AFRICAN PROSE ISIDORE OKPEWHO: The Last Duty
Examine the role of Major Ali in the novel.
Explanation
Major Ali’s role in the novel Major Ali who replaces Major Akuya Bello at Urukpe is loved by the citizens. He reciprocates their love by playing the role of a comforter, protector to them. He goes to the refugee camp and consoles Dafe’s mother.
As a Major posted to Urukpe, his primary assignment is to maintain law and order as well as protect the citizens to observe the curfew imposed on Urukpe.
He goes round the town to assure the citizens of Urukpe of their protection and safety during any air raid by the rebels.
Even though Major Ali is a decent soldier who sees his duty as an impartial implementation of the Federal army code of conduct, he is full of self-concern. He fails to act decisively because he always wants to maintain a cordial relationship with the local leadership especially Toje. His failure to recognize the danger in Toje’s advances towards Aku contributes to her tragedy. He fails both as a public relations man and as a soldier. He cannot prevent rebel incursions and cannot take action to forestall Aku’s tragedy. Little wonder then that he is transferred from his post at the end of Oshevire’s episode.
Major Ali’s approach to the situation confronting him shows the danger inherent in the actions of military leaders whose undue concern for their careers leads to their inadvertently being insensitive to the feelings of the people they are supposed to be protecting.