ShortStory I Rare Metamorphosis (II)

RARE METAMORPHOSIS (II)

       When they got to their destination at that ungodly hour, everywhere was tranquil until the caged Rottweiler chose to welcome its boss with a tenderly bark. Stanley, a well-to-do bachelor, lived alone in a separate well fenced three-bedroom bungalow.

        Initially, Rita was abruptly gripped by fear, but later summoned courage since it wasn’t the first time she would be with a stranger in such secluded apartment. “You live alone here?” she tendered the moment they stepped out of the newly painted Mazda 929.

       “Yes,” quoth Stanley. “Any problem?’

       “No.” she said, shaking her roundish head that bore gorgeously retouched hairs.

        The output of the supplied power was apparently up to 220Volt, thus the overall premises were awash with luminous fluorescence, thereby making the arena seemed a bit lively and accommodating. The duo majestically walked towards the lodge’s entrance; the host slightly led the walk. In a few seconds interval, they got to the door, which was made with an impeccable metal material, and within a twinkle of an eye it was let open with one of the keys in his hand. Wow, the interior - precisely the lounge room - was magnificently but decently decorated. As the guest stepped into it, she felt at home and couldn’t stop wondering what the dude did for a living. Therein, she presumably foresaw a hot mutual tango in his supposed sexy bed, although yet to catch the sight of the point in question.

        “Please, make yourself comfortable.” He requested, sat on one of the settees.

        “What are we doing here?” she queried still standing. “Let’s go to your room naow..”

        Apparently, she couldn’t wait to unfold all the styles she was good in. It had occurred to her that a second delay might lead to unforeseen crisis.

       “Relaxed,” Stanley urged. “Won’t you freshen up?” he asserted, paused. “Besides, have you eaten?”

        She was struck by his words. He sounded so caring and lovely; hence, she calmly sat adjacent to him, consequently dropped her bogus handbag right beside the chair. “Seriously, I am hungry.” She confessed, stylishly looking away.

        He smiled. Few seconds on, he stood up and took a walk toward his cookery, never minded he was yet to undress his cute blue caftan.

       “So, he cooks too?” she thought, filled with amazement.

        Some minutes later, he returned with a plate of stewed white rice, and served her. “You were supposed to shower before the meal.” He asserted. “But, I noticed you are very hungry.”   

        She had been yawning all through since they entered the house, so an exegesis was needless. But the fascinating aspect of the scenario was that she was still eager to unleash her romantic prowess amidst the ravaging hunger.

        “Thanks for the meal,” she appreciated. “But, I don’t think the shower would be necessary.”

       “Why..?”

       “I took my bath before I left home this night.”

       “Home...?” he subconsciously said.

         To him, Rita was nothing but a harlot who wasn’t an affiliate of any home. He was of the view that she resided in the brothel where he picked her.

        “Ya, my lodge.” She responded notwithstanding the suddenness of the inquiry.

        “Well, never mind.” He pleaded. “I was carried away.” He added, resumed his seat.

        She dished out a dazzling smile as she recalled his antics thus far, and then began to devour the food which was accompanied with a glass of chilled water.

       “Please excuse me,” he said, stood up. “I need to freshen up.”

       “Alright.” She concurred.

       “Don’t forget, you still need to take a bath.” He reminded as he walked away.

        She smiled, kept taking care of the good-looking meal.

        About twenty minutes on, approximately at 12:04 midnight, both parties were done with the preliminaries, hence, were already in the bed which she couldn’t wait to embrace.

       “My money.” Rita requested, opening her left palm towards him as they separately sat on the bed.

       She was obviously abiding by the rules of the trade which didn’t tolerate payment in arrears. She was ostensibly ready to offer him the best of her wares only if he stuck to the rules.

       “Which money?” he verified albeit ignorantly.

       “Payment before service.” She informed, still kept her palm widely open.

        To her, that wasn’t an information, rather, a reminder. Of course, if the dude had been in the game, he needed not be told the general principle guiding every ‘professional’ whore.

        Stanley smiled, went to his bed drawer, brought out fifteen thousand naira (#15,000) and handed it over to her.

        “Deal!” she exclaimed, dipped the cash into her handbag that was kept beside the bed. “Now, I am all yours.” She announced cheerfully.

        They both went to bed. It was a family-sized bed, so there was enormous space for the awaited tango. Ironically, till 4:00am, Stanley was still stagnant, never cared to have his own share of the deal.

