Legal Practitioner Launches Book On Nigeria, Makes Mockery Of Corruption Driven Society

By Frank Oshanugor

A Lagos-based legal practitioner and celebrated civil rights activist, Barr. Onyeisi Chiemeke has publicly presented his latest book titled ‘THE THIEF AND HIS APPRENTICE’ which satirizes the prevailing corruption driven governance system in every facet of Nigeria.

The public presentation which took place on Friday at the event hall of the Federal College of Education (Tech) Akoka Lagos was well attended by friends,

well wishers, associates, community members and so on.

Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, a former provost of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State; Dr. Kunle Filani paid tribute to Chiemeke whose first book published about seven years ago had brought to the fore, the implosion of the Nigerian left following the betrayals that

characterised the June 12, 1993 political struggle.

According to Filani, in spite of the fact that Chiemeke trained as a lawyer, his foray as an author into areas that are politically related, has stood him out as one driven by passion for intellectual advancement.

He recalled the impact Chiemeke’s first book and other research efforts made over the years particularly with respect to public primary schools in Lagos.

He commended Chiemeke for choosing a title that largely brings out the creative prowess in him. Filani therefore enjoined Nigerians to buy copies of the book which judging from its contents, holds so much in any attempt to understand and correct the ills that currently bedevil Nigeria as a society.

Special guest of honor at the event Dr. Ademola Azeez who is also the incumbent Provost of the Federal College of Education (Tech) Akoka applauded the author’s contribution to intellectual property development in

Nigeria at a time many people are withdrawing from book writing and publishing ostensibly due to the harsh economic situation in the country.

A senior lecturer in the Department of English Studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU); Dr. Chijioke Uwasomba who reviewed the 172-page book, held the audience

spell bound as he brilliantly espoused the contents and intent of the book in a manner that added some comic colours while delivering his reviewed paper.

Personalities from different walks of life attended the event.
Reacting to the honor done him by the presence of the guests, Barr. Onyeisi Chiemeke expressed appreciation to everyone for finding time to grace the occasion.

He promised to upscale his book writing ability, declaring that he would publish not less than four books in the next few years as their manuscript were ready.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Barr. Pius Ofulue who stood in for Maroonsquare, the book publishers said Chiemeke’s latest book was one in the series of books that come under the initiative of The Maroonsquare.

He described Maroonsquare as an online platform which is dedicated to the provision of arena for contestation of ideas in the true spirit of public discourse while avoiding the current erosion of intellectualism in public engagement.

According to Ofulue, the book; A THIEF AND HIS APPRENTICE “is our second work but we assure you that it will not be our last. Our platform is available to writers to publish their works,” he explained