Book Presentation: Dr. Batos Nwadike Unveils From The Eye Of The Mind To The Public Amid Commendations

BOOK PRESENTATION: DR. BATOS NWADIKE UNVEILS FROM THE EYE OF THE MIND TO THE PUBLIC AMID COMMENDATION

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Owerri, Imo State.

At the serene but luxurious and classy Protea Hotel, Owerri; a pan -Nigerian political scientist, boardroom strategist, pro- democracy social crusader, scholar, chartered politician and former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Dr. Batos Nwadike, on Thursday, January 12, 2023, invited his family members, friends, political associates and numerous well wishers to the book launch of his intellectual work: ” From The Eye Of The Mind. “

The well written 256 page book, is a mind- blowing compendium about his thoughts on political power, Igbo presidency and leadership.

According to the book reviewer, Dr. Ugochukwu Iwuji, the piece is the latest intellectual effort by Dr. Batos Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland); as he took time to critically x-ray the pre -independence, independence and post independence political trajectory of the Igbo nation, their almost elusive search for trusted leadership, self discovery and the need for political emancipation through the agitations of some separatist groups like; Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) under Chief Barr. Ralph Uwazuruike and today, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The steadfastness and unwavering commitment of Dr. Batos Nwadike in his fight for equal participation , fairness and social justice for the Igbo nation using Igbo pan- socio-cultural groups like: Ozuruigbo and ObiIgbo alongside an established Igbo entrepreneur and business mogul from Ihioma-Orlu, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize -Chukwu, is a loud testimony that Oyi of Igboland as he is popularly called , has been around over the years with his strategic but less publicized role during their ‘NADECO Struggle ‘ inorder to enthrone democracy in Nigeria, which people are now celebrating.

While the book captured the concerted efforts of prominent Igbo leaders like the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe in the 50s, 60s and late 70s, using his political activities in the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), to unite the country and make his Igbo kinsmen to be an integral part of the Nigerian government; the late Dr. Alex Ifeanyi Ekwueme followed suit with his G-34 Group that fought the late dictator -Gen. Sani Abacha to a standstill. At the birth of the current Democratic dispensation in 1999, the Igbos followed Dr. Alex Ekwueme as the new leader of the Igbo nation and maintained their stand with the PDP until Chief Chekwas Okorie and the late Dim Odiemegwu Emeka Ojukwu introduced the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the new alternate regional political platform for ndi Igbo to have a voice in the contraption called Nigeria.

Despite the search for true leaderhip, unfortunately, there is no concrete and poignant narrative of a clear leadership for the Igbo nation as brothers are killing brothers, kidnapping kinsmen for ransom, burning down of houses and other public facilities just to prove a point which has set the South East back as her economy is on the edge of precipice.

Beyond the above, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel as the call for a new oder and paradigm shift in leadership resonates once again with the emergence of Mr. Peter Obi , Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the February 25, 2023, general elections. The way forward, according to Dr. Batos Nwadike; the author of From The Eye Of The Mind, is for men and women of good conscience to rise up to demand for a NEW ORDER. This new order according to the author is exemplified by what Peter Gregory Obi, who is running for President, Chief Charles Ahize, who is running for Orlu Senate, Prince Chikwem Onuoha; who is running for Okigwe North Federal Constituency, Hon. Collins Ezenwa Illo , who is running for Ohaji|Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency, among others , are doing in the Labour Party through the Obi-dient Movement that has been enjoying organic supports across the country and around the world.

Speaking during the book public presentation, the rave of the moment and Labour Party’s frontline candidate for Orlu Senatorial zone, Distinguished Chief Charles Ahize: who is the special guest of honour at the book launch, recalled in nostalgia how he and Dr. Batos Nwadike as young Igbo activists in their early 30s founded a powerful socio-cultural and political group called ‘OBIGBO’ in 1995; as a catalyst to advocate for equity, fairness and justice for the Igbo nation in the Nigerian political milieu.

While commending the author, Batos Nwadike, for not compromising their agitation for mere pittance and remnant that fall from the table of the Nigerian government at the time; Chief Ahize who has been tipped as the next Orlu Senator, maintained that Oyi of Igboland is a dependable and trusted political ally for any good cause, challenging young people to imbibe the Igbo Can-Do Spirit.

Hon. Chief Ozioma Dede Njoku, Chairman of the occasion; who was unavoidably absent but dynamically represented by Prof. Emmanuel Ibekwe, while eulogizing the intellectual efforts of Dr. Batos Nwadike, emphasized on the need for a proper documentation of the rich tapestry of political experience of the author, Nwadike.

While an ‘Iroko Tree ‘ is not hidden in the big forest; a rather calm, calculated , simple , amiable but maverick business man and lawyer, Chief Barr. Chinedu Anyaehie, a co-luncher at the book public presentation unveiled the intellectual work of Dr. Batos Nwadike with a mind- blowing sum to the chagrin of other invited guests.

Coming all the way from Nwangele LGA with a show of love, support and solidarity for their illustrious son, Batos Chikezie Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland); the Umueze Umuorlu -Isu Women Cultural Dance Group led by Mrs. Gladys Ajaero, delivered beautiful rendition as they entertained the invited guests and other diginatries with their cultural songs.

Commending the author , Batos Nwadike , for his intellectual work, a rather stylish, cerebral and clinical respected community leader and elder statesman in Imo State, Chief Tony Gray Okpe (T.G), maintained that true Progressives and intellectuals in Nigeria and around the world would identify with the contents, great ideas and force of arguments espoused in the book – From The Eye Of The Mind, by the author, Batos Nwadike.

Barr. Ozioma Nwadike, a Lagos based lawyer and businessman; first son of the author -Dr. Batos Nwadike, went back memory lane as he relished fond memories of early pro- democracy struggle of his father during their days of activism for social change in Nigeria, in the early 90s and later year 2000, to the admiration of his now proud mother and wife of the book author, Lolo Edith Nwadike.

The media lens of 4th Estate Reporters, official Media Coverage for the book launch as anchored by Njoku Macdonald Obinna, captured a number of important guests at the event; which included but not limited to:

His Lordship, Bishop Kingsley Innocent (Talk na Do), High Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize , Labour Party’s candidate for Orlu Senatorial Zone, Hon. Dr. C.C. Osuala -DG, Charles Ahize Senatorial Campaign Organisation, Chief Barr. Chinedu Anyaehie, Engr. Humphrey Amara Anyiam, Hon. Collins Illo, Prince Ugomike Enwerem (CEO, Sun Farming Nigeria Ltd), Noble Chief Anthony Uzor Oguguo (Igolo Igwe Isu) with amiable wife, Crown Prince Okey Okoro (Kapito), Mr. Amby Uneze – Imo State Correspondent, ThisDay Newspapers, Hon. Chief Lawrence Onyewuchi (Ajantu Isu), Hon. Jennifer Oguzie , Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Babatunde Oni, among other important diginatries that may not be mentioned here for want of space.

No doubt, the book launch was a huge success as the rich attendance and support was a strong pointer in the genuine commitment of the pro- democracy social crusader, scholar, and political strategist, Dr. Batos Nwadike; in his onerous efforts to ensure an egalitarian society where every tribe in Nigeria is accommodated despite different tongues, language nuances, religion, ethnicity and geo- political zones

Njoku Macdonald Obinna; Eye Witness Reporter |Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters; is a Media Consultant and PR- Expert