Herbert Obalaodu was filled with shame on his first day at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu university.The first lecture he attended made him the laughing stock of the classroom filled with boys and girls of his age.He was so nervous and half paralyzed when in the presence of a crowd. A man who introduced himself as the General studies lecturer, that would be taking them in Nigerian Peoples and culture, Mr. Asiegbu had suspected he was among the boys making noise at the end of the hall.And had called him with one of his friends at the back to the front of the class.

"You chose to make noise, now tell us something you know about Human Rights and Rule of Law.Or you can choose to write it down on the board ".Mr. Asiegbu said with smooth bluntness and handed him the white board marker.

Herbert knew quite well what to say or write about rule of law on the board, but standing in front of the class with eyes of many girls staring at him was a thought provoking issue. He was unable to lift the marker to the board.

"I said tell us something,we don't have the whole day." The lecturer called out with a voice mixed with anger,and satisfaction drew out from instilling discipline. Herbert was trembling in fear when he lifted his hand to the board and, as he was about to write, his mind went blank . God! He didn't know what to write. He didn't remember even a single word . Somebody cleared his throat and he stiffened.

"You mean you can't say something on rule of law ? Why are you making noise then? That is how some people start badly to end badly." The lecturer coaxed.

He breathed in and out to gather enough courage to write but his hand refused its' function. The students giggled and he flushed hotly.

What's your name?" Mr. Asiegbu asked.

"Oba… Laodu Herbert Sir," he answered feeling embarrassed.

"Which department?" He asked again

"Computer Science Sir"

"Now can you write something about Human Rights ?"

"Yes Sir.

He again turned to the board and his mind went off again. He stood there like a criminal who had just heard his death sentence pronounced by a Supreme Court Judge. He was dead silent and could hear the students' murmuring. He knew they were hindered from laughing out loud at him by the lecturer.If not for the presence of the lecturer,the class would have roared wild with laughter, and Herbert was so convinced about that.Students were afraid, perhaps no one knew who would become Asiegbu's victim soonest.It would be better off to keep calm while he dealt with the current victim. Herbert pitied himself.His mind disappointed him,like it has the ball,dribbling, kicking,scoring and cerebrating elsewhere. It would recoil sharply and off again, on and off.It flashed back sharply to the event of last week. The day he got admission. How he had danced and rejoiced over his success. His name was not in the first and second batch admission list of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu university and, he was not sure whether the third batch would come out. He grew weak over the week and spent most of his time searching the school portal. The day that his admission status changed to;" Admission in progress, please check back later". He was frenzied with joy. He had just travelled down to Uli Campus yesterday, and had just attended lecture that day. The highest height of insult of his life occurred that day. He tried frantically to collect his senses, but he could remember nothing. The sense of the girls and boys in the classroom seemed to have dominated his memory. He realized the quagmire that he had just fallen into, and sensing there could be no solution, he grew weak and leaned his hot forehead against the whiteboard.

The room busted into a loud, prolonged and uncontrollable laugh.The students couldn't hold it any longer therefore they bursted.Even the lecturer joined although his own was not more than a mere smile. Herbert felt his blood boiling and his muscle freezing.

"You can go to your seat. Ah! What nonsense!You see,some people know how to blab and vomit senseless words when they are under cover, when they feel they are inside the audience but, when you bring them to the stage they become dead woods. "

The lecturer said half smiling and half shouting. He turned to Herbert's friend who had been mute while his counterpart was being dealt with.

"Now over to you, come tell us about The Human Rights. Anything you know just tell us or you can decide to write it down. "Mr. Asiegbu said feigning a smile and handing him the white board marker. "By the way what's your name and which department?" He asked as the boy collected the marker.

" My name is Ofoma Christopher Ndukakwu".The boy answered.

"All that long name as if I should cram it for my Ph.D's exam next month ".The class roared with laughter again, this time some people were clapping as they were fully enjoying the drama that morning.

"No,sir",the..boy..said.

" Now go on!"Mr. Asiegbu said.

"With all due respect sir, I don't think that any student here knows what Human Right is all about,This is because we're in Nigeria where Human Rights violations are the order of the day and we go to school and cram theoretical aspect of it, whereas it's never practiced." He paused allowing his voice to sink.The class was silent although murmurs could be heard.Mr.Asiegbu was speechless.

"Are You silly?Or sick? "Mr. Asiegbu found himself asking having been swallowed by surprise.

