This piece has nothing to do with the play, “Dance of the Ghosts”, written by Ben Binebai.
Beyond just the simultaneity of the title.
The dead are still living with us.
At least, we know this fact in Africa.
‘Ekpo akpa enyen, ikpaha utong’, the Ibibio adage says.
Translated as, “the dead hear us, though their eyes be shut”.
In our sociocultural construction, life is interwoven and intergenerational.
The dead, the living and the unborn form the tripod of traditional African ontology.
We believe in our roots.
We venerate our ancestors.
I wouldn’t say we worship them.
We consider the ghosts of our forebears more powerful than us.
Death is merely extending family life beyond the earth plane to the spirit world.
At burials, we whisper messages to the corpse.
Charge them to fight back where we suspect they were untimely ripped from this life.
We pray for their blessings. We believe our ancestors are already in tandem “with God”.
Don’t give me that wink. As Christians, we believe the same thing.
Catholics call them saints and beatify some.
The protestant community call the ancestors, “The Church Triumphant”.
No difference.
Truth be told, our world is a dance with the ghosts.
The dead are still one with us.
January 15 every year, Nigeria rises in honour of the Unknown Soldier.
We call it the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
When we honour those who fought and died in our wars to keep us safe.
In the United States of America, it is called, Veterans Day.
I wrote an earlier piece titled, “Are Ghosts Real?”
It was a reaction to the discovery of over 2000 Ghost Workers in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service.
Aftermath of a staff audit ordered by Governor Umo Eno.
As he disengaged the Ghosts from the Civil Service,
Governor Eno mollifies them into relatable dance.
Appointing for widows of fallen soldiers,
A declared determination to alleviate their destitution.
Governor Eno sets aside 250 million for them.
A business grant to the living wives of the dead heroes.
The high point of the 2025 edition.
A marching order has been issued.
Ministries of Women, and Humanitarian, Affairs are to collate.
An honest database of the widows of servicemen.
Thereto ensure a judicious disbursement process.
Vintage Governor Umo Eno’s supreme act of empathy and compassion.
Entreating the lurking ghosts.
That their labour is not in vain.
Their sacrifices are appreciated.
Listening from the realms beyond,
To the kindness of Governor Umo Eno’s pledge,
Their ghosts are cheery.
They know their lives is celebrated by how they died for others.
Looking down, they’re happy their surviving families are being feted.
I’m certain they’re having a dance
For annually being a blessing their offspring from immortality.
I believe we are citizens of two worlds.
To the Unknown Soldier,
We cannot remember all of you by name, nevertheless, we invoke you all to dance.
Thank you Governor Umo Eno for being intentional,
Always looking out for the vulnerable.
The 250 million is to better the lot of the living.
On a contrary lighter note,
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has confessed he was coaxed to refund $10,000,
Reportedly paid to marabouts from Kenya and Senegal.
For purported spiritual rituals to secure his governorship victory.
A compensatory homage to induced spirits.
Indeed the ghosts are having a dance.
