the world of gays and its tragedies

By Theresa Onwughalu (Daily Sun, Nigeria)

BOOKS – March 18, 2008: Encouraging up-coming writers to write whenever inspiration comes has always been the piece of advice given by prolific authors. In line with that, the pamphlet entitled, The Gay Man written by Egbosionu Stanley is indeed a learning material for the author and a note of warning to the youths.

Although very short, it tells the complete story of a young undergraduate, Ugochukwu Okeke, whose life’s dream of becoming a renowned lawyer was dashed as he not only turned into a chain smoker but a gay. In pursuit of his lust for male partners, he contracted HIV/AIDS and lost his life at prime age.
Dedicated to the author’s late father, Mr. Christopher Egbosionu, Stanley believes that it has been the Holy Spirit that helped him to write this prose. The 11-page booklet is divided into four chapters.

The main character, Ugochukwu, the third son of Mazi Christopher Okeke is introduced right from the second paragraph in Chapter One. He is portrayed as a young boy, who is morally upright and is willing to study to be able help his family and the society in future. He worked hard and gained admission into a university to study law and be like his hero, Barrister Ezekiel Akpangbo. But just barely weeks into the school, his roommate, Chocho, a wealthy man’s son began to lure him to smoke Indian hemp. Ugochukwu resisted the temptation but that did not last long. His dream was cut short when his mother shot his father for attempted assault. For murdering her husband, she got a life jail term.

With the turn of event, Ugochukwu is taken to America by a close relation. While there, he fell headlong into immorality of all sorts. According to the pamphlet, the young man yielded to temptation because of the pressures of life. He thought if he drinks and smokes, he will forget about his problems, feel high and be happy.

He also fell into homosexuality in order to make quick money from white men. His cousin, Henry convinced him to believe that the evil activity with his partner, Barrister Jones Wash, was just for a day which of course would attract monetary reward. But that was not so. He was deceived. Although he made the money, the evil act did not end after that day. It continued. Ugochwukwu got possessed with the inordinate passion and married Wash and other men as ‘wife’.

Situation got changed for Ugochukwu when he returned to his hometown, Akota in Ideani L.G.A of Imo State in Chapter Four. Initially, he was respected and loved for his money but that did not last for too long. The problem he had was the habit of smoking and that of inability to control his sexual urge for his fellow men. His lifestyle was strange to his people so, he couldn’t get a partner. At last when he could bear it no longer, he tried to lure a young boy, Nonso Okoye into the act and this led to his arrest and loss of self-respect.

On his release from the prison, he totally got swallowed up in the devilish habit. His uncontrollable urge led him to rape an HIV/AIDS infected victim and that led to his death. The society was rid of a nuisance and his remains was taken to evil forest.

The prose is didactic. It is revealing and teaches morals. It has youths especially as its target. It is a warning against indulgence in narcotics, homosexuality, and all immoral acts that could lead to destruction.

It also serves as a lesson for parents to forbear with each other, train up their children and make their home a happy family.

One feature stands out prominently in this pamphlet and that is the author’s use of straight to point style of presentation. The cover title is straight and the story line equally straight to the point. The story is briefly told. The ideas are compressed and not expressive enough. There are grammatical blunders, spelling errors, which the author should avoid in subsequent write-ups. Also the name of publisher, place of publication and dates should be indicated.

In all, braving all odds to write and publish this pamphlet is commendable. It is a good attempt considering the idea and lessons the book intends to pass across to everyone, especially the youths. The book also serves as an encouragement to any would-be author to continue with the good work of writing.

Mr. Egbosionu Stanley popularly called De Young Pilot by peers is a native of Akokwa in Ideato North Local government Area of Imo State.