"No sir,The truth remains that no Nigerian student can explain what Human Right is all about talk less of Rule of law.Our leaders are corrupted,therefore they trample the right of the citizens,reduced it to lumpish.Perhabs,they are above the law and rule of law therefore holds no meaning to Nigerians.We can't continue to define rule of law,it makes no sense.The country is doomed, when it's fixed.They can tell their citizens about human right."

"Yes OOO!!! Ride on." Most of The students echoed, the hall became rowdy.Many students were cheering the boy for his Courage while others felt he was not well mannered and,had disrespected Mr. Asiegbu and should wait and expect something terrible.Out of anger,Mr.Asiegbu left the hall feeling embarrassed. Herbert cursed himself throughout the class that he could not concentrate. He knew alot to say about Human Right as well as any student in the hall, and no doubt he could write better than most of them on rule of law, what happened was inexplicable to him.Although Herbert saw what Nduka his friend did as the highest height of insult, it was obvious that Nduka knew many things about Human Right and rule of law but thought he was agitating for something, trying to let the audience know there was no rule of law in Nigeria.

"Even in year one he is agitating,Expulsion is not far off ,after all this is Nigeria".Herbert thought aloud to himself while leaving the hall.

Early that morning, he had gone to the office of the faculty officer to resume his clearance, but was told to come back tomorrow by the man. That was his first disappointment. He was not the only student that came to that office. They were up to fifteen in number, eleven boys and four girls. The girls were busy murmuring like a busy refrigerator and were paging derogatory name at the faculty officer when they came out of the office. Herbert was busy looking contritely on the ground when one of the boys touched him.

"Guy, when do you think the man is going to come tomorrow?" A fair chubby boy asked him.

I don't know oo! But anyhow I just know that he should be here before ten in the morning"

"I'm Nduka, computer Science. Nice meeting you"

"I'm Herbert, the same department with you" Herbert replied while shaking hand with him. We have lecture now at Engineering Open hall… I got it this morning from our whatsap group update." Nduka continued.

"Oh, really, let's go there now." That was how Herbert found himself in Mr. Asiegbu trap that morning and that was where Herbert's friendship with Nduka started. After the lecture, he went straight to a mango tree beside old engineering complex. He wanted to avoid all the strange faces that hover around the premises. He sat quietly on a bench under the tree. He was trying hard to forget what happened in that morning. A fair slender girl, dressed in light blue skirt and a white blouse seemed to have spotted him and was walking towards the tree. Herbert leaned his hot forehead against the tree and was praying silently not to be embarrassed more by the girl. When she came to the tree, she gazed at him and he quickly looked away.

"Good afternoon Herbert". She greeted.

As soon as she greeted him, he was amazed and,he felt like an elderly man. He couldn't imagine a girl who was almost the same age as he was greeting him. He gazed back at her in greet bewilderment. He hesitated before replying.

"Hi, good afternoon." He tried to speak

"What's up nah?" She asked

"Am cool…"

"Well, am sorry for what happened to you during the lecture, I know you could have figured out something to say if not for the crowd". She continued.

The way she talked made him frozen.

"Thank you. What's your name? Herbert asked.

"My name is Chioma but friends call me Chy-Jesus." She answered him trying to smile. "Wow! Thats fantastic. Am a Computer Science student and what of you?" Herbert added.

"Medicine and Surgery." She answered.

"WOW! That means you're witty and shap"Herbert continued in surprise.

"That is the grace of God.why would your friend insult a lecturer, did he know the consequences?"She asked.

"I was as surprised as you were. " Herbert said.

"The consequences can be drastic".She continued.

"It shouldn't be if not but we're in Nigeria, that lecturer is also a tutor, his job is to guide the students. After all, he was saying the truth." He started.

"Truth in this country! The person is digging his grave."She added.

"Well, the point is that everyone's afraid".Herbert said.

"which church do you attend? " She asked seemingly serious.

"Hmmm! Church? Which church? Am not interested in church in this school. Please I don't want to talk about church now."

"No Herbert, do you know am worried about you?" she asked, her eyes beaming as if they want to emit light. "Worried about me? Why?" He asked in feigned surprise.

"You're not saved," She said.

"I'm all right," He said trying a laugh.

"Don't laugh, Herbert. It's serious," she said.

"But I tell you that I'm all right."

"Say Herbert, I'd like to be a good friend of yours."

