Odili Samalu

Odili is a young teacher who has become disillusioned with the current government of his country. While he was a university student, Odili realized the politicians who ran his country were corrupt and interested only in increasing their own wealth, not in helping the people. At the start of the book, Odili is politically idealistic, and he truly wants to help improve the lives of the people in his country. However, he is also a young man who is full of lust and pride. He sometimes manipulates other people and wants to impress others. He is thoughtful and well-educated, but sometimes he is blind to his own shortcomings. Over the course of the novel, he matures and changes. His idealism is tested and he discovers personal integrity and courage are of great importance.

Chief Nanga

Chief Nanga is the “man of the people” referred to in the...