Reading maketh a man: this is known to all. It is a given that book is a major promoter of reading culture across the globe. Indeed, African literature is the encyclopedia of collective African cultural, social, economic and political experience of the continent.
Based on the above axiom and facts, Henry Akubuiro, the author of the critically acclaimed novel, Prodigals in Paradise, was hosted by the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Benue State chapter, recently in Makurdi to read from his debut novel.
On 2nd August, Radio Benue FM, the state-owned radio station and social media was awash with the news of Akubuiro’s visit to Benue to read his work. And the news generated a lot of enthusiasm among Benue writers who could not wait to see him.
What interested them mostly was the opportunity to interact with the award-wining-author and Arts Editor of The Sun newspaper face-to-face.
After a brief introduction of members to the guest writer, the interactive session commenced. During the interactive session, Paul Ugah, the author of Midnight Cry; Hope Idani, the author of Davidic Harp; Regina Nege, the author of Dog Tales; Victoria Aduma, the author of The Return of Our Land; HC Kochis, essayist and author of Sunrise at Night; Charles Iornumbe, critic and poet; Fater Vange, poet, among others, engaged the guest writer on his writing style, how long it took him to write the novel, how he published his work, his inspiration and what drove his writing, among other questions.
On how long it took him to write the novel, the guest writer says: “It took me almost a decade to publish Prodigals in Paradise, and it is because I took time to improve on the work before it was finally published in 2016.
On how he got his inspiration, he said: “I got most of my inspirations from the society as a journalist. In fact, most of the stories are based on happenings in our society. I only fictionalised them to make them more interesting.”
He explained that the reading tour he embarked on was to promote reading and writing among writers, and not a campaign for any elective position in ANA national level. The interactive session, which lasted for about two hours came to an end at 2 pm.
Evening session of the reading, which coincided with the association’s monthly reading, was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists hall. At about 4 pm, members of the association, guest and students of the Benue State University were gathered for the event.
After some writers read their works, the guest writer, Akubuiro took the stage with the admiration of the audience. There was dead silence as he held Benue writers spellbound while reading from Prodigals in Paradise. The reading, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was given loud ovation by the audience.
Commenting on the work a Common Wealth award-winning short story writer, Dr. Maria Ajima says “Akubuiro voice is a fresh and novel one on the literary prose scene as it can be noticed that the language he employs in Prodigals in Paradise engages in a story telling narrative technique, using flashback and a present reportage style that shows his journalistic background and compels continuous attention to the episodic scenario found in his novel.
“The extensive dialogues that his characters employ also entertain, keep the reader transfixed. He has used many words not commonly used in every day speech, employing local idiomatic expressions that are highly engaging, hilarious and sarcastic at the same time.
She encouraged the author, in the next edition,” to use a picture or an illustration of an African as a cover page if he has to use one in order to enhance Africanity of the text”.
Also, commenting a former president of ANA, Prof. Jerry Agada described the reading tour embarked upon by the Lagos based writer and journalist as a noble cause that should be emulated by writers across the country to promote reading and writing.
Agada, who is currently the chairman, Benue State Civil Service Commission further, noted that Akubuiro’s reading tour reminded him of his past, and explained that one of the characters in the novel named Nicodemus reminded him of his experience during his first visit to Lagos. He lauded the author for a job well done.
Speaking the Voice Chairman ANA Benue, Mr. Paul Ugah commended the guest writer for embarking on a reading tour to the State in the face of economic recession in the country and noted that the writer had great value to the monthly reading of the association.
The chairman of the association of Nigeria Authors, ANA Benue Chapter, Mr. Charles Iornume, said ANA Benue was happy to host a notable writer like Henry Akubuiro, stating that the event was an eye opener for their members who may wish to embark on such a similar exercise in the near future. He thanked all those who took time out of their tight schedules to grace the occasion.