The Writer as Righter of History

Ibrahim B. Babangida

I am most elated to identify with my dear friend, Dr. Chidi Amuta, as he presents his memoir: “Homage: Return To Familiar Places” to our public. In addition to being a fine writer, public intellectual and significant journalist of international repute, Chidi Amuta is one of those intellectuals that can be categorized as a national asset. His mind as a fertile ground of ideas and unusual insights.

In his writing, he is bold and courageous when necessary. He assumes rational and balanced positions on national issues. Sometimes, he looks power in the face and states his stand fearlessly. He is infinitely creative, very resourceful and has a mind that understands Nigeria and its contemporary problems and challenges. But in all situations, he maintains an admirable candour and civility of expression even when expressing rational dissent.

I have known Chidi as a close friend and also followed his writing career for over four decades. During this period, I have found his writing compelling reading. Not only is his prose refreshing, his logic is often irresistible as he opens our eyes to unusual possibilities in our national conversation. In being his creative and intellectually resourceful self, he has remained consistent in his national outlook. His outlook on Nigeria remains flawlessly nationalistic. His thought process is above ethnicity, region, religion and partisanship.

Even in acknowledging his sense of balance, Chidi comes from an ideological background that can be described as left of center, hence he never ceased to joke about my favourite stance and choice of “A little to the right and a little to the left”! We share the conviction that Nigeria is essentially a social democratic polity. We love equity and justice but would advocate fair reward for hard work and honest enterprise.

Therefore, when he informed me that he was writing his memoirs, I waited anxiously for the outcome. I looked forward to this book as something that would be a delight to read because of the man’s craft as a writer and his refreshing vision and objectivity. I am glad to say that in many ways the book that we are gathered to make public today will not disappoint Chidi Amuta’s many readers. The book is literary and refreshing in style. It is deep in insight as well. It offers us an insight into the modest life of this fine writer and notable intellectual. As we read through this volume, we follow his trajectory from a modest rural childhood to the ups and downs of the educational process. We follow him to a brilliant career in academia, journalism and public affairs. He remains a major voice in the areas of public communication, journalism and public affairs analysis and commentary. 

His experiences especially in the war years reflect the tragedy in our national history at a very trying moment. ChidI Amuta relates to this national tragedy as a personal setback. In his subsequent post-war experience of national life, we share with him the sense of relief that Nigeria survived the turbulent years.

Since getting to know Chidi in our period of national service, I have enjoyed his close collaboration at critical moments in our national life.  His loyalty is rock solid just as his solidarity and abiding friendship are values that I commend to younger generations of Nigerians. His loyalty is only matched by his very enviable dedication to work and service which can never be in doubt.

In many ways, Chidi Amuta approximates my notion of an individual who embodies the Nigerian dream. It is the dream of an individual who rises from very humble ordinary beginnings to become nationally recognizable. With no silver spoon, this writer has by dint of skill and hard work become a nationally recgnised name. In the process, he has become truly significant and perennially relevant. 

A memoir is a challenge to human memory. The challenge is even more weighty when the subject of the memoir in question is himself a writer. Writers especially journalists earn a career by minding other people’s business. Therefore,  when they are challenged to recall their life experiences, it is hard for a writer to decide on what truths and secrets they should reveal to the public  and which to keep unto death. In HOMAGE, Chidi Amuta is able to walk this tightrope  beautifully in a book rich in memory. He reveals harmless secrets about others while simultaneously telling an intimate personal story that appeals to all. HOMAGE    appeals as an intimate  life story, a piece of national history, beautiful prose, arresting narrative and modern journalism.

I therefore most enthusiastically commend this memoir to our public as a treasurable piece of national history. Most importantly, HOMAGE is a beautiful celebration of one remarkable Nigerian life. I commend this book and highly recommend it to our reading public, our youth especially, in their search for role models from among our departing generations.

Congratulations Chidi and please keep writing so that in our life time, we may begin to right the wrongs of our history.  

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, former President and Commander-in-Chief, wrote the goodwill message to Amuta on the occasion of the public presentation of his memoir, Homage: Return to Familiar Places, on September 12, 2026.