Five important books at this time

There are times when a particular book speaks to you, when re-reading it tells you so much about the season or even reading a certain book at a particular time although it’s your first time that gives you an all-time high and it’s like where were you all this while. There are certain books that match a season, reference a thought and provide illumination. As our Lenten season draws to a close and corruption seems like a never ending sickness, as our world gets more bizarre and 2019 looms large, let us revert to certain books that are important for now, for our many seasons.

1) In their middle of what we all now know is the political jostling for 2019, Ayesha Osori’s book, Love does not win elections is such an important book in understanding the Nigerian political landscape. Whether you are contesting, you are voting or you are researching, this is such an important book at such a time as this. Having answered the call from within to contest the primaries in the National Assembly, Aisha decides that it is time for her to prove her mettle and run on the platform of the then ruling party, Peoples democratic party, PDP. This book written in an incredibly witty style is her spellbinding journey in the political underbelly of Nigeria. In this journey are midnight meetings, envelopes full of money, prayers for sale and such other intriguing details. Everyone should grab a copy of this book before the 2019 elections and in preparation for any other elections in Nigeria. It should also be handy for academics, researchers, journalists and heck ordinary citizens like me and you.

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2) As corruption takes center stage in most African countries, from Gucci Grace Mugabe’s story in Zimbabwe to money swallowing reptiles in Nigeria, the issue of corruption remains a never ending battle both in the private and public sectors and it is adversely affecting citizens lives. From health, to education and agriculture, corruption has affected everyone negatively and must constantly be addressed. Lives have been lost and whole communities destroyed. Talking is better than apathy. Dr Abdullahi Shehu’s book, Nigeria, the way through corruption to the well-being of the people is a thoroughly researched book on the evil and devastating consequences of corruption while preferring solutions. He says having seen what went wrong in Nigeria, and what should happen to make it right, he chose to write the book to assist his country, Nigeria on the journey to eradicate corruption. Having served at the EFCC’s anti-corruption institute as Director and has worked with several UN agencies across the world, Dr. Shehu is well placed to avail us of his wealth of knowledge on this seminal topic. Anything to shift corruption, all Nigerians should be applauding. Enough is Enough.

3) These days I am intrigued by the ageing population, how we age, how to keep our minds healthy, how to improve memory, diets etcetera. On my last visit to the United Nation’s institute of ageing in Malta, I bought a cache of books to better help me understand the area of field. I also found that ahead of so many other countries, Malta has an excellent policy for her ageing population which Nigeria sadly does not have. So I am recommending one of the books I got which is excellent for policy makers, stakeholders and those working in the field; Ageing and later life in Malta. Issues, policies and future trends, by Marvin Formosa. This is a must read for all.

4) Watching Nollywood movies on any platform these days is a chore. Very few movies are worthy of any craft and value. Many of them have sloppy content and poor scripts. It’s either they are too fantastic, too plastic or too unreal. Movies are an imitation of life. As a screenplay writer, I find myself disagreeing too often with a silly script, bad acting or just an impossible happenstance aided by ambience that is not really resonating with the movie’s setting/ Someone says he gave his wife N30 million for shopping for instance and he looks like a scallywag who can’t afford ten thousand naira, is ill dressed and is in a five-thousand-naira environment. Get it? In addition, the storylines across most platforms be they TV or cinema, are ridiculous. So this week, I am recommending a screenplay book. Study people, get some craft education. Don’t jump into movies if you are not ready. The definitive guide to Screenplay writing by Syd field is a good place to start your training. Then get practical experience. Learn from the Masters.

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