The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Are you ashamed of your national flag?

    Are you ashamed of your national flag?

    National flags, like the anthems, often engender a sense of patriotism and evoke a range of other strong feelings, especially a positive one about one’s country. But, can many Nigerians get such feelings from a hoisted national flag? Using the art as a platform, one of Nigeria’s contemporary artists, Isaac Erhabor Emokpae, is advocating that the national flag should be treated as a fragile insignia of patriotism. Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme reports.

    Ever wondered why Nigeria’s national flag (the green white green), which is the symbol of the nation, does not always attract good care or command respect and pride among many?  Why should organisations fly tattered and worn out flags? How should our national flag be treated and handled? Is there any disconnect between Nigerians and their national flag?

    A visit to Isaac Emokpae’s ongoing solo art exhibition tagged Are You Ashamed of Yourself? at the O’DA Art Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos, a body of works, which dwells on fragility of Nigerian nation, affirms that the negative narrative must be changed if other people from across the globe must take us serious. With this unprecedented exhibition advocacy, Emokpae is unashamedly promoting nationalism and patriotism using the art. Interestingly, when a nation flies its national flag, it is a sign of pride and patriotism. It is also a positive affirmation of loyalty and commitment, thus presenting a country that has confidence in itself, and is comfortable with its place in the world, its history and its future.

    Not many will be taken aback at what Isaac Emokpae (son of the renowned Nigerian artist, the late Erhabor Emokpae who played active role in the organisation of the FESTAC 77) is using his art to do. Like his late father, he is championing a new consciousness for a better Nigeria. His current exhibition, Are You Ashamed of Yourself?, which opened last Saturday and runs till June 29, is a new positive start in the way Nigerians view their identity as well as their national flag.

    No fewer than 22 of his works of art dominated the walls of the gallery, many already tagged by collectors. Leading the pack of works is Nigerian Stars (Framed Plexi Glass). Mounted at a strategic position, it welcomes every guest into the exhibition hall and no missing the large size work. With a background design of Nigeria’s green and white flag, the artist arranges lots of stars of different shapes, sizes and colours to depict the large army of Nigerians who are doing well and achieving great things. Unfortunately, these are never talked about or promoted.

    The regular and irregular shaped stars in the painting show that there are different levels of Nigerian stars and their contributions vary across the globe. But, for the blank spaces in between, it speaks to the constant brain drain facing the country as a result of economic instability.

    To reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic groups and their culture, the artist uses different tones of green colour of the flag to drive home the message. The diversity, he said, must be allowed to thrive. But, underneath the glass framed piece is a void that speaks to the need to be transparent in our everyday dealing with one another.

    “More importantly, we should allow each ethnic nationality or group to be themselves. That is when we can truly live together in peace and harmony instead of the suspicion among people,” Emokpae said.

    In Cornucopia (Framed Plexi Glass), a near duality painting that shows connectivity of family members, the artist believes strongly in the promotion of some rich cultural values of Nigeria such as extended family bond, which is not common among the West. With bright colours amidst patches of green, the artist captures the fruitfulness of the family bond and the attendant happiness among members of the family.  Interestingly, most of the works are in series like the Nigerian Stars, Adobe and Grey matters matter.

    According to the multi-faceted artist whose approach to art is based broadly on the principle of duality, Nigeria as at now is a fragile state.  “We relied too much on our strength and size for so long to the detriment of renewing those elements that bind the nation together. Already there are collective and individual fragilities because of instability in the country,” he observed while conducting Arts writers round the exhibits.

    Emokpae studied Visual Art under the tutelage of Prof Abayomi Barber at the University of Lagos, where he honed his skills as a painter. He is an award winning artist with several group and solo exhibitions within and outside Nigeria.

    His other works at the on-going exhibition include Structure brings success, For peace and prosperity, Peace requires care (Intaglio inks on paper), Protect our environment, Be careful with our dreams, Grey matters matter, Uphold honour and glory, A fragile peace (Nigerian stars), and The Adobe series (1 to 11), acrylic paint on print.

    Curator of the exhibition, Mr. Obida Obioha, said Emokpae has worked tirelessly to depict the social and political climate in Nigeria using the flag as a symbolic focal point. “Upon stepping into the gallery, we are greeted with a bubbie wrap installation that is indicative of a fragile country. Our nation is not bullet proof. It needs care, it needs us. If we do not act soon, it will implode.

