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

TEBOGO AND THE HAKA. By O Bolaji

As the South African national side (Rugby) - the Springboks - slumped to a terrible defeat against the All Blacks of New Zealand at the weekend, my mind went back to this exciting work of fiction which came out almost a decade ago. The Haka, which is globally associated with the All Blacks!

It is worthwhile reading this story again - the fifth adventure of Tebogo, I think. The action such as it is takes place in the South African town of Ladybrand. Here we get to meet one or two intriguing ladies, mainly Charlotte - but of course this story is about murder, terrible murders. The way the author weaves the fabric of the Haka performance into the narrative illustrates once again what a fine creative writer Chief Bolaji has been whilst at his peak.

MORE DEADLY THAN THE MALE. By James Hadley Chase

George, painfully shy, harmless by nature lives in a world of dreams and imagination. Alas his fate is sealed the moment he meets Cora, hard, cold, worldly wise and ruthless. She leads him on, manipulates the hulking idiot (yes, George!) till his whole world falls apart, and he is destroyed. He is ready to do anything to please and have her, but he fails dismally as the reality is that Cora can not even stand him in any way. George even goes so far as to attempt to rob a woman to divest her of her finery just to please Cora but - typical of him - this ends in farcical fashion. The truth is that George is a "prize imbecile", a loser, a sucker to the very end. It is a pathetic, moving, powerful story. At least there are some prose-nuggets in this work, eg " the children spotted them heads turning in their direction with the precision of a field of corn moving in a wind”; “the prostitutes, thieves, pimps, the touts…all moving in a steady stream, like a river of rottenness”; “he wavered before George like weeds in a fast moving river”; “the hush of the room, above the drone of the bees, and the rustle of the hollyhocks against the window..” Who says Chase was not a fine writer?

WHY WE STRUCK. By Adewale Ademoyega

The earnestness and seriousness of the author here is striking; he is a very focused man, and a patriot to boot. Incredibly he hardly ever jokes throughout this book ( 250 pages-plus); but then again it is not easy to have been so close to death so many times, and be in jail for many years. Such is the lot of this intelligent author.

We know of course that he was one of the major brains behind the first military coup in Nigeria which engendered so many deaths, massacres, horrors, including the civil war. In this work he remains intensely loyal to his comrades and aides, Nzeogwu, Ifeajuna, Banjo etc. But it is clear that he has little love for Ironsi, and his assassination. He writes: "it was the dramatic end of the regime of deceit, bad faith, ambivalence, misdirection and misrulership. Ironsi's regime was a colossal failure" (pg 165)

  The author had been through a lot - as if his travails re the first coup were not enough, he finds himself involved in the Biafran war, reluctantly fighting for the rebels though he is beleaguered. And incarcerated once again. We read about the horrors and pains of imprisonment, especially hunger whilst he was trapped in Biafra and had to "manage" non-existent food.

He survives through prayers, hope, yet even after the war is over he continues to be imprisoned - later under brutal conditions. His revulsion over the execution of Ifeajuna, Banjo etc is crystal clear - allied to his shock when he learns that Nzeogwu has perished. Despite all the blood spilled in the course of these events, we find out that we retain a lot of respect for the author as an unwavering man of integrity and purpose. 

This book stands permanently as a chronicle for researchers and scholars in respect of a turbulent time in Nigerian history

BITTER-SWEET: My Life with Obasanjo By Oluremi Obasanjo

Does General "Baba" Chief Oloye Olusegun Obasanjo need any introduction? Certainly not to Nigerians, and essentially he is a renowned personality all over Africa. Military Head of State of Nigeria decades ago; then two-time President of same most populous country in Africa. He must have winced when he learnt that his first wife, Oluremi - the author of this book - was publishing a book on their life together.

This book is definitely a warts and all tale - one that would make most, especially the so-called civilised world shudder. After all, we all have our private lives and the partners in our lives know everything about us, especially our weaknesses! And mama Oluremi does not spare Baba at all here in this book!

We all know that Baba could never have been a shrinking violet, a "softie", but to learn how he's been a specialist in beating up "his" women - dishing out blows and punches and slaps liberally might not be pleasant to read. Since he had - has many wives all of them had to become punching bags of sort every now and then. And when the General really loses it, he apparently brandishes a knife and scampers after the erring woman!

As’ Africans’, many would say: "what else can one expect from a military man?"; yet considering the times we live in now (women more or less well liberated) Baba comes out looking like a monster, a serial woman abuser; a bristling, unforgiving draconian patriarch who must always have his way. Ah!

But one has to be fair. The author, Oluremi also fondly remembers how loving and caring Obasanjo was when they were very young, and starting their lives...she also benefitted a lot as an unofficial First Lady, travelling to many other countries, and garnering so many connections at the highest level.

In a country like Nigeria, such connections are priceless...and mama Oluremi can beam with satisfaction that all her children are highly educated and the top echelon connections will always remain. Incidentally, the title of this book (Bitter-sweet) is excellent and apt!!
- Eric Malome

WHY PICK ON ME? By James Hadley Chase

Tough as teak Martin Corridon is up to his neck in this superb tale of high-profile espionage, intrigue, violence, danger, and adventure. As the story unfolds, we gather that Corridon has an eye for gorgeous, alluring ladies - like Lorene and Marian. But there is a third lady, Kara, who initially desired Corridon too, but he does not hide his contempt for her. Hell and the fury of a scorned woman - Kara comes to dislike our hero too, and vows to destroy and finish him...

- P Lothane