"I thought we're friends already," He said

"I mean true friends in Christ," She said

"We know each other now," Herbert said in a soft voice tinged with Irony.

"But not in Christ," she said

"Friendship is friendship with me".

"But don't you want to save your soul?"

"I just can't feel that your religion",Herbert said this time serious.

"Have you ever tried to feel God?" she asked

"No, I came here for a purpose and that is what I will ever pursue."

"Would you let the fate of your soul hang upon pride and vanity?"

"I don't think I have any pride in matters like this."

"Please, Herbert, can you think of Christ's dying for you, shedding His blood, His precious blood on the cross… she tried to explain.

Herbert's parents were ardent believers of Isiama gods, traditions and cultural heritage. They have raised their three children in the ways of gods ofIsiama land. Igboekwu, Herbert's father was allergic to gospel that he would chase away anybody that tried to preach the word of God to him,as hard as that,was his belief in Biafra restoration through Nnamdi Kanu. A man in his late Fifties, very tall and dark in complexion.He had fought as a Biafran army during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war in 1967.He willingly joined the army in late 1967 and he fought alongside with major General Kaduna Nzeogwu before Nzeogwu's death.They became very close friends when Nzeogwu discovered how ambitious,brave and courageous he was as an ordinary recruit soldier.He was born in 1949 of today's ABia state parents,a native of Isiama Afara, Abia state. He saw Nzeogwu died in the battle front while wagging war at the Nsukka sector, August 1969 and among the escort that took Nzeogwu's body to Kaduna where he was buried with military honours. He never stopped talking about Kaduna Nzeogwu anytime Biafran restoration was mentioned.He never tolerated any form of Christian religion in his entire household. He's a farmer and a popular bicycle mechanic in Isiama Village

Ifemma, Mr. Igboekwu's wife was also as devoted to the gods of the land as her husband. She has a round face, dark in complexion but a short woman.Mr.Igboekwu married her quite very late after the war and she could not conceive early either. The reason why he married very late was because the war stripped him naked.He lost the house which was the only inheritance he got from his parents and most other properties, and he started life anew.He started picking from piece as nothing was Left;no certificate, no governmental support as the war was declared "no victor,no vanquished". Poverty lingered upon the hole of his heart but he was determined,just like several other Biafran soldiers.He could only start peasant farming, and his bicycle mechanical skills.Herbert could remember eight year old days of his life, the moment he started being sensitive of the blows of poverty on the family. Hunger stole upon him so slowly that at first he was not aware of what hunger really meant.Hunger had always been more or less at his elbow when he played,but then he began to wake up at night to find hunger standing at his bedside, staring at him gauntly.The hunger he had known before that age had been grim,hostile stranger;it had been a normal hunger that made him asked his mother for food, and when he ate a piece of yam or two he was satisfied. But that new hunger of those 8years of age baffled him, scared him,made him angry and insistent.

Whenever he begged for food then his mother would give him a slide of 'foofoo' and okro soup which would still the clamor in his stomach for a moment or two; but a little later he would feel hunger nudging his intestine, twisting his empty guts until they ached.He would grow dizzy and his vision would dim.IFEOMA his elder sister would never cry unlike him that would burst out in tears.He became less active in his play, and for the first time in his life he had to pause and think about what was happening to him.

"Mama,I'm hungry," He complained one afternoon, few hours after eating the usual okro with 'foofoo.

"Turn me into food and eat me".Mrs Ifemma got angry. Herbert sensed that she was mad at him for requesting for food few hours after eating and it made him angry.

" But I'm hungry.I want to eat"

"You'll have to wait".

" But I want to eat now".

"But there's nothing to eat yet till your papa comes home from the workshop". She told him.

" Why?"

"Because he brings the money for food". She explained.

" But I want to eat now ".He said, beginning to cry.His mother had been sweeping the parlour, she turned and faced him with tears in her eyes.

" Do you still remember what I told you about our farm being ravaged by the Fulani herdsmen? Your papa and I won't be going to farm until the tension subsides.Our only means of survival is your papa's workshop".She continued.Herbert stared in bewilderment. Yes,it was true that the Fulani herdsmen ravaged people's farm in the village. But it had never occurred to him that the ravaging would mean there would be no food.He was aware his parents grew all the food they ate;okro,yam,casava, plantain and maize.But how a set could destroy that intentionally was unknown to him. As the days slid past, the name'Ndi Fulani' became associated with his pangs of hunger,and whenever he felt hunger he thought of them with a deep bitterness.It was only during ritual days to the gods of of the land that hunger would depart temporarily, and it was done during harvest period.Mr.Igboekwu highly regarded the gods,That means that Herbert's faith for the gods anchored in his origin. The walls around that of his idol worshiping were far stronger than the walls of Jericho.

