BOOK REVIEW
Author: Tochukwu C. Ezeh
Publisher: Vision Point Graphics, Enugu
Year of Publication: Not Stated
Page: 95
Reviewer: Lawrence Njoku
The Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper in the Southeast Zone, Enugu, Nigeria, Lawrence Njoku here reviews “THE EMERGENCE: Preparing The Next Generation of Visionary Leaders”, written by Tochukwu C. Ezeh, poet, trumpeter and a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who is into training of youths for leadership. The book was presented to the public at the Universal Hotel, Enugu on Saturday November 4, 2023.
“PREPARING NEXT GENERATION OF VISIONARY LEADERS” is the title of my review. The reason is because it sums up the central theme of the book which, I believe, is about sincere, selfless, and quality leadership in every sector of life – politics, business, religion, tradition, community, village, kindred level, family, etc.
Our society, indeed, the Nigerian society is begging for quality leadership. No wonder the famous playwright and poet, Prof. Wole Soyinka once described our generation as a wasted generation. I think he was referring to the lack of care, commitment, accountability, and transparency in the leadership/government of the country at all levels.
The late novelist Chinua Achebe in his slim but well loaded book, THE TROUBLE WITH NIGERIA, identified bad leadership as the key challenge or trouble with Nigeria. Achebe wrote the book in the 1980s or 1990s. Also, Achebe’s other books such as A MAN OF THE PEOPLE, ANTHILL OF THE SAVANAH, ARROW OF GOD focused on leadership – how bad or poor leadership could ruin an otherwise well-ordered society. If we juxtapose this fact with the Nigerian context, we all may be tempted to agree totally with Achebe that poor leadership and nothing but bad leadership is the bane of Nigeria and, in fact, the African continent.
Now, the question is: How do we prepare and produce quality and visionary leaders that would emerge to take charge of the next generation? Here then lies the RELEVANCE of the book under review; the book for which we have gathered here for its public presentation today.
The author wrote on page 8 and I quote, “This generation is eagerly waiting for the emergence of great leaders who WILL NOT YIELD TO THE CORRUPTION OF THE AGE; men and women of great character that will drastically bring the change we have been yearning for and I strongly believe you are one of those rising to become great and influential leaders who will not bow to Baal or compromise their standards”. He further quoted John F. Kennedy, who said “Emerging leaders are the architects of tomorrow’s success. They embrace challenges, learn from failures, and persistently work towards their goals.”
Citing the Holy Bible and drawing inspiration from other similar notable works, the author, Tochukwu Ezeh, in his 14-chapter, 95-page book, takes the reader on a trip where answers to the above question on quality and visionary leadership are carefully provided, based on the painstaking research which he must have carried out before writing the book.
Ezeh wrote on the topics such as in chapter 2 “Self-Discovery”, chapter3 “Dreams and Aspirations”, chapter 4 “A Diligent Fellow,” chapter 5 “The Power of Knowledge,” chapter 6 “The Internet : Friend or Foe,” chapter 7 “Positive Mental Attitude”, chapter 8 “Integrity and Character,” chapter 9 “Jacob’s Stew – Instant Gratification,” chapter 10 “Healthy Living,” chapter 11 “Navigating The Maze of Cultism and other Social Vices,” chapter 12 “Supernatural Advantage,” chapter 13 “Mastery” and chapter 14 “Replicating Yourself in Others”.
In the incisive and great work which author Toochukwu has espoused, chapters 9 and 14 stood out because they touched the fabrics that could engender better society and individual wellbeing. In Chapter 9 “Jacob’s stew – Instant gratification”, I see it as the epicentre of the challenges facing today’s youth because of the mantra of getting rich quick that tends to forgo any other thing. The NOW pleasure and satisfaction that dominates the psyche of our youths that think less about tomorrow. In this chapter, the author consciously employed the biblical narrative of Esau and Jacob to teach how destinies of young people are lost from instant gratification or satisfaction.
Quoting renowned activist and author, Bryant McGill, “Instant gratification is a dream killer”, Toochukwu insisted that “the world eagerly awaits a generation void of gratification who will perceive and see Jacob’s stew and endure persistently until their own stew is ready.”
In chapter 14 “Replicating Yourself in others”, the author exposed the true meaning of life and success. Using the biblical stories of Elijah and Elisha; Moses and Joshua; Jesus and his disciples; Paul and Timothy, he stated that one would have wasted his life/ a generation if he failed to replicate his good qualities in others. The author was able to drive home the message about the importance of mentorship, knowledge, and experience “so we do not leave a lacuna between generations”.
The central theme in all the topics in the 14 chapters focused on the building and training of a quality, visionary, and selfless leadership for the next generation. Visionary leadership has not been in regular supply in Nigeria, the so-called Giant of Africa even right from the 1960s when Nigeria attained independence!
The relevance of the book is that it is the first work of a budding writer, periscoping vital issues affecting the next generation in rather new ways. The work is a pointer to the desired direction or path the Nigerian youths ought to follow in order to emerge successful individuals or visionary leaders for the upcoming generations. The virtues propounded in the book appear to me the pillar or hallmark of effective and efficient leadership.
Distinguished Professor of International & Comparative Law, and Pioneer Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu, Nike, Enugu, Nigeria wrote in the Forward of the book: “A generation is fast disappearing while another is emerging. It is of utmost importance that the emerging younger generation be equipped strongly enough to weather the storm. Life is full of uncertainties and young people need proper guidance to avoid becoming victims of circumstance…
One of the book’s standout qualities is its unflinching honesty. It undertakes a candid exploration of the myriad factors that both positively and negatively impact the lives of young people today. This balanced perspective is critical, as it mirrors the real world in which these individuals must find their footing.” This book is devoid of ambiguities; and each chapter ended up with powerful quotes from great authors and thinkers to buttress the convictions of the author (Toochukwu).
There’s a mix of personal experiences and biblical teachings to buttress visions, aspirations and dreams of next generation leaders captured in bold prints for ease of reading. I am very fulfilled reading these lines of thought by Toochukwu in demonstration of the morals he learnt as a Boy’s Brigade member of the 2nd Enugu Company. The author is a clear case of versatility, a Biochemist, a Trumpeter now a poet, writer and author
Author Tochukwu Ezeh has done fairly good work. I commend his commitment to producing a quality book in a generation that is fast losing value, dignity and hardwork . However, I must confess that I’m not quite happy to observe that a nice book such as this has no year of publication, no index, no reference/ bibliography/glossary. If the work had passed through the eagle eyes of a good book editor, perhaps, the title of the book would have been better coined as “PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF VISIONARY LEADERS.”
All in all, the book is a fairly good one. Ezeh’s effort is quite commendable. I commend the book to every young Nigerian who aspires to make something useful out of this life.
