Ace comedian cum Nollywood actor, John Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu has charged the initiator and team behind Most Influential Igbo Personalities – MIIP to embark on the advanced form of the book and project, Most Influential Nigerians. This acclaimed actor made the appeal when the author and head-honcho of the elites book that aims to celebrate Igbo icons- Most Influential Igbo Personalities, Ugochukwu Favour-Mayor paid him a visit for the formal presentation of the book.
Speaking after a due observation from the record achieved so far by the MIIP team, Mr. Okafor while encouraging them not to relent further urged them to embark on the advanced platform that will accommodate more Nigerians who wished to be part of the project but could not due to the limitation of the book content for the people of the Igbo region alone.
“You made it possible by assembling all these beautiful materials on Igbo sons and daughters; you too can do it for Nigerians in general. A lot of people are hoping to be part of this wonderful project, but they can’t find their ways into it, because it’s only designed for Igbo people.
“When you go back, please have another meeting with your editorial board, see how you can implement the idea of involving all Nigerians. It worked for Most Influential Igbo Personalities and it has become a brand, I believe with the same effort you can achieve more in making it a National one,” he said.
Reacting, the author admitted that already plans are on-going to unveil the National brand, adding that the team had considered it after perusing through the loads of feedback they received during the MIIP Week in Owerri.
Writing a foreword on the rationale behind the book, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina further hinted that “it is capsule biographies of not five, not ten, not twenty, but a whopping number of Igbo sons and daughters, who are torchbearers in the society.”
“And don’t think it is only the old brigade that dominates the book. No, you don’t have to be a Methuselah before you can be a role model. You have them across all the ages. The young, the not so old, and the old. It is a medley that gives you a vivid picture of human society at any given times.
“Like the good scribe, who takes from both the old and the new, the book gives us a blend of Igbo stars across the generations. No doubt, the author has opened new frontiers in knowledge and information. After reading about those listed in this work, you have a feeling of having known them better. Igbo tribe has good reason to be proud of them.”
