My Hometown

SCENE 1 The play opens with a haunting war chant and sounds of drums, setting a sober and ominous tone. As the stage light comes up, the audience is confronted with disturbing sounds. A group of people are seen from different direction running from their prey. As they got on stage, their prey catches up with them at a close distance. The chief warrior gives a command for them to face their prey. As they approach (prey) they got engulf in a fierce battle as the two chief warriors lock horns together. Scores of dead bodies are strewn all over the stage. First woman: (sobbing) when will all this stop, they have taken my sons and husband from me. Again, I am left to mourn another wound that would last a lifetime. Our crops and farmland have been destroyed; our source of livelihood have been taken away from us. Where do I go from here, who will carter for my child? What more do I have (cries out loud) Death come and take me away. (She cries out loud). Second woman: (angry tone) they have bitten more than they can chew, they will lose all that I’ve lost too and even more. I swear on my people’s dead body, I must take vengeance for my people… Man: Our people have been fighting for so long now, I was born into this war. The old men amongst us have failed to find a lasting solution to these senseless killings. Where then should we go from here? My father use to tell me stories of a wise man that stays alone on the outskirts of the land, I think he might have answers to our questions. Villager: then what are we waiting for, lets fetch him immediately He exit the stage, LIGHT FADES SCENE 2 It’s evening, the town crier is seen with a gong passing across a message of an impending meeting Town crier: Kom! Kom! Kom! Greetings my people, the wise man from across the hill would be coming and everyone both young and old, is expected to be at the village square by sunset. (he takes the same message to other communities who were involved in the fight.) Man: I’m sure you all here are wondering why the wise man was summoned today, for a very long time we’ve had series of unanswered questions. You all will agree with me that we are tired of what has been going on between our people. My father whom I lost during one of the wars once told me of the wonders this great man (pointing at the wise man) had done in time past. Most of you will agree with me and that’s why we all accepted to be here. (to the wise man) please, what are the solutions to our predicaments? Wise man: (war parable). It’s heart-wrenching seeing you people killing each other over your differences, what has become of you? Ethnic conflict, intolerance, nepotism have brought you all to this point, where you see war and senseless death all around you. We are all one why can’t we live in peace and harmony, why not embrace your differences and see the beauty in each other’s traditions. Why? You see, the only solution to this problem is when you start seeing this person firstly as human who has blood flowing through his veins just like you, even though from different off-springs you are brothers and sisters You’ve tried war and it didn’t work; didn’t it occur to you that coming together as one could solve it? I’m sad for you all because if you don’t yield to my words, there would be more war that will eventually wipe you all out and strangers would come for your land. (While he was still talking, villagers begin to show sign of remorse) Now come together and make peace and see how fruitful your land becomes. You complain of no farmlands to plant your seeds, did you know that the boundary which belongs to the people of Odele is fertile but you don’t know about it and they themselves do not have the seeds to plant on the land, now imagine what will happen if you join hands as one. (At this moment they begin to hung each other, asking for names and other petty questions as light slowly fades). SCENE 3 (Scene is opens with a man who happens to be the Head of State sitting and holding a history book in his library) Head of State: (exclaims) Yes, this is it! If making them understand their ethnic differences and what they can achieve together could bring a resolution, then I should try and implement such into my administrative agenda especially to the current happenings in my country. The issue of cultural differences is eating us all up. This is the solution; I must call for an emergency state meeting. (He calls his secretary (Odulemisi): Odulemisi Odulemi: (walks in) Yes sir. Head of state: Schedule an emergency meeting with the generals (he walks out). Light fades out. SCENE 4 Opens with a group of Generals representing different states having an intense argument General Ojorinde: General Chukwuemeka, your orders and tribalistic brothers are the major incitement of this civil war. General Chukwuemeka: I disagree, you don’t throw a shot when you don’t have a proof Head of State: I didn’t call for this meeting because I wanted you all to come and be at loggerheads with one another, rather to find a lasting solution to our woes. Therefore, I convened this meeting because I think I have found a possible solution (the atmosphere suddenly becomes quiet as they all turn their attention towards the Head of State) We all know that our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, they represent the future and have the potential to make a significant impact in our society. This calls for a new approach and a fresh perspective. So, I am making it compulsory that they must serve our nation compulsory for one year by going to another state to learn their culture and know what it means to live in oneness void of cultural indifferences, tribalism, nepotism and religious intolerance. General Shuaibu: Could this work? General Ojorinde: Of course, I see possibilities in this. Our differences instead of binding us together, seems to be setting us apart. Sending our youths to other regions of the country will help a great deal in coping this menace ravaging our nation and we must act fast. Head of State: To this effect, a decree is now passed into law. Every graduate below 30 years of age will be mandated to serve the nation for a period of one year in a different region other than that of his origin. (to odulemisi) release a press statement immediately informing the nation of this new decree. (They all rise as the Head of State makes his way out.) SCENE 5 The orientation course has just ended, Corps members are seen carrying their luggage as they head to their respective places of primary assignment. Towards the end of the stage, are two friends approaching. Behind their back is another friend who is trying to catch up with them. ENE: My entire life has been in Benue State, I have now been posted to a region that I only hear about on radio. I’m just imagining how life would look like been far away from home now. EBUKA: Not just you, I’ve spent my whole life in the east, but I learnt the people of Niger are friendly and accommodative who knows, it might be where we will find our missing ribs(jokingly). ENE: You and who is finding that? I only have one mission, which is to serve and return home.(both laughs) Dolapo: Hey guys! (they all turned back). I have been calling from a distance but seems you two are carried away. Hello Americana! Ene: You two need to stop this! I have told you before that I’m not an Americana. Dolapo: alright… alright! The only Benue lady that cannot speak her language. (they laugh) Ene: come on, I can speak my language… Ebuka: okay, speak let’s hear. Ene: anya! (they all teased her) Dolapo: (to Ene) where have you been posted to? Ene: oh me! I was posted to UK Bello Arts Theatre Dolapo: and you Ebuka? Ebuka: mine is NDDC! That’s Niger Delta Development Company Dolapo: I have been posted to College of Education. Ene: I believe we are to summit our PPA letter for documentation. Dolapo: That’s true. Let head out, What about you Ebuka? Ebuka: I have to wait behind for my babe Ene & Dolapo: (Exclaim in surprise) WOW, wahala for who no get Babe ooo. For we that don’t have a lover let head out. (Ene and Dolapo walk out together)