Immediate end of war situation

Immediate end of war situation - "The Forest Dames

“Doesn’t it amaze you that without a dime, we find free food to eat? Ochongalofu springs up on trees for us to uproot and eat, snails roam the bush at night for us to pick and prepare meals with. Okazi vegetable grows wildly in the big bushes for us to harvest and make our leafy soups with, palm nuts are picked up for palm oil, palm kernel and palm kernel oil; and many others. Is it not amazing?” Ijeoma was grateful to God.

“The hunters hardly come back empty handed these days.” Oyoyo informed, equally grateful to God.

“Don’t forget the Otamiri river fish. They seem to have grown bigger. Orjay caught a big one yesterday.”

“We are like cows whose tails have been chopped off by war action, so God Himself is the One keeping the flies in check for us.” Oyoyo philosophized. “Cow wey no get tail, na God dey drive am fly. Is that not how they say it in Pidgin?” Oyoyo was dancing.Culled from "The Forest Dames" available at amazon.com, barnes and nobles, authorhouse, etc

 

WAR SURVIVOR SHARES HER EXPERIENCE

See what the Survivor wrote in her book, "The Forest Dames." In spite of all that, she survived. 
 “The day bullets rained from the sky was the climax. Everyone took off in a race to nowhere. Men and women screamed as they ran; children cried out; dogs galloped, barking; chickens ran a bit, flew a bit and scurried back. Wrappas fell off women’s waists and slippers flung off their feet. People indoors ran out in bewilderment while those outside dashed into their houses for protection. It took everyone by surprise and shook everybody in a hard way. Then it ceased. It was a short period of chaos but it looked like forever. People packed small bags and were ready to move in groups. The offensive resumed shortly after. This time, mortar bombs began to fly in too. Enyia I do not know how to describe the pandemonium that followed.” Culled from "The Forest Dames". Available @amazon, barnes, authorhouseWar survivor shares her experience

Don't let this happen again please!

Deze stood, arms folded across her chest, watching a group of children trying to kick about, a round object made of folded rags. Her mother was sitting by her side, on an overturned tin container.

“Oh my God, mama, see how lean this one is. He can’t even run.”
“My daughter, I don’t know which one is easier, the lean type or the bloated type of this disease. It must also be difficult to lift those bloated feet. Haa! God have mercy.”
“Poor children; robbed of fun! How can any child possibly play with such protruded stomach? Sometimes I wonder what is in that belly, liquid or solid. Mama, look at this other one’s cheeks, looking like they are filled with puss that needs to be pressed out. His head has become too big for his neck. His neck looks like a string. Ha mama, I am tired.”
“Courage daughter, I understand how you feel. We know how healthy these children were before now. Hmm, at least they are happy to be alive, when several of their playmates have died; emaciated or bloated. Oh! This new disease, hmm!” They were both shaking their heads. 

Remembering those who did not survive

“Yes especially with what I saw on the way. We saw dismembered body parts lying here and there as if forgotten by their owners. One young man with two legs cut off by mortar bomb pleaded with us to help him but we could not. He was bleeding profusely but we needed help ourselves and did not even know which direction we should be heading. We were already so wearied that we had difficulty carrying even the small bags we had, let alone an amputated human. I cried for him but there was nothing I could do. It still pains me.” Culled from "The Forest Dames" - available at amazon.com/theforestdames, barnes&nobles/theforestdames, authorhouse/theforestdames, some Nigerian bookstores.

WAR SURVIVOR SHARES HER EXPERIENCE

See what the Survivor wrote in her book, "The Forest Dames." In spite of all that, she survived. 

“The day bullets rained from the sky was the climax. Everyone took off in a race to nowhere. Men and women screamed as they ran; children cried out; dogs galloped, barking; chickens ran a bit, flew a bit and scurried back. Wrappas fell off women’s waists and slippers flung off their feet. People indoors ran out in bewilderment while those outside dashed into their houses for protection. It took everyone by surprise and shook everybody in a hard way. Then it ceased. It was a short period of chaos but it looked like forever. People packed small bags and were ready to move in groups. The offensive resumed shortly after. This time, mortar bombs began to fly in too. Enyia I do not know how to describe the pandemonium that followed.” Culled from "The Forest Dames". Available @amazon, barnes, authorhouseWar survivor shares her experience

A gentleman voices his opinion based on the survivor's 1999 book.

