The 99th posthumous birthday anniversary of James Ene Henshaw, resonated the intellectual fireworks and literary legacies of the a medical doctor-turned playwright in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital.
The Letters House of Watbridge Hotels, Uyo, provided a podium for eminent scholars, writers and literary giants to unearth the intellectual works of the accomplished playwright.
Organised by Uyo Book Club, the event was ably supported by Watbridge Hotels & Suites, Uyo and the James Ene Henshaw Foundation (JEHF).
Also read: Uyo Book Club celebrates Ray Ekpu at 75
Henshaw who was born August 29, 1924 in Calabar, Cross River State, died August 16, 2007), was one of Nigeria’s pioneer playwrights.
He was known for notable titles: This Is Our Chance, Medicine for Love and Dinner for Promotion.
At the background was the massive backdrop poster of the event:
THE JAMES HENSHAW MEMORIAL
UBC CELEBRATES
- JAMES ENE HENSHAW
A LITERARY LEGEND @99
Recall that Uyo Book Club has held literary feast for William Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo and Ray Ekpu, among others.
In setting the tone, Dr. Udeme Nana, Founder of Uyo Book Club, reiterated the mission of the club: “To promote, To Reawaken, To attempt a counter culture on the reading habits of Nigerians.”
Nana remarked that Uyo has become the first-ever National Book Club City in Nigeria for two years.
UBC has, over the years developed the culture of celebrating her legends and literary icons. In time past, Chinua Achebe, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate, has enjoyed such honour and now, Dr. James Ene Henshaw.
Dr. Nana used the opportunity to canvas support for Mr. John Obot in his Guinness World Record attempt to read for 145 unbroken Hours of reading.
‘‘There’s no doubt the success when it comes, the honour, limelight and focus will be collectively, positively, shared firstly by Akwa Ibom State, and Nigeria,’’ he opined.
In his goodwill message, patron of Uyo Book Club and the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South in the Senate, Dr. Ekong Sampson, delivered by his Special Assistant on Media, Samuel Udoma, said that Dr. James Ene Henshaw deserves to be celebrated.
Senator Sampson savoured the fond memories of Bambulu, a well known character in Henshaw’s This Is Our Chance, which gained fame in schools and colleges, paying tribute to the ‘medicine men in literature,’ including the likes of Cyprian Ekwensi, Martin Akpan for their great sense of storytelling and exploring the ‘writer in the scientist.’
Dr. Bassey Ubong noted that Akwa Ibom State is known for astounding ‘Firsts,’ recording also the GWR for longest cooking hours held by Hilda Bassey, and the First Police Headquarters in Abuja named after one of her statesmen, Sir Louis Edet.
The Chairman of the event, Mr Ekan Ubong, expressed delight at being called to witness such a gathering.
An avid reader himself, he set for himself an almost impossible dream of reading all the literary works in the Library of his alma mater, Etinan Institute, before graduation. He said everyone must “Do something worth remembering in their lifetime.”
The Uyo Book Club in-house orator, Dr. Martin Akpan, himself, a medical doctor just like Dr. James Henshaw, also gave a resounding presentation, sharing his thoughts on the evolution of Doctors-Writers, which he said dated back to antiquity from St Luke the Evangelist down to Dr. Godwin Noah in the 21st century.
Dr. Akpan regaled the audience with an immaculate rendition of some of the popular lines of Bambulu from This Is Our Chance. Akpan is said to have acted that part back in his primary school days, many years ago.
The former Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Akwa Ibom State, cited a curious relationship between medicine and creativity and the mythological Apollo, whose creed new medical doctors are made to swear Hippocratic oath.
“The involvement of Doctors in literary activities dates back to antiquity,” he said. ‘‘Now we know Dr. Ene Henshaw, the man we gathered to celebrate was not the first Doctor-Writer. There were many others. History is factual on this, and there will be others still.’’
Mr. Idongesit Nnah who read the citation of the guest speaker, Prof. Effiong Johnson, which was a synopsis of the academic, personal, religious and societal influence wielded by the playwright.
‘‘The husband, father to two Ph.D holders, a Pastor, playwright, author of 120 books, was an exciting wonder to listen to.’’
Johnson, a Professor of Theatre Arts, Film and Communication Studies, University of Uyo, in his discourse on Magic in Blood, it was evident he himself has “magic in his tongue.”
During the session, the Professor of Theatre and Aesthetics did a sumptuous review of some of Dr. Henshaw’s works, dwelling a little bit more on Magic in Blood – regarded as one of Henshaw’s rarest.
He began by calling to question the striking resemblance between himself and Dr. Martin Akpan. On certain occasions, he said, he has been stopped by his supposed patients to enquire of their diagnosis.
He broke down the contents in the simplest of ways, leading the audience into growing with the characters, scenes and scenarios, delving into nuances of culture and traditional influences, the ethos and pathos of the literary work, among others.
The Professor wove an amazing tapestry of timeless essence that a piece that was written in the early 60’s came back to life instantly.
‘‘All elements of Drama: Plot, character, tension, language, spectacle, audience, mood, and atmosphere were embodied. Actors on the stage, performer after another, speaker after speaker, perfect script delivery always, seamless flow, flair and excellence captured in every scene, an audience activated!’’ it was observed.
He waded through such encounters, with finesse and effusiveness.
Johnson led the audience to appreciate Arts and reeled out such terminologies as Affective Stylistics, literary devices: farce, melodrama, satire, tragedy, comedy, ironies, language, and transliteration found in the play: Magic in Blood.
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Prof. Joe Ushie also the rapporteur, hailed Dr. Henshaw’s influence on a generation of writers, especially those from the Southern part of the country.
Ushie offered critical insights into Dr. Henshaw’s use of language, thematic plots and style in many of his plays.
He described Dr. Ene Henshaw as “The man who saw tomorrow” because his works are relevant today as it was when written years back.
In marrying the thoughts of the speakers, he compared today’s leadership in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary to characters in Henshaw’s play.
Abom Tony Esu, who oversaw the cake cutting and tried to give the true meaning of Henshaw.
Professor Obot Etukudo proposed the toast to Nigeria’s finest, brilliant minds, Dr. James Ene Henshaw.
Members of the audience drank to the continuous growth of Arts and Humanities, of creativity and authenticity, and of professionalism.
Earlier, James Ene Henshaw, Jr, who joined via Zoom from the UK, had lauded Uyo Book Club and Watbridge Hotels for hosting the memorial for their father.
‘‘On behalf of the family of late James Ene Henshaw, and the JEH Foundation, I would like to thank the Uyo Book Club for organising and putting up such a marvellous celebration of the playwright. When I first heard of the event I was overcome with emotion.
‘‘I, the Foundation, have been doing our best to keep his literary work alive, and the fact that such eminent persons as all who were involved in the organising and were present at the celebration took it upon yourselves to honour his work was most profound for me.
‘‘Dr Henshaw was never a man to blow his own trumpet and there was a danger his work would die with him. But his work touches the nerves of our very existence – though simple, it makes us think – like an onion, one can always peel off a layer to find something new in his plays; they make us cry and above all they make us laugh.
‘‘At this juncture, the work of Ene Henshaw is our collective property. We have to cherish and nurture it. If we don’t, who else will? From what I witnessed yesterday, his work will not be buried and forgotten. It still burns with great intensity in the minds of those who have read his work. Even the young readers couldn’t help but laugh while reading. That’s what Ene Henshaw does to you…… once again, UBC well played,’’ Henshaw added.
Sam Udoma/Uboho Bassey reported the event.
