An Arduous Climb: From the Creeks of the Niger Delta to LeadingObstetrician and University Vice Chancellor

Reviewers: Michael1 Okobia and Friday Okonofua2 The book "An Arduous Climb: From the Creeks of the Niger Delta to Leading Obstetrician and University Vice ChanceUor" ref (1) is the work of Kelsey A. Harrison. Although an autobiography, the book addresses broader issues with vivid narratives extending from historical accounts relating to the social, economic, and poUtical development of Nigeria in the author's time and at the same time rendering a good account of academic growth in Nigeria over the past years. It teUs the story and tales of the adventurous Ufe of the author from the colonial era to post-independence in a vivid and insightful manner that portrays the aspirations, struggles, trials, intrigues, frustrations and eventual triumph that characterized his Ufe. The 389-paged book carefuUy woven into 22 chapters can be divided into four broad sections, each dealing with various phases of the author's Ufe and career. Section one comprising chapters one and two narrates the author's birth and early Ufe in Abonnema and his elementary and secondary school education in eastern Nigeria. Section two is made of chapters three and four and is concerned with the author's undergraduate and postgraduate medical education at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and the University CoUege Hospital in London, UK. The third section comprising chapters six to 11 chronicles the author's early Ufe in academic medicine beginning at the University of Ibadan and progressing to his career in Ahmadu BeUo University in Northern Nigeria. The fourth section made up of chapters 12 to 16, narrates tales of the author's experiences as a leading acUriinistrator in his capacity as Vice ChanceUor of University of Port Harcourt towards the tail end of the twentieth century. Chapters 17 to 22 are more in-depth elaboration of major events covered in sections three and four; chapters 17,18 and 19 detail the author's efforts in conducting the Zaria Maternity Survey, editing a textbook tided "Maternity Care in Developing Countries", and also elaborated more extensively on the issue of vesico-vaginal fistula. Chapters 20 to 22 are devoted to closing remarks, recognition of accompUshments both locaUy and internationaUy, the author's love for the game of cricket and his eventual retirement and relocation to Finland where he now Uves. While these divisions may be relevant in highlighting key landmark activities and experiences that characterized the author's Ufe, one thing stands out clearly; the entire book is a continuum, reaUy difficult to separate into artificial sections as we have attempted to do here. However, it is possible to discern certain key characteristics of each section in the author's Ufe that make such sectional arrangement purposeful in this review.