Biography/Autobiography
From the divine deliverance from the evil plots of the Abacha dictatorship to the governance of Ogun State, it is an absorbing account of how his life as a pressman, politician, and statesman intertwines with people in different places. It is a book that unearths Osoba as he has never been before. It is as much a story of love, hope, and achievement as it is a narrative of human foibles, of jealousies, persecutions, and setbacks. It is a chronicle of plots and betrayals, of high-mindedness and pettiness; documentation of history with revealing insights. It is an unusual account told by an engaging reporter. Racy and exciting, it is a book you will not put down in a hurry.
Close encounters with death
Growing up/Lagos life
Good times, bad times at the Daily Times
Lessons from the Civil War
The Herald years
Crusading journalism at the Sketch
Second sojourn at the Times
The Customs lady who stole my heart
Awo, our unforgettable hero
Awolowo and his team
Large-hearted M.K.O Abiola
The annulment of June 12 elections
The unkindest cut
Dark days under Abacha
Governance and resource management
Obasanjo, Ogun state, and the 2003 elections
Official torment in Ogun state
The emergence of All Progressive Congress
Epilogue
Addendum
Index
Year of Publication: 2017
210 pages
-Ama Ata Aidoo
"A splendid coming-of-age story so full of vivid color and emotion, the words seem to dance off the page. But this is not only Falola's memoir; it is an account of a new nation coming into being and the tensions and negotiations that invariably occur between city and country, tradition and modernity, men and women, rich and poor. A truly beautiful book."
-Robin D. G. Kelley
"More than a personal memoir, this book is a rich minihistory of contemporary Nigeria recorded in delicious detail by a perceptive eyewitness who grew up at the crossroads of many cultures."
-Bernth Lindfors
"The reader is irresistibly drawn into Falola's world. The prose is lucid. There is humor. This work is sweet. Period."
-Ngugi wa Thiongo'o
A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt gathers the stories and reflections of the early years of Toyin Falola, the grand historian of Africa and one of the greatest sons of Ibadan, the notable Yoruba city-state in Nigeria.
Redefining the autobiographical genre altogether, Falola miraculously weaves together personal, historical, and communal stories, along with political and cultural developments in the period immediately preceding and following Nigeria's independence, to give us a unique and enduring picture of the Yoruba in the mid-twentieth century. This is truly a literary memoir, told in language rich with proverbs, poetry, song, and humor.
Falola's memoir is far more than the story of one man's childhood experiences; rather, he presents us with the riches of an entire culture and community-its history, traditions, pleasures, mysteries, household arrangements, forms of power, struggles, and transformations.
Read Peter Odili’s expose on his 2007 presidential adventure in a must read Autobiography entitled ‘‘ Conscience and History – My Story”.
It is an account of audacious efforts of a first-class Military officer, unrepentant nationalist and uncompromising intellectual who unknowingly found himself within the intrigues and conspiratorial web of self-centred political contractors. At the cost of his life, he chose to combat the pervasive, insidious and dehumanizing political machinations that characterised the later years of the Abacha regime.
It is an account of audacious efforts of a first-class Military officer, unrepentant nationalist and uncompromising intellectual who unknowingly found himself within the intrigues and conspiratorial web of self-centred political contractors. At the cost of his life, he chose to combat the pervasive, insidious and dehumanizing political machinations that characterised the later years of the Abacha regime.
About the author:
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, a small village located in the district of Umtata, the Transkei capital in Africa. Mandela became the first member of his family to attend a school, where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the English name "Nelson". He attended a Wesleyan mission school located next to the palace of the regent. Following Thembu custom, he was initiated at age sixteen, and attended Clarkebury Boarding Institute. He completed his Junior Certificate in two years, instead of the usual three. After enrolling, Mandela began to study for a Bachelor of Arts at the Fort Hare University. Later in his life, while in prison, he studied for a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London External Program. Mandela later started work as an articled clerk at a Johannesburg law firm, Witkin, Sidelsky and Edelman. Nelson Mandela completed his B.A. degree at the University of South Africa via correspondence, after which he began law studies at the University of Witwatersrand. He began actively participating in politics after the 1948 election victory of the Afrikaner-dominated National Party which supported the apartheid policy of racial segregation.Nelson Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.
