Journal and Papers
New Book: “I No De Give Shi-Shi” …The Promise of a New Era
Book Title: THE PROMISE OF A NEW ERA
Author: Chuks Iloegbunam
Publishers: Eminent Biographies.
Pages: 192
Reviewer: Emeaba Onuma Emeaba
“The Promise of a New Era” is one of those literary incongruities which refuse to be type-cast. The writer, Chuks (short for, Chukwu-kweleze) Iloegbunam could not make up his mind where to class the book. With its eight chapters, the book defies genre typology. Drawing on his near encyclopedic knowledge of written sources, Iloegbunam’s panoramic style graciously intermingles elements from many genres. He is able to put together what comes across like a no-be-juju-be-that-type concoction made with ingredients marinated in biography, history, autobiographic reflections eloquent of his close contact with the subject, motivational spiel, political commentary, slap-stick anecdotes, and episodic jeremiads. All this, in a breezy journalese that is a delight to read.
The book, upfront is unambiguously submitting, that it is endorsing Peter Obi, the Labour Party flagbearer for Nigerian president, “since the APC and PDP had bankrupted their threadbare political credits and deserve to step aside for a breath of fresh air to resuscitate an entity close to asphyxiation.”
The book and the author, Chuks Iloegbunam.
Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi was born into the family of Mr. Josephat and Mrs. Agnes Obi from Agulu in Anaocha LGA of Anambra State. He grew up in a two-storey building that doubled as a residence and the businesses of a supermarket, and a restaurant. Born in Onitsha a city also known as Market, and in a home where life revolved around the church, the school, and the shop Obi had no choice but to imbibe them all.
Obi disregards logic and side-lines the usual apprenticeship and petty-trading route that is the wont of the people of his neighbourhood, and goes to school. In short order, he finishes high school, and enrolls at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Even as a student he still dabbles in trading—a trait that could not be ignored for the Anambra man. Obi becomes Chairman of Fidelity Bank at 43 years. Then, other bank chairmanships follow before he decides to play at politics. It turns out, all along, he was made for the combination of education, trading, and governance. The rest, they say, is history.
Iloegbunam seems to be dabbling in wizardry as he engages in this grand sleight of hand of combining an eerie brilliance at reasoned thought with a considerable measure of psychological analyses of the topic at hand. Haply, Iloegbunam is a journalist, a profession which equips him with impressive, often snide anecdotes—anecdotes which, in displaying an insiders’ familiarity, and intimacy with the subject, take the edge off the polemical passion a reader might expect from the book.
And with a theme as captivating, significant, and concerning as this, one is willing to put up with the author’s vacuum cleaner approach where he simply sucks up beaucoups of insightful and even minor facts and dumps them at the reader like an accusation. Some of his excerpts, from newspaper articles, social media trolls, and participant observations, are presented unembellished and in an elaborate prose put together in the Iloegbunamesque rare propensity for incorporating details into a comprehensive picture. The story is so good, and Iloegbunam organizes the reading pace in such a way that readers are carried along spell-bound.
“The Promise of a new Era” is a kind of gusty allegory of Nigeria’s political musical chair, as the country searches for a snake-oil type leader to guide her out of what had ailed her for years. One needs to have a certain panache—a talent touched by nothing short of an abracadabra to perform this tricky balancing act, but Iloegbunam who spent time as Peter Obi’s chief of staff, pulls it off. He manages to rewrite the story of Obi’s life in such a way that no one will ever be able to boil it down to a sentence. To give it a try: the book is of a man who has been touched by the gods—the story of Peter Obi’s journey from a trader, to bank chair, to governor, and to vice presidential candidate.
Aimed specifically at the electorate, “who are the hewers of wood and drawers of water” that will decide Nigeria’s future in the next election, the book discusses the internal politics of three of the main political parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP). It concludes that the APC and the PDP parties are nothing but a pair of one, the Devil, and the other, The Deep Blue Sea, any one of which “spells nothing other than ruination to Nigeria” as the choices facing the electorates. The Labour Party—the Third Force which Professor Utomi describes as “the option for national salvation and an unambiguous thumbs down for the political status quo”—is the party to beat.
Drawing from recent contemporary events, and even Obi’s personal experiences, the book tells of what makes Peter Obi tic. Obi had concluded that the other parties were engaged in a comical parade of monetarism where political power is ceded to the one with deep pockets. Obi hates this and said so. That gave birth to the famous “I no de give shishi” a metonymy for which Obi represents.
Again, described as two of a kind, Obi picks, as his running mate, another high achiever Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed who holds a verifiable first degree from the University of Maiduguri, an MBA from Cardiff in Wales and a Ph.D. from the university of Westminster in U.K; and at the age of 34 was already elected to the house of Representative for Zaria, and thereafter, into the Senate representing Kaduna North. At 42 Dr. Baba-Ahmed had set up the Baze University in Abuja. Their achievements underscore Obi’s quote: “If a man has not created wealth, he cannot manage wealth.” Even as the other presidential candidates, particularly Atiku, Tinubu and Kwankwaso, his co competitors, “have remained shadowy figures, defined, if at all, by hearsay and propaganda,” Obi and Dr Baba-Ahmed, with their Labour Party, have become part of the national debate and popular culture—important players in Nigeria and Nigerian youths’ economic and political life.
