Immediately after the discussion, Alado sent high
chiefs to Oja but by the evening of the same day, the
elders in Oja have reported, Oloja was introduced to
them and they heard the entire story once again, they
promised to build a palace and barns in less than two
moons. Oloja sent forty slaves with the elders of Oja in
order to hasten the work; also Alado divided his slaves
and sent seventy.
In less than two moons, Oloja and his people moved
into Oja, the palace was built on an expanse of land,
fenced and at the centre of the village, it was
earmarked as a palace but not for Oloja. The materials
used were clay but supported with solid mahogany
plank. Oloja appreciates the efforts of the villagers to
put up such a mighty structure in short period of time
and his promised t build a befitting school for the
people.
Arewa settled down fast among her husband’s people,
within a couple of days all the villagers were well
informed about her skills, the palace was always filled
with villagers and visitors from neighboring villages
who are always coming to show their solidarity to
Oloja. While some seek Arewa’s assistance about sick
family member or barren women.
Oloja cultivated several hectares of land the once
deserted Oja became a beehive of activities, market
day was resuscitated and several people from
neighboring towns and villages make it point of duty
to buy and sell in Oja land.
Within few months, the small backyard in the outer
part of the palace could not contain Arewa’s clients
therefore Oloja had to build small rooms outside the
village square to cater for her patients. Also, the
village youths assisted in building a big hut at the
borderline between the neighboring villages, it is on
the way to the farm for the mentally deranged
patients. This has become a very lucrative work for
Arewa, the soup is so popular that people travels far
and near to eat from the pot; aghon, the bark of tree
used to make the soup is so potent that, after
grabbing the soup, the mentally ill patient will be
drinking and dozing at the same time, some can sleep
for days, there is no measurement it is the degree of
madness that determines the quantity. Arewa now
devised a quick means t o drinking the soup. The
patient will be forced to go on hunger strike called
fasting for few days, the soup is served morning and
evening the progress is so rapid that the news of
Arewa’s soup travels like wild fire in harmatan season.
The method of healing mental disorder became a topic
of serious discussion in the Western region, within
three years, almost half of Ale clan has migrated to
Oja, Oloja’s wives who stayed behind had to come
back first for holidays and later they had to send the
children to school while they come to stay. Moreover,
Ale is becoming a ghost town as many people have
left and business has gone down.
This became a source of concern to Ale because as
Oloja’s popularity grows further, Ale’s dwindles; it was
not surprising when the white men stopped sending
scholarships and palm kernel business with him.
After several years of ruling in Oja, Oloja devised
divide and rule method because the population has
escalated, there is visible development and expansion
within that space of time several villages came to
become one because villagers have built more houses
and there were no bush of border. Land was on sale
unlike before when land was free just to encourage
people to build houses in the village.
The culture of communal living was protected, it is
usual for men to gather in groups at the village square
meet with their friends while wives send their food to
them, the men eat in turn.

It was during the usual convergence and people were

relaxing and dining after a hard day’s job when some
men who rode in a king’s cart into Oja. The riders were
strangers, six men from the city, they made enquiries
about the Oloja’s palace from men who were eating
under the tree and they were directed to the palace.
At the gate, a servant sent one of the children to
inform one of the wives of the impending visitor that is
being directed to the palace.
Oloja heartily welcomed them and preparations were
made as regards their feeding and lodging but first
they must deliver the reason for the mission.
Arewa’s expertise in the art of cure for mental
disorder, barrenness and convulsion has been
reported to the Ministry of Health so her attention, is
needed at the capital city, Arewa was afraid, it might
be the detractors plan to execute her but after reading
the letter from the Governor General of the Western
region, there was no iota of doubt in
Oloja’s mind immediately Oloja concluded with the
governments servants that Arewa and himself will
follow the emissaries in the morning, arrangements
were made towards the journey.
Arewa could not sleep throughout the night, the white
men have really changed the face of things because
friendship with them has caused a lot of good than
bad now there is another invitation letter that says the
emissary must be followed immediately like a goat
being taking to iIede market, there has never been
any good news following an invitation letter, a letter
has sent them into exile, baba Ikoko is very far away
and cannot be consulted yet Oloja has instructed her
to prepare sample ingredients for the three types of
concoction she uses for the treatment. Arewa wrapped
the ingredients in a very big bag.
When cockcrow, Oloja was prepared for the journey,
before living his room, he wrote all the happenings of
the past day and the copy of the letter from the
government and hid it inside his portmanteau, he sent
the town crier to assemble all the elders’ in Oja at the
village square immediately, he addressed them and
revealed the reason behind official visitation to Oja.
Arewa in the company of the government’s servants
left for the capital city the following day, the journey
was very fast when compared with walking or Amex,
Oloja suggested that they branched at Alado’s palace
who in turn instructed Oloja to visit Oba of Bini so that
the royal fathers will be aware of the current
happenings in case there is a turn of event. They
passed the night at the Bini Kingdom and Oloja
narrated what transpired to the Oba of Bini.
The following day, they reached the capital city at
dawn and were lodged at the Government quarter
where they spent the night, the meeting with the
Premier of the region would be in the morning.

The cars at the capital city are different from those in

Bini, these are finely built unlike the Amex popularly
used by the villagers, those ones are built with planks
and they are good for loading palm kernel while the
owners of goods will be expected to sleep on their
goods, it take days to reach its destination.
The city is quite different from all the places Arewa
has visited in the district, the roads are tarred with
asphalt not like the district roads where the major
roads are tarred with dry palm kernel shell, there are
upstairs everywhere unlike the district where you have
to travel to Idoani to see a storey building but on the
contrary, Oloja is quite conversant with city life, he
has being privileged to travel far and near courtesy his
position with the Ale of Alele.
Arewa was dressed in light cream woven buba and
wrapper her favourite colour with beads on her neck,
ankle and wrist has mixed feelings, happy and afraid,
her dream is paving way for her, she could neither eat
nor drink, her heartbeat was racing like a rat escaping
from a trap, , Oloja was watching her with pride he
remembers his mother’s last words and nodded, that
is why his mother asked him to fight tooth and nail for
this woman, she asked Oloja to place his palm under
her lap on her death bed because Arewa will bear
great sons and daughters.

It was the same night that her mother revealed to him

that the gods releases a daughter every century, this
century, it is Arewa, although it took him years to
believe what he heard from his mother, definitely
some people are once in a century creature.
Oloja who already believed that the end has come to
his life realized his story has changed. It is the
beginning of a new dawn.
They were ushered into a conference hall in a very
gigantic building, bigger than Ale and Oloja’s palace
joined together, Arewa was dumbfounded by the large
crowd awaiting them when she was called to the
podium, there were white men too, these are people
she had grown to be afraid of, everyone in the hall
speaks or pretend to speak the white man’s language
and there was an interpreter who can speak all
languages too.
After introduction, Oloja was called to speak, as
expected the interpreter moved closer to him but to
their amazement, Oloja began in impeccable English,
he introduced Arewa too while he promised to
interpret every word Arewa utters.
After some deliberation, Arewa was invited to cook the
soups for some mad men who were brought in
chained.
The whole people were transfixed, watching as if a
miracle is on the way.
Two of the chained men were forced to drink the soup
and immediately they slept off. Everyone clapped but
Arewa thought and believed that a man who killed an
elephant with his hat can only be popular once after
which everyone who encounters him will flee saying
the wicked herbalist is coming. What people will say
now has become another problem to ponder upon.
Her how to heal these three sets of people, she
narrated the story behind the taking up of the
profession of healing with herbs. Although, she was
afraid in the beginning but the first day she tried the
mentally deranged soup ,she slept and did not wake
up for three days , and narrated the reason for the
experiment , ever since she had believed in the dream
and the soups have been making ever since.
On a second thought, she became proud of her
mother, her skill and the passion for humanity, she
remembered her dream too, when her grandmother
showed her all the ingredient and taught her how to
cook the soup although it took her time to practice it
because she did not believe her dream until it
recurred severally.

CHAPTER 8
Oloja and Arewa were presented with a special gift by
the Western region Premier, it was a bag filled with
coins, Arewa was surprised to see so much money,
Oloja has seen money in the palm kernel business
though the Premier promised to send experts to Oloja
in the shortest possible time. Arewa prepared all the
ingredients for the soup and the convulsion
medicine and left instruction on how to use was
written in a paper by Oloja, this he handed to the local
doctors. The journey to Bini was easy it was in a car
although it was Arewa’s first ride in a car.

In Bini kingdom , they stopped over at the palace and

narrated their experience the king was pleased to this
gesture and the opportunity given a clan under Bini
kingdom to help the sick, Oloja and Arewa visited
Alado too, he was very happy to see Oloja again, he
was afraid some evil might befall them because of
their earlier experience with Ale before leaving Alado,
they saw some emissaries from Bini kingdom , they
brought a newspaper; The Voice, in the front page is
the picture of Arewa cooking at the government
house kitchen, she is more beautiful at the front cover
of a newspaper than in life , Oloja was surprised and
he collected two copies, Arewa was beaming with
smiles, they left very early in the morning became
they knew that Oja would know no peace until they
return , by sunset they were at Oja, the town was
thrown in disarray , nobody went to the farm because
night and day, they await the arrival of Oloja and
Arewa.

Oloja thanked the people for appreciating them,

Arewa’s children were so happy when he showed his
people the pictures in the cover page, for the first time
in his life, Oloja became genuinely happy for leaving
Ale.
Activities went back to normal until about three weeks
after their arrival when they saw the government’s
caterpillar and bulldozers they were constructing a
highway from the regional capital to Oja, this is so
strange, a welcome development, within two month
there is a tarred road to Oja which Oloja implored
government to extend the road through Ado to Bini
kingdom, the kings were very happy to have Oloja in
their kingdom for two years.
The regional government concentrated on the
construction of an herbal Medical Centre for Women
and Children and a psychiatric hospital, at the same
time the Roman Catholic Church has arrived, building
the school alongside the church, Oloja became the
intermediary between the government and the
district.
Arewa cannot really believe what is happening,
several times will she pinch herself to confirm that it is
the real word, not in the dream land, she pitied some
of Oloja’s wives who left and never came back and
one is Akowa’s daughter who later on got married to
Ale, because she was persuaded by her father the
night they were to leave not to accompany Oloja but
whosoever accept bad counsel has only done its
intents, “Arewa will enslave all other wives” he told his
daughter, on the contrary, the remaining nine wives
gave birth to sons and daughters for Oloja.

