By  ELIZABETH UWANDU- Presentation

The Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre turned to a Mecca of sort as notable Nigerians from all walks of life, especially those from the eastern extraction converged at the place. A look at the roll call and the calibre of people, one will take it as a political rally, but that was not to be, rather it was the public presentation of  a new book entitled “The land of my birth,”written by a lawyer turned author Abraham Nnadi.

These people had one thing in common, to know and get an insight according to the author’s presentation of  how the people of Eastern region of Nigeria faired during and after the civil war.

So, it was not a coincidence that top notch in the society like Comdr. Ebitu Ukiwe ( retd), chairman of the occasion; former minister of state for petroleum and foreign affairs, who was the Chief host, Mr Odein Ajumogobia, SAN; Adm. Ndubusi Kanu, ( Retd) ; Dr Alex Otti; Chief Ferdinard; Prof. Pat Utomi; Prof. Anya. O. Anya; and Ms Onyeka Onwenu, and Mr Maxim Uzoatu, who reviewed the book among other guests, left their busy schedule not only support the author, but to chart a new path for the Igbo man at home and in diaspora.

Little wonder, that the place of the Igbo race in the present dispensation was the issue that took the front burner. In their separate comments, the people called for the restructuring of the country, even as they agreed that the Igbo were being unfairly treated in Nigeria. They also urged the South East people to desist from lamenting over what was described as their plight in the socio-political configuration of the country, noting that it was important they focused on their areas of strength.

From left- Dr. Alex Otti, Special Guest, Admiral Ndubuisi (retd ) Cmdr. Ebitu Ukiwe, Chairman of the occasion; Chief Host, Mr Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) Prof Pat. Utomi, Guest Speaker, Gen. Adewunmi Ajibade (retd), and Mr Abraham Nnadi, author of the book at the event in Lagos.

In his remarks, Ukiwe said: ‘’Igbo people are great people, it is unfortunate that they are being hated. But I am urging them to stop lamenting. This is not the time for lamentation. Igbo people should get up and move on because hatred is not always a bad thing.”

On his part, Anya  said: ‘’Ndigbo  should stop lamenting over their position in the country. Nigeria needs restructuring. Ndigbo should assist in building the reputation of Nigeria by being united. It is only with unity that Ndigbo would achieve their goals in Nigeria. But Ndigbo must stop the habit of lamentation.’

Also speaking at the event, Ms Onyeka Onwenu who noted that  “Land of my Birth is a book that provokes nostalgia feelings” speaking from the perspective of woman in the book said people especially the Igbo speaking societies should desist from the notion that money spent on the training the female children was a waste.  “ You should never regret training the woman. Treatment of our women in terms of politics and public affairs is very bad. The Igbo often feel that women belong to the other room and in the kitchen. Women can do better if given the right education and privilege.”

For Admiral Kanu, noted that the time for government to re-strategise and provide ways to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses is now.  “No nationality or tribe has not suffered since Nigeria became unitary.”

In his review, Uzoatu said that the 316 pages work, published by Patridge publishers and divided into two parts.  The first part titled “Search for Hero” which gives  a breakdown of aspirations and the dreams of young people to succeed in life. While the second part titled, “The search for money, “in a nutshell celebrates the ingenuity and enterprising spirit of the Igbo man.

On his part the author, Abraham Nnadi who gave reason for writing the book said, “The land of my birth became necessary to change certain things in the society. Such as the suffering people go through to acquire success, only for that success to be a snare when money becomes the ruler and the man becomes the ruled.”

Continuing, Nnadi said “overtime, the people are usually left with nothing, no form of education and sustenance at the aftermath of war. The political unrest and extra judicial killings also have left citizens to live in perpetual fear of another ill event despite a respite.”

He charged Nigerians especially the leaders to think of the less privileged, of ways of getting them out of the smear of poverty, ignorance and illiteracy through education.

The event couldn’t have been soul touching and heart pricking without the sonorous renditions of Sir Emeka Nwokedi and the Lagos City Chorale.