    “You see the broken cracks in Emokpae’s A Fragile peace” 2021, which features the universally recognised face of the resistance, and how those who dare to stand up to the status quo are penalised.  In Be careful with our dreams 2022, the artist explores yet another view of our flag as a green forest of Nigeria being bubble wrapped. This is especially poignant this opening week of the show as we hear reports of terrorist cells existing within the forests in the South West Region of Nigeria.

    “As you walk through the gallery, take note of the stars across For Peace and prosperity, 2022. It draws attention to those amongst us who, in spite of the insecurity and instability, are stellar examples of what it means to take ownership. Emokpae pays homage to heroes like, Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dora Akinyuli, The Feminist Coalition & all the EndSars activists. In the piece, Emokpae made sure to include some stars that are missing, dimmed, bloody and broken; this is to show the disparity between each star. But, in spite of this reality, some of us are still shinning bright, and are a sign of hope for others to keep believing in Nigeria,” he said at a preview session.

  • Amachree commends Buhari on UNWTO

    Amachree commends Buhari on UNWTO

    Father of Nigerian Tourism and National President, Centre for Promotion of Peace, tourism and culture (CEPTAC) Chief Mike Amachree has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent visit to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)  headquarters in Madrid, Spain. He also commended the federal government’s decision to host the first Global Conference on Culture, Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos.

    He described the visit as a boost for the Nigerian tourism industry as it would give President Buhari a better understanding of the business of tourism and its importance to any country. He said the decision to host the first Global Conference on Culture, Tourism and Creative Industry is a move in the right direction, noting that the conference will help beam searchlight on Nigerian tourism, culture and the creative industry in general.

    Chief Amachree said it is expected that during the festival, Nigeria would once again use the opportunity to showcase its vast tourism endowments to the world.  He advised all the states in the federation to use the opportunity to showcase their tourism assets.

    “Our country is blessed with vast tourism assets to showcase to the world. In the North East we have the Yankari Game Reserve, Tarfawa Balewa Mausoleum.  In the North Central we have the Plateau rock formations, Farin Ruwa Waterfall; in the North West the Kano Durbar, the great Kano wall, the Sultan Palace, and many others. In the South West, we have cultural festivals like the Osun Osogbo, the Ojude Oba festival of Ijebu people, the Badagry slave relics, the Ikogosi warm spring, the Erin Ijesa waterfall and many more. In the South East, the Ogbunike cave, the Ibini Ukpabi slave trade shrine in Arochukwu and in South South we have the Benin bronze casters, Nana of Itsekiri palace, the Brooklyn Tourist Museum, the recently built Port Harcourt Pleasure Park by Governor Nyesom Wike and many others, he said.”

    He however called on the federal government to carry stakeholders in the industry along in the planning and organization of the conference. President Buhari had visited the UNWTO headquarters early this week to thank the world body for granting Nigeria hosting right of the conference. The right to host the UNWTO first-ever Global Conference on Tourism, Culture and Creative Industry was granted to Nigeria last month, and it will hold at the newly refurbished National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.

  • Woman needs N12m to walk again

    Woman needs N12m to walk again

    When 32-year-old Lola  Ogunlaja set out to learn sewing, she dreamt of becoming the best in her trade. She dreamt of owning a clothing line and becoming widely acclaimed for her trade. Three years ago, the tide turned for her and, since then, she has been reduced to a mere shadow.

    Now, her most prized dream is to walk again. She has given her all to achieve this, and realised she needs the help of Nigerians to achieve that feat.

    To be on her feet again, she needs N12 million, with which she hopes to undergo reconstructive surgery in India. That is where she hopes that well-meaning Nigerians should come in; otherwise her hope to ever walk is doomed.

    The painful trajectory of Ogunlaja’s life began three years ago, at age 29, when she had an accident on her way back home from her shop. The accident left her with a broken left femur and had remained bedridden because of the non-union of her leg. Simply put, the fractured femur could not rejoin again for healing to take place.

    “It is as if I have been sentenced to a life of pain. These past three years have been very traumatic for me and despite undergoing two orthopedic procedures on the leg, no healing has taken place,” Taiwo cried out from her sick bed.

    Gradually, she sees that her world is crashing as she clutches to the straws of life.

    She said; “please I need your help, I had an accident in 2019, which left me with a fractured left femur. I have undergone two surgeries here in Nigeria, but both have been unsuccessful. My consultants referred me to go to India for better treatment but we had been left with nothing as the earlier surgeries had completely drained my family.

