Three Authors, Same Story

On daily basis, there is a mass exodus of Nigerians to America, Europe and even to some African countries like Ghana, South Africa, Benin Republic, Cameroon and Niger. But they hardly go to Iraq, Israel, or Palestine, don't ask me why. But why do they migrate to UK, US, SA or even Ghana? Even a little child wouldn’t waste much time before providing the answer- “G is for greener pasture!” the child would say. Many of these immigrants believe that when they get to these countries, their sufferings would be over; that they can marry the girl of their dream, cruise in exotic cars of their choice and live in the luxurious house of their dream. But many on getting there suddenly discover that America and Europe are more promising and habitable on television screen than in real life! There’s economic tsunami everywhere! But body and soul must be kept together, dollars or pounds must be sent home and bills must be paid. Pressure gets to an all time high; hunger gets unbearable while fear of being deported becomes a nightmare. “I must make it”, the Nigerian assures himself or herself. How? Through prostitution, gangsterism, Yahoo-Yahoo (cyber-fraud), armed-robbery or what? Three authors tell compelling stories about these crimes from different perspectives.

Untangling those things around your neck:
What are those things? “The Thing Around Your Neck” is the most recent book from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie the author of “Purple Hibiscus” and “Half of a Yellow Sun.” “The Thing Around Your Neck” is a collection of nine dazzling short stories that focus on the problems associated with arranged marriage, the trouble of securing American visa and the horror of war among others. The various issues explored by the author are not just around our necks but have built tents around us that we can no longer move our entire body. Fire on Adichie!

A Cruise through the Black Sisters’ Street:
As you get set to journey through the Black Sisters’ Street, what do you expect to see? Is it going to be a street full of luscious cars and elegant edifices? The answer is far from that. “Black Sisters’ Street” is a fortunate or unfortunate story of four African ladies who work as prostitutes. One of them dies but would her death be a lesson to those living? Would the other three rekindle their dreams and retrace their steps after the death of a colleague? The answer would be provided when you cruise through the “Black Sisters’ Street.”

Chika Unigwe, the author of “Black Sisters’ Street” is an award-winning Nigerian author based in Belgium. Her debut “De Finiks” mirrors the problems immigrants face in their quest to make ends meet in an unfamiliar environment.

I’m not a 419er by Chance:
Kingsley Onyeaghananwanneya (what a long name) was made to believe from childhood that acquiring good certificates is a ticket to success in life. But upon graduation, the only job available was from “Cash Daddy” who owns Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), an agency that specializes in 419. The book reflects the twists and turns of life and shows how the road to success often swelters with these vicissitudes. In most cases, cutting corners the writer argues, can even be more challenging than going through the approved and accepted routes. The question is: which is the approved route to success? Kingsley Onyeaghananwanneya just like many people takes to this precarious occupation. Can he eat his cake and have it?

“I Do Not Come To You By Chance” is a mature book written by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani. Though her debut, it is nevertheless, an interesting read.

What I Say: “The Thing Around Your Neck”, “Black Sisters’ Street” and “I Do Not Come To You By Chance” are displays of literary intelligence from three Nigerian writers. In terms of theme, the three books are interwoven either directly or indirectly, covertly or overtly. Good books to add to your shelf!

Pictures: (From Up: Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Chimamanda Adichie, and Chika Unigwe.

Clarion Chukwurah’s Clarion Call at her 30 Years on Stage and Screen

It was an exquisite celebration of an enviable life, memento of a long-lasting memory of excitement for all lovers of fun, a cultural carnival of some sort and a congregation of who is who in the music and movie industry. These are partial descriptions of the three-in-one celebration of the life of a stage and screen icon, Clarion Chukwurah. The well-packaged grandeur which took place at Bolajoko Hall Event Centre, Ikeja Lagos was to commemorate the 30th acting anniversary, 45th birthday celebration and the formal presentation of legacy initiative of Clarion Chukwurah.

Inspired by Late Michael Joseph Jackson
Clarion Chukwurah who was described “as a very good representative of Theatre Arts in Nigeria” by Mrs. Joke Muyiwa Fadirepo, Head of Department of Performing Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University and “a very good interpreting actress” in the words of Dr. Sumbo Marinho of Zmirage, Lagos, was inspired by the late King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson when she was 4. The dream however, came into manifestation at the age of 15 when she passed the audition and became the youngest Semi-professional Actor/Member of the University of Ibadan Performing Company where she played the lead actress alongside Sam Loco Efe, one of the most hilarious Nigerian actors.