For a long time to come, it may be impossible to discuss the book and its contents without discussing the author. Perhaps there is no removing the man from the book and the book from the man but after the emotions ebb and the shock of oxygen igniting exposed secrets abates, the book will still hold value and lessons for historians, political scientists, policy wonks and people who want to understand Nigeria once upon a time, the better to appreciate where Nigeria is. Books are hard to review because every story is personal in its telling and in its interpretation. There is no topic today more delicate, complicated, emotional, scary, polarizing and energizing as the 2015 general elections and the book is a gift for all Nigerians who wonder why progress is slow and dream of doing things differently. By sharing his story in order to ‘make the case for public service’ there are clear lessons for anyone thinking of public service and how to navigate the problems and opportunities with governance and politics in Nigeria.
Despite the 489 pages, there are still topics and issues which could have benefitted with more analysis, more insight from an insider who co-held the reigns of power and lots of questions have been and will continue to be raised by the book. And this is precisely why this book will endure and hopefully encourage more honest discussions about public office. As the gloves come off and attacks on the book and the author commence, a common complaint will be that those who come to equity must come with clean hands. But if that were the only way to look at books that document a personal narration of history, then none would be eligible to write. The balance between sharing for posterity and upholding codes of silence is a delicate one which few have to straddle and decide for what purpose they want to keep silent. If we do not have the opportunity for honest discussions about what takes place in government, Nigeria and Nigerians will be worse off. If there are three sides to every story: my side, your side and the truth, then between the telling of ALL, the truth will emerge.
Excerpts from the Book:
“President Obasanjo chose Umaru Yar’Adua whose ill-health, among other challenges, was known already constituted a serious impediment to the possibility of any inspired and energetic leadership. The view of many well-informed Nigerians is that Yar’Adua and his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, emerged for no other discernible reasons than being ‘weak’ governors sympathetic to the ‘Third Term’ project and therefore handpicked as payback.
“The subsequent electoral imposition of Goodluck Jonathan as president in 2011 via military occupation and rigging has been unhelpful in raising leadership quality. Jonathan went into a presidential contest without a campaign manifesto, boasting of no experience, merit and any track record of previous performance other than wearing no shoes to school and his ‘good luck’".
“The political brinkmanship got so bad that Obasanjo had to visit Atiku’s residence unannounced to plead for Atiku’s support. Upon arriving at his deputy’s residence, he reportedly knelt before Atiku and begged the Vice-President to remain onside, thus guaranteeing the support of the 17 PDP governors. In return, Obasanjo had to agree to retain Atiku as his running mate (he was rumoured at the time to be considering an alternative)”
What are People saying about the Book?
"Just the first few pages of the book and I can't stop. The book starts hard....tough! The story of the Nigerian government from a perspective inside of government is sure to be hot; well, I think this one is explosive! I am reading and relating with what is going on now in the Nigerian government and whoa....!!!!"
"The sample is really exciting. The narration in the book has really exposed many Nigeria's dark secrets.”
“If there are three sides to every story: my side, your side and the truth, then between the telling of ALL, the truth will emerge.”
About the Author:
Nasir El-Rufai is a prominent Nigerian leader who in the past served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja as well as Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. As a prolific opinion columnist and public policy advocate, El-Rufai has become well known as one of the country's most outspoken voices on issues of governance, leadership, transparency, and social justice. El-Rufai studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, University of London, Harvard Business School, Arthur D. Little School of Management in Massachusetts, Georgetown University School of Foreign Services in Washington, D.C. and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He holds a first class honours degree in Quantity Surveying (1980), a Masters Degree in Business Administration (1984), a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science (1985), a Bachelor of Laws (2008), Master of Public Administration (2009), and has attended several programs on Privatization and Leadership. In 2005, he was conferred D.Sc (honoris causa) by the University of Abuja, Nigeria. Before entering the public service, El-Rufai ran a successful consulting practice, El-Rufai & Partners, between 1982 and 1998. He also held management positions with two international telecommunications companies, AT&T Network Systems International BV and Motorola, Inc. In October 2001, he was conferred a national honour, OFR (Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) by the Federal Government of Nigeria. El-Rufai lives in Abuja, Nigeria, and is happily married with children.
