On Tuesday, 14th April 2026, Cecilia Umoren, the Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Oil and Gas Ltd, an upstream oil and gas producing company, invited guests to the Capital Club, Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island for the Official Launch of the Book, AFTER THE GUNS FELL SILENT, which she edited. From her perspective, the book is “a deeply reflective anthology that captures voices, memories, and lessons from the Nigerian Civil War era”
The Chairman of the event was Major General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), who was himself, a combatant in the Nigerian Civil War, on the Nigerian side. The Book Reviewer was Mr Supo Shasore,SAN, a former Attorney General of Lagos State, while the Book Presenter/Launcher was Mr. Atedo Peterside,CON, a former Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank. There was a Panel Discussion which comprised of: Ivana Osagie(Moderator), Eghosa Imasuen, (Publisher), Obi Asika(DG,National Council of Arts & Culture), Dr Elizabeth Jibunoh (Contributor), and Uri Ngozichukwuka (Contributor).
The Book comprised of: Preface, Introduction, and Prologue by Cecilia Umoren; Part One (Children of War) – Stories told by Dr. Okey Anueyiagu, Adiya Uri Ngozichukwuka, Dr. Ngozi Achike, and Prof. Isabella Okagbue; Part Two (In Harm’s Way) – Stories told by Otonahu Patricia Kanu, Dr. Elizabeth Jibunoh, Michael E. Inyang, and Dr. Kema Chikwe
Agunze Chibeze Ikokwu, Ida Offor, Chuks Gwam, and Anonymous; Epilogues by Dr. Elizabeth Jibunoh, and, Funmi Oyetunji (nee Salami)
It was indeed a memorable evening with readings, reflections, and, engagement with contributors and distinguished guests. On a personal level, the evening brought back memories of my experiences as a child who was on the Biafran side during the Nigerian Civil War, and the need for some of us to also document for posterity our experiences.
Cecilia Umoren has done a great job in bringing these personal stories to the general public which in her own words, “will in some way address our understanding, for better or for worse, of that momentous period of our chequered history.”
The book also aims “to fill gaps in collective knowledge, foster empathy across communities, and encourage Nigerians to confront the past in order to better understand the present and future.” It
is an important read for all those interested in the factual realities of how life was in the Biafran side during the Nigeria-Biafra War.
The new book is available at Amazon, Rovingheights Books, The Booksellers: Ibadan and Abuja branches; Flomat Books, at Asaba Airport.
The Editor of the book has also stated that
all proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to the B.A Okafor Foundation which has been established to assist the less privileged in honour of Cecilia Umoren’s late mother.
(Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju of NESH) contributed to this report.