The book concludes that this clear combo of untainted achievement is what the Labour Party has presented to the electorate and so, uses a series of thumbnail sketches of famous political writings by trusty, name brand, Nigerian journalists to point to the same thing—Peter Obi is it.
Elsewhere, Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, has become a hero to many Nigerian Youths who have come to dub themselves the “Obidients,” and a demon to many of status quo politicians who have manipulated the electoral process where the richest could buy the nominations of the various parties. As it stands, he is one of the most important figures in modern Nigerian history and currently the only candidate that seems to encapsulate the answer to the worry of the Nigerian youth. But, whatever he is, politically—whether he will someday occupy Aso Rock—or whether he will be relegated to the defeated ranks of political zealots who failed to end money bag politics in Nigeria—one thing about him is certain: Iloegbunam is a gifted writer who, if he were not a Nigerian, could easily make a living as an author, of fiction or fact.
Truth be the told, the book is a very decent try at an immensely difficult subject, encompassing an enormous amount of material. Iloegbunam goes through the sources with commendable zeal. He also writes well, which is remarkable, given that he has spent much time writing memo and speeches with government register, a real killer to style.
In truth, there won’t be another book ever that grapples more determinedly and convincingly with the big picture of the Nigerian class—or which fluctuates so maddeningly between Peter Obi as a presidential candidate and the failures of the other candidates in its scrutiny. The problem is that for all his extraordinary writing, creative syntheses and moral beliefs, Iloegbunam’s “The Promise of a new Era” is awe-inspiring. This review does not purport to do justice to Mr. Iloegbunam’s message, for he has written a very important discourse on how to save Nigeria from itself. What is especially effective about the book’s argument is its unrelenting realism.
The book is available by sending an email to the author: chuks.iloegbunam@gmail.com
Emeaba, the author of “A Dictionary of Literature,” writes dime novels a la Onitsha Market Literature sub-genre.
Book Title: Women Unbound
Author: Udunma Ikoro
Publishers: Communique Resource Hub.
Pages: 221
Reviewer: Emeaba Onuma Emeaba
Time there was when women were stampeded into remaining anonymous in plain sight. Somehow, the women chewed the inside of their lower lips, remained quiet, suppressed their emotions, and pretended not to exist. Everyone, including the chauvinistic cadre that concocted that faux-pas became the worse for it. Acceptance of that incongruity engendered unnecessary misunderstandings that resulted not only in the stifling of serious potentials, but also in the bringing about of nightmarish endings and unfulfilled promises for the significant other. Up front, society lost the most capable, competent, and reliable co-worker; and everyone suffered, Udunma Ikoro seems to say in, “a woman is a natural influencer born with the capacity to lead and impact anyone and everything.”
The Intentional Woman by Ikoro—who brings to her subject a writer’s tenacity and a teacher’s propensity for moulding a classroom full of wide-eyed children into shape—is a generous, unsettling, and somewhat visionary work that resembles that of Dale Carnegie: a series of mini-lessons on the virtues encapsulated in the iconic “‘I can’ is the parent of ‘I did.’”
Ikoro, not only makes the book resound with instructional savoir-faire, but she also has assembled a large corpus of real-life anecdotes to back up her assertions. And, serving as a de-facto manifesto for women in general, (and men, if you want to know the truth), the word “book” does not sound right to describe it. The insight she has to offer in this excellent motivational book takes full advantage of the opportunities that Ikoro presents to the reader when she resorts to the use of the been-there-done-that class of people—some of them unnerving and disconcerting—who have had it rough but are able to forcefully, positively bounce back, in many respects.
Motivational authorities have talked themselves hoarse drumming it into us that we should overcome limiting factors against our upward mobility; to fight to bring our potentials to the fore. Sadly, that truism seems to be simply meant for the men, excluding the women in our society. The rest of us, inadvertently inveigled by generational gaffes, have buoyed the anomaly because it was so reassuringly convenient; and life goes on. Not anymore, says Udunma Ikoro, who has swung into guru territory, too. Becoming the latest in the ranks of motivational pundits like Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins and the good old Dale Carnegie, she has argued that the woman should not only think outside the box, but must also climb out of the box, in order to be able to do what she is created to do: be the best partner she is meant to be.
Pleasant, poised, empathetic, but this intricate book which resembles a medicinal concoction for what ails the woman of today, works on many other levels. She seems to observe her atmospheres’ world in a series of distinct, almost palpable imageries. It is suffused with a medley of literary language—from the past, from the bible, from glib anecdotes, through motivational patter, brief biographies, and on to first-person reflections.
In The Intentional Woman, Ikoro tells us, rather compellingly, that we may have measured accomplishments using different considerations and criteria, but that such success can only happen if certain of our women, some of whom are brilliance personified, bring to bear a willingness to discover those core latent talents simmering inside them. The book, which is dedicated to “every girl child, lady, woman who has desire to be more” maintains that we set aside our fears and take a leap of faith even if we have to defy certain “taboos” that tend to stultify our ability to go forth and conquer.
