By Harrison Madubueze
One of Nigeria’s best known public intellectuals, Dr Reuben Abati has accepted to serve as the book reviewer at the coming public presentation of ‘dispossessed’ a collection of poems written by James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.
Dr Abati, a national merit scholar, First Class honours holder and Vice Chancellor’s Prize winner of the University of Calabar for the student with the Best Overall Academic Performance is an obvious choice for the public presentation of ‘dispossessed,’ a collection of poems that boldly attempts a re-imagination of our local, national and global landscape with a view to provoking conversations that will lend depth to our shared humanity.
Abati who specialized in Dramatic Literature, Theory and Criticism in his PhD and who as Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian has ignited national discourses in Nigeria for over a decade with his newspaper columns is expected to slice through the layers of meanings embedded in the condensed verses of ‘dispossessed’ and tease out the salient points that will give the reader a richer experience.
Over the years, Abati has accumulated experience as a public intellectual of note, a television anchor and as a former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity and recently, Deputy Governorship candidate in Ogun State.
Speaking on the choice of Abati as the reviewer of ‘dispossessed’ the author of the book, James Eze said he had admired Abati’s intellectual firepower for many years.
“Through the years, Reuben Abati has established himself as that voice that rips through the dark waters of Nigeria’s cultural and artistic life to drive us close to the edge of national wakefulness. I am deeply honoured that he has accepted to bring us all closer to understanding ‘dispossessed’ on the day the book will be formally presented to the public,” Eze enthused.
The book, ‘dispossessed,’ poetry of innocence, transgression and atonement shall be publicly unveiled on Staurday, December 14, 2019 at Oma Event Centre, Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, under the chairmanship of High Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo.
The event promises to be the most engaging literary gathering in South East of Nigeria in 2019 as more literary figures have confirmed their attendance.
Be there!
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