Dear Fellow,
On Wednesday, 19th July 2023, my debut book The University Library will be launched. The past four weeks seem surreal. A book launch was never factored into the plans I drew at the beginning of the year. Plus, I only learned to plan for a year’s span last year. Yet, I am grateful that I will be launching my book eventually.
I planned on writing a despatch entitled “Writing is Not My Life!” today. Halfway through the first draft, I had to set it aside to write this.
Today’s despatch is basically an attempt to respond to the fundamental why question—that is, why I am launching my debut book on campus as I conclude my years of study as an undergraduate.
The simple answer. The book is about the library in my school, University of Jos. However, it goes beyond a simple, single answer.
Professor Stephen Akintunde, the immediate past university librarian, was penciled on the programme draft for the book launch to give a keynote address. But for his observation, I didn’t think it unfit to have a keynote address at book launch. Well, he made it clear that it is unconventional (if not unnecessary) to have a keynote address at a book launch. That was in a phone call that lasted for about 22 minutes. (Yes, he was that patient despite his busy schedule.)
Before the conversation with Professor Akintunde, interactions with faculties and management of my school were cold and discouraging. In fact, a great deal of my doubts about the launch were founded on the cold responses and poor attitude of some members of the university. For example, I walked into an office to submit an application with respect to the book launch but met a questioning atmosphere in the room. I expected a cheering welcome after explaining my purpose of visit to a secretary but was perceived as irritating for asking too many questions in a bid to help my ignorance. Until the phone conversation with Professor Akintunde (and a few other faculties on campus), I relied on encouragement from my dear friend Abumisi Ogochukwu who is the team lead for the planning of the book launch, and my friends and family.
While we talked, Professor Akintunde said, “I commend your creativity and initiative. This is what the university is about—to foster learning and encourage creativity.” It didn’t stop there; further instructions toward a worthwhile event followed. The moment he ended the statement “This is what the university is about”, I was elated, lost in words, and became speechless for a moment. A tear almost dropped.
I hardly can remember any other faculty who deliberately cheered me on as Sir Akintunde did. The moment, he made the remark, I felt a bit lighter. My worries vanished for a moment. I felt a new wave of ease. It was a moment when my why for this event found expression.
As soon as I dropped the phone, I told Ogochukwu that the book launch is not about me. I became so certain it is not about me. Imaginations flashed my in mind immediately. I wondered what the success of this event will do to the mindset of that one student who has followed the process keenly. I wondered what the process so far has done to that one student I do not even know exist.
I now look at this process differently. To me, it looks like a model of change. A reawakening of the members of the university community to her somewhat neglected values. (Please, pardon my ignorance of the history and values of the founding of universities at the moment.) A few words from Andrew Delbanco’s College lends credence to my demands from a university:
“Yet it is also true that much can be achieved—more than by crying crisis—when faculty and administrators work in a collaborative spirit on behalf of their students. There are plenty of examples of replicable ‘best practices’ that have not been sufficiently replicated.”
The 19th of July is barely four days away—the day my debut book will be launched at the University of Jos. I have quite a few expectations for that day because I am sure the wonder on that day will be so overwhelming, if not surreal as the past three weeks have been. Aside from posing as a beautiful light for my Saviour Jesus, I will be content when I hear from an undergraduate that he or she is challenged to unleash his or her inherent potential for the good of others in his or her university or institution of learning.
I look forward to an amazing experience at the university library on Wednesday, 19th July 2023, good Fellow. Please, be my guest.
Your LetterMan,
Tongjal, W. N.
PS: Perhaps you wish to be at the event but cannot make it down to my school, you can partake in making the day a success by making a donation toward the success of the event via any of these channels:
Follow this link to make a donation (in a currency) via Internet banking:
Make a direct transfer to my local bank account:
0106670018; Tongjal Wungakha Nungbulla; Access Bank.
(You can reach me via WhatsApp to notify me about your donation: 09028838362.)
At the time of this writing, I have received a total of ₦15,000 in donations for the book launch from subscribers of this newsletter. Your donations went a long way. The team and I are grateful. Thank you, good Fellows!