Book Reviewer: Ezinwa Okoroafor – International Director (International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
Introduction
A Bee to Pollen Drawn – Short Memoir of Girlhood is a 238-page autobiography by Ozioma Izuora – an author, playwright, lawyer, law lecturer, mediator, wife, mother, daughter, sister, a “Lioness” on so many fronts, and so much more!
The short memoir is a collection of Ozioma’s recollections of her childhood and growing up days, truths, experiences and life’s happenings. It opens, in a manner of speaking, with the story of her paternal Grandmother – Atusiaka Anastasia (nee Nwajiuba), Lolo Ojiyi Abraham Ezeakonobi (Ezeifedi) fondly known as Nne Aaka or Ahudie.
In the compelling rendition of Nne Aaka’s story, Ozioma situates herself. She then proceeds to tell the Ozioma story as she takes us through her earliest memories as a precocious child, with rich experiences in the years between. As she regales us with stories of these years, she also makes insightful observations about life and its realities, drawn from her truths and challenges. She consciously and generously acknowledges God as well as a host of people who have played one role or the other in contributing to who she has become today – a full-grown woman who has come into her own, unfazed, unbowed, and still open to new ideas and experiences, even at 60 when she has officially become a senior citizen.
The book is a delight to read. Her writing style is easy and conversational and fosters a quick appreciation of the ideas she seeks to pass on to the reader within the context of her stories. It is also laced with humour and wit. Ozioma has the endearing courage, ability and confidence to laugh at herself and leave the world nothing to smirk about.
The interplay of translation of Igbo expressions into English language gives an endearing authenticity to the stories for the Igbo speaking and reading audience; whilst ensuring a greater appreciation by others.
The book is an affirmation of the strength of character, wisdom, and essence of Nne Aaka. We learn to appreciate and I daresay admire, if not love, this woman who, clearly ahead of her time, exudes strength and is a model of industry. Even way back then, she insisted on the recognition of the rights and place of her first daughter and also saw nothing wrong in women wearing trousers! Nne Aaka carried a fire which warmed many but also scarred a few. Of Nne Aaka, Ozioma writes “… She had battled the elements around her to become a reference point for strength and exemplary womanhood. Her voice came through loud and clear on many subjects affecting society. Men often gathered, ostensibly to forge ways forward whenever decisions needed to be taken, but Nne Aaka’s views were often on the agenda. She was fearless and respected by all. She was mother to both her children and those of the entire Ezeifedi household in Odoagbara, Akohia, in Umudim, Imenyi-Ihitenansa.”
She says further …
Nne was formidable in many ways. She set her own standards in many areas too. For instance, when she converted to Christianity, she stated clearly to the priest who gave her the sacrament of baptism as follows: ‘I have given up everything that has anything to do with pagan worship. But see these my oduenyi eh? They are not amulets nor anything to shield my life. They are my staff of office. They tell the world that I have earned a high place in society. They are not easy to come by. Ask anyone. I intend to retain them even as a Christian.’
Nne had her faults, but the Aaka factor remains my battle song!
Ozioma acknowledges Nne Aaka’s profound influence on her. Just like her grandmother, she is unapologetic about owning her space, holding an opinion and speaking her mind, and we can see where this comes from! She is also an unrepentant gender advocate. In her own words, … Suddenly, I realise why, even though my relationship with fellow women is often testy, my psyche is wired towards challenging every aspect of societal relegation against the female gender.
A recurring pain for her was gender discrimination and the inability of those who took upon themselves the role of arbiter to look beyond age and gender and show fairness or indeed critical thinking. She says …
Their mode of dispute resolution was always to shut me down with: ‘Inaha ekwe ekwe! Imakwa na ibu nwanyi! Ah-ah! Mechigodu onu, Imaha na Augustine toro gi – ‘You never ever let up! Don’t you know you are a woman? Shut up for goodness sake! Don’t you know Augustine is older than you? Why can’t you ever give in!’
I never was given any reason, convincing or otherwise, why being the female in the equation, or being the younger one, should make me the loser to any of the many arguments we had. No one showed much interest in the logic of my thoughts on any issue. If I was slapped because I would not budge from my position; if I was hurting whether physically or mentally, I was told I deserved it. All I was required to do was to shut up and know my place! I never learnt that lesson. I have never settled into any place that society has sought to force me into. I would choke to death if I had to. Even as a full grown woman running for the position of vice chair of the Abuja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, in 2012, the notion that no woman had ever been elected into that position, more than fuelled my resolve to run the race successfully to break the jinx.
