Global Patriot Newspapers Your direct link to world happenings
From; Madu Ezenoha, Enugu
Literary groups, former students and friends of Prof. Anezionwu Okoro,
the author of the famous “One Week One Trouble” have advocated a
befitting national honour to be bestowed on him.
The call was made during the 88th birthday celebration of Prof. Anezi
in Enugu recently.
One of the guests and Chief of Staff to Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi; Mr. Victor Atuonwu noted that Prof. Anezi, as his admirers
call him, should be recognized not only for his books and poems but
for his contribution to humanity.
He said that Anezi contributed not only to literature but also to
medicine as he is also a foremost dermatologist, and in fact, Africa’s
second and West Africa’s first professor of dermatology.
“Prof wrote the proposal for FCT Abuja, so he was instrumental to the
establishment of Abuja as the new FCT of Nigeria, yet no street is
named after him. He was in NNPC yet he has no single filling (petrol)
station. That is his humble nature. His humility has always rubbed off
on me.
“All the things he has done for Nigeria, like I said earlier, all the
impact he has made, no national honour has been bestowed on him, even
the least national honour. So I will implore the federal government to
recognize him now that he is still alive and bestow national honour on
him,” he said.
Another guest at the occasion, Chief Lazarus Udogu, former Minister of
Education, described Prof. Anezi as a man of many parts who is a
leading light to present and future generations to come.
Chairperson of organizing committee, Mrs. Chinemerem Ani of Poets in
Nigeria, explained that their intention was to celebrate Prof. Anezi
in their own little way.
“People thought that he writes only prose but he has written more than
200 poems. Very soon the collection of his poems will be out. Prof is
an institution,” she said.
Similarly, Prof. Mark Chijioke (professor of engineering) and pioneer
Rector of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, and
school mate of Anezi narrated their school years experience and
singled Anezi out for his intelligence and aptitude for storytelling.
Another guest and a physician, Dr. Ephraim O. Uzoechina described Prof
Anezi as “teacher of teachers, an academician par excellence. His
books are widely read in Africa and beyond. He is an accomplished
physician and one of my teachers.”
Speaking to our reporter, the celebrant, Prof. Anezionwu expressed joy
and gratitude to the organizers and those that poured encomiums on
him.
The informal gathering witnessed book readings as well as poetic and
literary renditions from Prof. Anezi’s books and that of other
authors.
Among the literary groups in attendance were: Poets in Nigeria, Coal
City Literary Forum, and Association of Nigerian Authors, Enugu
chapter.
Related Posts
Poetry Enclave set to honor Sam Omatseye with Poetry Festival
When Greater Igbo Nation Foundation celebrated Chinua Achebe, his iconic THINGS FALL APART
Writers must reflect reality – Anaele Ihuoma
Tribute to Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe
Obasanjo in Ibadan, pays tributes to Nwagwu over book immortalising wife
Vote my tribe or I kill you By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