Ikoro argues that “In the journey of life, you must attain self-discovery; ascertain values in order to have a clearer view of your purpose in life.” She offers a truck-load of riff on the things to do that she believes stand ready to nudge anyone who dares, along. She is at her most persuasive on the narrower motivational spiels like “In building your mind-set, stop the fear in you,” and has dwelt, untiringly on definite themes, for example, “to be intentional is about being deliberate, working towards a purpose, being thoughtful in your choices or being proactive.”
Using real life (her life) scenarios, the book takes us through the necessary steps needed for women (and the rest of us) to unbridle our latent talents. She says we should unveil ourselves by discovering who we are; find our gifts to reveal our talents; forget whatever anyone says to the contrary of who we are; throw in some education that is at par with our self-development; and go out there to kick behinds as we claw ourselves up to a cloud nine position; which we deserve.
This book is packed. The writer Udunma Ikoro, currently the lead creative director, Communique Resource Hub, and Professional Communication Educational and Book Project Consultant, proposes we assume intentionality and not think of it as a “cliché,” but as “being purposeful in life, actions and words.” She tells appealing episodic stories, which serve to lucidly clarify multifaceted biblical allusions and anecdotes as they relate to the topic, and presents surprising perceptions into the nature of extraordinary performance: noting, for example, that profound successes are often driven by a spell of let-down and the encountering of hurdles along the way.
In eleven segments—instead of chapters—of elaborate prose, Ikoro takes an entirely different tactic to make her point. She insists that “…nobody owes me anything, nobody owes me my joy, my space, fulfilment, and anything.” Then backs that up, when she adds, “I owe myself my greatness.” In the process, she manages to write the book in such a way that it is difficult to be turned into a bouillon cube made of many ingredients. This is a tricky trapeze walk, but she is able to pull it off by weaving a motivational narrative that points to one thing: Women; go out there and get it—full stop.
Geared towards counselling, teaching, and straight up cautioning, this is a profoundly thought-provoking and significant book because Ikoro—the youngest motivational authority of our time—has performed a mystical showmanship on paper such that you could almost scratch-n-sniff the motivational frankness that is its strength. One leaves this book impressed with the way in which the author manages to haul examples and facts at the reader insisting they take the one step that would change their current ruts. The book is bound to entertain, even as it touches those hitherto untouchable topics that women are so pre-programmed to shy away from. Every girl child (nay, everybody) should read this book.
To obtain copies, email the author directly: udunmaikoro@gmail.com.
Emeaba, the author of “A Dictionary of Literature,” writes dime novels a la Onitsha Market Literature sub-genre.
The founder of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Mr. Fisayo Soyombo, has been released on bail by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Soyombo was freed yesterday evening after he spent several hours at the Force Headquarters, Abuja
He had gone to the Force Headquarters to honour a police invitation in connection with a story on the deputy inspector-general of police (IGP), Joseph Egbunike.
The journalist confirmed his release when he said: “I am out.”
He will, however, return to the Force Headquarters on January 13, 2022.
“Special thanks to my colleagues at FIJ Nigeria, lawyers, ex-bosses, the media houses who published stories, and everyone who tweeted, ‘Facebooked’, texted and made phone calls to press for my release from detention. I am out.
“Journalists, activists, lawyers, and everyone else working in the public interest should not have to deal with a distraction like this, but none of us must give up on the Nigerian dream,” he said.
The Nigeria Police have detained founder, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Isayo Soyombo at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for exposing corruption in the force.
His detention followed honoured invitation on Monday by the security personnel.
The journalist who honoured the invitation discovered it was in connection to a story on the award of contracts for police camps.
The transit police accommodations are located in Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, Katsina and Kano States.
It is unclear if police authorities are looking into FIJ’s revelations about the facilities meant to provide safe and comfortable accommodation for travelling officers and men.
Soyombo had on November 23, 2021, received a text message from the security agency.
The message read: “This office is conducting an investigation in which your name and phone number featured, in view of this, you are to interview the Head, IGP Monitoring Unit on the 29th November 2021 by 1000hrs at 1st Floor, Force Hqtrs.”
FIJ had reported how, in his former role as CP Budget and Finance, Joseph Egbunike, (now DIG), allegedly joined other senior cops to approve more than N1 billion for the projects.
Egbunike headed the police panel that investigated ex-IRT head, Abba Kyari, after an FBI indictment for alleged fraud and conspiracy.
When FIJ visited the project locations, nothing or little had been done after three years of approval.
At the N245 million transit camp in Riyom, Plateau State, two uncompleted bungalows and a few mobile buildings on an expanse of land were found.
Pro-Egbunike’s lawyers petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, over the story, demanding the “prosecution” of those behind the “defamation”.
The legal practitioners, led by Stefan Onome Okorodudu, claim to operate under “Concerned Lawyers in defence of the Nigeria Police and its officers”.
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