A remarkable evening with Obinna Udenwe’s ‘Years of Shame’ in Abuja
By Paul Liam
BELIEVE you me when I say we had a wonderful time discussing Years of Shame. It felt like we were in a university classroom. In fact, at one point, the room erupted into chaos with several voices trying to impress their points at the same time. It was a gender-induced hysteria led by Star Zahra, Salamatu Sule, Biachi Anointing Ndidi and others versus some of the male attendees like Oko Owi Ocho Afrika and others. It was about African traditions and the representation of women, in particular, in Obinna Udenwe’s new novel.
Professor Udenta O. Udenta, Dr Lizi Ben-Iheanacho and Mallam Denja Abdullahi provided erudite interventions surrounding the powerful representations in the text, especially the construction of African spirituality and traditions in the face of modernisation and exogenous epistemic systems. Their interventions were measured and articulate. Udenwe’s knowledge and understanding of the historical contexts aided by the research, which he conducted before writing the book, was instructive. He spoke like a historian revealing information that many of the attendees never knew existed. Udenwe came prepared and could not be dazzled by Abuja’s literary intellects. But I am sure we did better than Jos people. I will allow Udenwe to confirm this claim.
Richard Ali was in his best element as a moderstor today. He came prepared and asked instructive questions that brought the best out of the author. I can assure you it was as though you were in a seminar with history and literary professors. Ali and Udenwe did justice to the issues at hand, and it was beautiful to witness. Auntu Teresa Oyibo Ameh, inspite of her being under the weather, made it to the reading at the end, and in her usual supportive manner, gave away three copies of the books to the participants. Dr. Kabura Zakama also came towards the end.
Of course, several books were sold and signed by the guest author. It was a harvest of book buying. We also took plenty photos and ate small chops.
The publisher, PurpleShelves Publishers, is doing a fantastic job of promoting its author and books. That is how a proper publishing outfit should run. It is impressive and commendable.
Commendation also goes to Adam’s Pages Bookstore for always providing a conducive environment for literary conversation in Abuja. We cannot thank them enough for their contributions to the Nigerian literary ecosystem.
Minna is next. I bet they will try to outdo Abuja and Jos. But this is yet to be seen.