Chinedu Ogoke wrote:
When you share a certain space with somebody you might never know how close you’ve come to being with some spirit beings. While the writer ...entertains, he or she can be a philosopher and teacher and can be said to have been to heaven and come back with supernatural powers. I shake my head at what Ada holds out to us in her novel Bow You Must. In the novel, she tackles both the climate and scripture theories of being black, doing this as far back as 1999.

Ada Agbasimalo

The father of African literature begins his journey home

 

 

 

BURIAL PROGRAMME OF PROFESSOR CHINUA ACHEBE

DAY 1 May 19th Sunday (DAY OF PRAYERS AND RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.)
3.00pm. National Christian Center, Abuja.
It shall also hold at other Centres throughout Nigeria and beyond.

DAY 2 May 20th Monday (ANA SYMPOSIUM).
Association of Nigerian Authors Symposium on the life and times of Professor Chinualumogu Achebe 10.00am - 1.00pm.
International Conference Centre, Abuja

DAY OF TRIBUTES.
Tributes from National leaders, writers and associates of Professor Achebe from all over the World

Arrangements will be made for those who are not present to relay their tributes via live telecast.

A number of cultural troupes drawn from different parts of the Country shall perform during the night of tributes. 5.00pm - 8.00pm. International Conference Centre, Abuja

DAY 3. May 21st Tuesday - BODY ARRIVES NIGERIA.
Airport Reception.
Body will be received upon arrival by a delegation of Nigerian Leaders. Diplomatic and Cultural representatives from African nations shall be in attendance to pay their respects.

Cultural troupes from different parts of the African continent shall perform at the airport reception. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Reception in the Federal Capital - National Assembly

Body departs for Enugu

Enugu Airport Reception.
The body shall be received at the Enugu airport by the South Eastern Governors under the chairmanship of HE Peter Obi, governor of Anambra State/Ohanaeze leadership/Traditional Rulers - Akanu-Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Academic Procession and Ceremony
The University of Nigeria and sister Universities in the region and beyond, will participate in an academic procession and ceremony at the Enugu campus, where a short and solemn ceremony will be conducted -University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Enugu Campus

Ohanaeze Night of Mourning and Ikoro Salute - Ohanaeze Secretariat, Park avenue, Enugu

DAY 4. May 22nd Wednesday
Body departs for Anambra State and is received at the boundary of Enugu and Anambra States by the Governor of Anambra State and other leaders - Enugu-Anambra Border.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE CARNIVAL
A carnival of African culture shall be on display to celebrate the life and works of Chinua Achebe - Alex Ekwueme Stadium.

The body departs Awka and will be received at Ogidi by members of the family, the President General of Ogidi Town Union, Ogidi Regent in Council and the Elders of Ogidi - OGIDI

Body will then proceed and be received at the Idemmili Local Government Headquarters - Idemmili Local Government Headquarters, Ogidi

Body will then proceed to Achebe's compound for Christian Service of Songs - Achebe's Family Compound.

Literary Obsequies and wake-keep by the Association of Nigerian Authors till dawn Ogidi -Town HallAchebe's Family Compound.

DAY 5. May 23rd Thursday - BURIAL SERVICE AND INTERMENT

Body will lie in state in his residence. Family groups will undertake a procession -Achebe's Family Compound.

Body departs to the church for a traditional Anglican Burial Service - St. Phillips Anglican Church, Ogidi.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other heads of State, State governors, Diplomats and International Literary dignitaries will be in attendance.

Body moves back to the Family residence after the Church service for interment - Achebe's Family Compound.

The family begins to receive condolence visits from guests - Achebe's Family Compound.

DAY 6. May 24th Friday - IKWA OZU - Achebe's Family Compound.

MUSLIM JU’MAT SERVICE. Nigerians offer prayers. Central Mosque Abuja.

DAY 7. May 25th Saturday - IKWA OZU CONTINUES - Achebe's Family Compound.

DAY 8. May 26th Sunday - CHRISTIAN OUTING SERVICE/THANKSGIVING
- St Phillips Anglican Church, Ogidi.

Dr. Ikechukwu Achebe - For the family Professor T. Uzodinma Nwala
Coordinator, Chinua Achebe Transition Committee

Dr. Kabir Ahmed
Secretary April 25, 2013.