Emeka Nwabueze

Last updated

Your avalanche of contributions to humanity's development is well-recognized and highly regarded. You are the beacons of excellence and human advancement in our time. [2]

— Prof. Charles Igwe, Nwabueze emerges UNN's first Emeritus Professor of Theatre Arts, Vanguard (Nigeria)

Research contributions

Nwabueze researched deeply on masquerade drama.  From his naming it as the quintessence of ritual drama, through his significant work on Igbo masquerade drama and the origins of Theatre where he sees significant commonalities and his conception of the Igbo masquerader as transcendent hero, to his conclusion that the masquerade performances fulfills the required accoutrements of theatre, there is that pungent analyses that traces the performance aesthetics of the masquerade drama through the application of the traditional dramatic elements. While researcher believed that the masquerade performance is bereft of narrative, Nwabueze was the first researcher to introduce conventional narrative propensities in the masquerade drama and demonstrated it through an in-depth application of the Awka Agaba performance. His research on the masquerade drama had been variously cited by scholars in the area and constitute the standpoint on which masquerade drama is evaluated. [9]

Also, in his critical analysis of African fiction, Nwabueze made a significant incursion into the subject of critical dualism. In his much publicized essay, "Theoretical Construction and Constructive Theorising on the Execution of Ikemefuna in Achebe's Things Fall Apart: A Study in Critical Dualism" published in the American-based journal, Research in African Literatures, Nwabueze lays bare his contention that from an available analysis look of authorial voice Okonkwo's killing of Ikemefuna should be seen not as an intentional act but a combination of his paternal imago and an ordination by the gods. He contends that all Okonkwo's efforts to avoid the act even by withdrawing the rear, Ikemefuna escaped the executioner's blow and those of other elders and found himself in the rear where Okonkwo had withdrawn to, there was no other course open to Okonkwo than to commit the act. This research has provided scholars with another way of examining the novel. [10]

Film career

Nwabueze's incursion into Nollywood started with behind-the-camera activities like script editing. His ideas were eventually published for the benefit of film makers. An interview he granted entitled, "A good Script is the first step to a good Film" was a welcome material to film makers. In the interview, he said:

The main relationship is that a film is the transformation of the written word into practical reality, an avenue for the transformation of a blueprint into a living image. If you believe in histrionics, the idea of standing out, distributing roles, delivering lines extemporaneously, it may not work effectively unless the person is well trained in the art. We should know that without an adequate script, there would not be an adequate film. A good script is the first step to a good film. [11]

He later detoured into acting to lead by example. His first major acting experience was in the film, My Father's Love produced by Andy Best Electronics and directed by Obi Okoli. He played the role of Elder and acted along with Kenneth Okonkwo, Eucharia Anunobi and Nkiru Sylvanus. In 2005, Nwabueze acted in No More War along with Pete Edochie, Muna Obiekwe and Chiwetalu Agu. [11] His other two major features was in Rising Moon (a 2005 Nigerian drama film directed by Andy Nwakalor) where he played the major role of Igwe with Onyeka Onwenu, Justus Esiri Emeka Ike, before featuring in The Niger Mission with Professor Lazarus Ekwueme, Chiwetalu Agu and other renowned artists to depict the arrival of the CMS mission in Nigeria. Another film worth mentioning is his participation in the filming of his own play, Spokesman for the Oracle which featured Clem Ohameze, Chiwetalu Agu, Rita Edochie and Amaechi Muonagor. In all these films, he emphasized character interpretation, appropriate roleplay and interaction. [12]

Membership and fellowship

In 1993, he was a member of the National Formative Evaluation of Federal Universities Sector Projects by the National Universities Commission and also member of the World Health Organisation team on the use of Drama to curb maternal mortality and Adolescent Pregnancy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics. In 1994, he was given Honorary Fellow in Writing by University of Iowa International Writing Program. [13] [6] He is also a fellow of the Society for Nigerian Theatre Artists (FSONTA); Association of Nigerian Authors; African Studies Association, USA; National Association of African American Studies. [6]

Personal life

Nwabueze is married to Dorothy Chinyere Nwabueze (née Mbonu) from Osina, Ideato North, Director of Finance at the Bursar Department of the University of Nigeria. They have five children: Bebe and Lulu (twins), Bobby, Mmutaka (married to Ikenna Njoku), and Njideka (married to Tony Oluoha).

