The Nation Newspaper

Tag: memoirs

  • Waiting for their memoirs

    Autobiographies are always written as if the author had it all mapped out with perfect foresight, ignoring the risks and uncertainties at that time. This misleads ¯ Raghuram G. Rajan

    I love reading memoirs and biographies because they reveal so many issues that may have been hidden at some point in time in the life of the writer. My dictionary in explaining what a memoir is says, “It is a memorial account: a history composed from personal experience and memory; an account of transactions or events (usually written in familiar style) as they are remembered by the writer.”

    Another says: “A memoir is a collection of memories that an individual writes about moments or events, both public or private, that took place in the subject’s/person’s life. The assertions made in the work are understood to be factual.”

    If this is the intention of memoirs then we should expect the writers not to write according to our own expectations and dictates because we may not have experienced firsthand what was written about.

    Memoirs are increasingly becoming popular in Nigeria and it is a good thing that some of our leaders are beginning to document their experiences for the general public to read and gain insights. However, as it is gaining prominence it is also being abused.

    Last Wednesday was exactly two decades that our country returned to democratic rule, although a few have argued that we only returned to civil rule and not to democracy. What is democracy and what is civil rule? Let’s leave that to academics to draw the line for us.

    Since we arrived here, a few of the major participants have put pen to paper to detail their experiences and regaled us with their stories. No matter what anyone might have against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, one thing that is known about him is that he is a man who has never allowed any opportunity to put his thoughts on paper escape him. He kicked off this flurry of writing memoirs in the eighties when he wrote his story about Nigeria’s civil war. From the title (My Command) to the contents, the book till today remains one of the most controversial memoirs that have ever been written by a Nigerian. Same goes for his time as a military head of state, his memoir (Not My Will), and his three-volume record of his eight years as an elected president (My Watch).

    For instance, because of what I see as Obasanjo’s ‘messiah complex’, I’ve been reluctant to read it. In fact, I refused to buy it until recently when a friend cajoled me to do so. It is there displayed on my bookshelf, although I’ve not read it. Buying a book, for me, is the first step to reading it. I love books but I am also at the same time frugal that I usually don’t buy any book I know I would never read. Now that I’ve bought My Watch I know I’ll read it one day.

    So as we marked the first two decades of our return to democracy last Wednesday, I am throwing a challenge to those who have held one office or the other to sit down and let us have a glimpse into their times in power. It would be very illuminating if Abubakar Atiku can sit down and tell his own story as vice president for eight years and as a serial presidential candidate. It is not enough for us to read about him from Obasanjo and others. He should tell his own story from his own angle.

    Death didn’t allow the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to tell his story but we at least have a glimpse of it from Olusegun Adeniyi’s account in Power, Politics and Death. Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s My Transition Moments, I want to believe, is just a tip of a real memoir because it has not really told the story of his transition from deputy governor to governor and to vice president and the ultimate power level – the Presidency.

    The hottest memoirs I am waiting for should come from the Turaki of Ilorin, Dr Olusola Saraki; Yakubu Dogara, Dr Reuben Abati, on his first baptism in real politics and also from my friend Yusuph Olaniyonu; to tell the world his experience serving the man with the tallest cap in this Fourth Republic and also serving a man who is likely to go down in history as perhaps Nigeria’s most controversial and vilified Senate President.

    Will this be like Samuel Becket’s Waiting for Godot? I hope not.

  • Adebanjo unveils memoirs April 13

    Chief Ayo Adebanjo, one of the old Awoists still standing, has completed his autobiography. It will be launched on April 3 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. The 24-chapter book titled, Telling It As It Is, captures several national issues like,”why Obasanjo has always been a kill-joy”  and most of the dramatic episodes in the nation’s political history.

    Accused of treason in 1962 alongside Chief Obafemi Awolowo and 29 others, he documented his role in the allegation of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government and revealed his life in exile in Ghana, imprisonment in Usherford (Accra, Ghana), Kaduna and Kirikiri Prisons (Nigeria).

    The book, which took over a decade to write, detailed the most dramatic episodes in the life of the lawyer, politician, public affairs analyst and former journalist as he disclosed how Unity Party of Nigeria was formed and those who almost sabotaged its principles.

    The Awoist elaborated for the first time ever, details of the late sage’s (Chief Awolowo) intimate political frustrations and calculations in his ambitious effort to turn Nigeria into an Eldorado, his very private life and family, and his “authentic” political children.

    With more insights into the National Democratic Coalition days during the rage and terror of Gen  Sani Abacha, Chief Adebanjo details how the battle was fought and won including how MKO Abiola’s most trusted friends and allies betrayed him.The book also revealed some of the riveting dramas in the formation of Alliance for Democracy, the fiercest struggle for its  soul and the reasons for its  demise.