"What concern me with the blood he shedded." Herbert replied roughly.

"You don't understand."Chioma relented.

"I don't think I ever will"

"Sorry Herbert, you're lost in the darkness of the world. You must let the church help you".

"But Chioma, can we talk about this another day.We barely know each other and you're talking about Christ, Jesus, Bible and all those things. Let's get to know each other first." Herbert said flatly, the words slipping irreverently from his lips before he was aware of their meaning.

He had not settled in his mind whether he believed in the God of Christians or not,Christians' God's existence never worried him. He knew he was dead to that God if he ever existed but He was active to that god of Afara land. He reasoned that the God the Christians were talking about did not exist. Azama, Isiama gods was very powerful and several myths appeared to testify to the potency of Azama. This means that his faith for the god, such as it was, was welded to the common realities of life, anchored in the sensations of his body and in what his mind could grasp, and nothing could ever shake this faith, and surely not his fear of an invisible power.

"Aren't you afraid of God?" she asked.

"No. why should I be? I've done nothing to Him."

"He's jealous God." She warned him

I thought He's a kind and merciful God." Herbert told her.

"If you're faithful to Him. He is a kind and merciful God." She added.

"Well, I don't care for His mercy. I've not wronged Him in any way. I only know the gods of the land".

Chioma heard the last statement but she was speechless. How could someone be proud enough to mention the gods of his land in this modern age? It was very shameful. Frightened and baffled, she left him without uttering a word. Herbert was surprised at the turn of event. He again felt bad for her and he reasoned that he shouldn't have been very harsh to her. But, it was obvious that Chioma would defeat if he gave her any form of chance. He just entered the University and could not be converted over night.

He could remember when he followed one of his friends in the village to Christ The King Parish for Catechism class. What happened that night was precarious. He was lashed heavily by his father upon realizing from his younger brother, where he went. Mr Igboekwu had warned him repeatedly that he would disown him. He told Herbert that his behavior and social milieu was messing up the reputation of the family. The house was quiet. His mother could not utter a word, all she could do was to gaze at the ceiling, and all the time sighing. Raphael, his younger brother was smiling at the edge of the room,might be that he was enjoying the drama.. His elder sister had gone to their grandma's place that night. Herbert sat mute on the bare floor obsessed by the gravity of the offence he committed while his father moved silently about the room and would utter incomprehensible statement, which gave Herbert the impression that his punishment was not yet over.

"Papa but he told me to follow him. It wasn't my intention" Herbert whispered to his father. He whirled and gave him one of his backhanded slaps on his cheeks. He collapsed on the floor holding his cheeks while releasing a loud cry. "So your mate is controlling you. Are you a fool?"

"You can do your worst papa. Kill me if you want to!" he gasped amidst tears. Mr Igboekwu was infuriated so much by his statement; he set to get his cane. Herbert rose up and fled out of the house. Outside the house he could hear his mother begging Mr.Igboekwu to take it lying down. He ran faster. Accepting Jesus Christ in the entire Obalaodu household was like one accepting to be a sinner amongst the saints. He was brought up in that family and nothing could happen even in this university to substitute that belief.

At his lodge after school that Monday, Herbert sat on a bench in his small room and wondered how vigorous his first day at Anambra state university was. The room was unkept, filled with big bags and other household items. Since the news of his admission to the university filtered through, Ifemma his mother had been gathering items-foodstuff, clothes and all other odds and ends. She was very happy that at least one of her children was entering the university. She would have organized a small feast to celebrate the admission but the money for even food was not there. Herbert was very happy too, his elder sister had married in the village based on the father's belief that none of his female children should school up to the university level.

"How can I train another person's property?" Mr igboekwu would always ask in support of his argument that women's education was a mere exercise in futility. "Another man would always marry the woman". In the university, Herbert had discovered that his father was wrong.Maybe he made the conclusion because he had no money to send his daughter to school," what a fancy excuse!" The women in the school outnumbered the men. He was amazed to even find out that many girls were into the popular "Medicine and Surgery. He immediately thought about Chioma, the wonder girl who was into medicine and surgery. His mind recoiled sharply to what happened during Asiegbu's lecture. How he made a fool of himself and he grew weak. He stood up and walked calmly to one of the table in the room. He picked up his cell phone and dialed Nduka's line. A young feminine voice answered him.