With the construction of the expressway, many sons

and daughters of Ale came visiting and iyale too, she
brought the news of his sons sojourn to the white
man’s land this year Ale invited her over and promised
to compensate Oloja for standing by him and
concerning the secrecy of scholarship, Ade, the eldest
son of iyale has traveled to the white man’s land, he is
an exact replica of his father, the semblance was too
much.

Oloja was not moved by Ale’s gesture but he was

happy to see iyale and some other wives , the children
are now grown up, he was grateful that iyale took
care of the home front and managed the farmland and
resources judiciously, iyale was happy at the new
development , she was reluctant to travel back to ale
but oloja persuaded her to return became the graves
of the ancestors must be scrubbed with drugs, the
renaming wives may not perform their duties
judiciously is there is nobody to direct their steps.
Iyale returned to Ale with few wives because majority
of Olojas wives have moved to Oja, the land of new
development and opportunities.
It was during the yam festival, the whole populace
were in the square , nobody goes to the farm during
the yam festival and now with the construction of the
electric power authority in progress going to the farm
is now a tedious jobs for the youths , they work until
the construction companies working in one sector or
the other since they close in the evening, the youths
will wear nice cloths and relax at the village center the
villagers are all decked in beads it was the culture of
Alele kingdom, immediately news has gotten to Oloja,
he was neatly dressed in the China white regular, he
ushered the visitors into his conference hall, the
money given to him by the government has
transformed Oloja’s palace into a paradise, they were
entertained with wine and bush meat they eat and
enjoyed their visit till at night when Oloja put on his
power generating set, it was so strange that someone
can scratch the wall and a sun will shine at every
corner, they promised to inform Ale people, they
delivered Ale’s message, it is the ninth year by next
month ,the ninth year begins ,Oloja is welcomed into
his throne among his clan. Ale is eagerly awaiting his
return, they said.
Oloja smiled and said, “you will thank Ale, that
wherever a man is accepted, if he became prosper
and has peace, that is where he belongs, tell him that
I will visit him in the ninth year, thank him for his
gesture toward Ade my first son may our gods repay
him for all the good thing he did for me, he meant evil
but the gods turned it to good”.
Oloja need no proof, more than half of Ale indigenes
are with Oloja since the government has sent tractors
to ply the new road, Oja become an extension of Ale
will have to trek for about twenty five miles before
they can board Amex to Oja, this did not debar them,
their love for Oloja has shown since the road has been
constructed.
The regional government sent men in white
uniform to work with Arewa, they started with the plan
to plant the trees for the production of the soup , land
were cultivated and Arewa ‘s supervised the slaves
who have ever become more or less children to
Arewa, they are free to own houses and get married
but their allegiance to Oloja is undoubted, they were
paid monthly for their effort , Arewa has never
collected a dinner for the treatment of any illness , but
these days she has been placed on monthly salary,
her parents became proud, there is no regret for
marrying Oloja as Arewa too must be dressed in China
white, flowing on the ground whenever the white
uniformed government servants are around; work in
progress is their cliché.
The only regret Arewa battles with in her mind is
her inability to speak English, she feels like a deaf and
dumb whenever the government servants are
conversing always on the lookout for Oloja whenever
they arrive. Secretly, she blames herself for not
attending catechism or even the baptismal class. The
regret for herself is not even as much as half of what
she has for her children, Kiki has grown into a
beautiful light skinned girl, she works alongside the
white uniformed men because of the ingredients for
the soup, her breast has fully developed, Arewa is so
scared because of the way she is growing like a
woman eating fertilizer, but Kiki can neither read nor
write and the village is now filled with strangers who
can only address Oloja or no one else.
The only child she had for Oloja, in her second
marriage is learning carpentry while the rest can still
register in school but the government is not all that
interested in school but the mental hospital, Bidemi is
about ten years old this year, all he does is move
around with the construction company workers , Iyi,
Ola and Eye, about seven, five and three years
respectively, they are still very young and will resume
as soon as the school is constructed, Ewa the
youngest and only daughter to Oloja from Arewa is
two years old, all she does is suck breast night and
day.
Ade has traveled to the white man’s land when he
comes back, Arewa wants Bidemi to study in the white
man’s land too, but how will he get the scholarship
now that there is no existing foundation? Arewa has
sacrificed too much for Oloja that he vulture is really
snatching her head all other wives waited behind and
enrolled their children in school at Alele, only the
young wives who followed Oloja have uneducated
children too, Arewa is burdened by her lack of
preparation for the future of these, many children, the
men cater about their many women and how to
acquire more, it is a pertinent issue that must be
discussed.
In the middle of the night, Arewa knocked at Oloja’s
door, it is not the usual norm, Oloja has the right to
knock on his wives door not the other way round,
“Who is that?” Oloja shouted
Arewa greeted and opened the door
“What is the problem?, very unusual of you”
“Because I have a very unusual problem” and she
burst into tears, “Oloja I left all and followed you, what
will be my gain? My children are not in school and the
whites are taking over the land and the government”
Oloja laughed, who is furnishing you with information?
Is that why you are looking so distressed and crying
like a woman whose husband has run away? I
attended school at the age of forty five.
“No my Lord, your school is not in order to be a
teacher but to learn how to read and write, the men in
whites are professionals in their own fields of studies,
they read big books, they are different from my lord,
Arewa do you want your children to return to Ale and
enroll in schools, yes my lord I will appreciate that; Ale
has sent his emissaries to solicit my friendship and
loyalty, I intended remaining in Oja for the rest of my
days, I have seen a lot in life but I am persuaded of a
fact that I prospered when I lived in my source, it is
like a river that had a source but forget to
acknowledge the source the water dries up , my
ancestors forgot their root that was why allele had the
impunity to send me on exile you support made me
move far, I would have lured in those neighbouring
villages there nine years , but with you by my side I
decide to move far away after making up my mind to
succeed, Arewa you are so good to me I prospered
and there are no barren woman in my land , by next
year , you can move with the children to ale to start
school, there are no school in ado and I do not know if
any in Bini but ale had the opportunity because he
attend school among the white and he reads their
Bible.

They were convinced that he has repented and

accepted the religion but all Ale did in order to secure
the white men’s confidence I will not reveal any of
Ale’ s secret he meant evil for me but god has turned
it to good, there was a sudden loud noise in the yard,
Arewa ran out of the room it was Kiki,” why the noise
Kiki” Arewa shouted.
Kiki ran towards Arewa carrying Ewa, which is the little
daughter of Arewa, she was looking consistently
upward, eyes wide open but not blinking, Arewa
snatched Ewa from Kiki and ran into the kitchen, she
put some salt that was placed in a coconut shell into
her month, she brought out a very big water yam and
cut it into two equal parts there was a feather on the
wall it was one long peacock feather, Arewa dipped
the feather into the halt of the water yam she recited
incantation and Ewa came back to life, she handed the
child to Kiki, who has been so close and also a fast
learner that understands her better than any
apprentices.
Kiki took the child inside their mother’s bedroom and
placed her on the pavement-like bed, she was
watching as the girl dozed off, her mother cannot stop
to amaze her, and she hopes to learn all the tricks
before she passed on to the great beyond, it takes
patience because no one can learn and succeed
except the teacher willingly transfer the power to the
learner. Teachers must be willing to transfer the
knowledge before education can have a genuine
impact on the student; she lay beside her sister and
dozed off too.
Arewa cannot stop to wonder about women who
allowed their children to pass through the same agony
and sadness they went through, though they
professed to love their children. Kiki is nineteen and
everyone in the town has been complaining about the
lateness in marriage although no one dare say it in
Arewa’s presence, women revered her but behind her,
they say all sorts of things. Arewa wants Kiki to marry
a man that would appreciate her, love fades away but
appreciation lasts in the setting here, when a man
appreciates a woman, the relationship can last
throughout their lives but men can love fifty men at a
time. Arewa is always composed about the word
“love” because the term used for “love” is intent,
when a man says, “I love your intents”, she begins to
wonder if that man could love every woman’s intents
when the intention of a woman’s heart is varied and
diverse. Arewa cannot understand men, why will Oloja
left his virgins and followed a two time widow, till date
nobody believes that Arewa did not use a charm on
Oloja, whereas Arewa is knows that secretly, she
admired Oloja because of reading and writing, though
Ale can read and write but his cunning nature made
Arewa detest him. Kiki’s husband should be able to
read and write so that Kiki will be opportune to visit
the government’s quarters.
Arewa went into her room. Kiki was sleeping at
the edge of Arewa’s bed, is this watching over Ewa?,
she smiled, Ewa has passed over the seizure, she
tapped Kiki, “go and bring your mat , spread it on the
floor here and sleep”. Kiki wanted to ask Arewa how
she did the water yam incantation but it was stuck in
her mouth, at times she wonders if the relationship
between Arewa and herself is that of a mother and
child or an apprentice and a master. She went to a
corner of the room brought a mat and spread, she laid
them thinking about the evening’s drama again.

Arewa laid beside Ewa, she knew it was cold-

earth, Ewa loved playing at the backyard, she needs
warmth, Oloja spoke as he walked into the room, what
of the child? She is sleeping my Lord, she is safe and
sound. Arewa, see me in my room at cockcrow, yes
my Lord she responded. Arewa recounted the
discussion with Oloja to Kiki, Yes mother it is better to
allow the children to enroll at Alele, I have truly
missed my friend at grandmother’s place but at times
I wish we do not leave Oja. Ale is a wicked king,
everybody is afraid of him, Ale is not wicked Kiki, he is
afraid of failure and rejection and most people do not
know that rejection begets rejection, if he accepts all,
nobody would reject him, so also is he afraid of all,
that one day we will jointly send him on exile too, he
nurses his own fears too; can anybody send Ale from
his father’s throne?, it is a right, he Is the only king
who can read and write in the district and there are
three ruling houses, it is turn by turn, nothing is
impossible.

