The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • ‘How ASUU activism sent me into 7-year exile under Abacha’

    ‘How ASUU activism sent me into 7-year exile under Abacha’

    Professor Jim Nesin Omatseye’s gentle outlook is probably the first thing that’ll attract you to him; soft-speaking and almost unassuming. But that impression changes the moment you hear his story: how he struggled with great resolve as a boy to liberate himself from the disadvantage and hardship of his childhood. He tells Bolaji Ogundele in this interview of his intriguing youth, adult life and how his opposition to the late Gen. Sani Abacha junta sent him into exile. The conversation was to commemorate his 70th anniversary. 

    Let’s do a re-collection of the last 70 years. What has it been like?

    Well, coming from a background where most people in the family were not literate and the appreciation for education wasn’t that serious, I went to several primary schools; CMS School Warri and CMS School Sapele, after which I saw the need to go to a secondary school. It however took about two to three years after primary school before I was able to gain admission into a secondary school.

    Why is that?

    The good secondary schools that I really wanted to attend, like DMGS Onitsha, Awoamama Community Grammar School and some other ones, did not give me a chance. Ethnicity had a great deal to do with it because after passing the entrance examinations, if you couldn’t speak the language during interviews, you were most certainly not going to get admitted. I eventually succeeded in getting into Urhobo College.

    What were your secondary school days like?

    We had a disciplinarian, a very well educated principal, who demanded a lot from us. Chief M.G. Ejaefe, later a senator, was a no-nonsense person. The teachers were fantastic too, so we were highly disciplined. We were brought up in such a way that we lived up to the motto of the school: ‘Aut Optimum, Aut Nihil’, meaning ‘Either the best or nothing’.

    Are you still in contact with some of your peers in secondary school?

    Yes there are. Many have gone, but there are four I know are still around; one is a retired NNPC staff, another is a Lawyer; one shuttles between Nigeria and United States of America. There are not very many of them around, many have gone. We’re talking about the 1960s. When I left school, I left Warri for Lagos, to work at the Central Bank of Nigeria and left the country shortly after for the United States. That was at the end of the Civil War.

    Your first Degree is from the US?

    All the three degrees that I have. The BA, MA, the PhD, were all in the United States, all in the field of Philosophy.

     So did you teach there?

    Yes I did. I actually retired from the University of Benin, but in between the 35 years that I worked, I was in and out of the United States for nearly 10 years. Three years of sabbatical, seven years of exile, during the Abacha era, because I was one of those active. I was involved during the Abacha era and I had to run away to the United States for 7 years. It was after Abacha’s death that I came back to my post in the University of Benin as Professor.

    You said growing up was not easy; how well did your parents support you?

    I lost my mother at a very early age. My father did his best, but easily my eldest sister bore most of the burden. I also worked hard to get to where I was. Even in the U.S, I had to work like every other Nigerian because you could not depend on money coming from home.

    How old were you as a child who had to work to support himself and what sort of work did you have to do?

    Actually, my eldest brother, Mr Omatseye, with whom I lived when I was out of school in Lagos, was very instrumental to my wellbeing before I left for the U.S. At primary school level, there were menial jobs; farm hands, working in the ports; whatever little jobs we were able to do to make some little money.

    You said you had to go on exile, how did you get yourself into such a situation?

    I was one of those active ASUU members in UNIBEN during the Abacha era. Many times then, we were invited to air our views on television on issues that were current and so on. At the height of the Abacha treachery, I asked Abacha on television to declare his assets if he thought he was honest, and that triggered a wave of threats. Later that evening, somebody, whom I had taught before, who was in the state security service, came to me and told me to keep moving because the next time he would be coming to me, I would be heading to detention like some of my ASUU colleagues. I immediately picked up my passport and fortunately I had a ready visa because at that time, having spent so many years in America, I always had visa to enable me leave the country at any time. So I left within 24 hours. I arrived in Miami, I think July 1994, shortly after Wole Soyinka was also arriving the city, having gotten through the bushes to escape the way I did. I stayed almost seven years in exile.

    What did you do for a living there?

    I had no trouble getting a job. As soon as I got to Miami, Florida, I got a job in the university as a lecturer because I was already a professor. I started work in Miami International University almost a week after I arrived.

     Where was your family then?

    My family was in Nigeria. They went to the house, threatened my wife, but they did not hurt them. My oldest child then was about 11.

    How did they go through that period?

    Well it was tough; I was able to send money to them, so it wasn’t too much suffering. As a matter of fact, when I assumed duty there, my salary was seven times what I was earning in UNIBEN before I fled. So I saw more money than I ever saw and enjoyed more.

