SELFLESS LEADER PART 1


Chorus:
ACT ONE
It is a land of abundance and peace. There are crops to be cultivated, palm, cocoa, rubber, groundnut, beans and the soil is good for cultivation. The rivers are filled with aquatic lives; fish, lobsters, shrimps and crabs. There is no hunger. There is plenty to eat and drink. It is a land of milk and
honey.
ACT 1, SCENE I
(It is onshore; a river in the background and canoes are berth at the brink a typical fishing community. A woman comes on stage carrying her catch of the day's fishing a basket filled with fish, crabs and lobsters. Her husband meets her.)
Papa Comfort:
Mama Comfort, you returned early. How was today's catch?
Mama Comfort:
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Papa Comfort, the catch was good; you can see my basket filled

with a large quantity of fish! I pulled in fish with every throw of the net. I've not even gone far before my basket is filled with fish.
The river is practically brimming with aquatic lives.
ins
Papa Comfort: The catch will bring us a good
sum, with the demand for fish on the increase. I having been promoted in the company to the position of Chief security officer!
Mama Comfort: Promoted? You don't mean it!
Why didn't you tell me?
•
Papa Comfort: Now I've told you, anyway. I
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wanted to keep it until bedtime, but
guidzil \borgy • I couldn't keep it to myself any grivrins ogale longer when you carried in that tiw bellit 19%and basket of fish and the radiance on (roil aisam bwod your face!
W° Mama Comfort: Yes, when I carry the fish to the
market, the people from the upland will pay good money for them.
28W Papa Comfort: Yes, God is certainly answering boll
our prayers; we'll not go hungry.
We'll be able to pay the children's

school fees and still have enough put aside for a rainy day. Come, Honey. Let me help you to sort them out.
Mama Comfort: You're a darling, what would I have done without you?
Papa Comfort: You're the one who's the God
send. (He gives her a pèck on the cheek and together they carry the basket of fish inside)
Lights fade out.
ACT 1, SCENE II
(Mr Bright and Mr Greg are in a restaurant owned by Madam Joyce. They are at a round table with bottles of chilled beer. They are facing each other, drinking their beer while chatting.)
Mr Bright:
(He raises his glass which is half-filled with beef; sips the beer and drops the glass on the table) How

is your family, Mr Greg?

Mr Greg:
Thank God. we're fine. The harvest was bountiful and my rubber trees are doing well . since the rubber manufacturing company came to this land, business has progressed.
We're not complaining.
Mr Bright: How right you are? The coming of
the expatriates has improved the economy and commerce is simply booming. I now export palm oil since my production has increased due to the processing machine that I installed last year, business have risen.
MrGreg:
(Pouring beer from the bottle into his glass.) God is simply wonderful
Mr Bright: (Noticing that the bottle is empty.)
Shall we have another bottle of beer?
Mr Greg:
Ofcourse... you're generous.
Mr Bright:
(Raising his voice to call the bar owner) Madam Joyce! Madam Joyce!

Madam Joyce: Yes! (She comes and stand's before them.)
Mr Bright: Bring us two more bottles and they should be chill.
Madam Joyce: Yes sir. (Going in to bring the
drinks, and then pauses as an afterthought and says.) There's goat-meat pepper soup-o.
Mr Bright: (Stares at Mr Greg as if to pass on
the message: Mr Greg nods, almost imperceptibly) Okay, bring two plates.
Mr Greg:
Are you aware my son will be getting married in two months" time?
Mr Bright: How could I? I'm just hearing that for the first time.
Mr Greg:
The invitation will soon be out.
He's marrying an Ebony girl.
Mr Bright: Ebony? Do you know my wife is an
Ebony woman?
Mr Greg:
O-yes, I'm aware .. but the bride price of the Ebonys' is very high!

Mr Bright: Ha ha ha .. but they make good housewives.
Mr Greg:
I don't think the Ebonys' bride price will be too much for us to pay anyway, since business is booming.
Lights fade out.
ACTI, SCENE III
(Two friends in their mid-twenties are strolling and talking along a major street in the land. In excitement, they recount the experiences of their just concluded one-year National Youth Service.)
Lowland Youth: How was your youth service
year?
Upland Youth: It was wonderful. I served in the
South. I enjoyed every bit of it ... my orientation most of all. To be free from the stress of school life!
The orientation camp was really interesting.

Lowland Youth: I served in the North ... as you
said; the camp was truly exciting.
But what I found irking were the early morning and afternoon drills.
Upland Youth: Yes, that too was part of the
excitement. At the end, I felt like a veteran soldier.
Lowland YoutS: What excited me most were the.
people ... to see so many youths of different backgrounds gathered together, living together, sharing the same experience like one.big family.
Upland Youth: Yes, yes ... and after that, the
primary assignment. I was posted to a primary school.
Lowland Youth: (Interrupting Upland Youth) I
too, at first I was scared to teach.
Upland Youth: I was not scared one bit. In fact, I
was thrilled to be really teaching.
Lowland Youth: When I realised that the
students were cooperative, I began to enjoy teaching. Besides, most of my students were eager to learn. Upland Youth: In my own case, the students
were truly cooperative and the natives hospitable and generous.
Lowland Youth: Could you believe that in the
village where I served the villagers used to give all corpers, one tuber of yam each on every market day?
Upland Youth: Ours were livestock and bush
meat.
Lowland Youth: (Thinks) That reminds me,
what're your plans now that the youth service year is over?
Upland Youth: Well ... I don't want to further my
education yet. I have about three chances of work right now. Mr Greg. who's into rubber processitig, wants to go into manufacturing of rubber fabrics and he has asked me to manage it. There's also vacancy for the position of a mechanical engineer in a construction company that I know of. Beside, my plan i to be self-employed. You are aware that I read Mechanical Engineering, and I've succeeded in convincing an uncle of mine to sponsor a hardware manufacturing firm which I will manage.
Lowland Youth: That will be wonderful.
Upland Youth: It will payoff; I know it will, with
a lot of hard work, of course. But once we get our footing, it'll be smooth sailing. What're your plons?
Lowland Youth: Just like you ... I've got several
chances, but I've not really made up my mind. A leading bank in town needs graduates as cashiers.
There's also this multinational company that has vacancies for the position of accountants. But the one that appeals to me most is ine State House that is presently employing graduates to fill in vacant positions.
Upland Youth: I think the State House is more appealing.
Lowland Youth: That's also what I thought, but
the salary ..
Upland Youth: (Interrupting Lowland Youth.) It

should not always be about money,
job security should also be considered.
Vin.
Lowland Youth: Of course, I know that.
Upland Youth: As for me, my mind is set on being self-employed.
Lowland Youth: How are your parents? I'll be
coming over for a visit; I really enjoyed that meal I ate at your place the last time I came.
Upland Youth: Ha ha ha .
thank you. My
parents are fine and they extend their greetings.
Lowland Youth: How about your younger sister,
Lucy. She should be in her second year at the university now.
Upland Youth: Yes, in her second year ... they
should be rounding off the second semester exams if I'm not mistaking. That reminds me! Your annual cultural festival comes up next week. It is a festival I cannot afford to miss. Just to watch those maiden dancers is a joy to behold.