"Hello good evening "the voice said

"Yes good evening" "ehem is this Nduka?" He asked

"No! Just hold on,he is here".

Silence

"Hello Herba! What's up?" I was in the bathroom when you called. "Nduka's voice came on the line.

And who was that?" Herbert asked uneasily.

"Hah! I didn't tell you, she is my twin sister.

We're twins and we got admission here the same day". Nduka explained.

"Wow! It's fantastic. How are lectures going to be tomorrow and when are we going to the faculty officer's office?" Herbert asked.

"We have chemistry lectures tomorrow by 8am, after the lecture, we will go to the office."

"Where is the lecture taking place?" Herbert asked

"Biological Science lecture hall."

"Man why did you do what you did today? You no get fear? "Herbert asked again.

"Guy but I saw nothing wrong with what I did. I didn't insult him I said the truth."

"No one ever wants to hear the truth. You have to be very careful ".

"If we see in school, I will tell what the course rep said regarding that drama and what that lecturer later said".

"Ok! Thank you, till then, I'll contact you." He hung up.

After his dinner, he lay sleepless, wondering if he should have come, feeling the dark night holding strange people, sleeping alone without Raphael his younger brother, in strange house and strange streets. What would happen to him there? How would he get along? What kind of man is Frank his landlord? The old woman who happened to be Franks' mother and Aunty Jody, Frank's wife. Just then his mind recoiled to what the old woman told him yesterday. The evening, as he was arranging his baggage, suddenly, the old woman climbed up the pavement and sat on the bare floor. Herebert came out of his room and greeted her uneasily.

"Good evening, maam"

Well son, it's certainly a comfort to see another boy in this house". Mrs. Egodi said pointedly.

"Is there any other boy here?" Herbert asked eagerly.

"My son was here," Mrs. Egodi said, shaking her head. "But he's gone now. We don't normally rent this place to student".

"How old is he? Herbert asked.

"He was about your age," Mrs. Egodi mumbled sadly.

"Where did he go? " Herbert asked stupidly.

"He's dead." Mrs. Egodi said.

"Oh,"

Herbert had not understood her. There was a long silence. Mrs. Egodi looked at him wistfully.

"You see that your room? That's where my boy slept"Mrs. Egodi said pointing to his room.

"In there?" Herbert asked just to make sure

"Yes, right in there."

As soon as he remembered the conversation, he shook his head vigorously but it was too late. At once his imagination began to weave ghosts. He did not actually believe in ghost. For the first time in the nineteen-year old days of his life, fear gripped him. He again remembered his encounter with Chioma. He reasoned that if there was christian's God, he had given a kind of uneasy assent to His existence, and if there was a God, surely there must be ghosts. In a moment he built up an intense loathing for sleeping in the room where the boy had died. Rationally he knew that the dead boy could not bother him. But he had become alive for him in a way that he could not dismiss.

The next night was the same, fear kept him from sleeping, after that night; he called his father to explain his ordeal.

"Hello Amandi Nwa m Kedu?" Mr. Igboekwu's voice came on the line.

"Am fine but am not fine papa" Herbert mumbled.

"Is it because of the school fees?" Mr. Igboekwu knowing where his problem might be.

"No papa!"

"What is that"?

"I'm scared to sleep in this lodge that your friend showed me. I've spent three sleepless, shivering night in a dead boy's room. I was so frightened that I sweated last night. Each creak of the house made my heart stand still". Herbert explained.

"Who told you that it's a dead boy's room? Mr. Igboekwu asked.

"Is it not this old woman here? My landlord's mother"Herbert answered eagerly.

"See Amandi, you've got to get out of that fear. A dead boy is as good as gone. You're far more powerful than him. If he had power to give you sleepless night, he should have overcome death. Now, I want you to mind your business in that school and don't call me at matters like this…

"But papa!"

"There is no 'but there Amandi. By next week I will tell you how far I have gone with your school fees. No person born of Obalaodu family is a coward and it can never start from my family. He hung up.

