By Uche Onyeali
Former senator who represented Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Senator Ben Ndi Obi has frowned at the rate at which Nigerian youths currently jettison hard work for easier and obnoxious path to success.
Senator Obi, who spoke at the launch of a book titled 'Providence & Grace, The Journey of My Life,' an author biography of Chief Sir Emmanuel Nwofor, the Eze Udo of Awka and former staff of the African Development Bank, AfDB.
Chief Nwofor, popularly known as Ambassador, served in various international organisations, including the World Health Organisation, WHO, and the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, before his retirement recently.
Speaking at the launch of his author biography which took place at the M&M Event Centre, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, Senator Obi, who was the chairman of the occasion, eulogised the humanitarian as an excellent public servant who put humanity and community development ahead of personal gains.
He said Sir Nworfor's ability in putting chronicling his experiences and services in a excellent book to help others on how to coordinate their life and endeavours for self anf societal growth indicated a well coordinated and organised man with humanity at heart.
"Let me begin on a note of commendation and praises to my dear brother, Eze Udo Awka, for making an effort to document his life, career, family and relationships in a book.
"Even though not originally from the academia, to embark on the rigorous academic journey of writing an autobiography is highly commendable.
"I have huge interest in this book, not just because it's an autobiography of a dear brother, but for the fact the book chronicles the life of a man who rose from a dint of grace and hard work to prominence and reckoning, especially attaining such height in his career as staff of the prestigious AfDB, from a very humble beginning. To me it's that inspiring.
"In our today's society where hard work and grace is often downplayed, especially among our teeming youths who now resort to all manner of vices, elevating mediocrity on their pathway to success in career and destiny, this book serves as a vista of opportunities capable of altering the rogue belief system that out youths usually thread in the course of fulfilling destiny and career in the journey of life.
"I am also thrilled, perhaps, where I was mentioned in this book, in Chapter 10, detailing his days as president of the Igbo Union in Cote d'Ivoire. On that note, let me thank my brother, Eze Udo, for remembering the role I played in ensuring that prominent Igbo sons were able to grace the Igbo Day celebration in Cote d'Ivoire during his reign as president of Igbo Community in that country.
"While I'm doing all these, the driving force was never to receive any accolade, but I was driven by that brotherly love of seeing an Awka man succeed as president of Ndi Igbo in faraway Core d'Ivoire. I am glad he discharged his duties as president of Ndi Igbo in Cote d'Ivoire meritoriously, bringing peace to a fragmented Igbo Union, which today earned him his flagship title as Eze Udo.
So, today is not just a day to launch a book, but a day to celebrate the meritorious life my brother has lived. It is actually a life of impact and tremendous career exploit spanning up to three decades," Senator Obi said.
In his review of the book, Prof. A.U. Nnonyelu described the book as well-written, noting that it was a true life story of "a with an unparallel love for humanity and embodiment of peace and goodwill."
Nnonyelu, a professor of Industrial Sociology and Labour Relations, described the author as "a quintessential gentleman and an exemple of what public service means."
For the author, he said the book captured all the indices of where determination leads.
Nwofor added that the showcased that no failure when a man is determined, believes in God, remains upright and works hard.
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