Issues
Consciousness And The Tale In Africa
The tale demonstrates keen awareness of man and his environment. The tale is a narrative like the modern short story. It is not merely a narrative which tells a story but it has its grammar of discourse – form, rules, elements and structure. It uses the wisdom acquired in the world to explicate issues about men, women, children and their relations. It expresses these in Africa through Africa worldview.
The tale is set in either the world of man or the animal world. The time may be in the morning, afternoon, evening or at night. The undefined framework of time gives the tale an enduring relevance to man in society. Although it is set in the past, the lesson is always in the present.
The tale may be narrated in ten minutes or much more. It depends on the type of tale and the narrator. It is expected that the narrator hands down the tale as received from his predecessor to the audience without distortion but the mobility of the tale could be responsible for variants of it; this factor may influence the duration of narration.
The tale has a form. It is set in the past which is made clear through the formulaic opening ‘once upon a time’, ‘once in the animal kingdom’ and similar stock phrases. Any of these signals the beginning of the tale. The audience is expected to respond ‘timer’ or use a similar term. Narrator and audience are ready at this stage of co-operation for the tale to be told. The audience listens silently from this time until there is a verbal signal for participation.
The narrator situates his tale with a problem, a puzzle, a need or a quest for something. This may be done with an initial crisis which develops into further crises until the end – the problem is solved or there is an answer to the puzzle. The tale looks simple but on careful examination it is not an accidental brain work but a simple-complex form of narrative which Chinwezu, Jemie and Madubuike in Towards The Decolonisation of African Literature assert that it is not only a good work of literature but a form of Oral Literature comparable to the novel. The latter is lengthier but the former demonstrates the important aspects of the modern novel.
The formulaic opening, setting, initial crisis, its development, call and response technique, constitute narratology (Propp’s Coinage) or the grammar of discourse. These are rules which the narrator follows in simple tales; there are more sophisticated variants of the structure in epics and legends which are the ones that are lengthier.
There are different types of the tale. A set is about young girls or ladies who are taught how to relate to their parents, their roles in their homes, in their traditional schools and, their parents’ professions. They are taught to work very hard every where they find themselves.
They are taught respectability – they should respect their elder sisters, brothers and younger ones. They should respect their fathers and mothers who fend for them. They are made to know that respect helps to place them in good relations with others.
The older ones are taught to give polite answers to their suitors knowing that there are different men who act differently; some do not take rejection kindly. They are taught that inner most conviction should guide them although few may insist on materialism; good parents insist on character. Any man who has money to fend for a woman is regarded as a wise suitor not someone who has no money but believes that manna will fall from heaven. Girls who insist on materialism as the first principle of selection have suffered; spirits have married some of them for hinging their choices on materialism or for disobeying their parents.
The tale accounts for duplicity in polygamous homes where tricks and manoeuvres are used to outwit one another. The arrogant wife who steals away the husband’s heart from the other women is criticised, lampooned and ostracised from their meetings. If she repents she is accepted back into the society. Abuse is used as a minor means of correction.
There are sad instances about the poisoning of children or preventing them from obtaining valuable things through manipulation. There are also instances when the trickster motif does not work; it boomerangs on perpetrators of crimes. One instance is the occasion in which a woman prepares food for her son and the children of a late co-wife. The orphans go to visit their aunt who feeds them. Their brother offers them food to eat on their return home; they thank him, adding that they have eaten in their aunt’s house. They give their brother the permission to eat the food. He eats and wails few minutes after. The mother returns to find the irony of the situation; she rushes out with the son to seek medication; the son dies at the end. This story is told in Bali’s Tarok Folktales. This consciousness of problems in polygamous homes is set in the past. Is there now complete redemption in the contemporary world? The consciousness of the tale does not undergo metamorphosis in the contemporary period rather complexity and new phases of the situation emerge.
In the tale world people and animals compete for prizes and awards. Weaker ones like tortoise, hare or fox win using wit to overcome the tougher and stronger ones like elephant and lion. Smart men who lose make weaker ones give their prizes to them; they regain them through judicial process. The verisimilitude of the tale does not lack reality when situated in the world of men; it is a world of wit, people are engaged in the politics of prominence; not all win. Tortoise wins in a competition with lion in building houses of the same type and size. How does he do it being a weaker animal? He tricks lion and his workers with music which is not an evil thing at all. It is good to listen to music for relaxation, while at work and at home. The problem in the context is that of doing the right thing at the wrong time, singing and dancing without working. Tortoise’s workers listen to the music; lion and his workers abandon their work to their consternation hours later. Tortoise and his workers complete their work ahead of lion and his team. This story is told in Saro-Wiwa’s The Singing Anthill.
Traditional government is narrated in different ways. One instance is from Adedeji’s The Stories My Mother Told Me about the means of selecting a successor after the king’s death. The King does it himself asking two brothers to go into the forest to bring a special flower; the first would be made king. The younger one finds it; in his excitement discloses it to the younger one who kills him and takes away his flower. He runs home and gives the flower to the father who asks after his brother. He refuses to tell him that he is dead. He lies and tells him he found his clothes in the forest and that he could have been killed by a carnivorous animal. The king is not satisfied; he sends a hunter to bring back the corpse; he finds it and takes a bone and blows it; it sings and narrates the story of the death. The father becomes angry and orders the elder brother to be killed.
The sad story offers insight into the lives of the brothers and the consciousness associated with governance. The murderer reasons that if he succeeds in killing his brother, he would become king; his status will change. This is a continuous consciousness associated with economic and political power.
The last example shows the dynamism of the tale. There are many more instances which may not be cited here that have dynamic relevance to contemporary situations. Insights into various aspects of life show the continuous consciousness of the tale in the modern world in several ways; the tale is re-told through the media to teach children and entertain them. The tale is used in modern literature books in several ways to demonstrate the consciousness of the past which dovetails with the consciousness of the contemporary world. The tale is expanded and situated in every given period with economic and traditional items: manila, pound and naira are forms of money used at various times with historical reference to periods in Nigeria; these are found in the tale. A careful reading of the tale shows marks of the past and the present as the tale evolves to meet various needs and captures the interest of various generations.
Ngaage is of the Department of English and Literary Studies, Faculty of Arts, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State
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In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?
Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .
Bernard C. Idike
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Amieyeofori Ibim
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