That was how Mr. Igboekwu behaves. He was tall, skinny silent, grim, Blackman who had fought in the Biafran Civil War with the Biafran Army. He was violent at slightest provocation. When he was angry he gritted his teeth with a terrifying, grating sound. He kept his army gun in his room, standing in a corner loaded. He was under the delusion that the war between Biafrans and the Federal Government of Nigeria would be resumed.Ever since Nnamdi Kanu started Ipob movement,Mr.Asiegbu had never for one evening listened to any Nigerian news, everything was all about Radio Biafra and the like.He would talk about Biafra restoration at any short gathering of people and could pick up a fight with any one who stood against Ipob. His decisions were the ultimate in the house and he never took matters lying down.

Herbert had no choice than to try and get over the fear as his last warning. He could remember some years ago, an eight year old days of his life. Mr. Igboekwu had sent him on an errand to his maternal grandmother's house. When he reached Umuali village square, a gang of boys grabbed him, knocked him down, snatched the basket he had with him which contained some ripped mangoes and sent him running home in panic. That evening, he told his father what had happened, but he made no comment; he went inside at once, brought some mangoes in a nylon bag and sent Herbert out to his grandmother's place again. Herbert set out again but stopped half way when he spotted the boys again playing along the road. He ran back in the house

"What's the matter?" his father asked in feigned surprise".

"It's those same boys," Herbert said. "They'll beat me."

"You've got to get over that," he said, "Now go on"

"Go on and don't pay any attention to em," he said. Herbert went out of the door and walked briskly down the side walk, praying that the gang wouldn't molest him. When he came abreast of them, someone shouted.

"See the boy again!"

They edged towards him and he took to his heels. They overtook him and pushed him inside the bush. He pleaded them to spare his life. They were the village bullies,The then bad boys of Osukwu village, though they were almost of the same age with Herbert. They wrenched the bag of mango out of him and sent him home sobbing. When he got home, he bustled inside the parlour crying on top of his voice. His father was not surprise. Mother has gone to Umuada meeting that evening. Raphael was enjoying the drama. Ifeoma, their eldest sister wanted to go and deal with the boys but Mr. Igboekwu hindered her.

"Those mangoes must get to your grandma today and no other person but you'll do it." Mr. Igboekwu ordered.

Herbert froze in his tracks and stared at him mouth wide opened

"Eh! They're in group wanting to finish me" Herbert said.

"You stay where you are. I can never give birth to a coward. You must learn to fight today".

"But I'm scared" Herbert shouted back at him.

"Then there is no dinner for you tonight and know you'll have to sleep outside" he gave his last warning.

Herbert could not believe his ears. Was it his real father that was telling him all these? He sat at one of the bench in the parlour thinking of what his father was up to. Just then Mr. Igboekwu entered the parlour again.

"So you're still there?" he asked furiously.

"They will kill me papa! They will! Herbert said amidst tears.

"Then let them kill you and see how much I cares" He said, this time coming closer to where he was sitting.

"Please let it be tomorrow" he begged.

"No. not at all. Where will you get mangoes tomorrow? Your grandmother must get those same mangoes now and nobody except you will make it possible. "He responded "Am going no where papa," Herbert concluded flatly. A stinging slap came on his jaw, like that of a beaten metal gong. He bent over the bench and started crying.

"I will kill you myself if you refuse to get these mangoes to your grandma." He threatened. So saying he yanked him to his feet, took him out and repeated his last warning. He slammed the door. That was dilemma. Herbert had choice of being whipped at home or away from home. Ifeoma, and Raphael never tried to intervene. That day was for Herbert, and any day Mr. Igboekwu was dealing with anybody in the house the person must bore the cross alone, gallantly- Herbert tried to reason but nothing helpful came into his mind. He moved to the kitchen grabbed one of the sticks there and decided to go to his grandma's place courageously. He knew the boys must have eaten all the mangoes. What would he do if he managed to get to grandmother's house without the mangoes? He reasoned that he would beg his grandma to help him out of Igboekwu's trouble. He clutched the stick and reasoned that staying at home and being beaten there was futile, but if he was beaten outside, he would have the ample chance of defending himself. He walked slowly down the side walk, coming closer to the gang of the boys, holding the stick tightly but loosely afraid. He was so full of fear that he could scarcely breathe.

He was almost upon them now.

"That fool is coming again." One of them cried out

"Is unfortunate! we've not finished the first one he "brought." The second person jokingly added.

Laughter runs through the boys as they tried to surround him quickly. They began to grab for his hand. "I'm going to blow your heads!" Herbert threatened amidst fear and anxiety.

