Five books in honour of Patrick Ityohegh; Nigerian Television Authority’s most colourful DG

A meteorite, a multiple layered star, broadcast administrator par excellence, humour merchant, naturalist, television producer, Anchor, one time General Manager of NTA  Makurdi and NTA’s first Director, National Production Services before becoming NTA’s  Director-General  in 1996 and one of the nation’s  greatest television personalities, the man known to us all as Mr Patrick Ityohegh died […]

A meteorite, a multiple layered star, broadcast administrator par excellence, humour merchant, naturalist, television producer, Anchor, one time General Manager of NTA  Makurdi and NTA’s first Director, National Production Services before becoming NTA’s  Director-General  in 1996 and one of the nation’s  greatest television personalities, the man known to us all as Mr Patrick Ityohegh died recently aged 76. 

He will be remembered for moving the NTA Headquarters to Abuja, in addition to his comedic stint as the anchor of one of NTA’s most ironic discussion programmes, Sunny Side of life; a spoof on our ethnicity and a call to unity. Mr Ityohegh was a role model to many of us and we looked up to him in many ways. He was also creatively quirky with one linerslike, “Good morning in the morning” among others that remain etched in the NTA lexicon for all time.

 A good talent hunter, Mr Ityohegh was among those who redefined my career, giving me several opportunities which gave me a platform to soar all these years. I am, as many are, indebted to him in many ways.

I called him Uncle P and spoke to him just a couple of weeks before his passing. My condolences to his family, especially his wife and children. We have lost a gem, a television colossus and an icon. 

This is a collection in his honour for all the many parts he represented. He would be sorely missed. Following his burial on May 5th, this is my way of remembering him and paying tribute to a man who inspired us all.A man who was deeply cultural, loved his nation and loved his TIV nation. A truly patriotic Nigerian.

Adieu Uncle P! Rest in Peace.

All the talk is dead by Michael Ebner:  I have recommended this book in Mr Ityohegh’s honour because of his funny personality. There was always something to laugh about; he always had a joke under his sleeve; for drivers, for producers and ordinary people on the street. Every time he visited NTA, which was very rare, he attracted a large group of staff, big and small,who would greet him warmly and then listen to his humour. Always Uncle P cracked everyone up. This book by a comedic writer therefore, is a fitting tribute.

This book is filled with laugh-out-loud lines and dialogue.  As the story goes, hotel concierge, Joel Wilson, has recently befriended the lobby pianist, Wade Farley and his path will soon change in ways he could never have imagined. Both have talent, ambition and big plans for other careers; Joel to be a film director and Wade to make it as a musician. But they’ll need to go to great lengths to cut through the competition. Their scheme to hit the big time takes them to New York and kick-starts a dangerous game. Underestimating music mogul Lance Martin makes it a deadly one. He’s the reason one hit wonders vanish from the face of the earth.Highly recommended.

2) The giving tree by Shel Silverstein: This book is in honour of Mr Ityohegh’s generous spirit. Always willing to give, laughter, gifts, time. He was particularly loved by younger officers in the system. From this recommended book then comes an interesting entrée:

“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.”

So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offer an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return. What an incredible book and a wonderful tribute to a man who gave irrespective of your size or social status.

3) One simple act: Discovering the power of generosity by Debbie Macomber: Patrick Ityohegh was always trying to make the world a better place; one person at a time and inspite of having friends in high places, continued to generously give of himself. And what about the pepper soup he served non-stop at his home most evenings. It did not matter who you were. Uncle P’s pepper soup was served to everyone who visited. Here then is another book on generosity to celebrate Uncle Patrick. One simple act: Discovering the Power of Generosity is a fantastic book for paying tribute to this man who had a charitable heart. 

What if you, personally, could make the world a better place…by tomorrow?

Debbie Macomber knows the secret to doing exactly that! In a world that seems too often stingy and grudging, she has witnessed how one simple act of generosity can yield unforeseen miracles.

 In this book, you will discover, through true stories what happens when we commit intentional acts of generosity. Lives are changed in ways we never envisioned. Come with Debbie late one evening through the checkout line at the grocery store. Visit a Midwestern train station. Discover the link between a submarine, a few bread crumbs, and some minnows. Visit ancient Galilee as a young boy volunteers his fishes and loaves to Jesus only to see his meager gift multiplied many times over to feed five thousand. Listen in on a touching phone call with an elderly widow. You will stand amazed at what God accomplishes when we make ourselves available through simple acts of generosity.

This blend of true stories and motivating messages will delight and surprise you as you discover how giving the gifts of time, encouragement, hope, laughter, prayer, hospitality, service, and even forgiveness can have a lasting life-changing impact, not only on the recipient of such gifts but on the giver as well.

Debbie Macomber, through the power of story, invites us to live with open hands, offering who we are and what we have to God, to use in the lives of others. When we do so, lives-including ours-change in ways we couldn’t have imagined. All it takes is one simple act and more often than not, Mr Ityohegh understood it.

5) I don’t mean to be rude, but…: Back Stage Gossip from American Idol & the Secret that can make you a star by Simon Cowell

There are many things about Simon Cowell that reminds me of Uncle P. His dream to make a success of everything he touches, his out of the box thoughts for entertainment and his quirkiness. Under Patrick Ityohegh, both as DG and Producer, many new programmes were introduced. On his own, he was a true entertainer on and off screen.In this book by Simon Cowell, we pay tribute to Patrick Ityohegh the entertainer.

Do you have what it takes to be a star? Simon Cowell reveals the answer and takes you behind the scenes of American Idol in this wickedly entertaining tell-all.

Since the debut of American Idol, puckish Brit judge Simon Cowell has become America’s most notorious critic-not only on account of his incredible instinct for spotting the next breakout musical stars, but for his hilarious, shockingly candid repartee with everyone who crosses his path. Now, true to form, he holds nothing back, offering you a backstage pass to America’s hottest show-the highlights, the gossip, the contestants who blew their chances-and takes you on a whirlwind tour of the music business while sharing his own insider opinions on everything.

From his days in the mailroom at EMI Records to the creation of American Idol, Simon has always had a knack for judging talent-and for being center stage. Here, he tells the rollicking stories of his first music criticism (to first-grade teacher Mrs. Prigg), and his first image makeover (on his unfortunate younger brother). And of course, the side-splitting backstory of the birth of American Idol-and all the dreadful auditions, bad hair days, judges’ squabbles, juicy rumors, surprise triumphs, and #1 singles that followed.