The Sun News Online | How I write

Okechukwu Jones Azusu is a Nigerian author, journalist and resource person on African issues. Having worked in the South African region for a number of years, the author returned to Nigeria recently to promote his new work entitled, The Politics of Being Nigerian.

Described by the author as a political narrative, the book is out to address issues, which have stunted the growth of Nigeria for many decades.

The author told Daily Sun among other things that his mission is to contribute his quota to the development of the Nigerian nation.

Background
My name is Okechukwu Jones Azusu. I hail from Anambra State. For about a decade, I have been away from Nigeria living and working in South Africa and Malawi. Indeed, I have traversed the whole South African region where I worked as a journalist, teacher and media consultant. I returned to Nigeria to finish work on the my book entitled The Politics of Being Nigerian. I have been promoting the book across the nation. Although, many people see me as a writer but I like to see myself as a political philosopher. Politics is my life and writing is the vehicle towards aggravating my thoughts and convictions.

Experience as a writer
The book is my first published political work. But more specifically, it has been published online by an American e-commerce outfit in December 2004. I had to resort to conventional publishing because many Nigerians couldn’t assess the book. It requires a credit card to do online purchase and this is not very common in Nigeria. What we have done now is to publish it in Nigeria and to make available to all and sundry.

Duration of writing
The making of this book started in 2003, right from conceptualization to research; material gathering and actual writing. I was only able to complete it early this year. In my search for a Nigerian publisher, I decided to do a minor revision because some of the political issues and events mentioned in the book are fluid.

What inpired my writing
My sojourn outside the country has exposed me to much misconception people have about being a Nigerian. The second inspiration arises from the developmental challenges in Nigeria. I am miffed by the idea that this country has not moved forward in spite of its huge potentials and materials. So I want the book to elicit a national dialogue about our Nigerianess and unique role in the global community. I think we are emblematic of the black race.

About the book
I have been able to assess issues of national importance in the book. Our problems as a nation didn’t just begin yesterday but have been foundational. For example, everyone knows that one of our problems is ethnicism and this is traceable to early nationalist struggles. Most Nigerians are still being influenced in their actions by their primordial sentiments. This is one of the causes of our problems. When we are able to detach primordial sentiments from our thoughts and action, then a true selfless spirit of patriotism will evolve.

Generally, I believe that the individual or ethnic weaknesses that have made Nigeria underdeveloped and we should be able to tackle these problems at the source. Each ethnic group should take stock of its negative contributions to the country and address them. This might now form the basis for a future national conference.

Nigerian image and victimization
I have had fairly positive experience outside Nigeria. I have been able to hold reasonable positions. For instance, in Malawi, I was a columnist with one of the papers and a regular resource person on African and Nigerian issues. Generally, I read and hear all sorts of misconceptions about Nigeria because of what a few bad eggs among Nigerians have done, there is this general tendency to stigmatize the others. One thing that has helped me is that, I make my position on issues clear and people respect me for that.

Style of writing
This is a political work and the style has been narrative because the whole writing was from my point of view and I dictated the pace.

Challenges in publication
The challenges were tremendous and I wouldn’t want to bore you with all details. However, I am very grateful to God almighty who made this book a reality. I had very daunting challenges, which are very personal, but on the whole, I thank God.

Prospects
As soon as I am done with the promotion of this work this year, I will embark on a book tour. I hope to be in other continents to feel the environmental vibrations and to be able to do a follow-up. I am also working on the biography of a certain Nigerian whose death has led to the degeneration of morals and values in that region. I won’t reveal much but ask that Nigerians should wait patiently for it.

Message to readers
I hope anyone who comes across this book will be kind enough to approach it with an open mind. The goal is to re-orientate every Nigerian on what we ought to be and not what we are now. We have copied wrong ideals for too long. If this book helps the reader in that direction, then I will be immensely grateful.