PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - OFFICE - DAY

INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - OFFICE - DAY A lavish office adorned with portraits of past leaders. President OBIASI, a pompous and charismatic figure in his early 50s, sits behind his grand desk, wearing a traditional African attire. He's surrounded by his advisors - the obsequious Chief ADENIYI, the sly ECONOMIC ADVISOR, and the stern MILITARY GENERAL. PRESIDENT OBIASI (smiling) Gentlemen, our great nation is facing an unprecedented crisis. Our treasury is drier than the Sahara, yet our neighbors are swimming in oil money! ECONOMIC ADVISOR (slyly) Sir, I have a brilliant solution. We can launch a "National Air Sale" campaign, selling bags of air labeled as "Pure Nigerian Air" to naive tourists. CHIEF ADENIYI (nods) And we can tax the foreign media for every negative news they report about Nigeria. We'll call it the "Bad Press Tax." MILITARY GENERAL (leaning in) Or we could stage a coup against ourselves and then quell it heroically. People love a strong leader, and our popularity will soar! PRESIDENT OBIASI (chuckles) Gentlemen, these are all intriguing ideas, but we need something bigger. We must distract the public from our troubles. I've heard of a hidden treasure buried beneath Aso Rock. Let's announce a national treasure hunt! EXT. LAGOS STREETS - DAY The streets are abuzz with excitement as NIGERIANS eagerly search for the treasure. STREET VENDORS sell treasure maps and shovels, while local MUSICIANS compose songs about the grand adventure. LOCAL MUSICIAN (singing) ♪ O Obiasi, our treasure king, lead us to wealth and let us sing! ♪ INT. TV STUDIO - NIGHT President Obiasi addresses the nation on television, dressed in explorer attire with a pith helmet and binoculars around his neck. PRESIDENT OBIASI (enthusiastically) My fellow Nigerians, the treasure hunt is on! I've deciphered the ancient scrolls and clues that lead to the hidden riches beneath Aso Rock. Let the hunt begin! TV ANCHOR (whispering to co-anchor) I thought Aso Rock was just a giant rock... EXT. ASO ROCK - DAY Thousands of NIGERIANS swarm around Aso Rock, digging with fervor. Reporters capture the chaos as people frantically dig up the landscape. President Obiasi stands on a platform, supervising the spectacle. PRESIDENT OBIASI (to camera) Our nation's future is literally under our feet, my friends! INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - OFFICE - LATER The treasury room remains empty, and the treasure hunt is leading to nowhere. President Obiasi, Chief Adeniyi, the Economic Advisor, and the Military General gather, their faces painted with desperation. ECONOMIC ADVISOR (whispering) Sir, perhaps it's time to admit that there never was a treasure? CHIEF ADENIYI (agrees) Yes, and the people are growing restless. We need a new distraction. MILITARY GENERAL (smirking) What if we announce a "National Laughter Day" to celebrate our unity through humor? We'll even hire comedians to perform at the presidential palace! EXT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - GROUNDS - NATIONAL LAUGHTER DAY - DAY Nigerians gather around the palace, enjoying hilarious comedy performances. Laughter echoes through the air as even the President himself joins in the merriment. COMEDIAN (mockingly) Why did the corrupt politician cross the road? To get to the other side of the bribe, of course! INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - OFFICE - DAY President Obiasi and his advisors bask in the success of National Laughter Day. PRESIDENT OBIASI (laughing) Who would have thought that laughter could be our salvation? CHIEF ADENIYI And to think we were worried about treasure and distractions. Laughter truly is the best distraction! The room erupts in laughter, highlighting the irony of their situation. FADE OUT DISCLAIMER: This screenplay is a work of fiction and satire. It is not intended to accurately depict historical events or individuals. Any resemblance to real events or persons is purely coincidental.