By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
Dr Orok Otu Duke, former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, will present five books in Abuja on November 5, 2026, documenting his experiences during the Nigerian Civil War, family history and aspects of Calabar’s identity.
Duke, who represents Cross River State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said the publications comprised three prose works and two poetry collections exploring historical events, personal experiences and contemporary social issues.
He described Welcome to Uyo: The Nigerian Civil War Through the Eyes of the Calabar Child, 1967 to 1970 as his magnum opus, explaining that it was inspired by his childhood experiences during the war.
According to him, his mother, a teacher, was posted to Uyo during the conflict, exposing the family to the hardship faced by displaced persons who fled to the town for safety.
Duke recalled witnessing death, hunger and the loss of classmates during the war, adding that the experiences remained vivid in his memory and motivated him to document the conflict from a child’s perspective.
He also recalled the large number of people who died during the war and the burial grounds established within the premises of the then Teachers Training College in Uyo.
The former lawmaker said the experiences of children during the conflict deserved greater attention, noting that many endured traumatic events whose psychological effects were rarely addressed at the time.
He disclosed that the book’s cover featured a photograph of his family taken during the war, adding that people familiar with him might recognise him among the children pictured.
Another publication, Three Generations of the Okerekes in Calabar, Before, During and After the Civil War, examines the experiences of three generations of a family and their relationship with historical developments in Calabar.
The third prose work explores contemporary life in Calabar and surrounding communities, while the two poetry collections contain tributes, personal reflections and commentaries on social issues.
Duke said academics, journalists, literary enthusiasts and other stakeholders were expected at the Abuja presentation, with former presidential spokesman and journalist, Dr Reuben Abati, among those expected to review the publications.
He said the books were intended to encourage Nigerians to document their personal experiences, family histories and community struggles for the benefit of future generations.
“Until the lion writes its own story, every story about the hunt will glorify the hunter,” Duke said, urging individuals and communities to take responsibility for documenting their histories rather than leaving their stories entirely to outsiders.
He also urged professional bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, to encourage their members to document the histories of their organisations and their contributions to society.
Duke recounted aspects of his professional and political journey, including obtaining his master’s degree in December 1991, his subsequent pursuit of a doctorate and his involvement in the development of Cross River Television between October 1994 and 1996.
He also recalled his alleged arrest and detention during the political crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The author called for greater recognition of individuals who had contributed to society and disclosed that he had other manuscripts awaiting publication.
