AFRICAN HERITAGE PRESS

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      First Edition, African Heritage Press, 2009

       Copyright © Igwe, Ben 2009

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the publisher.

      Library of Congress catalog number: 2006937598

      Igwe, Ben

      Cover Design: Dapo Ojoade

      Distributors: African Books Collective,

       www.africanbookscollective.com

      The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to persons or situations is coincidental and not intended by the author.

      ISBN: 978-0-9790858-3-3

      ISBN: 0-9790858-3-7

       ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      I owe a debt of gratitude to many who in various ways contributed to the development of this novel; the late Mazi Okechukwu Iheukwumere, Gerald Washington, Ms. Joan Adetayo and Diane Moore at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. for their suggestions. To Sekum Boni-Awotwi and Basil Maduka both of Howard University Health Sciences Library in Washington, D.C. for their kindness. Ms. Patricia Elam and Obi Iwuanyanwu gave me thoughtful ideas and Kalu Ogbaa provided much needed encouragement.

       DEDICATION

      To my parents,

       Nze Titus Ukawunne and Elizabeth Ada Opara-chukwu Igwe.

      To live in the hearts of those who love you is not to die.

      I have a past, my past is my life

      the mother of my future.

      Like every other journey to the peak

      I am ready to take care of the

      ups and downs,

      To be loved and cherished in the crown of my heritage

      I have a past.

      Chidi A. Okoye

       CONTENTS

       One

       Two

       Three

       Four

       Five

       Six

       Seven

       Eight

       Nine

       Ten

       Eleven

       Twelve

       Thirteen

       Fourteen

       Fifteen

       Sixteen

       Seventeen

       Eighteen

       Nineteen

       Twenty

       Twenty-One

       Twenty-Two

       Twenty-Three

       Twenty-Four

       Twenty-Five

       Twenty-Six

       Twenty-Seven

       Twenty-Eight

       Twenty-Nine

       Thirty

       Thirty-One

       Thirty-Two

       Thirty-Three

       Thirty-Four