    “Please help, I don’t have any money again, my family have tried. It has been three years that I have been living in pain. Please help me, so that I can regain the use of my leg and walk with my leg again.”

    Despite the lean times, Taiwo Ogunlaja believes Nigerians with hearts flowing with milk of kindness can still come to her aide. She said she had held on hoping against hope for a miracle. She solicits your support no matter how small to lift her from the pit of dejection, rejection and depression, into which she had been thrown since 2019.

    For her, her dream is to walk again and she hopes Nigerians can make this a reality once again.

    Want to help, please donate and support Ogunlaja Taiwo, through her account number: Account name: Ogunlaja Taiwo, Bank: First Bank. Account Number: 3030700728. She can also be reached on her mobile telephone number: 07035491920.

  • Varsity holds conference on pandemic

    Varsity holds conference on pandemic

    The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo has called on stakeholders, policy makers, health consultants, as well as professionals in the health sector to help promote health communication as a way to curb and contain outbreak of pandemics in the future.

    The varsity believes that such mismanagement can be avoided with advocacy for accurate health communication in the public space. Led by the Dean of Faculty, Prof. Oluwole Alabi, the university will host an international conference on July 18 and 19thto discuss the role of communication in health management in the country. It will also explore the new norm and implications for the attainment of sustainable development goals in the health sector through communication.

    Read Also: COVID-19: Preparing for the next pandemic

    According to the university, health communication is very critical to the containment of pandemic and epidemic of diseases in the country. “With scientific breakthroughs leading to rapid development and deployment of vaccines and vaccination programmes, aggressive awareness campaigns and non-medical preventive protocols, the global community is slowly and steadily putting the ugly and horrifying experiences of Covid-19 behind.

    Guests expected at the event are Commissioner for Health, Oyo State, Dr. Olabode Oladipo, Vice Chancellor Caleb University, Prof. Nosa Owense-Ibie, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, among others.

  • At 40, Adeboye launches empowerment training scheme

    At 40, Adeboye launches empowerment training scheme

    In celebration of the 40th birthday of Pastor Leke Adeboye, the son of General Overseer Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), an empowerment scheme has been launched to train 40 youths in various digital skills.

    Pastor Leke Adeboye, who doubles as the Principal Executive Assistant to the General Overseer of RCCG and the Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of Province (CSR), RCCG Youth Province 1, is organising the empowerment training as part of the initiatives to celebrate the milestone of turning 40.

    The training will be held between June and August at the Redemption Camp, Mowe in Ogun state.

    This initiative is one of the numerous programmes and projects designed to give hope to many Nigerian youths in celebration of Pastor Leke’s 40th birthday.

    The training will cover in-depth training in Data Science. The training will be held in partnership with the IncubatorNg and other stakeholders. The training is for people intending to pivot into a career in tech or those willing to upgrade their skills.

    Pastor Adeboye is organizing the digital skills training to help many young Nigerians transition into tech and prepare for the future of work and increase Africa’s tech talent base.

    Pastor Adeboye was born on  May, 1982 into the family of Pastors Enoch & Folu Adeboye. His 40th birthday was celebrated across the world by families, friends and senior clerics in and the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the body of Christ on the 20th of May 20.

    As a leader who believes in the greatness of Nigeria and her youths, Pastor Leke believes the training will go a long way in helping young Nigerians find their footing in the emerging global tech economy and the future of work. According to him, his goal is to see that beneficiaries of the empowerment training go on to work with global tech giants as well as found their own tech organisations.

  • Igbofest Minnesota: creating cultural awareness

    Igbofest Minnesota: creating cultural awareness

    Three leading Nigerian musical talents E Major, AJ Ajuzieogu Warrior and Obi Original & The Black Atlantics will mount the stage at the Banquets of Minnesota, USA, on August 12, when the two-day 27th Igbo Fest 2022 holds its gala night. It will be complemented by Ada Igbo beauty pageant.

    Organised by the Umunne Cultural Association Minnesota, USA, the festival is to celebrate the rich Igbo heritage, help educate others about our culture, preserve and promote Igbo culture in the minds of younger generations in particular. With the theme: Creating cultural awareness for the next generation, the festival according to the Chairman Festival Organising Committee, Mr. Elvis Abanonu is held every year to give the next generation the chance to get involve while promoting unity.

    Abanonu said the festival is particularly relevant to all Igbos in the diaspora, noting that it is more of a uniting factor than entertainment.

