By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
It makes for history when an elite club signs a debut signature by promoting a literary reading. Anambra Metropolitan Club (AMC) which holds aloft the motto “Together in Excellence” on July 24 hosted a grand reading by James Ngwu Eze of his second collection of poems goosebumps at Mr. Smith Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
It was a classy event graced by the Speaker of the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, and his predecessor, Speaker of the 7th Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Uchenna Okafor alongside other dignitaries and art patrons.
The evening cocktail for the esteemed guests started in the lounge before spreading to the ambient outdoors of Mr. Smith Centre as choice wines, cognac, vodka, whiskey, assorted beers, lemonade and grapes energized the spirits of the gathered ladies and gentlemen.
In his introductory remarks, award-winning novelist and Managing Director Anambra State Signage & Advertising Agency, Mr Odili Ujubonu, who doubles as a founding member of Anambra Metropolitan Club and Awka Literary Society extolled the virtues of James Ngwu Eze as a facilitator of literary events when he served as the Chief Press Secretary to former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
Remarkably, Odili Ujubuonu and James Ngwu Eze had teamed up to lead high profile poets to the Idoto River in Ojoto, the place of the mother goddess that inspired Africa’s greatest poet, Christopher Okigbo. The Return to Idoto fiesta is a fest that enthralled poets and multiform literary enthusiasts eagerly look forward to every year it comes up.
A founding member of the Anambra Metropolitan Club, High Chief Emeka Okonkwo, Managing Director of Great Source Investments Limited, in his welcome address, stressed that AMC was initiated to fill the void of the crème-de-la-creme in Anambra State not having an exquisite place to relax after a hard day’s job. It is of course noteworthy that in a place like Lagos people could always patronize the Ikoyi Club, Country Club, Yoruba Tennis Club etc. while a capital city such as Awka can hardly boast of any recreation club worthy of the name.
The AMC put its best foot forward by hosting the poetry reading of James Ngwu Eze. In due course, Anambra Metropolitan Club will serve the people well through offering excellent world class recreational facilities for Ndi-Anambra; delivering excellence in community model leadership and mentoring; having facilities to provide networking across board; supporting comprehensive tourism development; facilitating distinguished knowledge sharing and advocacy; promoting diversified investment in the state; creating dignified business network with similar clubs across Nigeria; and promoting magnificent health through engaging in sports. Building a befitting club house is in the works for Anambra Metropolitan Club.
The former Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obiano, Emeka Ozumba who was saddled with the task of introducing the guest poet highlighted the fact that James Ngwu Eze was somewhat “dispossessed”, as the title of his first poetry collection highlights, when working for government gave him little time for his muse, but he has now broken loose with heightened inspiration, thereby launching his second collection, goosebumps.
James Ngwu Eze is as ever a fecund poet to reckon with, any moment, any day. He delivered the poem “resonance” after getting the sound musical background orchestrated:
beloved, i shall sing my heart out today
to keep the storm inside me at bay
i shall tell the world our story
that your tenderness is tinder for my song…
While reading the poem “hourglass” that had already be set to music, James Ngwu Eze was joined at the side by a lady that personified the poem to the delight of the audience.
hourglass, you stood in magic
soaking up glances from smitten hearts
you were the subject of unresolved battles
the mystery of unoccupied castles…
A total artiste, at once a poet and musician, James Ngwu Eze performed the musical ups of his poetry with the guitar accompaniment of his inspired sidekick called Mastermind.
The poet stressed that he has become eternally bound to Anambra State and Awka in particular, for as the motto of the Awka Literary Society tells, here is a place “… where blacksmiths and wordsmiths meet.”
James Ngwu Eze saw it all as a memorable homecoming for him made possible by the Anambra Metropolitan Club. The event menu served by Tiana made the rounds via small chops, slices of pizza, assorted nuts, cookies, stick meat and multiform drinks.
Chief Jude Emecheta, a founding member of Anambra Metropolitan Club and former Managing Director of Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency delivered the vote of thanks while the guest poet James Ngwu Eze signed autographs for the guests who bought copies of goosebumps.
Anambra Metropolitan Club inspires with the words: “Our journey of excellence begins with you.” It is envisioned as the first club of choice in Eastern Nigeria. The mission is to build friendship across sports, business and leadership circles in society.