June 7, 2023
(Directed by Harry Agina)
Greetings!
Welcome to episode 13 of one of Afro-Scope’s many AfroCultural InfoTainment Drama Series, titled, “In God’s Name.” It’s about religions, misguided and mischievous Pentecostal Christianity in Africa, and ignorant destruction of the African Culture by Africans. I am Harry Agina, the Director of Afro-Scope. Thanks for tuning in.
If you are a regular, then you know that Kono has been the primary character in this series. And, not only is the series based on true real-life stories in Africa, but it is also mostly direct, verbatim dramatization of some of the stories that actually did happen. Nigeria, in West Africa, is what we call the headquarters of this mischievous and ignorant new-wave version of Pentecostal Christianity. Kono’s “gullibility” to the raging new-wave Pentecostal Christianity scams and misguided beliefs, has been the primary plot of the series. And Kono’s Pentecostal pastor, “Pastor K,” is now in a panic mode. He is facing a challenge for his scamming claim that Kono is suffering from “Ancestral Curse.” Pastor K is also working on a lady, Tiya, with a claim that she has “Marine-spirit-husband” troubling her. Obviously, Pastor K is not yet in the big league as a Pentecostal pastor.
And then, we recently introduced the handsome, mega billionaire Pentecostal pastor, Pastor Gabriel, who is in the big league. He is fondly called “Daddy Gabriel” or “Daddy G” by his followers. This character is a modification of one of Nigeria’s mega billionaire Pentecostal pastors, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Daddy Gabriel’s entry was triggered by Oyakhilome’s statement in a sermon that, “There is no such thing as African Culture.” That’s obviously because he does not know that every people or society in the world has a culture, no exception! It’s a summation of how they think, how and what they eat, how they behave, how they dress, how they talk, and everything! Oyakhilome ignorantly went further to command his flock to destroy the African Culture because they are Christian, claiming that “it is witchcraft.” We introduced the Daddy Gabriel’s plot to explore some of the ways that the contemporary misguided and mischievous version of Pentecostal Christianity is truly destroying the African Culture. Too many Pentecostal Christians obey the words of the likes of Oyakhilome.
All that, to summarize the fact that the Afro-Scope.com Project is realistic in content, absolutely! It portrays exactly what happens in Africa, in InfoTaining style. We promote the good happenings and condemn the bad happenings, with advocacy for reformation or cleansing or elimination of the bad happenings. Do browse our site to enjoy our other AfroCultural Drama Series, and other AfroCultural InfoTainment Productions.
That has been a reminder-summary for our regulars who already know us. And if you are new to Afro-Scope.com, then it’s a welcome-summary for ya! Now, to the show of the day, episode 13 of the AfroCultural Drama Series, “In God’s Name.” In the last scene of the last episode, we saw Awele and Nadi in what seemed to be developing into what I call a fantasy-gossip. “A very handsome” Daddy Gabriel of “Embassy Church” was their subject. Mind you, the gossip was born out of a talk about their husbands’ suspicion and complaint about their being “too-close-for-comfort with Daddy Gabriel.”
- INTERNAL, IN NADI’S HAIRDRESSING SALON; IN THE DAY
NADI AND AWELE ARE STILL WHERE WE LEFT THEM IN THE LAST EPISODE, IN NADI’S OFFICE WITHIN HER HAIRDRESSING SALON. AWELE IS STILL HESITANT TO DISCUSS THE MEETING BETWEEN HER HUSBAND MICHAEL, DADDY G, AND HERSELF…
NADI (Excitedly): So, talk to me, Awe. Don’t go into your trance on me again, please.
AWELE TURNS TO LOOK AT HER…
AWELE (Solemn): I am worried, Nadi. Mike has never been this angry with me before, and I don’t like it.
NADI (Suspicious): Well, does he have a good reason to be angry?
AWELE: What do you mean?
NADI (Serious): We’re friends, Awe, and I will ask you straight up. What is going on between Daddy Gabriel and you?
