Written by Promise Odejide
EP 4: Radio Station, 1967
The scene is set in a radio station in Ibadan, a modern and influential place where people go to broadcast and listen to news and programs. It is a day time and the radio station is busy and noisy, with people working and talking. We see Aisha sitting in a studio with a microphone and a headset. She is wearing a suit and a badge. She is a journalist and a presenter. She works for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the national radio service of Nigeria.
She is about to start her program, a talk show that discusses current affairs and social issues. She has a guest in the studio, a man who is wearing a uniform and a cap. He is a colonel and a spokesman. He works for the Nigerian Army, the military branch of Nigeria.
He is there to talk about the latest development in the Nigerian Civil War, which started in July 1967, when the secessionist state of Biafra declared its independence from Nigeria. The war has been raging for six months, with thousands of casualties and millions of refugees on both sides.
Aisha and the colonel have different views and perspectives on the war. Aisha is sympathetic to the Biafran cause, as she believes that they have the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression. The colonel is loyal to the Nigerian cause, as he believes that they have the duty to preserve the unity and integrity of the nation.
They are about to have a heated and controversial debate on air, which will expose the complexity and the tragedy of the war.
Aisha looks at her watch and sees that it is time to start her program. She presses a button and turns on her microphone. She speaks in a clear and confident voice:
Aisha: Good morning, listeners. This is Aisha Hassan, your host for Today's Topic, the program that brings you the latest news and views on what matters to you. Today we have a very special guest in our studio, Colonel Musa Abubakar, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army. He is here to talk to us about the ongoing civil war between Nigeria and Biafra, which has been going on for six months now. Colonel Abubakar, welcome to our program.
Colonel: Thank you, Aisha. It's a pleasure to be here.
Aisha: Colonel Abubakar, let me start by asking you this: why are you fighting this war? Why are you trying to crush Biafra's legitimate claim for independence? Why are you killing your own brothers and sisters?
Colonel: Aisha, let me correct you on some points. First of all, we are not fighting this war. We are defending our country from an illegal and treasonous rebellion. Second of all, Biafra has no legitimate claim for independence. They are violating the constitution and the federation that we all agreed upon at independence in 1960. Third of all, we are not killing our own brothers and sisters. We are protecting them from a misguided and dangerous secessionist leader who wants to plunge them into chaos and misery.
Aisha looks at him with disbelief and anger. She shakes her head and says:
Aisha: Colonel Abubakar, how can you say such things? How can you deny the reality of what is happening on the ground? How can you ignore the suffering and the injustice that Biafra has endured under Nigeria's rule? How can you justify the atrocities and the crimes that your army has committed against innocent civilians?
The colonel looks at her with contempt and irritation. He raises his voice and says:
Colonel: Aisha, how can you ask such questions? How can you distort the truth of what is happening on the ground? How can you overlook the progress and the development that Nigeria has offered to Biafra as part of its nation? How can you accuse our army of atrocities and crimes when we are acting with restraint and professionalism?
They glare at each other and feel a clash of opinions and emotions. They are about to continue their argument, when they hear a loud and urgent voice from the radio.
Voice: Breaking news! Breaking news! We have just received a report that the Nigerian Army has launched a massive offensive against Biafra, aiming to capture the capital city of Enugu. The fighting is fierce and intense, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Biafran leader, Colonel Ojukwu, has declared a state of emergency and called for all Biafrans to resist and defend their homeland. The Nigerian leader, General Gowon, has vowed to crush the rebellion and restore the unity and integrity of the nation. The situation is critical and chaotic. Stay tuned for more updates.
Aisha and the colonel hear these words and feel a shock and a fear in their hearts. They know that this is a turning point in the war, that this is a matter of life and death for their people.
They look at each other and feel a distance and a tension between them. They realize that they are on opposite sides of the war, that they are enemies and rivals.
They stand up and say:
Aisha: I have to go. I have to report this news to my listeners.
Colonel: Me too. I have to go. I have to join my troops in the battle.
Aisha: Goodbye, Colonel Abubakar.
Colonel: Goodbye, Aisha Hassan.
They walk out of the studio in different directions.
TBC
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