Why She is Still Relevant

Clarion in her speech boldly stated that the reason she is still relevant and consistent is because of her children. “They give me confidence”, she said emphatically. The hall became charged with emotion, diluted with a solemn quietness, with all eyes focused straight on the stage when Clarence Peters, the eldest of Clarion’s children approached her mother, went down on his knees like a boy who has come to reconcile with an estranged girlfriend and proudly said “I love you mother.” This was a symbol of loyalty and humility to a mother who has made his son proud through her chosen career.

Clarion’s Clarion Call
To Clarion, the event was more than the celebration of her 30 years in acting; it was a presentation of her initiative – Clarion Chukwurah Initiative, a registered charity organization that raises support for the less-privileged in the society. She had said: “this is different from other Non-Governmental Organisations we have around us because at the initial stage we were doing our own work without soliciting for any support from anybody or group.” She used the opportunity to thank her supporters especially her son, Clarence Peters whose support she disclosed started right from when he was in school. Clarion also made a clarion call to all well-meaning Nigerians to cultivate the habit of extending help to the less-privileged in our society.

What You Missed

The event was beautifully packaged to satisfy the interest of every guest. For those who are lovers of God, Evangelist Toye Okanlawon was on hand to open the ceremony with prayer. For the sake of patriotism and national identity, the National Anthem was sung. For lovers of Fuji music, Pasuma was there with his waist-wriggling damsels who enticed and captivated the guests with their well-lubricated waists and highly-greased joints. (Lord, have mercy. I pitied any woman who didn’t accompany her husband there). For lovers of children, there were children from various orphanages. For lovers of pretty faces, the sexy ushers who were lusciously dressed in red attire were available. For the delights of movie and theatre, Professor Yerima Ahmed of the National Theatre was there and for the lovers of Clarion Chukwurah, everyone was there.

What’s New about the New Year?

By: Emmanuel Nathan Oguche (ANIPR)

The time was 12 O'clock. The entire city was basking in the euphoria of excitement as those awake were chanting what seemed like songs of victory amidst nauseating noise of “knock-out” that was ravaging every nook and cranny. People starved themselves of sleep and replaced the silent night with earsplitting vigil, just to have a glimpse of the moment they had dreamt of. The screeching of the wall clock added glamour to the noise as the long hand of the clock was rested on the short one. Obviously, the time was 12:00 am and this was what set the ball of celebration rolling in the air.

“What’s the madness all about?” I asked Silas. But the look on his face seemed like "who’s this mad person that’s talking about madness?" “Nathan, Happy new year. This is 2010, have you forgotten? You should be happy…I mean you should be excited”

The look on my face was that of disappointment but it seemed to me that my brother was even more disappointed when I, like an iconoclast, smashed this question on his face: “What’s new about the new year?”

“In 2009” I continued, “there were 24 hours per day for everyone; we slept at night and hustled in the day; there were 7 days in a week and 12 months in the year. Are all these going to change in 2010?” Absolute silence preceded this question. Everyone, including my Dad and other siblings who were hitherto showing contempt to the argument were uncontrollable pulled to it. Yes, they had no choice than to ponder on it. You too have become part of that discourse! Let’s move there!!

See what’s new about the New Year:

Nothing is new in this 2010 except you.

Enthuse yourself with the spirit of optimism and damn all your past losses.

Whet your appetites to dispensing what is good and add value to your society.
Yearn for greater heights for there’s danger staying in one place.
Electrify yourself with new ideas for new challenges await you.
Attitude is everything; put on positive minds and decline every rag of misery.
Relate with people and your Maker, for you cannot conquer the year all alone.

Can you now see what New Year is all about? I’ve posted this because you mean so much to me, you too can do same to those you love.

25 years later: Kunle Adeyemi still dispatching

It was a carnival galore and harvest of cultural dispatches at Quintessence Arts Gallery, Ikoyi when Kunle Adeyemi in a solo art exhibition titled “Kunle Adeyemi: Dispatches from my Art”

celelebrated his 50th birthday and 25th Anniversary since graduation from the prestigious Yaba School of Printing and Graphic Arts. Mr. Adeyemi’s exhibits are deeply rooted in the tradition, especially the traditions of the Yoruba people while his combination of abstract and realism genuinely brings out the beauty of his works and a time, makes the work interestingly complex. Enjoy this brief and short interview with Prince Kunle Adeyemi. Exerpt:

25 years of dispatches, how’s the journey so far?

