Mothers' cry (1994 - 1998) - Episode 6

 

Edward was thinking about perfect headline to give his weekly article that must be submitted before he leaves office, he wrote about brewing tension between the Ogoni people and the Federal Government. He has visited   Ogoniland several times to have personal examination of environmental degradation that has oil exploitation has caused the land.

He had interviewed leader of the newly formed Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP Ken Saro-Wiwa who vowed to him that crisis is the only language that both the Federal Government and Oil Companies in his land understood. He promised to stop oil exploitation until their oppressions are ready for negotiation.

Edward was surprised when Ken told him during an interview that Oil Companies must pay $100 billion in accumulated royalties, damages and compensation and immediate stoppage of environmental degradation . He wanted negotiation for mutual agreement for all future drilling or they vacate their land. Edward knew that Federal Government won’t allow those Oil Companies to pay Ogoni people a dime but to use force to suppress Ken Saro-Wiwa and his Co-agitators.

He saw it coming when Federal Government issued a ban on all public gathering and declared any disturbance of oil production in Ogoniland as an act of terrorism because nation’s income is low. Oil extraction from that territory has slipped to a trickle 10,000 barrels per day

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/mothers-cry-1994-1998

. He sued for peace in the region, calling on both parties to return to the negotiation table.

He decided to caption his headline as “FOR THE PEACE OF THE OGONILAND”.

Read " Talent on the Street " by the same author ( taiwo emmanuel )

. He was about leaving his office to submit his story to the News Editor when his receiver rang. It was Ifeoma that called him.

“Your Mum came around two days ago and I have tried reaching you but you didn’t pick my calls”.

Edward was looking for an excuse to justify his action, he knew when his receiver rang but he decided not to pick it because he had a date with Funmi.

Ifeoma was still on the phone waiting for his response.

“Tell mama that I will come home tonight” he dropped the receiver.

He picked his article to proofread it before submitting it for final production, he has been a keen follower of unrest in the Ogoniland. He pitched his tent with the people of the land. Commercial crude oil was discovered in the land in 1957, a year after it was discovered in economic value in Nigeria. Royal Dutch shell and Chevron Corporation moved into the Country to start exploration. The people alleged that government have forcefully took over their farmlands without paying them meaningful compensation, Nigerian Government took further action in 1979 by giving further  ownership and right to all territory to government with compensation based on value of crops on the land, not value of the land itself.

He has met Ken Saro-Wiwa, leader of MASOP on different occasions to know his take on policy by the military government to clampdown agitation in the land, Ken has always maintained a stand it is either they vacate our land or they negotiate with us.

When he returned from New Editor’s office, he dialed Funmi’s number on his receiver to inform her that he won’t be able to come for their date because of his mother’s visitation.

He arrived home around 9:00pm, Ifeoma was fast asleep but his mother was in the living room watching NTA network news, he greeted the old Woman before he went to his room to change into his pyjamas. He joined her in watching the news after checking dining table to know what his wife prepared for dinner, it was rice and stew. He covered it back.

“Mama, you are still watching this government station” he asked after taking his seat beside her.

“Won’t you eat your food?” she asked without looking at his face.

“I have lost appetite” he replied.

“Eberechukwu, you don’t treat a woman like this, if she didn’t talk, her Chi that is greater than everybody will fight for her”, she paused to allow her word sank into his heart.

“You didn’t come home for the past two days, this poor girl will take her time to prepare your meal” she continued.

“Ebere, where have you been sleeping?” she was waiting for his response.

“Mama, I have been busy of late in office….” He stuttered. His mother was angry because Ifeoma has reported him to her Mother who has gone ahead informing Edward’s Parents.

“Listen Son, always think that if a man is treating your Sister like this, how would you feel? We are praying to Chi to give us grandchildren through you but you hardly come home to meet with your wife, my Chi always answers prayers, let our prayers be answered”. The old Woman stood to go inside her room, she turned back and said “you must eat your food, Chi abhors wastage”.

Edward was dumbfounded, he knew his mother hates maltreating a woman, he switched off the television set, went to the dining table to eat his food. When he got to his room, Ifeoma was awake, she moved closer to him, hold his legs.

“Obim, please forgive me” she sobbed.

He looked at her with disdain, removed her hands from his legs and hissed.