How Emeka Offor Foundation Plans to Put ‘Persona Non Grata’ on Every Nigerian Campus

The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) has announced plans to distribute veteran journalist Ismail Omipidan’s new memoir, Persona Non Grata, to universities and colleges of education across Nigeria as part of its National Book Distribution Initiative.

This was disclosed by the Foundation’s Chief of Staff, AIG Chris Ezike (Rtd.), when Omipidan presented 100 copies of the book to Sir Emeka Offor in Abuja. The gesture followed Offor’s ₦50 million donation in support of the book’s launch earlier this year.

Ezike, speaking on behalf of the Foundation on Wednesday, said SEOF has consistently promoted reading culture across Nigeria and Africa through massive book donations in partnership with Books for Africa, noting that Persona Non Grata will now join the pool of educational resources made available to students.

“One book can train a generation because books represent the bank of knowledge. Our founder believes in the power of books, and this is why Persona Non Grata will be part of our national distribution to universities and colleges of education,” Ezike said.

Omipidan, while responding to Ezike’s commendation, described Offor’s donation and support as “a powerful endorsement of the effort to tell Nigeria’s story of courage, resilience, and consistency through the lens of a journalist.”

The memoir, Persona Non Grata, chronicles Omipidan’s remarkable journey through journalism and politics, offering readers rare insights into the inner workings of Nigeria’s corridors of power. It explores defining moments such as the 2022 Osun governorship election, the birth and death of the six-year single term proposal under Goodluck Jonathan, the emergence of the 8th Senate leadership, and the contest for power in Borno between 2003 and 2011.

Blending personal anecdotes with national political history, the book reflects on resilience, ethical dilemmas, and the pursuit of integrity in public life.

With SEOF’s commitment to knowledge sharing, Persona Non Grata is set to become an essential resource for students and scholars seeking to understand the intersection of journalism, politics, and nation-building.