The journey has been very rough but thank God for the success.

Can we now say you’re a fulfilled artist?

Yes, judged by all standards. It could be better. I don’t have any regret because I enjoy all that I’m doing. I try as much as I can to preach to the young ones so that they can imbibe the culture of hard work, the culture of success to a product, and the culture of great dexterity.

Your collections are all rooted in the African traditions, what do you do to integrate the contemporary youths who seem to be a bit distant from their culture?

That’s one of the reasons why this exhibition is organized. I’m using this platform to announce to the youth that we have origin and that we’re coming from somewhere. We can’t negate this. I remind them that we have a source.

Some artists find it difficult to part with certain works of theirs; do you have such kind of works?

Yes, there are some works I don’t want to part with. But I still feel I have to express myself. When you have such pieces government should come secretly and buy them from you because these are rare cases. Unfortunately our government does not appreciate art works the manner those in abroad do. These are some of the problems we’re encountering.

What advice do you have for the younger artists?

They should work hard and be sincere to themselves. Becoming great is a process, there’s no short-cut to success. I believe that when you work hard and with God on your side you’ll get to an enviable height.

Thank you for your time and happy birthday.

You're welcome. Thanks for your time too.

"I was caught reading Shakespear book"- ANA President

Dr. Wale Okediran is a man who wears more than three caps on his head; for he’s a medical doctor, a legislative consultant, was the president of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) as at when this interview was conducted and also a father. These numerous caps on his head do not however make him unaccessible as he would always squeeze time out of his tight schedule in order to grant media interview. While in Abuja, I made it a point of duty to have a chat with him. "Still at work. Can we meet to night at Biobak’s restaurant Nass Qtrs, Apo, I’m traveling early tomorrow." This was his reply to the SMS sent him. Sit back and enjoy as he shares his opinion on the benefits of reading. Exerpt:

You’re a medical, literary and legislative consultant. How are these interwoven?
These are the interests I developed right from when I was young. From my secondary school days I developed keen interest in reading and writing. I edited a campus newspaper was in the University and of course I’m a trained medical doctor. When I went into politics I also imbibed a lot of skills which some people felt should not be wasted, that’s why I was appointed as a consultant to the National Assembly Committee on Health.

You must then be a voracious reader?
A good writer must also be a good reader. In my secondary school days I devoted a significant amount of time to reading. While in the medical school my lecturer has ever caught me reading Shakespeare books under the desk during lectures. As a trained medical doctor too, you must also be a good reader. All these have worked together.

Let’s have a peep into your library, what are the kinds of books in there?
You’ll first of all find literary books, ranging from Russian literatures, Chinese literatures to the Nigerian literatures. I read western books a lot. My medical books are there because I still maintain a medical column in the Nigerian Tribune. My hospital at Ibadan is still being run by a colleague of mine. I believe that one day I’ll go back and retire as a medical doctor. And then, my Bible and Koran too. To make it balance.

Who’s your favourite author?
I’m very partial to Russian literatures.

It seems you have biase for foreign books, why?
I mentioned Yellow Yellow and Half of a Yellow Sun of Chimamanda Adichie. May be I’m a victim of second-hand colonialism. I went to a Baptist secondary school and our library was stocked with books sent by foreign missionaries, usually second-hand books. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t like Nigerian books.

How do you encourage your children to read?
I buy them books frequently. I buy books for my wife and friends too. It shows my great concern about their reading culture.

What measures do you put in place so that you books are not destroyed or stolen?
I’m very passionate about my books and I get very upset if my someone doesn’t return my books after he or she has lend it from me. I keep most of my most valuable books in my bedroom. I make sure that my shelf is not kept in a dampen place and I do open windows to allow cross ventilation.

Readers are leaders or readers are leaders, what’s your take on this?
I think readers are leaders because not all readers read. A good reader would make a good leader because they learn a lot. You learn patience, perseverance, dignity and honour.

Indigenous cultures and literature are on a decline, what measures can be put in place to encourage indigenous language though reading and writing?
Yes, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has observed what you just mentioned. We have been trying all we can to encourage indigenous writing as a body. One of our cardinal objectives is to encourage indigenous writing because Nigerian literature is on the decline. We organize workshops, we bring young men and women together, we encourage them. But the onus still lies on the parents to encourage their children and wards especially from a tender age.

