“Odudu, you’re dulling yourself in this bush,” Obasi said. He glanced about the palm frond fenced enclosure, scornfully eyeing the earthen stools and wooden figurines. “There’s a modern way to expand your business. You need to upgrade. Else, hunger will kill you.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked in confusion and a little irritation.
“I’m talking of money and more clients. If you work hard, you will become rich and maybe, even famous. I’m talking about millions of naira. Aren’t you tired of sacrifices of goats and chickens?”
I listened with rapt attention, as he began to outline our game plan. First, I would move to the city and change my looks. For the first time since I was fourteen, I would visit a barber. I was also to lose the red wrappers; my new wardrobe consisted of only suits and well-tailored ankara outfits.
Obasi transformed me in three months. As my speech coach, he smoothed out the rough, guttural edges of my mother tongue. Tokeda became together. Kod became God. Instead of intoning Mbara Utai, our great crocodile protector, I called on Jesus Christ.
“Won’t our ancestors be angry? Are we not rebelling?” I asked in worry.
“This is not rebellion,” Obasi assured me. “They will understand. In fact, I think they will bless you with more powers, for taking their gospel to the world.”
I acquiesced, solely for the fact that my powers had not deserted me. The ancestors and gods were on my side.
Today, I live in the city and I have more clients. My name is Prophet (Dr) Conqueror Godspower Odudu and I’m the Founder and General Overseer of the Unbelievable Mighty Works of the Mighty God Ministries International, a.k.a Your Solution Is Here Ministries.
I tell you, the ministry is moving.