Oloja is well respected in Alele than Ale, his

education has taken a better part of his reasoning. If
Oloja can read and write and still continues the cordial
relationship he had with his people how much more a
king that is well respected and enthroned to care of
his subject we are all rags to him, the gods are angry
with Ale, he has punished a just man.

It was the beginning of Oloja’s ninth year in

exile, although the Missionaries have started their
school but it was skeletal, Arewa enrolled her three
sons in the school, Bidemi; Oloja’s first son from Arewa
refused to be enrolled in school, he preferred working
with the construction workers, Arewa was worried ,
how will her son become a carpenter? Oloja did not
help matters, Bidemi should be allowed to learn
whatever he chooses, education is a lifelong activity, it
could be achieved at any stage in life. Arewa wanted
her children to be able to read and write, she has been
cheated times without number because of her inability
to speak the white man’s language, she would
continue to persuade him. Oloja wanted till towards
the end of the year to move, it was an en masse plan
but it has always been at the back of his mind to
shuttle between Alele and Oja, he intends buying a
motor car like the city people whenever he has the
money.
It was time for the annual festival of Alele, the king
sends ‘aroko’ message to Oloja to attend the year’s
festival, the peace seekers were all in china white,
they arrived in Amex.

The children playing at the village square were

the first set of people to see them, they fled into the
palace, and Oloja was told that the men in white were
around; they were ushered in again, entertained and
after series of discussion, they explained what brought
them again, this time he was informed that Ale wants
him to return with the council of chiefs because it was
yam festival celebration. “My fellow chiefs”, Oloja
began, “I am grateful for all your efforts, I have not
participated for eight consecutive years yet the
festival was successfully organized this year too, you
can always repeat what was done last year, kindly
explain to Ale that I will have to meet with the elders
of Oja, Alado and my household before taking any
decision, I do not act alone, even if my household
agrees, I will find a way of reaching a cordial
agreement with the elders of Oja, they have
accommodated me and made me their king without
any vote because my ancestors were the first Oloja in
Bini region”.
The high chiefs were not happy about Oloja’s decision
but they knew Oloja’s precept, he loves to consult
others, even when he was in Oja, he allowed others to
share opinion before reaching a consensus, he started
divide and rule unlike Ale whose words were law, it
always looks like Oloja read the good parts of the
book while Ale read the back of the book, maybe it
was not the white man’s education that made him a
dictator. A drunkard will always get drunk with the
issues he is nursing; Oloja is a better ruler though not
the king.

The men in white from Ale agreed with Oloja,

they promised to come back in seven days, Oloja
instructed Arewa to prepare a big hall where the they
would pass the night, the high chiefs conversed
throughout the better part of the night, they slept at
the wee hours of the morning, if Oloja were to be the
paramount ruler of Alele, may be the development of
Oja would be in Alele, the town has become a grave
yard, Ale pretends not to bother, he reads his papers
all day long, there were no organized court on market
days, every village head had learnt how to manage
issues without interference from Ale, who is too busy
with his new found love; politics, now nobody dares
inform him about issues or score to settle, he has
“better things to do with his time”, that is his usual
phrase to any question.

Oloja saw them off the following morning and paid the
driver the transport fare.

The chiefs who visited Oloja narrated Oloja’s approach

to the issue at hand, although he did not send them
on errands Ale nodded without any utterances. The
chiefs left in silence, Ale was engrossed in thoughts,
for these past years, he has found governing his
people tedious, until Oloja went into exile, did he knew
his impact in governance, Oloja has always been his
right hand man, not cordial but he relieved him of his
burden of these people, the high chiefs are all
hypocrites, only Akowa is close and majorly because
of the gratifications he is entitled to that others are
not aware of, the high chiefs are entitled to a monthly
allowance but none of them is aware of this , all they
have are the villages shared, that is enough.

This yam festival would be different, Ale has ordered a

new car, he would be the first king to celebrate in a
car, no king has ever owned a car in the region, it was
the day it would be his turn to dance round the town
that he would bring his car into the town, thank God
for the construction of the road to Oja, he would direct
his people to work on the road, they would level the
twenty five kilometers that leads to the town.
Hundreds of men can do that within weeks.

Oloja has been meeting with Oja council of

elders deliberating on the issue of returning to Oja,
they all think otherwise, Ale is only interested in the
new development of Oja, and he wants it replicated in
Ale but the gods are on Oja’s side. The construction of
Africa Regional Research Center has brought a huge
development into the town, it metamorphosed from a
hamlet to a mega city in months, nearly all the
inhabitants of Ale and the neighbouring villages
migrated to Oja, although livelihood became
expensive a little bit but it cannot be compared to the
infrastructural development, the research center was
built like a mighty edifice, it is in form of a college with
hostels.

Oloja is convinced that Ale wanted him to return

because of the people’s attitude, he knew how many
families that relocated to Oja since the construction of
the road last year, the more Oja is receiving Ale’s
descendent the less population of Ale. All of the able
bodied youth from Ale have joined the construction
teams, some of them are learning to speak English
language in bits. No one can reach unto excellence
one tongue; English language has really opened doors
for Oloja.

After several days of consultative meetings with the

elders, they all agreed that Oloja would live in Oja
from the beginning of every year till the middle of the
year while he would always return to Ale after six
months, this means that six months here, six months
there. Oloja is truly convinced that Oja shows love
while his return to Ale is for a reason best known to
him, he does not want his ancestral stool to remain
forever vacant in Ale, his ancestors came to Ale when
his brothers waged a war against them, it is always
better to know somebody somewhere even on the
road to heaven. He told is brothers of his intention to
buy a car, he has enough money and Arewa saving all
her earnings received through the research centre, all
the Aghon tree in the bush were sold to them, they
have started planting the tree, Aghon is a very
medicinal herb, only the gods know the composition
that made it so potent.

The elders were not surprised at Oloja’s wish, he

deserved it, their descendant would be the first man
to own a car, the car’s construction team has been
frequent in Oloja’s palace may be that was their
reason for those by deliberation after every close of
the day, but Arewa is always entertaining them, the
construction workers make it a duty to always eat at
Oloja’s palace but most of the time, Arewa’s
attendants are seen with loads of yam while coming
from the workers camp, the workers were all like
Arewa’s children, the white volunteers do not sleep in
Oja, they always give instructions while the black
engineers would carry out the order.

There is a particular engineer from Oyo who is

interested in Kiki, Arewa is aware of his way of
watching over Kiki, that is why she truly wants Kiki to
relocate, an Ale indigene will be better, Kiki cannot go
that far, I will choose a good young man, this has
always been a source of concern to Arewa, all the
choice her parents made were not good, it was only
the current Oloja that was better and she has rejected
his advances. Arewa was slicing tubers of yam into a
big pot, the slices were very big and she wouldn’t peel
the yam. Kiki and some of the kitchen assistants were
on hand to assist her, this has always being their habit
these past nine years. Their main meal daily was
pounded yam wiyh either melon or okra, Arewa is a
good cook. Oloja’s food is served in a breakable plate
while the rest is wrapped in leaves for everyone to
pick, the construction workers’ portion are served at
the large hall at the entrance of the palace, it has
been Oloja’s instruction since the construction work
started and sometimes the construction company
supplies Arewa with tubers of yam.

Oloja has barns prepared and permanently supplied

by the council of elders with all sorts of food stuff ever
since Alado introduced Oloja to them, Oloja has truly
enjoyed Oja, a descendant comes to market. Oloja has
given the leader of the construction team the money
to purchase a brand new car, he has travelled to the
capital city, this is part of his preparation plan for
returning to Oja, he knew he would never be the same
again, he has learnt his lessons, nobody is
trustworthy, even his friend Akowa, when he was sent
on an exile, he gave his daughter in marriage to Ale,
all the same he was not even interested in the girl,
Arewa would not accept his advances on time, he has
spent too much time on wooing Arewa, lots of water
has passed under the bridge, part of it was Akowa’s
daughter and ever since Arewa moved into Oloja’s
palace no other woman has been able to impress
Oloja.

Oloja is still a very young a man although he is above

sixty he can still marry a girl of fourteen, a man does
not grow old, it is women who is like a flower in the
evening it whither, may be later, he would find a
young girl to relive Arewa of all the stress but not yet
marrying a woman is not a problem, feeding the
children is the woman’s responsibility, it is only the
king who can feed his children because they are being
fed by his subject, but every other household it is the
women that tills the land, cultivate and harvest to feed
the husband and children, men have cocoa and kernel
and the proceeds from the products are spent on
acquiring wives and celebrating the burials of
relations.

It was when Oloja became educated and could read

the Bible that he learn the cliché “a man who cannot
provide for his house is worse than an infidel” he has
changed his orientation, he would call the children to
share tubers of yam among the women to each
according to the number of children, but ten tubers is
the least for the barren or those who are yet to deliver
a child. This is his weekly distribution in a land where
there are no varieties of food.

Oloja has never felt bad for marrying thirty wives but
ever since he married Arewa it seems as if that
insatiable urge for more wives has been satisfied. She
has filled a vacuum that only a good mother or friend
can occupy.
The preparation towards the return from exile
commenced with the driving into the market square of
a black car from Oyo by the Engineer, it was exactly
the type Oloja saw at the Government house, the color
is also the same it was an achievement, Oloja has
never thought of it in his life, he was overjoyed, for
days the car was packed at the spot, villagers
travelled from neighboring villages to have a glimpse
and if privileged touch the car, it was celebration
galore every day, libations were poured to bar
accident whenever the car is on the road, news fly like
a bird, in no time Alele villagers were travelling to Oja
while others send congratulatory messages, the lame
begged those who have legs to carry them, it is a fete
that has not crossed the heart of any man in the
district, Oloja became a reference point in the Western
region.
CHAPTER 9

It is time to leave, this is a new beginning, he has

learnt his lessons in the hard way, but to be realistic
Oloja’s knows that he has never relied or believes in
Ale, but with his experience now, he knows that he
must thread softly.

The wives packed their bags and baggage, moved

some belongings in Amex, the whole villager came out
weeping as if Oloja has died, he reiterated the fact
that he will always come over to spend some months
in Oja every year but no one seems to believe him, he
will be greatly missed, especially Arewa who has
become a demi-god, saving women and children.

