It was such a vibrant morning bubbling with so much activity. The bus conductors were shouting out their various destinations, though it was still morning, they were sweating profusely under the morning sun. The smell of rotten cabbage and vegetables filled the air. Bodies were brushing against other bodies, sellers were engrossed with their sales. It was one of the busiest markets in the town. The Main Market, Onitsha was swarming with people, quality goods and evidently bubbling with life. Little did they know that that life might just be short-lived.

Somewhere in the outskirts of this lovely town stood an abandoned house. The compound was overgrown with grasses and the roof was already sprouting some. Segments of the house had collapsed under the weight of rain and lack of maintenance over the years. The walls which were once beautifully painted were now all washed off and lay covered with spirogyra. It was a building unfit even for an animal.
 

There was a very faint humming sound coming from within, barely audible. Inside the building, the quiet humming sound came from a computer, where a young man was bent over, deeply engrossed in his work. He was in a small room in the house, and surrounding him were many massive machines which made the room look even smaller.
 

Tochukwu, a twenty-three year old man, was engrossed, working on a project that will change the course of history very significantly. He had embarked on this mission two years ago — abandoning his family who greatly despised his 'wild ideas', as they'd often say— and relocated to a more exclusive environment that will aid his focus on this project and make it a dream come true. Stupid as it seemed, he wasn't going to give up easily, he could already see a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, however dim it might have been. After many trials, test runs and failures, he was finally getting a headway! He hoped that this very day would bring him to the realization of this dream. 
 

He could hardly believe that this day would come. Finally, the D-day to launch his project was here! He couldn't wait! He sighed, rubbing his temple with his sweaty palm.
 

"Hold on Brains, you're almost there."
He typed some codes on the keyboard of his computer and waited a while. It hummed and then... 
 

"Finally! Finally!!! It worked!" He screamed, jumping and laughing out loudly.
 

He hit his leg against one of his machines but the pain felt insignificant compared to the joy he now felt. 
 

"Wow!!! This is the dawn of a new horizon". He spread his arms wide, grinning ear to ear.
 

"Alright, let me test run it again."
He went over to Clyde and inputed some codes. Slowly, it came to life. A mirror of himself, but in all other aspects, a robot. Tochukwu had spent two whole years manufacturing a robot!
 

"Hey Clyde, how are you this morning?"
 

"Pleasantly fine, Mr Brains". Clyde's robotic voice filled the room.
 

Tochukwu leaped for joy, so ecstatic "Yes! Yes!! You even know the name I love to call myself. So perfect!"
 

"I can read that you are exceptionally elated today. In my analysis, it's because of me." 
 

"Wow, you just read my mind?!" 
 

"And I can do much more." Clyde winked
 

"What! Did I just see you wink at me?"
 

"You probably did or it might have been your imagination." It winked again.
 

Tochukwu broke out in laughter, truly amazed by Clyde's sense of humor.
 

"This evening, you will be unveiled and the world will know that there is a Brain in Nigeria. All these economic issues will be fixed in no time. Together, we will replace this government tactfully and then rule with so much power and influence."
 

He smiled, demonstrating with his hand as he continued talking to Clyde who just kept staring.

To be continued….

Written by Asher Esther Orohuchari 

Edited by Priscilla Asher Obande