Intellectuals from different walks of life, last week, gathered at the Nigerian Institute of Management, Victoria Island, Lagos, to celebrate, Harry Awurumibe, a sport journalist, who unveiled his book, When The Dead Loves to the public.

According to Awurumibe, a former staff reporter of The Guardian Newspapers and now the Special Adviser to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Women’s Football Matters, the book is his little contribution to the development and promotion of African literature. He aims to use it to arouse interest in African literature and also to encourage reading culture.

The chair of the occasion, Chief Emeka lnyama decried the fall in reading culture among Nigerians, saying writing interesting stories about Africa would the youths, including the elderly to pick interest in reading.

The book reviewer, Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe noted that the captivating and highly entertaining 140-page novel is a true-life story that is presented in a lively style that would excite readers.

He disclosed that the book could pass as a classic of modern African fiction, saying students of African Literature would find it useful and interesting.

Ikpe revealed how the love of a mother for her children even in death shaped the lives of Chidinma Dike, the main character, and his sister, Nkechi.  According to him, one event led to another in the lives of the children, especially Chidinma whose string of successes was attributed to her mother’s love for her children.

When The Dead Loves, he said is also in the class of other epic novels published by other African writers whose works have won national and international awards in literature. He noted that the book is the product of the author’s hard work.

Harry is a widely traveled journalist. His love for literature and arts led to the writing of the manuscript of When The Dead Loves way back in his days in the university. He lived in the United States of America (USA) for a couple of years doing research work before returning to Nigeria to serve as the Personal Assistant (PA), Football Matters to Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim, former governor of Imo State. He is currently serving as the Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Women’s Football Affairs.