What Chinua Achebe's new book has told me is that there is hunger in our land - for stories, that Nigerian youngsters pine for history, for the written word, that perhaps, writers must reflect on their role in creating a culture of people not engaged in their writing. Decades of decadent irresponsible governance have robbed them of their birthright - a good education, safety and security. Add to that a future that is certain only in the sense that there is probably none.
As a student of Biafran issues, it is quite possible that Achebe's new book will tell me nothing new. But if the 35-year old Nigerian who told me he was ignorant of Biafra gets to learn something as a result of Achebe, then I say Hurrah for Nigeria. Achebe has achieved what many professors like him have attempted and failed - which is to write an engaging story of that period of our history when the world watched as children's tummies swelled from hunger, not from food. Which is quite remarkable considering that none of those commenting on the book has read the book yet, including me. That is a miracle even. The Eagle chuckles atop the Iroko.
- Ikhide
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