        “Why are you not moved?” Rita observed. “For your information, I am leaving by five.” She said, paused. “I can’t stay here till daybreak.”

        “Honestly, I am not in the mood.” He notified as he lay on his back.

         She hastily looked at his shorts, which he was only putting on; his cucumber appeared so docile. “How do you mean?” she said, surprised.

        “You see,” quoth Stanley. “From the moment I met you at that chalet, I understood you are different.”

         She was shocked. “How?” she managed to utter.

        “Yes, everything about you is different.” Stanley rode on. “You don’t talk like a prostitute.” He observed, took a breath. “I don’t think this is where you belong.”

         She was attentive, filled with goose bumps.

        “Please tell me,” he said. “Who are you?”

          She involuntarily began to weep.

         “You are crying?” he said, deeply confused. “Why are you crying?”

        “I am a final year student of Adape State University.” she informed amid the sobs as she equally lay on her back. “I am studying Public Administration.” She added in a jiffy.

        “Wha…t?” Stanley screamed, raised his head from the bed and looked fiercely into her eyes. “So, what led you into this?” he inquired curiously.

       “My friend, Kate.” She revealed hesitantly.

        The one I saw with you yester-night?”

        She nodded, still gasping for air.

       “Why?” he said. “I mean, how?” He added, gesticulating.

         Kate who was her schoolmate lured her into the trade few months back. Ordinarily, Rita had no reason to flirt let alone emerging as an institutional harlot, because, financially she was lacking nothing as a student and she hailed from a very decent home. Right in the bedroom, she renounced the profession in respect of Stanley’s importunate request.

         The 38-year-old bachelor had been rummaging for a marriageable lady, and therein, intriguingly, it occurred to him that he had found one. It would interest you to note that the previous day was actually the first time he would patronize a brothel; he was never addicted to such lifestyle.

         Afterwards, they started dating. Eleven weeks on, they got married. Prior to the wedding, Stanley never disclosed to anyone, not even his parents, how he met Rita. They kept the secret to themselves.  
Fascinatingly, Kate was the chief bridesmaid of the epochal occasion; she had as well repented. The happy marriage was thereafter blessed with children.

         If you were in Stanley’s shoes, would you have taken Rita to the altar? Think about it!

** The End **      

               

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Opinion I Okorocha, Obiano, and Their Fans

OKOROCHA, OBIANO, AND THEIR FANS

        

The last time I checked, the governors from Imo and Anambra states in the persons of Chief Rochas Okorocha and Chief Willie Obiano respectively, were observing what could best be described as ‘political cocktail’. A cocktail may be an alcoholic drink containing several recipes such as a Champagne cocktail, or something which is made by combining a number of different things such as a Shrimp cocktail.

         

The said cocktail was occasioned by a political talk made by Governor Okorocha during the get-together organized by the leadership of the South-East All Progressives Congress (APC) which took place in Owerri, the Imo State Capital – precisely at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) – few weeks ago. In that event, Gov. Okorocha categorically claimed or foresaw that three governors from the said zone would soon decamp to the ruling APC.

         

The governor went further to state that the APC’s leadership was going to use the forthcoming Anambra election to show that APC has arrived South-East. In an abrupt reaction to the claim, the Anambra governor, Chief Obiano having let out various tantrums concluded that Gov. Okorocha was ‘what a leader should not be’.

        

Thereafter, the Imo governor, in response to his counterpart’s reaction, challenged him through his Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemedo to publish his achievements in Anambra State while he (Okorocha) publishes his, so that, they would draw a holistic comparison right before the public. According to Gov. Okorocha, Chief Obiano had not actualized anything since he assumed duty as the governor of his state, thus did not deserve to call him names let alone ‘what a leader should not be’. He further disclosed that Chief Obiano could not withstand him when it calls for leadership prowess or accomplishments.

         

The pandemonium did not stop there. The Anambra governor continued, without much ado, from where his counterpart applied the brake. These altercations have undoubtedly generated a lot of ripples cum counter-reactions within the socio-political shores of the concerned zone (South-East) and beyond. Owing to this level of bitterness, many have paused to reason if these two governors were really in charge of sister states. One may wonder if there were personal grievances they had been nurturing prior to the emergence of the ongoing bickering.

        

It’s noteworthy that the misunderstanding, political though, had brought deep division among their respective fans. Their fans now walk round the streets cum major roads constituting social nuisance all in the name of protecting the interest of their role models. This set of fans and well-wishers had ceased to maintain decorum in their day-to-day exchange of bitterness in the public domain. Most of them, in most cases, resort to engaging in physical combat each time they presume that oral disagreement is not enough.