AWELE (Worried, hushed tone): Come on, Nadi. Who says anything is going on between us? And lower your voice, please…they’ll hear you out there.
NADI SUDDENLY REMEMBERS…
NADI (Quickly rises): Eweeh! My God! I completely forgot that my friend Tina is out there. One minute, please.
SHE RUSHES OUT TO THE SHOP…
Cut…
- INTERNAL, IN TIYA’S BOUTIQUE; IN THE DAY.
SHARING HIS TIME BETWEEN EATING AND HIS LAPTOP, TIYA’S HUBBY IS FINALLY FINISHING HIS MEAL. IN HIGH SPIRITS, TIYA WALKS OUT FROM BEHIND A BULKHEAD WITH A BOTTLE, POURS HIM SOME DRINK, THEN SITS…
TIYA: So uh…can we have a bit of talk?
HUBBY: What now? I thought we concluded that talk already?
TIYA: I know. We’re not going back to the aspect we already talked.
HUBBY: Very well.
TIYA: What about today? This evening?
HUBBY: Today, this evening for…?
TIYA: For me to go to the pastor for the exorcism! What else?
HUBBY: What exorcism? After all the explanation I gave? My mom was married for close to a decade before having me. So, she knows that…
TIYA (Cuts in): I already know that! But don’t forget that she was not given any revelation that she had a marine spirit husband.
HUBBY: And I told you I don’t quite believe that marine spirit husband stuff.
TIYA: Look honey, I heard and still remember everything you said. But don’t forget that we are talking about me. I won’t be satisfied till I have…
HUBBY (Cuts in): Okay, okay, okay! Alone?
TIYA: I don’t know. I will need to ask him if coming alone is okay or if we both have to go.
HUBBY: Then ask. If it requires me coming with you, then we might have to fix it for another time.
TIYA: And if it does not? You don’t mind me going alone?
HUBBY: If you think going alone is okay, why not?
TIYA (Smiles): Thanks, Love.
SHE RISES, PECKS HIM ON THE CHEEK, CLEARS THE EMPTY PLATES, AND TAKES THEM AWAY.
- INTERNAL, BACK IN NADI’S OFFICE; IN THE DAY
AWELE IS STILL SEATED. SHE IS TALKING ON HER PHONE…
AWELE (Hushed tone): In my friend’s place…my friend Nadi…
SHE LISTENS FOR A MOMEMNT, SHAKING HER HEAD NON-AFFIRMATIVELY…
AWELE: No, no, in her office, in her hairdressing salon…
SHE LISTENS AGAIN, THIS TIME NODDING IN AFFIRMATION. THEN, THE DOOR OPENS, AND NADI VIRTUALLY PULLS HER OTHER FRIEND THROUGH THE DOOR FROM THE SALON, EXCITED. AWELE, OBVIOUSLY, QUICKLY ENDS THE CONVERSATION, IN HER CONSPIRATORIAL MIEN…
AWELE: I must go now. We’ll talk when I leave here.
STILL EXCITED, STILL VIRTUALLY DRAGGING HER OTHER FRIEND, NADI SCURRIES TO AWELE, AND…
NADI: No, Awe, tell whoever is on that phone that this is my day.
AWELE (Stands): Already gone.
NADI: Good! They had you all this while that you kept running away from me. Today is my turn; you hear me so?
AWELE: Agreed. Who is your friend?
AWELE OFFERS HAND FOR A SHAKE. NADI’S FRIEND, OBVIOUSLY YOUNGER THAN NADI AND AWELE, TAKES THE HAND…
NADI’S FRIEND (Lively): My name is Nadia. Nice to meet you.
NADI: That’s how we became friends when we met…her name, I mean…
AWELE (Friendly): Yes, I can see; Nadia and Nadi…nice.
NADI: Let’s take a seat, guys…and guess what, Awe?
AWELE (Sits): What?
NADI: Nadia has a thing or two to say about our Daddy G.
