Hope is the theme song for OMO, the Daily Trust Newspaper Most Anticipated Book of 2018. The song is in sync with the theme of the action thriller novel by Flight Lieutenant Alexander Emmanuel, who has said he was dedicating the song and the book to Leah Sharibu, who is still in captivity since her abduction from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi on 19 February 2018, and every African child snared by discrimination and abuse. When asked what inspired his decision for collaborating with August Chuks for the theme song, he had this to say:

“The message of Omo is an inspiration that transcends the letters inside this book (pointing at the book), that is why we have chosen to use every medium available to us to transmit this message of hope. With hope and sincere love, I believe every pain and suffering people go through will become past some day, and love will cause them to heal again.”

 

The author who recently had an engagement with distinguished Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, member, representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Constituency of Edo state,  expressed his passion for the cause of the girl child and how to synchronise the vision of his book, Omo, with her recent motion on the establishment of stricter laws for Child Molestation and Abuse in Nigeria.

Synopsis

Omo is the compelling story of a young Nigerian girl and the contending realities along her journey of self-determination.

Growing up in Sun City, a ghetto suburb in Lagos, Nigeria, brought Omo face to face with the life lesson of surviving independently. As daughter to a negligent father and a die-hard mother, she knew she had to find a way of living her dream of winning a National Science Competition she entered for. It was in this quest she got enmeshed inside a downward spiral that sent her into the abysmal misery that changed her life; and to retrace her steps, she would have to travel 6 years and 6,000 miles back to where she may have missed it, just to correct one mistake.

From the Sediments of Sun City, through the Fiery Galadima Forest – traversing the Sand Dunes and Barchans of the Sahara and the Boorish Waves of the Mediterranean to the Piedmont Region of Modern Italy, Omo’s story is that of courage, self-discovery, encapsulated in the intricate tapestry of a mother’s undying love for her child.

Author

Alexander Emmanuel Ochogwu, an Air Force Flight Lieutenant, strategist, poet and writer has prior to OMO authored The Diary of a Boy Soldier as well as collections of personal and academic essays and poems to his credit. His debut, The Diary of a Boy Soldier received both local and international encomiums. Omo made the list of Daily Trust Newspaper Most Anticipated Books of 2018, amongst other pre-publishing recognitions.

 

Artiste

Osakwe August Chukwuma popularly known as (August Chuks) is a Delta state born and Port-Harcourt based alternative musician currently working under Dexterville records.

An award winning recording artiste, his bias for literature and expressive lyrical content inspired the hit singles such as LET ME and REDEMPTION.

IG @always_august, Facebok: August Chukwuma, Twitter: alwayzaugust

Here are some comments about the book:

“Set at a period when trans-national terrorism and trafficking thrived in Africa, Omo beams on the hawkish realities of the girl-child in contemporary Africa.”

Love Idoko, TV Host and Author

“We Must take this advocacy campaign to the streets, and every home, until the last girl in Nigeria is liberated and secured.”

Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora

“A work of audacity and courage, Omo opens subjects for public discourse, such that will confront the scourge of human trafficking, gender based violence and abuse of the girl child across many fronts.”

Dame Julie Okali-Donli, Director General  NAPTIP

 

Published by Lagos based publisher, Purple Shelves, Omo will be due for release on 22 June 18. Pre-orders are available at www.kadamall.com.ng/omo

 

The author can be reached at www.alexanderemmanuel.net

Facebook: Alexander  Emmanuel

IG: @alexandereccentric

Twitter: phronesis3412