NNAUSA CONVENTION IN NEW YORK A REVELATION DAY

Governor Ikpeazu with Hon. Uchendu Precious

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha ( Special Correspondent Spain )

NNAUSA  CONVENTION IN NEW YORK A REVELATION DAY

It was the gathering of a nation; it was the gathering of a race. It was the meeting of a united people. They are people of one parent spread all over the world. They came from all nations. They spoke in one tongue. They sang with one voice. They ate from one pot. They had one love one hope, one God and one destiny. They have a history; they know their 

history and they know where they came from. They have a story and they told their story. They have their origin. They are people of God’s own state, in God’s own country. They have a song, they sang their song, the Lords song  in God’s own country. They had a gathering, there gathering was like the gathering of the mighty waters. They soared like an eagle, they rose like mighty ocean, they roared like the lion, they danced and made a joyful noise. They have an identity, they are called, The Ngwa United State Association (NNAUSA). They had a sermon from the preacher, a street sweeper a leader and the governor after God’s own heart in the gospel according to Ikpeazu  1: 1-3, at the sermon in Stamford, Connecticut saying;

Verse 1

Come let us build this house

Blow your trumpet loudly because if you don’t blow your trumpet nobody will blow it for you.

Tell people that there is something beautiful about our place

Talk about our place gloriously

We are not of the king’s court

We should not be too comfortable of the king’s court.

Verse 2 

It is important to be loyal to ruler ship but most importantly to God

For success to come, opportunity has to meet with preparation

Consultation is very important in whatever we are doing as it is important for all of us to pull in one direction. If we don’t pull in one direction, we may not understand the threatening situation.

Verse 3

If we are not strong spiritually, there is little or nothing we can do physically.

Kings will not sleep over your circumstances.

The time to battle for the restoration of our land is here. And the little ones in our care may be called to the kings table anytime.

The event was the 24^th NNAUSA annual convention in New York at the suburb of Stamford, Connecticut USA. This epoch event held on September 4 -7^th was another day for the Ngwa people all over the globe. The setting was unique, the guests were special, the organization was superb and the activities very scintillating. It had the trappings of a resurrection day as people were re united with family members and friends they have never seen for years. The highlights of the occasion include, the presentation of the book, “Our Story”, that talks about the history of the sojourn and exploits of the Ngwa people in USA and Nigeria, a rehearsal of the Aba women riot of 1929, an incident that ushered in freedom and liberty of women, not just women but triggered the fight for Nigeria’s independence. Award of honor to deserving Ngwa sons and daughters, cultural dance displays, folk stories and lots more.

It was a gathering of who is who in the Ngwa nation, the politicians, scientists, technocrats, inventors and the egg heads of the Ngwa nation were there. Among the dignitaries include, the Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Prof Achlilihu, a Scientists and the inventor of Kazar google for detection of cancer cells, Hon Theo Nkire, former Attorney General of Abia State, Dr. A.C.B Agbazuere, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy of Abia State and Dr. Nwabekee among others.

The dynamic leadership qualities of the NNAUSA executives led by the president, Boniface Onyebuchi Eguzowa, Chidimma Bryon (Vice President) and the amiable Kingsley U.Chigbu ( National Secretary) was second to none. The president presented an address of Goodwill and Fraternity focusing on the future Unity and Progress of the Ngwa nation.

The convention was a new dawn, a revelation of a new vision, solidarity, a new voice and hope for the Ngwa nation. Never before has there been the type of love and unity found among the people.

A REJOINDER ON ; A TRADE OF SHAME, OUR EMBASSIES - DASH COLLECTORS

Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special correspondent Spain)

A REJOINDER ON: A TRADE OF SHAME, OUR EMBASSIES - DASH COLLECTORS

SPANISH CITIZEN BLACKMAILING NIGERIA’S GOVERNMENT

According to the law of nations; each nation is a mistress of her own actions, when they do not affect the perfect right of others. Therefore, it is quite wrong for a Spanish citizen or a Spanish of Nigerian extract, for any reason to blackmail or insult the Nigerian Embassy, and the Nigerian government through misleading, provocative, and ridiculous publications aimed at inciting Nigerians to chaos, stirring up ethnic strife, tarnishing the image of Nigeria, and bringing the good works of the Nigerian Ambassador to disrepute. And above all, putting Spain on a diplomatic collision course with Nigeria.

