Biographical compendium publishers, Profiles & Biographies, publishers of “Contemporary Who’s Who in Cross River”, is set to publish four new titles: “Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Cross River”,“The Future Now: Cross River State in the Next 50 Years”,“Future Leaders: People to Watch” and “Still So Beautiful at 50: A Pictorial Portrait of Cross River State” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Cross River State in May, 2017.
In a statement by the CEO of the specialised publishing firm, Kammonke Abam, on Thursday in Calabar, “Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Cross River State” will feature stories of those who fought for the creation of the state such as Brig. U. J. Esuene, Dr. Okoi Arikpo, Chief I. I. Morphy. Justice Udo Udoma, Prof. Eyo Ita, among others.
Abam said the book will serve as a platform to tell the stories of some of the unsung heroes and heroines who fought and served the state gallantly as teachers, farmers, businessmen and women, military personnel, clergy, bureaucrats, etc.
Abam explained that“Tomorrow’s Leaders: Young People to Watch” is a compendium of profiles of young people who are not more than 35 years old but creative and innovative and have potential for leadership.
The publisher said “The Future Now: Cross River State in the Next 50 Years” is meant to set agenda for the development of the state in the next 50 years. 50 experts from varied backgrounds will share their ideas, views and perspectives of how the state can consolidate its dream of statehood in the next 50 years.
The objective of the book on Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Cross River State, Mr. Abam noted, is to ensure that the “labour of our heroes past is not in vain” while that of the other two books is to set agenda for the future of the state.
He disclosed that the strategy for collating the stories is through critical mass participation. Members of the public who know such people as well as families whose patriarchs and matriarchs have made historical landmarks are encouraged to share their stories which will be aired on the local radio stations and later compiled into a book.
The books are intrinsically linked together. While the “Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Cross River State” celebrates the glorious past, the “Future Now: Cross River in the Next 50 Years” sets the agenda for the future and the “Future Leaders: Young People to Watch” profiles young persons with the potential to lead the state to its desired future.
He announced that members of the public who have stories can send via email toKammonke@yahoo.com or in the project website,www.crossriverat50.com; or facebook account, “Cross River at 50”, for purpose of widespread audience participation.
He said that the people targeted for listing in the book do not necessarily have to be Cross Riverians, but also people from other ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, who have lived or done business in the state and contributed to the development of the state over a reasonable period.