The Akodi Orisa is tranquil.

ByMoyo Okediji

The Akodi Orisa is tranquil.

It is perfect as an art retreat.

It makes for a great place to reside and study, to research, fully focus on an idea and push it through.

The birds are serenading the grounds.

The breeze is soothing, as the sun blazes away, with the green foliage shading us from the rays.

It is heavenly here.

But not far from this tranquil retreat, a new church has just been built, and the noises of the members as they scream and yell prayers and curses at the world is nothing short of ridiculous.

Pa wọ́n run, lórúkọ Jeesù!

Destroy them in the name of Jesus!!!

Olúwa lù wọ́n bolẹ̀! (Lord cudgel them down!)

Baba lù wọ́n bolẹ̀!!! (Father, club them to the ground!)

Gbogbo àwọn ọtáà mi (All my enemies)

Olúwa lù wọ́n bolẹ̀! (Lord cudgel them down!)

Why must you shout so loud and use the megaphone to yell all these cursings at the entire neighborhood?

Are Christians not supposed to pray subtly?

Did Jesus not counsel against Pharisees and Sadducees?

Did Jesus not teach them to pray, saying, “Our father, who art in heaven…?”

Is Christianity not about love?

Did Jesus not ask for forgiveness of sin even for those persecuting him?

Where did these Nigerian Christians get their doctrine of hate from?

The noise terrorism of these Christians is outrageous.

It gets worse daily, and at night, it is outright unbearable.

How can we bring the law to make these people respect the desires of those of us in need of tranquil and civil communities?

Can’t we just have some enjoyable silence, please?

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SOJA GO, SOJA COME

ByMoyo Okediji

Muhamadu Buhari, the president of our terminally sick Nigeria, just did what soldiers have been doing since I was ten years old—he kicked out some old soldiers, and replaced them with some old soldiers.

Buhari kicked out Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin;

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai;

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas;

and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

a section of the akodi orisa

IV

ByMoyo Okediji

“The Police Area Commander (AC) is interested in the case,” a police officer with a cellphone said. “He just called to say that he is now at his seat, and wants to see all of you in his office.” The AC’s office was about one hundred meters across the yard, from where we were seated. We all filed into the AC’s office. He was seated, and his large desk was decorated with pictures, flags and small objects with personal sentimental values. He was a handsome middle-aged man who seemed rather too pleasant looking to be a police officer. Not until he stood up did I realize that his gait was forward-leaning, with the robust physique of a football tackler. You wouldn’t want to be in his way despite his handsome mien.

a picture of a sculpture at the akodi orisa

There’s nobody who will see this place and not be afraid

ByMoyo Okediji

“There’s nobody who will see this place and not be afraid,” the two men on the bike said this morning as they stopped and kept looking at our newest installation at the Àkòdì Òrìṣà.

Bí ìwọ́ bá ṣe rere, ara kì yíò ha yá ọ? I wonder where I got that quote from. Is it a Yoruba proverb?

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was from the Bible.

a sction of the akodi orisa

II

ByMoyo Okediji

II The doctor is Seyi Ogunjobi, an artist in residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University’s Center for Cultural Studies. He has been assisting me to build the ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ. At the exact time the police was storming the construction site of the ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ, Ogunjobi, a Leeds doctorate in creative arts, was moderating a discussion in the lecture theater of the Center for Cultural Studies, at the Obafemi Awolowo University campus. Part of the seminar series of the center where Ogunjobi works, his duties include hosting the seminar series, at which invited guests presents on a regular basis. Yesterday, Ogunjobi was moderating a seminar that I presented, titled, “Invisible Canvas: Painting as Performance in Ile Ife.”

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