The Akasoba of Kalabari and Chairperson of the Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR), Akasoba Duke-Abiola has informed the literary world of her consent to republish her highly acclaimed award winning books of poetry: “Concupiscence” and “The Colour Black, Philosophy of Life” which were first published over twenty years ago.
Akasoba Duke-Abiola’s decision was in response to the groups of young professionals, budding authors, artists and university students on a courtesy call to her, who urged the renowned author to consider reprinting some of her literary works so that up and coming youths will imbibe more knowledge in their march to nation- building.
Chanting songs of solidarity round the palace gates, the youths insisted that the Queen should endeavour to make her books available to more schools and universities.
In her response, Akasoba Duke – Abiola promised to look into their requests and enjoined the youths to concentrate on their studies, in order to become better citizens of their nations. She explained that the goal of the ACPCR initiative is to bring about global peace and harmony. She further admonished the youths to shun violence in all its ramifications; calling on them to derive lessons from the accolades and forewords which were written by some of the most distinguished Nigerians to her books.
Those who wrote the forewords, she mentioned were – the first Executive President of Nigeria, Shehu Usman Shagari, a poet, who in his foreword to the book said:” Over the years scholars have tried to categorise literary works into African and English literature and expressed delight that Akasoba Abiola’s poetry transcends both African and English.
According to her, Shehu Shagari noted that she wrote a universal philosophy and the book: ‘The Colour Black, Philosophy of Life’ is an ideal companion to all who cherish the pleasure of poetry.
Also recalling the foreword written on the literary works of Akasoba Abiola by the famous literary giant, Elechi Amadi, she quoted his inscriptions as beckoning on people to ‘listen to her lament on politics in the title: “Return of the Guns” which said, “they saw the children hungry yet they fed their dogs, they saw the naira falling yet they built more mansions.”
According to her, people ought to be grateful for every book of poetry these days because of the fierce struggle to survive and accumulate; saying “we can hardly stand and stare these days when we try albeit ineffectively to deaden with drugs those human pains which could through the strange alchemy of art, break forth into songs.”
Akasoba Abiola further noted that Elechi Amadi viewed as a genuine human cry from the heart ‘the colour black’ which is as refreshing as it is enjoyable and recommended it to all lovers of songs.
On the comment made by the then Chief of Defence Staff, Domkat Bali, she remembered that he said, “Queen Akasoba has began her quiet march towards becoming a literary colossus. I have found reading these verses quite scintillating.”
Also, the highly revered poet and novelist, Gabriel Okara was remembered to have applauded the book – ‘Concupiscence’ in his statement which ran thus: “For one so young in years, this is not only a rare achievement, but also shows Queen Akasoba’s versatile intellectual capability. The poems in the book span all facets of life in cascades of emotions expressed in vivid imagery; posing questions which man for centuries has been asking himself, but has not been able to provide the answers.”
“Queen Akasoba’s warm heart pervades the poems, whether of sadness or joy and her sympathy lies squarely with the masses, the down-trodden and all under-privileged members of our society. I commend this classic work to all mankind,” Okara remarked.
She said that her best selling book, “The Revolutionary Potentials of the Nigerian Military” which is a ground-breaking work has played a significant role in pushing the Nigerian military regimes back to the barracks; indicating that she has been a vanguard of democracy for a long time.
Federal Government of Nigeria Press Release
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