ICPC, Nwaubani combat fraud with literature
The occasion was the monthly “My Book and I” session jointly organised by the Write Squad, featuring students of various secondary schools in Abuja, and the ICPC. It held at the ICPC auditorim. Adaobi’s first novel, I Do Not Come to You by Chance, which won the 2010 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Africa Region, was […]
The occasion was the monthly “My Book and I” session jointly organised by the Write Squad, featuring students of various secondary schools in Abuja, and the ICPC. It held at the ICPC auditorim.
Adaobi’s first novel, I Do Not Come to You by Chance, which won the 2010 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Africa Region, was the subject of discourse among the students over the month and they had the opportunity to raise questions and comments on it before the author.
The auditorium was packed full with students and lovers of literature who came to see Adaobi read from her book which exposes the underbelly of the 419 business in Nigeria. And when the writer, in her trademark gold locks, mounted the rostrum, it was to a resounding applause.
She spoke about corruption and advocated a long term approach to solving the problem rather than arbitrarily arresting offenders. She said a lot needs to be done to change the psyche of corrupt people and those with corrupt tendencies in the country.
Reading from her book, Adaobi described how a gullible Kingsley, her lead character, is recruited by his infamous uncle and 419 kingpin, Cash Daddy, into the scam trade, drawing both laughter and awe from her audience. They roundly applauded when she was through.
Reviewing the novel, students from various secondary schools, who had before hand had the opportunity to read and critique the book in their separate schools, mounted the podium to commend the writer on her work and air their views on it.
Many of the reviewers felt the work was timely and goes a long way in exposing the lives of the 419ners, some, however, played up aspects of the book that did not quite go down well with them. Most of them agree with the book that poverty breeds corruption and fraudsters, and that something needs to be done to curb the trend.
However, one student stunned the hall by toeing a radical line. Chisom Nwakama of GSS Garki identified the bad guy of the novel, Cash Daddy, as her hero and said she was charmed by his dishonest ways. She eloquently informed the audience, right there in the heart of the ICPC, that she was simply waiting for an opportunity to reap off other people’s sweat.
Even her admirers winced at her boldness, while the writer and ICPC officials flinched. Many others had a good laugh. Regardless, those who read the book would agree that indeed Cash Daddy is a most interesting character and his antics and mannerism brought the book to life.
Responding to questions from the floor, Adaobi emphasised the importance of the fight against scam and encouraged the students to work hard rather than rely on fraud to enrich themselves. She encouraged the students to look inward and develop whatever talent they have in them.
She explained her motivation for writing the book saying, “the novel came before the story” because she made up her mind to write a novel before the idea of the story came.
Earlier, in his speech, the secretary of the ICPC, Mr. Elvis Oglafa decried the poor reading culture among students nowadays, saying, “Reading has become a problem in society. If we don’t reactivate reading, Nigeria will be no more.”
He urged corporate bodies to invest more in building public libraries rather than focus on frivolous pursuits that do not develop the intellect of the people.
Convener of the monthly “My Book and I” session, Mr. Jerry Adesewo of the Write Squad, thanked the author for making time to attend the event and thanked the students for their active participation. He also thanked the ICPC for sponsoring the March edition of the programme.
The programme closed with book signings by the author.