Today I see it still--
Dry, wire-thin in sun and dust of the dry months--
Headstone on tiny debris of passionate courage.--Cinua Achebe,
From "Mango Seedling" in
Christmas in Biafra and Other Poems

My grandfathers, whom I never knew,
Nwoye David Adichie and Aro-Nweke Felix Odigwe,
did not survive the war.
My grandmothers, Nwabuodu Regina Odigwe and Nwamgbafor Agnes Adiche, remarkable women
both, did.
This book is dedicated to their memories:
ka fa nodu na ndokwa.
And to Mellitus, wherever he may be.

Master was a little crazy; he had spent too many years reading books overseas, talked to himself in his office, did not always return greetings, and had too much hair.

Ugwu writes his dedication last: For Master, my good man.