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 A head of the presidential election in April 2011, finishing touches are being put to the writing and publishing of “WIND OF HOPE,” President Goodluck Jonathan’s official biography.
According to Onoriode Kevin Akpe, Project Coordinator of the book, after he, his partner Mrs. Phil Biobele Okoroafor, and writer Babatunde Faniyan, put together a synopsis for the book, “we marched with it to two classmates of President Jonathan, a townsman and confidant of the President, HRH King A.J. Turner, and another long time friend and associate, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, both also of the Set of '81 at University of Port Harcourt. We tabled our proposal with the deep-seated desire to chronicle the story of a man who has become an enigmatic reference point in Nigerian politics.
With the unwavering support of King Turner, it took months of relentless pleading to get the President to agree for us to write his biography. He had turned down similar requests in the past few years on the basis that he was not yet ready for his story to be told. “But we insisted, because we felt very strongly that Nigeria and indeed the entire world needed to know about a man who has moved from Deputy Governor to President in a space of three years facing immense pressure and challenges,” Akpe explained.
A team comprising renowned scholars and writers has authored the book, “Wind of Hope,” which is the approved biography of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The book is segmented into 10 chapters, each focusing on particular aspects of President Jonathan's life.
The project team, which has 10 famous writers, is coordinated and edited by an editorial board of five Professors, among whom is acclaimed historian, Ebiegberi Alagoa, Yakubu Ochefu, Okon Uya and Bawuro Barkindo.
Others in the team included Tunde Faniyan, Dr. Ibitamuno Aminigo, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Tam Fiofori, Dr. Ambily Etekpe, Olu Adekunle, Paul Abbey, Tony Amadi, Nyengifa Williams and Ono Akpe, who is the Project Coordinator, among others.
In a press release to herald its official presentation, Akpe said each chapter of the biography seeks to bring to the fore the story and unique character traits of a man, who rose from humble beginnings to the country's pinnacle of political power.
“Several interviews, featuring family and close friends and associates, were conducted alongside in-depth research, all aimed at revealing who Dr. Jonathan is, how he thinks and what he believes in.
“His humble mien and meteoric rise to power have elicited great curiosity about his person and has generated discourse not only locally but also within international circles.
“While many believe that events in his life are divinely ordained and directed, others believe he is indeed the vehicle God intends to use to bring succour, healing and comfort to the downtrodden masses of Nigeria.
“Wind of Hope amply satisfies the curiosity of all those who seek to know more about President Jonathan. It reveals aspects of his life story and character traits that many do not know,” Akpe said.
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