Day governor’s wife let out ‘An abundance of Scorpions’

This week has been one of multiple literary events, the kind Abuja will not forget in a hurry. On February 1, the public presentation of ‘An Abundance of Scorpions,’ a novel by Hadiza Isma El-Rufai (wife of the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai) caused heavy traffic leading to the venue, the ShehuMusaYar’adua Centre in Wuse, […]

This week has been one of multiple literary events, the kind Abuja will not forget in a hurry. On February 1, the public presentation of ‘An Abundance of Scorpions,’ a novel by Hadiza Isma El-Rufai (wife of the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai) caused heavy traffic leading to the venue, the ShehuMusaYar’adua Centre in Wuse, Abuja.

Perhaps few people may have expected what lay in store inside Yar’adua Centre, and interestingly, it wasn’t an event of many speeches, but an evening of an abundance of entertainment. 

Just like most book presentations, there was a review, in this case by Ngozi Osu Anene, goodwill messages and so on. But what made this event most memorable, aside the fact that a governor’s wife was the author and the unique title of her book, was the short film based on the book by filmmaker and writer, Lilian Byoma, a theatre presentation by Deihlar Musa, a and a dance performance, among others. 

The short film based on the novel began and ended in a single scene, yet due to the engaging dialogue by its central character, Tambaya and her brother, Aminu, viewers were left thirsting for more. Then there was the dance drama directed by Uche Onah and Deihlar’s emotional theatre performance.

When Hadiza El-Rufai mounted the stage it was the moment for her book chat anchored by Olaokun Soyinka. She talked about the validation that comes with being published and how she wanted to show the north in a particular light. 

Governor El-Rufai, in his speech, described his wife as “incredibly clever,” and said, “I wouldn’t be surprised tomorrow if she goes for a Masters in Nuclear Physics. She’s very creative and I love her very much. I have very little doubt in my mind that by the grace of God, she will be the female Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe combined.”

He pointed out that they had come a long way since August 1976 and thanked his wife for all the support she has given him, as well as people who graced the occasion. 

Dignitaries at the event included Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA)and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, who launched the book with N10 million. Also, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Direcor General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (AN), Malam Denja Abdullahi,  a former chief justice of Nigeria, Malam Mohammad Lawal Uwais, among several others.

The book launch also turned out to be a gathering of first ladies with wife of Sokoto State Governor, Hajiya Mairo Aliyu Waziri in attendance, wife of Gombe State Governor, Hajiya Adama Dankwambo, Zamfara State’sHajiya Asmau Yari and Nasarawa State’s Dr. Mairo Tanko Almakura. There was also Special Adviser to the President for Social Protection, Hajiya Maryam Uwais.

‘An Abundance of Scorpions’ is the story of Tambaya who leaves Kano for Accra to live with her brother, Aminu after a horrific tragedy. Mrs. El-Rufai was inspired to write the story from her experience with orphans after working with an NGO at an orphanage in Karu.

Renowned author Helon Habila, author of ‘The Chibok Girls’ has described Mrs. El-Rufai’s work as “both a heartbreaking tale of loss and an uplifting story of a woman’s strength and determination to overcome whatever obstacles life throws in her path, written in clear, direct prose.”

Leila Aboulela, author of ‘The Kindness of Enemies’ said it is “A clear-eyed, well-paced novel written with warmth and confidence. Muslim women protagonists are scarce and it is exciting to be in the company of Tambaya, a strong heroine we can embrace, one who is easy to identify with, to root for and to admire.”

Other authors like Richard Ali (City of Memories) described it as “Acutely imagined and cleverly executed, ‘An Abundance of Scorpions’ tells Tambaya’s story of loss and what the human spirit is capable of when it summons the strength to live again and to rise.”

For Odafe Atogun, author of ‘Taduno’s Song’ and ‘Wake Me When I’m Gone,’ Mrs. El-Rufai’s book is, “A bold and riveting story of love and family tragedy, told through the tender voice of a heroine who found strength and hope in the abyss of loss. The narrative redefines love as a bond that connects two souls, long after they have been separated by death.”

This week, two other literary events lit up Abuja. There was Todd Moss’s (a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under Condoleeza Rice) public presentation of his crime thriller novel, ‘The Shadow List’, inspired by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). 

In addition was filmmaker and writer, Onyeka Nwelue’s launch of his novel, ‘The Beginning of Everything Colourful’, and the very next day, his book party, also a birthday party celebrated with renown Nigerian singer, Onyeka Onwenu who shares the same birth day.