On a final note, what advice do you have for those who see reading as drab and uninteresting?
It’s a tragedy, the worst tragedy for that matter for any human being to describe reading as being drab. By reading a book or magazine, you could stumble on something that may change your life forever.

Thank you very much

You're welcome.

Kidnapping, Insecurity and all of us

“My family members, especially my father will be happy if I’m kidnapped today; at least he’ll be fraught with fewer mouths to feed.”

This was a response to one of my posts on the Facebook. Can you blame this friend of mine? The political and social conditions of our environment has conditioned us to believe that only the rich, the top-echelon, the bourgeoisies and the petty-bourgeoisies need security. But the recent spate of kidnapping and hostage-taking that is sweeping the entire country has kept everyone on his toes as there’s now a shift in paradigm as to what national security is all about and for whom it’s meant.

Kidnapping, there’s no doubt started on the shores, creeps, waters, and sand ways of the Niger-Delta area. Ask any Nigerian, they’ll tell you so. The area used to be synonymous with hostage-taking until the militant later recourse to open confrontation to drive in their point. At the infant stage of kidnapping in the Niger-Delta area, the targets were mainly expatriates- Italians, Filipinos, Americans, German- who work with various oil companies. The militants used kidnapping to drive home their point. But gradually, hostage-taking degenerated into an enterprise of immense complexity; it suddenly became a money making business and prominent people were even believed to be part of the business as they mobilized militant youths to kidnap for pecuniary gains. Our leaders, at this time still sat in akimbo as nothing serious was done to mitigate the activities of the kidnappers. After all, none of the top government officials ever fall a victim at that time

With the unimaginable abduction of Dr. Chris Ngige on July 10, 2003 while in office, the scope of victims of kidnapping was expanded to accommodate political office holders. Many Nigerians never believed that government officials can suffer that kind of traumatic incident. Though many commentators were of the opinion that Dr. Chris’ abduction was politically motivated, yet one cannot ignore the financial ransom that was demanded and perhaps paid before he was released. The same thing could be said of the kidnap of Pa Simeon Soludo, the father of the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the People’s Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate of Anambra State. Several other kidnapping were political motivated or seems so but one thing is certain, ransom is equally demanded and paid.

Recently too, the Nollywood industry has become a fertile ground where kidnappers are planting their seeds of destruction. First, it was Peter Edochie one of the most respected Nollywood actors. Initially, I thought with the kind of authority and power Edochie exhume whenever he acts films he’ll not be able to be intimidated by his abductors but whenever on is in the hands of gun carriers, one has to submit his erudition, intellectualism and oratory. If it were movie, it wouldn’t have been possible for Edochie to be kidnapped.

What about Nkem Owoh (Osofia), the goddess of comedy film in Nigeria? When I got the news I concluded that kidnappers lack the sense of homour and wanted to have be entertained by Osofia in dungeon! Ransom was demanded.

Keen observers of kidnapping and hostage taking in Nigeria would agree with me that two forms exist. There’s economic kidnapping which is strictly for money. There’s political kidnapping which may a times in the form of economical kidnapping but primarily for political gains. But whichever form it may be, somebody life is usually at jeopardy and ransom is always demanded. But it’s an indication of a failed structures be it polical, social, cultural or religious. If all the necessary structures are not put in place time will come that it will seep into all corners of Nigerian society if it has not happened yet.

Some Governors and Houses of Assembly at different time have recommended death sentence to kidnappers. To me, no penalty is too big for any man who abducts his fellow being for a ransom. But is there any justification if pot shamefully calls kettle black? What about political kidnappers who have been sabotaging the economic interests of this country? What about those leaders who hold our national treasury to ransom with all impunity? What’s their penalty? A situation where by few minority perpetually takes the advantage of the disadvantaged and handicapped majority, kidnapping becomes a retaliatory repercussion to deal with those in power. Its dog eats dog scenario, only the fittest survives.



What are the areas of intervention? Of course, Nigerians and all her leaders are well abreast of those grey areas that have been giving us bad name among the comity of nations. Leaders at all levels should embrace good governance for kidnapping or hostage-taking is a hallmark of flaws and defect in the social and political structures of our society. The Nigerian Police should be well equipped technically and morally to fight saboteurs and kidnappers for as it is now, kidnappers are more confident than the police. Government should provide job opportunities to her citizenry whom have found economic solace in hostage taking due to joblessness. Kidnapping and insecurity is not a class thing, it affects every Nigerian irrespective of economic status. Let’s come together to fight terrorism in its simplest form.