Okonjo-Iweala to Grace Nwabuikwu’s Book Presentation on Nigeria’s Evolution
James Emejo in Abuja
Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline a distinguished gathering of policymakers, academics, diplomats and media leaders as communications strategist and THISDAY Editorial Board member, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, unveils his latest book, “The Pain and the Promise: Insights and Fragments on Nigeria and People, Public and Personal (1990–2025)”.
The event, scheduled for July 29 in Abuja is expected to draw influential figures from government, business, civil society and the literary community.
Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, will chair the presentation, while Vice-Chancellor of Baze University and Professor of Communication and Media Epistemology, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, will review the publication.
The book is a compilation of over three decades of Nwabuikwu’s writings, bringing together essays, commentaries, analytical articles, poems and a short story that examine Nigeria’s political, social and historical trajectory from 1990 to 2025.
According to the organisers, the publication offers reflections on leadership, governance, citizenship, justice, national memory and hope, while documenting some of the defining moments that have shaped contemporary Nigeria.
The work revisits landmark episodes in the country’s history, including the Nigerian Civil War, years of military rule, democratic transition and governance, while providing fresh perspectives on prominent personalities whose lives and actions have influenced national discourse.
Among those featured in the book are Nelson Mandela, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chinua Achebe, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, General Sani Abacha and Grammy Award-winning artiste Burna Boy.
Beyond well-known public figures, the publication also shines a light on ordinary Nigerians whose experiences became national reference points, including Bello Jangebe, whose prosecution under Zamfara State’s Sharia law attracted international human rights attention.
In the foreword to the book, Prof. Moses Ochonu of Vanderbilt University describes the publication as a compelling blend of literary craftsmanship and socio-political reflection.
He said Nwabuikwu’s career spanning journalism, public service and corporate communications had positioned him to document and interpret many of the defining developments in Nigeria’s modern history.
Ochonu described the work as a rare combination of “exquisite prose styling, poetic word crafting, piercing sociopolitical commentary and deep philosophical reflection,” noting that the author offers readers both historical insight and thoughtful analysis of Nigeria’s evolving national story.
The organisers said the presentation is expected to attract a broad spectrum of participants, including senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, media executives, business leaders, civil society organisations and lovers of literature.
Nwabuikwu, a respected communications strategist and public policy analyst, has built a reputation over the years for incisive commentary on governance, public affairs and national development.
His latest publication is expected to contribute to ongoing conversations on Nigeria’s past, present and future by combining historical documentation with personal reflections and literary expression.
