BOOK REVIEW

BY

…
21/../../..1
DEPARTMENT OF ….
FACULTY OF …
UNIVERSITY OF UYO, UYO.

SUBMITTED
TO

THE COORDINATOR
DR. IDARA THOMAS
GST 121: USE OF ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
UNIVERSITY OF UYO, UYO.

JULY, 2023.
Book Review

Title: A Pathfinder

Author: Effiong Ekpenyong

Place of Publication: Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Publishers: Robertou Communications.

Year of Publication: 2005 (Reprinted 2011)

Number of pages: vi + 142 = 148

Price: ₦800

Reviewer: …
Introduction — Purpose of the Book
A Pathfinder is a captivating tale that revolves around the thrilling adventures of a
young man in the Ikot Ibom nation. Uwem, a determined individual striving for a
better future, confronted the adverse attitude towards education found in his
father’s religion. Over the course of several years, Uwem successfully pursued
higher education, found stability, and secured a rewarding job. His unwavering
commitment to learning had profound effects on the people of his town, inspiring
many to also seek education. The author's intention in writing this book is to shed
light on the challenges faced by our society, including cultural, religious, and
leadership issues.
Content
The book's contents range from a prologue that introduces us to the main
character and provides us a tiny glimpse of what to expect, leaving you in
suspense but craving for more, through numerous chapters that are divided into
two halves. These are divided into separate but related chapters.

Organisation of content
The book is split into two parts, each containing sixteen chapters. The initial
portion consists of fourteen chapters, while the second section contains only two.
The author introduces the protagonist, Uwem, in the prologue, illustrating his
desire for a better future. Despite his father's religious convictions, Uwem
pursued education with unwavering determination. This determination ultimately
influenced other boys in the town, inspiring them to pursue further education as
well. Additionally, the prologue explores Uwem's changed perspective on his
childhood faith and his desire for everyone to embrace this newfound knowledge,
much like they did when they followed him to school.
Chapter 1
In this chapter, we are introduced to Uwem, a young man who is growing up in
the Ibom Nation. During this time, basic amenities such as electricity, piped water,
and automobiles were not very common. Uwem's upbringing involved having a
loving yet strict mother and a missionary father who would occasionally come
back home. Despite his father's religious beliefs, Uwem had a strong desire to be
educated, which almost seemed impossible. However, a series of events changed
his fate. When Uwem was admitted to the Ibom Community Secondary School, it
caused controversy and elicited various reactions. Nonetheless, this significant
moment not only affected Uwem's life but also opened doors for many others,
including members of his childhood church, to receive education..

Chapter 2
As the approaching long vacation drew near, the male protagonist formulated
strategies to generate income in this chapter. It was at this point that he became
aware of the inadequately deserved titles in his town. He realized that higher
education was more than just a symbol of prestige. In his perspective, education
provided a method of cultivating a critical mindset that could be applied to
analyze difficulties, pose inquiries, and search for resolutions in a manner that
appeared genuine, unbiased, and fulfilling. This perspective towards education
prompted him to embark on a journey of scrutinizing and honestly assessing
various subjects such as business, interpersonal relationships, and particularly
religion.

Chapter 3
He had another opportunity to earn money during a holiday, just like he had done
in the past. In this chapter, the main character ponders about his vacation
destination and eventually decides to visit his older brothers who reside and work
in Canaan city. Through this chapter, the readers witness the presence of societal
filth and how individuals we admire are sometimes the ones responsible for such
corruption. This is evident when Uwem goes to visit his aunt on his way to
spending the holiday with his brother. Moreover, it showcases the status and
admiration we receive when we choose to pursue righteousness and firmly
believe and act upon it.
Chapter 4
In this chapter, a fresh wave emerges which is based on diabolism and witchcraft,
but exists solely within the context of a club. It is worth mentioning that
influential individuals, including religious leaders, were part of this malevolent
cult. Uwem observes members of the community making questionable choices in
order to protect themselves from this dangerous club. However, he finds the
answers to his inquiries and also embraces a new belief, fearlessly standing up for
his newfound faith and what he deems morally correct, even when faced with
opposition from his colleagues and ex-faith members.

Chapter 5
Two women's stories are told here. One, a young attractive leady who works as a
secretary for a corporation, was able to keep her flirting tendencies in check
despite the adulation and plans of men, including her boss, to win her heart and
entice her to bed. She would rather give up her job than jeopardize her honor and
honesty. The other was a married young lady without a problem, and it seemed
that her fate and competent medical care were not generating positive results.
She saw an opportunity and decided to take advantage of it to see if she was
capable of taking in or not. A plan that she knew was wrong, and the
repercussions were far worse than she could have predicted.