Arewa was afraid of Ale, she prevented Oloja from

sending a servant ahead to announce his
homecoming, so the journey was kept secret from
everyone in Ale. The journey took the whole day and
they arrived at night, the village was deserted and it
was ascribed to the time of their arrival. He settled
down and sent for some High chiefs that he was back,
he was embraced by his friends and a meeting was
immediately slated for the next day. He must be
reinstalled and all the necessary sacrifices must be
made.

Oloja was curious about the number of the people and

he was told that like a broom everyone left one after
the other.

Iyale was in charge of the palace, she was not

informed about the return but she knew that it was
time for Oloja to return to his stool, she had made
adequate preparation for her husband. She ordered
for double portion of cow dung for rubbing the walls
and the burial ground, the children has grown older
and happier to return home.

The only significant information about Ale was offered

by Yoyo, throughout Oloja’s sojourn in Oja, Yoyo was
the only man in his palace who never sleeps, slumbers
or move aimlessly around, he was loyal to Oloja as he
was to his father, he did not for once travel to Oja to
see him but report reaching them was that Yoyo was
the most loyal of every living being left behind. Oloja
promised himself to give Yoyo a befitting burial after
death and to continue to feed him.

Yoyo was waiting for Oloja too, immediately he

freshened up, and after the usual exchange of
pleasantries, he called him aside and expatiate on the
new game in Alele, “it is called Ibo” yoyo said “the Ale
is the initiator and as they told us, it will opened doors
of opportunities and we will begin to rule ourselves,
but how many people will remain to be ruled after the
war, is what has eluded me” he revealed.

Oloja breathe heavily “It is killing and it has scattered

the people, it is the game of money and blood, it is
strange in our land”

“Yes” Yoyo cuts Oloja “the visitors come only in the

night and they move with money, uncountable in
bags, it takes determination not to be swept away
with the new trend, I will advise you to take your time
before you join the game of death, he concluded

Oloja smiled and replied” I have heard about the game

in Bini but the people over there are cautious, the king
is not interested in blood money”
“Allele is more than interested” Yoyo revealed it is
another unending source of income to his family” yoyo
continued

“But what are the chiefs’ doing about it? I heard that
royal fathers are not party partisan”

“No matter how bad it is, there will always be a

follower”

So he has supporters? Oloja asked

“Especially in Akowa”

“do you mean my friend”? Oloja asked

No I mean your enemy” Yoyo said because with that

man as your friend, you need no look further for
enemy”

Oloja was confused; the last straw that will break him
is the news disorganized council of chiefs and elders.

“There are lots to discuss, but not now, that is why I

asked you to be cautious, our people say, if sunsets in
your presence, it will be easy for you to move around
but wherever you arrived at night, thread softly, it is
night here my Lord, you are welcome once again”
Yoyo prostrated and left without looking back
Oloja could not stand from his seat; he did not know
who to trust or how to make enquiry but no son should
be afraid of his father’s house, he decided to wait for
the decisions and steps to be taken by high chiefs, no
matter how bad it is there is always someone
somewhere supporting you.

The news of Oloja’s return flies like wildfire in

harmattan, as early as cockcrow, visitors were
trooping into his palace, he was overwhelmed by the
people’s affection, women were cursing Ale for taking
such a drastic decision without consultation, but Oloja
refused to reveal the reason for his excommunication.

By noon, the council of elders and High chiefs have

sent emissary to Oloja, he must meet them
immediately. There was a crucial meeting slated for
the following day although, Oloja was confused about
the outcome of his return but he made u p his mind to
speak out if it comes to the worst, because with his
money generated from Ibo, he can afford to buy over
his chiefs except if conscience can still be relied upon.

Oloja invited, Arewa into his room both the high and
low chiefs converged at the King’s palace to welcome
Oloja and reintegrate him back into the town. He was
the first Oloja sent on exile and it brought a huge
setback to the community, it has now become an
agreed fact that the gods were in support of Oloja,
they are impartial, Oloja prospers and Ale dwindles,
crucial step must be taken as nobody is above the law.

The chiefs demanded for explanation as to why Oloja

was sent on exile, Ale was petrified as the effrontery
of his subjects to confront him on deeds done in
secrecy nine years ago; in a jiffy every high chief
brought out the horn of cows from their pocket, it was
wrapped in red rag and surrounded with cowries, each
chief dropped the charm and started incantation, Oloja
was surprised at the turn of event, Ale was visibly
shaken, at the audacity of these uneducated men,
Oloja prostrated, he has never remembered when it
was the last time he had prostrated for any one, may
be for his father but never to his mother, he pleaded
with the high chiefs but they were perturbed, but they
refused to be placated.

Ale accused Oloja of conspiracy with the white men

who stopped paying the students school fees and
scholarship for the best students, but the high chiefs
said that they have travelled far and near consulting
powerful herbalist as regards the dwindling fortune of
Ale and when they consulted oracle, the result shows
that there is a citizen who is a saint but suffering in a
strange land, the right hand chief of Ale said “we
planted seed, the seeds withered before inception, the
market became a desert, rats stopped sounding like
rats and birds stopped singing like birds, every thing
turned upside down and all you do is read the daily
newspaper”

Ale was stupefied, he was the sole ruler, how come

the team of high chiefs could be so bold to address
him in this manner, it is unheard of, Ale is the
supreme ruler in Alele, but his chief were undaunted,
Oloja pleaded that the chiefs should pick up the
charms but to no avail, Ale turned his back and moved
slowly into his room, the high ch9isef dispersed, they
left Oloja by himself on the floor, he was trying to
pinch himself to wake up to the reality of happenings
in Alele, is it a dream? How come this bunches of
illiterates could be so bold and so united but they were
once respectful, humble that they were not even bold
enough to look at the king’s eyes. What has come up
on these men, the outcome would be so devastating
to Alele, Oloja thought as he stood up cleaned his
clothes and silently walked out of the palace.

He walked briskly out of the palace but could not get a

glimpse at the chiefs, how do they move out of the
palace, so fast, he ruminated in his mind. He
practically ran into his palace which was adjacent to
the king’s, the market was empty, and for the first
time he regrets returning to Alele.

He walked straight into Arewa’s room, he was visibly

confused as he was narrating the event incoherently,
there was nobody to confide in, her parents who
moved to Oja with her so there is no one she could
trust with correct information about the chiefs.

So nobody could possibly know what was happening,

Iyale was around through the period except on
occasions when she came to Oja for short visits,
Arewa went to Iyale’s room, knocked and opened the
gate plank to debar goats, “Iyale, it is me, she came
from an inner room to meet Arewa at the small sitting
room. What have you heard since we left. Nothing
Arewa I have been indoor, the whole place is like a
desert, the market has been suspended by the high
chiefs, only some street markets have been opened
and it was only in the night; the reason only being that
the people from far and near who come to buy farm
produce stopped coming to Ale since the construction
work began.

It is easy for them over there rather than here. Our

people now travel to Oja in Amex to sell their produce;
so nobody come selling again except little children
who sell rotten remains brought by their mothers from
Oja. Coincidentally, Oja’s market days and Ale’s day
fall in the same market day from the beginning of
time. Thank you Iyale, Arewa walked fast into her
room where she met Oloja lost in thought, he was
startled by Arewa, My Lord, Iyale was not conscious of
happenings around her, she said the people stopped
the market days when their produce were left unsold,
it started last year after the construction of the road.
Merchants from other villages and towns who used to
buy stopped coming, they diverted to Oja where there
is a tarred road, therefore market women in Ale
transported their produce to Oja in Amex not thinking
of the implication, the market was closed only at
nights with kernel lamp.

“Ah Arewa the tradition is forgotten due to road

construction, the market day must be observed, the
market could only be suspended and closed whenever
a ruler kicked the bucket and children are seen
hawking with kernel lamp. This is an abomination; a
tradition performed during death cannot be replicated
when the king is alive. What was the king watching
when all these happenings were unfolding, Alele has
really slumbered in the presence of danger”. Oloja
lamented

“My Lord let us stop pondering on akpon (Jugger

nuts)that refused to draw, let us cook okra, the
current of an ocean would not determine the
eagerness to fetch water in hurry. Solution is the next
line of action. I will visit Baba Ikoko in the evening”.
Arewa assured him

Oloja went into his room, he was soliloquizing as he

walked into the room. My ancestors, you ruled on the
throne in Ale, it is my turn , do not back out, do not
give up on Ale, I need your support to move on,
Oloja’s stool In Ale cannot be burnt, I came back to
uphold your name. he stopped talking and came out of
the room, he walked slowly into the hall where his
predecessors were buried, all the graves were well
painted with cow dung, he moved turn by turn and
spoke on each eight graves in the hall, calling the
interred by names.

Education has really taken its toll on Oloja but not

affected the tradition, since a stream that forgets its
source would dry up was his adage. After saluting his
elders he went into his large hall and sat on his stool.
“Arewa, Arewa”, he called but Arewa was not around,
Iyale came into the hall, “Arewa has gone to the
backyard to resettle her patients, my Lord, hope there
is no problem?” she asked

“None Iyale, I am supposed to ask that question, you

were left here to cater for the remaining slaves,
children in school and this building, you should also
know that it is your duty to listen to happening s
around the town” he said.

“My Lord I am not supposed to sniffle about, I am not

concerned about what is happening in Ale, my
problem is enough, Alele is Ale’s problem.”

She moved slowly away.

“call Arewa please Iyale” Oloja said.

Women have the brain of a rat, he wondered why

happenings around a woman is not her problem but
that of the king; the comfort of a tree is the comfort of
a bird that perched on it. Arewa came into the hall,

“my Lord Iyale informed me of your intention to see

me”,

“Arewa do you know that Ale is unconcerned by the

closure of the market? The chiefs would not alert the
king, this is very bad because the king might not be
aware of the expected implications” he said

“My Lord, you worry too much about Alele, do you

have any hidden business or interest it him?. You have
prospered; the gods stood solidly behind you, sliced
white and soft yam into your cooking pot and you sit
here hovering at Ale problem. Nobody would believe
that your intention is genuine except me and how
many people will I convince?, for nine years he added
the harvest from your share of the villages to his yet
he ate and was not fattened, Akowa transferred your
wife to him, yet you were not infuriated for nine years
you sojourned in a strange land separated from your
ancestors, deserted your home, and separated from
your loved ones, still you continue to brood over his
problems”, she complained.

