Amanze Obi’s Scents of Power, Pulls Anyim, Bala Mohammed, Ganduje, Arthur Eze, Okunna, Kingsley Osadalor, Others to Abuja’s Iconic Yar’Ardua Centre

·  In Scents of Power, Amanze Obi achieved a ‘Tour de Force’-Emma Agu, book reviewer 

The historic Yar’Ardua Centre in Abuja was a beehive of activities last Tuesday as ace newspaper columnist, university don and administrator, Dr. Amanze Obi, attracted an array of Nigerians, from all works of life to the launch of his third book: “Scents of Power”.

Chairman of the occasion, former Senate President and one time Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim led the pack of dignitaries who took turns to extol Dr. Amanze Obi for the laudable impact he has made on the media scene in a career that has spanned three decades and still counting.

Guest Speaker at the occasion, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed who, like Dr. Amanze, is an English major and a journalist, commended the author for providing a rallying point for reflecting on the problems bedevilling the country at a period he described as a crossroads in the annals of the country. (FOR FULL TEXT OF BALA MOHAMMED’S PAPER, PLEASE SEE PAGE …)

Recalling Dr. Obi’s sterling contributions to his short-lived tenure as Governor of Imo State, before he was ousted at the Supreme Court, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka described the author as one of the pillars of that memorable era in the history of the state.

Serial philanthropist and business mogul Chief Arthur Eze who was the chief presenter congratulated Obi for attracting Nigerians from various parts of the country to the event. Harping on the benefits of Nigeria’s diversity, Chief Eze disclosed that he was intimated about the book launch by the Chief Guest of Honour, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje who had rendered a touching attestation to the genius of the author.

Other dignitaries at the event included former Aviation Minister Dr. (Mrs) Kema Chikwe, former Governor of Kano State, Senator Kabiru Gaya, former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu, debonair nationalist and statesman Senator Ben Obi, first female professor of Mass Communication in West Africa Professor Chinyere Okunna and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chidi Duru. Also present were former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Nnaemeka Maduagwu, Rep Member Hon. Jerry Alagboso, first bursar of the Federal University of Technology, (now Modibbo Adama University) Yola Chief Ben Ugwu, the Bauchi State Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Hamza Akuyam and business magnate and flagbearer of the Social Democratic Party in the November 6 Governorship election in Anambra State, Dr. Obinna Uzor.

From Amanze Obi’s his media constituency came Kingsley Osadalor, former deputy managing director of the Guardian and onetime commissioner for information in Edo State whom Amanze Obi had described as the best “boss” he has had in his media career. Also on hand was Managing Director of the Sun Publishing Company Ltd Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, Mr. Emma Onuoha of Rhythm FM Abuja and Dr. Obi’s long-time schoolmate at the University of Lagos and colleague, Dr. John Otu who, as Master of Ceremony, all through the event, stood beside Senator Sam Egwu under whose tenure, as the first civilian Governor of Ebonyi State, Otu had served as commissioner for information.  Others were former Secreaty to the Government of Imo State Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, Hon. C.M.C. Onuoha and Deputy Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Danlami Hamed Kawule, Alhaji Abdullahi Salihu Yari and the Special Adviser to the Bauchi State Governor on Abuja Liaison, Hon. Maula and Special Assistants to Governor Bala Mohammed on Abuja Liaison Alhaji Hassan Grema and Engineer Eric Anyaemene.   

Book reviewer Emma Agu, Managing Consultant of True Vision newspapers described Obi as a consummate essayist and stylist who, through “Scents of Power”, had put together, a pedagogical compendium of value-laden experiences that should be a very useful companion to administrations, media practitioners, mass communications students and all those who want to know the currents that shape Nigerian and world history.

The 225-page “Scents of Power”, published by Sterling-Horden Publishers Ltd, is an autobiography that showcases the breath-taking odyssey of Amanze Obi through the academia, journalism, political administration and media relations.

On hand to support Amanze Obi, throughout the event, was his wife of 24 years, Lady Mrs Chinyere Amanze-Obi.