    How is family life?

    Family life has been good. I’ve been married for over 40 year. But you know the plight of the academic; you don’t spend enough time with your family. I was telling you the 10 years plus that I was in and out of the US; 3 years of sabbatical, 7 years of exile; you couldn’t be carrying them up and down. But they knew what was going on and everybody was patient.

    Can you do a comparison of life back in your younger years and life as it is now?

    The thing about the old, there were values that were important to families and to individuals and to the country, these values were upheld high moral principles; honesty, integrity and hardwork. We don’t see very much of that in our present generation. Everybody wants quick money, they want money without working. There are 419s and all kinds of fraudulent activities going on. Our leaders have not led by example, so the young ones will look at you when you say go to schools; they will say look at that illiterate, he is a billionaire. Did he go to school? And so it is hard convincing them that education is still very important and therefore they should pursue education and high moral values. You also see people who have defrauded the state, engaged in corruption everywhere and nobody is going to prison. Impunity everywhere! This was not the situation in the past.

    What’s responsible for this decadence?

    I will say the level of poverty in the country and greed; the average Nigerian who makes it to any high office either politically or economically, sees such appointment as an opportunity to get rich fast. So you see somebody putting N2.5 billion into the account of a housemaid. Thank God somebody is asking questions now and we are beginning to see some changes. There was no accountability until the last one year. It is a warped value system, where people have no conscience anymore and integrity and good name does not matter anymore.

    You are a professor of Philosophy, who is still religious. How have you blended Philosophy with religion?

    Before I went into Philosophy, I was told that I would not be able to retain my faith as a Christian, but after over forty years as a student of Philosophy and as a teacher of Philosophy, I have not seen anything in Philosophy that will make me change my faith. You can only look at religion from a more mature and meaningful way. That is why I believe that education is very necessary and exposure to Philosophy is very necessary to many of our pastors because they handle the scriptures superficially; and if you have a good grasp of Philosophy, your depth of understanding of religion, whether Islam or Christianity, will be greatly enhanced. You need good thinking, philosophically, to make sense out of the religious practices that we have today.

    Of all the philosophers of old, who is your number one?

    He is a Russian philosopher by the name of Nikolai Berdyaev. He was a Christian philosopher. What I like about him and his philosophy is that you cannot deny the existence of God because there can’t be an object without a maker. It doesn’t make sense. Even the evolution that we talk about in science, the first object/sign of life that lived was created, it did not create itself and whoever created it call him God, Chukwu or Allah.

  • I encountered prose early

    I encountered prose early

    Mature Tanko Okoduwa is a poet, playwright, critic, historian and artist. He was the former National Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). He obtained BA and MA in arts from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He has authored several books. He is also an award winning poet. He spoke to Edozie Udeze, on his style, his inspiration and what makes him an outstanding writer.

    What sorts of books do you like most?

    I like poetry books the most. I read a lot of poems, prose and plays in this order. I read biographies, autobiographies and essays.

    When you read a book, what are the salient things you look out for most?

    Do I look out for salient things? I don’t think so, because If I do, I might end up being disappointed. Maybe, I love the imaginative form of writing. This type of writing helps me to think – grasp – grapple with a lot of things.

    Who are your favourite authors in the world and why?

    There are so many of them: Leo Tolstoy, Anton Pavolovich Chekhov, Abram Tertz (Andrei Sanyavsky), Giovanni Verga, Pablo Neruda, Christopher Okigbo, Chinua Achebe, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka etc.

    When and where do you like to read and what time and why?

    I can read anywhere, and anytime of the day, especially if it is poetry. For prose, biographies and autobiographies, I prefer to do my readings at night, or between the hours of 12midnight to 3am. And if I am alone, and the book is interesting, I might not drop it except to occasionally eat, and continue with the book.

    What is your preferred literary genre?

    Like I mentioned in the beginning it is poetry. Poetry, anytime, anyday. Maybe, because I encountered prose early in life. But for poetry, since I met her, you know, it is like for better for worse, till death do us apart.

    What book or books have had a greatest impact on you and why?

    Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Die Nigger Dieby Rap Brown and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. These books opened my eyes to the hidden truth, the reality of man and his existence in this planet called earth.

    As a child what books tickled you most?

    I spent my formative years in the eastern part of Nigeria, so I read and loved Eze goes to School by Onuora Nzekwu, Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe and The Burning Grass by Cyprain Ekwensi.

    At what point in your life did you begin to nurse the idea of becoming a writer?

