07 May My Book – Nigerian Gods – Book Reviews So Far
+ Interesting and well-researched.
Retired Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais GCON [Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria 1995-2006]
+ I am amazed at the depth of research and detail that has gone into this priceless book. The best part is how much I learned from it; things I thought I knew but evidently did not really know. It is brilliant work. Dare I say, even academic!
Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman [Senior Adviser to Group President, Special Projects and Strategic Relations at Dangote Industries Limited]
+ A provocative and interesting well-researched theme. This book…is no doubt going to become a national treasure. I love that it intersects between religion, culture and politics at such an important time in our national journey. Understanding and respecting what separates us can unite us.
Udo Okonjo [CEO/Executive Vice Chair of Fine and Country West Africa, International Lawyer and Business and Life Strategist]
+ Thanks for the impact of the book to the country…it should be required reading for every literature and history student in Nigeria.
Udy Ntia [Retired Executive Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria Affiliates]
+ I’m thoroughly enlightened by this book. Worth the time invested in reading so far. Kudos.
Wale Adegoke [Founder & CEO LVM.world and Chief Executive Officer Nimbus Media Limited]
+ To say the book is worth reading is an understatement.
Emmanuel Omale [Key Account Manager, Sygen Pharmaceuticals Ltd]
+ For many, religion is a weapon, but for Kome Otobo it is a topical issue that requires a scientific understanding. Everyone should read this book; Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Politician or Citizen, irrespective of your nationality.
James Olorundare [Political Branding and Strategy Consultant, Author and Campaign Strategist]
+ I enjoyed this book and I think it is a great resource.
Ferdinand Adimefe [Founder/CEO, Magic Carpet Studios; Founder/CEO Imaginarium HQ]
+ Kome Otobo has written a fascinating and unique guide to the spiritual worlds of Nigeria. This beautifully written and deeply researched book is vital for anyone wanting a fuller understanding of the religious underpinnings and realities of Nigerian society. It’s a must-read.
Professor Toby Green [Professor of Precolonial and Lusophone African History and Culture, King’s College London]
+ In the conclusion of Nigerian Gods (shouts to the Gaiman nod), Kome Otobo writes of her book ‘It is best suited to the role of a starting point for deeper discussions and further research on the part of the reader’ and although it is that it’s also much more. Otobo takes 13 of the major Nigerian ethnic groups and investigates how their belief, and cultural, systems have been impacted by the major Abrahamic religions and how traditional practices intertwined with these following their introduction. Nigerian Gods was really interesting, as a non-believer I find religion fascinating from both a cultural and supernatural perspective and Otobo has done an amazing job of attending to both of these in a really accessible way. Also, if you do want to take this as a starting point the bibliography is really extensive, plenty to dive in to.
Ben B. [Instagram Book Reviewer]
+ About time more people research the topic of the faith practices of Africans that were forcibly disrupted, maligned, trashed and misrepresented.
Chuka Ihonor [Architect, writer, Chair of Open House Lagos]
+ This book should end up being taught in schools. So clear and informative. This book tells you things you already knew subconsciously and it will surprise you a few times. The knowledge is too valuable and it should be built on.
Ololade A. [Reader]
+ This book is very well researched, yet simply written. Well done.
Nnaemeka N. [Reader]
+ Nigerian Gods is so interesting and informative…a great accomplishment.
Rachel S. [Reader]
+ Loved it. Well curated and narrated.
Opemipo A. [Reader]
+ Very educative and informative. I never thought that Islam was introduced through the Northerners, I thought they’ve always been there…I never paid attention to how they came about in Nigeria…just the popular missionaries who introduced Christianity. Well, well well, both Islam and Christianity were introduced!
Ajoke O. [Reader]
+ Well-detailed and informative.
Yinyinade D. [Reader]
+ This book is amazing. It also managed to educate me which is usually impossible these days. 10/10 three flame emojis
Femi A. [Reader]
+ I think spirituality, just like love is a very complex subject. It means different things to different people, and because it’s literally larger than life, sometimes words aren’t enough to describe it. Kome Otobo has my utmost respect for attempting not just to write an unbiased report about the different religions and the gods we worship in Nigeria, but also how it has been interlaced with history and culture. I absolutely enjoyed reading Nigerian Gods as I learnt not just about the differences in our religion, but also how we are more similar than we think.
Olamide O. [Reader]
+ As of today, I’ve read Nigerian Gods 4 times. The first 3 times were towards the end of last year, when I had the privilege of grabbing a Malthouse copy before her book was picked up by Amazon and the likes. I am a deep fan of the work they’re doing at Malthouse (Yes, I follow them and their work). I am a greater fan of Ms. Otobo. I am admittedly slightly biased. Here is what I love about the book: It’s insightful. Let’s take that further: it is annotated with a realism that is found in more profound non-fiction. She has eloquently interwoven a unique history of how Nigeria has developed throughout the ages using the lens of varied mythology and religion. I flipped it open the first day and caught a snippet of a page (p.167) and her discussion of the azen. What I have found is a profundity of all religions, created and celebrated in this book. The scope in which she takes the reader through each section leaves me with a better reminder of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes than Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. And here’s the thing – she and I are both Neil Gaiman fans. This book is a definite read for anyone interested in the development and modification of tribal rituals, native religions and the intersection of how they cross and cause cultural developments. (I don’t necessarily want to use the word ‘folklore,’ as I do not think it does the book justice.) I recommend this for everyone interested in history and developing and cultural awareness 🙂
Julia Padgett [Multimedia Artist, Graphic Designer, Brand & Communications Specialist]
+ + + + + + + + + + +
If you are intrigued by the book reviews, please do pick up a copy! Thank you in advance if you do.
Available within Nigeria via DM to Malthouse Press Limited (@malthouselagos) on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter or malthouselagos@gmail.com
🌎 Available outside Nigeria via [1] African Books Collective – https://www.africanbookscollective.com/books/nigerian-gods, [2] Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nigerian-gods-kome-erubu-otobo/1142672303 & [3] AbeBooks – https://www.abebooks.com/Nigerian-Gods-Paperback-Kome-Erubu-Otobo/31356889919/bd [4] Amazon – just search for Kome Otobo Nigerian Gods
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