Hope Has Come Home.

Aku ruo uno amara onye kpatara ya

Bethrand had just returned from the United States of America after spending nearly five decades abroad. He came home with a single mission, to liberate his people and uplift his community.

At the time he decided to return, a great deal was happening in his village. A powerful group of men had conspired to sell off community land. They were influential and deeply connected to the government. Any youth who dared to speak against them were either thrown into cells or forced to flee the village.

Igwe Odoziobodo had been weakened, surrounded by men of questionable character placed in positions of authority by this same Ikenga group. They had long sworn to take over the kinship. Yet His Royal Highness, Igwe Osita Odoziobodo, remained resolute, standing his ground for years.

But as the elders say, the only way to eat an elephant is piece by piece.

The Igwe was growing old. His only son had died in a tragic road accident, leaving no heir to the throne. It seemed only a matter of time before the Ikenga group achieved their aim.

However, there was one obstacle Bethrand, popularly known as Obiajulu. He had returned home to confront these men. But as expected, they were waiting for him.

What made Bethrand’s return unusual was that he came without escorts, without police, without weapons. Many expected him to arrive armed and ready for battle. But Bethrand understood something deeper, you do not catch a fish in the water; you draw it out onto land.

He first visited the Igwe, seeing the state of affairs for himself. Then, he sounded the Ikoro.

Gbom! Gbom!! Gbom gbom gbom!!!

It had been years since the Ikoro had echoed through the land with such force and urgency.

The people gathered at the Igwe’s palace. Upon seeing Bethrand, many were excited, assuming he had returned with gifts from America.

The Igwe began:

“Odoziobodo: Cha chaa! Umuogbodo, kwenu!”
The people responded: “Iyaa!”
“Kwenu!”
“Iyaa!”
“Kwezunu ooo!!”
“Iyooo!!… Igwe!!”

He spoke of how things had fallen apart and warned of the consequences if the village continued on that path. Then he invited Bethrand to speak.

To the astonishment of the Ikenga group, Bethrand did not confront them directly. Instead, he spoke of building clinics, schools, and roads. He promised development and hope. Yet he issued a quiet warning: anyone who interfered with his work would awaken the soldier within him.

He organized the Umuogbodo neighborhood watch. He provided a grating machine for communal use. He initiated road construction and installed pipe-borne water.

Even as he worked, the Ikenga group continued their disruptions. But what they did not realize was that Bethrand was quietly gathering evidence.

Believing he had no intention to fight, they decided to strike.

What they failed to understand was this an old woman never forgets the dance steps she has mastered.

Bethrand anticipated their move. Acting on intelligence, he laid a trap that led them straight into the hands of the armed forces.

The village rejoiced as the men were arrested.

Bethrand, though wounded by a gunshot, was the happiest of them all. A man at the twilight of his life could ask for nothing more than to see his people free and to have his legacy stand at the entrance of his village.

In his closing speech, His Royal Highness, Igwe Osita Odoziobodo I of Umuogbodo, reminded the people:

“The Ikoro calls a man twice in his lifetime once when he is alive, and again on his deathbed.

It is not what your community will do for you that matters most, but what you will do for your community. We must love our land, protect it, and make it safe for all.

Charity begins at home. Our land is always there for us, yet too often we lose our way and risk surrendering it to oppressors.”

He concluded with a proverb:

“O ma akwa asa ahu mara onwe” He who bathes with his clothes on must be mindful of his actions, for the head that attracts bees must also endure their stings.

Let your wealth benefit your people, no matter how small it may be.

Everyone echoed: Igwee !!!

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi