Category: Arts & Life

Title: Political Apostates and the Heroes of Democracy

Author: Bello Destiny Paul

Publishers: Not stated

No. of Pages: 839

Reviewer: Edozie Udeze

The classification is clear. At least the author is quite certain in his assessment of who the political apostates and the heroes of democracy are – people or leaders who have derailed and those that have imparted on their societies. It is like a compendium, a huge treatise on the place of different categories of leaders in Africa. There were those who set out to be of use, to render selfless service by leading the way, yet half way through, they began to totter and blunder. There are those who truly set out from the outset to serve as examples by leading the people to their Eldorado.

This is where the book is divided into the political apostates and the true heroes of democracy. But the truth of it all is: How did the writer arrive at his assessment? What parameters did he use to make his categorisation? That a certain leader set out to make a difference but later derailed on the way, does it then confer on him the stigma apostate? Or that those who now throng and prowl the political landscapes of Africa or Nigeria propounding all sorts of political theories and propaganda are the ones to be so honoured and recognised as the heroes of democracy?

In fairness to the author Bello Destiny Paul, a lawyer and political activist, the book contains a lot of useful information on many African leaders both dead and alive who have in one way or another touched the lives of the people. For instance, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who is termed an apostate began his political journey very well as a leader. However, he later became an apostate due to his political encore and misdeeds. To the author, he gave hope and dashed hope, even when he also acknowledges that Nkrumah is the father of Pan-Africanism and the lion of West Africa (whatever that means).

In any case, what then qualifies one to be a political apostate or outlaw? The author puts it this way: “One of the great(est) tragedies of life is that man seldom bridges the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying. . . Even though we have apostates in other spheres of life, the one that affects the people (society) most is political apostasy. . .” When some certain leaders had given hope and later dashed it, it becomes too painful and unforgettable. This is what this book vehemently abhors and tries to let the public know.

Not only that the likes of Nkrumah, Obasanjo, Fidel Castro, Obote, Idi Amin and many others did it to their people, the sour taste their political misdeeds and misadventures have left in the mouths of their people can never be erased or subverted.

The author describes such misdeeds by quoting Winston Churchill of England as: “The human tragedy reaches its climax in the fact that after all the exertions and sacrifices of hundreds of millions of people, we have still not found peace or security and that we lie in the grip of even worse perils than those we have surmounted. . .” Those who have garnered power unto themselves in the past were those that truly distorted the development of their societies. Thus, they are the apostates; the true enemies of the people.

Besides the issue of who qualifies to be in whatever category in this assessment, the book makes constant reference to some great thinkers who have been able to propound sound theories for agenda-setting. Some of them are not only heroes of democracy, they participated actively to enthrone and entrench true and genuine democratic dispensation and culture where they operated.

Some of those who through their ceaseless efforts gave democracy to their people include Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Nelson Mandela, Luther King Jr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Bisi Akande, Obafemi Awolowo, Chinua Achebe, Fela Anikulakp-Kuti. Others are Aminu Kano, Anthony Enahoro, Frank Kokori, Muhammadu Buhari, Wole Soyinka, Joe Okei-Odumakin and many more. Indeed the list is endless, yet what it goes to demonstrate is that the society needs more of such people to be able to move forward.

The author is not saying per se that all of them are political leaders in the context of asking for votes or occupying political offices. Some of these people threw caution to the wind in the face of mounting and huge trials to identify with the masses. In most of their public utterances and responsibilities, they reckoned with the people. This, to the author qualifies them to be categorised as true heroes of democracy.

Nevertheless, the author’s use of certain harsh words to denigrate some leaders needs to be readdressed. He should not be a judge in such matters. All there is for him to do is make his assessment and leave the verdict or judgement open for readers to do. It is inconceivable when a writer describes a leader as crude, extremely selfish, arrogant fool and intoxicated. For people who are quick to draw the line, this is really in bad taste and can put the reader off immediately.

Besides, there are too many grammatical errors that somewhat render the book a bit unreadable. On the special thanks page, the author is not only inconsistent with the usage of American and British spellings (e.g. honor, honour) he also wrote: “He who have, instead of he who has”. Also he said: “The God of father, of the son, and of the Holy Ghost, . . .” Father is small f while son is also small s. Even then the statement itself is incorrect and confusing.

There are so many of such wrong application of grammar and spellings in subsequent pages and chapters that the author needs to reappraise them in subsequent editions.

This year’s ‘CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Award’ was special not only because of the excellence of the work that had been done by the 27 finalists, but because it also offered attendees the opportunity to visit the infamous Robben Island – former South African President Nelson Mandela’s home for 18 years. Festus Eriye who was in Cape Town reports.

YES! This way to jail!’ ‘Go on, have a nice time in jail,’ the burly tour guide at Cape Town’s scenic Victoria and Alfred Waterfront cried as he ushered amused guests onto the ferry that would carry them to what used to be one of the world’s most notorious prisons.

Thankfully, our group were not about to commence serving time. We were just a bunch of journalists from across Africa eagerly waiting to set foot on Nelson Mandela’s old stomping grounds. Not even the bracing cold that Friday morning could dampen our enthusiasm.

In roughly 25 minutes we had crossed that segment of the Atlantic Ocean separating this lonely outpost from the mainland. Today, the menace the island’s history used to evoke is missing because it is now a museum, and a swarm of eager tourists lend a celebratory air to the scene as we step on to the harbor.

We are greeted by large banners on walls proclaiming “Freedom Cannot Be Manacled” and bearing images of Mandela, former President Thabo Mbeki and incumbent Jacob Zuma, Other huge framed posters celebrate groups of political prisoners who had walked through the hall ways of what the liberation fighters used to refer to as ‘The University.’

A short bus trip takes us to the main facility – the maximum security prison. On the way I sight a small collection of tombstones with the legend ‘Leper Cemetery’ – a reminder that Robben Island has a rich history that transcends its phase as the incarceration facility where the Apartheid regime preferred to warehouse the political prisoners it feared the most.

Beginning from the 17th century when it started being used, it has served as leper colony, mental institution, military base and prison. At some point the likes of Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and others had to co-habit with hardened criminals who the authorities often used as stool pigeons to keep an eye on the political types.

As we were reminded during this visit, it was not only home-grown political prisoners that were held here. Elements of what used to be the South West Africa (now Namibia) Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) – including its founder Herman Toivo Ja Toivo – were once held in this prison.

As part of efforts to ensure that the Robben Island visit is truly evocative for all those who come here, the rules governing the facility provide that only former political prisoners who were inmates at this prison can serve as tour guides.

My group is fortunate to be assigned a quite humorous former inmate who had us in stitches for the duration of our tour. He happened to have been in the prison at the same time as the likes of Mandela and some of the most famous figures from the liberation struggles and had quite a few tales to regale us with.

One had to do with how Mandela managed to beat the extremely tight security and smuggle the manuscript of his famous autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ out of Robben Island. This significance of the feat is better appreciated when one remembers that the prisoners were so closely monitored, even their personal letters were screened and suspicious content blocked out before being handed to its owner.

For many years it had been speculated that former political prisoner and African National Congress (ANC) stalwart, Mac Maharaj was involved. So on one visit he was confronted by some former colleagues who wanted to know how they managed to beat the tough Apartheid security apparatus. After hearty laughter Maharaj disclosed that it was all down to some skullduggery involving photo albums. Using them the script was transported out of the jailhouse bit-by-bit.

Incidentally, some foreigner happened to be around when the story was being told, and he suddenly had a light bulb moment. “Aha,” he exclaimed, “now I know why you made Maharaj South Africa’s post-Apartheid Minister for Transport!”

We saw the limestone quarry where Mandela and colleagues used to crush stones, the kitchen were the political prisoners planned many a scheme to outwit their jailors, but nothing beats the impact of starring into the matchbox of a prison cell where the world’s most famous political prisoner spent almost two decades.

The jam at the cell door as we tripped over each other trying to

Last Thursday, the world celebrated its annual World Mental Day. Taiwo Abiodun went round some mental homes run by African traditional practitioners, orthodox doctors and spiritual leaders, and reports. 

They were many and exhibited different behavioural patterns, but were all given equal treatment. The violent ones had their hands or legs chained while the non violent ones were left unchained. While some soliloquised, some sang and danced round, hitting the air with their fists. Some exchanged blows with the air and then burst into laughter.

One appeared to be driving an unseen car, as he maneuvered, applying imaginary brakes, pressing the throttle and clutch, while at another time, he would  be controlling traffic where there were no vehicles!.

A young man as tried to catch an imaginable object; he jumped up trying to catch what he called a fish. A lady held on tightly to a Bible, read from it aloud and asked this reporter to tell the world that she is Angel Gabriel who fought the devil. One, about 12-year-old came up to this reporter to say that she lost her job because she married another wife for her husband who is currently in America, but begged not to tell him (husband). Another young lady who was chained said she had been looking for this reporter to discuss an important issue with him as she had done with Presidents Bill Clinton, Olusegun Obasanjo, Barrack Obama, adding: “I once had triplets for Michael Jackson and Bob Marley who were once commissioners in Adedibu’s cabinet in Paris.” She beat her chest and swore to high heavens that she would soon become the President of Ethiopia where she would be a judge over Anini and Lucozade

A lady, called Madam Z, wore stockings, using wall papers as headgear and was full of smiles. She promised to marry this reporter if he gave her five naira but when she was given 50 naira she prostrated and rolled on the floor to thank him. Later, she showed me a shop where she lives with her daughter, and said she was no longer interested in the marriage earlier consummated with me as she was pregnant for another man. She showed her flat stomach. An inmate was laughing uncontrollably throughout while some slept and snored like toads. Some asked this reporter to come and interview them while a few others asked him to go away or else he would be wounded. They argued with themselves, murmured, struggled, laughed or screamed.

While some of these mentally ill were manacled either on their legs or hands, others who are not violent were either walking freely or doing menial jobs in the vicinity. But in another place (an orthodox psychiatric home), nobody was chained.

Yes, these are the funny but pathetic stories of people with mental health challenge who are receiving treatment in places this reporter visited. It was claimed that some became mentally sick as a result of abuse of hard drugs, others due to depression, while it is believed some might have been cursed and others inherited their unsound state of the mind.

Although some believe in a medical solution, some prefer receiving treatment in churches, while others would rather go to traditional healing homes to seek solution.

At Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba

The environment is clean, hardly would you see any patient roaming about. One can only hear the noise of these patients in the Emergency Ward and also in their wards. No visitor is allowed to go into the wards except the family of the patients. There is confidentiality.

In the vicinity are recreational facilities where they play volleyball, basketball and what have you. There is tight security even as the nurses and doctors are vigilant and gave instructions that no pictures be taken. As this reporter went round, there was no clanging sound of chains on any of the inmates.

How they are treated

According to a Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr.Olugbenga Owoeye, the head of Training and Research, Federal Neuro Psychiatrist Hospital, Yaba, who has been practicing for the past 16 years: “the way they treat the mentally ill persons here is different from the way the churches and trado- medical treat theirs. We don’t chain them here; that is barbaric and inhuman to chain anybody with mental illness. We don’t make use of chain. At least you have gone round the hospital, did you see anybody in chain? There are medications to restrain anybody chemically – that is what we call chemical restraint. We would give injection and he would come down. We don’t need to restrain him.” He explained further, “there are various types of malaria, like we have different types of malaria, typhoid, hypertension, diabetes, we have many psychiatric causative agents ranging from depression, to mania, bicolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse that may have complications. Our approach is bio-psychosocial. We give medications to treat and we have various types of medication which try to control or treat the symptoms and all these abnormalities would go.”

Owoeye said the crude method some are using now is no longer in use. “There was no medication for mental illness until 1950, so 1950 was the time that lagartene was discovered. But before then most of the mentally ill were physically restrained and brought here. Before 1950, this place was called Yaba Mental Asylum, so they just restrained them physically with rope or chain and put them in a dungeon. There used to be a dungeon.  In the colonial days, no form of treatment, nothing. Some would recover naturally while others would die in the process. But since 1950, the advent of medication by biological treatment has improved a lot and we don’t need to tie anybody. “

Owoeye affirmed that some of the patients get healed naturally, saying “there are some conditions that will run their course, like depression – for 6-12 months – and the patient will come out, but how many people will be able to sustain or afford to wait until that recovery? The suffering will be too much. Some conditions can be resolved naturally but it takes a long time and it will also come back, so the best is to intervene and treat.” While not dismissing the efficacy of prayer, he said that “the modern approach is biological, which is the modality use of medication, psychological intervention and social treatment. By the time you pray alone, what about the neuro transmitters that have gone wrong in the brain? You have to control that first. Prayer works but it has to be in conjunction with the medication, so as you are taking your medication you also pray so as to get your result.”

Mysteries behind mental illness

Owoeye said that many of these mentally ill are either brought from or dumped in some towns, while many trek from one town to another.”Some trek long distance because they are mentally sick. They trek gradually. Some die on the way because they trek and they cannot make mental judgement of the distance. One trekked from Ilorin to Lagos. She was brought here by a Good Samaritan and was treated here, when she recovered she gave us her address and was later reunited with her family. Meanwhile, the family had thought she had died after she had not been seen for two years. Recently, one was killed along Mowe and was rotting. Some will not know that a vehicle is coming and would run into it and get killed.”

On the record of deaths, the psychiatrist wondered over the mystery surrounding it and said, “I don’t know how God does it, they don’t die like that. We rarely record death here. Most of the mentally ill don’t die from mental illness at all. It is a strange thing here. If it occurs it’s only once in one year or six months.” He continued: “they don’t die here, we have 535 beds here. And if anyone dies we would be running helter skelter to find what could have caused it, but definitely not from mental illness, it is mysterious that they hardly die from the illness.”

Contrary to some people’s opinion that curse is one of the major factors that cause mental illness, Owoeye said it has not been scientifically proved. He added, “I don’t know, this cannot be scientifically proved. Most of the conditions, when they say it is a curse, they are brought here and are given medication and they get well and recover. These are myths, it’s part of the myths about mental illness. Some say it is contagious, and some say if their saliva touches you, you too will develop it, they are not true.”

He also castigated those using herbalists or trado medical and churches to cure mental illness, and added, “I don’t subscribe to these. Some of the conditions affecting the older people are related to peculiarities, either physically or psychologically. With old age some may develop high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic physical conditions which tend to affect their psychological well being because they have to be on medication for long. So you will agree with me that all these things don’t have a place in traditional healer’s home; not that alone, some of these old people are suffering from loneliness, from nest syndrome, that is when people tend to advance in age after their children would leave them alone, so they are bound to develop psychological loses. One may die earlier, leaving the other, so they are bound to develop psychological problems. Some don’t have pensions on retirement and those who have don’t get it regularly, as a result of this they live in abject poverty, all these tend to affect their psychological well being and lead to distress with mental illness.”

Alfa Yakubu Agbaje, a trado-medical mental home

At No 2, Olomowewe Street, Blessed Estate, Ijoko, Ifo Local Government, Ogun State, is a trado medical practitioner known as Alfa Yakubu Agbaje. An okada rider boasted that there is no man born of a woman that has mental illness who would not be healed by Agbaje.

Born about 63 years ago, he is known as the man who has antidote for healing the unsound mind or rather put it, the mentally ill. He has handled many cases, both mild and chronic ones, which many had thought couldn’t be redeemed.

In his compound are herbs and leaves, meant for treating different mental illnesses. According to him, he inherited the profession from his late father whose business was taking care of the mentally ill persons. “I did not jump into it by accident. I was once a bicycle and watch repairer before my father lured me to go into it and said it is my calling. Since 1982, when I started it, I have not gone back to any other business.”

His method of treatment

According to Agbaje, he uses herbs, powdery substance, special soap, leaves, among other things to treat his patients. “I use 16 cowries, some leaves, special soap and powdery substance for healing of the mentally ill people. If there is need to offer sacrifice I would ask through my 16 cowries and we would do it, but if there is no need then that means we don’t need it.

“When a patient is brought to me I would first of all inquire from his family what could have caused it; if it is caused by drug, for example Indian hemp, I would make sure he is healed and refrained from taking it again before I commence the treatment. If he is the violent type, we are ready for him, for he would be chained. We have our chains here, we are prepared for the violent ones. When he sees a superior hand and when he is chained for one week, he would definitely calm down.”

He, however, defended the use of chain, as he said with confidence that “they would not run away or wound whoever is in their vicinity; that is the essence of using chain to tie them down in one place. We also use cane, we use it on them and they are always frightened each time they see cane, thus they obey whatever we tell them to do.”

He continued: “In the morning, the first thing I ask my patient to do is to have a special bath with specially prepared soap, then give them local herbs by 8am to drink and in the afternoon they would be given a prepared powdery substance with some liquid oil substance to drink and in the evening a special hot cornmeal is prepared for them with some ingredients that are highly medicinal.”

Agbaje said the healing duration for a mentally ill person varies from four months to one year and five months, depending on the degree of the sickness.

On how much he charges, the trado-medic said he used to charge between 4, 000 and 7,000 naira in the past but he now charges between 120,000 and 200,000 naira.

He boasted about those he has healed: “I have healed many people. I remember the new client I once healed. The man is married today with two wives and eight children. He has built two houses and he is using a Toyota Camry car, and many others I cannot mention their names.”

Apart from drug-related causes of mental illness, Agbaje said other causes like hereditary and curses laid on someone are major factors.”One day, an old man was insulted and denigrated by a bus conductor who refused to give the old man his change in a commuter bus while on our way to Abeokuta three or four years ago. The old man later cast a spell on the bus conductor and he immediately started laughing and gesticulating maniacally. When we sensed danger, we started pleading with the old man until he placed his left hand on the poor boy’s chest and invoked some incantations and he regained his consciousness. We all thanked him but I refused to continue the trip in the vehicle with the old man again. Our children should respect the aged to avoid being cast a spell on.”

Pa.Ezekiel Oladeinde of Ori Oke Ipa Eniyan Ko To

On the walls of his house are quotations of some Bible verses and passages. He does not also joke with prayers. “Just believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ and you will receive everything,” he said.

The church compound is big and neat. There was service going on in the church. One could see some mentally challenged individuals chained while others were strolling about freely. The place was peaceful with some of the pastors holding their Bibles and praying.

Oladeinde said he does not know his real age but claims he is over 87years.The octogenarian said he has been on this Ipa Eniyan Ko To Mountain, Ifo in Ogun State since 1954 and God has since been using this mountain to heal people from their insanity. Oladeinde, who is advanced in age, said, “I cannot remember any date, for I did not write it down but I know I had been on this mountain six years (1954) before Nigeria got her independence (1960).

On how he came to be healing the destitute, the octogenarian replied, “I am not the healer but Jesus. But I know that a strange old man once appeared to me physically several years ago on this mountain and asked me to call the mountain Ori Oke Ipa Eniyan Ko To. He said this place would be a place of prayer and since then people who come here have been receiving healing from different ailments. A mentally ill man was brought here from overseas several years ago, they said they were directed here by the same old man who appeared to me, but I told them I don’t heal mentally ill person and I have no idea of such. While saying this, the sick man became conscious and asked where he was; that was how he became normal and was healed. I cannot count the number of those who got healed here. Another man who was mentally ill was again sent here, he was referred here by that same mysterious old man and I prayed for him and he got healed. The fact is that immediately the sick are brought here they are healed and I don’t know how it is done. Mine is to preach the gospel to the world. That was how this place became more popular.

Asked whether he adds local medicine or if there is any secret of his healing, the man declared: “I don’t use any other thing apart from prayer. I was once challenged by a broadcaster on this matter and I asked the man to come and search my rooms. In fact, you are free to search all these rooms while I will go out. But I repeat Jesus is the only healer. Those receiving healing are receiving from Jesus, not me. Whoever comes here will be healed and I don’t know how they are healed.” On how he treats the destitute, the old man said, “when I preach the gospel and it enters into them, they would be revealing what they did that caused their problem. Like some would confess they were looking for money, some would disclose that they were in secret cults while some would confess that they were looking for power at all costs before finding themselves in the situation they were brought here.”

Oladeinde has a message for the nation: “Look at all our leaders in the country, they are not well. They need treatment. Our leaders are suffering from mental illness. Let it be published, if you don’t publish it, please don’t use this story.”

However, Oladeinde said they do chain some stubborn ones among the destitutes when they are stubborn.”Now, some doctors are coming here from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) every Friday trying to give us support. They said God sent them here to us and that when the evil departs from these destitutes they will take care of the body,” Oladehinde told The Nation on Sunday

On how much Oladeinde charges on treatment, he swore and said he does not charge any fee. “I don’t demand for tithe, or levy fee, even for the Church. God is the one doing it and feeding me.”

Pastor Titus Idowu Sorunke, the next in rank to Olaseinde, added to Pa Oladeinde’s claimsby saying that “there is a place called Abe oparun (Bamboo tree) where you receive miracle, but with the conditions that you must abstain from sins, iniquities and by talking to God who will surely heal you.”

SO Said Charity Home

Managed by Mrs. Concern Martins, the environment is clean. Destitute here are into weaving, sewing, beads making, cooking and environment sanitation. Martins said she eats from the same pot with them. She started in the year 2000, when she started taking the destitute from the streets and taking them to the hospital for medical treatment. She said one needs a lot of patience and tricks in order to evacuate them from the streets. “Taking these people from the streets is not easy. Firstly, you have to familiarise yourself with them. Ask the people living around the place what these destitute love most, if it is gala, cigarette, sweet or what have you. Then we would be going there from time to time until they too get used to us and we would eventually carry them to the Charity Home,” was how Martins put it.

According to her, the destitute are treated according to their areas of challenges. “We take them to Yaba Psychiatric Hospital for treatment or General Hospital (now (LUTH), Ikeja or Isolo General Hospital. We had some expectant women, children driven away from their homes when the families discovered their mental condition.”

She frowned against chaining them with irons and tying them with rope and using cane on them. “We don’t chain them, if they are aggressive, we would take them to the hospital and get them treated. In fact, we know the way to talk to them, some of our staff would ‘befriend’ them and they know who their friends are among us and they listen to and obey them. Language is another thing, if one knows and can speak their language they become happy and would listen to you. Those who are chained in other places have marks on their legs and hands. Here, we don’t chain them, it is quackery .You can see the chains would leave injuries on their legs and hands. We are even campaigning against such to families who chained family members in a room and serve them food there where they defecate too in the same room.”

Martins said she makes sure her staff go for training with the NGOs and the government on how to handle these people.”We send our staff for training by the government and some NGOs on how to manage these people. They are human beings like us but found themselves in this condition.”

A stigmatised condition

Martins said some of these destitutes, whether brought to SO SAID HOME by families or by good Samaritans, are eventually abandoned by their families and she has no choice than to be taking care of them. Listen to her: “This home should not be a permanent place for them, but a transit. Many of these destitute don’t know where they came from again. When Nigeria shared the states they did not know again. So, many have stayed for too long. They can only remember the names of their siblings but not places, and that is why we expose them to guests whenever they come visiting, some would spot a guest and recognise her or him and these are people many thought had been lost or died.”

Continuing, she said,”when they are well and okay, we trace their families to their towns and villages, but many would still deny them to be part of their family. Some would quickly relocate from the house in order not to be identified with these people who are certified okay by doctors. I have seen a lot and we have no choice than to bring them back here so that they would not go back to the street again.”

