Nollywood thespian, Joke Silva and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, one of the grandchildren of former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, among other associates of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, have staged a book party to mark his 54th birthday ceremony.
Hosted at the Freedom Park, Lagos, organisers said hosting a reading in Amaechi’s honour is one of the most befitting gifts to the former Rivers state governor because of his demonstrated love for arts and literary works.
Joke Silva read an excerpt from Wole Soyinka’s autobiographies of his childhood, “Ake” and “Set Forth at Dawn”.
However, literary icon, Newton Jibunoh had taken the first reading of the day while a Corporate Brand expert, Rick Nwanso took the second reading.
The younger Tafawa Balewa took the third reading while Reginald Ofodile who had earlier gave a poetic rendition took on Soyinka’s “The Man died” as the fourth reading of the day.
Reading Amaechi’s biography, art critic, Jahman Anikulapo said, “Amaechi has a place of pride in the collective consciousness of the Nigerian Literati for supporting the Rainbow Book Club, which started advocacy programmes in 2005 to draw attention to the importance of reading to personal and National Development. With Amaechi support, the effort gained global recognition when PortHarcourt was honoured as the UNESCO recognised World Book Capital in 2014.”
A political associate, George Tolofari said even though the former minister could not be physically present at the event, he was nonetheless excited that he was being honoured by the Literati.
He said Amaechi was truly a man of many paths adding that beyond politics which many seem to have known him, he has great passion for literary works.
Similarly, another political associate of the former governor, Prince Tonye Princewill said unknown to many, Amaechi is an avid reader of books.
“While travelling, he can choose to read up to three different books at the same time. Many know him as a fighter and I will say parts of what makes him a just fighter was because he has read so many books. He has acquired so much knowledge from book reading and gained so much confidence,” Princewill said.
