Book Description

The Life of an Enigma is an engaging read about an interesting and memorable life lived under uniquely challenging surroundings and times. The book is also an anthropological, sociological, and religious inquiry into the cultures and traditions of John Okogun Omovuon’s Edo and Delta States of Nigeria covering his lifetime, 1905 -1993 with special reference to the Esan(Edo) people. Educators, students, and researchers should find the book useful in the area of British colonialism and African culture, Nigeria history, Christianity in Africa, African spiritualism and African indigenous studies. A number of stranger than fiction events and encounters that uphold faith, courage, and integrity woven into free enterprise are described using materials from Okogun’s verbal and written accounts, information obtained by the author from Okogun’s contemporaries, and the author’s experience of life in the communities. The dance culture of the people including the famous Esan acrobatic dance (YouTube) Igbabonalimin is described in detail for the first time in the narrative. The author’s professional international experience as a natural products chemist is brought to bear on many aspects of the story including the herbalism practised by his father Okogun. Okogun lived a heroic life and his story needs to be told and read.