Art Historian, Artist, and Curator

a picture showing moyo okediji poised for the camera

ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY, 1981, (Part Three)

ByMoyo Okediji July 9, 2020May 21, 2023

They took Obaseki to a native doctor in Benin, straight from the police cell.

I ran into him about six months later when he was released.

His condition had deteriorated remarkably. He looked gaunt and shrunk. He must have lost about fifty pounds, (and he weighed not less than 175lbs and stood at 6’ tall when he assaulted Steve). His face had dark blotches and rashes all over it, and he moved with a stoop that made him look much shorter, as he gingerly carried his tray of food from the counter to a table.

I knew that he saw me as I entered the Ekewan campus cafeteria. But he quickly averted his face, pretending that he didn’t notice me. I went to the food counter to place my order. I decided I would surprise him by joining him at his table once I got my food.

Short Stories

ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY, 1981, (PART TWO)

ByMoyo Okediji July 8, 2020May 21, 2023

Rufus was in a murderous mood. Steve, the one who Obaseki pummeled, became worried when Rufus went into his room. “What’s he gone to do in his room?” I asked Steve, whose only interest at that moment was diving into the fried rice we just brought for him.

Steve said, “He’s gone to change into his shorts. Looks like he’s really upset. He is changing into loose clothes to take out that guy who attacked me.”

“Na shakara,” I told Steve.

“What?” Steve asked.

Short Stories

ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY, 1981 (Part Twelve)

ByMoyo Okediji February 28, 2020May 21, 2023

Iya Ngu stopped eating. She had not touched most of the food in front of her, and did not eat the two pieces of goat meat left in her plate after Professor Wangboje helped himself to the first one. She began to wash her hands.

“Madam,” I asked, “you are not eating the meat? It’s delicious goat meat.”