        

It’s pertinent to acknowledge that this critique is informed by the need to brief the ‘warring’ governors, and of course their various fans, on what they need to know as well as what is expected of them at such a time like this. Those of you whom have been following my writing style would strongly attest to the obvious fact that I don’t tender an analysis to eulogize anyone; rather, to appraise facts. In other words, I don’t write to please anybody or to satisfy his/her urge, but to speak the truth. I’ve attracted countless enemies as a result of such style of writing; on the contrary, I’ve equally gotten good and reliable friends and fans in view of that. Whatever the case might be, the point remains that I can never be deterred because I was called into this profession by the supremacy. Hence, my paramount interest is that of whom that sent me.

        

I want to begin by saying that Gov. Obiano made an overstatement. He was completely wrong by telling the general public that his counterpart was not what a leader ought to be. The statement or forecast released by Gov. Okorocha didn’t in any way call for such manner of outburst. The response wasn’t just childish but irrational. There were several other suitable ways he would have responded to the claim. After all, in politics, politicians are bound to employ sound tactics towards luring those in the opposition to their party. A politician who fails to properly market or advertise his/her goods is deeply in trouble. Read my lips.

        

Moreover, Gov. Okorocha didn’t mention the name of any particular governor in the speech. To this end, one may wonder why Gov. Obiano decided to take it personal whilst his counterparts from the other affected states – including Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi – chose to ignore the speech. Rather than reacting directly to the subject matter, Chief Obiano thought it wise to attack the personality of the speaker. That was indeed a discredit to his person.

         

However, I would have appreciated Gov. Okorocha if silence was used to reply his counterpart. I didn’t expect him to respond to such attack, which was conspicuously inconsequential. Every rational being noted the Chief Obiano’s attack as uncalled for and illogical, thus Gov. Okorocha would have considered ignoring it. In most cases, silence remains the apt and best way to address an issue, especially a very sensitive one of this kind. Sometimes, the way we react to an attack contributes in ridiculing our personality. The truth is, not every question deserves an answer, and so does an attack. Some questions, likewise attacks, are rhetorical.  

        

Even if it is not just a verbal attack but an assault, we ought to endeavour to know when to be silent and when to utter a word, since it is widely accepted that ‘two wrongs do not make a right’. As much as I appreciate Gov. Okorocha for his political uniqueness, I as well want to inform him that I was not pleased by the manner in which he handled the matter. It’s even mind-boggling when realized that the leaders in question are from neighbouring states.

         

Now, they are not the only ones involved in the lingering melodrama, but their teeming fans. My candid pity goes to those fans, because they do not comprehend the rudiments of politics; because they are yet to realize that in politics, people have to disagree to agree; because they don’t know that the two warring persons are not enemies but two staunch politicians who intended to attract the public towards their personalities; because they are not aware that the two leaders would soon reconcile in a dramatic – and perhaps interesting – way, thereby making them (the fans) seem not unlike mere morons.

         

Politics is a very funny, intriguing, but confusing profession that those who are into it are required to be very creative and inspiring toward ensuring that they remain relevant in the game. Against this backdrop, they are invariably ready to create any form of scene just to ensure that they are not found in a state of oblivion. Hence, it’s so pathetic that the onlookers or admires to this game and its players aren’t aware of the intrigue that accompanies it.

        

How can you be drinking Panadol for someone else’s headache? Stay away from their misunderstandings, for they know how to disagree as well as how and when to settle. Think about it!

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#WisdomTablets (8)

Never Rely on Public Opinion

If you are truly headed for a destination, never
you rely on public opinion over your pursuit.
Public opinion is what the people around you
- including friends, relatives, fans, colleagues
and what have you - think of you, or whatever
you look forward to achieving in the long run.

As the journey progresses, people would
continue to air their view as regards the content
of the odyssey. Welcome the views as they come
but endeavour to never allow it deter your vigour.
You must filter the views to enable your person
separate the filtrate from the residue.

Let what you stand to actualize remain your
motivator rather than depending your thrive on
what they think of the pursuit. Be focused, brave
and above all, determined. Seek for their opinion
but let it serve as a reference point, not the fanning
point. #ThinkAboutIt

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Opinion I Current Political Picture Of Imo Govt. House

CURRENT POLITICAL PICTURE OF THE IMO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

       

The last time I checked, the heat was really on at the Imo seat of power, though invisible to myopic thinkers cum viewers. As long as this critique lasts, I might be sounding weird to some persons who may find it very difficult to acknowledge where actually I’m migrating from.  
        

