About the battle between the British and Americans for future
influence in the premier university of a newly-independent African
country. (They are the
naked gods, trying to control the future
of this country.) The Americans see the country as being strategically
important in Africa and by maintaining an American-type educational
system there, would be able to influence its people, while the British
mainly wish to retain the British-type system since it is their former
colony. The Americans have taken the initiative by pumping funds into
the country and also for the founding of the school and have their man
as its first vice-chancellor. The problem is who will replace him in
three years’ time.
There
are two candidates, one backed by the American VC, a younger man with
an American doctorate degree (Okoro), and the other backed by the
British, an older man with a British BA whom the Americans see as being
slow (Ikin). A number of incidents take place: Okoro goes to a
dibia
for a protective ritual; an editorial in the major newspaper attacks
the VC; a charm is found by a door in Ikin’s house. Okoro’s corrupt past
and present activities slowly come out and the American ambassador
advises the VC about his wrong choice. They decide to offer the post to
Ikin after a year. But there are strings attached and Ikin rejects their
offer. As a last resort, the Americans tell the local government that
the VC will be replaced. The VC is angry but he realizes his hands are
tied and he can’t retaliate.
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