    “It helps remind us that we come from somewhere and from a rich culture. It’s a time to reflect on what we need to do to make life better in Igbo land. Also, it provides the opportunity to start, plan or complete community projects here in Minnesota or back home in Nigeria,” he added.

    He disclosed that dignitaries expected at the festival are not limited to those in Diaspora as many Igbos from Nigeria form the list of guests.

    “We are non-political and do not associate with any political parties here in America or in Nigeria. Over the past 26 years, we have had a variety of distinguished guests from Governors, to Mayors, Senators, State and Federal Representatives, Local government Chairmen and Traditional Rulers to mention a few,” he said of the caliber of guests.

    Abanonu said a sister association, the Umunna Association of Manitoba, Canada is expected at the festival.

    Activities for Saturday August 13 include cultural exhibition, cuisine and cultural performances at the North Hennepin Community College, Minnesota.

  • ‘Personal lives shape national life’

    ‘Personal lives shape national life’

    A Nigerian-born healthcare professional based in Canada, Christine Umoekereka, has said that Nigeria’s problem is not in poor leadership but in her citizens.

    This, she unraveled in her book, Our Collective Contribution to the Decadence of Nigeria. She noted that ‘’We will not be able to get it right as a nation until we understand that our personal lives shape and control our national life.’’

    Umoekereka stressed that Nigerians need to stop pointing fingers, adding that, the country’s situation is a collective problem that requires a collective solution.

    “None of us is entirely blameless in this matter. The truth is that no building can stand without a firm foundation; neither can a nation. It is time to stop the blame game and face the reality that is our collective guilt.

    “We will not be able to get it right as a nation until we understand that our personal lives shape and control our national life, and therefore, our attitudes, determine our collective growth,” she said.

    The book reviewer, Mr. Akintayo Abodurin, said the 11 chapters book, is a call for patriotism from everyone, adding that, one of the major reasons Nigeria has fallen behind, is due to the unpatriotic alignment of the citizens  to a national priority.

    “Issues such as family systems, citizens’ attitudes towards national development, place of religion in personal and national affairs, political structures, selfish ambitions, political violence were holistically discussed in the work,” he said.

  • German photographer’s Fragile berths at CCA 

    German photographer’s Fragile berths at CCA 

    For the past five years, Fragile by German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans has been touring various African cities with a final stop at Lagos. Tillmans’s ambitious exhibition presents a collection of more than 200 works, created between 1986 and 2020, which includes large-format photographic prints, smaller photographic prints, a table installation, video works and various publication projects with a central theme fragility – the vulnerability that makes us human and the road towards that acceptance.

    The exhibition opened at the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) Yaba and Eko Hotel Lagos recently and will remain open till July 10. The tour was organised by ifa – Institut fur Auslandsbeziehungen. Tillmans’ multifaceted art embodies free, open-minded curiosity, balancing out the highly technical with the aesthetic.

    For Tillmans, it is the interpersonal with all its shortcomings that fascinates him, ‘I  see the acceptance of the fragility that defines us as individuals and our interpersonal relationships as a strength,’

    “What I find most appealing in people is how they are aware of their own fragility and yet are still strong and independent beings. I want to communicate this complexity in its entirety, that lack of a singular reading, and to channel the multi-layered character and the contradictions of a personality, the way they’re revealed in clothes, in styles, in attitudes, and the way a person lives. It’s the fractured reality of identity that fascinates me,” he said.

    He uses failures, ruptures and fragility as an impetus to develop new processes. They point to the imperfect nature of our lives and reveal unsuspected perspectives on life’s materiality. In this sense, ‘Fragile’ refers to the precious moments of life and the value of social and family ties, especially in times of social and political instability.

    Tillmans’s artistic work is based on an irrepressible curiosity, intensive preparatory research and continual engagement with the technical and aesthetic potential of the medium of photography.

    His visual language is characterised by a close observation that opens up a deeply humane approach to our surroundings. Familiarity and empathy, friendship, community and closeness can be seen and felt in his pictures. He is the first photographer and non-British person to win the Turner prize in 2000 and in 2015 he received the Hasselblad Prize.

    In recent years, Tillmans’s works have been shown in large museum exhibitions, including at the Tate Modern in London and at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel in 2017. Tillmans has published numerous artist’s books and has recently become increasingly politically active. In 2016 he designed an anti-Brexit / pro-EU campaign in advance of the British Brexit referendum and in 2017 a poster campaign for greater participation in elections and against nationalist parties in the German parliament.

