The Activist - Season 1 - Episode 16

5 years ago

The Activist - Season 1 - Episode 16

☆☆☆☆☆

Back home, Tade watched as the country’s leaders plunge themselves in the usual political drama. Yet another Minister was accused of stealing Government funds and was been queried by the Anti-Corruption body in charge of such cases, in full glare of the National Assembly. Of course this was due to a dare by the opposition party to conduct the investigation in such a manner.

Tade continued to watch the drama,shaking his head in disgust. His dad, often absent-minded at the affairs of his son, looked at him.

“What is happening?” He asked Tade.
“They are questioning the Minister of Education, sir.” Tade looked at his father, surprised and a bit intrigued that his dad took interest in the situation. He was known to be apolitical.

He sat down and observed the proceedings.
“What do you think will happen?” He asked Tade.

“Well, they will release him eventually, isn’t it this country? Tade said a bit consciously, wondering what entered his father’s head. Am sure that even if there was concrete evidence of his guilt, nothing will happen. We are too used to corruption to deal with it.”

“Hmn, we are too used to corruption.” Wale said,feeling his brow. “It was not always like this, especially during my time. Government officials were honest and loyal to the course of improving this country. Petroleum was not really sought after like that due to the stunts the U.S and U.K pulled on people. Our people’s eyes began to get clear, as they say and we starting electing good leaders who brought up policies that improved the country. Then someone sabotaged the U.S storage of shale oil and money started coming towards crude oil. Then we lost it.”

“That’s what all those activists say. Tade said, trying to feel relevant in the discussion. They are always against the ‘Capitalist’ economy we are running.”

“Can they do better? His father replied. Tade, don’t allow their sweet talk to deceive you. Most of them are as corrupt as the leaders they profess to hate, and the few good ones are surrounded by those who just want a shot at power. If anything, don’t join them, especially when they protest, because they use the innocent, blinded ones among you as shields against any aggression while they hide somewhere. The best that happens to them is that they enter an office and do worse. We just seem to have a problem with handling power.” He concluded.

“Tade! He stood up. Be careful of those activists wherever they are.” Wale walked away, leaving his son to enjoy the hearing
Tade watched more drama on TV as each day passed, getting more convinced of how annoyingly corrupt the government had turned. He found it hopeless and chose to turn his attention to the less mundane things of life; Salisu and Shukurat’s love affair was on top of such a list, the whole issue becoming comically serious.

Not that he cared though. Like he really did not care, for he had the company of his friends. Most of them, including Shade were his friends on BBM and Shade, if not any one else pestered him with messages and ‘hellos’ and ‘his’ and what have you. Made was the next in line and so on.
The new session came quickly enough and he arrived at school in the way many people expected, fresh as ever. Everyone seemed to have made it to the next level; Malik and Andrew were already done with their school work and were clearing up things.

Tade soon got a new place on campus through the usual ‘selling’ practice- illegal yet much in practice due to the amazing lack of hostel accomodation. He and Chukwuma landed in the same room, yes the same Chukwuma that was quiet and taciturn.

Yet he saw a great change in this lad, for Chukwuma had become a Class representative