Topaz Books is proud to announce the imminent public release of the eagerly-awaited Footnotes for a Native Land, the fifth major poetry collection by acclaimed Nigerian poet, journalist, educator, and literary activist, Dr. Emman Usman Shehu.
Scheduled for publication a few days from now, this powerful new work marks a significant milestone in Shehu’s distinguished career, building on the legacy of his previous collections: Questions for Big Brother (1988), Open Sesame (2005), Icarus Rising (2017), and The River Never Returns (2022).
Footnotes for a Native Land is published by Topaz Books, an imprint of Topaz Publishing House, Abuja—the same house that brought forth Icarus Rising and The River Never Returns.
The publisher said in a statement signed by its press officer Maryam Sulaiman: “Comprising 62 meticulously crafted poems, Footnotes for a Native Land serves as a series of urgent, unflinching annotations to the story of Nigeria—its promises, its pains, and its persistent resilience.
“From the intimate courtship of the muse amid harmattan whispers and market rhythms, through the shattering of imposed silences in village squares and compounds, to searing critiques of economic hardship, political betrayal, insecurity, and the exodus of dreams, the collection widens into affirmations of cultural endurance—celebrating unfading dye pits of Kano, ancient earth ramparts, and the enduring spirit of the Green-White-Green flag.
“It culminates in quiet, existential meditations on mortality and release, offering a mature testament to witness and hope.”
The Abuja-based Shehu, who hails from Zamfara State, is founder of the Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF), established in 2008 as a vital monthly platform for Nigerian letters.
He “draws deeply from his Northern Nigerian roots while addressing the nation’s shared wounds and aspirations,” the publisher said.
It added: “His poetry—rooted in indigenous-inflected imagery, griot-like duty, and postcolonial conscience—continues to interrogate power, celebrate survival, and insist on the transformative power of words.”
The book features cover concept by the author, cover design by Steph Innocent Ukeme, and layout by Friday Inalegwu Ejilogo.
Copies will soon be available at leading bookstores across Nigeria, through Topaz Books’ distribution channels, and via direct orders from the publisher (contact: bookstopaz@gmail.com or +234 802 311 7473 / +234 905 014 5806 / +234 809 222 7705).
Topaz Books invites literary enthusiasts, critics, media, booksellers, and the reading public to join in celebrating this important new voice in contemporary African poetry.
Launch events and readings will be announced shortly, including through the AWF network.
For interviews, review copies, event inquiries, or further information, please contact:
Topaz Books
Plot 131, Cadastral Zone, Jahi District, Abuja, Nigeria
Email: bookstopaz@gmail.com
Telephone: 08023117473 | 09050145806 | 08092227705
About Emman Usman Shehu
Dr. Emman Usman Shehu is a poet, playwright, journalist, educator, and founder of the Abuja Writers’ Forum. His work has appeared in numerous international and local publications, and his collections have earned critical acclaim for their blend of lyric grace and socio-political urgency.
About Topaz Books
Topaz Books, an imprint of Topaz Publishing House, is committed to publishing bold, culturally rooted Nigerian literature that speaks truth to power and nurtures the creative spirit.