  • CEE-HOPE makes case for free pads

    CEE-HOPE makes case for free pads

    Girls and women’s rights advocates, under the auspices of a non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), have called for government’s intervention in ending period poverty in Nigeria.

    According to them, the provision of free sanitary towels to every woman and girl is as important as giving food and tax rebate. They made the call at a one-day seminar in Lagos to mark the International Menstrual Hygiene Day, which was held at CEE-Hope’s Nnimmo Bassey Conference Hall.

    The event, with the theme: Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030, attracted many teenage girls from communities across Lagos and Ogun states. It featured talks on rape awareness and career choices, and more. Each girl went home with free sanitary towels.

    CEE-HOPE’s Executive Director Betty Abah lamented the impact of period poverty on women and girls.

    “Millions of women and girls in Nigeria are going through very hard times managing their periods because they lack the finance to purchase menstrual hygiene products especially at a time when basic eating is a big challenge for many.” She added that the annual event was one of the avenues to raise general awareness about period poverty, menstrual hygiene management and associated challenges and to draw government’s attention to intervene by providing free sanitary products to school girls so that they can stay back in school as well as the need for government to remove taxes on all sanitary products.

    “Countries like Kenya and Uganda which are relatively poorer than Nigeria provide pads for school girls monthly while Rwanda has removed taxes on all sanitary products. Scotland on its own provides free sanitary products for females within the reproductive age brackets monthly. Nigeria, inspite of the ravaging poverty, has not considered any of these options,” she noted.

    Other speakers at the event included Anker Amurawaiye, a teacher, entrepreneur and youth coach; Anthonia Ojenagbon, a gender advocate, and Yinka Kenny, a TV host and founder of the Yinka Kenny Girls Foundation.

    Mrs. Amurawaiye urged the girls to maintain the highest form of hygiene during their monthly period as it is a natural phenomenon and nothing to be ashamed about as period is not a taboo.

    “Mothers, who encourage their girls to use toilet tissues or menstrual cloth instead of sanitary towels, it is penny wise, pound foolish. The infections resulting from that could be life-threatening.

    “To our government, the provision of free sanitary towels to every woman and girl is as important as giving food and tax rebate. Let us borrow a leaf from countries that are already doing so,”  Mrs. Amurawaiye said.

    Corroborating her, Kenny, a child rights advocate, who spoke on the myths of menstruation, charged girls to see menstruation as a norm because “it is natural to women and girls.” She also said girls should desist from any attitude that could reinforce the myths and negative perceptions about menstruation.

    On her part, Anthonia Ojenagbon, a child rights advocate, spoke about child sexual abuse, citing her personal experience and how she went through the ordeal but garnered strength to overcome depression and suicidal thoughts which were aftermath effects. She also encouraged the youngsters to report the slightest hint of abuse as perpetrators are encouraged to continue in their heinous crime when they are not instantly exposed.

    Other speakers who addressed the girls virtually (via video) on period poverty and menstrual hygiene management were Sanaa Mehajer of Girls on A Mission (GOAM), Australia and Andrea Guadalupe Rodriguez of OPC NGO, Mexico. The event also witnessed the launch of CEE-HOPE’s latest advocacy movie, Leave to Live, which focuses on domestic violence. It featured eminent Nollywood actors such as Segun Arinze, Ngozi Nwosu, Papa Ajasco amongst others. Participants at the event were drawn from Makoko, Ori-Oke, Monkey Village, Ifelodun communities in Lagos and Matogun in Ogun states.

  • What it takes to lead Nigeria

    What it takes to lead Nigeria

    Title: Becoming President of Nigeria: A Citizen Guide

    Author: Magnus Onyibe

    Reviewer: Ozolua Uhakheme

    Publisher: Inspired Media Service Limited, Nigeria.
    Pagination: 364

    As the 2023 general election season approaches, politicians from every corner of the country have begun to jostle for the race of presidency. Most of these bigwigs in politics are working hard to beat their counterparts to become Buhari’s successor and Nigeria’s next president. Political actors and campaigners are working the mathematics to capture power.

    Such is the state of affairs in Nigeria. The state which is beleaguered with diverse contradictions of ethnic and socio-political tension is now the racing track for power seekers and those who have pledged to fix the country’s myriad of problems if given the opportunity to lead.

    It’s against this background that seasoned journalist and author, Magnus Onyibe, has decided to put forward an agenda on what it takes to lead the country in his newest book Becoming President of Nigeria: A Citizen Guide. The book, which is a treatise on leadership in the context of the multifaceted issues plaguing the country.