Selected publications

Selected dramatic works

  • Guardian of the Cosmos (1990) [14]
  • A Dance of the Dead (1991) [15]
  • Echoes of Madness (2001) [16]
  • A Parliament of Vultures (2003) [17]
  • When the arrow rebounds:(a dramatized recreation of Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God) in 2005 [18]
  • The Dragon's Funeral (2005) [19]
  • Lachrymose (2014) [20]
  • Rainstorm in the Desert (2018) [21]

Selected critical works

  • Studies in Dramatic Literature [22]
  • The Polemics of the Dramatic Text [23]
  • A Critical Study of Modern African Drama [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinua Achebe</span> Nigerian author and literary critic (1930–2013)

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as a central figure of modern African literature. His first novel and magnum opus, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel. Along with Things Fall Apart, his No Longer at Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964) complete the "African Trilogy". Later novels include A Man of the People (1966) and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). In the West, Achebe is often referred to as the "father of African literature", although he vigorously rejected the characterization.

<i>Things Fall Apart</i> 1958 novel by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart is the debut novel of Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, first published in 1958. The novel depicts the events of pre-colonial life in Igboland, a cultural area in modern-day southeastern Nigeria, and the subsequent appearance of European missionaries and colonial forces in the late 19th century. It is seen as an archetypal modern African novel in English, and one of the first such novels to receive global critical acclaim. It is a staple book in schools throughout Africa and is widely studied in English-speaking countries around the world. The novel was first published in the United Kingdom in 1958 by William Heinemann Ltd and became the first work published in Heinemann's African Writers Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anambra State</span> State of Nigeria

Anambra State is a Nigerian state located in the South-eastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The state's capital is Awka, while the state’s largest city is Onitsha which is regarded as one of the largest metropolis in Africa. Nnewi is the second largest commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, and also a known automobile hub within Nigeria and Africa.

Chinwoke Mbadinuju was a Nigerian politician who was Governor of Anambra State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003, elected on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

Arondizuogu (Aro-ndizuogu) is a town inhabited by the Aro people, an Igbo subgroup in Imo State of Nigeria. The Arondizuogu community is believed to have migrated from Arochukwu in the present Abia State to their current settlements in Imo State, which include the Okigwe, Ideato North and Onuimo local governments.

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke, also known as Uche Okeke, was an illustrator, painter, sculptor, and teacher. He was an art and aesthetic theorist, seminal to Nigerian modernism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Igbo Americans</span> Americans of Igbo birth or descent

Igbo Americans, or Americans of Igbo ancestry, or Igbo Black Americans are residents of the United States who identify as having Igbo ancestry from modern day Bight of Biafra, which includes Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe & Nigeria. There are primarily two classes of people with Igbo ancestry in the United States, those whose ancestors were taken from Igboland as a result of the transatlantic slave trade before the 20th century and those who immigrated from the 20th century onwards partly as a result of the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s and economic instability in Nigeria. Igbo people prior to the American Civil War were brought to the United States by force from their hinterland homes on the Bight of Biafra and shipped by Europeans to North America between the 17th and 19th centuries.

<i>Living in Bondage</i> 1992 Nigerian film

Living in Bondage is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part drama thriller directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and sponsored by Jafac Wine. The film starred Kenneth Okonkwo and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles. It is regarded as the first Nigerian home video which achieved blockbuster success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Unaegbu</span> Nigerian writer (born 1979)

Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu is a Nigerian writer, researcher, freelance journalist, actor, and documentary film maker.