    I first tried my hands on playwriting and acting in secondary school when I wrote an adaptation of Everyman. Serious writing started at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Room B2, 207, Alvan Ikoku Hall, towards the end of 1997. For me, that was when I started to think of being a writer, or living like a writer.

    How has writing shaped or reordered your life?

    Writing has made me more of a thinker, a philosopher, one who tries to look at life from the unfamiliar angle. Writing has given me self confidence. I write what I want and how I want it. The most important way writing has helped to shape my life is in the area of time. Time for me is the essence of everything, because it can never be regained when lost.

    If you meet your favourite author face to face what would you like to ask him/her?

    I have never dreamt of meeting them. But if I do meet any, I might not ask him anything. If there is, then I have not read the book well enough.Since my love for them started with their books, it has always ended with the books. I had all the opportunities to meet ChinuaAchebe, but I never did.

    Of the plays you’ve read which character struck you most?

    Lakunle, in Wole Soyinka’s the Lion and the Jewel.

    What book do you plan to read next?

    Orlando by Virginia Woolf

    How do you arrange your private library?

    I try to arrange them according to genres, for easy accessibility.

  • ‘Musicians must touch the souls of their audience’

    ‘Musicians must touch the souls of their audience’

    For over four decades, Nigeria’s first woman federal permanent secretary, Francesca Emanuel, has remained an inspiration to young talents in music and theatre. She is one of the early members of the famous Steve Rhodes Voices and a co-founder of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), Lagos. EVELYN OSAGIE speaks with the octogenarian on her passion for the industry.

    My thoughts on music

    music speaks to the soul, so performers must touch the souls of their audience. Depending on my mood, every type of music appeals to me. I’ve always tried to be around whenever there is music in the air – it doesn’t matter what type of music.

    Although my instrument is voice, I see myself as a lover of Jazz and all kinds of music. But I love Jazz more. In 1964, I sang Jazz with the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). I used to do many programmes at NBC then – on children, women, drama, in Pidgin English, and a music programme where I had a Jazz programme with Fela, who played the saxophone and I sang Jazz. I later sang with Tunde Kuboye’s wife, Fran.

    Each type of music has its standard, whether it’s classical or modern. Even the Apala players have standards and when you see them performing their songs, there is a standard that they maintain. They work as a team. There is harmony. People don’t just come in and do whatever they like.

    Today, sometimes, when you listen to some music, you’d wonder what the performers think of their audience. If they think highly of their audience, they have to improve themselves and give us something that is acceptable, not just dish any nonsense to us.

     

    My thoughts on music development in Nigeria

     

    The music industry and musicians have come a long way. One person who has done a lot for the development of music in Nigeria is Benson Idonije. He clocked 80 last month and was highly celebrated by the art community for his contributions to the industry’s development. I was one of those who welcomed him to the club of 80. He deserves a national honour. He has got lots of experience; and  still has a lot to teach the younger ones.

    His person echoes that every type of music is important. And it depends on how you look at it: for those who are performers, it depends on the kind of standard that they keep. It doesn’t matter what type of music, but standard is important. And that is why I respect Idonije. And the fact that he insists on good music, values and standards, which are what is absolutely necessary if we want to continue to hear the kind of music that we love and which we want others to also enjoy depending on how we present it – but presentation with standard.

    My journey into music and drama

     

    I have always loved music. I have been involved in both worlds since I was a child. I was introduced to singing and drama in church. And then when I went to secondary school – Holy Child College in Lagos – we had a Reverend Sister who was very good in drama and singing. She had a beautiful and powerful voice. She helped to develop my voice when she noticed my talent. She always featured me at a festival of arts. In fact, I went ahead to win solo soprano voice at a festival.

    And, then, when I went to the University of Ibadan, Wole Soyinka and I met in the 50s. The university had various societies – like musical, drama and others. We did a lot of drama together. I sing as well. I later went to England where I completed my degree. In England, I met Soyinka again and we did a lot of acting together. When we came back in 1960, I was one of Soyinka’s 1960 Masks.

    Other members were Olga, Steve Rhodes’ eldest sister, and Segun Sofowote. We did a lot of plays by Soyinka and other writers like JP Clark.

    Also, I am one of the co-founders of the MUSON (Musical Society of Nigeria); I did a lot of solo performances until I retired from the stage in 1970, only to go back last month to sing at the memorial concert of a very dear friend, Olga Miller, one of the co-founders of MUSON. I went back to do her that honour, even though I said I wasn’t going to go back on stage.

  • Exploring Untapped Treasure

    Exploring Untapped Treasure

    After a lull, art works made from ceramic are beginning to find their way to exhibition halls.

