Henry Duke

> Loyalty, like respect, is earned.
>
> Henry Duke

**Henry Duke** is the Chief of Staff for the Governor of Savannah State, primarily serving Angela Ochello. He also served as Peter Akale’s Chief of Staff during his first and only year in office. Henry Duke is immensly loyal, and understands the need to fight for the greater good. His knowledge on the inner workings of politics is balanced by his sought potential for change. After the death of Peter Akale, Henry transitioned into the Ochello Adinistration, and continued to serve in his same capacity. Henry served as a close advisor to Angela, who he later developed a friendship with. Both were disgusted by the corruption and greed that had infested state politics, and were united in their will to serve the people.

## Early career

### Akakle Administration

During the Akale admin., Hnery was noted has being compenent and loyal. He tolearted the disrespect of some of the otehr government officials, which helped increase his knowledge of politics. During his administarion, Henry attempted to convince Akale to reconisder the Chinese Deal, but Akale said otherwise. Henry also attempted to ensure that contracts were met by the state government.

### Political Crisis

       While pasisng through the Banda estate to get to Ajase, the Governor's Security Detail convoy was slammed into by a truck. The truck, trying to avoid a pothole, hit Akale's car. Both Musa, the Governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), and Henery sustained mild injurieds, and rushed Akale to Savannah Gneral Hospital. He informed the Deputy, Angela Ochello, that she was acting Governor until *oga's* recovery. The Ochellos, and Chief Gbenga Momo-ali met with Henry at the hospital. The doctor explained Akale's barin was beggning to swell, and that operations would be difficult, especially considering teh lack of proper equipment. Henry was entrusted by Akale's wife, Magdalen, with Peter's care. Little did they know, the Big Three was already pulling some strings. He was instructed by them to seal off any and all information pertaining to the Governor's condintion. However, when Henry informed them of Angela Ochello's status as acting govenror, they were immedietly dismayed. He avoided calls from Angela. Magdalen, growing impatient with the lack of improvement, told Henry to begin organizing to have Peter flown out to Munich, Switzerland. She also said the stop any leaks coming from the hospital, and to restrict visitation.

#### Secret meetings

    During an emergency ExCo meeting of the Akale Cabinet, Henry advised waiting before pushing in the Chinese Deal, so that Akale can finalize the documents; Friday resisted claiming there was no need. When Friday insulted Commisioner Sherri Jacobs, Henry seemed disappointed. When Angela arrived, he struggled to explain why she was not invited.

#### Flying Peter out

After two days of no improveemnt, Magdalen had Henery prepare to have Peter flown out that night, depsite the caution aired by Dr. Fred. Later, while leaving the hospital, and unknown to him at the time, he was mis-indetified for a kidnapping target of Fagbo's gang. Henry, who was in similar atire as the would-be victim, got up from his chair and left the main door at the excat same moment as the original target entered a corridor away from the main entrance, casuing confusion within Fagbo's henchman. Assuming he was infact the target, the goon quietly pursued Henry in his van.

The following day, Henry confronted Musa, accusing him of being unproffesional as he had truned his cell phone off. He ifnromed him of their plans to fly Peter out that night on a charter plane, to the protest of Musa. Henry dismissed his fears, and told him to prepare. Sometime later, he called Magdalen to inform her that the Air Ambulances were no longer available, to which she asked him to triple their fees if needed. Wanting to get Akale to Switzerland as soon as possible, Henry asked Musa to charter a plane; he was not impressed when Musa protested, claiming it would be to expensive as he said he was not living up to the standards required by his job.

#### Akale's Final Hours

Later, Henry, Magdalen, and company had requested the transfer papers, only to discover they had been misplaced. Magdalen, disillusioned with the incompetence at the hospital, was later told by Henry that both ambulances were unusable, and that they had lost their deposit for the charter plane. Henry then called Angela, who told them of their plans to leave as soon as possible. Suddenly, he revived a call from Dr. Jalo, who had secured an escort air ambulance service all the way to Switzerland at 7pm that night, to the surprise of both Magdalen, and Henry. Little did they know that Jalo, and the Big Three were trying to prevent Magdalen from organizing a flight herself, as they feared she could use Peter for ransom. Later, Henry tried to see Akale in his ward, only to be blocked by Musa’s goons. After many attempts, he eventually confronted Musa in the hospital parking lot. Musa explained that a blackout ban had been initiated following a security threat. Henry left content, unaware that Musa had fabricated the whole story. Henry left to visit Angela Ochello. She explained her intentions to resign, and said it was for the good of both her family and the party. Henry thought the decision would be a distaster, and noticed by ‘the good of the party’ she meant the Big Three. Henry then realized why the Big Three were plotting this whole time, and that the plans initiated so far were later out so Friday was posies to become the next Governor. Understanding the tense political climate conspired by these “abnormal men,” and realizing the effects of Savannah State in the case of a Bello Administration, Henry urged Angela to not resign. Soon after he left, he called Musa who offering to have a security team escort him to the airport that night, as both were beginning to finalize Akale’s transfer, when Musa abruptly ended the call.

### Kidnapping

> You know kidnapping is good business these days.
>
> Farouk

Shortly after his brief conversation with Musa, Henry took a brief trip to a small market. Unbeknownst to him, Fagbo’s henchman had followed him in his van, and gave his men the order. While putting his item in the backseat of his car, Henry was suddenly bludgeoned by an armed man, and forced into the back seat unconscious as his car was stolen. He woke up in the room designated by Fagbo’s henchman, in dark and damp conditions.