    The author flashes light on key issues such as the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 1914 under the British rule,  the legitimacy of the 1999 Constitution, party zoning as a ‘gentleman approach’ for the selection of candidates for presidency as well as defining political moments that have shaped the political theatre since the inception of the Fourth Republic.

    One interesting and unique thing about the book is the style of narration. Onyibe’s book makes the unconventional shift from personalities and individual experiences to fundamental issues that beset the state. The author offers treasure troves that are timeless, sacrosanct and pragmatic in details to the common reader. It flickers its lights not on political actors and actresses, but on the processes and structures that shape the political theatre of the state. For that only, he makes the book worthy of reading and shines through it illuminaries of knowledge and distilled wisdom to move the country forward.

    In the preamble, the author presents the different arguments for and against the question of zoning the presidency to the Southern part of the country. Analysing three different statements by northern elder statesmen against zoning the presidency, Onyibe points out clearly some the contradictions that bedevil the country’s democratic system.

    He writes: “In my view, that classification amounts to not calling a spade a spade and as much as such incorrect analogy or narrative. Obviously, I hold a contrary view which is that ethnic and religious differences fanned by the elite constitute the bane of our country.”

    The author’s belief is that while the ethnic and cultural phenomena are factors in a diverse state like Nigeria, selecting who leads the country should be on the basis of common sense and competence. Onyibe continues: “Nigeria, whose multi-ethnic composition that should be sort of strength (as in the case in Britain) have failed to blend into one entity over a century after the amalgamation and our country has consequently become a dwarf as opposed to the giant that the nation was on track to becoming pre-1966 coup d’état.”

    Apart from the artistic design of its cover, the book also has depiction of cartoons at the begining of most chapters to give a graphic exposition to each topic. The cartoons also make the book engaging and catching for readers to enjoy.

    The book, which was dedicated to the memory of the founding fathers of the Nigeria, begins with the case Nigeria unity with the chapter Trade as a Unifying Factor for Cooperation between Northern and Southern Nigeria. Drawing from historical antecedents, the author traces trade and commerce as the factor that has unified the country even pre-independence. And in his opinion, this factor can continue to do so despite internal agitation and ethnic polarisation.

    On the flip side, the author also weighs in on our trade has contributed to some recent agitations by different parts of the country. For example, the author laments recent killings carried out by marauders diguised as herdsmen in various part of the country. He also refers to an article he wrote on Vanguard Newspaper titled Pastoralist and Farmers’ Conflicts in Nigeria: Time for Fulani Capitalism, Not Herdsmen Terrorism to buttress some of the issues the chapter highlighted.

    It’s pertinent to note that the book also has in it assortment of articles by the author and other writers to shed lights on sundry issues raised.

    While he makes the case for trade as a unifying factor, a question that the author leaves hanging is whether commerce alone can justify or outweigh other agitation for secession in the country. After all, neighbouring countries in Africa do have trade deals, does that in any way imply that they should come together and become one nation?

    The author then moves to the question of Igbo presidency. This topic is covered in two main chapters of the book. On the first part, the author discusses some political calculations and maneuvering the Igbos need to do in order to emerge the next president of the country. The author details how the constellations of partisan politics and ethnic irredentism have sidelined the primacy of competence—a plausible platform for the emergence of an Igbo president—and given credence to northern power grab and hegemony!

    Moreover, the chapter titled Random Musing by the Igbos about their Future in Nigeria, contains articles and published works of experts and pundits on the case for an Igbo president and also factors that serve as deterrence to this aspiration.

    Going forward, the author also examines the political intrigues in the south-west and the frenzy race for a president from a Yoruba ethnic stock. In a rapid-fire narrative, the author examines some of the pertinent cases raised by Yoruba political stalwarts and their implications on the political landscape of the country if the presidency is shifted to the southwest.

    Other topics treated in the book include case for constitutional reforms of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), analysis of the some of the excesses of the current adminstration in terms of nepotistsm, tribal sentimentalism as well as conspicuous prejudices.

    It was former French president, Charles De Gaulle who said, “I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to politicians.” With 2023 election around the corner, this book becomes even a more urgent voice for reader to grapple with some of the issues raised in it. In Becoming Nigeria President: A Citizen Guide, Onyibe shows the intrigues that will define 2023 politics and how an individual citizen can make sense of every one of them.