In a literary world that often celebrates people with humanities background, a consultant agronomist and entrepreneur, Dr. Prince Nduka Alum, continues to defy expectations with the release of his debut novels, “Behind The Doors Of Fate” and “The Girl Child: Rhythms of Destiny”.
Published in Nigeria by Grand Touch Media Services, LTD, the books highlight, among other things, the resilience of the Nigerian woman and the need for equal opportunities for both male and female children in a world that has limited prospects for all.
Alum’s works delve into the complex terrain of traditional practices, resilience in adversity, self discovery, conscious pursuit of purpose, determination and power of choice.
These remarkable collections share the real-life journeys of extraordinary individuals who have faced unimaginable adversity, moving from the grips of poverty to a life where they have control of their destinies. They also address the broader challenges of life, economic and spiritual growth, and the choices individuals make that shape their lives.
At the heart of the narrative of the first novel, “Behind The Doors Of Faith”, is the struggle that existed between the main character, Adaeze, nature and the society. Adaeze, 15, was forced into marriage by her overbearing father, who is deeply rooted in retrogressive tradition. But, at last, she eventually weathered all odds and barriers to find progress, trust and love in her marriage that started in a sour note.
The plot of the second novel: “The Girl Child: Rhythms of Destiny”, revolves around Chizoba, a young woman born into poverty in post-Nigerian civil war Enugu Ngwo, who courageously defies circumstances to pursue her dreams. With an unyielding passion for law, she navigates an extraordinary path to gain her father’s confidence and overcome numerous challenges.
Speaking at the formal launching of the books in Enugu, the author, Alum said the books started as part of his many bedtime stories such as “Sold Into Early Marriage”.
He disclosed that he motivated by the fact that women stories were not easily told in a society overshadowed by men’s escapades.
“Women are usually referred to as helpers in marriage. But,.most of them go beyond that to become bread winners of their families.
“So, it’s all about the resilience of women who do all sorts of works, return home to take care of the home front and still have time to perform matrimonial duties.
“So, I used to write adventurous books. As the story evolved, many of my followers began clamoring for an appropriate title for such a life-impacting story. The idea of how the faith and resilience of the major characters impacted and shaped the fate that befell them contributed to the choice of the title “Behind the Doors of Fate,” he said.
A professor of Law and former Dean, Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu, Agu Gab Agu, commended the author of the books, Dr Nduka Alum for his courageous effort to write such creative works at a time book publishing is faced with challenges.
“The book is a product of literary creation, an invention of Dr. Prince Alum’s ever creative mind. The book deals with human experience, a seemingly fictionalized true life story that delves into gender bias issue against the girl child as regards educational opportunities.
“It also addresses the broader challenges of life, economic and spiritual growth, and the choices individuals make that shape their lives. The titles of the books are captivating,” he said.