However, all those taking care of mentally ill patients believe that it is myth that those who take care of the destitute run mad towards the end of their lives. They say there can be nothing farther from the truth!

The Golden Baobab Prizes for African Children’s literature, set up to celebrate and inspire the creation of enthralling African children’s stories, have announced the 2013 prize long list with seven  Nigerians nominated  in different categories.

More inspiring is the fact that the youngest person on this list is Nigeria’s  born Fego Martins Ahia (Ogenefego Ahia) who is not only the youngest on the long list, but also the only Nigerian in his category (The Golden Baobab prize for rising writers)

Fego was born in1995, in Lagos. He comes from a humble background of disciplined parents whose encouragement has helped him develop a passion for excellence.

Fego is also a first year student at Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA. He grew up surrounded by his father’s small library which ignited his imagination. He attributed this to why he started writing at a very early age.

The Golden Baobab Prize for Rising Writers, which is for talented young writers below the age of 18, longlisted Fego for his story titled “The little secret,” which is a story about Kamila, a little girl from East Kenema who is curious about her father’s friend, Pa Camara, and goes to many lengths to figure out his little secret.

Reacting to his nomination, Fego exclaims excitedly, “I feel deeply honored and humbled to have made the longlist of this year’s Golden Baobab Prizes. This is indeed a big dream come true as it was such an illuminating experience writing a children’s story that spoke to my roots in gentle whispers. Thank God for Golden Baobab.”

Apart from his recent achievement of being longlisted for the Golden Baobab Prizes, this passion saw to it that Fego was shortlisted twice for the Litro/IGGY International Short Story Award, receiving a bronze essay award from the Royal Commonwealth Society as well as winning the inaugural Ugreen Foundation Short Story Prize.

Other Nigerians on the longlist are:

Ayibu Makolo (the author’s pseudonym) – Madam’s Maid and the Little Yellow Frog

Ayibu is a medical doctor who presently lives in Scotland with her family.  She has been writing since she was a child but only began to make her work public this year. She enjoys reading classics and travelling around the world.

Philip Begho – The Princess with a Golden Voice and the Two-Headed Monster

Philip is an award-winning author who has published over a hundred books. He has worked as a journalist, a lawyer, a banker and a university lecturer, and has also engaged in film and theatrical productions. Philip now writes children’s stories fulltime.

Uchenna Edith -Susan – Christmas in Kemah’s Home Town

Uchenna is a freelance writer whose greatest passion is to inspire and empower the African mind through her writing. She is currently working on several chapters of books for children, as well as contributing articles to her favorite websites and blogs.

Nneoma Ike-Njoku – Elelenma

Nneoma’s decision to study Lieral Arts and Sciences at St John’s College in Santa Fe is the extension of a childhood desire to “know everything” that never disappeared.

Besides writing, Nneoma enjoys drawing, sculpting and attempting to cook. She loves food and travelling; she enjoys how a new place makes a person breathe somewhat differently.

‘Tunji Ajibade – In the End

‘Tunji is a Communications (Writing/Editing) Consultant, Literary Administrator and newspaper columnist. He lives in Abuja, Nigeria. ‘Tunji has published short stories, dramas and children stories – many of which have either won, or have been nominated for awards.

Olorunfunmi Temitope – Grandma’s Hens

Olorunfunmi is a graduate of Fine Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is the Lagos Liaison Officer of Life in My City Arts Festival. He writes poetry, short-stories and is presently working on his debut novel.

The Golden Baobab Prizes for literature has since its establishment in July 2008 inspired the creation of riveting African children’s stories by gifted African writers. The Prizes invite entries of unpublished stories written by African citizens irrespective of age, race, or country of origin. The Prizes are organized by Golden Baobab, a Ghana-based pan African social enterprise dedicated to supporting African writers and illustrators to create winning African children’s books.

The organization’s Advisory Board includes renowned authors Ama Ata Aidoo, Patrice Nganang, Jay Heale and Maya Ajmera.

Golden Baobab is supported by Echoing Green, Reach for Change, the Global Fund for Children and The African Library Project.