Last Duty

me. At the start I was certain that I could not be too sure of the support of everybody. This is a tribal border town between the Igabo and the rebel Simba. It was quite clear to me that we had to be very careful how we conducted our military duty here, When the federal army liberated this town from the rebels just over three years ago, many Simba people had to flee the town for fear of losing their lives. Time had long ago forged a tie between the two tribes, but I was sure that tempers here would be delicate. I have therefore all along tried to maintain an atmosphere of calm, understanding, and mutual respect-for how should I know what the people are feeling? Right now I think I have made a good military point before the people of this town. But perhaps now more than ever I feel the weight of my responsibility as the commander of the XV Brigade of the federal army here. I am not merely charged with defending this post against rebel attempts to recapture it and indeed pushing forward the federal line, but I am equally concerned about the safety of civilian lives and the protection of the civil rights of everybody here, no matter what tribe he belongs to. As the Minimoke leaves the crowd and makes its way back to barracks, I can hear the last faint sounds of my name dying fitfully out. ***Toje*** Every town must have a few people whose names lend respect to the community. They should be the town's foremost citizens, men of some distinction. It isn't that these are the first men to be called to ams when a fight ensues between their town and another-no, that's a thing of the past. There are occasions when credits or endowments are to be bestowed on towns, when what a town gets depends on who its foremost citizens are, so that when the name of such and such a place comes up, it is generally asked, 'Who is here? A town is worth nothing if it has no names on whom its very credit hangs. I am one of those very few names that mean anything here in Urukpe. Everybody knows that--or should. When the federal troops liberated this town over three years the first thing that the commander wanted to know was who the elders were. Of course my name could not have been left out after that of the Orota of Urukpe, our big chief. When the present commander took over about two years ago, he did the same thing. They were both certain that the success of their commands here depended on their being accepted by people like me without whom this town would be nothing. I am a big man, and there is no question about it even if I have to say so over and over. I have made my mark in thebrubber business in this town and in this state. This town has people like me to thank for whatever notice it has achieved today, and if any army commander here knows what's good for him and for his army, he had better get well attachcd to me. Recognition must be given where it's due, and that goes without any question. If therefore anything happens to people like me that might detract from the position in which we are held, no sacrifice should be too great from anybody in this town to ensure that we keep our place, that we maintain our position. Every citizen has to pay, and even the army commander has to recognise that he should do something to ensure that the very foundation on which his success here rests is not undermined. Great names are rare, and must not be wasted. That is why I have not hesitated to recommend a citizen here for detention on charges of collaboration with the rebels, and then soborned another citizen to draw up the details of the indictment. For I felt that Mukoro Oshevire stood in my way. And that again is why I have not hesitated to seek carnal pleasure with his forlorn wife now that I feel my manhood fawed, my potency questioned. For it seems only in the nature of things that everything possible should be done in the interests of a reassertion of my manhood as well as pride of place, if this town should continue to keep that treasure of notice which has been won for it by men like me. And what townm is there that can survive if it becomes known that one of Its most pre-eminent citizens has no claims to manhood? ***Ali*** Alil Ali! Ali!' shouts the surging crowd as my Austin Minimoke tries to wind its way through the people. 'Ali! Ali! Ali! The soldiers try to beat them back, but it is hard for us to check their overwhelming gesture of approval and goodwill. Just yesterday, late in the evening, a number of rebel planes had visited this town on a bombing mission. But we quickly put an end to that mission by shooing down one of the planes; the others tumed back at once and headed back whence they had come. And now, as I drive round this morning to check if any damage has been done to any part of the town, I am greeted with deafening applause from a grateful population. For a soldier this is an hour of triumph. The war is still on and every moment is pregnant with danger. But I must confess I feel great joy this moment, as all over the town the entire population raise their fists in solidarity., jumping and shouting and showing in every way how much they welcome our presence and our efforts 'Ali! Alil Ali When I took over conmand of this post as Brigade Major about two years ago, I was quite aware of the tremendous task ahead. I believed very much that once in a while, when expediency dictates, we have got to put aside all silly notions of justice and recognize the right of might. And I am a big man here.