For all her experiences and from all her pain, she acquires a distinct kind of wisdom. She says …
As a daughter of Aaka, I live by her forward-looking precepts. I refuse to glance back in pain. I mention the fact here so that my unrelenting fight on discrimination against women can be better appreciated. Moreover, it was not always about the treatment meted to me personally. There was an avalanche of evidence of discrimination against the women in my life, long before I met women from anywhere else. My soul has matured; quietly rebelling against discrimination of any sort. That the tale is the same from all corners of the globe has only strengthened my voice.
She goes further to say…
Both at family level and in the world generally, I had to learn – I am still learning – not to insist on my rights… I may let the adverse party win, but by making the person a present of the undeserved right I have conceded to him or her. My irreducible minimum is never to condone violence in any form, whether physical or economic; psychological; legal; or political; especially in relation to those for whose rights I advocate.
Ozioma’s recollections resonate as they reflect the thoughts and experiences which many do not have the boldness, courage or platform to express. The memoirs stir pleasant memories of how things were done in times past such as – meat sharing according to age “ichi oke” and “egwu onwa”, among others. Through her eyes we see much more…
We are transported into a world where we share her joys – leading the block rosary, admission to Federal Government Girls’ College Benin – a defining moment in her life, among others.
We feel her pain, as she bares her heart on family break up, the hard choices between education and her father’s remarrying as well as the frustrations of being shut down and not allowed to speak her mind because she is female. Also, her early awareness of and heartache at the concept of injustice.
We chuckle at her early attempts at venturing into the world of business as she tries her hand at frying and selling groundnuts, but ends up giving most of it away; We are alarmed at her audacity when she parrots to an older relative, the newly learnt but barely understood words – “your problem is illiteracy”, and the tales of sexual harassment.
We cheer her on as she blossoms into womanhood, marrying the love of her life – Dr. Kodilinye Izuora, bearing and raising her children and becoming a grandmother. We applaud loudly as she goes on to not only aspire, but also acquire higher laurels in education and professional accomplishments and completes the circle in the return to the classroom, albeit from a totally different perch.
In all, Ozioma encourages all, but especially, the girl child, to be all she can be and refuse to be held down by the shackles of societal expectations, culture, tradition and gender. Her message is simple – to you, all things are possible.
Errors
For all the accolades I am pleased to pour on the book and its writer, I must point out a few typographical and punctuation errors, as well as the misalignment of the table of contents and a malapropism, which ever so slightly detracted from the masterpiece that the book is, especially for someone who insists on excellence. These can be corrected when the opportunity for a reprint and revision of the first edition arises.
Rating
Having read through the fascinating stories put together in this book, beyond the errors highlighted above, I would give it a 5-star rating for language, content, and writing style which make for easy readability. I would give full stars for subject, candidness, and authenticity. It is Ozioma’s story and she tells it well. I also award full stars also for relevance and entertainment quotient. The issue of the place and voice of the girl child as well as other experiences which Ozioma highlights in the book are deserving of our full attention.
Recommendation
I heartily and without hesitation, recommend this book to everyone.
For each young person and especially the girl child out there, it offers the encouragement to dream their dreams and be themselves, secure in the knowledge that they have the capacity to excel in spite of all difficulties.
To the gender advocates and male champions, a confirmation of the need to empower the girl child first with a sense of self, then through enlightenment which will give her the wings to fly.
To fathers and mothers, the need to instill in all children, a sense of self-worth and an appreciation of justice, open mindedness and fairness irrespective of gender, and especially respect for the place and rights of the girl child. Societal challenges of gender violence are often a reflection of a faulty base. This can be cured by setting the right examples from the very beginning.
To everyone, the encouragement to live your dreams! At 60, Ozioma is working towards acquiring a doctoral degree and has become a law lecturer. All things are possible to them that believe and persevere.
To Ozioma, the encouragement to write some more. You did warn that it was a short memoir, but it is way too short and leaves the reader wanting more, as there is clearly more where this has come from. Your work is therefore cut out for you as you must finish what you started. In your concluding line, you quote Alfred Lord Tennyson when he says in Ulysses, “Some work of noble note may yet be done” and you assure us that “I am still here!” We hold you to those words.
Congratulations Ozioma on this excellent work and I thank you immensely, for the privilege and pleasure of reviewing it.
Ezinwa Okoroafor.
Abuja, Nigeria
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