By Monday Eze
In the minds of all the people who had their childhood within the period between 1980 and early 2000, the NTA Sunday evening show - Tales by the Moonlight, will remain indelible. Created by the then NTA Director of Programmes, Victoria Ezeokoli, as the African version of the US children's Sesame Street show, Tales by Moonlight was developed, produced and directed by Nkem Oseloka-Orakwue who often played the role of the narrator. The strength of Tales by Moonlight lied in the recreation of the African tradition of storytelling, using characters dressed in animal costumes to recreate fables, folklore and legends which espoused integrity, diligence, humility and other virtues. For over three decades, this show, even though originally meant for children, ruled the airwaves and drew a large audience including youths, young parents and even grand parents across the entire gamut of Nigeria's ethnic spread.
The importance of storytelling goes beyond entertainment. The art of storytelling has come handy in all climes and at all times as a veritable means of preserving history, promoting cultural heritages and propagating virtues from one generation to another. This is why modern technologies have been deployed to enhance the art of storytelling and serve as storehouses wherein stories are preserved for posterity.
From the defunct Eastern Nigeria till the old Enugu and Abia States from which Ebonyi State was created in 1996, the story of Ebonyi people, especially the Abakaliki bloc which constitutes two-thirds of the state, has never been properly told. The fact was that the rest of Nd'Igbo manipulated the current of western civilization which came through the sea routes against Ebonyi people. Replicating the predatory superiority complex and bias of the Western missionaries and traders, the rest of Nd'Igbo crafted narratives that painted the Abakaliki, nay Ebonyi man, with primitive tar. For instance, in archived chronicles of iconic kings of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, one finds biographies of Obi James Okosi, King Onyeama of Eke etc in rosy colours. As one turns to the chapter of the courageous, visionary and patriotic Abakaliki king - Nwiboko Obodo - the pattern dramatically changes. One discovers that narrators literally dressed Nwiboko Obodo in the costumes of carnivores and frantically demonized him as if his life was all about flaws and no virtues. Yet, it was the selfsame Nwiboko Obodo that welcomed the Catholic Church into Abakaliki land, facilitated the establishment of the first primary and secondary schools in the entire Abakaliki land, as well as the foremost Mile 4 hospitals! These warped complexes and biases have continued to generate unwholesome narratives about Ebonyi State and; in spite of efforts geared at pushing them back.
The afore-stated situation demanded, someone who would stand in the gap of truth, beam the dazzling rays of tremendous development recorded in Ebonyi State by her heroes and heroines, and project Ebonyi people's character of honour and integrity and land of premium minerals which culminate in the glory of young, virile and promising "Salt of the Nation" to the world. Prof. Chike Onwe - one of Ebonyi finest human endowments before whom words genuflect, a professor of strategic communications, former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi State and, presently, the orator of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki - currently stands in that gap. Prof. Onwe is telling the dispassionate Ebonyi Story through the prism of truth, under daylight, and in book form.
The book entitled, "From Shadows to Stardom: The Story of Ebonyi State", is the inspiring true story of a people who refused to be defined by where they came from or to be cowed by warped narratives maliciously weaved around them; but rather dared to dream of where they could go and took robust actions designed to work their dream into reality and bring themselves into stardom!
As the blurb indicates, "From the struggles of a marginalised region to the triumphs of a rising state, this book chronicles Ebonyi's transformation - its challenges, its vision, its leaders, and its people. It is a story of resilience, unity, and the power of belief in a better tomorrow".
For the good people of Ebonyi State and all men of goodwill who choose to thread the tough Nigerian society with the banners of lawful determination and optimism, the book of Ebonyi Story is not just a good book. It is a symbol of the triumph of grit, diligence, resilience and the collective will. The book represents a new dawn of emancipation and development wherein premium opportunities beckon on Ebonyi people. The book is Ebonyi story told in Ebonyi voice!
This book, "From Shadows to Stardom: The Story of Ebonyi State", which has been adopted by Ebonyi people as their legacy, is largely seen as an anniversary gift from Prof. Chike Onwe to Ebonyi people. The book which public presentation in Abakaliki shall be chaired by the former president of the Nigerian Senate, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on September 29, 2026 has formed part of the prelude to the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State.
It is well with Ebonyi State!