    A group exhibition of ceramic works titled: Untapped treasure by staff and students of the Industrial Design Department of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has opened at the Grillo Gallery, YABATECH, Lagos. It features  functional and decorative pieces of ceramic.

    The exhibits range from wall to floor tiles, flower vases, table decorations, lamp holders, cups, jugs, throw pillows, office table and table trays.

    Interestingly, most of the works’ designs are rooted in Nigerian culture, with partial glazing or painting to retain the natural state of the clay. Though fanciful in some instances, the works are strong and functional.

    Organised by the department, Untapped treasure showcases the ceramic works produced by some staff members and students.

    The show, according to Dr. Grace Kokoeka Soyinka, will be held  yearly to sustain students’ interest and grow awareness about ceramic.

    “Ceramic art is for the lion heart because if you are not strong enough you will chicken out…Ceramic has embraced many aspects of man’s needs. We are determined to go to the next level in tapping into the opportunities of the new dawn of economic diversification,” she said.

    Dr Soyinka, however, identified processing of clay as one big challenge confronting students.

    According to her, the processed clay is got from Clay Company at Oregun, Lagos.

    Untapped Treasure is a revelation of the many hidden opportunities artists can tap into using clay as the main raw material. In fact, given adequate support, artists can produce household items, thereby, promoting local production and youth empowerment.

    Falayi’s piece, Transmutation is a bust of half human and a mountain that shows the symbiotic relationship between man and his environment.

    Also, Akano’s From the rubbles highlights the values of what comes out of the earthquakes and the planet. It signifies that man was made from unprocessed clay and rubbles.

    Among the exhibitors are the immediate past Head, Industrial Design Department Mr. Temitope Falayi; Benjamin Akano, Mrs C. Igbinadolor, Mrs Patience Euba, Dr. Grace Soyinka, Ogunleye Leke, Ayishat and Stanley Ukwuoma.

    Untapped Treasure will run till the first week of August.

     

  • A trusted relationship

    A trusted relationship

    At the grand opening of Nigeria’s first-ever certified private museum, DIDI Museum in Lagos, in 1985, the guest list was impressive.

    Prominent traditional rulers, including the Emir, Ado Bayero of Kano, Oni Sijuade of Ife, Oba Erediauwa 11 of Benin and Obi Ofala Okagbue of Onitsha were in attendance and they brought with them priceless antiquities from their various kingdoms as gifts for the new museum.

    Their gestures were a culmination of the long-standing relationships DIDI Museum’s owner Chief  Newton Jibunoh had established with these prominent traditional rulers as ‘the true custodians of culture and art in Nigeria, especially,’ as Chief Jibunoh put it, “these antiquities and art works are produced and kept in their royal palaces.”

    Also at the opening were the former First Lady Mrs Mariam Babangida; the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, the Ambassadors of the United States, Cuba, as well as national and international celebrities and art lovers.

    Understandably, Chief Jibunoh has been touched by the transition of his mentors, patrons and custodians of culture and art; Emir Bayero, Oni Sijuade and most recently Oba Erediauwa 11. Their passing on has raised a big question in Jibunoh’s mind as to whether it is possible to continue the great momentum initiated by these custodians and, if so, in what direction?

    Chief Jibunoh received a very encouraging answer when he paid a recent condolence visit to Crown Prince Ambassador Eheneden EdaikenN’Uselu of the Benin Kingdom. The Edaiken N’Uselu suggested that Chief Jibunoh could collaborate with the Benin Kingdom to build a modern museum in Benin City.

  • ‘Support key to prison rules’ implementation’

    ‘Support key to prison rules’ implementation’

    Co operation among agencies in the justice sector is critical in the implementation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, otherwise known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

    This was the resolution reached during the Nelson Mandela International Day  celebration in Nigeria. It was organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos, in collaboration with the South African Consulate-General, the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) and the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN).

    The event was part of activities to mark the day, which featured discussions of the rules, with prison officers drawn from the five prison facilities, including the Female Medium Security Prison in Lagos.

    The dialogue generated contributions from  prison officers who noted that cooperation among the Police, the Prisons, the Judiciary and the Bar should be improved for the implementation of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).

    According to the participants, the rules, which were presented by the Head of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Lagos Office, Mr Glen Prichard, would require an enabling environment and improved political will to implement in Nigeria.

    Earlier, UN’s Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, urged everyone to be inspired by Nelson Mandela’s life of someone who built a better world for all.

    In his message presented by the Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Mr Ronald Kayanja, Ki-Moon said. “We remember a man of quiet dignity and towering achievement who worked to build a better world for all.”

    The Controller of Prisons, Lagos State Command, Mr Olumide Tinuoye, expressed the gratitude of NPS to the UN for the training.