Fagbo’s men demanded Henry state on video that they wanted 10 million Naira for his release. Henry refused, claiming he worked for the government. He eventually asked the men to check is pockets for his wallet and they discovered his identification. Upon realizing the error, Fagbo’s Henchman contacted Fagbo. Around this time, Angela Ochello tried calling Henry to no eval. Not long after, Fagbo arrived at the room. Henry’s face was completely covered, so as to prevent him from identifying Fagbo. Fagbo suggested the ransom could follow through, but his henchman said to stay out of government business, and to cut him loose. Fagbo claimed, “Nothing has changed. Just the price.”

### Returning to his Job

A few hours before the swearing-in of Angela Ochello as the next Governor of Savannah State, Henry was shocked as he was splashed with water while still in the seat. Fagbo’s henchman undid the taping that bonded his hands to the seat, and quickly released him, urging him to leave before the other men would notice his escape. Henry obeyed and quickly rushed out of the room, still dismayed from the whole ordeal. Shortly afterwards, he a called Angela, who told him that she had been briefed about his situation, and that the Ochello Administration was looking forward to his return

## Ochello Administration

### A new Governor

Henry appeared next to David Ochello at the inauguration of Angela Ochello as the Governor, and appeared to have cleaned up nicely despite his ordeal. The next day in the Governor’s Office main lobby, and he congratlute Angela; he is told he is lucky to be alive by Farouk after his kidnapping incidnet. Later in his office, Farouk tol him that most of the suspects are in custody but the gang leader is not. Curious about the motivatio, wants to know it wasn’t about Akale’s death; he said Musa had a report, but Farouk says he didn’t authorize any report. After the funeral, Henry met with Musa in his office; he wanted to know more about the 'assaination plot' on Akale. Henry already had his suspicions of Musa’s claims, and may have been testing him to determine if he was lying. He said he would consider ordering an autopsy, and dismissed Musa. Met with Angela in her former office, which she was still using at the time, and she assured him he remain in his current role (ExCo Meeting/cabinet meeting) He also advised Angela to replace Musa as her CSO immediately. Later, Gbenga, Henry, and Angela come to the Governor’s Office. That night, Henry called ANgela while she was sleeping, and told a building had collapsed on the Marbero housing estate.Henry, David, and Henry rushed to the scene, and helped the injured. The next morning, Henry attended the second meeting of the Ochello Cabinet, where the Governor confirmed she had plans to do a cabinet reshuffle.

### Angela's First Days

Some time in a leter day, Henry approached Angela in the main lobby of the office. He explained that the Chinese ambassador requested a meeting. In her office, Henry explained the formalities of the original deal that Governor Akale signed was based in principle formalities rather than practicalities. Hre advised to not stall the diplomat. Later Henry Duke spoke with Friday Bello, who was irritated at the slowness of the progression of the Chinese Deal. Henry assured Friday it was high on the priority list, and that it would inevitably be resolved. Friday was not studied with the answer. While Angela was meeting with Paul Asemota, Henry’s natural suspicion of journalists prompted him to contact Farouk, and asked him to look into Paul. After a visit from Sheri Jacobs, Henry went to Angela, and said he was pleased at the reports of her response to the recent building collapse. Angela seemed disinterested, but Henry encouraged her to visit the boy who she saved earlier. Henry set up a meeting between Paul and Angela at a location known as The Lakeside.

## Personality and traits

> He is fiercely loyal
>
> Magdalen, describing Henry to Angela Ochello

Henry is very loyal, and has intense poltical acumene. He udnerstands how to play the long game, and when to prioritize the greater good.

### Trivia

* Henry plays the game squash, and was once challenged by David Ochello
* Henry has a natural suspicion of the press, and is always diligent around reporters
* Henry plays chess, ayoayo, and at least one other game in his spare time
* Henry has an unnamed wife and children

### Friends and Enemies

**Friends:**

* Angela Ochello; Served as her loyal advisor and later became a good friends
* Peter Akale; a good mentor to Henry who trusted him immensely
* Ahmed Jalo; Ahmed sought advise from Henry after he was poised to become next Governor
* Sheir Jacobs; As the Minister for Women’s Affairs in both the cabinets, Henry grew to respect and work more closely with Commissioner Jacobs
* Farouk; As the Director of the Secret Service for Savannah, Farouk worked closely with Henry, and two held great respect for one another.
* Iffy Ochello; Henry did some work on the Youth in Politics initiative, and gave advise to the young Iffy Ochello, the daughter of Angela

 **Enemies:**

* Friday Bello; Because of his high place in government, Henry was forced to work with the likes of the Finance Commissioner, the two maintained a bitter rivalry until the corrupt official’s abrupt resignation.
* Musa; Orginally an apparent ally, Musa’s true intentions were discovered by Henry, after Farouk indicated he had fabricated a security threat. He isolated the former CSO as he found him disloyal.
* Goke; Henry found Goke’s incompetence unbearable, and was concerned with his lack of responsibility.
* Briggs; The Honorable Savannah State Senator loathed Henry, who attempted to negotiate with the power hungry Big Three.

## Behind the scenes

Henry Duke is played by actor and voice over artist Lord Frank. He is well known in Nigeria, and is credited in about 30 movies and Tv shows. He lives in Lagos, and was at one point in the United States. Henry Duke's stoic yet strong willed charcter can be credited to Lord Frank's demeanor and voice skill.