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|title=Oil on Water

|author=Helon Habila

|date=August 2010

|isbn=978-0241144862

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The book opens with two local journalists on a rather dangerous trip. Zaq, old-timer and cynic but still has the skills to seek out a good story and apprentice Rufus. A British oil engineer's wife has gone missing, believed kidnapped and the two journalists are following her trail. Zaq comes across as an interesting character; all-seeing, all-knowing albeit likes a drink or two. He's happy to impart years of knowledge to Rufus and tells him that '' ... the story is not always the final goal.'' What's really important, what the readers want to know and what sells newspapers is '' ... the meaning of the story.''