    He observed that the Prison officers were reputed for their professionalism and treatment of prisoners with dignity. He added that more capacity building initiatives would be welcomed by his Command.

    The representative of the South African Consulate-General, Mr Darkey Africa, said: “We want to thank all the United Nations member-states for renaming these rules after Nelson Mandela in 2015.” He stressed that the rules were a testimony of his respect for human dignity and the fact that no person is irredeemable.”

    In his presentation, the Human Rights Adviser to the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Nigeria, Dr Martin Ejidike, called for more frequent visits, the Chief Judge to prisons to see how awaiting trial inmates, who constitute 72 per cent of total inmates, could be freed.

    Crime Victims Foundation Executive Director, Gloria Egbuji observed that the discussion of the Nelson Mandela Rules would not be complete without a word on the police.

     

  • ‘Leaders seek culture of integrity’

    ‘Leaders seek culture of integrity’

    Senator Isa Kachako has said Nigeria will be great if its leaders had integrity.

    He spoke at the fifth anniversary of the Integrity International magazine in Abuja penultimate Saturday.

    Kachako, a retired Colonel, who was the event’s chairman, spoke on Reinventing the virtues of integrity: key to national renewal.

    He praised the Integrity Forum Initiative (IFI) promoted by the magazine, saying it is the roadmap to the emergence of a new Nigeria. Kachako called for the inauguration of IFI. He was supported by Mrs Uzoamaka Irene Okoli, chairman, Board of Chartered Institute of Finance of Nigeria, and Prof Guy Chibuzor Ilogu of the University of Lagos.

    The representative of the Minister of Information and Culture, Samuel Soughul, a Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the spirit of change was taking root in the country, praising the organisers of the event for their commitment to nation building in line with the change mantra of the administration.

    In the anniversary lecture titled: Nation building and imperative of fostering the virtues of integrity, patience and tolerance for achieving national goals and aspirations: The challenges of leadership: the guest lecturer, Prof. S. A. Olagoke of the Federal Polytechnic, llaro, Ogun State, noted the imperativeness of fostering the virtues of integrity, patience and tolerance for achieving national goals and aspiration, saying they are challenges of leadership. This, he said, could be attained through imbibing the culture of cooperation and collaboration.

    Olagoke said democracy and development cannot flourish in a society without good education and religion.

    He canvassed the application of Ubuntu Concept of African Philosophy that emphasises integrity in the country, adding that it has worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    In a welcome address, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mrs. Tina Ekweme-Adike, noted that every Nigerian has a stake in making the country the giant if Africa, adding that Nigeria is yet to be in the league of orderly societies.

  • Ode to Elechi Amadi: Officer, gentleman

    Ode to Elechi Amadi: Officer, gentleman

    Founder, Rainbow Book Club and Project Manager, UNESCO World Book Capital 2014, Mrs Koko Kalango, writes on the life and times of one of Nigeria’s notable writers and novelists, Captain Elechi Amadi, who died on June 29. In his honour, the Rainbow Book Club is reading his last book, When God Came, as Book-of-the-Month for July.

    In the 70s, when Port Harcourt could have claimed its title of Garden City, my late father, Justice P.O.E. Bassey, would take us to the theatre in the old township of the oil city to watch plays. There, one grew aware of, and enjoyed the city’s rich literary heritage to which writers, like Elechi Amadi, Gabriel Okara, Ola Rotimi and Ken Saro-Wiwa, had contributed immensely. Their words were enacted on stage by the likes of Barbara Soky, Doye Agama and Comish Ekiye.

    Over two decades later, when I returned to Port Harcourt, divided between study life, work life and marriage, I wanted to recreate the Port Harcourt I grew up in and that was one of the inspirations behind the ‘Get Nigerian Reading again!’ campaign which the Rainbow Book Club launched from this city in 2005. As we prepared to kick off I went in search of our Port Harcourt writers, to enlist their support and participation. I traced Elechi Amadi to his home town of Aluu, shared the vision with him and invited him as a Guest of honour. He was gracious enough to not just respond but to let me know that he appreciated the work we had embarked on and we could count on his help anytime. This was an invitation I would fully exploit and he would always oblige me.

    Elechi Amadi was born in Aluu, near Port Harcourt, in 1934. He was a product of the famous Government College Umuahia (GCU) where other renowned authors such as Chinua Achebe, Chukwuemeka Ike, Gabriel Okara, Christopher Okigbo, Chike Moma, INC Aniebo and Ken Saro-Wiwa also schooled.