AWELE: Really?
NADI: Wait until you hear her. But not before your story about Mike and Daddy G first.
AWELE TURNS TO NADIA WITH CURIOSITY WRITTEN ALL OVER HER FACE…
Cut…
- INTERNAL, IN SELA’S PARENTS’ LIVING ROOM; IN THE DAY
SELA’S FATHER IS JUST FINISHING ONE OF HIS PRAYERS FOR THE DAY. THE MOTHER WALKS IN FROM A HERBAL OUTING IN HER USUAL WHITE APPAREL WITH WHITE BEADS ON WRISTS AND ANKLES. SHE KNEELS TO GREET HIM AND HEADS STRAIGHT FOR THE KITCHEN…
MOTHER (Going to the kitchen): I’m sorry it took me this long. There is a particular herb that I could not get easily. So I had to go the market for it.
FATHER (Smiling): Herbs in the market too! Hm!
MOTHER (Stops): You don’t believe that I went to the market? I can call my…
FATHER (Cuts in): Come on! I have never suspected you of lying to me before. I just found it funny that you could get in the market herbs you couldn’t get in the forest. That’s all.
MOTHER: Well, you know those women! There is nothing they don’t sell. I’ve even heard that some of them sell…
FATHER (Cuts in, raising his hand): Okay! Okay! Please don’t say it. I have heard it, too. Many of them have strong business connections with cemetery workers.
MOTHER: Well, there you have it. As far as they are concerned, it is business.
FATHER: Which is insensitive! I mean, people have to know where to draw the line. I mean…I have nothing against traditionalism. If I did, I would not have married you, for instance. But…
HE TRAILS OFF, SHRUGS, RISES FROM HIS PRAYING MAT, AND BEGINS TO FOLD IT…
MOTHER: I get your point. Anyway…let me warm up the soup.
FATHER: Okay. And please hurry up. I’m almost starving now.
SHE SMILES, NODS, WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN, AND CROCKERY SOUNDS FILTER OUT…
FATHER: So, did you check up on Sela anymore? I wonder why she has not told us anything further about that “befitting” thanksgiving.
MOTHER (Out of sight): I wonder, too. But no! I had to rush back home. I knew you would be hungry already.
FATHER: Maybe I should call her and find out. Let it not be like we advised her to challenge her husband over it.
MOTHER (Out of sight): Okay. You do that.
FATHER GETS HIS MOBILE PHONE, DIALS, HOLDS IT TO HIS EAR, AND GOES TO SIT AT THE DINING…
- INTERNAL, IN PASTOR K’S OFFICE; IN THE DAY
PASTOR K’S FOOD IS SERVED AND WAITING ON HIS DESK. HE IS ON HIS PHONE TALKING WITH THE “BABA” ABOUT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT…
PASTOR:…did it exactly as you told me to do it, Baba. Midnight on the dot.
BABA (Filtered): And…?
PASROR: Nothing yet. The man has not got back yet. But his son who is a member of my church appears to be dilly-dallying concerning…
AN IN-COMING CALL NOTIFICATION SOUNDS AND HE STOPS TO LOOK AT THE SCREEN. THE SCREEN SHOWS: TIYA CALLING. HIS FACE LIGHTS UP…
PASTOR: Baba, please let me call you back. A very important…
THE BABA CUTS THE CALL, CUTTING HIM SHORT. PASTOR PICKS TIYA’S CALL…
PASTOR (Affectionately): Hello, my dear sweet sister Tiya. How sweet to hear from you today!
TIYA (Filtered): Hello, pastor!
PASTOR: So where is my dear sweet sister Tiya calling from today?
TIYA (Filtered): From my shop, actually.
PASTOR: Okay! And how is my lucky brother that is so blessed to have you?
TIYA (Filtered): He is right here, pastor.
THE PASTOR ROLLS HIS EYES IN DISAPPOINTMENT…
PASTOR: I see. So, uh…how far with what we talked about during the prayer session? What is the decision now? Are you ready yet?
