Hope is rising that Soul and Spirit, a collection of motivational and educational poems written by Joe-Blaise Nnaemeka Akanazu, will contribute significantly to reviving the reading culture among secondary school students in the country.

This hope follows the adoption of some of the poems in the collection by some secondary schools who use the poems during the morning assembly and devotions as well as for class competitions.

READ MORE: Akanazu’s ‘Soul and Spirit’ Poetry Book Debuts January 8

Some of the schools that currently use the poems, according to Akanazu, include Bethel Seminary, Nekede, Imo State, True Vine International Academy, and St Brigid’s Girls’ Grammar School, Asaba, Delta State.

He said more secondary schools are also indicating interest.

Akanazu, a Germany-based international development expert, writer and insurance guru, also said Soul and Spirit will be unveiled to the reading public on January 8, 2025 at Jubilee Hall, Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The public presentation will be attended by the Imo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Johncliff Nwadike, as the special guest of honour, while renowned artist Paddy Obinna will be the book reviewer.

Also, United States-based pharmacist and philanthropist, Dr Uche Perry Ekwunazu, will chair the event, while a former Director of Police Affairs Abuja, Prof. Mazi Ojiaku, will be the special guest.

The event will be moderated by the Director of Entrepreneurial Skills Development Centre and the former registrar, Gregory University Uturu, Dr Okey Onukah, assisted by Dr Chisimdi Udoka Ihentuge.

Soul and Spirit is a collection of 120 poems from over 500 poems written over a number of years, Akanazu said.

He further said his brand of poems has the ability to strike the reader with emotions that take one away from one’s immediate environment to an abstract world of new thinking, reflections and discoveries.