The Legend of ‘The Zanga’: ...A Timeless Tale…

By Ugochukwu Victor Ezeribe (Mr. Versatil

Although based on true life story but furnished in a classical
decoy, The Legend of the Zanga is told in a traditional village
setting. Obodo had become a Zanga a jungle of continuous
crisis. Aboki was a visitor who had sneaked in from the back
gate but had taken control of the main gate. On his death , things
fell apart. So as crisis married chaos, a child was conceived.
This book, was fi rst written as a drama script in 2007 by the
author during his National Youth Service in the title OUR
FATHERLAND and it won the script of the year award at the
NYSC National Cultural Festival, Abuja in 2007.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Dec 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781469136097

Ugochukwu Victor Ezeribe (Mr. Versatil

Ugochukwu Victor Ezeribe is a multi-talented young man. He is a performing artist, writer, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the Author of the book, “Take Charge and Rule Your World” and hails from Abia State. Born in 1984, he attended Mater Dei Day International Nursery School Ogoja and Federal Government College Ikom for his Secondary School Education where he won a couple of awards including “Best-Junior- Student” and “Best-Technical-Student”. He acquired his fi rst degree (B.Tech) from Federal University of Technology Owerri in 2006 where he was President of his association. He performed his National Youths Service in Jigawa State, served as President of the cultural troupe and won the NYSC Honors Award in 2007. He is currently in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Ugochukwu Victor Ezeribe (Mr. Versatile).

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4691-3608-0

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4691-3609-7

The chronicle contained in this book is based on true life story but the names of the characters are pseudonyms. The author would not accept any form of allegation or indictment based on the resemblance of the names of the characters or places inside to anybody whether dead or alive, existent or non-existent. The story is told without any reference to any source, but from the authors view based on unconfirmed reports and aggrieved eye witnesses accounts.

Nevertheless, the author apologizes for any inconveniences that may arise as a result of such coincidences. Although it is alleged that the setting is somewhere in the black dominated regions of the ancient civilization, the location—Obodo is geographically non-existent figuratively used in the representation of an unknown place thereby making the entire content of the book a product of pure imagination, classical fiction and literary ingenuity of the author.

This book is recommended to all good story tellers and listeners. It is void of any explicit content so everyone is free to read and learn from it. It also keeps a good chronicle of power tussle and transition in Obodo and thus it is a suggested history book for history students and an alternative literature book for literature students.

The conventional presentation of the book makes the story very interesting and even more captivating with its contemporary disposition. Hence it is recommended to every book reader as a first class novel.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

0-800-644-6988

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

[e-mail]

302030

From the stables of one of Africa’s Finest and the author of

Take Charge and RULE YOUR WORLD

Although a short novel, the story is powerful and compelling, written in a unique and confident voice. The author’s use of metaphor is interesting and original. A remarkable and thought-provoking story

—Readers Report, London

"Reality marries creativity in this masterpiece. The novel is exceptional. I smiled and shed tears simultaneously as the story unfolded. There is a lot more to the lyrics of this saga

—Eye Witness, Nigeria

Never has reality been so excellently disguised in such classical fiction. A first class story and a timeless work of art indeed

—Anonymous, USA

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my beloved country

Appreciation

To all those who have played a part in my country’s politics; from the freedom fighters, through the military down to the present custodians of our growing democracy along with my parents who are good storytellers, I say I am grateful to you all for giving me a story to tell.

I appreciate all those who have supported me so far in the course of writing this book – My dear mummy and hero (Mrs. R.C Ezeribe), my dad (Mr. S.C Ezeribe), who accounts for much of the eye witness account, all members of my family, my mentors – (Nelson, Rolihlahla Mandela, David O. Oyedepo, and Aliko Dangote), my friends (Jire, Tjay, Uzoma, Sydney, Pastor Tunde, my nephews and niece, my unborn kids, my aunty Mrs. Oji, my colleagues and my dearly beloved, Governor Sule Lamido among many others.

I am particularly indebted to all Staff and members of the NYSC cultural troupe in Jigawa State between 2006 and 2007 that supported me when I was their President. Although we have gone our separate ways, we remain bound by National service to the same fatherland. That short timeout with you all is the birth of this timeless piece of mine. Special thanks to the book Things fall apart by Prof. Chinua Achebe from which I draw my political motivation.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the publishers of this book of mine. Know that your contribution to the birth of this Magnus opus would always be remembered wherever this book is read. Hope our partnership lasts forever.

Finally but most especially, to God Almighty who gave me the wit of writing, the craft of creativity and the ability to master my combined art. I return all the Glory to him forever.

Ugochukwu Victor Ezeribe

(Mr. Versatile)

. . . Obodo was the dream Paradise others prayed to inhabit at the end of their lives…

. . . it had become a Zanga… a local slang used by its people to represent a jungle of endless crisis…

. . . . so as crisis married chaos, calamity was born… .

The Legend of the Zanga

CONTENTS

Prologue SUNRISE

Chapter 1 OBODO

Chapter 2 THE STRANGER

Chapter 3 ABOKI

Chapter 4 THE REIGN OF ABOKI

Chapter 5 THE SONS OF ABOKI

Chapter 6 THE DEATH OF ABOKI

Chapter 7 THE BATTLE BEGINS

Chapter 8 THE END OF THE BATTLE

Chapter 9 THE MITALI

Chapter 10 GREEN SNAKES IN GREEN GRASS

Chapter 11 DUST TO DUST

Chapter 12 BEHIND THE CLOUDS

Chapter 13 A PRAYER FOR OBODO

Epilogue SUNSET