Whatever the case might be, it’s imperative to realize that the mindsets of the various individuals occupying the limited space of the said government house are ostensibly divided, perhaps owing to the awaited state of interregnum. To make it precise, it isn’t anymore news that 2019 would be witnessing yet another moment of power changeover in Nigeria – both at the federal and various states’ levels – and Imo State isn’t exceptional regarding the latter.

        

Lest I forget, this analysis is indirectly a continuation of that of the last two weeks on this very column entitled “If I were in Ohakim’s shoes”, which laid emphasis on the compelling need for the immediate past governor of the state – Chief Ikedi Ohakim – to embrace a rethink as regards his continuing second-term ambition. In that very piece, I unequivocally told the erstwhile governor what he needed to realize towards ensuring that he wouldn’t encounter further crisis in his keen political dream. This particular one was meant to be published penultimate week but as a result of the feat recorded by Governor Rochas Okorocha in the aviation industry, I thought it wise to keep it pending till this week.

        

Just as that edition on Chief Ohakim went, this one is mainly interested in advising the political stalwarts that belong to the present ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – in the state. This set of politicos is part and parcel of the state’s Government House at the moment, thus can be collectively referred to as persons at the helm of affairs as far as the Eastern Heartland is concerned.

        

It’s obvious that the APC is gradually gaining ground in the state and the country at large on a daily basis, thereby making the major opposition part – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – appears like a forgotten political platform. In view of this, the leadership of the party (APC) is bound to use the powers within its reach to ensure that the platform does not end up in an unpopular style at the battle field. The beginning of a certain dance style might look so stylish and very entertaining, but if apt steps are relegated to the background as the dance progresses, it may encounter a forsaken circumstance in the long run.

        

In essence, if the political personalities at the Government House refused to jettison or sacrifice personal interests for the sake of the party’s, I’m afraid the name of the party might be rebranded from APC to ‘Sorry’ when the time eventually comes. It is apparent that everyone, including Dick and Harry, wants to govern Imo come 2019, forgetting that the state isn’t one that can be controlled by a ‘boy’ when there are several qualified men lined up for the business.

         

Each time I’m about to lie in my humble bed, I do not fail to visualize what the fate of the ‘almighty’ APC would entail by 2019. Believe it or not, its primary election is liable to appear laughable if the few individuals that are currently in charge of the party failed to do a proper underground work prior to the aforesaid era. This implies that the founding members of the seeming great political forum, particularly the state’s governor Chief Okorocha, must put their acts together toward doing the needful.

        

The gubernatorial aspirants, both the relatively hidden and conspicuous ones, ought to be brought to a round-table as a family so that tangible decisions cum resolutions would be made among them. The paramount aim of the party’s leadership should be focused on how to delegate only one competent, experienced and reliable aspirant under the auspices of the party. Failure to do this early enough is tantamount to ushering in an unforeseen moment of demise of internal democracy which would surely tell on the party’s chances of victory at the awaited polls. We must note that one of the prime reasons that caused the PDP’s failure during the 2015 Presidential election was lack of internal democracy. The aforementioned factor is key to any anticipated political victory.

        

Hence, myriad of interests must be streamlined. Governor Okorocha is obviously in charge regarding the party’s leadership in the state, thus has an upper hand to do a thorough ground job. Every person’s interest is no doubt very important, but we must acknowledge that a certain interest could be more crucial than others. Against this backdrop, whosoever that would be involved in the harmonization process must jettison favouritism with a view to ensuring that only the aspirant that’s immensely wanted by the majority is anointed to bear the party’s flag.

        

One might want to know my interest in this case. The response to such intending inquiry is very simple and straightforward. The interest of the state remains mine. We must comprehend that anything that would warrant loss of internal democracy in the APC, in the future, might equally constitute societal upheaval; and such a scenario wouldn’t in any way augur well for any Imolite that means well for the state. I’m only advocating for a situation where every political element in the state won’t be deprived of whatever thing he/she might tag his/her right.

         

To this end, the current picture of the revered Government House ought to be reviewed in order to produce a more elaborate, elegant and mind-blowing one – political wise – as we continue to remain impatient towards embracing the year in question. In other words, I humbly urge the governor to become more vigilant, so that, he wouldn’t exclaim ‘Had I known’ which usually come at last. Think about it!

