Throwback Thursday: memorable literature text

By Abimbola Mohammed

Before the advent of smartphones and the internet, reading recommended textbooks, novels, newspapers etc. was more of the norm that both adults and kids took pain and pleasure to do. But that is not clearly the case anymore as most young people would rather spend an enormous amount of screen time than take time to read for pleasure.

The saying that “reading culture is dying” can sometimes be controversial as many still read during their screen time on social media. But the fundamental question is: what do they read? Rather than read literary materials and other intellectual pieces that could help broaden their knowledge base, enrich their vocabulary and widen their experiences and culture, many people engage in gossip and rumour mills.

In this week’s throwback, here are some of the books MARKETING EDGE will like to remind its readers of.

The Drummer Boy

Written by Cyprian Ekwensi, The Drummer Boy was one of the recommended literature texts in secondary school in the 1990’s. It is about a talented but blind boy called Akin, who used his wonderful drumming skill and melodious voice to bring joy to the people in the communities in which he performed.

Chike And The River

Written by Chinua Achebe, this novel is a tale about a young Nigerian boy named Chike and his experiences in the big city of Onitsha. He moved from his native village of Umuofia to the city to live with his uncle. There is much to be learned culturally for modern day young readers from this novel.

The Bottled Leopard

Written by Chukwuemeka Ike, the book explores the differences between Western Christian concepts and the indigenous African tradition. The writer uses two children and two backgrounds to juxtapose two varying cultures and the conflict that results from the inability of the West to understand the indigenous African culture.

The Queen Primer

This book by Nelson Publishers Limited was used to introduce English words with rhymes. You remember “I can run. I can play. I can run and play in the hay.”?

The Sugar Girl

Written by Kola Onadipe, the story is about Ralia, a young girl who goes on an adventure away from home. In her wanderings, she met significant people who impacted her journey for evil (a witch) or for good (a hunter). And she made friends, many who joined in her triumph over the calamities she encountered.

Without a Silver Spoon

Written by Eddie Iroh, the book teaches young people the value of honesty. It is centred on Ure, a young boy who comes from a poor but honest family. He works as a house boy to pay his school fees. Towards the end of his primary school, he was accused of stealing, but he is saved by the trust of his parents and school teacher.

Our Husband Has gone Mad Again

Written by Ola Rotimi, this book follows the story of the vain major-turned-politician Lejoka Brown, who has several wives. He married his first wife when he was a young soldier fighting in the Congo. His second wife, Rashida, was actually the wife of his elder brother who passed away and so Rashida married Lejoka Brown, according to tradition. He married his third wife, Sikira, in order to get more votes, as Sikira’s mother was the president of the National Union of Nigerian Market Women. His fourth wife, Lizzy, is different from the other wives – having been westernised. This book is hilarious, educative and it tackles politics.