Rising Moon is a 2005 Nigerian drama film directed by Andy Nwakalor and starring Onyeka Onwenu. The film received 12 nominations and won 6 awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2006, including the awards for Best Picture, Best Visual Effects and Best Editing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anaku Town</span> Place in Anambra State, Nigeria

Anaku is one of the administrative divisions of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. The town lies 6°15' North of the Equator and 6°44' East of the Greenwich Meridian. It is bordered by "Omabala," the native name of the Anambra River, which is a tributary of the River Niger (North), Aguleri, Ezu River (South), Omor and Umuerum communities (East).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chukwuedu Nwokolo</span> Nigerian medical doctor

Chukwuedu Nathaniel II Nwokolo was a Nigerian physician specialist in tropical diseases. He was recognised for discovering and mapping out the area of paragonimiasis lung disease in Eastern Nigeria, with a study of the disease in Africa and clinical research for its control. He founded SICREP: Sickle Cell Research Programme to effectively fight the disease in Nigeria and globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyril Agodi Onwumechili</span> Nigerian academic (1932–2023)

Cyril Agodi Onwumechili was a Nigerian physicist, academic administrator, and professor of geophysics at the University of Ibadan and later University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was the fourth Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife from January 1979 to December 1982 and the former President/Vice Chancellor of the Anambra State University of Technology, Enugu, Nigeria, from January 1983 to December 1986. He delivered the Ahiajoku lecture on 20 November 2000. He was the first Nigerian geophysicist and the second president of the Nigerian Academy of Science. He was elected as president of the Academy in 1979 to succeed Professor Victor Adenuga Oyenuga, the first emeritus professor of the University of Ibadan and the first African professor of Agricultural science.

Jennifer Okere was a Nigerian actress and one of the pioneers of the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) in the 1990s. Her two ground-breaking Nollywood blockbuster movies, Living in Bondage and Glamour Girls have been re-adapted. She was the posthumous recipient, of the 2016 Afro Heritage Broadcasting and Entertainment Awards (AHBEA) in Houston, Texas.

Owo is a town in Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu state, Nigeria. Owo consists of six main villages: Ashishi, Ohuani, Ishiegu, Ogere, Emene and Ndiagu. Other settlements which were originally part of the main villages are Ejaogbo, Mbulu, Ekeagu, Obegu ishiagu, Obegu Emene, Obegu Ogere, and Obegu Ohuani. These make up Mbulu Owo autonomous community created in the year, 2006. The town is an agrarian community: About 80% of the population are farmers. The population of Owo in 2014 was 9,879. The estimated population of Owo in 2022 is over 14,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Igbo literature</span> Oral and written works in Igbo language

Igbo literature encompasses both oral and written works of fiction and nonfiction created by the Igbo people in the Igbo language. This literary tradition reflects the cultural heritage, history, and linguistic diversity of the Igbo community. The roots of Igbo literature trace back to ancient oral traditions that included chants, folk songs, narrative poetry, and storytelling. These oral narratives were frequently recited during rituals, childbirth ceremonies, and gatherings. Proverbs and riddles were also used to convey wisdom and entertain children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ossie Enekwe</span> Nigerian dramatist, poet, and novelist

Ossie Enekwe, born Onuora Osmond Enekwechi, was a Nigerian dramatist, poet, novelist, and professor of Theatre Arts. A former vice president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) as well as the former director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1998–2004). He helped to establish the University of Nigeria's Dramatic Arts Department. Enekwe was the editor of Okike: The African Journal of New Writing from 1984 to 2010, after being appointed by its founder, Chinua Achebe, who founded it in 1971. When Ossie Enekwe retired in 2010, he handed over the editorship of Okike to Amechi Akwanya.

