BOOK REVIEW - ‘‘YOU TOO CAN BE GREAT’’

BY James Ngozi Okere (Author)

Publishers: Alphabet Nigeria Publishers, Owerri, 109 pages. Price:$20

A book entitled “You Too Can Be Great (Core Value Self-Re-Orientation)” which is motivational and inspirational will restore hope and confidence to any reader who is desirous of creating impact in the society.

The book captures nuggets or words of wisdom of great men which form the base of human growth and achievements through igniting one’s innate ability to break through barriers thereby imparting on the people positive values towards advancing humanity and society. The book further chronicled some great men who rose to stardom applying those words of wisdom in spite of difficulties of their time.
These includes: Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe(Statesman), Alhaji Ahmadu Bello (Statesman), Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Statesman), Chief Anthony Enahoro (Activist), Dr. Alex Ekwueme (Politician), Chief Gani Fawehinmi(Social Crusader), Mr. Frank Nneji(Business Man) and Joachim Ezeji(Social Entrepreneur) all Nigerians. Also some other non-Nigerians who rose to stardom crossing various hurdles of live captured by the author in the book are: Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Carnegie, Barrack Obama, Benjamin Franklyn, Charles Allen Ward, Edwin C. Barns, Henry Ford, John Foppe, Martin Luther King Jr., Napoleon Hill, Dr. Nelson Mandela, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Edison and the Mastermind Team - John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee, Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
The book is divided into twenty six chapters. In chapter one, the author places God above every other thing else, and further opined that greatness must be anchored on positive self values and talents discovery leading to accomplishments recognized and attested to by individual and society. He further stated clearly on what constitutes greatness including identifying the salient values which propel greatness in a person.
Chapters 2-23 chronicled inspirational epigram of great men bordering on: ideas rule the world, be a news maker, concentration is the secret of strength, power yourself into action, create the will- the door must open, success is in your hand, desire leads to greatness, determination is the key to success, thought is the engine of wealth, in trying lies upliftment, create your own world, be focused- the world is yours, in your vision lies great opportunities, be creative to succeed, dream into riches, your ability is gold, etc.
In chapter 24, the author identified practically on how men worked assiduously and achieved greatness attested to by the society. He maintained that these men achieved greatness by being positive in their chosen career in spite of difficulties, challenges and unfavourable environment witnessed by them.
In chapter 25, the author who is a Political Scientist and promising researcher made reference and illustrated on how some Nigerians and non Nigerians applied these epigrams with zeal, determination, focus, applied faith, patience and rose to stardom and prominence in a unique style in spite of their family and poor academic background, unfavourable challenges, difficulties etc.
According to the author – Mr. James Okere, the aim of the book is to challenge all through recreating self value re-orientation to achieve success and at the same time employing all in leadership, governance, and entrepreneurship to embrace positive values like enthusiasm, determination, perseverance, patience, courage as a way to advancing society.
The author ended up with a message of hope for all including workers, youths, professionals, policy makers, students, unemployed, etc to imbibing positive values like determination, discipline, focus, and remaining positive mentally towards developing core value for self-re-orientation as a way to re-write history for the betterment of humanity and society.
Sincerely,
NOEL KAJI Reviewer
October 28, 2011