• New hardback celebrates Nigeria’s finest citizenry
• Why coastal Lagos and Lagosians enjoy special focus in new literature
It is often said that genius does what it must and talent does what it can but the man who commands both smarts and flair becomes nature’s rare gift to the world. Among other things, he personifies extraordinary aspects of the wunderkind, which can only be channeled by middling segments of the globe.
These proverbial wunderkind are the thrust of popular society writer and Thisday Newspaper columnist, Lanre Alfred’s new book: “The Titans: Exploits Of Nigeria’s Greatest Achievers.”
In the book Alfred chronicles the exploits and achievements of some of Nigeria’s finest brains and leaders in different areas of endeavours.
“It is about the inimitable and invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria of some individuals who have turned an idea into an industry and built, in the process, remarkable prosperity and popularity.
It is about the wunderkinds from the slums of Ajegunle, Bariga, Agege, Okokomaiko and Surulere among other places that have parlayed their creativity into a flourishing enterprise and are not only financially liberated but are accorded global respect,” states Alfred.
The journalist and author reveals that the book which is a product of painstaking research spanning the last decade, mirrors the outstanding resilience and perseverance of outstanding Nigerians in their ambitious dash for honour and progress and in the face of daunting political and socio-economic odds.
According to him, “Essentially, I have documented in pristine prose and pictures, the inspiring exploits and attainments of Nigeria’s finest breed of magnates, politicians, scientists, academics, technocrats and entertainers who are transforming the world and inspiring others to do likewise.”
Thus, as he recalls his subjects’ storied trajectory and records it for posterity and historians, Alfred projects his book as an inspirational mini-biography of the exploits of Nigeria’s finest.
In commemoration of coastal Lagos @ 50, Alfred notes that “A section of the book has been devoted basically to chronicling the contributions and achievements of some Lagosians, whose sweat and toil, industry and initiatives, have contributed to making Lagos the fifth largest economy in Africa and a primus inter pares in Nigeria. Their contributions to the growth of Lagos would be put into proper historical perspectives for the benefit of posterity and researchers.”
Alfred is the publisher of the widely accepted coffee table book, “Highlife – Amazing Lifestyles of Nigeria’s Rich and Famous” and biographies including “Pacemaker – Triumphs of Igho Sanomi at 40;” “The Lion of Afia Nsit -Triumphs of Scott Tommey at 45;” and “Julius Rone…The Jewel of the Delta.”