“Arewa, I am sane, Ale is older than me but have you

forgotten that those who use other people’s wisdom
are called the wise, Ale has not cultivated the tradition
of consultation, he forgot that his ancestors do not
take sole decision on matters, he acted alone. My
father was the sixth Oloja, he told me that other
peoples’ wisdom was what made an old man retained
his sanity, Ale needs us now than ever, to avoid rash
decision” he said
“My Lord you can convince me on many issues but
when it comes to Ale, the frog said we should leave
the issue of tail matter, if you have any more
interesting issues My Lord, I can have my seat in the
absence of any other matter, I will take my leave, I
want to cook for my household earlier so that I will be
leaving for Baba Iroko’s house”. Arewa walked away.

Oloja watched as Arewa walked away, nobody seems

interested in Ale if he could warm his way into the
hearts other high chiefs. Yam festival is next week, the
programme to round off the event ought to have
started, there are no traces of a festival, does it mean
that the chief acted alone, they were not sent by Ale
during his stay at Oja, they brought the ‘aroko’
message by themselves, what a wise counsel, a
council of intelligent chiefs neglected by an arrogant
king. Education liberates, it does not compound a
man’s problem. Oloja intends meeting the chiefs
individually, although Akowa has not visited Oloja, he
was ashamed of his deeds, If thou doeth well the gods
would have approved of you. Oloja was lost in thought
and he slept off, when he woke up he went into his
room and lay on the bed.

Late in the night Oloja walked into Arewa’s room, he

met all the children sleeping on the mat in the living
room. He maneuvered his way into Arewa’s room and
woke her, it is me follow me. Arewa stretched and
yawn; she wrapped a white woven cover cloth around
her chest and followed Oloja into his room. I met you
sleeping in your room when I came back, Arewa broke
the silence, I did not want to disturb your rest, it is
well deserved after the day’s troubles. Baba Iroko sent
his greetings that he knew you would return. The head
that would wear a crown is never buried in a strange
land. He said that the cloud of trouble is gathering, he
must make a piece offering to the gods. They have
deserted Alele and his market, the troubling cloud
would rain the rain of war but it must be sent to a
strange land. The solution is that Oloja must be indoor
for nine days, you would sow nine china clothes, each
for a day, you must not wear the cloth again, it must
be burnt, you must eat only at night, lamb and a dove
to be sacrificed daily, that rain of war must be shifted
from Ale into a far away land, it must not rain here
after nine days. You would hear the rumour of war in a
strange land, , it was meant for Ale, only Oloja can
make the sacrifice, he has fought within himself for
nine years, the land is desecrated, a cleansing is also
necessary, if not Ale would die untimely death. He is
haughty and would not listen to wise counsel. He said
that the gods are in support of you. My Lord this is
Baba Iroko’s message, she concluded.

Oloja was a bit relieved; nine days fasting must not

see the sun and remain indoor if that is the solution.
The gods are lenient we will pacify them. Arewa
walked into her room. Oloja laid on his bed counting
the number of plank used for roofing. He could not
sleep nor close his eyes. Arewa would get the china
white and the fasting would begin in three days time,
he thought of visiting all the seven chiefs in their
respective houses to consult with them on the ongoing
issue; Ale must not go into extinct. A war does not
deliver, it does not have good children, it gives birth to
death, famine, separation, blindness, hostility and
backwardness, if the chiefs and the king start the war
the villagers would be at the receiving ends.

Ale must not be destroyed in our time; he resolved to

meet the chiefs during the day. We would not
postpone it till the evening, he made it a habit not to
walk during the day because of his people who always
run to meet him, that is why he cultivated the habit of
spraying them money. It is giving back to the society
what the society has invested in his life; for years he
did not farm, the people built barns and all the villages
under his jurisdiction are mandated to rotate the
replenishing of the barns every six month none has
ever defaulted, they did it willingly and with joy, the
best he would do is to make peace among warring
factions and to spray their women and children with
coins. This he did consistently for years and his people
are always eager to meet him and call others too, may
be the king is not pleased by this attitude but he has
not told him, he was overtaken by slumber.

“The decision to fight your battle was taken by the

council of elders, therefore, I cannot renege on a joint
decision this was the left hand man of the king”.

Oloja believed that he is the first person that would

help, because he was the closest to the king. If he
would take such a strong decision, it would be futile to
continue moving from one high chief to the other.
Oloja went back home in retrospect, only few women
and children came to greet him, their joy was
indescribable, it is the market day, most of the women
have travelled to Oja, only few are left behind. Oloja
thought of a way to bring the people back, things
cannot continue this way. He would send Arewa to
Baba Iroko on how to bring the people back. He was
calling Arewa as he entered into the largest hall for
women and children, Arewa met him at the stage
where he attends to strangers, he sat on his stool, the
slaves turned children walked away gathered afar off
at the entrance of the hall. Arewa sat beside him.
“Arewa, you will meet with Baba Ikoko after the
sacrifice to consult his oracle on how to bring our
people back home”. He instructed her.

“You are bothered by a lot of problems my Lord, Baba

said we should run the race for peace first”, she said.

Arewa knew that Oloja is concerned about Alele but

she was confused on how Oloja pretended to show any
traces of knowledge of hatred Ale has towards him, “
or do you ignore the fact that he felt you are a threat
to the throne” he voiced out.

“Arewa there is only one person I am afraid of in this

life and that person is a man the gods are fighting his
battle, if the gods are my defense, do I need to bother
my head about Ale’s hatred, suspicion and misplaced
anger. I am working towards the peaceful reunion of
Ale’s indigenes in diasporas. The strange land cannot
be sweet home. Alele indigenes are scattered all over
because home is no longer home. I came happily with
my car and I cannot even drive it out for people to
behold, everybody carries long face. Love is lost in
Alele, I am sure that yam festival will not take place,
the men are supposed to be going to Telu, the
ancestral home, in the last twenty days, this was not
done. I know that the high chiefs brought the ‘aroko’
(message) on their own, it is not from the king. I am
sure that he would not even remember he supposed
to do that and the chiefs do not remind him too, it
might be a deliberate attempt to unseat him, this has
never happened before, that is why the necessary
procedures are forgotten”.

“Oloja My Lord, you are bothered about issues that

Ale felt nothing about, whatever rubs on the nose
would rub on the eyes. I will visit Baba Ikoko in ten
days time after the sacrifice”. She wanted to walk
away

“ No Arewa”, he objected, “you will meet with my

tailor, he would give you the one he has sown, tell him
to employ more hands, because I have told him that I
would pay more for the extra burden on him, I told
him to sow a complete cloth in a day”,

“I will go there now so that you would start tomorrow”

she told him.

Oloja went into his room.

CHAPTER 10

In the next nine days, Oloja was indoor, Arewa went

into the neighboring town to buy nine lambs and ten
doves; he assisted in the sacrifice and everything
Oloja eats inside the room, this he did for nine days.
He observed the fasting and the accompanied
sacrifice.

On the ninth day, all the high chiefs converged at

Oloja’s palace for an urgent meeting and they all
agreed to meet with the king the following day.

“Baba Ikoko is a good priest, my grandmother used to

make inquiry from him before she died, even when my
grandmother was to die he saw it and came to tell her
to put her house in order and in less than a week
grandmother made peace with everybody and died.
My Lord, it is well”, Arewa left the hall immediately
she informed Oloja about the news of acceptance for a
meeting.

Arewa went to his room, this is the end of the

sacrifice and even before I could eat the last meal, the
high chiefs have succumbed; it is race for peace truly.
By three p.m. all the chiefs were seated in the kings
palace, the king joined the chiefs, he was wearing a
somber look, they all exchanged pleasantries and the
kings right hand man said that the high chiefs
demanded to know Oloja’s offence. Oloja narrated the
pledge he made Ale was mandated to refute his curse,
he did and Oloja narrated the experience but he
apologized on behalf of the king, he told of how his
wine turned into needle after twelve hours and the
issue of scholarships sent to Ale by the palm kernel
merchants from England, they were not at all
surprised because Akowa who was immediately
relieved of the chieftaincy had revealed to other chiefs
how the king used to spend money when he thought
that the king would be dethroned.

Ale was ashamed, he promised to refund all the

money he spent and informed them that the white
men have decided to visit Ale now that the roads are
motor-able, the white men agreed to handpick the
best students in the overall examination instead of
sending telegrams, they will address the people too.
Ale was forgiven after much pleading from his
household members and he pledged to turn a new leaf
and fight for the course of the masses. Oloja told the
chiefs of his intention of spending six months each in
Ale and Oja every year, this idea was everyone
applauded since they knew that the Black Regional
Research Center was built by in Oja because of Arewa
and Oloja, they will love to monitor the progress of the
project. Everyone apologized to Oloja for not being
able to take any cogent decision for nine years, it was
due to lack of information and later on misinformation
and distortion of the truth of the matter, he was
congratulated on his achievements, his cars and the
express road, the chiefs showed Oloja the newspaper
brought from the city that shows Oloja’s many
achievements despite the odds.

He thanked all of them for their joint effort in bringing

him back to his fathers throne, he also thanked the
king for the scholarship awarded to his son to study
Vet medicine some years back, the boy would
graduate soon; Oloja was the happiest men among
them, peace has been restored and the issue of
market, Baba Iroko would tell him what to do. The
chiefs told Oloja of their decisions to cancel the new
yam’s festival the people are scattered all over and it
is for children and women who else enjoys the
festival?, the men perform the women and children
are spectators. This is the first time in history that
yam festival was cancelled only when a king has
passed away the death remains unannounced if it is
during the festival period nobody is allowed to be
buried during the festival, may the gods continue to
support all our action was Oloja prayers as he took his
leave. The king told Oloja to meet him at the
museums the next day, Oloja is convinced that Ale is
aware of the fact that all is not well with the land.

The king told Oloja to meet him at the museum the

next day, Oloja is certain that the king is aware of the
fact that all is afraid of him that is why the venue is
the museum. It is an open and neutral place where
others are always hanging around. Oloja has decided
never to have any cordial relationship with him again,
he is a dangerous man.

