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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012
Arts/Reviews
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HEN the book came out in 2006, not too many people were sure whether the author was a Nigerian or not. The name El-Nukoya was a bit frightening and somewhat strange to an everyday literary person in the society. But the book Nine Lives, which, in 2007, won the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Jacaranda prize for prose is indeed written by a Nigerian who chose the pen name ElNukoya. He said it was a decision he took “in order to differentiate that from my real name and the other professional deals I am involved in”. He made this explanation during the book – reading session at the Debonair Bookstores, Yaba, Lagos, last weekend. Nine Lives explores the trail of ordinary Nigerian youths and the despair that drives some of them across the nation’s borders. ElNukoya who studied Economics in the university, recollected how he grew up in a quiet place in Ibadan but suddenly his sojourn to Lagos widened his horizon, exposing him to the real Nigerian situation. “The bustling was just too much for me”, he enthused “And so I found the life in Ibadan and the one in Lagos strikingly different from each other”, he reminisced as his eyes twitched with excitement. “So, at every quiet moment while on those SAP – indeed holidays, I would scribble down some of the things that bothered me. And that was how the concept for the book began”. In an exclusive interview, El-Nukoya took a
El–Nukoya comes to town 2006, the author enthused, “oh yes thank you. It was done long ago and we hope to always insist on quality works. This will help our works to blossom and stand the test of time”.
By Edozie Udeze
swipe into the issues that were raised in the book and said: “Oh, for me, basically, the most striking feature of the book is its accessibility to different caliber of people and segments of the society. It was surprising to me when I learnt that older people in their 60s and 70s equally read the book and talk about it. Even then, the younger ones find it very thrilling and this indeed gladdens my heart”. The author who disparaged the Nigerian public for not showing enough attention to literary matters consoled that most of the issues and problems raised in the book are receiving public attention at the moment. “So, I will say it is profound in the sense that many segments of the society find the lessons instructive. And it is relevant also to people across many climes both home and abroad. When I go online and see the number of people that say Nine Lives is their favourite Nigerian novel, I feel elated”. The author who works as a consultant to many firms across the globe insisted that whatever you studied in the university does not have to limit your horizon as a writer. “We all are capable of playing many roles. There are plenty of talents inside all of us, it is only the one we pay too much attention to, that blossoms most in us. This book is a
Dancers thrill with romantic concert By Rita Ohai
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•El-Nukoya
testament as to what one can do if one gives himself up to it. This book was written in the privacy of my room and it became something that is important today; indeed very relevant and great to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe”. He therefore charged the youths to be humbled by their beginning “Yes there are thousands of Nigerian youths out there who can do it, but do not
Remembering the 60 angels
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HE pre- and posthappenings surrounding the Sosoliso plane crash that claimed the lives of 60 students of the Loyola Jesuit College in 2005 would forever remain in the memory of everyone that is associated with the occurrence. It was a tragedy that hit at every level as the whole nation watched as the lives of young, promising children was snuffed out in their prime. THE SOSOLISO PLANE CRASH: OUR STORY, written to mark the five years of this tragic event was put together by a coalition of writers, editors and contributors to tell the story of what happened, answer the question of how it happened, and tell the whole world of how the school, some family and friends have been able to cope with the colossal loss. The book introduces the founding philosophy of the Loyola Jesuit College (LJC) derived from the ideals of the founding father, St. Ignatius of Loyola; it also throws light on life in the College. Section one which has the first three chapters narrates takes the reader through the graphic description of what took place on the night before the plane crash, the morning of December 10, 2005, the day the tragedy occurred. The section two of the book tagged ‘THE INCI-
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By Timilehin Osunde
DENT’ narrates what happened immediately the news of the crash started making rounds; Chapter five which is in this section of the book sees family members of the deceased narrating their reactions after hearing the news of the crash and how the school staff managed the crisis. Chapter six which chronicles the visit of President Obasanjo who was then in office, is followed by a cross-section of the late students’ pictures, the only survivor amongst the students in the crash KECHI OKWUCHI, amongst other photographs. Section three which is titled ‘THE AFTERMATH’, takes the reader through life after the mishap, the return of the remaining 557 students of the school. Chapter eight in this section records the Memorial Anniversary candlelight held which evoked memories of their lives in the minds of their friends and class-mates. In the final section of the book, the recovery story of the only survivor amongst the students ‘Kechi Okwuchi,’ more aptly called ‘miracle girl’ is detailed. The section also deals with the problems inherent in the society which culminated into the air disaster and how the school has been able to carry on. This well put together
necessarily have things going for them. This is not only in literature, but in the sciences, in politics, in business and the art. We only need one another to grow and push on with our dreams. Equally important is for us to encourage people with talents and advise them not to limit themselves when they have something to offer. Big dreams, they say, start from small begin-
book answers so many questions yet raises some other questions of its own, one of which is, if stakeholders have been able to really learn from the experience while dealing with the problems central to it.
