One of the book authors, Mike Ubani (1st from right) Igwe Charles Nwoye of Amurri Ancient Kingdom, and other dignitaries at the unveiling of the “Igbo Book of Records” in Enugu. Photo Credit: Tony Adibe
By Tony Adibe
The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has said that the Igbo are in the best position to write and tell the world about their history, culture, heritage, and events as a measure of defining the future rather than any other group of people.
Obi said this during the unveiling/public presentation of the Igbo Book Of Records, which is a compendium of Igbo heritage, events, and achievers. It was jointly authored by two veteran journalists, Nze Sam Nwanze and Comrade Mike Ubani, a prolific writer and one-time Head, Foreign Affairs Desk of The Guardian Newspapers. The historic event was held at the popular Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State.
Represented on the occasion by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Valentine Obinyan, Obi described the compendium as “a masterpiece” which encompasses various traditions, culture, and way of life of the ancient Igbo race by which they rose to stardom through dints of hard work than the present era of being on the fast lane.
Obi, who was a two-term Governor of Anambra State, lauded the authors for the good work and further described the compendium as “a renaissance” of the Igbo nation. “It is an entirely renaissance of the Igbo nation. The authors have done a great thing for the Igbo race. Now the Igbos have a book of records,” said Obi, who restated that Ndigbo must learn to tell their own narrative. The politician challenged the Igbo to be good ambassadors of the Igbo race, stressing that the Igbos are the best to tell the world about their history.
Book Reviewer, Barr. Uche Maduemesi reading his review at the event
“This is a unique event, going by the title of the book. It’s a movement from what book presentations used to be in Nigeria, where people would either launch their biographies or books on politics. Nothing like this has been witnessed in the past,” said Obi, who quickly added: “This is a unique opportunity for the Igbos to tell their own stories. Igbo stories should not be told by outsiders. Indians have their own Book of Records. The Jews have their own Book of Records.”
According to him, the vision of the authors in publishing the “Igbo book of Records” aligns with a book on India and the Jews, where some Indian and Jewish scholars/authors, respectively wrote about their culture, their great founders.
He specifically mentioned Jewish philosophers and writers who have also written famous books, and even the Holy Bible, through which the world knows their history and civilization, among other things about their existence.
“The book will contain useful information to inspire future generations,” Obi remarked.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mrs Rebecca Nnamani (PhD), in her lecture on the occasion, called for the urgent revival of Igbo culture as a gateway to redefining the Igbo future.
Dwelling on the topic, “Igbo Renaissance: Reclaiming Our Cherished Values,” Nnamani said the Igbo race earlier were known for hard work, resilience, and the spirit of enterprise.
“We are gathered here not just to reflect on our past but to ignite a movement – a true Igbo Renaissance. A time has come for us to reclaim the values that have defined our greatness for centuries: hard work, perseverance, and clear thinking. These are the pillars upon which our ancestors built thriving communities, powerful economies, and a culture that commands respect across the world. But let us ask ourselves, have we stayed true to these values? Have we preserved the very essence of our identity? Today, I challenge us all to reflect, reawaken, and reclaim our legacy,” said the University don.
She further stated that Igbo ancestors valued reasoning, strategic thinking, and planning, stressing that present Igbo must “encourage intellectualism, we must promote our culture and language.”
Associate Prof. Nnamani urged Igbos to always reject laziness and mediocrity, while embracing the culture of “hard work, resilience, and perseverance so as to reclaim our lost values.”
According to her, “When we talk of perseverance, no ethnic group in Africa has demonstrated resilience more than the Igbos. We have faced wars, economic exclusion, Political marginalization, and countless adversities, yet we have always found a way to rise. We are like the bamboo tree – no matter how many times we are cut down, we sprout again, stronger and taller.”
She said the time has come for the Igbos to take charge of their own narrative, urging the Igbos not to allow others to “define who we are.” Igbos must promote their history, language, and culture, according to Nnamani, so that our future generations remain proud of their identity.”
She further advocated for a reawakening of the Igbo spirit of enterprise. “It requires a radical action. A reawakening of the system that produced billionaires. The Jappa syndrome shouldn’t be in Igbo land. Igbos have suffered economic strangulation and marginalization, but still survive,” Nnamani said.
She insisted that the Igbo Renaissance was important for preserving Igbo identity in an evolving world. “It seeks to correct historical distortions, strengthen cultural pride, and ensure that future generations remain connected to their roots while thriving in modern society,” she said.
A veteran journalist and publisher of the now defunct The Republic Newspaper, Barr. Uche Maduemesi, who reviewed the book, also lauded the authors, Nwanze, and Ubani. Maduemesi explained that the compendium comprises of six parts of insightful topics about the history, culture, and heritage of the Igbo nation.
Part, one consists of a detailed article on the Origin of the Igbo race written by Prof. Aloezi, Kola nut in Igbo culture also written by Prof Aloezi, and an account of the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War, written by Prof. Chinua Achebe. Part two of the compendium gives an insight of the South East Governors and their profiles. Part three outlined the fifty winners in the Igbo Achievers list, while part five focused on past Igbo heroes.
Also, Part five of the compendium analysed late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s opinionated account of late Dim Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, His roles during the war and more. Earlier in his address, Nze Sam Nwanze, said the objective of the book is in line with the policy of the parent body ‘Igbo Achievers Foundation’ registered in 2018 to champion the Igbo cause of recovering our lost values as a panacea for enhancing intellectualism, research and authentic information on the Igbo race.
Nwanze said: “The book is meant to be a compendium where authentic and well-researched issues on Igbo Culture, Tradition, Events, and genuine Achievers can be found.
“As an annual publication, we must make sure we don’t depart from this policy. In this way, Igbos and others, including foreigners who are seeking genuine and authentic information and materials for research or personal knowledge, can take us seriously and see the book as a one-stop resource for the information they seek”.
The traditional ruler of Amurri Ancient Kingdom in Nkanuland, Enugu, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, however, expressed dismay at the not-very-well attendance by the Igbo during the occasion. Igwe Nwoye, rated as a first-class traditional ruler in the state, urged Ndigb to always show keen interest in things concerning the Igbo, especially things that would project the Igbo world view in good light.
