“If I disagree with you on a matter, I hardly pull back and I enjoy having arguments but my arguments don’t lead to malice rather, they are for the progress of Nigeria.”

Poet and social critic, Odia Ofeimun turned 64 on the 16th of March 2014 and as usual, a birthday ceremony nay, symposium was held at the Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Centre, Lagos, in his honour.

Odia who had hinted few days ago at the presentation of the 2013 winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Tade Ipadeola, in Lagos, that he was going to do something strange on his birthday, lived up to his words. Just very few friends were invited and the occasion was devoid of  either the features of a birthday celebration or the usual dance drama presentation.

Rather, the renowned writer, launched yet another book entitled, “This Conference Must be Different” and did a relaunch of  “Taking Nigeria Seriously” and “When Does A Civil War Come To an End?”, which he said are three important books that are speaking to issues to be discussed at the National Conference.

The birthday symposium featured Comrade Albert Uduehi (RTD) and Elder John Akhabue while iconic poet, Professor Kole Omotosho was the speaker.

While giving an overview of  “This Conference Must be Different” , Odia said “It is no accident that this book, is launched a day before the inauguration of the National Conference by President Goodluck Jonathan. It is possible for us to change Nigeria instead of expecting a possible disintegration…if vital issues affecting the country are addressed, Nigeria can change. It is laudable enough that the existing government has accepted its inability to change things and has asked the rest of the country to join hands, so, this conference must be different”

Reading from the first chapter of the new book, Odia said, “This conference” according to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo state and former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, “will not be different from any previous conference.” I strongly disagree. I wish to assert the contrary: that this conference will be different; it will provide defining moments beyond all the shenanigans of the past; it will buttress ideas that were injudiciously outlawed from previous conferences; and it will enlarge the room for creativity beyond and above what was possible before…”

Odia also disagreed with some individuals who are claiming that President Goodluck convened the National Conference to deceive people. The National Assembly he said, “is doing a great job although I disagree with some issues in the constitution, the country needs the conference to solidify the good work of the National Assembly. The conference may not provide what we want but it will provide the basics for the next step.

The first two chapters of the book according to Odia, contains  everything about the National Conference and “I am going to make sure that the book gets to all the delegates and beyond. All my life, I have always dreamt of doing something to help Nigeria and that is why it was necessary for me to stop the presentation of a dance drama so that these books would be finished.” he said stressing that “I’m not trying to do politics or media mind bending with the book.”

Praising Odia’s amazing optimism about project Nigeria, Prof Kole Omotosho stated that, “I usually call Odia’s attention to the negatives about Nigeria while Odia calls my attention to the positives. Really, things are changing. On the occasion one needs to mark Odia, one marks the march of Nigeria and issues that affect her.”

“Odia takes time to confidentially and optimistically say that this conference must be different. I disagree a lot with Odia. Right now, we have a National Assembly which is doing so much on the constitution, why also have a National Conference? Crucial for us to know is that like in other countries, people have  their backs on the wall before they had a national conference but here in Nigeria, our backs are not on the wall, we are managing and tolerating and when you tolerate something, you can’t change it.”, Prof Omotosho said. The book according to him, “is crucial to Nigeria and every delegate needs at least a copy. Odia’s writing experience is linked to the birth of Nigeria and hopefully, Nigeria will listen to you Odia.”

Elder John Akhabue described Odia as a “forthright person who does things that people who go to church do not do. I know that most Nigerians do not read books but because of how important this particular book is at this crucial period, people will pick it up and read.”