OGA NDI ENUGU AND HIS TWO SONS.

Oga had two sons.

One day, the villagers gathered because strange stories were flying around the compound.

The first son was accused of borrowing a university certificate from the spirit world. People said the certificate had travelled farther than its owner ever did.
The second son, they said, came carrying an NYSC certificate so mysterious that the very people who issue such papers looked at it and said, “Young man, we don’t know you.”

Naturally, the villagers expected Oga to call both sons, bring out the cane, and ask difficult questions.

But Oga is an experienced man.

He summoned the first son and said: “My son, what you have done is terrible. You have disgraced the family. Go and sit in the corner.”

Then he turned to the second son, embraced him warmly, slaughtered a goat, beat the egwu, and announced to the whole village: “This is the son I endorse. He is the future of our lineage.”

The villagers scratched their heads.

One old woman whispered:
“But Oga, are these not two children from the same Nkanu womb?”
“Yes.”
“And are they not both answering to allegations concerning certificates?”
“Yes.”
“So why punish one and celebrate the other?”

Oga adjusted his red cap and replied: “My children, wisdom is not for everybody. Some certificates are more equal than others.”

Another elder coughed and asked: “But what lesson are you teaching the grandchildren?”

Oga smiled and said: “Simple. If two goats enter the yam barn, the one I like becomes a sheep.”

Since then, the village has learnt an important principle of modern politics: Forgery is a mortal sin when committed by your opponent. It becomes a misunderstanding when committed by your favourite son.

And thus the people of Enugu approach 2027, not asking whether certificates are genuine, but merely whose certificate deserves forgiveness.

For in our land, consistency is often the first casualty of endorsement.

Dr. EK Gwuru writes from Nkolo Ikembe.