Save My Gunpowder

In his last book entitled ’There was a country, ’ the celebrated novelist, Chinua Achebe wrote about his experiences in a country called Biafra. In this present effort, ’Save my Gunpowder, ’ Mr. Amechi Oraka has undertaken an interesting foray into that country. In the course of that journey, Oraka met and has chronicled some of the activities of Chukwuemeka Oduemgwu Ojukwu himself.

Biafra was a land flowing with milk and honey, but it had some question marks at the spiritual level. In it was found individuals of excellent pedigree like Dr. Gaius Okongwu, Chief Constantine Agbala, etc. It was Dr. Okongwu who ruffled some African leaders at a gathering in the Yamoussoukro Basilica by telling them that it was absolutely impossible for anyone of their ilk to make heaven. He said to the shock of the Ivorian President Houphouet-Boigny, who was present, that it was easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a man of wealth and power to make heaven.

The author found Brenda and Bruno Imo, and their mother Janet, who could match anyone in planning, plotting, and scheming for the good of her children.

He found Drs Lucas and Maureen Azikan whose only daughter, Chitoo, a medical student at the University of Babylon, was killed gruesomely. Nevertheless for them, there was still life after that devastating incident.

The author became privy to the 21 military officers and one civilian who wanted power at all cost and by any means possible. They paid dearly for it.

He found ’the helper’ Mrs. Catherine Ofulue and Chiamaka who gave up on life and set herself ablaze, as well as the randy Dr. Ebenezer Wilcox whose heart suddenly gave up on him.

The author applied amazing skill in the portrayal of Excellency 71 to demonstrate that big men other than airs are human like anybody else.

He saw the wonderful Obuaku City, and the 22-lane Ogoja/Obuaku City expressway that looked like a glassy blue sea when seen from space.

The author became a witness once more, to the natural human inclination to wickedness. This had everything to do with the girl Ogbenye-anu, and the marriage that never was.