&
GAME MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA
PUBLISHER’S REMARK- AYO OPAKUNBI-
Positive Press
www.positivepressng.com
I am to say that the journey to this day commenced about a year and a month ago.
It all started through my small book – Taby and Ridgy (a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog) – which Yeye Akilimali, here seated, sold to Lawyer Adewoye. We discovered that both of us had common interest in non-human animals. He gave me his dissertations and our faith grew in the hope that we could blaze a trial in this all important virgin area- Animal Rights.
We find Lawyer Adewoye to possess intrinsic qualities which portend bright future for the country. One would be endeared to his infective industry, honesty and amiable disposition.
I can recall that the work was reproduced about seven times and both parties never complained; I was particularly impressed by Adewoye’s gentleness, persistence and scholastic aptitude. Call to duty took him out of town always but his computer literacy proved a great asset as we could work and communicate effectively via the internet.
A lot of experience was gained during the course of the production of the book:
1. There is therapy in dealing with animals; I went to the zoos in company of a vet doctor to take the pictures of animals; I was having excruciating pain due to solid wax deposit in my ears. Throughout the period, the excitement scared away my pain which I related to my colleague. It has been concluded on all hands that pet owners, especially dog owners, live longer and maintain better health than non pet owners.
2. There is brotherhood, to the frontiers of fraternity, among people of the Law Profession. We enjoyed the support and we benefited from experiences of juniors, colleagues, seniors and even mothers and fathers of the Law.
3. The need for education of the Nigerian populace towards dealing with animals ‘is’ overtly evident;
i. The toughest and most expensive picture in the book was that of the quella bird- The common bird that resides on trees in the villages – We thought we could just get to my maternal village and take the pictures stresslessly; we were in for a shocker, the birds were no more there, we moved to a neighbouring village, to our surprise, the birds, which we were told had been living on the ‘Odan trees’ for decades, had migrated. In both villages, the trees forming the abode of the birds had been cut to pave way for electric poles! The villagers explained that the birds were just common things which should give way for civilization. Little did they know that the birds were contributing to the balance of the ecosystem of the area.
ii. That last picture in the gallery was taken at Bodija Market, two cows were hauled into boot of the bus, Each cow’s head was tied to the hind and fore legs, the were in that position for about an hour during the time of negotiation with the butchers that would follow the hapless animals to Ilora, some distance. I was told that some passengers’ luggage might be loaded on the cows during the journey! We have works to do.
Have we produced a perfect book? I shall call in aid the case of Michael Angelo, the great artist who made Moses and David. He was beholding the sculpture of Moses one day, he was thrilled but spontaneously thrust the chisel at the knee of the statute and exclaimed: ‘Why can’t you speak?’ Of course it could not speak because it was not perfect; perfection belongs to God alone.
We have to place on record the support and encouragement from our families and the Association of Independent Publishers. The association sees this book launch as her programme and had to put off today’s meeting. It is an association of like minds committed to “actively celebrate the book wherever and whenever through excellence in production”
Also, the fatherly love of Dr. Bayo Adebowale, the founder of African Heritage Research Library, has always been a prompter to our literary productions.
We assure you that patronising us means giving the saddle to the right horse.
Thank you. God bless.
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