On Saturday 9th September,
2017, the main auditorium of Santa Maria Montessori School, Alaka – Surulere in
mainland Lagos was agog with activities as literary lovers in Lagos and
illustrious sons and daughters of Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government gathered
to celebrate one of their own. The event was the public presentation and
official launching of the book, ‘Imagine Lagos and Other Stories’ authored by Ibusa-born
novelist and poet, Philip Ngozi Ifechukwude. By 12noon on the day, red carpet
formalities had begun with Miss Ify Cherie Izegbu and Miss Fumnanya Agbugah anchoring
it. Notable speakers during this period include, Mr. PC Ugbah, an uncle to the
author and Sylvia Dumebi Olimmah-Biosah, another cousin to the author. Others were
Elder Emeka Esogbue, an Anioma historian, Austin Eloka Ajufo, author and poet; Jude
Edu Onochie, Iyke Odiah, Barr. Chuks Okobi and the celebrant and author of the
book, Philip Ng. Ifechukwude. They all lend credence to the fact that the
author has done well so far after three books to his credit. They however
wished him well at the launch.
The chairman of the
occasion was Prof. Pat Utomi, the Director of Lagos Business School and frontline
Political Economist. He was supported at the high table by the President-General
of Ibusa Development Community Union (ICDU Worldwide), Dr. Austin Izagbo and
former Managing Director of John Holt PLC, Dr. Nosike Agokei. The chief
launcher, Chief Steve Okonmah was ably represented by Ibusa traditional music
crooner, Eluemunor Okafor a.k.a. Onyeoma Diyoyo, former Commissioner of Police,
Frank Odita, Mr. PC Ugbah. Prof. Austin Uwandulu was represented by Emeka
Esogbue, Dr. Elizabeth Olinmah, Mrs. Rosemary Ikolodo, Mrs. Elizabeth Omoyinmi and
Mrs. Theresa Omegah-Esomhi all formed part of the high table.
In his opening remark,
the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Pat Utomi extol the virtues of the author,
who he described as having done well enough to be supported in his chosen career.
He berated the decline in reading culture in the society, but encouraged young
and upcoming writers not to relent but to emulate the author who has exhibited
strong resilience despite the scourge. He promised to support the author by getting
some copies and distribute to students.
During the book review
by a member of the Producers Guild of Nigeria (PGN), Zik Zulu Okafor, he took
time to dissect the star story of the book, ‘Imagine Lagos’ which is set in the
Bar Beach environment in Lagos. He narrated the incident that took place in the
story by linking it to a similar childhood experience he had as a kid. He praised
the author’s exceptional descriptive ingenuity which he described as unique. Said
he, “the author has this unique descriptive power of taking you to the locale
of the event”. He went ahead to review three other stories. They were ‘My
Mother’s Sister’ which exposed the bane of child abuse in the society. ‘The
Cocoyam’s Tears’, he also narrated, centered on one of the maltreatment given
to women as against the United Nations women rights. In ‘Christmas in Ayoko’,
he reeled out the morals and power of sober reflection theme on the story set
in a prison environment. He emphasized that the entire stories in the book are capable
of making potential movie scripts. He however added glamour to the review by
applying some sense of humour and element of suspense by urging the audience to
ensure they grab a copy to get the rest of the stories he reviewed and other
stories in the book.
They were special
performances to spice up the day’s event. Firstly, was a poetry presentation by
Miss Gloria Idegwu, a poetess and student of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
It was titled “After the Fall”. Following this was a musical performance by Emeka
Asie a.k.a. Ayaya MOG who treated the audience to a bout of afro music. Towards
the end of the event, the audience were yet entertained by another performance
from 10 years old Michael Odiah a.k.a. Little Michael. He thrilled the audience
with scintillating dance steps that left many mouths agape with the flexibility
of his body and dancing skill.
The day was incomplete
without lots of encomium poured on the author. Most of them expressed happiness
that he decided to choose this noble path despite the inglorious rise of social
vices and telepathic mindset of youths of his ilk in his environment. They then urged him to continue in that light
and project the name of Ibusa further in a positive way. During a media chat
with the Sun Newspaper literary editor, Henry Akubuiro, he expressed his
happiness on the success of the event. He recounted why he opt for short stories
instead of a complete novel. He linked the complexity and ambiguity of most
themes in novels to his preference. He was quick to express his dismay on the
current scourge of reading culture prevalent in the society. To this bane, he
also informed during the chat that he chose to abridge the stories to be able
to draw readers’ attention to the stories, hence helping to stimulate reading
culture.
