By MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

The central thesis of the book; A Nation in Circles: Autobiographical Reflections is summed up in the author’ own diagnostic conclusion of the eternal sense of disillusionment incurably inplanted in the mentality of Nigerians by successive failed governments.

According to the book; and I quote copiously:

A Nation in Circles: Autobiographical Reflections by Cletus Komen Emein

It was the hope of Nigerians at Independence on October 1, 1960 that the political and nationalist leaders- usually referred to as founding father of modern Nigeria, incidentally no founding mothers- would bring development and improved standards of living to the citizenry. A look back, however, at the performance of successive administrations indicates quite clearly that Nigerian people had hoped against hope in the management of their affairs, their economy and their society. Pg.34

Significantly, and most revealing, this testimony is coming from a no uncommon citizen, but surprisingly from an elite member of the nation’s ruling class, whose comments any day and any where would be taken seriously.

We are talking about the eminent author of this confessional autobiography: C.K Emein, a Brig-Gen of the Nigerian Army (rtd).

Written in 134 pages spread across 8 chapters, A Nation in Circles… another offering from the stable of Ibadan , Oyo State based Spectrum Books Limited is quite an incisive expose of a nation, which like the African proverb would say, a Lizard that ruins its mother’s burial.

As the title of the work indicates, the narrative sets out to tell a private story: but the story is told so well that in every strand of the narrative, the reader reads and rides through the tragic story of the Nigerian nation state.

Born on 24th November, 1948 around a fishing camp called, Belaizigha in Obotebe, Western Izon Division of Old Western Region, the author, Cletus Komen Emein represents one of the finest gentlemen of the Nigerian Army, who acquired the needed professional and academic training to lead Nigeria on the path of sustainable development.

However, despite Emein’s intimidating credentials, especially his academic education in cartography and Planning, little or nothing was done to recruit his likes in most of the troubled border conflict between Nigeria and her neigbours.

The exercising of reasonable part of Nigeria, especially the Bakassi Community of Cross River State and some parts of North to the Cameroons may not have taken place if Nigeria takes her self and wealth of knowledge inherent in her citizens seriously.

On page 18, the author recounts his disappointment on return to Nigeria after having gone to Europe to acquire relevant degrees to promote his career in the army and in moving the nation forward:

On return, was I able to put my knowledge and skills to practice? To some extent, I did. For the most part, however, my colleagues with the same background and I, were underutilised in the area of mapping.

To illustrate: while the Nigerian Army tried to set up a mapping school, I was secretary of the committee; but when it was time to go to Bulgaria to assess and recommend the type and scope of equipment appropriate for the school, I was dropped from the delegation. Similarly, as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA ) Selection Board in Kaduna to supervise the training tour of our players… when the selection of the national Olympic delegation was made, I was dropped from the contingent.

From the array of this personal tragedies, one begins to see why Nigeria is continually being looked upon as a failed State. A situation, whereby, merit is sacrificed at the alter of nepotism can only result in the kind of self immolation in which Nigeria finds herself manifesting in every facets of life vis-a-vis health, politics, education, economy, infrastructure and ethical values.

Emein’s book, while telling us his personal story, as well cautiously sketches the chequered history of Nigeria.

The book addressees in very uncommon terms the factors that contribute to the failure of Nigeria as Nation to including poorly articulated policies, mediocrity, illiteracy among other things; and challenges that the country should turn a new leaf if She were to reclaim her position in the wealth of Nations.

Planned to be presented to the general public on Thursday 24th March, 2011 at the YarÁdua Civic Centre, Abuja, the objectively written treatise will for a long time serve as a testimony against the misrulers of the Nigerian State; and equally as an important addition to the corpus of writing on the abused Nigerian history.