SPLIT SCREEN IN SHOWS BOTH OF THEM…
TIYA: Yes, that’s why I am calling you. Is it something that will take long? If so, then like how long?
PASTOR: It is not possible to say for certain. We will let the Holy Ghost take control.
TIYA: Okay. And is it okay for me to come alone or I have to come with my husband?
PASTOR: Alone is okay. You are the one who needs to be exorcised of the bad spirit; not your husband. And it is your faith that matters; not your husband’s, and certainly not mine. All that is required of me is to pray for you.
TIYA: Okay. Give me a moment please, pastor.
TIYA COVERS THE MOUTHPIECE OF HER PHONE AND TURNS TO HER HUSBAND…
TIYA: He said it is okay for me to come alone. But he does not know how long it will take. He said it’s my faith that matters; not yours and not his.
HUBBY: Hun? His faith does not matter?
TIYA: That’s what he said. And I don’t think he is lying. I have heard many times that if someone has no faith, that person cannot be healed. So…?
HUBBY: I see. So how about the dead that were resurrected? Whose faith worked there?
TIYA: Look honey, let’s not go into any arguments over that now. That is not the issue here. Is it okay for me to go alone?
THE HUBBY ONLY SHRUGS. TIYA BENDS AND GIVES HER HUBBY A PECK ON THE CHEEK…
TIYA (Back on the phone): Okay, pastor. Is this evening okay?
THE PASTOR SMILES AND LICKS HIS MOUTH LASCIVIOUSLY…
- INTERNAL, IN NADI’S SALON OFFICE; IN THE DAY
AWELE: As I told you already, Daddy G came to greet us before the service started on that Sunday. Mike got offended after Daddy G left us.
NADI: But, why?
AWELE: He didn’t like what Daddy G did…well, what he said, actually.
NADI: Come on, spill it, girl. What did Daddy G do, this time.
AWELE (Sharply): He said that it was not what Daddy G said that bothered him, but the manner and tone that he said it. But wait, what do you mean…“this time”?
NADI: Well, you know…
AWELE: Never mind that. All Daddy G did was kiss my hand and tell Mike that he has a pretty, nice wife. That’s all, my sister.
NADI BURSTS INTO LAUGHTER…
AWELE (Puzzled): What is so funny?
NADI: Awe, I’m your friend. Tell me the truth; do you have anything going with Daddy Gabriel? Or, let’s put it differently; do you have the hots for him?
AWELE: What is that supposed to mean, Nadi?
NADI (Mischievously jovial): Well, why would Mike be so suspicious if he didn’t see anything wrong? Awe, I already told you how I feel about Daddy Gabriel myself. Now your turn…spill it…
NADI IS CUT SHORT BY A COMMOTION IN HER OUTER SALON. THEY HEAR THE HARSH VOICE OF A MALE BARKING OUT ORDERS…
THE MALE VOICE: Everybody lie down on your belly, now! You move, you die…you say a word, you die!
EQUALLY HARD AND HARSH FEMALE VOICE BARKS OUT…
THE FEMALE VOICE: You there, and you! Get up and come here, now!
BACK INSIDE NADI’S OFFICE, THE THREE LADIES ARE IN PANIC, WHISPERING…
NADI: My God. It’s armed robbers.
AWELE: Or kidnappers, and…
NADIA IS TREMBLING IN FEAR…
NADIA (Forefinger across her lips): Shhh. They don’t know we are here, please. Let’s…
A GUNSHOT RINGS OUT IN THE SALON, CUTTING NADIA SHORT. THE THREE LADIES QUIETLY DASH FOR COVER UNDER THE ONLY DESK IN THE OFFICE, WHICH CANNOT CONTAIN ALL THREE…
END
Written by Michael Shaibu and Harry Agina
LINK TO EPISODE 14:
AFROCULTURAL DRAMAS ON RELIGIONS AND CULTURE, “IN GOD’S NAME,” EPISODE 14