    In Achebe’s last book, Home and Abroad, he told of how two of their teachers at GCU, Revd Robert Fisher and W.C. Simpson, introduced and encouraged, respectively, the ‘textbook act’ which was a period between 4 and 6pm daily where all the students had to drop their text books and read fiction books. Achebe and Amadi both agreed that this habit played a definitive role in the emergence of notable writers amongst the students from Government College, Umuahia. Although he studied Physics and Mathematics, Amadi went on to become a prolific writer, publishing 15 books of various genre; fiction, non-fiction, poetry, play and essays.

    Amadi, who attended the University College, Ibadan, was an intriguing storyteller, whose colourful and detailed descriptions of the village life of his Ikwerre people (the setting of his early books), reflected the beliefs, customs and religions of Africans prior to Western influence. His renowned trilogy, The Concubine, The Great Ponds and The Slave are loved by readers the world over.

    Even though he had attained global acclaim by the power of his pen, Amadi remained a ‘Port Harcourt boy’. When I interviewed him in 2014 he explained that the city had been the inspiration of much of his writing. He reminisced some of his fondest memories such as the yearly Accra Dance, described on page 75 of his fourth novel, Enstrangement,  when several hundreds of youths, dressed in colourful clothing with frills, wearing masks and  brandishing koboko whips danced wildly while the drums beat. His plays Pepper Soup and Dancer of Johannesburg were both based in Port Harcourt.

    But Amadi also experienced the pain of some of the city’s most trying times such as when he was kidnapped in 2009 and the tragedy of the ‘Aluu 4’ (where four young men were bludgeoned and burnt in his home town of Aluu in 2012). Amadi used the platform of the Garden City Literary Festival 2012 to speak out against this hideous act.

    An officer, he served in the 3rd Marine Commandos of the Nigerian Army during the Civil war. This experience formed the content of one his biographical works; Sunset in Biafra.

    A gentleman, he had the temperament of a diplomat. I recall a time when there was a misunderstanding between the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and the Rainbow Book Club. I asked him to preside over a meeting of both parties to resolve the knotty issues.  His towering moral standing, as well as his dispassionate and objective nature made him the perfect mediator.

    For over 11 years I have had the privilege of relating personally with Elechi Amadi in the course of the work of the Rainbow Book Club including the ‘Get Nigeria Reading again!’ campaign (since 2005), the Garden City Literary Festival, now the Port Harcourt Book Festival, (since 2008) and the Port Harcourt World Book Capital project (2014/2015).  Over the years I have been touched by his simplicity, his deep humanity and his encouragement for education, literature and the general wellbeing of his people.

    When we were putting in the bid for Port Harcourt to be World Book Capital I informed him and he encouraged us to go ahead. Amadi expressed to a trustee of Rainbow Book Club that he had full confidence in the club’s ability to deliver on the World Book Capital project but his only concern was the government. He was speaking prophetically!

    Today, we are proud we had the best of him through Port Harcourt’s tenure as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.

    We named each day of the week-long Port Harcourt World Book Capital (PHWBC) opening  after a notable Nigerian writer, kicking off with Amadi Day on April 22, 2014. On that day, we had Amadi in conversation over his works. The discussion was moderated by Victor Ehikhamenor and the panel who interviewed Amadi comprised  two much younger Port Harcourt authors, Kaine Agary and Ifeanyi Ajeabo, as well as Eghosa Imasuen.

    In May 2014, when he turned 80, his book, The Great Ponds, was the PHWBC book-of-the-month. As part of the effort to generate discussion over the book and make it popular for public consumption, we had it adapted for stage and performed (by students of the University of Port Harcourt, where Amadi was writer-in-residence).

    On this occasion, he was interviewed (this time by Daniella Menezor) and the audience of almost 100 literary enthusiasts engaged him in robust interaction.

    In his honour, the Rainbow Book Club is reading his last book, When God Came, as Book- of -the- Month for July 2016.

    When we were approached by the organisers of the UK-based Hay Festival to collaborate with them on the ‘Africa 39’ project to commemorate the PHWBC year, we reached out to Amadi, yet again.

    The ‘Africa 39’ programme selected and celebrated 39 African writers under the age of 40, and published an anthology of their writing, under this title. We needed three judges to whittle down the 243 entries that came from around the continent to a longlist of 120 and the final 39. Amadi agreed to chair the panel of judges. He was ably assisted by Tess Onwueme and Margaret Busby.

