Ohuabunwa celebrates at 65 with books

IT was not just a moment of merriment but of sober reflection and exhortation for friends and well-wishers, who recently gathered to honour Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, a former Chairman and Chief Executive of NEIMETH Pharmaceutical company, who turned 65 on August 16.

At the presentation of the books, Sam Ohaubunwa’s Pradigm: Thoughts on Contemporary National Issues and The Port Harcourt Volunteer, dignitaries commended the author for putting his thought in writing. Prof. Anya O. Anya, who chaired the event, said Ohuabunwa lives a life of stewardship, “Sam recognises that the importance of living is to serve as a steward.

The root of western capitalism is actually embedded in Christian virtues. One of the books captures Sam’s experience at one point in our country’s history”.

Anya further pointed out that Sam has given the country the opportunity to reflect on the history of Biafra and so help prevent a reoccurrence of that war, added, “A country that cannot learn from its history cannot make progress and excel. Once upon a time, history was very important in the country’s educational system, but it is no longer so”.

Prof. Ayo Olukotun of the Department International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, who reviewed Sam Ohaubunwa’s Pradigm: Thoughts on Contemporary National Issues, said it provides a compass both to guide the country out of the wilderness of unfulfilled expectations, and usher it into its manifest destiny. Olukotun noted, “The right leader is one who possesses sound education, visionary imagination, high intelligence quotient, integrity, humility, and the fear of God among other virtues”.

According to Olutokun, government needs to create an enabling environment so that the increasing number of graduates from the country’s multiplying tertiary institutions can employ themselves.

Dr. Austin Nweze who read Prof. Jemie Onwuchekwa’s review of The Port Harcourt Volunteer said, “It is the story of the Nigerian civil war and encapsulates the two and half year’s story of horror, told by a teenage soldier on the Biafran side.

Ohaubunwa was such a teenage child who survived all the gunfire and explosions and starvation that consumed many lives, and has lived to tell the story.

The book is packed with action and excitement”. “The author believes that the war could have been avoided if Gen. Yakubu Gowon had stood firm on the Aburi Accord in Ghana”.

Mr. Peter Obi commended the author for his contributions towards the country’s development, adding, “Sam has been a great Nigerian; he has lived a life worthy of emulation and has contributed in building a better society”.

While responding, Ohaubunwa said, “I write because God gives me the inspiration to do so and I write to send a message. Every book I write has an audience.

I want to see how I can contribute to the emancipation of our country from a third world country to a first world country. I see Nigeria doing some certain things that remind me of what led to the war”.

Other dignitaries included Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, Prof. Wale Omole, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Emzor pharmaceutical, Dr. Stella Okoli, Dr. Ernest Ebi, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim among others.