REBEL CATTLE: Nigerians Must Listen To Musa, Ohakim Insists

It was a birthday like no other. The guests that had thronged the venue of the party, though already had a clue of what to expect by the specifics of the invite, got much more than a dance hall artistry. This time it was another creative literary works of the Birthday “Boy”, and indeed a celebrity in the Hall of Fame of literary works.

The Umueze Hall of the highbrow Rockview Hotel in Owerri, Imo State was on Friday, April 29 packed to the brim as dignitaries from all walks of life thronged it to witness the reading of two of Dr. Ethelbert Okere’s latest novels, Rebel Cattle and Ogbanje Currency.



Dr. Okere is the Director-General of Imo State Orientation Agency. He is also a literary stylist whose fecund mind has given birth to several brainchildren besides the latest two novels. Other books that have also come out of Dr. Okere’s prolific mind include ‘The Last Order’ and ‘Democracy by Military Tank’

The cool ambience of the hall made possible by the active air conditioners helped to relax the nerves of the guests to assimilate the messages embodied in the books thereby making the event a very memorable one.

Among dignitaries in attendance were a former governor of Imo state, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, who was the chief host, the Imo state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, his Science and Technology counterpart, Prof. Boniface Nworgu, Prof Valin Obinna and Prof. Frances Chukwukere, both of the Imo State University.

Also in attendance were His Royal Highness, Eze Eme Njoku of Nguru-Umuowa Autonomous Community in the Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Chief Chinedu Asinu-Anosike(CONA), Engr. Augustine Okere, Dr. Chinyere Ujunwa-Okere, Dr. Chuks Osuji, Prof. Eugene Opara, a Special Adviser to the governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and Bishop Athan Azubuike.

In a review, journalist and publisher of National Newsbreak newspaper, Gele Agbai said Rebel Cattle captures the friction between animals and their human masters, which 76 years ago, inimitable novelist, George Orwell also marshaled in his popular book, Animal Farm.

Agbai said the allegory, Rebel Cattle, is a story of rebellion mounted by cattle against their herders in a setting in Benue State, Nigeria which unarguably has suffered the highest farmers/herders clashes leading to the death of several indigenes of the state.



The story as told by the master craftsman, Dr. Okere has it that ‘Musa’, one of the cattle led the rebellion, insisting that he and his colleagues would no longer trek from Maiduguri in the North to Port Harcourt in the South.



Musa’ insisted on being treated by their master like animals in the whiteman’s land are treated. In the wihteman’s land, animals do not live a nomadic life; they are kept in a ranch, fed properly and given medical care whenever the need arises.



Every entreaty made by Abdullahi, ‘Musa’s master for ‘Musa’ and other cows to trek from Benue State to the South was resisted resulting in Abdullahi hiring a truck to ferry the animals back to Maiduguri.



Dr. Okere displayed mastery as he presented the story in a free-flowing lucid prose which holds the reader’s attention and keeps him in suspense till he finishes reading the novel.



The Ogbanje Currency situates mainly on the depreciating value of the country’s currency, Naira, which dances naked in the face of other currencies especially the dollar. Many people confess that they procure far less these days with same amount of Naira they spent even last year.



Like an Ogbanje child, which does not come to stay, the Naira vanishes immediately it comes into one’s hands without purchasing things of much value for the owner.



Dr. Okere’s reading of the book held guests spellbound as he read out some chapters of the books to their hearing.



Speaking shortly after the reading by Dr. Okere, the former governor of Imo State, Dr, Ikedi Ohakim called on Nigerians to listen to “Musa’. In fact, he told the Abdullahis of Nigeria to dance to the tune being played by ‘Musa’ and his fellow cows.



Dr. Ohakim pledged to ensure that the Rebel Cattle, which he described as the book of the moment, is read widely.



He said;”This is the book of the moment. Nigerians must listen to Musa, Musa has cried, Musa has been lamenting. Musa emaciated but Abdullahi and so on didn’t listen.’



Dr. Ohakim also bemoaned the depreciating value of the Naira which has made it become an Ogbanje Currency. He regretted that many Nigerians have been forced into begging owing to the high inflation in the country.



The former governor challenged Dr. Okere to churn out another book on the occasion of his next birthday.



Other guests who also spoke commended Dr. Okere for the ease with which he churns out literary works. Prof. Francis Chukwukere also emphasized the need for reading of literary works, saying she imbibed reading while in Primary Four.



Dr. Okere has opened a new vista in this part of the world where the pursuit for money seems to have taken preeminence. With the reading of the novels, there is no doubt that people here would begin to appreciate literary works.



Like Dr. Ohakim predicted, Dr. Okere is going places and it is a matter of time that more of his literary works will take the centre-stage for global recognition and awards.