BY JAPHET ALAKAM

Last week, the Banquet Hall of the City Hall at the Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island was filled to the brim as people from all walks of life comprising of the high and low gorgeously dressed in traditional attires gathered in honour of a great African nationalists, Engr. Dan Agbowu.

Ordinarily one would have expected that it was for a political rally, but it was not. Rather, it was for the official presentation of a new book that has answers to one of the greatest problems in the nation titled “Ethnic Nationalities in Nigeria” written by late Engr. Dan Agbowu.

The launch of the celebrated book which chronicles ninety four main dialect groups in Nigeria and dwells on their history, culture, tradition and socio – economic life was chaired by Professor Grace Alele Williams, former Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, while the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Segun Mimiko was the Special Guest of Honour.

Also present were first class traditional rulers from different ethnic groups of the country and their representatives.

In his address, The special guest of honour, the executive Governor of Ondo State Dr Olusegun Mimiko , who was represented by Mr Niran Sule Akinsuyi, Commissioner for Special Duties described the title of the book as a notorious topic in the history of Nigeria but stated that it is “very necessary for our survival as a nation.”

He thanked the author for the great job he did in the book by unraveling the mysteries surrounding all the ethnic groups in the country and asked all to encourage the use of the book in secondary and tertiary institutions so that the students can understand the differences rather than allowing few individuals to capitalize on it to destabilize the nation.

Continuing, he stated that the author wants all to understand that Nigerians can benefit from the cultural differences. “If we understand our differences from this perspective, we will make it rather than harping on our ethnic nationalities where Mr A or B comes from to destabilize us.” He added.

On her part, the chairperson of the occasion, Professor Grace Alele Williams, Former Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, thanked all especially the publisher for honouring her. She commended the publisher for her efforts that led to the publication of the book, adding that she did that because of her love for the late husband.

Continuing, she stated that the work demonstrates the power of love. “For her to rise up to the task of continuing where her late husband stopped when other women would have done otherwise is quite commendable.” she added.

The book according to her is good because it unravels the mysteries surrounding the origin of the different ethnic groups in the country. She therefore urged the people to take the book to all local governments in the country so that they will know about the different ethnic groups and plan an excursion to visit the various places instead of visiting only one place.

The reviewer, Prof.Bright Aiyeseku stated that the 260 page well researched book captured all the similarities in dialects in the different languages of Nigerians. According to him, “a book of this nature is bound to generate controversies and that is the nature of a good book” he said. This book is good and one legacy of it is that it represented all the different languages, dialects , mode of greetings, art works etc of all the ethnic groups in Nigeria. It also contains tributes of eminent personalities within the ethnic groups that contributed to the nation building but are not mentioned by the media.

He concluded by saying that the meticulously researched and expository book informed all that Nigeria is one country, one nation and one destiny, that if we can ignore the differences and use the commonalities we will forge ahead.

The roll call of notable dignitaries present includes: Mr Niran Sule Akinsuyi, Commissioner for special duties who represented the Ondo state governor, Prof Bright Aiyesuku, Senator Ben Obi, Representatives of the Embassy of Japan, Chief Nosakhare Isekhurie who represented the Oba of Benin, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu of Awka, Mike Fadayomi, Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Chief Maiden Ibru,CEO of Guardian Newspapers,Chief Kofi Kartey, representative of CBN Governor,Otunba Adekunle Ogunsanya, representatives of Alake of Egba land, Olu of Warri, Oloja of Epe and others.