Sambisa: The safe haven in the wild
The village cock had just crowed to mark the end of a hectic harvest. Women moved from one hut to hut to update their gossip vocabulary while the men spent the evening deliberating about the poor harvest. Nkem was on his way home as he nursed the thought of the rejection of his conservation practice rejection earlier at the village square where elders had attributed the poor harvest to the angry gods. Members of Otukpa community due to his climate change philosophy sarcastically called Nkem Prof but he never relented in educating them. He entered into his round hut and decided to reach out for an old radio inherited from some European explorers during the Nigerian civil war. After dusting it, he assembled the radio and supported it with a raffia palm improvised as an antenna. “It is 8pm GMT and you are unto the BBC world service news. There have been commotion and panic across the world due to the adverse effect of climate change. Billions are fleeing their homes in search for an unknown safe haven in Africa. Who will defeat the fierce creature at the Sambisa city gate is the paramount questions on the lip of everyone yet un-answered? Stay glued to your radio as we unfold more reports to you in the coming days. Patricia Akor reporting for the BBC”. Nkem wrestled throughout the night as he pondered over the looming doom about to hit humanity.
He set out on the lonely journey to the adventurous city in the wild. He met many terrifying creatures, which he defeated after hours of wrestle. At the city gate laid the fierce creature that must be defeated before gaining entrance into the garden. Skulls and bones of conquered enemies littered around as Nkem contemplated whether to return or squarely face the creature. Who are you? Thundered the fierce creature as he greeted his new august visitor. I a…...m a…...m Pro…proooooooooooof Nkem starmered Nkem. Shut up! Not here responded the creature. You have destroyed Europe, America, Asia, Australia and part of Africa and you are now coming to do it to Sambisa? That will only happen if you defeat me boasted the creature. Tikpaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Kataaaaaaaaaaaaaa, lupaaaaaaaaaa,hupeeeeeeee, kayooooooooo, eleeeeeeeeee, congweeeeeeeeeeee, ayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee were emanating sound from the fierce battle. Nkem lost his limb after five hours of the fight, but eventually defeated the creature.
The plants and animals who had been trapped for centuries within the city welcomed the man who had done what others failed to do after several attempts. An impromptu party was thrown for Nkem as the whole city gathered to hear about bitter tales from the other side of the world. The beauty of the garden coupled with plants and animals’ cooperation to conserve nature amazed Nkem. Conversations where Mrs Yam insisted that Mr Goat should not waste her tubers was what Nkem had wished for while he was in Otukpa. Mr Rice on the other hand was cautioned by the cow to always make judicious use of her dung while the trees made sure every living creature had enough supply of fresh air. Atakpa the wise tortoise after deliberating with rest of the animals and plants called for a coronation service where Nkem was crowned king of Sambissa. The news of this development sparked life among every member as efforts to further conserve the city and invite the rest of the world were arranged.
One cool evening, Atakpa the tortoise paid the king a visit while he was roasting some akankpa. He saw an old wooden box he erroneously thought was a save. After several attempts by the King to connect it to the airwaves, a banana peel came to his rescue. “Its 2pm GMT and the whole world is presently on fire. The impact of climate change had come earlier than expected but tales about the fierce creature at the gate to Sambisa have kept the over seven billion inhabitants on earth captivated in fear. Patricia Akor reporting for the BBC”. Nkem abandoned his radio and sent messengers to inform the rest of the world about his breakthrough. After an agreement on conservation and climate change were signed, the rest of the world were accommodated in Sambisa.