Exploring stages in the journey of life in Okeke’s ‘What Next’?
By Deborah Chinonyerem Uzoma
WHAT Next? (Winepress Publishing, Ibadan; 2024) by Dr. Jim Osita Okeke spotlights Ositadimma, the only son of Ichie Agu, son of Ichie Odumodu of Umuezike. Born into a family of farmers and fighters with no formal education, he is able to, with determination and trust in God, fight against life’s odds to overcome and achieve his goals until the untimely deathv of his dear wife, Nkem.
Ositadimma’s life takes a transformative turn when he is sent to school. The excerpt reads: “Out of the three children of Agu and Mkpuruma, only Ositdadimma was registered in a school because of his association with the village Catechist and because, as a male, they felt he would be in a better position to utilise the opportunity.” This is in line with one of the Mark Manson’s four stages – the first mimicry. There is a constant search for approval and validation. The absence of independent thought and personal values from Ositadimma’s father. Manson proposes that at this stage the adults in the community around us help us to reach this point through supporting our ability to make decisions and take action ourselves. This marks the beginning of Ositadimma’s educational journey, which takes him from nursery to Seminary level.
Life is full of twists and turns. After passing his WAEC, Ositadimma is expected to pursue a priestly vocation. But the thought of his mother’s death, his responsibilities as an only son, and the expectations from his village as a priest to be gifted a car upon ordination led him to withdraw from this path and change direction. This pivotal moment sets Ositadimma on a new journey, driven by the question ‘What Next?’ This is where self-discovery comes in.
Consequently, Ositadimma relocates to the city of Idoma, where he finds help from his friend Ejike and secures a clerical job at the Federal University. He then pursues a degree in Accountancy, facing numerous challenges along the way. Once he loses the opportunity of meeting a potential benefactor to his education and no hope seems to come for his educational assistance. However, his foundation in the Seminary plays out as he resorts to fasting and prayer hoping for a miracle which does happen. Ositadimma eventually gets enlisted for the State government Bursary allowance which enables him to graduate with a degree in Accountancy. Throughout his journey, Ositadimma relies on his faith and perseverance to overcome obstacles.
After completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Ositadimma secures a job in the banking industry for five years. During this period, he meets his wife Nkem. Manson refers this stage as “The Commitment Stage.” It is a stage where you double down on what you’re best at and what is best for you. You double down on the most important relationships in your life. You double down on a single mission in life, whether that’s to work on the world’s energy crisis or to be a bitching digital artist or to become an expert in brains or have a bunch of snotty, drooling children. Whatever it is, Stage Three is when you get it done. Ositadimma resigns from the bank industry and moves to the United States to join his family. He faces new challenges, including the realities of married life and the burden of sustaining his family.
Challenges can hit a man unexpectedly. Despite the prevailing challenges, Ositadimma remains steadfast in his faith, drawing strength from scripture. When faced with disappointment, he finds solace in verses like Ezekiel 3:27: “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, this is what the Sovereign Lord Says; whoever will listen will listen and whoever will refuse, let them refuse; for they are rebellious people.” Realities of married life set into Ositadimma’s family. He copes with the burden of sustaining his family, paying tax and the children’s welfare. Luckily he is blessed with a very supportive and understanding wife, Nkem. The journey of life takes them from one bus stop to another – from moving out of their apartment due to complaints from the management staff regarding noise from the children to starting his own business and living a more balanced and relaxed life. Then the unexpected surfaces, marking a huge turning point in the life of Ositadimma.
At this stage, life can’t be predicted. The middle is in between balancing the beginning phase and settling the dream life one wishes for him/herself. Manson proposes that this stage ends when a combination of two things happen: 1 ) you feel as though there’s not much else you are able to accomplish, and 2) you get old and tired and find that you would rather sip martinis and do crossword puzzles all day.
At this middle stage, Nkem, the beloved wife of Ositadimma, breaks the news of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer Stage one, the same cancer which is said to have claimed the life of her mother. Ositadimma and his children keep fighting tirelessly to save Nkem’s life. The news of Nkem’s passing sends shockwaves through her family, serving as a reminder that life is full of twists and turns, and that anything can happen at unexpected times in life.
It is here that life offers its final stages, marked as the end of something, ultimate result or conclusion of a journey. In the narrative, the funeral rites for Nkem wear a blur of tears and sorrow as family and friends gather to pay their last respects. Reality of Nkem’s passing is hard to accept: “Nkem was more than just a memory; she was a wife, a mother, and a friend”, Ositadimma recalls. In Manson’s four stages of life, the goal of Stage Four then becomes not to create a legacy as much as simply making sure that legacy lasts beyond one’s death. At the peak of Ositadimma’s success, tragedy strikes, leaving his family reeling. The story is a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and that success is not immune to sorrow.
Throughout the book, the author weaves in Igbo proverbs and traditions, adding depth and meaning to the narrative. Towards the end of the novel, the author, Dr. Jim Osita Okeke puts up a postscript which serves as a rethink or rather a reflection about life, aspirations, and wealth. He writes: “There was joy and happiness in the household as God finally blessed their efforts and the bondage of poverty was broken. But life being what is it – a huge cauldron of irony – that at the peak of their success was when an indelible calamity hit the family and the centre could not hold anymore.”
Furthermore, What Next? highlights a recurring pattern in Ositadimma’s family. Nkem’s mother dies of cancer, just like Nkem. Ositadimma’s father, Agu, is described as a son among many daughters, just like Ositadimma. The question lingers: now that Nkem is gone, what next? Will Ositadimma follow in his father’s footsteps and take another wife, or will he forge a different path? The reader is left pondering the value of wealth and material possessions.
* Uzoma, a 2023 Fellow of Ebedi International Writers Residency, writes across genres, is the author of My Father’s House and Other Poems, can be reached @uzomadeborah@gmail.com