This is a book to present as a gift to your Boss, Friends, Colleagues, Business Partners and Family, to always be in their good book.
The books are written in a smooth conversational style that arrests the reader until he gets to the last stage. Law Lecturers, Legislators, Government officials, Policymakers, Students of history and the general public will find the book very useful.
- Professor Tam David-West
Ogunsanwo briefly narrates Awolowo’s beginning years; his experience as the son of a farmer and the sudden change that his father’s death effected in his young life. Despite the challenges he faced, Awolowo finished his education and was called to the bar in 1946. Ogunsanwo skips forward from there and focuses on the pertinent years of Awolowo’s life, the years during which he became one of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
Perhaps I speak for myself, but it was ethereal to read about people like Awolowo, Herbert Macauley, Ahmadu Bello; names that I am familiar with because I often drive on those streets. The book was a living breathing time machine and allowed the reader to step into an era that is long gone.
Were you aware that Awolowo loved sports? He showed his commitment by approving the building of the impressive Liberty Stadium. Did you know he was the first gender-sensitive leader in Nigeria? Or that he brought the first television network to Nigeria’s doorstep? In this book, Awolowo becomes more than just a political leader but a man of passion, vision and conscience. It is worth reading the Awo Unfinished Greatness in order to put a character to the familiar face (after all his face is plastered on our currency).
In 1979, Awolowo was asked,
“Who takes over if you drop dead?” He replied: “I don’t know. What I know is that people will meet and select someone with outstanding discipline in a peaceful and orderly manner. There should be no problem about a successor. When I was in jail, the party went on all the same…”
Awolowo may not have known who would take over from him, but he made sure his legacy was so great that you cannot but compare all his successors to his governance. Ogunsanwo does Awolowo justice with his words and the biography is simple, seamless and a pleasure to read.
Divided into nineteen chapters, the book, which apparently set out to be a biography of one of the most misunderstood, yet most formidable politician in the history of Nigeria, unwittingly became the rendition of the history of Nigeria’s immediate post-colonial government and the most incendiary political turmoil that engulfed Nigeria shortly after the lowering of the Union Jack. Scholars have posited that the years between 1962 and 1966 could unarguably be said to be the most politically tumultuous for the Western Region. Nigeria eventually partook of the turmoil, with the overthrow of the First Republic by the military and since then, in the words of John Keats, things have fallen apart for the country as the centre has found it difficult to hold.
The 19 chapters of the book are divided into themes like, the growing up years of the young Ladoke, Ogbomosoland, the people and society, Mr. Akintola as teacher and youth activist, his early political career, his voyage into politics and sojourn at the federal parliament, his time as Premier, the crisis in the Western Region, among others.
The book, therefore, is aimed at 'breaking the enforced silence' imposed on the family by time, and deference to Victor's mother, who believed that her son was still alive and could not be so treacherously treated by those he pitched his tent with against all human calculations. Lt. Col. Victor Banjo's actions, which were thoroughly misunderstood especially the side he took during the Nigerian Civil War seem strange in history but his beliefs and speeches were like prophecies; they have come to pass and will continue to be relevant in Nigerian, African and world history. Though Lt. Col. Victor died unsung and unmourned, he is still remembered by those who knew him as a man without prejudices, who came to offer his outstanding conduct, the tenacity of purpose and enduring dreams to humanity.
About the Author, Professor Adetowun Ogunsheye hails from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. She is the elder sister to late Col, Victor Adebukunola Banjo. She had her secondary education at Queen's College, Lagos and University education at the Cambridge. University, Great Britain, 1949-1952. She was the founding principal of St. Margaret Secondary School, Ilesha.
