By John Chukwuma Ajakah
Lagos—Celebrated environmentalist and former Chairman/CEO of Costain Nigeria Plc, Dr   Newton Chikadibia Jibunor, Wednesday,  marked his 80th birthday with the launch of an autobiography titled: Hunger for Power, at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Newton Chikadibia Jibunor

In his remark, General Theophilus  Danjuma, extolled the sterling qualities of the celebrant, describing him as “ a patriot, detribalized Nigerian, industrious and benevolent leader”, adding   humorously that he  never knew  the celebrant as a writer . He did the book presentation along side  the Minister for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

General Ike Nwachukwu who featured as one of the friends of Dr. Jibunoh, in the novel described him as a  honest, patriotic and intelligent man. Many of the guests poured encomiums on the octogenarian who had risen from a very humble beginning as an orphan to become a giant, even in sectors outside his primary area of training as a soil engineer.

Managing Editor, Paradigm House and  publishers of Hunger for Power, Winnie Tosan, described the author as “a good storyteller whose autobiography is not inundated with boring details, but narrated in a very interesting manner”. Winnie explained that she and the entire editorial team, enjoyed working on the book and recommended it to readers.

Nigeria’s famous novelist and writer of the foreword to Hunger for Power, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,  did the book reading. Chimamanda described the book edited by Peju Akande and Toni Kan as a biography with intrigues, likeable characters, humour, emotive, poignant and different from others , urging   readers to grab a copy.

The reviewer, Engineer Titi Omo-Etta, highlighted the sections of the book with emphasis on the portrayal of the octogenarian as a man of many parts. Part one is about the author’s childhood. The second part of the story focuses on his career, marriage and friendships. In Part 3, emphasis is on Dr. Jibunoh’s environmental advocacy with his fight against desertification and formation of his NGO, Fight Against Desert Encroachment with the acronym, FADE.

Dignitaries at the occasion anchored by ace broadcaster, Soni Irabor and ace comedian, Ali Baba, included General T.Y. Danjuma and his wife, Daisy; former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Military Governor of Imo State, General Ike Nwachukwu; Minister for State on Petroleum, Mr Ibe  Kachikwu, representatives  of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11 and Chief  Chudi Egbunike for the ancient dynasty of Onitsha; wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs  Ibikunle  Amosun and Senator Lanre Tejuosho.

Other dignitaries at the event were Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa represented by Festus Okunbor; and representatives of two former governors of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Popular comedian, Ali Baba, who was the compere, described Chief Newton Jibunoh as “a national institution.”