When it comes to speaking and writing English language, there are three kinds of people: “Those who can speak but can’t write; those who can write but can’t speak, and those who can speak and write.”

Lucky-Onukwue

Lucky Onukwue, a Corporal in the Nigerian Army, belongs to the third category. And this Onukwe demonstrated last week when despite his busy schedules, presented his first published book titled Chronicle of Life: The manager in which one decides for himself, to the public making him one of the military men that has taken to writing as a hobby.

The 85 page motivational book published by Godini Nigeria Ventures, Lagos addresses some of the ills in the society.

The event which was well attended by the rank and file of the Nigerian Army, prominent sons and daughters of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Imo State and book lovers, held at the Military Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos was chaired by Chief Chukwuemeka Ukandu.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion who was so amazed with the exploits of the author said “I know Lucky as a hard-working Army officer, and not as a writer. Perhaps, he is the first author to have emerged from Isiala-Ugwu-Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State.”

Special guest of honour and former Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government, Clement Onukwue, commended the author whom he described as a hard working soldier who “in spite of Lucky’s busy schedules as an Army Officer, he still creates time to write for people to read. I am very proud of him.”

He stated that the launch of the book will not only be in Lagos, but will also be launched in Aba soon . On his part, the current Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government who described the event as special also promised to re-launch the book in Ikwuano. “After this launch today, we the politicians will launch this book at our home town , Ikwuano.” He added.

The soldier turned author in his remarks thanked all for honouring his invitation.

He pointed out that he was motivated to write the book because he wants to use the medium to deliver a message “I wrote this book not because I am learned enough or intelligent rather, I have a message and the message is a message of change which I decided to send through this medium.”

Continuing he stated that Chronicles of Life, which in a lay man’s language , means stages of life, is a book that talks about issues of life. To him everything in life has its time and season and so, this is the time to relay this message to people. Because of the burden in his heart there is need for him to speak but since he has no other means , he decided to write the book.

“I can’t relay it through other means than this medium which I believe will go far and wide. Through this even those who can not afford to buy the book can also be informed by those who might have read it.” He added.

“As I said earlier, this is a message of re branding of our attitudes, characters and deeds. We can not remain like zombies as the late Fela put it , there is need for us to change our attitude so that things will be okay for us.”He posited

Onukwue who was inspired by such books like The Turning Point written by late Lt. Ndukwe Hygenus believes that with the current security challenges and ethnic problems in the country, what Nigeria needs at this time is a change of attitude.

As according to him “by re branding our bad attitudes a new generation of Nigerians that will be true Nigerians will emerge and we will become true “African soldiers” like the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Dr. Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and a host of others. “We can not be like them in death. Everyone has to start now,” He said.