By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
A collection of poems titled My Father’s Medicine Bag written by the incumbent treasurer of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council, Joy Oyobuere Ifidi has been launched in Yenagoa.
The event which held at the Golden Tulip Resort in Government House Yenagoa was a double barrel programme that also witnessed the 50th birthday celebration of the author.
Speaking as chairman of the occasion, a former Head of Service Bayelsa State, Sir Frazier Okwuoru commended the author for the insightful messages of hope and inspiration conveyed in the poems and thanked God for keeping her alive to attain the golden age.He prayed God to grant her wisdom to write more books.
The Chief host, Chairman of the NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, Mr.Samuel Numunengi in his welcome address said the author has achieved a rare feat to write a book despite her tight schedule as a broadcast journalist.
He advised people to read, learn and charged journalists to document their experiences to inspire others.
Reviewing the book, the book reviewer, Mr.Amatari Mozimo of the Niger Delta Television said it is maiden collection of 62 poems by the author, easy to read and understand which explores the true life delicate challenges, too painful to capture in prosaic form but better re-enacted in poetic lines and verses with feminine, beautiful and enchanting words.
According Mozimo, the poems gave a lucid description of the challenges of exploitation, degradation, exploitation, underdevelopment plaguing the Niger Delta and the dire need to address the clamour for restructuring and resource control as the nation is sitting on a keg of gun powder that may consume the nation if measures are not taken to reverse the trend.
On his part the Chief Press Secretary the Bayelsa State Governor, Daniel Alabrah representing His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri assured the author of government support.
He lauded Joy Ifidi who handles multifaceted task for finding time to put her thoughts into a book.
The author and celebrant , Joy Ifidi in her thank you speech. advised youths to learn wisdom and knowledge by reading books to impact on their generation and glorified God for making the event possible.She expressed gratitude to her family for their support and the good name left to them by their father which she noted is speaking and opening doors to the children.
The celebrant thanked God for keeping her alive to celebrate the golden age and the kind words spoken about her by well wishers.
The highpoint of the occasion was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant supported by dignitaries after the spelling of Joy and the unveiling of the book.
A frontline Broadcast Journalist with the Niger Delta Television, Janet Boubai Renner read the citation of the author while Pastor Tari Ifidi proposed the toast.
Natalie Renner recited Daughters of the Niger.
Pentecost Nengi Ilagha, Bayelsa, Joan Ojeogwu, Love Power while Preye Inebraton of the NDTV claded with war like regalia recited Olotu with heroic performance.
Mrs.(Dr.)/Victoria Denenu was the mother of the day.
Dignitaries that made donations to the book launch include, Hon Wisdom Fafi, Hon. Markson Fefigha, Tariyon Akono, Angese, Dr.Peter Ogie Ikwaibe, the JAMB Coordinator Bayelsa State, Mohammed Abdusalam, Walton Liverpool, Dr.Akpoebi Adesei, Ag. GM Niger Delta Television, Fred Fabor, Mrs.Bina Ilagha.
Others include, Alambo-muda Datonye, Stanley Imgbi, PPRO Asinim Bustwat, Accra Bekeowei, Charles Ifidi, President DuFoundation, Dise Erise Ogbise, Chairman NLC Bayelsa State Chapter, Bipere Ndiomu, Mary Owei, Deaconess Rosemary Oweifawari, Registrar Bayelsa Medical University, Akpos Adesi, Izontimi Otuogha, members of the Ifidi family among others.