Chapter 6
Two men who were recently engaged to their future spouses were faced with a
test to assess their loyalty and character. In the first case, one of the men was
presented with an opportunity to fulfill his longtime desire of traveling abroad,
but at the cost of ending his engagement. He made the admirable decision to
prioritize his clear conscience over accepting the offer. On the other hand, the
second man was given a chance to work for a well-established international
finance firm with numerous potential benefits. He ultimately decided to call off
his planned marriage and marry his new love, who held the key to resolving all his
problems.
Chapter 7
This chapter examined the deterioration of the lifestyle of women in contrast to
the habits and customs that prevailed several decades ago. The negative impact
of civilization and education was highlighted, implying that they had caused more
harm than benefit. The chapter considered different traditional practices,
suggesting that certain aspects should be discarded while recognizing the
importance of preserving other values. Looking ahead, it recommended the
church as a final recourse for providing moral and ethical assistance to women.

Chapter 8
This chapter showcases the effective measures taken to address the harmful
phenomenon of "ghost workers," which had contributed to higher unemployment
rates and inadequate pay for employed individuals. Additionally, the chapter
discusses the various strikes initiated by different organizations and proposes that
these conflicts could have been prevented if the government and employers had
chosen a more cooperative approach, thereby avoiding significant losses. Lastly,
the chapter concludes by highlighting the church as the sole institution with the
ability to guide individuals towards moral stability.

Chapter 9
In this chapter, Uwem shares his perspective on the presence of God, His son, and
the Bible. It becomes evident that if individuals were able to evaluate religion
critically, it could enable them to develop a more unbiased understanding of the
whole situation, rather than relying on a particular piece as undeniable evidence.
Furthermore, Uwem discusses the lack of concern among the public regarding the
truth about AIDS and emphasizes the necessity for extensive education about the
disease. Lastly, the chapter concludes by highlighting the impending judgment of
hell.

Chapter 10
In this chapter, the protagonist reflects on the current state of his former religious
community and their treatment of him. It reveals their sinister qualities and their
dependence on traditional healers for protection. A particular incident is
described where a couple visits a traditional healer, causing turmoil and strife in
their marriage when the truth is discovered.

Chapter 11
This chapter examines the moral uprightness and loyalty of Ikot Ibom citizens
residing abroad. Additionally, it highlights the concept of "white lies," which was
previously considered a harmless falsehood. The chapter also explores the
financial aspects of the Ikot Ibom People's Congress (IIPC), including monetary
policies and exchange rates, with an aim to rectify the undesirable trend of
currency devaluation.

Chapter 12
In this chapter, we witness the disintegration of a friendship caused by
contrasting religious viewpoints. Religion is widely recognized as having a
significant impact on our relationships and responses to various situations,
especially when it involves individuals who hold divergent religious beliefs.

Chapter 13
The purpose of this chapter is to examine the noticeable lack of enthusiasm
evident in the religious practices of believers in the "Church of Today," as well as
the tendency to dismiss any religious material that does not align with their
beliefs as subpar. The protagonist in this story strongly believed that it was crucial
for a person in a position of authority to restore Okposong's dignity, albeit
without resorting to violence or aggression.

Chapter 14
As Uwem reflected on his personal journey of pursuing an education, he
recognized the skepticism and gossip that surrounded his decision. However,
seeing the profound impact his education had on the lives of many, he felt a sense
of validation in following his childhood vision. This was evident when he
reconnected with a childhood friend who had pursued education abroad. Uwem
concluded that if his initial pursuit of education had yielded positive results, then
his future endeavors had the potential to guide others towards truth, making an
even greater impact on society.

Chapter 15
A chance meeting with an old acquaintance made Uwem very delighted to see
individuals breaking free from the bonds that had kept them from understanding
the truth.

Chapter 16
As Uwem reached the conclusion of this chapter, he couldn't help but be deeply
moved as he retrospectively considered the significant impact his actions had on
the lives and destinies of others. It was through his focus on educational
development that he first saw positive outcomes, but he also displayed a
profound desire to leave a lasting influence on the religious beliefs and practices
of those around him.
Evaluation
The book was generally enjoyable, although my expectations for the author were
a bit higher. It appeared to heavily focus on religious beliefs, leaving less emphasis
on other important concerns, which is reflective of our society today. Additionally,
I noticed a few grammatical errors in the publication
Conclusion
Despite its minor imperfections, the book imparts a crucial lesson about the
significance of unwavering determination and resilience in our quest for truth and
in making choices. It vividly showcases the transformative impact our decisions
can have on the lives of others, while also emphasizing the need to stay resolute
in our beliefs even when faced with challenges. Uwem, the main character, can be
seen as a remarkable trailblazer in this regard.
Recommendation
I highly recommend this book to readers of all backgrounds, but particularly to
the younger generation, as it serves as a valuable tool in fostering a deep
understanding of their roots, the significance of education, and the importance of
seeking and embracing the truth.
By reading this book, younger readers will embark on a journey of self-discovery,
gaining insights into their heritage and cultural identity. They will develop a
profound appreciation for the past, recognizing the role it plays in shaping their
present and future. Moreover, the book will inspire a strong desire for knowledge
and learning, emphasizing the transformative power of education in empowering
individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.