They edged forward. In blind fear, he let the stick fly, feeling it cracks against a boys chest. He swung again, lamming another chest and another. Realizing that they would retaliate if he let up for but a second, he fought to lay them low, to knock them cold. He hit them one after the other. One boy falls on the ground and he gave him a hit at the skull. He raised his hand again wanting to terminate his life. Others took to their heels.

"Please don't kill me eeh! I beg you in the name of God please. Your mangoes are there. We did not finish them aaabeg!" He begged in fear. "Go and get the mangoes now or I break your skull", Herbert ordered him. The fear in him turned bravery. The boy got up immediately and got the mangoes putting them in basket.

"Next time try this drama. You coward!" He barked at the boy.

"Am sorry." He pleaded.

"You can disappear then", he ordered and the boy fled. Herbert has to accept that the dead boy was as good as gone, as his father said. He has to get over the fear and continue with his education.

Next week his father called him, and informed him that the friend he trusted to lend him his school fees disappointed him.That his maternal uncle could only send fifty thousand naira to support them.Herbert became devastated.He felt that he couldn't breathe again, live again, that he hadn't been released from a prison yet.He was very intelligent and smart, yet his dream of being a university graduate had never been realistic. The cosmic images of dread in his life could not leave him and, the university which was barely a reality kept quivering daily before him. He remembered Nduka telling him about Onyebuchi Chris Ifedioramma foundation (OCI foundation).

"Nna oo!" Nduka called out when they reached Geology department that day.

"Guy,wetin?" Herbert asked him.

"You eat yet? You look dead." Nduka asked back.

"No guy I swear.I no go lie you". Herbert replied.

" Let's touch SUG canteen".Nduka suggested.

"Hell,I ain't gonna go there Oga.unless you'll pay for two". Herbert added.

" Relax bro.Shebbi nah to pay? Chill,I'll sort you out"

While eating, Nduka started again.

"My guy your mind's in a ditch.What's wrong with you?" He asked.

"Am ain't gonna hide anything. Am not yet sure of my admission here.I mean, exam is approaching and I haven't paid my school fees.I got no registration number and hope either". Herbert said.

" What about your father? ".Nduka asked.

" You don't understand. That man has no money.No penny.He only wished I can be a university graduate, that's all.".Herbert explained.

"Have you heard about OCI foundation?". Nduka asked.

" OCI foundation? Haven't heard of such before".

Nduka explained everything about OCI foundation to him and asked him to check them online on his mobile phone.He told him about Cyfed Bradley Hope scholarship scheme in OCI foundation which he was a beneficiary. The story of John Bradley Hope created a notion in Herbert, something he couldn't really tell how he felt.

"Icons are made." Herbert told him.

"Yes.A boy of sixteen year old.Which one can you do? Close to twenty and wasting in Nigeria." Nduka said.

"I can do real nice things just that I first met poverty. Battling that bitch is enough to qualify me for Icon." Herbert grinned.

"All the time excuses." Nduka laughed."Soon you will say if not that you are a Nigerian. "

Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora foundation was founded in 2016 and was registered with the corporate affairs commission,Nigeria. It's a non-governmental,non-profit,and non-political organization established with the aim of breaking down barriers to the attainment of excellence through a three-pronged action plan targeted on education, health and empowerment activities. Herbert quickly checked them online that night and was able to learn about their activities and, about the founder, Dr.Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora,a native of Nsugbe,Anambra East local government of Anambra state.An associate professor of medicine based in Australia. He learnt that Dr.Chris witnessed first-hand the dangers of poorly funded education and ill health, and how these can limit the potentials of otherwise gifted students and individuals. He swore he would do all within his powers to ensure that those coming after him would not have their dreams cut short by these same hindrances..

Without knowing more about Dr.Chris, Herbert formed an emotional connection to him.The touchstone of such emotional connection was his feeling towards the man,how much likeness he held towards him, what degree of value and honor he assigned to him,the motto of OCI foundation was a driving force that pulls him even closer to OCI foundation. "We rise by lifting others"..His consciousness was making Dr.Chris an icon and,One of the few good things that had ever happened to the people of Anambra state.Although he checked and was not qualified for their scholarships but Nduka urged him to write a mail and send to them.He was to detail everything about himself in such mail and see if luck would locate him.As he remembered it, he picked up his phone and started writing the mail.Mr.Igboekwu called him again but he didn't pick...he just didn't want to take his call.