• Launches Latest Book, All Things Bright And Beautiful
Koko Kalango’s birthday book launch was an enchanting evening of music, reviews and stories. Alliance Francaise Ikoyi’s auditorium was transformed into a literary haven, welcoming guests to a wonderful world of words.
The venue, adorned with crimson comfy seats, had the coziness of a cinema hall which descended to a copious platform whose wall was an exquisite screen with the green floral background of the cover of All Things Bright And Beautiful depicting Koko walking through the woods, symbolising abundance of life and a journey of faith captured within the pages of the book.
Social media entrepreneur and influencer, Nicole Chikwe, delivered a captivating review of All Things Bright And Beautiful.
She applauded Kalango’s ability to share relatable and inspiring life events, portraying experiences that remind the reader of the power of prayer.
She also remarked that the author’s testimonies show how God cares about us in the big, as well as the little things.
Deolu Adefarasin, a minister, media personality and producer, shared his thoughts on the profound spiritual themes interwoven throughout the book, emphasizing the transformative force of faith in the face of adversity.
The highlight of the evening was a conversation between the author, Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun (songwriter and pastor) and Femi Taiwo (social entrepreneur).
Attendees were drawn into the pages of All Things Bright And Beautiful as snippets from the book were revealed, including the fact that the author’s husband proposed to her a month after they met, how God answered her prayers for a pair of shoes, in a miraculous way, and how she heard an audible voice that gave her the idea of putting together an anthology of Nigerian writers.
When asked why she uses the word ‘rainbow’ for all her endeavours, Kalango said a pastor once posed the same question.
He said, “you are using Rainbow, do you know what it means?”
She says, “I responded, ‘Yes I know what the rainbow means. The rainbow is a sign of the covenant that God made with humankind in Genesis chapter 9 verse 13, 5: ‘I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. … and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh’.”
She added: “When the Lord called me out of paid employment in 1992 and gave me a commission to work in the education space, He gave me the name Rainbow and that is why I use it for everything. Even the ministry work I do is under the name Colours of Life: my synonym for the Rainbow. Five years ago, I published the Colours of Life devotional, I wrote the Colours of Life column in This Day for about 10 years cumulatively and I now have the Colours of Life show. It all boils down to the same name – Rainbow. I am using my father’s property.”
A recurring comment from those who have read All Things Bright And Beautiful is the author’s easy-to-read writing style and how one chapter effortlessly leads you to another such that you can’t drop the book until you’re done.
Prominent figures from various industries graced the occasion. They include Nollywood veteran actress Joke Silva, former Head of the Nigeria Ports Authority Dakuku Peterside, former First Bank board chair Ibukun Awosika, former Managing Director Union Bank, Emeka Okonkwo and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo.
The goodwill reflected in the successful turnout at the event is testament to the impact and influence Kalango has achieved through her book activism and literary projects including the UNESCO World Book Capital, which her Rainbow Book Club was instrumental in bringing to Port Harcourt in 2014.
Her passionate work promoting reading in Nigeria earned her a national award. She has also been honoured by WIMBIZ (Women in Management Business and Public office) in 2012. She was the Sun Newspaper Creative Personality of the year 2014 and recognised by the University of Port Harcourt in 2014.
