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Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, will grace the public presentation of a new book that reflects on Nigeria’s political, social and leadership evolution over the past three decades.
The book, The Pain and the Promise: Insights and Fragments on Nigeria and People, Public and Personal (1990–2025), written by communications strategist, public policy analyst and member of the THISDAY Editorial Board, Paul Nwabuikwu, will be unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja.
A statement issued on Saturday said Okonjo-Iweala will attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour, while Chidoka will chair the occasion. The Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, will review the book.
The publication is a collection of essays, commentaries, analytical articles, poems and a short story spanning more than three decades. It explores Nigeria’s socio-political journey while reflecting on issues of leadership, citizenship, justice, memory and hope.
In the foreword, Professor Moses Ochonu of Vanderbilt University described the book as a blend of “exquisite prose styling, poetic word crafting, piercing sociopolitical commentary and deep philosophical reflection.”
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According to him, Nwabuikwu’s experience in journalism, public service and corporate communications has enabled him to document and interpret some of the defining moments in Nigeria’s contemporary history.
The book revisits key episodes in the country’s history, including the Nigerian Civil War, military rule, democratic transition and governance. It also offers perspectives on personalities such as Nelson Mandela, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chinua Achebe, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, General Sani Abacha and Burna Boy.
It also highlights the stories of lesser-known individuals whose experiences became part of Nigeria’s national conversation, including Bello Jangebe, whose case under Zamfara State’s Sharia law attracted international attention.
The unveiling is expected to attract senior government officials, diplomats, academics, media executives, business leaders, civil society representatives and lovers of literature.
