GOWON: By J Isawa Elaigwu

GOWON: The Biography of a Soldier-Statesman

By J Isawa Elaigwu 

This is a breathtaking work, certainly a labour of love! A scholarly work of course – a biography of General Gowon of Nigeria; and the references, even after every chapter, are so copious that the ordinary man might wonder if it was even humanly possible to put all this together! A world class work that will stand the test of time forever. It is also priceless for research purposes, shedding scintillating life on Nigeria as a country and key personnel. Again, it is a masterclass on the plethora of coups in Nigeria over the decades and the pitiable Nigerian civil war that claimed so many casualties. Through it all, Gowon is a recurring factor and the reader suddenly realizes such a great, magnanimous, amiable, visionary leader like Gowon is probably undermined especially by new generations. The author consistently refers to Gowon as the Abraham Lincoln of Nigeria and Africa; and so it is – with the complement of Shakespearean undertones. That such a man could have emerged from Black Africa as it were is astonishing; and that a “man of the gun” (soldier) could be so humane beggars belief. But again and again we see evidence of this in this masterpiece of a work; especially his stance towards Ojukwu, erstwhile supremo of “Biafra”, and the Ibo at large after the civil war ends. One might even suggest that such a human being is pure work of fiction, but everything recorded here is true. It is no surprise that even as regards the meretricious stain on Gowon’s life – the possibility of involvement in the Dimka coup – the author pitches his tent with Gowon and it is clear that he does not believe Gowon could have been involved at all. The ordinary reader would hasten to agree in this wise with the author as he follows the trajectory of the protagonist’s life and realizes this is almost a Christ-like figure. This work is a tour de force, and how congenial it would be if other African academics can endeavour to put such a work together. One cannot but be delighted that these days, in his 80s, Gowon is very much back on a pedestal, which he richly deserves. A truly great man. But this more-than-excellent book shows us all that Gowon deserves even much more…more…

- Eric Malome

THE FIRM By John Grisham

This is a wonderful novel brimming with a plethora of characters who come to life devastatingly as the story unfolds. Of course there is Mitch the main protagonist (‘young lawyer’, as we say in Africa) and his beautiful wife, Abby. There is the elderly, sly, unctuous Oliver Lambert who is exposed early as a sick depraved man – also a lawyer. As he is referred to: “he said you were a real nice man. I thought you’d like that” . What an irony!

Then there is Nathan Blake, another veteran lawyer introduced deliciously. “It was the eyes, the cold black eyes with layers of black wrinkles around them. Great eyes. Unforgettable eyes. When he spoke, the eyes narrowed ad the black pupils glowed fiercely. Sinister eyes…He had without a doubt, the most ominous evil presence Mitch had ever felt. It was the eyes…”

Yes, we have a gallery of assorted lawyers in this work, also including the rather pathetic Avery, who also reiterates to Mitch the sinister nature of the “legal firm” here: ‘The rules never change. They are cast in concrete. Carved in granite. Etched in stone. Violate too many and you are out. Or violate as many as you want, but just don’t get caught,’

Then there is “Tammy”, the distinctive, resourceful woman whose role/contributions in this work is wonderfully commendable. Kudos to her as she is arguably the real hero(ine) of this excellent novel.

-        - Review by Henry Ozogula