…advocates for a national return to book reading
By Nkechi Eze
In a significant milestone for military literature and African storytelling, Navy Captain A. Mnguve officially unveiled three of his literary works at a grand event held at the prestigious Army Resource Centre Annex, Asokoro, Abuja. The books—The Deserted Homestead, Effects of a Positive Mindset, and Cantos of Wailing Bards—reflect the author’s deep commitment to cultural preservation, moral reawakening, and the advancement of knowledge through creative expression.
Navy Captain Mnguve, who currently serves as Assistant Director, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Department of Defence Transformation and Innovation, described the books as the product of immense personal sacrifice. “As a serving officer, duty never waits. I wrote at night while others slept, often sacrificing family time and personal rest. Fatigue, lack of motivation, and financial hurdles stood in the way, but I thank God and the military leadership who supported this dream,” he said. He praised the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Naval Staff for providing the funds that enabled the publication.
The Deserted Homestead revives the storytelling heritage of the Tiv people, portraying the rise of Abum Chafu through the power of oratory. Effects of a Positive Mindset encourages personal transformation and national productivity through real-life stories of resilience, particularly aimed at reorienting Nigerian youth. The third book, Cantos of Wailing Bards, is a poetic anthology addressing themes of love, mortality, and socio-political awareness, showcasing the creativity of emerging African poets.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emmanuel Ortswen, applauded Navy Captain Mnguve’s efforts, describing the books as “more than just literature—they are reflections of our shared experiences, struggles, and the erosion of African cultural values.” He emphasized the importance of making the books accessible in schools, libraries, and online, to inspire youth and revive the fading reading culture.
Barrister Mrs. Meuse, the Mother of the Day, described the event as a powerful reminder of Nigeria’s cultural identity. “The final take-home today is that the author is calling on us to return to uprightness and unity through the power of storytelling,” she said. “Folktales are part of who we are, and through these books, we are encouraged to rebuild a society grounded in love, peaceful coexistence, and community.”
The event brought together military dignitaries, members of the National Assembly, representative of the Secretary General of the Federation, academics, students, and literary enthusiasts who praised the author’s vision and resilience.
Many described the book launch as a timely intervention in a society struggling with declining values and poor reading habits, and called for greater institutional support for indigenous literature and cultural education.
The unveiling of the three inspirational books and a group photograph with dignitaries marked the peak of the event.