The recent publication in- The Sun newspaper literary review August 4, 2015 titled, “A Trade of Shame-Our Embassies, Dash Collectors” by a Spanish lady, Helen Mukoro shows how some Nigerian journalists fall short of verifying facts before putting pen to paper. Also how unpatriotic they could be to join hands with foreigners to smear the image of Nigeria their own country. It does not lay solely on the armed forces to defend Nigeria from internal and external incursions, aggressions to the territorial integrity of Nigeria. But to every patriotic Nigerian, we have a duty to defend our country from the bite of external tsetse flies and anopheles mosquitoes.

If any man should be proud or boast of his nationality, I should boast more. I am a Nigerian. A journalist, a watchdog, called, anointed and ordained under the order of Melchizedek to keep watch over my people, and in my watch I cannot remain passive when a citizen of another country insults and blackmail the image of Nigeria for any reason, just because her selfish and fraudulent decoys were not granted by the most transformed and best Nigerian mission in the world today.

The publication, “A Trade Of Shame -Our Embassies, Dash Collectors,” should rather be the reverse, Shame To a Spanish Confucionist –Fraudster, Whose Hopes Were Dashed. Helen Mukoro the author, by implication of her actions is rather a shame, disgrace and a disappointment to Spain. And to some disgruntled non well -meaning Nigerians who are in the background fanning up her embers as a champion of their cause. In as much as one does not condone crime and corruption, it is not peculiar to Nigeria but a societal problem which Spain also is enmeshed. I live in Spain, together with other well-meaning Nigerians here long ago to tell the history of the Nigerian embassy. And not Helen, who willingly threw away Nigerian nationality. Her action, publishing against the Nigerian embassy Spain is against the Spanish FAG law which prohibits their citizens to write articles against their government in the social media and other mediums. What she could not do in Spain she feels that Nigeria is a dumping ground for anyone to vomit what she likes, and go free. Her recent newspaper publications as gunning for the president of Spain is only media hype that ends in the pages of newspapers. And it is a scam and scheme designed to attract attention and intended for use to deceive and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. I am not against her ambition to be president of Spain if she can as a Spanish citizen but when it is used as a ploy to deceive and exploit Nigerians I will not support.

To avoid believing falsehoods, deceptions and falling prey to Helen’s fraudulent schemes, it’s important Nigerians in Spain and beyond know the truth about her. And for those who may be deceived to think that she is acting for the interest of Nigerians, in Spain, no its far from the truth, it’s not for her love for Nigeria at all, because if you love Nigeria, you will not renounce it for another country, but because her selfish demands and intent to defraud the Nigerian embassy in Spain were not granted she resorted to a war of vendetta against the embassy.

Owing to her outrage through the social media on May 3, 2015 insulting and blackmailing the governments of Nigeria, investigations were made to know who she is and the reason behind her actions. From information gathered, Helen Mukoro who has the knack for media publicity at all cost, willingly renounced her Nigerian nationality for Spain. Before now, she has thrived in using her familiarity with Nigeria and the Nigerian embassy in Spain to organize dubious award seminars and shady foreign investment deals that ended up exploiting and defrauding her victims, including top media practitioners, highly placed individuals, and wives of some top Nigerian legislators. She has had a field’s day in her nefarious activities in the past before the coming of the recently recalled ambassador who changed the scenario and said No, it can’t continue like that.

From a reliable source, this is the declaration Helen made on renunciation of her Nigerian nationality.

RENUNCIATION OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP

Helen Mukoro Idisi, a native of Nigeria who became a naturalized Spanish citizen

in September 16, 2013 (dual citizenship in Spain is not allowed by law to

Nigerian nationals. I renounced my Nigerian Citizenship at the Spanish Civil

Registry in Denia, Alicante, December 16, 2013). ..

I have since surrendered my Nigerian passport and notified the Nigerian

Embassy in person … that I have renounced my Nigerian

citizenship… Just in case you did not keep records of my passport, attached copy

I have lived continuously in Spain since October 1992. This letter sent to your

… is to notify again the Nigerian Embassy by

letter of today, June 19, 2015, that I have renounced my Nigerian citizenship and

ask you destroy copy of my Nigerian passport …

On March 11, 2014, I was issued a Spanish passport by the Spanish government.

The passport … is valid to March 11, 2024. I have no intent to

reacquire a Nigerian passport.

I intend to reside permanently in Spain. My fifteen year old son, Richard Cabo

Mukoro, was born in Spain to a Spanish Citizen, and have never been to Nigeria…

I have voted in the last Local and State government election in Spain since I became a

citizen. I ran for the seat of Mayor as a Spanish Citizen, May 24, 2015.