The low chiefs were patiently waiting for Oloja, the

meeting took so long but they refused to eat the meal
Oloja’s wives served, they were not present because
of wining and dining, this is a serious issue. He walked
into their midst, they were overjoyed, he was praised
and the men sang beating the animal’s hide, they
were made into the shape of a hand fan, it served
dual purposes, as a musical object and as a hand fan.
It was celebration galore. Oloja narrated what led to
his being sent to the exile and the event that took
place in England. They were in support of Oloja but
they rebuke him for pledging to abide by such order,
but Oloja told them that Ale is supreme

Chief Ojo had died the previous year, he was not

present among his members and his first son
represented him, he was always In the palace, he
waited for Oloja , he would be in the palace
throughout the day, he only goes to sleep in his
house at night. Oloja was grateful to all for standing by
him, their love for him he said made him return, their
double support kept him alive, nearly all the chiefs
visited him in exile, it shows that they supported him
even when he refused to reveal his reasons for being
banished.

The chiefs eat in silence as Oloja and Arewa discussed

the outcome of the meeting with high chiefs and Ale.
She later told Oloja that she would visit Baba Iroko
concerning the progress of Ale market. The meeting at
Oloja‘s palace was rounded off without the score
settling session, this was postponed till next meeting.
Arewa went to visit Baba Iroko, and narrated the
outcome of the meeting. Baba Iroko informed Arewa
that Oloja should be patient, in order to avert the
sacrifice of his joy for the market, a sinner cannot go
unpunished. Arewa was afraid; he vowed to dissuade
Oloja from going further on Alele’s issue. Oloja was
even afraid of the message, to sacrifice his joy from
the market, he washed his hands off from the matter.
The museum is at the town hall. Oloja went in his car.
One his men who learnt driving from the engineer
drove into the museum. All the children around were
running after the car.

Oloja parked and went into the museum. Women and

children were standing afar watching the car, in no
time Ale’s emissaries came to deliver his message
that he should meet him at the entrance of his palace.
He drove back into his palace and walked down into
the palace. He met the king at his gate, he was lying
on a carved chair, it was the shape of a canoe, he
stretched out, Oloja greeted him “may your reign be
prolonged by our ancestors” and he sat beside Ale on
a reserved chair, “I could not meet you as already
planned because of the spectators around your car
that is why I sent for you Oloja, I called you because I
want to purchase a type of your car, that was my plan
for the yam festival, the twenty five miles cleared to
the express was deliberately done for the car but I did
not know who to trust with such a huge amount of
money. Now that you are around I decided to inform
you so that you can consult to assist you”.

Oloja explained to him that it was the construction

Engineer at Oja that assisted him and he promised Ale
to contact the Engineer.

Oloja made good his promise, the Oyo Engineer came

to Ale, Oloja informed him of the reason the engineer
requested a favor from Oloja which he agreed to think
about. Within one week the exact type of Benz was
drove into Alele by the engineer from Oyo, Ale was
overjoyed Engineer met with Oloja and he sent a
servant to inform Arewa to join them in the palace.
Arewa was informed of Oloja’s intention to marry Kiki.
Arewa wanted Kiki to be married but not to a stranger,
a man who does not understand Ale’s dialect. Oloja
convinced Arewa and the marriage plan was
arranged. The engineer went to Oyo, his people were
invited for the introduction. It was a night before the
ceremony that Kiki was informed, she was not
surprised, she knew it was pass her time, her mates
are married with children but she had always loved a
man who could read and write from the city.

The ceremony for the marriage proper was fixed for

the twelfth month. Kiki was happy although she did
not know his behavior but she knew he could read and
write. Kiki cannot read and write but she could weave
cloth and cure convulsion, barrenness and madness if
their sicknesses were not sent by the gods. Almost all
of her mates go around with their husbands to farms,
Kiki would travel with her husband to the city. Kiki was
overjoyed. Arewa was making the necessary
preparations toward the marriage ceremony. All the
people from Oyo were invited and also friends from
Ale. Kiki is Oloja’s niece and Arewa daughter too, he
has the right to give her hand to whosoever he likes.
Kiki has no right of choice. She cannot reject their
decision but was happy the man could read and write.

The marriage was fixed for Christmas festival. The

engineer’s family members came from Oyo, they were
happy to meet Kiki, they have pleaded with engineer
to get married, for years his education has entered his
head and could not reason like a normal man any
longer. Kiki was both happy and confused on her
wedding day. When it was time to leave she cried like
a baby. Arewa too wept and Kiki was taken to Oyo.
Bidemi followed the engineer to work on the
construction site.
Ade is expected to return to the western region as it is
expected of every student on scholarship to work for
the fatherland but Ale conspired with his children to
migrate to other countries instead of coming home.
The children never return to the region. May be they
visit the palace at night, Oloja knew that Ade would
come home. His children were brought up to put
other first. Just as expected Ade arrived, he was met
at the seaport by the cultural troupe of Ale. The party
went on for days. He was posted to work with the
district health officer. In no time he settled among his
people but he lived at the quarters built at the back of
the dispensary. Oloja is very proud of him, his coming
home has really exposed what Ale has been involved
in and that sons of the soil were at one time or the
other sent from England to assist in the development
of Alele. It would have gone a long way to enhance
rural development.

Ale’s car has really enhanced his status. He sends

driver to pick his friends with his car and times without
number visitors were seen at the local museum.

Politics was now the reigning thing. Royal fathers were

not exempted but Alele’s attitude to politics was
nothing to write home about. He was more than
involved, nobody could warn Ale, his visitors were
either contestants or political thugs. He became rich
and popular to the extent that a contestant from the
North awarded the road contract to Ale to some
engineers.

The road project covers twenty five miles and they

completed the project within four months, this singular
accomplishment brought tremendous joy to the
people. They became involved in politics too, within a
short period of time, politics of bitterness and
confusion reign and brother became suspicious of
brother. Politics became a do or die affair. The high
chiefs were incapable of controlling the affairs. They
became divided some went with the local rulers while
others accepted the western, Oloja remained neutral,
he has some money from the Africa research. These
salaries for himself and Arewa were enough to live on
couple with the harvest from the entire village, Politics
was a game everyone regretted its incursion into the
western region. It was a game set by the devil to
destroy humanity especially those who could only
understand the politics of money; they easily
forget the magic of confusion. It was during this period
that Oloja got the whites, utilized the opportunity to
get the king’s to their sides, it was a thing no one
could forget easily.

It was around noon on a market day when the

government’s messenger came with a letter for the
person in charge of pigs and patients; they were all
crammed together at a stinking backyard. The woman
is under arrest. Arewa was called upon and she agreed
to follow the government official. Oloja came out on
time and instructed Arewa to go into her room. It is his
backyard and the writer of the letter is his son. He has
spent his money to buy wind, he will surely be dazed
by the effect of the wind.

He was arrested and kept inside a room at the back of

the dispensary.

He would soon be summoned for endangering

patient’s lives, creating a nuisance in the community.
The pigs were playing with the children and outbreak
of cholera are imminent. Oloja smiled he has rare pigs
all his life. If Ade is about to a stop to that, not with a
warrant of arrest, Ade is his mother’s son. He has
eaten his mother’s intestine. He was detained till the
evening time, when Ale heard of it, he summoned the
district health officer and had Oloja released. Arewa
showed her indignation to Ade’s mother. It was Ade’s
duty to sanitize Ale land and he started from his
father’s house.

Upon release, he moved all the pigs to one of the

villages in the outskirts of Alele but deep within Oloja,
he still wonder why his son refused to visit him at Oja,
he went with the king notwithstanding the humiliation
his father suffered in his hands, he believed his son
was bought over with the scholarship of Ale. His
travelling was used to pacify Iyale that is why she
became a bat in the matter between her husband and
his son’s sponsor but the last straw that broke the
camel’s back is Ade effrontery to arrest him because
he rear pigs in his backyard.

Although, the health officer later on ordered Arewa to

relocate the mentally deranged people to a neutral
location, because of this issue, Oloja sent a letter to
the regional headquarters in Oyo where all actions
against Arewa was halt, the government decision must
be awaited at the end of the year when the
infrastructure is completed at Oja.

Arewa is a staff and should be treated with respect

and dignity. Some health officials are to be assigned
to assist her and also to continue learning from her.
The community health officials should create a
space for Arewa to attend to the patients, if incapable;
she should be encouraged and assisted. The officer in
charge of the district personally visited Arewa and
apologized for the unruly behavior, they were misled
by the official who visited the palace earlier in the
week.

A letter was addressed to Arewa from the regional

headquarter at Ibadan, she is expected to be at the
opening of the first phase in the building of the
research center. The letter was read to her hearing by
Oloja and the ceremony would be in a month’s time,
she would be celebrated in order to encourage others
with such potent herbs to share their knowledge with
others. Arewa is expected to grace the occasion in
company of ten other invitees. Arewa was overjoyed,
her little help rendered with others is really paying off,
the gods is not a wicked king, all she had was
achieved while working for others. She stopped
weaving of clothes and her tie and dye; she was
engrossed with getting solution to barrenness,
convulsion and madness. She was abused and given
names, she took madness out of people’s lives. She
would come back to the world again and do
humanitarian job.
She thought about many people are involved in this
same work but they reap their reward on earth just a
little effort with, the bark of a tree that was not known
became the subject of research through the healing
and of madness, whatever insults she had
experienced in the past is incomparable to the glory
expended on her, and to crown it all, she was alive to
witness this: she selected those who are to
accompany her, her husband, parents, Baba Iroko who
had been her help in time past, although all his efforts
on humanity was not acknowledged but he was an
oracle that would never charged a dime, a passion he
substitutes with farming, only a fake Ifa oracle will
demand money, the unique ones are in the deep
forest working in their farm and at the same time
taking care of the sick in the community free of all
charges.

Arewa thanked Oloja for all his supports through the

years, while others call her mama mad people, Oloja
became more loving and accommodating to her
parents.
One good turn deserves another, Oloja knows that
Arewa is the source of his new wealth the gods truly
sent her to him through this mother, who made him
promise to marry her. She was with him through thick
and thin, a source of encouragement, standing by him,
believing and convincing him that he will still return to
his father’s throne in an extraordinary way. At times,
Oloja is still confused and tend to ask himself if Arewa
is still the baby in the wood as everyone says, but she
is a good source of development which can be
replicated in other areas too especially a research
centre in Oja which he promised to discuss with the
government officials, baby in the wood or not, Arewa
is a source of good development to his life.

