Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has doubted Prof. Chinua Achebe’s chances of making money from his new book, There was a country.
Speaking at a public function in Abuja on Thursday, Gowon wondered if the renowned novelist would make money from his controversial book, causing many people in the audience to laugh out loud.
The 78-year-old former leader said he saw hawkers selling copies of the
book in Abuja recently. “When I was coming to the hotel yesterday
(Wednesday) I saw people selling copies of Achebe’s book, you know the
one I am talking about.
“I don’t know if the chap knew I was the one inside the car – he wanted to get my attention. I said to myself, ‘so this book has already been pirated and is being sold in the streets?’ I don’t know if Achebe will be getting any penny from that book,” he said.
The remark drew laughter from the gathering who obviously knew what he was up to. Gowon had earlier described Achebe’s civil war memoir as the most controversial publication on the war.
Recalled that Achebe in the book containing his civil war memoir, accused the Federal Government under Gowon and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, then Minister of Finance, of using hunger as a weapon of war against the Igbo.
“I don’t know if the chap knew I was the one inside the car – he wanted to get my attention. I said to myself, ‘so this book has already been pirated and is being sold in the streets?’ I don’t know if Achebe will be getting any penny from that book,” he said.
The remark drew laughter from the gathering who obviously knew what he was up to. Gowon had earlier described Achebe’s civil war memoir as the most controversial publication on the war.
Recalled that Achebe in the book containing his civil war memoir, accused the Federal Government under Gowon and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, then Minister of Finance, of using hunger as a weapon of war against the Igbo.
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