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Opinion I Of The Trump's Immigration Order and Its Intrigues

UNDERSTANDING THE TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION ORDER, AND ITS INTRIGUES

       

On Friday 27^th January 2017 – barely a week after assumption to duty – the current President of the United States (U.S) in the person of Mr. Donald Trump abruptly signed an Executive Order that severely restricts immigration from seven Muslim countries on any visa category including Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen as well as suspends refugee admission into the country, for 120 days. The order equally bars all Syrian refugees indefinitely.

        

According to the said leader, the ban which applies only to non-U.S citizens was not targeted at a certain religion as being presumed in most quarters; rather, it was meant to affect nations that had been potentially of great security threat to the U.S. In his words, some nations – particularly Arab – had been noted to constitute security nuisance to the U.S, thus it was high time such lingered anomaly is aptly addressed.

        

The ban implies that anyone with the U.S citizenship – whether via natural-born or naturalization – is not affected, though on Sunday January 29 the White House’s Chief of Staff Mr. Reince Preibus disclosed on NBC’s programme titled ‘Meet the Press’ that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents would have ‘discretionary authority’ to question U.S citizens coming from the seven countries.

         

The order included individuals who are permanent residents of the U.S otherwise known as the ‘Green-Card holders’, who are travelling overseas to visit their respective families or for work-related matters, although a senior administration official while drawing clarity to the order the following day informed that their applications would be considered on a case-by-case basis. He further stressed that permanent residents from the affected countries who are in the U.S would have to meet with a Consular officer before leaving the country (U.S).

        

It’s noteworthy that the order in question also targets individuals of the affected countries who hold dual citizenship with another country. For instance, a person who holds both Iranian and German citizenships, or an individual who hails from Libya and also holds Nigerian citizenship or vice-versa. But it doesn’t apply to people who hold the U.S citizenship alongside citizenship of any of the affected countries, although based on reliable reports a CBP agent can presumably interrogate such a person in regard to his/her discretion.

        

The order has been widely criticized by various legal personnel as it is being argued by several analysts that it would negatively affect the U.S trade relation with the listed countries, whilst on the contrary in some quarters, it has gained countless accolades and what have you. It has led to massive protests at several airports across the U.S where people with valid documentation were detained.

         

However, legal challenges against those detentions recorded tremendous success. Judges in four cities of the U.S to include Boston, New York, Virginia and Seattle ruled against the detention. The rulings seemed to be limited to those people already at the U.S airports or in transit as at the time the order was pronounced, thus they didn’t ostensibly say anything about the legality of the president’s action.

        

Though any president of the U.S has broad discretion under the extant law to bar a class of persons deemed detrimental to the country’s security from entering into the country within any stipulated period and Mr. Trump isn’t exempted from such immunity, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that there are a few intriguing aspects of the abrupt executive order which perhaps isn’t peculiar to the U.S.

        

Regarding the dual citizenship part of the said ban, it has been reliably gathered that the United Kingdom (U.K) is not affected. The U.K Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Boris Johnson revealed penultimate week that the U.S had assured him it didn’t apply to the U.K nationals. This significantly and amazingly implies that anyone who hails from the U.K and equally holds citizenship from any of the affected seven countries, or vice-versa, is automatically exempted from the order. One may begin to wonder why only the U.K, or probably among its likes, would enjoy such preference.

        

Similarly, it would be recalled that Saudi Arabia was the major suspect in the 9/11 terror incident that brought down the World Trade Centre situated in New York, U.S.A, which was apparently masterminded by the Late Osama bin Laden. Yet the said country was exonerated from the listed countries that pose threat to the United States’ security. How do you reconcile this? Even such countries as Pakistan and Egypt that are globally reckoned to be affiliate of some widely recognized vices were also exempted from the list.

        

While pondering over the observation, you may be of the notion that President Trump’s action was informed by mere personal interest rather than America’s. As much as I appreciate his boldness toward putting up such courageous policy – though temporarily – he must as well comprehend that an action targeted towards addressing a country’s security issues isn’t supposed to be one-sided or carried out owing to individual aim.

         

He had already stated prior to his inauguration on January 20, 2017 that him alongside his team would make America strong, proud, safe, and great again. Hence, the best we could do at the moment is to hope his reign truly means well for the highly revered U.S. Think about it!

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