    I interviewed Amadi in 2014 for Port Harcourt By the Book, a publication Rainbow put together to commemorate the PHWBC year. My last question to him was ‘At 80 years, what do you know for sure?’ His answer came: “First, that Shakespeare was right when he said: ‘All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players. Secondly, that the most satisfactory life is one spent largely in the service of one’s society. Thirdly, on the accumulation of wealth and material possession, I can declare with certainty in agreement with the preacher that: Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

    Amadi has served his society, played his part and left the stage of life. His footprints, particularly  the literary arts, would remain a treasure to Rivers State, Nigeria and Africa. He was, indeed, an officer and a gentleman.

  • I’m not dead, says Olowo

    I’m not dead, says Olowo

    Four weeks ago, the ancient town of Owo in Ondo State was thrown into confusion, following a rumour that Oba David Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, the Olowo of Owo, had joined his ancestors. It turned out to be a hoax.  

    the rumour went viral; from the ancient town of Owo to the United States and United Kingdom via internet and phone calls.

    Some said the Olowo was placed on a life-support machine at the hospital, others kept mute because nobody should announce his demise until after seven days – in line with tradition. The rumour spread like wildfire.

    But it was short-lived as the monarch rode into Owo in his black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with number-plate THE OLOWO OF OWO two weeks ago. Sighting him, some doubting Thomases wanted to touch him to be sure.

    From Emure-Ile, which is about seven kilometres to Owo, well wishers, family, friends and members of the Owo Kingdom, led by Mr. Tunde Onibode, lined up the road to welcome the monarch.

    The crowd was overwhelming. His subjects danced and sang songs of praise. Christians and Muslims were not left out. Chief Niyi Adewole Iminiken (aka Enudunjuyo) chanted panegyrics (oriki). Iminiken advised all the evil doers and rumour mongers to come out and beg for forgiveness and mercy or else.

    On Sunday, the monarch and some of his loyalists were at the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s (RCCG’s)  ‘Jesus Palace Parish’ (in the Palace) to celebrate and give thanks to God.

    The monarch and his wife, Olori Ololade, clutching their tambourines danced and gave thanks to God for sparing their lives. The traditional ruler, who could not hide his feelings, danced and praised God for preserving his life. The officiating pastor preached and prayed for long life for the royal father.

     

    The rumour

    About four weeks ago, the social media was awash with the rumour of his death, that people should beware of going to Owo to avoid being used for ritual.Every evening people hurriedly left for their homes to avoid being a victim.

    The message reads: “Please and please, if you are in Owo or you have either of your relatives, friends in Owo, kindly pass this information to them. Tell them not to walk at night for now; they should restrict night vigil or any crusade for now. This is due to fact that Owo lost a rare gem, a prominent leader,  the number 1 citizen and his burial will involve some rituals”.

    The message bore the artwork of a crown, which everybody knows what it symbolised. This was not the first time this type of rumour is being spread.Five years ago, some mischief makers spread same rumour; and a chief went to observe some rituals which annoyed the Inner Council of Omolowos.

     

    My story

    The monarch is still in shock that people could sit somewhere and frame wicked and ungodly lies about him. He said: “I am still in shock that such falsehood could emanate from a fellow human being and wish me dead! I would like to know who did all this. We must find out the person. Although I have forgiven whoever did such.”

    While some were raining curses on whoever engineered the rumour, the monarch quietly advised. “Don’t do that, don’t curse anybody. Let us pray for them,” he said, with his infectious smile.

    The monarch said he was away to the United Kingdom for one month and came back to the Redemption Camp to observe the monthly Holy Ghost night. “When I was travelling I told the Inner Council, the governor and those that matter that I would be away. I went to the Redemption Camp also where Daddy G.O. prayed for me and told me that I would receive God’s favour and all what he told me came to pass. I received God’s favour at the airport and where I travelled to. When I came back I decided to mark my 75th birthday at the Redemption Camp. I went to Daddy G.O. who prayed for me and I spent a week there at the Camp. Read Isaiah Chapter 8 verses 9-10 and also read Romans chapter 8 verse 31. I have forgiven those who speculated such rumour. To those who gathered to do evil, God will not allow them to succeed.”

    On what he thought could have created the rumour, the monarch said: “It is being speculated that I am trying to abolish Igogo Festival, and this is not true. I have never for once said that. Igogo Festival is part of our culture and tradition. I can never abolish it. I wish the rumour carriers stopped peddling unfounded rumour, it is unfair.”

    The Olunaun of Unaun, Oba Olanrewaju Abegunde, said he was shocked when he heard the rumour. “I couldn’t sleep for days and I kept on asking other high chiefs but they denied the rumour. But the more they denied the rumour the more this rumour spread. I went to church and organised a vigil with my family praying. I went to my Muslim brothers to pray for the royal father. On his arrival I held a party to welcome him,” he said.