     

  • Memoirs of 4

    Memoirs of 4

    A love story that kept movie lovers intrigued and excited, only this love story finds its depth in the heart of friendship, which was shared by a peculiar four. It was indeed a Memoirs of Four, as this story took us on a jolly ride that we immensely enjoyed, here in the hood, the Crithood.

    On a very long day with a feeling of the weight of the world on the shoulders, was an unexpected turn of events that came through, when this movie was picked out of the many in the box office. Walking down the foyer was nothing close to exciting, even with the complimentary Popcorn and bottle of Soda, which by the way was a life saver, as the case was beyond busy on this very day. Finally walking into the hall, thankfully seeing a number of seated movie lovers, as the atmosphere felt comforting, even though the day couldn’t have possibly got any worse. As always, picked the most unassuming spot to seat and then opened the bottle of soda and took a large gulf down the throat. Honestly, at that moment nothing felt more refreshing, well at least that’s how it felt till it all began on the big screen.

    A number of familiar and attractive faces did the magic of arresting attention, as the chemistry among the characters were just spot on. The characters were well defined from the first line of their dialogues, giving a clear cut natural reaction to the events in the scenes. The director definitely understood the essence of making sure that the actors were real and true to the role playing, creating the impression that the director is an actor’s director. The script was perceived to have gone beyond the plastics, giving a rich and relatable story of notorious four friends, who try to create false pictures of how perfect they felt their lives should appear among themselves. Eventually, these lies at different levels, blew in their faces, leading up to confrontations that changed their lives for better. It was not new or fresh in terms of storyline, but it took a creative and impressive turn on how it was told and presented on screen. The cinematography was simple, clever and standard; frankly it was refreshing to know that for once, the cameras were being handled by people who knew their craft. The costume and make up departments were also on top of their game, it felt like a movie with a standard budget. The production of this movie was professionally done and definitely the right hands were on deck in the execution of this project. They understood the magnitude of making a standard movie. This sets the bar for what ideally should be, in terms of movie production in Nollywood, most especially movies taken to the cinemas.

    A standard movie with a well-executed storyline. In all honesty, the movie was quite long, definitely far from boring. This jolly ride got the audiences so encaptivated that it raised comments here and there about the turn of events and how they felt it could possibly be handled in a real life situation, putting themselves in the characters’ shoes. A lot of high moments as much as there were calm and reflective moments, definitely never a dull moment as the most exciting scene was let out in a dream, although not the most significant, but definite the most memorable, as the hall rang out in excitement, laughter and amusement; it was very well done.

    After all being said, it is just appropriate to establish the fact that publicity for this movie was not good enough. A movie of this standard needs to have as much publicity, to at least compensate for all the good work put in. It deserves to break box office and get lots of cinema time, so everybody, including all the merely half-baked movie makers can get the chance to see how it ideally should be done. There are no questions to be asked or comments to be made, therefore our verdict is all that is left. A standard production, nice storyline, quality picture, creative and artistic directing and it can be easily loved. It is a must see for ‘everybody’.

    Please follow @Crithoodng on Instagram. Please feel free to leave your comments and messages. We will respond, after all, we tell it as we see it.

  • 35 scholars for Ade Ajayi’s memoirs

    No fewer than 35 scholars and academics converged on the Ojoo Ibadan Avenue, residence of Professor Emritus Jacob Ade Ajayi for a final deliberation on the forthcoming book to commemorate his 85th birthday celebration.

    The meeting, which was chaired by Prof Ayo Banjo, witnessed the 10-minute presentation by each of the scholars who had each been given a topic to write upon.

    Among the scholarsat the meeting were: Prof Michael Omolewa, Professors Jide Oshuntokun, Bolanle Awe, Festus Ogunlade, Kunle Lawal, and Kyari Mohammed.

    Other contributors were Professors Funke Adeboye, James Morrison, Lalage Bown, Roza Ismagilova, and Liu Naiya among others. The coordinator of the event, Prof Omolewa in collaboration with the eldest child of the celebrator, Mrs Yetunde Taiwo, expressed appreciation to the contributors.

    He said the book is not meant to laud the octogenarian, whom he said detests praise singing. Omolewa noted that Prof Ajayi has given them the free hand to write anything about him.

    “The book will highlight all the phases of life and work of the academic,” Omolewa said.

    Chapter one of the book, which title has not yet been decided, focuses on the birth and childhood of Prof Ajayi. It was written by Mr Dipo Ajayi, the editor of the defunct Daily Times Newspapers, who incidentally is Prof Ajayi’s brother. His secondary and post secondary education was written by Osuntokun, Omolewa, and Ogunlade. According to Prof Omolewa, the conclusion will be entitled: “The Future of the Past.”