I respect what Spain stands for, and “I cannot choose Nigeria over Spain . . . .”.

My loyalty, my choice will always remain that of Spain, its Honor, because of what

this country stands for. I am here today because of the freedom, good system of

democracy, the good life, the due process, the rule of law, etc....

I pay my taxes here in Spain, I’ve done everything a citizen ought to do. And I

respect what this country stands for, and I thank God for what this country made

me become.

I grew up here. I learned the ways. I went to school here. And I would absolutely

never take security and the defense of this country lightly. It is far greater than

any individual. It’s greater than my parents. It’s greater than my son. I feel a

sense of pride in contributing to the national growth of Spain.

I convincingly made the choice to become a Spanish citizen, to live and die here

(“I tell my son, if I die tomorrow, bury me here because I want the Spanish flag

draped over my coffin.”). I'll never visit Nigeria again…

I ask you, Her Excellency, The Nigerian Ambassador to Spain to act as your oath of

office behoves you: I'm no more a Nigerian citizen, destroy copy of my Nigerian

passport, and register my renunciation of my Nigerian Citizenship. …

Helen Mukoro Idisi…”

“You cannot eat your cake and have it” what else is she looking for from Nigeria after she renounced it. It’s like a dog going back to eat its vomits. If Nigeria is bad it’s left for Nigerian citizens to fight for their cause. As she declared her avowed love for her country Spain, so do I love Nigeria together with all well-meaning Nigerians in Spain? I am a proud Nigerian citizen and I have confidence in Nigeria. I pledged to Nigeria, my country to be faithful, loyal and honest, to serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity and uphold her honor and glory wherever I may be. And I will not remain passive or turn blind eyes when the image of my own country is being smeared by a citizen of another country. “If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do? Do I shut my eyes? No! I take a stick and break his head”.

Is it not fraudulent and self-contradicting for somebody who renounced Nigerian nationality and take up Spanish citizenship to resort to Nigerian embassy to sponsor her political campaign in Spain? Here are the excerpts from a letter of complaint Helen Mukoro wrote to Nigerian embassy on April 29, 2015, complaining about the Embassy’s non response to her demand.

“ I would like to express my disappointment from your unsatisfactory level of service. I have expected much more from a prestigious and reputed country of our standard. I asked for moral and economic support at the Nigerian Embassy for my campaign but without reply…”

In the quoted letter, Helen presented a budget of 250,000 euros for the Embassy to finance her campaign in Spain. The Embassy declined her demand by letting her know that the Embassy is not authorized to finance election campaigns in Spain, Nigeria or anywhere in the world, as it is against international diplomatic regulations. Owing to the decline, she went on rampage and resorted to a campaign of calumny through the social media to blackmail, label corrupt allegations against the Nigerian government.

   “Is it ignorance that makes the rat attack the cat”?

The malicious articles, in the social media insulting and blackmailing the Nigerian government since May 3, and her latest publication of book review in the Sun newspaper, is the hallmark of insult and utter disrespect a sovereign nation  can tolerate from a citizen of another country. And I call on all well-meaning Nigerians everywhere to rise up and condemn this spat and slap on the face of Nigeria by the Spanish citizen.

 “He that knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep. Wake him”.

May I wake her up and others who may not know the implications and limits of what Spanish citizenship implies? Spain does not grant dual citizenship to Nigerians. By virtue of her status as a Spanish citizen, she is not a Nigerian anymore and cannot act as the mouthpiece of Nigerians. Doing that is to deceive her own conscience. And her actions amount to a serious breach of diplomatic protocol by attempting to spy on the activities of another nation and trying to extort money from a foreign mission to finance her political campaign, an act which is fraudulent and contrary to Spanish regulations.

“He that knows not, and knows that he knows not is a pupil. Teach him”.

Nigerians in Spain, it is diplomatically wrong for Spanish citizens to champion your cause. It is wrong for those that hold Spanish nationality to be leaders of Nigerian associations. I have to mention that because “If an idol becomes too troublesome, it will be shown the tree from which it was carved”.

I am a Nigerian citizen, and I feel insulted by the Spanish citizen’s actions, because I value the integrity of Nigeria. And as Nigerians, we have not surrendered our sovereignty to Spain or her citizen to champion our cause. Nigeria is for Nigerians. She abated crime by giving bribe, and today she has the audacity to expose herself and actions through misguided utterances. It is the behavior of one that knows full well that she is breaking the law. This venom targeted at Nigerian government is as a result of frustration that her selfish interest which amounts to extortion and fraud was not granted. Spain, please answer me. “When crocodiles eat their own eggs, what will they not do to the flesh of a frog?”

