The 21 books came to me in two gift paper-bags from the scholar Udenta O. Udenta. The priceless present came along with a 34-page “Guide To The 21 Book Project” entitled “Intellectual Production And The Genealogy Of Knowledge.” Praise cannot…
There was a warrior called Ojukwu – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
He did not deliver on his promise to write “The Book” before his death. The fact that Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu did not publish a book on the Nigeria-Biafra War leaves a very large hole in whatever passes for Nigerian history.…
Nigeria as a confederacy of dunces – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu9
Let me start with a confession. I borrowed the title of this piece from the American Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. The novel and its author have very interesting stories, for starters. John Kennedy…
Thunder strikes 86 times in celebration of Wole Soyinka – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
Even the elements are not left out: Lightning! Thunder! They all celebrate Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, that is, Wole Soyinka for short. Wole Soyinka threw a party for my class on graduation, declaring us the most challenging students he had ever…
Reflecting on TM Aluko’s Last Novel: “Our Born Again President” – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
The pioneer African writer TM Aluko died on May 1, 2010. It’s indeed remarkable that the celebrated author published his last novel in 2009. Our Born Again President, a 218-page novel published by HEBN Publishers Plc Ibadan bore benedictory testimony…
A toast to Too-much-money: Ambassador Chief Kem Ajieh @ 60 – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
Today is different. It’s the birthday of Toomuchmoney. He would have jetted off to London to mark it but the pandemic has rooted him in Nigeria. Not to worry, though, because he can make things happen anytime, anywhere, no matter…
Nigerian political woman’s hell on earth – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
The Nigerian political woman is hardly ever allowed by the men who control the parties to get elected into high office. The women have to make do with being appointed into office instead of getting elected. The denial of the…
When Obasanjo fired a letter bomb at Goodluck Jonathan – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
Nigerians forget all too quickly. Many of my countrymen and women have of course forgotten the bomb of a letter that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo sent to then President Goodluck Jonathan. Given the volatile political situation in the country today it…
Oya, see the true meaning of Chichidodo government – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
It is in the DNA of every Nigerian government to talk tough on fighting corruption. This useable tactic of mass deceit did not start today. Let it be known that the much-abused General Sani Abacha was in his time a…
Toward the empowerment of the Nigerian people – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
Never an Afterthought by Afolabi Sokpehi Imoukhuede HCS; Narrative Landscape Press (Prima), Lagos, Nigeria; 220; 357pp The power of the printed word is the greatest asset of every inspirational leader. Once the works are written down as words, it is…