Apart from those who have written brilliant odes (Aminu Aliyu, Huzaifa Ilyas), made special picturial posts (Mu'azu J. Mu'azu, Amina Abdulkadir Adamu ), celebrated its ownership and even cited it in an academic statement (Rabiu Shamma) and expressed exciting comments about it on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc, we also have many who couldn't contain their joy and pleasure for reading its rich, enriching content and having it for keeps.
"Amma fa, you'll include another comments page when you are going to publish THE SECOND CUP ko? Because this brilliant poems from Huzaifa, Aminu and comments from others deserve to be archived for posterity sake." a young poet enthused. I couldn't agree more. A journalist of repute given a copy was surprised. "How did you find time to publish such a good quality book with your busy schedule?"
Yet, another person picked the poetry book off an Assistant General Manager's table, briefly flipped through the pages, initially attracted by the simplicity of the cover design and said "Who's book is this? Can I have a copy of it. I've never like poetry much, but this one is different! Please can I have this?" he was told it was Tijjani's book. ”Which Tijjani, the one I know? You mean the one who presents 'Yelloooooooo Soundz'? Unbelievable!"
”Hmmm, in full living colours, back to back too. That's bold. Must be very expensive to produce" said one. "I looooove it, Tj! Oh how I love it" another one exclaimed, "Teejay, 'ashe ba ni da lambarka?' (Teejay, so I don't have your number?) Our school magazine wants to publish 2 of your poems when they saw your book and asked me to seek your permission. Can we please? Can we?" asked someone. "Nice packaging. Who did the job for you? It looks a foreign job." an academician said.
"Teejay! What a wonderful book you have. Wow! Been reading it a page at a time on a daily basis, each morning. (Hehehehehe) Hmmm, really nice." I couldn't help but smile. There's this lawyer who write poems, but not much lately. He collected the fresh copy and after opening and scanning the Contents page asked "Kai! How many poems are in this book?" 124 was my answer "What? So many! Many usually contain 50-60, some 25 or 30, even less. But this is about 125? Fantastic!"
"We've taken our sip of your Tee. Hmm, very delicious... Hahahahaha. My sister who's a science student just finished secondary school was discouraged from writing poems and had virtually given it up . She use to love writing her words down. But upon reading your book, she has completely become reinvigorated. In fact she has taken it away from me. She wants to get back to writing her poems. How can we get you to help her with her writing? She said I should please beg you to look at her works!" a university lecturer stated.
"Never knew you could write poems. I thought you are only good on the radio!" A fan told me after taking a sip or two. Then of course there was this CEO of a major electrical company in Kano, who is my childhood friend. I never thought he would appreciate the book. All I wanted to do is to "Fulfill all righteousness" as the saying goes. Afraid if he should discover I have a book published and not given him a copy, it would amount to a disregard for his status in my mind. Yet, he ended up sending me some of the most amazing text messages to express in details how much he had indulge in the book.
I am still quite excited at Creative Writings rendition of some of the poems on their radio program last Sunday morning at 9:30 - 10:00am on Freedom Radio 99.5FM. Not forgetting that the producers and presenter of the program have requested that I should come for a live chat on the maiden poetry anthology next Sunday 28th September, 2014 at the same time, on the same station, which you can listen to live, even if you are outside Kano via the station's internet link www.freedomradionig.com by clicking on the Listen Live button. (Hope you don't miss it).
Well that's not all, for now there are many who, having read some or all of the book (already!) are beginning to pick their hottest favourites from the 124 number of poems residing in the anthology. Zaharaddeen I. Kallah, a sound author and poet said~ I Deserve Nothing ~ is a piece that has struck him hard and even made it known publicly of FB. Then there is Salma Yusuf who picked ~ One Day ~ as the most amazing fact she has discovered in the poetry collection.
If I may let you in on a secret. I've just been asked to pick my own ultimate poem, my magnum opus from the lot swimming in the first cup and I said.... Hey, why don't we meet on the program Creative Writings with Abdulsalam Sani on Freedom Radio 99.5FM at 9:30am where I'll reveal this answer and much more.
So make it a date!
Interesting developments, right?
By the way, do you have your copy yet? If yes, what is your reaction? If no, what are you still waiting for?
(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved
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