N The Great Fall Chinyere Obi-Obasi shows that she has great sense of adventure as a writer. In her determination to teach children the beauty and essence of story-telling, she retold the well-known story of the many cunning ways and antics of the Tortoise and the Hare. This is a story that has so far captured the attention of the world, mostly children. The book symbolizes the centre-point of moonlight story tactics as epitomised by the Mba family. The author herself sees this book as the proverbial old wine in new skin. In it, the writer rehashes the Hare and Tortoise escapades in a more fervent and boisterous form using a modern family of the Mbas resident in Lagos to reach out to the people. The children are drawn
nings”, he said genially. El-Nukoya promised that before long his second novel will be out. “I am on the 16th chapter now. And it will be a 20 chapter stuff. But then you can not control the muse; it can go on beyond that. But again, I have a collection of stories which is ready but will be published much later”. Asked if he has corrected the errors that first appeared in the book in
T was fun, glitz and dance at ‘Love is...’, the annual dance concert hosted by the Society of Performing Arts of Nigeria (SPAN) as guest were treated to an eclectic mix of international dance routines laced with vivid story telling that captured the deep rooted under-tones of love and relationships. Speaking on the essence of the event, Sara Boulos, the Chairperson of the society says, “We desire to present projects that will transform our community which is why our theme for this year, “Hope beyond Hope”, seeks to bring life from the gifts of our talented artistes.” This year’s event which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites showcased the artistic edge of popular celebrities like ace vocalist, Yinka Davies, award-winning fashion designer, Zizi Cardow , gospel rapper, Nikki Laoye as well as other professional dancers.
Telling a new story By Edozie Udeze
into it by the sheer curiosity established in the beginning by the head of the family. This is why it is seen as a total revolution on the new art of telling children’s story. The family is indeed peculiar and appealing. It is a story so perfectly packaged and told that it encourages kid’s interest in story-telling. No wonder the book made the shortlist of the Nigeria Prize for Literature last year. By emerging the The Great Fall has come to re-direct third best Literature attention to animal and indeed for children in 2011, bedtime tales.
Art-mos-sphere
UNESCO slave routes in Calabar THE beautiful city of Calabar, Cross River State will today host historians and other scholars across the world to discuss slave routes in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The one week international conference hosted by CBAAC and UNESCO is build to find avenues for reparation and lots more.
PANAFEST takes off ON Thursday March 15, PAN African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) will kick off in Lagos. It will be an occasion to celebrate the 60 th birthday of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. PANAFEST is a Pan African event aimed at bringing African together in carnival and festival form. This year will feature dances, dramas, talks, with the governors of Lagos and Osun State in attendance.
Literary mentorship for girls YOUNG girls between the ages of 10 and 20 interested in pursuing a literary career can apply for a one-year free mentorship programme being organized by Sprouters, a not for profit organization. According to Ms Ugo Chime, founder and Managing Director of Sprouters, the programme will see the 50 mentees interact online with nine female writers on different parts of the writing craft. For additional information contact Ugo Chime on 08024345207 or visit www.sproutersng.com