The Reckless Driver

The episode highlights the events through a flashback to the prior life of Pastor Chiamaka Chineka before he saw the light, became a man of God, and eventually joined AGDA. We learn that he always drove dangerously with his elbow sticking out of the car window, blasting the latest hit songs. He never used to care about other road users; he flouted road rules, and everyone hated him except for his younger brother Obinna, an evening student at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Chiamaka would swerve out of his lane, keep cutting into other lanes until he reached his new destination, driving against all motorists on that side who would have to get out of his way. He liked the traffic jams and the detonations of human temper that were Lagos and was thrilled by the complexity of the physics of driving. His younger brother Obinna enjoyed his reckless driving. Danger lurked on every mile the elder brother drove, and the boy liked the thrill of danger. The episode ends when Chiamaka wants to drive his young brother Obinna to the university.

Analysis

Stylistic Devices

Through flashback, we learn about Chiamaka's life before he became a pastor and joined AGDA. The author uses rhetorical questions to make the reader ponder about what is asked. “How were the drivers in the other lanes supposed to free themselves from the chaos he was causing?” (page 105).

This literary feature paints him as chaotic. “Would he not be driving against all motorists on that side?” (page 105). The rhetorical question helps to highlight Chiamaka's character traits.

The author also uses ideophones, which refer to the actual sounds produced, “Mm-mm” (page 106). There is also personification, whereby danger is personified and is said to be lurking just like humans: “Danger lurked on every mile the elder drove…” (page 106).

Lastly, there is the use of dialogue in direct speech when we encounter a conversation between Chiamaka and his younger brother Obinna: “‘Let’s go! I’ll be late.’ … ‘Did I hear someone say late?’” (page 106).

Character and Characterization

Chiamaka is portrayed as careless: “He always drove dangerously” (page 105). He is also chaotic: “How were the drivers in the other lanes supposed to free themselves from the chaos he was causing?” (page 105).

He is portrayed as egocentric, caring only about himself and no other motorists. He enjoyed the traffic jams and getting on other people's nerves, laughing as terrified pedestrians fled his path. His reckless lane-switching without regard for incoming motorists paints him negatively.

The Turning Point

One evening after dropping his younger brother Obinna, Chineka Chiamaka drove to his office at Earth Movers Ltd. Unfortunately, he takes a route named Highway 69, nicknamed ‘God’s Highway,’ which was a bad idea since it was throbbing with ‘Born-Again’ Lagosian headed to Holy Camp.

As usual, Chiamaka decided to play his usual trick of driving against the flow of traffic, but this time he rammed into a fire engine. His Mercedes flew off the road, spun in the air several times before landing back on the road. He escaped without serious injuries, but the fire engine was nowhere to be found, and no motorists stopped to check on him, a norm in Nigerian roads to avoid potential robbery traps.

Chiamaka believed these were miracles, not isolated incidents. He considered them connected segments of a single revelation, prompting him to turn to religion and become a church minister.

Analysis

Thematic Concerns

The idea of hypocrisy in Christianity is addressed. Despite the highway being filled with ‘Born-Again’ Christians, none stopped to help Chiamaka after his accident, highlighting their superficial piety. The issue of insecurity is also addressed; no motorists stopped as accidents could easily be traps for robbery.

Lastly, the theme of change is evident when Chiamaka, after surviving the accident, becomes a church minister.

Character and Characterization

Chiamaka is portrayed as forgetful: “When he chose that route, he had forgotten that day was Friday” (page 106). He is also cunning: “He had played that trick many times before… it had always worked” (page 107). Lastly, he is shown as decisive, choosing to become a preacher after surviving the accident.

Road users are portrayed as careful and cautious, not stopping at the accident scene to avoid potential traps.

Literary Devices

Parenthesis is used to provide additional information: “but nicknamed-God’s Highway-having long come…” (page 106). This highlights Christian hypocrisy. Situational irony is employed when no motorists, including the ‘Born-Again’ Christians, stop to help Chiamaka after his accident. Personification is used: cars are described as mean machines (page 107), and Chiamaka's Mercedes is described as flying (page 108). Rhetorical questions are used: “Had it hit him and run, or had it just ignored him and kept going?” (page 108). Simile and biblical allusion are used: “swerving out of his way like water… Red Sea” (page 107).