CHAPTER 11

Oloja moved en masse with his entourage to Oja a

week before the opening ceremony of the first phase
in the building project, hands can truly change things,
within five months everywhere has become new, Oloja
came in his car, his invitees from Alele filled two
Amex, the whole villagers went agog, Oja land is
transformed the people are very happy to see Oloja
again, this is more than the new yam festival.
Kiki’s husband was in charge of the building project
while Bidemi was everywhere; but now they left the
work to attend to Oloja.
Where is Kiki? That was Arewa’s first question
She is in Oloja’s palace making the necessary
preparations; she is a perfect wife ma Engineer replied
Arewa walked into the palace greeting everyone that
meets her, from the gate of the palace she began to
call her daughter, Kiki where are you?
Kiki came out to the open embrace of her mother, her
skin was glowing
Arewa’s question came in nine and ten, when Oloja
came in to meet them, leave the girl alone and unpack
the loads
Yes my Lord she answered, I thought the other wives
have done that
Did I marry them for you?
Kiki greeted Oloja happily and thanked him for the
choice of husband
Oloja was happy to hear the report.
Yes Kiki, when you to the market with your two eyes
opened, you will select the best items, Oloja said.
Oloja decided to spend some months in Oja, the
journey is shorter because the road construction is
completed but an urgent message came from chiefs in
Alele that Oloja must be in Alele within 24 hours, Kiki’s
husband accompanied him. The journey took hours
but they arrived in Alele.
They were met by High chiefs who were waiting for
them, Iyale brought some water for him which he
rejected until he hears the news; it was the left hand
man of the king who began the story, it was two
weeks ago, the regional government invited Ale to the
capital city, and we have not heard from him since
then, there is nothing anyone can do, we do not hear
the language and you are the generalissimo, who is
invariable the minister of defense.
Suddenly after a week, a message came from the
government that all the kings wives should vacate
the palace, the palace is now empty, which is a taboo
aside that some officials came from the capital city
today and took over the palace, we were debarred
from entering or passing through the gate, all his
queens refused to divulge any information to us
claiming that they do not know his where about, some
of them have moved to the former king’s house while
the rest has gone to their parents place. Alele is at a
crossroad, we cannot speak or understand the
language and we have waited enough that is why we
sent for you.
Oloja was visibly troubled, and demanded to know
what had transpired between the king and
government officials before it degenerated to
banishment from the palace, there was no one who
could volunteer any answer, Oloja knew that Ale had a
lot of secrets, and secret dealings, Oloja also called
the right hand chief because that is the usual Ale’s
method with politicians, he would be indoor with one
and keep the other one in his conference room all
because of money now Ale is divided. Oloja told the
High chiefs to go back home, that he would
investigate the matter and they should all come to his
palace in three days time.
When the chiefs disperse, Oloja called the Engineer,
my in-law, you will leave for Oja tomorrow, tell my
people to come back to Alele, everyone to ride in
Amex on the next market day but Arewa must arrive
tomorrow”.
Engineer entered Oja late in the night but he made
sure that he delivered Oloja’s message so that Arewa
would leave as early as possible.
She was surprised by Engineer’s explanation, now the
whole town is aware of Ale’s banishment without any
explanation, Arewa began emergency preparation and
exit from Oja,
She left as early as cockcrow, and she arrived late in
the evening, when she unpacked late at night she
must make sure that she saw Baba Iroko, the
following day. She will not forget Baba Iroko’s
chastisement for overburdening herself with so much
worry over Oloja’s matter, but with Alele’s problem
now, Oloja has been ignoring Baba’s warning. Arewa’s
visit to Baba Iroko was swift, but she had to keep calm
till the following morning, before she breaks the news,
“the gods demand for Oloja’s joy”.
He may not know the instant meaning of iroko’s words
but he is sure that he will not sacrifice his joy for Alele.
Baba Iroko said that Ale would be released but your
joy will be the sacrificial lamb, after which the gods
will confuse the language of government officials.
Oloja decided to visit Baba Iroko on his own, the
outcome of the meeting was not revealed to Arewa
but she knew that Oloja can never sacrifice his joy for
Ale to return to Alele or for peace to reign. Oloja
advised the chiefs to remain calm as they await
government verdict because according to him “after
the gods, we have the government”.

Had it been that Ale was a good king, may be the fear
from government quarters would have been a source
of concern for the High chiefs, but it is almost a case
of good riddance to bad rubbish, nobody wants an
unapproachable king
CHAPTER 12
It has been ten years since Ale left Alele, kingless, the
high chiefs took over from where he stopped nobody
missed his absence except his pretty women and
children. Peace reigns in Alele, hospital was built, the
only Psychiatric and gynecology in the region, further
training for indigenous nurses after the mandatory
formal education in schools, post office and the first
electrical pole was erected and more schools were
added, this brought further development to the
district, it was as is Ale halted further development of
the place when he was around. Although the people
were waiting for his return but the government never
allowed him to return to the throne.

In the thirteenth year of his absence, all the High

chiefs agreed to enthrone a new king instead of a
throne less palace, there are three ruling houses, but
what happens if Ale walked into their midst during the
ceremony, will the new king step aside for Ale, what if
the new and the old began to rule at the same time,
will it not tear the town apart? the town cannot afford
to live in the dark age again, education has opened
their eyes, Alele cannot be ruled by someone who can
neither read nor write, though it has never being the
criteria but the development brought about by
education cannot be quantified.
The agreement is, wait till it happens no one will die
before death arrives, after consultation from several
powerful men, Alade was enthroned, he is the second
cousin of Ale, though not educated but popular among
the people, he is a wise man, who listens and respects
elders.
After his enthronement, he inaugurated a council of
elders known as the think tank, they were his brain
box and mouth piece, nobody could believe that a
king that will listen to people can reign again, he
engaged a person l teacher through the advice of
Oloja.
Not quite long during this period, Arewa became ill, all
her herbs and Baba Iroko’s power could not save him,
the nurses and doctors did their best before she
concluded that she should be discharged. The source
of the illness could not be ascertained. Everyone stood
by Arewa.
Baba Iroko was too old to walk but he made sure that
his son makes it a point of duty to visit Arewa every
other day, when Baba Iroko knew that he could not
handle it again and cannot afford to watch Arewa go
on in pain, he sent his son to Iregun, where he
believed was the source of power, he came with a sad
message, Arewa will live but two people who are very
dear to her will die in her stead, Oloja was afraid but
he agreed, when they were in the room and everyone
thought Arewa was asleep but she was listening, she
overheard all the discussion and faced them
immediately, smiled, “two people, my loved ones or
who? thank Baba Iroko, I will send for him when I am
ready to make the sacrifice” she faced the wall.

Arewa did not rise again, the elephant fell and could
not stand again, no one knew how she did it, some
believed he behaved like a brave man, but does it
means that she has tied poison at the edge of her
wrapper, maybe she walked back into the iroko tree,
but she slept and refused to wake up. Oloja was badly
affected by her death she came she conquered, her
history cannot be erased and her character was not
tarnished, the gods actually send their children once
in a century, she has no rival in everything.

Arewa was buried like a queen she was, she slept

among the Olojas although against Oloja’s half
brothers wishes , she is the only woman and non
Oloja, she married three Oloja’s and her singular effort
brought unimaginable development to the family and
the district in general, she was buried amidst tears
and appreciation to the gods for sending a solution to
her generation, the regional research centre was
named after her, till today no one knows why Aghon
was sedative but research has further expatiated on
the potency of its leaves and tree.
Ewa was in College of Education in the Eastern part of
the nation when she was invited home, Bidemi refused
to attend school, but he did well in his carpentry work
and could speak pidgin English courtesy Engineer, he
followed him to Eko, he rented a workshop for him.
Ade came back from England where he went to study
law, Oloja has heard about his escapades, he sold
Oloja’s house which he bought with kernel proceeds in
Queensland claiming that he is the only son and girl
child has no inheritance anywhere in the black man’
land, the people are not keen about leaving Alele
because of the story about Queensland’s weather, he
came back to the country without a certificate but he
started a private business in Eko.
Oloja detected some faults in the way and manner the
white men handled the sale without contacting him,
but he knew that he is to be blamed to for writing a
letter of authority transferring all he has to Ade. He
kept it to himself since the issue will become a cord of
discord in his house especially at his demise.
Ade has always been a selfish child.
Oloja’s car has seen better days, the exhaust pipe is
exhausted, the car has disintegrated, he has been
using it for more than twenty years when an invitation
to meet the regional premier.
He sent Iyi to Ade in Eko, about the need for a car, just
to borrow his car to attend the welcome ceremony of
the Premier, Ade informed her that his family has two
cars, one for himself and the remaining one for his
wife therefore his father should search elsewhere for a
car to borrow. she had to return to Alele again without
a car to ‘shine’ although Oloja doubted Bidemi’s
capacity as a young boy just starting his life but she
insisted that they should ask Bidemi, if he can borrow
a car somewhere in the Eko for Oloja just to ‘shine’ for
a day but to Iyi’s surprise his journey back to Eko
yielded a positive result when Bidemi went to the bank
the next day, withdrew some money from his account
and bought the best available car for his father.
In addition to buying a new car, he employed and paid
a year’s salary of a driver that will accompany Iyi, she
was surprised, this is a boy who had been on his own
since the age of eight, he refused to attend any formal
school and has been accompanying the Engineer
wherever he goes ever since, Oloja cannot boast of
spending a dime on him, although he will never want
to understand anything about Ade’s income and that
Bidemi has no responsibility to shoulder, even though
he is not educated but equipped with a skill, he
believed that Arewa sent solutions to his World’s
numerous problems.
The driver drove into Alele late in the night and
packed the car in front of Oloja’s palace, Oloja went
into his room and wept that night, he knew this is a
car that belonged to Arewa, she worked for it and
deserved it, his joy is that Arewa is somewhere smiling
at the level of progress her children are making,
maybe she went to prepare a smooth road for them
who knows. Now she is in another world, a better
word where there is no madness and sickness, a good
seed bears good seed.
Oloja prayed earnestly for Bidemi while Iyi answers
amen, he would lead his contemporaries, the bell is
the loudest of all musical instruments, in the future
may crucial decisions in Ale be left for Bidemi to
decide because Bidemi turned his reproach to glory,
white clothes leads all color, Bidemi will forever lead
his contemporaries, agama lizard will never outlive
twelve moon, his enemies will not outlive next year, in
the early hours of the day, a white rooster will wake
up in the morning, shake his feathers, all its
reasoning’s faculties will come alive, may each new
morning wake your reasoning faculties, to produce
more innovative ideas, Oloja poured libations on the
floor and turned back to pray for Iyi too.
After which he turned to the wall, Arewa, you left
solution to every problem, it is only a good intuition
that can discern this, she is sleeping well. He knew
that he would be buried by her side and if heaven is
like earth then he will not marry more that Arewa, she
is satisfying, if only she would wait for him before
selecting a husband now.

