The Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, Corp Marshal/CEO of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Mr. Osita Chidoka, Minister of Transport, Alhaji Isa Biu, DG of National Orientation Agency, Dr. Idi Farouk and TV personality and award winning Author, Mrs. Eugenia Abu, in Abuja on Tuesday 28th of April 2009 join other Nigerians to pray for the enthronement of patriotism, discipline and selfless services among other virtues that can propel Nigeria to become the bride of the entire African continent and the world at large.
The venue was the National Press Centre at the Radio House in Abuja and the event is the public presentation and launching of a nationwide reading tour by Seyi Adigun of his new book, a collection of poem titled Prayer for the Mwalimu.
Presenting the book, Hajiya Bilkisu Bashir, the Executive Secretary of Federal Judicial Service Commission and financier of the Engineer Bashir Karaye Prize for Hausa Writing which is already becoming the toast of literary competitions in Nigeria, who read a poem ‘Let Memory Fade’ from the collection extols Seyi’s creative talent as well as the social relevance of the collection. “My happiness is that the poems in this collection speak to readers differently. I have just read a poem which speaks to me. I am sponsoring the Karaye Prize for Hausa Writing not because I have the money to throw around or for want of something to do but because I do not want the memory of my late husband to fade”
Others who spoke after her finds one relevant point of view or the other to the poems in the collection. ACP Prince Chukwu, the Force PRO who represented the Inspector General of Police charged Nigerians to pray for what the Mwalimu is known to stand for “It is not the poet here that is praying for the Mwalimu but everyone of us. We need to imbibe the good spirit of a good people in order to ensure a good nation. This call is not just for good leaders but good followers as well.”
On his part, and corroborated by Mrs. Eugenia Abu who spoke after him, Commondore Enebong Akpabio reading a poem titled ‘Song of the Road’ on page 34 believes that Road Safety is the responsibility of all and so commended the poet. “We are all stakeholders in the road safety business and one of the best ways to ensure this is through education. That is why to us Seyi’s collection makes a lot of sense for using his craft to educate the people”
As is the case with literary and educational gatherings in Nigeria, the bulk of guests expected at the presentation which includes the Minister of Information and Communications; Professor Dora Akunyili did not make it to the presentation which was made up of what the representative of Minister of Transport, Dr. Agha in his remarks refers to as quality audience. “I am not surprise that this hall is not filled to the brim. This is an intellectual gathering. If it had been meant for some other activities like comedy, political meetings or birthday party, it would have been a different case. My consolation however is that what we have her is the right kind of audience – quality audience” he commented and had some support in the words of Mrs. Eugenia Abu who challenged writers to ensure they support one another. “If Seyi as the Chairman of ANA Abuja is launching a book and this hall is not filled with writers, then we must start asking ourselves questions. If we don’t support ourselves, who will?”
Others present at the presentation are Mr. Joseph Ojo who represented the Postmaster-General, Alhaji Yahaya Dangana, Hon. Dr Wale Okediran, Ms. Teresa Ameh, Barrister Ahmed Maiwada, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Mr. Kunle Yemitan, and Mr. Alasa, the Medical Director/CEO of Kingscare Hospital among others.
Prayer for the Mwalimu will commence a nationwide reading and interactive sessions of the major cities across Nigeria beginning from the poet’s home state of Kwara later this month.
Jerry Adesewo
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