THE FINAL COME DOWN CAME-MICHAEL EGBEJUMI-DAVID

Michael Egbejumi- David has written a book that seems so honest that even the Author confessed to a sort of naivety. A disarming one if you go through the highly contemporary yet with enough dose of African richness pages of his book, titled, ‘The Final Come Down Came’.

When you meet Dr Egbejumi-David for the first time, you will be amused at how he almost automatically tries to omit the usually highly coveted DR title from his name. A leading Neurologist with  decades of medical practice, he stands tall(physically and safe to say, mentally) above many others in the UK.A lot of Nigerians are usually impressed to see their Compatriots in choice professional posts in the Queensland yet Michael  takes  all in his stride and seem to presently prefer  to be known as a Writer. A series of articles mainly on Online media like Saharareporters.com,Nigerianvillagesquare.com,Huhuonline.com,Nigerianarticles.com and a few traditional publications back home sees a large fan base for his writing. A few people assume his works which are largely social commentary might be the main theme of his book but The Final Come Down Came is romance. It features the struggle to work through deception that threatens the union of a Nigerian Couple in the UK, DR Joyce and Fred. According to Michael, The book came as a result of the response from readers when he wrote a series of articles that could be termed soft or lifestyle, ‘For  Men Only’ a few years ago. More than anything it showed that people yearn for contemporary works, he concludes. One could not agree more as there is indeed a growing clan of African Writers especially in the diaspora who do not wish to be boxed into writing mainly African folklore, witchcraft, politics or rural setting before being accepted. I t comes to the fore when even Africans tend to assume that talking about modern lifestyle is the exclusive of Western Writers. Michael opined, “I try to write about what I know and see every day”.

Who is not represented in this fast read book? That is the question as in music, King Sunny Ade’s Syncro system, E  ki lo f’omode and other classics are proudly enjoyed alongside, Victor Uwaifo, Rex Jim Lawson, Chaka Khan ,The Oriental Brothers, Osita Osadebey , Chris Okotie, Mariam Makeba, Sade and Babyface. The Literary world had Chris Anyanwu, Professor Wole Soyinka and Dr Chinua Achebe’s intimidating presence. Not done, London Landmarks especially Nigerian enclaves are clearly stated such as Lagos Island, Mama Calabar, Wazobia , Obalende Suya and the Dalston Market which is like Yaba Market got  a full account. Right now, one cannot readily name a novel  that mentions  NTA International but not only can it be found in Michael’s book ,Raymond Dokpesi’s DAAR Communication’s Shares as well as Alistair Soyode’s BEN are on the roll call. The BBC and Fox News got their work mentioned (positively for the former and outright Thumb down for the latter) as the book reminded many of the failed media smear of Obama by FOX News pre-inauguration coverage tint with racism, and of course Obama’s historical inauguration as America’s 44^th President on the 20^th of January, 2009.Not too surprising then that Nollywood and Kanayo .O.Kanayo surfaced along the line. The social online media like Facebook, Nigerian Village Square were debated by the main Characters in the book and the reader was left with a choice of the pros and cons.

Dr Michael Egbejumi-David

Social Commentary cannot be excused from the book and it runs through various chapters. Michael deftly employed the conversations of Joyce friends and her professional Colleagues (Medical Doctors at Family Association of Nigerian Doctors, FANDOC meetings) to chew many issues facing Africans and the world at large. The usually quota system of having a lone black person especially at choice positions, probably faced professionally  by Michael was noted, the influx of Eastern Europeans who can do most menial jobs thereby making more African Immigrants jobless featured. The case of having a Spouse to join one in the UK longest for Africans compared to other races was lamented, likewise the sometimes ill treatment of Nigerians aboard British Airways was roundly criticised. Many people in the Western world might agree with Michaels’s point of view about black ladies dating very much older white men compared to black men who seem to find it easier to date white ladies closer to their ages. Despite pointing out a seemingly rip off of the Congregation by Churches in the Nigerian UK community, The sustaining power of Religious groups especially in times of crisis was acknowledged by the Writer who observed that it is rare to see a Nigerian Christian not going to Church in the UK these days.

Dr Egbejumi-David makes you see the Medical profession and Doctors in a more understanding light, even taking us through a Neuro Surgery Procedure at a stage, yet despite being on a medical sojourn from age sixteen, you cannot help but notice a bit of irony in his view of medicine as a quotation from his book reads,” My job is like a Sponge, it is for ever demanding and never turned down additional input”. At a stage when Dr Joyce tried to chastise her friend for unhealthy eating habit, the Medical Profession comes into the book again thus “The way the blood flows freely in your veins and arteries offends you, doesn’t it?”..

The rich and easy use of African proverbs and similes can be appreciated by the Reader as the chapters unfold.

The title though not the longest anywhere could be said to be the remnant of Michaels’s American sojourn. A faint trace of American accent could be heard from his accent as well, spiced with some British intonations. For someone who admitted to never dreaming of writing a book, Michael’s book easily holds one spell bound from the first page as Joyce walked in to read a diary of her partner Fred about her, which was not positive for her image, she decided not to confront him right away and a moving romantic session followed. She however had more damages done to her ego when ,not only did she discover he bought a house without her knowledge but a girl was resident in the house, all the way from Nigeria, claiming Fred was her Fiancé. All hell was let loose from then and Elderly family members and Joyce friends especially tried to bring the couple back together. The book indeed addresses the incessant cases of Females locking their Spouses out of the house in the UK and also the large divorce cases as well. In fact almost every aspect t of Africans live  in diaspora was reflected in the book. With different reactions from people like,Rueben Abati, Okey Ndibe and a few others ,Michael  supplied that he wanted to write something light, fictional  yet  factual. He describes his book as a light breezy read. Armed mainly with a Secondary School Press Club experience unlike many Writers of today, usually self –depreciating Michael refers to himself as untrained. Yet, one cannot fail to appreciate his humorous style of delivery which makes his works easily entertaining. With a second book already started, and offers of Columns and more writing coming his way, Michael seems to be settling well in the Publishing world. Amazon, Tesco, Waterstones   and Author House,(the Publishers of the book) sell the book which can also be bought directly from Michael. Hugely influenced by expectations of his late Parents, Michael studied at St Paul’s Primary School, Lagos, Hussey College Warri and initially hoping to be a Pilot like his Father had to settle for Medicine with his Father’s insistence. Medicine life includes Brazil, New York and the UK.

Book signing

 He listed Ben Carson, the world acclaimed American Neurosurgeon, Mandela (whom he has seen twice) and his father as his real heroes and inspirational people.

Dr Egbejumi-David signing his book.

Lagos born Michael who hails from Warri, Delta state is a father of three kids. He could be seen at Urhobo Community events in the UK lately especially as he laments losing touch with his Nigerianess while building his professional life. Hard work and not taking life too seriously or life passes one by are his guiding principle in life he says. With acknowledgements of the likes of Dele Momodu, Joan o’sa oviawe, Irene Akpofure, Olufemi Segun, Wale Akintunde, Julius Odiase and a host of others, one could say, DR Michael Egbejumi-David, who plans to make reading amongst Nigerians trendy again, is a Writer many will enjoy especially with his easy  and witty style of delivery.