“He that knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him”

Her actions clearly acknowledge that she has prepared herself to become discredited, isolated, pariah, and persona non grata to Nigeria. And I call on the Nigerian government not to hesitate to report her nefarious activities to the appropriate authorities in Spain. Also, I appeal to Spain to call her citizen, who may be unaware that she is dwelling in “ignorance is bliss” state, to order and tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian government as to forestall any diplomatic row this reckless publications and  behaviour may cause.

CRISIS IN MALAGA AS NIGERIAN COMMUNITY ELECTIONS POSTPONED

CRISIS IN MALAGA AS NIGERIAN COMMUNITY ELECTIONS POSTPONED

Many Nigerians living in Málaga Spain have expressed dismay in the way and manner the Nigerian Community Málaga election scheduled to hold on Saturday, 12^th September, 2015 was postponed. The postponement of the election came to the notice of Nigerians just 2 days to the election till further notice.

Nigerians have also criticized the past executives for refusing to hand over all association’s documents, including the association’s CIF to the electoral committee, thereby preventing the electoral committee in conducting a free and fair election.

The president of the association, Ndubuisi Orji, who is presently in the United Kingdom, has argued that all documents regarding the association has been handed over to the vice president,. Ekiomoado Frederick Amayo. Frederick on his part said he has refused to hand over the documents to the electoral committee because there are some vital positions still pending which need to be filled before conducting an election.

Frederick  has used that as the reason to work with the electoral committee’s president, Pastor Frederick Idahosa in making sure the Manifesto Night was cancelled. The electoral committee has sent a message across all Nigerians in Málaga that there will be a Manifesto Night on Friday, September 4, 2015. The Manifesto Night was cancelled without officially informing Nigerians and the candidates.

However, the above has not been met, as the executives, until today, have not been able to hand over all documents to the electoral committee, including all funds (audit report) of the association to the electoral committee.

But does the Vice President has right to withhold the Association’s documents for any reason?

In accordance with the Constitution of the Nigerian Community, Málaga, Pg. 16, Section 5, No. 4, under the Rules and Regulations for Election, it states: “All documents concerning the association shall be handed over to the electoral committee at the 24th month (2 years) after a budget has been submitted and fund released.”

From the above paragraph of the constitution, it means that the vice president does not have any right whatsoever to withhold the association’s documents. The electoral committee should be in position to take actions of vacancy, etc. if the need arises.

The Nigerian Community Málaga constitution also states in Pg. 11, Paragraph 3 (Offices and Duties) that the president “will coordinate the work of the various offices and committee of this community EXCEPT the ELECTORAL and DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE who are INDEPENDENT BODIES”.

This simply means that no one, not even the president has the right to coordinate the works of the electoral committee. However, the vice president, Mr. Frederick Ekiomoado is working against the constitution by refusing to hand over documents of the Nigerian Community to the electoral committee.

It should be noted that the present executives of the association’s tenure has expired since August, 2014, making them remain in office for another one year.

Effects of Postponing the Nigerian Community Málaga Elections

1.       It will discourage Nigerians who initially want to come out and vote.

2.      It will make Nigerians think there’s something huge the contestants will benefit if they win in the Nigerian Community, Málaga election.

3.      It will discourage Nigerians from participating in meetings and other functions of the association.

4.      It will make the electoral committee members discouraged in conducting a free and fair elections. They have been meeting for about a year now.

BUHARI BELONGS TO HIMSELF AND TO THE NORTH

BUHARI BELONGS TO HIMSELF AND TO THE NORTH

“Mene, Mene, Tekel, Urpharsin.” I wish to refer president Buhari and Nigerians to this inscription in the holy book. And wish both parties would have the eye to read the hand writing on the wall. I would not go deep to dwell on the meaning of these words and verse in the holy book, rather, for the purpose of this article would only dwell on the third word,”Tekel” which means,

“You have been weighed on the scale and found wanting.”

On May 29, 2015 Buhari during his inauguration speech said to Nigerians, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” But 3 months after this declaration, from the president’s actions and body language, his loquacity is contrary. You need not be told where and whom he belongs to so far. It is said that, action speaks louder than voice. From Buhari’s appointments to key positions in his government since inception where about 95% of those positions went to the North calls for Nigerians especially the South Easterners to read the hand writing on the wall.