The Man of God

The episode details Pastor Chiamaka's journey to becoming an acclaimed pastor. Preaching, once a special skill taught in seminaries, became a common skill acquired through other means. Chiamaka did not attend any seminary but started by nodding in agreement with preachers, then shaking their hands, and finally imitating their techniques. When confident, he began preaching.

He preached everywhere: indoors, in the privacy of homes; in churches; and outdoors, in public spaces. God had given him all the gifts he needed: a strong presence, a knack for dramatic gestures, a reverberating voice, and a rich sense of humor. He quickly became a pastor with his own church, Church Inside Africa (CIA), and proved his authenticity, using both coercive and persuasive methods to guide his congregation.

Analysis

Thematic Concerns

The theme of change is highlighted, showing how becoming a pastor has evolved from seminary training to learning through observation. Religion is also a central theme, particularly the shortcuts taken by modern pastors, like Chiamaka, who bypass formal training.

Character and Characterization

Chiamaka is depicted as determined, preaching everywhere until he establishes his own church. He is also humorous, possessing qualities that help him thrive as a pastor. He is described as coercive and persuasive in his approach to moral correctness.

Role of Characters in the Episode

Chiamaka's role is to illustrate the theme of change and the evolution of religious leadership.

God is Watching You!

In this episode, Pastor Chiamaka delivers a sermon titled “God is Watching You!” He uses an analogy to capture his congregation's attention, asking them to imagine finding a plastic bag with ten million dollars and pondering what they would do. He provides options: keep the money, take it home and decide later, or hand it to the police.

He shares statistics from the Austrian Institute for Studies on Human Inclinations (AISHI), noting that 20% would keep the money, 50% would take it home and decide later, and 30% would hand it to the police. He emphasizes that God is always watching. The congregation feels uncomfortable, with undertones of rebellion in their response. Despite this, Pastor Chiamaka delivers an excellent, persuasive sermon.

Analysis

Thematic Concerns

The theme of Christian hypocrisy is highlighted as the congregation reacts uncomfortably to Chiamaka's sermon, indicating their guilt and reluctance to follow the moral path. The theme of surveillance by a higher power is also emphasized.

Stylistic Devices

Vivid description is used to depict Chiamaka's actions at the pulpit (page 110). Suspense is created as the congregation's suspicion rises (page 111).

Character and Characterization

Pastor Chiamaka is portrayed as humorous and cunning, tricking his congregation with an imaginary story. He is also witty and persuasive. The congregation is described as rebellious and hypocritical, reacting uncomfortably to the sermon.

Role of Characters in the Episode

Chiamaka's role is to highlight the themes of hypocrisy and change, while also building the character traits of the congregation.

Chiamaka the Guest of the State

The episode continues with flashbacks. Pastor Chiamaka preaches a combative sermon criticizing the Nigerian government’s inability to address riots. The following day, he is arrested and spends two weeks in a rat-infested cell. Upon release, he is banned from preaching.

Two years later, a deep voice calls him with “Good news for change.” AGDA has a fresh approach to Africa’s development, and Chiamaka enlists.

Analysis

Thematic Concerns

The theme of poor leadership is highlighted through the Nigerian president's inaction during the riots. The government's incompetence is further emphasized by Chiamaka's imprisonment for criticizing the president. Civil unrest indicates ineffective leadership.

Stylistic Devices

Personification is used: fires are said to consume cities. Satire is employed to highlight the president's weaknesses.

Character and Characterization

Pastor Chiamaka is portrayed as combative (page 114) and sarcastic, questioning the president's ineffective actions. The congregation is portrayed as cautious, remaining silent to avoid consequences (page 115).

Role of Characters in the Text

Chiamaka's role is to highlight the theme of poor leadership and build on the theme of change.