The People’s Champion
They had come again, to the village square, performing what they call “vigil”-night vigil. What  a joke!. Emeka called it sacrifice. Yes, that’s what it was. He was sure they had started their incantations again, disturbing the whole community. The people of Nanka village called them the “white people”. They had bewitched the young ones to their cult because they seemed more vulnerable. ‘if it were my children, I would have broken the bony structure they called legs’. He would know what they would use to walk the miles to the village square everyday.
Emeka came from a reputable lineage and was seen as a leader that was looked up to in the village. Both men and women always came to him for guidance for every problem they face. The children get close to his children for friendship and advise. Even the king respected him and sought for his advice.  He was like a god in their community after the gods of their land. The cock had not yet crowed when Emeka went to the ezemuo to know the fate of their land. He wanted to know what the gods had to say about this white people religion. If they should send them out of their land before they capture their women too. 
‘what can we do, these people have taken our children away from their homes and they no longer help in any chores at home. Our women are complaining that they would have to go to the stream to fetch water, fetch and chop the woods and still cook and serve the meals by themselves. All the children do is to go to what they call their “prayer sessions” and come back tired and hungry only to go the next day.’ Emeka wondered why they were always going back there if they would always come back tired and hungry if it was not bewitchment, what was it. The old man kept mute, looking at the image and continued whispering in low tones as if there was a third person he was conversing with.
‘Emeka, the gods want you to take it upon yourself and deliver your people out from this bewitchment’. The king cannot do so as the people only recognize you as their leader in their hearts. After the sun sets, take this and go to that village square where they always pay homage to their gods and pour it there for three days. After the third day you will see what the gods will do.’ Ezemuo instructed him. ‘eseee, thank you wise one’, Emeka said and left.
What happened after the three days shocked the whole people of Nanka village. Even the children who always went for the prayer sessions had to come to the village square because it was such a tragic fate for them. Lying lifeless on the floor like a piece of wood was the body of Emeka in the village square. No one knew what happened, the ezemuo whom was consulted came to the village square, shook his head and left without saying anything. It was such a sad day for the people of nanka village because their hero whom they looked up to just went away like that. The whole village mourned him, yes he was the people’s champion.