Florence Onyebuchi Orabueze is a poet, writer and a Nigerian professor of English and literary studies. She was a former director of the Institute of African studies of the institution, the founder of the Grace Uzoma Okonkwo Foundation and a member of Nigerian Academy of Letters.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rapheal (2023-04-04). "Garlands for Nwabueze, UNN's first drama emeritus professor". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dennis, Agbo (2023). "Nwabueze emerges UNN's first Emeritus Professor of Theatre Arts". Vanguard (Nigeria) .
  3. ↑ "UNN Profile".
  4. 1 2 Chukwuma Nwosu, Canice; Emeka, Nwosu (2017). "Quality Assurance in the Creative Enterprise: An Appraisal of Select Plays of Emeka Nwabueze". UJAH. 18 (3): 147–167. doi: 10.4314/ujah.v18i3.8 .
  5. ↑ keeper, House (2018-11-26). "Ekweremadu, Nwabueze, Nebo, others for Igbo Bu Igbo inauguration". Blueprint Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nwaozuzu, Uche-Chinemere; Nwosu, Canice; Emeka, Aniago (2021). Words of the Colossal Strides of Professor Emeka Nwabueze. Enugu, Nigeria: Timex. ISBN   978-978-022-352-6.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Ngozi, Anyachonkeya (2015). A lion on the 'Ijele' dance: a festschrift in honour of Professor P. Emeka Nwabueze. Abakaliki, Ebonyi State: Ojiiaka Press. ISBN   9789780497187.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Nwaozuzu, Uche (2011). Theatre and new horizons selected essays on Emeka Nwabueze. Enugu, Nigeria: Abic Books. ISBN   978-9780221294.
  9. ↑ Nwabueze, P. Emeka (1987). "Igbo Masquerade Drama and the Origin of Theatre: A Comparative Synthesis". Kunapipi. 9 (9).
  10. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2000). "Theoretical Construction and Constructive Theorizing on the Execution of Ikemefuna in Achebe's Things Fall Apart: A Study in Critical Dualism". Research in African Literatures. 31 (2): 163–173. doi:10.1353/ral.2000.0061. S2CID   145064946.
  11. 1 2 Nwabueze, Emeka. "A GOOD SCRIPT IS THE FIRST STEP TO A GOOD FILM". thenigerianvoice.com. nigeriafilms.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ de Jager, Christelle (19 April 2006). "Nigeria nabs 10 African Awards noms". Variety . New York, USA: Reed Business Information . Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  13. ↑ "Patrick Emeka NWABUEZE | The International Writing Program". iwp.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  14. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (1990). Guardian of the Cosmos. Longman. ISBN   9789781398537.
  15. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (1991). A Dance of the Dead. Indiana University: Evans Brothers. ISBN   978-9781677304.
  16. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2001). Echoes of Madness. Enugu, Nigeria: Abic Publishers. ISBN   9799780221590.
  17. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2003). A Parliament of Vultures. Virginia, United States: Alexander Street Press. ISBN   9789780221577.
  18. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2005). When the arrow rebounds : (a dramatized recreation of Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God). Enugu, Nigeria: Abic Publishers. ISBN   9780220208.
  19. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2005). The Dragon's Funeral. Enugu, Nigeria: ABIC Books. ISBN   9789780222031.
  20. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2014). Lachrymose. Enugu, Nigeria: ABIC Books. ISBN   9789780220648.
  21. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2018). Rainstorm in the Desert. Nigeria: CNC Publications. ISBN   9789785563276.
  22. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2011). Studies in Dramatic Literature. Enugu, Nigeria: Abic Publishers. ISBN   9780220933005.
  23. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2012). The Polemics of the Dramatic Text. Enugu, Nigeria: Abic Publishers. ISBN   9789780221065.
  24. ↑ Nwabueze, Emeka (2021). A Critical Study of Modern African Drama. Nigeria: CNC Publications. ISBN   9789780223243.

Relevant literature

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Emeritus Professor
Emeka Nwabueze
Born
Emeka Patrick Nwabueze

(1949-09-23) September 23, 1949 (age 75)
Umubele village, Awka South LGA, Anambra State
NationalityNigerian
Occupations
SpouseDorothy Chinyere Nwabueze (née Mbonu)
Children5
Parent(s)Chief John Nweke Nwabueze and Josephine Nwabueze
Academic background
Alma mater