The following morning, the market was literarily

shifted to Oloja’s house, no one bothered to open the
stall, the car became the subject matter in Alele.
Three high chiefs boarded Oloja’s car to the capital
city, it was such a smooth and convenient journey
unlike the Amex, Oloja brought comfort to his
generation through a joint effort of his woman, a
dedicated woman. They arrived at the government
quarters in the evening due to the condition of the
road, they were accommodated and entertained, the
last time he visited the government quarters was
when he was in exile.
The meeting was stated for the following morning so
they had to relax very early.
The High chiefs were received again the following
morning by the regional head, he revealed the
atrocities of Ale, all the secrets he had condoned and
went on exile for were told the chiefs who were
surprised that Oloja could suffer such untold hardship
and yet remains calm till today.
The palm kernel business was revealed for the first
time, how he amassed wealth through the sweat of his
people while they were working he was spending, the
government allocation to the district was unaccounted
for, even Oloja was not aware that there was any
allocation to the land, the salaries of all the chiefs
were never delivered and all he told them was that
these ones can neither read nor write, all these came
up with the new devise that they should start to
thumbprint an f he could not say they are all lepers.
Ale has been on house arrest for years now and the
government is not ready to set him free but the chiefs
should come to collect their salaries once a year, the
salary of Alade was not paid because government
thought of scrapping it due to the unfaithfulness of
some of the kings.
Oloja finds it hard to comprehend the problem of Ale,
a good name is better that silver they say but how can
a man be receiving the salaries of king and chiefs,
receiving the accrued money from the palm kernel
and utilizing all the scholarships meant for the whole
district. It is an obsession, he concluded. The chiefs
appreciated every effort of the government officials
but wondered why they kept is so secret for so long.
The regional head said that there might be outbreak of
war during that time because most people were on
edge and it caused tense atmosphere. The high chiefs
promised to keep the secret but Alade will be
informed.
No deeper meaning can be deduced from the action of
human being, man is god to man, if not how can a
man the people is feeding and worshipping at his feet
can be this cruel.
If Oloja has sacrificed his joy to bring him back to the
throne, he would have been the most miserable of all
men, where did he acquire the wisdom? The outcome
of the meeting became a midnight corpse, whatever a
mortar has covered does not see the sun.
Bidemi came home to partake in the yearly yam
festival, Oloja is very proud of his son, he told Oloja of
his intention to travel to Brazil, he had met a Brazilian
business partner who is so much interested in his job,
Oloja was shedding tears, if only Arewa can come back
to see her son. He was loved by his brothers and
sisters but envied by his half brothers, he spent two
weeks in Ale, moved freely amongst his people but
Oloja detected his love for many women, it has really
caused a setback for him and knows better that none
of his children will wear his shoes as regards his love
for numerous women.
The night prior to Bidemi’s departure, he revealed to
Ewa how one of their father’s youngest wife invited
him into a bathroom to help her rinse her back with a
sponge, and how he entered into their father’s
youngest wife, actually Oloja has lost interest in
women since he met and lost Arewa; but it was a
magnanimous atrocity. Ewa burst into tears, the
father’s wife is an insult to Oloja, acquisition of too
much women is bad, she remembered her mother’s
advise, but it is the devil’s work was Bidemi’s song.
The following morning Ewa bade Bidemi farewell. She
is now a teacher in Bini, the thought of what her
brother did infuriated Ewa but her prayer is that Oloja
will never discover before he dies.
Few months after Bidemi’s visit, its aftermath brought
about lots of animosity on the love Oloja transferred
on Arewa’s children, Bidemi impregnated Oloja’s wife,
it was depressing, Ewa who had been expecting such
repercussion visited baba Iroko who promised to
intervene on his behalf, even if Bidemi is interested in
his father’s wife, he should have allowed his father to
sleep before carrying out his intent.
Baba Iroko sent his son to Oloja, it is very unusual but
he had to respect grey hair, he visited Baba Iroko not
even aware that he is already intimated of Bidemi’s
action, Baba Iroko intervened, Oloja agreed to forgive
his son, he prayed for him in the presence of Baba
Iroko.
He reminded him that Ewa’s choice of husband must
not be disputed or disagreed upon, there must not be
any controversy about her choice. It was surprising
the following day when Baba Iroko’s son sent emissary
to Ale that his father died at night. He was well over a
century.
Oloja knew the two most important people in his life
are dead now, he became confused about the
discussion he had with Baba Iroko the day before, Ewa
must be allowed to choose her husband, her destiny
does not accept such. Also Bidemi must be confirmed
the next Oloja, this is between the king and himself,
he had to forgive him after much pleading with Baba
Iroko.
Before leaving for Brazil, Bidemi sent Engineer to Oloja
when he heard that his father’s youngest wife became
pregnant. Oloja smiled at him and said he found a
small space where Arewa dwells in his heart still.
Oloja was growing in age but his eyes were not dim,
the death of Baba Iroko and Arewa brought him back
to Roman Catholic Church as a card carrying member.
Ewa came home from her station where she teaches.
It as late in the night when she knocked Oloja’s door,
there is an important problem bothering my mind that
I will love to discuss with you, Oloja moved to sit up
but could not, Ewa quickly supported him, with pillows,
father I have a man in my life I would love to marry
him if you approve of it”
Whoever you bring home will be approved because
Baba Iroko warned that your destiny is against
controversial marriage or forceful one Oloja informed
her
“I am not sure if you will approve of him”
“Why bring a controversial man home Ewa?
“He is not controversial” father
“Then who is the lucky man?”
He is an Engineer I met in Bini, he is a white man from
England, I used to be his interpreter, he proposed to
me but I told him that it is unheard of but I will inform
you before turning him down she narrated
I will see you tomorrow Ewa, Oloja turned his back to
Ewa, he wanted to sleep away his sorrow, to step out
of this world and never to wake up again, it is neither
a taboo nor abomination but it is unheard of.
When Ewa left, Oloja sat at the edge of his bed, a
woman is like a dry leaf, the wind bloweth where it
listeth, Baba Iroko warned that Ewa must be allowed
to make her choice, though blessed with many
children; he preferred Arewa’s seeds and especially
the female.
The following day, he could neither eat nor drink but
he made up his mind to join Ewa in prayers.
Throughout the long vacation and independence
celebration Ewa was in Ale, she has grown to an exact
replica of her mother, after the long vacation she
returned to Bini to meet a letter from Mr. White, her
fiancé, it was underneath her door, the content
expressed his resignation and return to Queensland,
he was skeptical about the continuity of his contract
with the Nigerian government because the
implications of the independence was unknown
because everyone clamors for independence without a
blueprint of what will be done afterwards. Wishing Ewa
the best of luck, he bade her farewell. It was like a
dream, how come love can become sour in three
months, is it true that it is who you see every day that
you can get married to, can distance change a man’s
mind? Or has Oloja separated them, but Baba Iroko
warned him beforehand, there were questions without
answers disturbing her concentration before she took
a drastic step.

Ewa did not bother to unpack nor inquire about the

Engineer; she turned back to Alele at the Government
School. Oloja did not utter a word when Ewa told her
of her predicament in the hands of her lover, but was
elated at her choice of coming to the local school. He
encouraged Ewa to learn how to drive a car because
he could no longer drive again, but no woman has
ever driven a car in the region. Ewa began learning
with the old car which Oloja gave to her as a gift, an
opportunity opened to other children on how to learn
driving.

Alade though cannot speak the white man’s language

but he is learning from his private teacher, also he the
pays tall the chiefs’ salaries regularly and the
proceeds kernel sold were evenly shared among the
indigene.

Everyone got to know that Ale was a thief, he

remained in the city and rumor had it that he buried
his head in his books and most time he travelled out of
the country but he died a frustrated man after three
years, his children are scattered all over the world
because they were afraid to come home even for their
burial because of the fear that the indigenes may
unleash terror on them, they became foreigners in
other man’s land and aliens in their own district. His
wives became other men’s wives, as it was in the
beginning, when leaders could not protect good
names so it was for Ale.
Oloja witnessed the marriage ceremony of Ewa,
married to her former teacher in the college of
education beautifully adorned with beads, the first
Christian wedding in Oloja’s family.

He lived every day as if it would be the last but death

never came calling as he began to record wedding
ceremonies of his children and christening of his great
grandchildren, wishing Arewa will one day sit beside
him without the one minute silence that always
twinkle away even when people are on their feet for
her.
The importance of Bidemi’s homecoming is between
King Alade and Oloja, though he is now an old man
could not shuttle between Oja and Alele but Bidemi
will resume as the generalissimo because when Oloja
gets old he stops waging war.
Olutosin Oladosu-Adebowale is a poet, novelist and
activist, she speaks against corruption in high and low
places. She writes with a unique passion eschewing
violence believing that dialogue is the best method of
fighting injustice.

She was born in Owo, Ondo State in the Western part

of Nigeria on December 20, 1972. She studied English
language at the University of Lagos, B.A Ed. (1998)
and M.A English Arts in 2001.
Trained as a Citizen Journalist when she was selected
alongside thirty women from twenty two countries
who are Voices of Our Future correspondents, an
award organized by World Pulse (Portland) in 2009,
Olutosin writes on prevention of sexual violence
societal ills and the way forward.