The author was the past president of the Nigerian Library Association, 1969-1971 and Nigerian Association of University Women, 1971-1975. Professor and Head of Department, Library Studies, University of Ibadan, 1972-1987 She is also the President of Ogunsheye Foundation. A geographer, educationist, and teacher, she is the first Nigerian Female Professor. A retired Professor has over fifty educational and professionalpublications to her credit. She also writes for children
The title of the work is adequate going with the level of achievements of Professor Idaachaba: he has had no mean harvest. Though easy to read, the HARVEST did not come easy. The HARVEST came after many years of hard work, discipline, humility, probity, integrity, sincerity of purpose, focus and refusal to be distracted, and above all, the fear of God which his mother, Aya instilled in him.
If, as claimed in the PROLOGUE, this autobiography is a product of empty diaries with few entries, then we give glory to God for the very rich and retentive memory He (God) has endowed the erudite Professor.
There is no doubt that Professor Francis Suleiman Idachaba has achieved much in life. He is distinguished and honourable, indeed. Are there areas in his life that he actually failed? If so, I leave that to other readers to pick as I could not pick such in the autobiography.
Though “No Easy Harvest” is a wonderful book about a great personality, but permit me to note the following; the chronologies of the events were lost between the international engagements and the Vice Chancellors appointments. For example, International engagements II (1996 -2006) presented in Chapter 10 actually predated the pioneer Vice Chancellor Appointment (1988 -1995) in Chapter 12; the national service should have been broken into segments to reflect the presentation of the international engagements; there are few typographical errors and missing paragraphs and gaps in this important and historic book; there is no record of extra-curricular activities. But I know that Professor Idachaba does walking so well. For example, while he was the vice Chancellor at Kogi State University, Anyigba, climbing the 4-storey Senate building was so easy that the younger security staff had to run after him.
A Harvest Indeed!!!
The book plots the graph of Omowura’s youth, his musicality, family, the fatality of his early departure, and events that led to his death. From the lens of family, friends, his songs, and relics of people who interfaced with him while alive, a narrative is constructed here about the short life of music and society that Ayinla lived. He was a lay scholar, an ombudsman, autodidact, and carrier of the cultural burden of his Yoruba people. Having tasted life in pre and post-colony, the latter being a time when there was beginning to appear noticeable conflicts between traditional life and modernity, Ayinla taught with his music that the latter could only exist if the values of the former are embedded into it.
Having lived a rough life at youth and now, thrust to the top of society by fame and cash in his later life, Ayinla never recovered from the conflict this posed. He didn’t really realize the enormous roles expected of his catapult to the top of high society. This, in part, was responsible for his early tragic exit.
“This work is a national gift that could not have been more instructively timed,” states Prof. Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel laureate for literature, in his foreword to the book.
“There are books whose very handling must be done with heavily insulated gloves since, virtually every page sizzles with contradictions between attestable reality and impudent claims, attempts to cover past crimes and dodge responsibilities. Not so, this contribution from the Wise One of Ila-Orangun. If there is any sizzling, it is simply the fire of truth’s passion that leaps at the reader from between the covers. Akande’s fire purifies, being a flame of illumination carried over from real life to brighten the pages of a saga of service to Nigerian humanity.”
The book is the most comprehensive autobiography in recent times of a statesman of Akande’s national stature and public service experience, which spans almost half-a-century.
A must-read for lovers of political history, journalists, public affairs analysts, students of politics and mass communication, and all those who believe in a bright future for the Nigerian nation and Africa at large.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Chabri Tarfa was born in Garkida, Adamawa State of Nigeria, in 1941. A member of NMTC Course 5, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in October, 1963, and retired as a Major General in January 1988. General Tarfa has served in many units, including in the UN Peacekeeping forces in Congo, at the elite Federal Guards (now Brigade of Guards), as Provost Marshal of the Corp of the Military Police (MP) and as Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
A career Infantry officer, his actions at the Federal Guards in 1966 led to the frustration of the January 15 military coup; he served as Battalion Commander during the Nigerian Civil War and was military administrator of Oyo State from July 1978 to October 1979.
Following his retirement, he was appointed MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and later headed a nine-man panel to reorganize and restructure the Nigerian Customs and Excise. An avid golfer, General Paul Tarfa lives in Kaduna where he enjoys the company of his grandchildren and works on his poultry and citrus farm. He holds the traditional title of Yeriman Garkida.