Oboh Agbonkhese
13 November 2008
A writer's source of raw materials is what happens to the writer on the one hand and what happens around him on the other hand.
One hand is usually not enough. So when someone whose job is to wield a gun takes up the pen, one wonders what sort of result is expected from bullets of ink. But Major Emmanuel Onyekachi Ugwu is a soldier of many parts who lends weight to a cliche - the pen is mightier than the sword.
It should be mightier than the gun in this case as high ranking military personnel, the literary world, clergy, friends and family gathered at the Officers' Mess of Command Guest House Apapa, Lagos recently for the launch of Major Ugwu's entrance into the world of writers: In Search of Greener Pastures and Other Stories.
The book is a collection of seven short stories. In the words of the reviewer, Anayochukwu Agbo, Associate Editor, TELL magazine, "The author begins his literary career where most beginners begin - the short story.
It is a mode that enables the writer to explore the conflicts of life in simple uncomplicated episodes." And that is exactly what Ugwu achieves with a concise and direct language in this book. With
The Offspring of a Lion Eats Flesh, The Ideal Wife, Nneoma, Ekete, Ogwube, Echezona, and the title story itself, the author addresses life's many vagaries (sadness, joy, success, failure, victory and defeat) through issues like relationships, marriage, education and so on. To effectively address these issues within the limits of a short story format is a major miracle. But then Major Ugwu is not your every day man.
The writer has his first degree in French from University of Calabar - a First Class. He went to University of Ibadan for a degree in Law. Finished Law School and is presently pursuing a Masters degree in Lagos State University. This is beside the normal courses, travels and missions that is part of the Military.
"Planning, passion and persistence is the secret," he said when asked how he swaps the gun and pen. As for the book, he said, "I want to contribute to the betterment of the society."
For someone who has been around the world to fight travelling out of the country with the title story, In Search of Greener Pastures, he had an answer: "Do not travel out of your country unprepared." He said it is an illusion to think you can make it easily out there.
"Home is sweet home," he concludes. As writing makes a complete man, readers of this book can be made near perfect whether as students or teachers, and it can supply immense benefits to adults.
At the book launch were Brigadier-General M. A. Hassan, representing the Director of Military Intelligence, Major-Gen D. M. Chong; Mr. Simon Aleke, who represented the Chief Launcher, Emeka Mammah of Ifex Courier; Rev. Fr. Charles Iroegbu, Chaplain of the Sacred Catholic Church, Ojo, Lagos, Ojo, Lagos; Brig. Gen S. Y. Audu, representing Major General (Senator) Ike Nwachukwu, to list a few.
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