Sam Uzochukwu is a Nigerian academic and expert on Igbo oral poetry. [1]
Uzochukwu was born in 1940 at Ebenato, Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. After his B.A. Degree in English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife (1966), he branched off to Igbo Studies. Uzochukwu received his PhD from the University of Lagos in 1981 for a thesis on Igbo oral literature. [2] He stayed at the University of Lagos, rising to become a Professor and Head of the Department of African and Asian Studies.
He has worked to collect and document Igbo oral poetry, particularly funeral dirges, and published both creative and critical work in Igbo. [1] A Festschrift for him was published in 2008. [3]
Uzochukwu was the first Professor in the entire Mbanese —which is a general name for a conglomerate of five (out of ten) communities that make up Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. These communities are Ebenato, Ezinifite, Akwaihedi, Osumenyi and Utuh. [4] In 2019, Prof. Sam launched a Tertiary Education Foundation, and also unveiled his autobiography entitled A Single Palmnut [5]
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.
Nnewi is a commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. It is the second largest city in Anambra state after Onitsha. Nnewi as a metropolitan area has two local government area, which are Nnewi North and Nnewi South, all centred around the Nnewi town. Even Ekwusigo local government area is now part of Nnewi urban area, as urbanization continues to spread from Nnewi to neighbouring communities. The Nnewi town which is the only town in Nnewi North, comprises four villages: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Nnewi had been the centre of economics and commerce, being at a time the fastest growing industrial city east of the Niger, being the home of many industries such as The Ibeto Group, the Chicason Group, Cutix Cables, amongst others. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city while the first wholly Made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the 'NASENI M1' was manufactured in Nnewi.
Aguata is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, with its headquarters in Aguata. A major part of the headquarters falls into the town of Aguluezechukwu, while a smaller part falls into Ekwulobia.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, fondly called UNIZIK, is a federal university in Nigeria. It consists of two campuses in Anambra State. Its main campus is in Awka, while its other campus is in Nnewi. There are also other campuses of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. These include Agulu in Anaocha local government area and Ifite-Ogwuari in Ayamelum local government area in Anambra State. This makes Nnamdi Azikiwe University to operate in the three Senatorial Districts in Anambra State, Nigeria having Awka campus, in Anambra Central Senatorial District, Nnewi in Anambra South Senatorial District and Ifite-Ogwuari in Anambra North Senatorial District, respectively.
Nnewi South is a Local Government Area in Anambra South Senatorial Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria. Its population is approximately 1 million. Ukpor is the headquarters of Nnewi South.
Michael Joseph Chukwudalu Echeruo is a Nigerian academic, professor and literary critic from Umunumo, Ehime-Mbano LGA, Imo State in the southeastern region of Nigeria. He is the William Safire Professor of Modern Letters in the English Department at Syracuse University since 1990.
E. Nolue Emenanjo was a Nigerian academic scholar, professor, writer and critic who is regarded as a central figure of Igbo literature. His book, A Grammar of Contemporary Igbo: Constituents, Features and Processes (2015), strongly added input to research of Igbo literature and culture. Along with his publications, his Igbo Language and Culture (1975) and Elements of Modern Igbo Grammar (1978). Later books include Auxiliaries in Igbo Syntax (1985) and Multilingualism, Minority Languages, and Language Policy in Nigeria (1990). In the 21st century, Emenanjo is often referred to as the "father of Igbo literature", alongside Tony Ubesie and others.
Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu is a Nigerian writer, researcher, freelance journalist, actor, and documentary film maker.
Awka-Etiti, historically known as Awka-Diedo ; later mentioned as Awka-Nkakwu (Okankaku) by colonial authors, is an affluent town comprising seven villages in Idemili South local government area of Anambra state, Nigeria. The seven villages of Awka-Etiti in order of age established are: Nkolofia, Umunocha, Ejighinandu, Iruowelle, Umudunu, Nnaba and Ogunzele.
Ukpor is the headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. Ukpor has a collection of villages, each coming from different quarters.
Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo is a Nigerian author and educator, whose published work includes novels, poetry, short stories, books for children, essays and journalism. She is the winner of several awards in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Professor Fidelis Uzochukwu Okafor is an academic and is the current substantive vice chancellor of Anambra State University located in Uli, a town in Nigeria. He was appointed by the governor of Anambra State.
Chinua Achebe Literary Festival is an annual literary event held in honour of Nigerian writer and literary critic — Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart (1958), in commemoration and celebration of his works and immense contributions in the literary field.
Ebenator is a town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria, predominantly occupied by Igbo speaking people. Ebenator has good weather and fertile lands, as it is surrounded by natural water. The Igbo people living around there live in families close to each other and are predominantly Christians.
Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche was a Nigerian linguist and academic. From 2016 until her death she was head of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN).
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.
Anambra State Library Board (ANSLB), is a Nigerian-established Library Board that manages all the public libraries in Anambra State. It is situated along Awka – Enugu express road by Aroma junction in Awka, the capital of Anambra State. Its headquarter is located at Professor Kenneth Dike State Central e-Library, Awka. It has eleven public libraries, comprising three Divisional libraries with seven Branch/Community libraries and the headquarter that houses the Library Board – Professor Kenneth Dike State Central e-Library, Awka. The State Library Board has won awards for the Best Public Library in Nigeria for three consecutive years, earning it another award for the Ever Green Public Library in Nigeria
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.
The Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology is an annual international anthology of poems and essays established in memory of Prof. Chinua Achebe, a renowned Nigerian author.
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.