To the Igbos, Buhari is back and out to subdue Igbos to be hewers of wood and drawers of water in Nigeria to vent his spleen on them for the cause of Biafra. A mission he was set out to pursue during his draconian rule in 1984, but was caught short. For this same cause he was quick to put the late Igbo and Biafra leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu into ten months of incarceration in Kiri-Kiri for no just cause, while the Northern politicians who held sway under Shagari were accorded special treatments under house arrests. So far, Buhari seems to be playing the character of Shakespeare’s Julius Caeser, of whom Cassius described as saying;

“He doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves.”

After taking the most juicy and spicy part of the cake to the North, it does not matter what remains, or goes to the rest of Nigerians all in the name of meritocracy. From his actions and one sided appointments, he seem to be biased and is flagrantly exhibiting insensivity to the federal character and to the feelings of other ethnic groups across the country. To those who are in favor and are quick to defend his actions, they say it is too early to judge, and its question of meritocracy. I think to say that, is like one reasoning through the anus.

“A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.”

For those who argue that the issue in question is of meritocracy and not a question of where one comes from but a matter of who can deliver. My question is; Is it only in the North that you have meritorious and credible people? I think that is an understatement, very derogatory and ridiculous, which depicts that other ethnic groups or sections of Nigerians are fools and made up of mediocrities. Among the West, East, and Southern group of Nigerians are not found people worthy, and meritorious enough like their northern counterparts to occupy the key positions so far appointed by the president. If you are talking of fighting corruption and change, is it not the same region that has held and occupied the political dynasty of Nigeria more than other ethnic groups both in the military and civilian governments in Nigeria since independent.

For the past 90 days now, our media and press have been uploaded with the hype, fight against corruption, who to probe and whom not to probe, without any headway yet. In as much as I am against corruption and am not against those who have looted the nation to be probed. For there to be probity, let president Buhari probe his conscience first. The appointments so far made are they free and fair and void of sectional leanings and biased?

“He who comes into equity must come with clean hands”

No doubt other appointments are to be made, but they would not be as relevant as the key ones already made. The substance has been taken while the chaffs will go to the non-meritorious Nigerians. While this imbalance by the president is going on, even under democratic rule, many Nigerians are there praise singing the president instead of drawing his attention to the hand writing on the wall. From the way things are going, south easterners may wake up one day only to find out that northerners have been appointed to take over their wives because they are not meritorious enough to be husbands. For that, am now guarding my wife jealously with civil guards.

President Buhari, I like you as a person, and would want you to succeed as a president. And to do that you should remember that you are the president of Nigeria and your actions should reflect that. I have not written you off. I believe you can still make things right, if only you can see the hand writing on the wall “TEKEL” and realize that from your actions so far, you have been found wanting. And if only you will pay heed and learn from history and retrace your steps and repent, then “Mene, Mene” would not be your portion.

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

FIFA PRESIDENCY:IGBO YOUTHS IN SPAIN DRUM SUPPORT FOR KALU

SPORTS

FIFA presidency: Igbo youths in Spain drum support for Kalu

 0

BY OUR REPORTER ON AUGUST 29, 2015SPORTS

…Say his FIFA’s bid is Africa’s dream

FROM CHIDI NNADI, ENUGU

The call for former Abia State governor and Africa’s Pillar of Sports, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, to contest the Federation of Inter­national Football Association (FIFA) presidency has received a boost from far away Spain as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) in that country has joined in the call.

The leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) in Spain, Hon. Uchendu Precious Onuoha made the call while ad­dressing Igbo youths during their recent congress in Madrid.

The leader of the group in a statement made available to Saturday Sun said: “Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid for the top most position, as president of the world’s highest football ruling body known as the Federation of International Football Associa­tion (FIFA) is not just a personal ambition rather a response to a yearning call by Africa for some­one to stand the gap.

“It is beyond ethnic divide, it cuts across national boundaries, it is the quest of Africa, it is the dream of Africa, and it is Africa versus the rest of the world.”

He, therefore, urged the youths to support Kalu’s bid, who he likened his decision to the bibli­cal saying: “I heard the Lord’s voice saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I say, here am I, send me”.

Onuoha pointed out that Africa has been yearning for someone over the years that would step out and go for them.

He said: “And none was bold and courageous enough until Kalu recently volunteered to pay heed to the voice of Africa and decided to take the bull by the horn. Kalu’s laudable desire to take a shot at the world’s highest reigning football position is the best thing that c ould happen to Nigeria and Africa.”