    Chief Wilson Sadibo said: “I have just celebrated my 35 years of my chieftaincy. And they (rumour carriers) almost punctured my joy. This Olowo is a gifted monarch and the type we prayed for and has brought progress to the community so why should somebody wish him dead? This is bad. One should be mindful of whatever he says. May our king live longer than his forefathers.”

    Mr. Akinwale Oladimeji an indigene of Owo and a journalist,  said: “All these rumours have repercussions. The same rumour was carried five years ago; unfortunately, those who participated in the ugly rumour died one after the other. Many did not know that this monarch is not an ordinary mortal. He is a God-sent and after God’s heart. The more they wish him dead the more he would live longer.”

    Bale of Ogudu Chief Mayomi Awoniyi said: “A friend called from the United States to ask whether it was true that Olowo has passed on. I did my own investigation and went to the palace, asked many chiefs and learnt it was a baseless rumour. The rumour came from the enemies’camp and this we all know.”

    Awoniyi said what happened was not new as the town is renowned for rebellious stories. He said: “Owo has long been in an unbroken chain of rebellion. And no Olowo has ever kept a high pedestal without being dragged into mud since Owo was founded in 1019 AD. We heard about how Olowo Alubiolokun was pushed into the river, Olowo Aladetoun was burnt to death, Olowo Adara was beheaded. In fact, the father of this reigning Oba was sent on exile while the late Oba Adekola Ogunoye had no peace till he died.”

  • Writers celebrate Mandela

    Writers celebrate Mandela

    The life and times of the iconic former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela, will be the focus of this month’s Guest Writer Session holding on Saturday at Nanet Suites, Central Business District, Abuja.

    The session, being organised by Abuja Writers Forum, will feature poems, short stories, music, and talk on contemporary South African literature to commemorate the late Mandela. It is an extension of the Nelson Mandela Day celebration.

    According to a statement by the forum, signed by Edith Yassin, writers expected to feature at the special session include Nkemneme Andy Chukwunonye, Kukogo Iruesiri Sampson, Margaret Hepworth and Dave Adzer.

    Winners of two writing contests (including one for teenage Internally Displaced Persons), supported by the South African High Commission and The Nelson Mandela Institute, Abuja, will be announced, and some of the winning entries will be read. South African High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr Lulu Louis Mnguni is Special Guest of Honour.

    Chukwunonye, the author of the poetry collection, Letter To Mandela, is from Amuzi, Ahiazu­Mbaise in Imo State. He had his primary school education in Cameroon and secondary school at the Community Secondary School, Amuzi. He got his first degree in Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Masters from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    His affection for poetry started in the secondary school when he did his first poem titled: Death. Nkemneme lectured at the Lagos State Polytechnic, worked at Rank Xerox Nigeria Limited, Central Business Machines Ltd, Lagos as well as Andyke and Company before going into human rights activities and development work as Executive Director, Grassroots Empowerment Initiative and later Chairman of the Network of Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN).

    He also had a stint in politics and served as the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education, between 2011 and last year. At present, he is a Chief Research Fellow with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja.

    The poems in his debut poetry collection capture not only some historical antecedents of the various struggles in Africa but also the dialectics, form, challenges, sufferings, concerns, dreams, hopes and aspirations of the actors.

    Kukogho Iruesiri Samson was born in Aiyetoro, Ile Ife in Osun State on the December 27, 1984 to parents from Delta State. The third child and son in a family of four children, he grew up in various parts of the country, living in more than 10 states. He speaks Yoruba, Hausa, and a spattering of Igbo, Nupe and Urhobo.

    He is a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a multimedia journalist whose work experiences have been between Lagos and Abuja. He has two published poetry collections, “What Can Words Do? and I Said These Words”.

    Samson started an online poetry platform, Words Rhymes and Rhythm (WRR), and it has gained massive social media attention.

    Margaret  Hepworth is an Australian author, educator and facilitator. She had to receive permission from the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa to use Mandela as a fictional character in her novel, Clarity In Time. While he is a pivotal character, the novel tells the story of a young Australian teacher who comes to understand that it is no longer enough to be a by-stander; that we all need to take mindful action.

    Nelson Mandela, according to Hepworth, has been a role model to all. As an educator, she refers to stories of Mandela in her peace building workshops to teach young people about the choices that our world leaders can make – for reconciliation and forgiveness. She paraphrases Mandela to encourage young people to rise above their own expectations of themselves.

    Dave Adzer, guitarist, singer and songwriter, has been a regular feature at previous Guest Writer Sessions providing lively musical interludes.