Nigerian author Issa Mutolib Ayobami is set to present his latest book, Shattered Dreams of a Patriot: A Story of Love and Trials, in Ilorin, Kwara State, on November 1, 2026.
The book presentation, scheduled to take place at the Banquet Hall, opposite Government House, GRA, Ilorin, by 11:00 a.m., is expected to bring together members of the literary community, academics, young people, professionals, public figures and other lovers of literature and ideas.
At the heart of Shattered Dreams of a Patriot is a reflection on patriotism, love, sacrifice, personal trials and the complexities of remaining committed to one’s ideals in the face of difficult circumstances.
Through the story, Issa explores the human side of patriotism – its hopes, sacrifices, disappointments and the emotional cost that can accompany a person’s devotion to a greater cause. The book seeks to encourage readers, particularly young Nigerians, to reflect on their relationship with their country and the values that can contribute to a better society.
The Foreword to Shattered Dreams of a Patriot was written by Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). ANA is Nigeria’s foremost professional association for creative writers and has played a longstanding role in promoting Nigerian literature and literary culture. (Association of Nigerian Authors).
Dr. Akanbi is an academic and creative writer who combines his professional career with a sustained engagement with literature. He is a Senior Lecturer and erstwhile Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at the University of Ilorin, while his literary works span poetry, prose and drama. He is also the founder of the Imodoye Writers’ Enclave, a literary initiative established to promote writing and literary development.
The book will be reviewed at the presentation by Professor Reuben Kehinde Akano of the Kwara State University (KWASU). Prof. Akano is an academic and literary scholar whose areas of specialisation include Oral Literature and African Poetry. He holds a Ph.D. in Literature in English and belongs to several professional literary and academic associations, including the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
His academic engagement with African poetry, oral literature and literary scholarship provides a strong foundation for his role as reviewer of a work that engages with questions of patriotism, society and the human experience.
The Author, Issa Mutolib Ayobami is a Nigerian author with interests spanning literature, society, patriotism and the experiences of individuals navigating the complexities of contemporary life.
His literary journey includes his debut book, Daughter of a Thousand Fathers, which he co-authored with his wife, Yusuf Taibat Temitope, in 2023. The work marked his entry into book publishing and established the foundation for his continuing interest in storytelling.
His latest work, Shattered Dreams of a Patriot: A Story of Love and Trials, represents another expression of his interest in using storytelling to explore issues that extend beyond the individual to broader questions about society and national consciousness.
Issa is an Alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the Accra Business School, Ghana. He has an academic background in Textiles, Polymers, and Materials Science and Engineering, reflecting an interest that cuts across both the sciences and the humanities. His engagement with writing demonstrates an effort to combine intellectual curiosity with storytelling and social reflection.
With Shattered Dreams of a Patriot, the author turns his attention to the meaning of patriotism and the realities that can test it. The book invites readers to consider whether love for one’s country can survive disappointment, hardship and personal trials, and what responsibility citizens bear in shaping the society they hope to see.
The presentation is expected to provide an avenue for literary enthusiasts, academics, young Nigerians and members of the public to engage with the book and participate in a broader conversation about patriotism, literature and the future of Nigeria.