The Ohanaeze youths leader advised Kalu to discard the voices of myopic and feeble minded ones who may raise dis­senting voices trying to distract and scuttle his ambition and vision.

“To a determined mind, no height is un-attainable. Kalu, as a pace-setter has all it takes to grab that position if given the necessary support,” Onuoha said.

He said that it was wrong for anyone to think that Kalu be­cause he is black man or African would go there as an underdog or play a second fiddle.

“Rather Kalu is a man, and no man irrespective of colour or race is foreign to him,” pointing out that inferiority complex has sometimes hindered many Af­ricans to go for greater heights on international scenes and competitions.

He noted that on one-to-one basis, Kalu has all it takes to tower above other contenders.

Onuoha, therefore, said that OYC would reach out to all Afri­can youths in Spain and Europe to draw support for Kalu, the Pillar of Sports in Africa even as he called on all well-meaning Nigerians and Africans both at home and in the Diaspora to rally round Kalu in his bid to pilot FIFA affairs, saying that it is Africa’s wish and dream.

Also speaking, the Secretary General, Uzoma Amaechi, noted that, “Kalu’s pedigree as a tested administrator and former governor, his achievements for making Nigeria proud through Enyimba Football club to win the elusive CAF competition, and his accomplishments as Africa’s Pillar of Sports are very good credentials for him to vie for the FIFA presidency.”

Also the enthusiastic OYC youths commended and pledged their unanimous support for Kalu.

THE STORY OF A TYPICAL AFRICAN CHILD

      

The Story Of A Typical African Child

 Books, LIFE Aug 23, 2015Aug 22, 2015  daily Editor

The Story Of A Typical African Child

Title: The Road We Traveled: A Memoir Of Two Worlds

Author: Uchendu Precious Onuoha

Reviewer: Yemi Adebisi

Publisher: iUniverse

The Road We Traveled… is a lucid prose, captivating and inspiring. It tells the story of Uchendu, a lad from an idyllic rural setting in Nigeria, who sought for greener pasture in the Whiteman’s country. It has deep lessons to be derived from, even as it is informative and entertaining.

This event filled book catalogues the writer’s odyssey through life, from his early childhood experiences to his present day realities, and it is both frank and philosophical in its interpretation of his encounters and the circumstances surrounding each episode, from the sweet, the bittersweet to the downright unsavory but the great charm and magnetic appeal of this book lies in its surreptitious humor and some of the hilarious incidents that are captured within it is delightfully engaging and highlights a few life lessons which remain constant through the ages. It is, above all, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit against all odds and in the course of his voyage of discovery. The writer, by his reactions at every instance gives credence to the oft quoted maxim that there is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.

Uchendu Precious Onuoha has wittily created a cosmic realities of today’s global village from a fistful memories of his background.

The Road We Travelled holds in it what the great literary works can hold because not only that it submerges you but also it takes you deeply through history lanes into the socio-economic, political and cultural divides between the North and South.

It is a wonderful book about the in quietude of the writer to search and discover facts outside the sphere of his infant and rudimentary knowledge, written with exuberance to entertain and refresh the minds of its readers, a book which each page must be read and reread in order to savour its wisdom and message.

It is carefully constructed, sensitive to issues that matter and funny enough that it creates a conducive atmosphere and a rethink for both those in the diaspora and the home-based folks.

The record the author of The Road We Traveled,  Uchendu Precious Onuoha, has put together will always be there for posterity to read and learn from.

Apart from the author’s biography which it represents, it has come to break the silence or rather, the TABU and veto implicit on talking openly about our individual adventure to Europe. From the time our people started scrambling to travel to Europe and the developed World in search for a better future and knowledge, nobody has so far dared tell the true story of their own personal experiences in the sojourn in the “Land of milk and honey”, bringing out comprehensibly the discrimination, total rejection and other hostilities Africans undergo in Europe and which they keep silent about, thereby inducing others to follow their footsteps and depriving that continent of her youth.

Onuoha, author, is the Foreign Correspondent of the Daily Independent Newspaper in Spain.

He is a member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ).The Coordinator of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) Spain. He works at Madrid International Airport. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass communication from Atlantic International University (AIU) Honolulu Hawaii U.S.A. Diploma, Flight Despatcher from Panamedia School of Pilots, Mallorca Spain.

A writer, poet, and the editor’s choice award winner in Poetry competition by International