Three Nigerian authors on Thursday unveiled a book titled History and Lessons from the Nigerian Civil War (Chronologically Arranged).
The authors are Chief Obioma Ikechi, a renowned publisher, Dr Uchenna Anioke and Chief James Egwuonwu.
The book aims to inspire younger generations to embrace peace, dialogue and national unity rather than conflict.
Speaking on behalf of the authors at the presentation in Enugu, Anioke said the book provided an objective and chronological account of the Nigerian Civil War.
He said the publication was written to highlight lessons from the 1967 to 1970 conflict for present and future generations.
He said the history of the war had often been told in fragments, shrouded in silence or viewed through biased perspectives.
He said this had left younger Nigerians without a clear understanding of the events that led to the conflict.
“Today, we are not just presenting a book; we are unveiling a mirror for our nation.
“When three of us—Ikechi, Uchenna, and Egwuonwu—sat down to begin this project, we asked ourselves a critical question.
“How do we tell a painful history objectively so that it heals rather than divides?
“Our answer was structure and chronological accuracy. By arranging these historic events strictly by date, from the early rumblings of 1966 to the final declarations of 1970, we avoided political distortion,” he said.
Anioke said the book provided a factual, step-by-step account of the crisis and its underlying developments.
He said Nigeria could not build a stable future on a foundation of forgotten or distorted history.
According to him, the primary goal of the book is to foster national unity, promote institutional memory and encourage reflection on Nigeria’s past.
Anioke said the book was intended for students, policymakers and Nigerians interested in peace and national development.
“The lessons of the Civil War teach us that peace is a deliberate choice.
“We hope this book inspires you to choose dialogue, empathy and unity every day.
“Our book is not a weapon meant to reopen old wounds of the Civil War.
“Rather, it is meant to be a mirror to reflect our shared responsibility and historical heritage,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, the Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Sam Ugwu, described history as vital to understanding the past and shaping the future.
Ugwu said the book was important documentation of the remote and immediate causes of the Civil War.
He said it also highlighted the socio economic and political implications of the conflict.
Ugwu advocated the restoration and strengthening of history as a subject in Nigerian primary and secondary schools.
He described the removal of history from the school curriculum as dangerous and urged curriculum planners to ensure adequate teaching of Nigeria’s history.
He commended the authors for documenting the conflict and urged Nigerians to read the book and learn from its lessons.
The Chairman of the event and Managing Director, COPEN Group, Mr Ugochukwu Chime, said a sense of history was essential for informed decisions about the present and future.
Chime said the book presentation should go beyond the ceremony, urging Nigerians to read the publication and draw lessons from the Civil War.
He recalled his personal experience during the war, saying he survived a bombing incident in which he was carried and thrown into a ravine.
He said several members of his family lost their lives during the conflict.
Chime commended the authors for collaborating to document the history and lessons of the war, saying such collaboration was necessary to promote development in Igboland and Nigeria.
Reviewing the book, Dr Ambrose Igbokwe, Chairman, Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, said the publication was particularly important for younger Nigerians who did not experience the war.
Igbokwe said he had read several books on the Nigerian Civil War but found the chronological arrangement of the new publication particularly useful.
He said the book traced Nigeria’s historical development from the colonial period through independence, political crises and coups.
According to him, the publication also examined events that eventually culminated in the Civil War.
Igbokwe warned against romanticising war, particularly among youths who might perceive it through films and social media.
He said the consequences of war were devastating and could not be compared with its portrayal in entertainment or online videos.
Newsextra24 reports that the book presentation attracted Academics, traditional rulers, public officials, journalists and other stakeholders.
