Onuora Nzekwu was born on February 19, 1928, in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, to Mr. Obiese Nzekwu and Mrs. Mary Ogugua Nzekwu (née Aghadiuno), natives of Onitsha, Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. His early education began at St. Peter Claver’s School in Kafanchan.
Following the death of his father during his primary years, Nzekwu moved to Eastern Nigeria. Though he was initially unable to secure admission to a secondary school, his foster parents supported his enrollment in a teacher training college. He earned a Teachers’ Higher Elementary Certificate in 1946 and began a teaching career that would last for nine years.
Table of Contents
Teaching and Early Career (1946–1955)
Between 1946 and 1955, Nzekwu worked as a teacher in Eastern Nigeria. His passion for communication and storytelling laid the foundation for his transition into journalism and public service.
Journalism and Public Service
Nigeria Magazine and Ministry of Information (1956–1966)
In January 1956, Nzekwu joined the Federal Civil Service as an editorial assistant in the Nigeria Magazine division of the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications. By 1958, he became Editor-in-Chief, a role in which he promoted Nigerian arts, culture, and heritage until the Nigerian political crisis of 1966.
Eastern Nigeria Public Service and Post-War Return (1966–1970)
During the civil unrest, he transferred to the Eastern Nigeria Public Service. There, he served as Senior Information Officer, later rising to Deputy Director of the newly created Cultural Division in 1968. In May 1970, following the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Nzekwu rejoined the Federal Ministry of Information.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Nzekwu became a pivotal figure in Nigerian journalism when he was appointed the first General Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on July 1, 1979. He led the agency until his retirement in 1985, helping to shape it into the nation’s premier state-run news service. His legacy at NAN earned him the title “Maker of NAN” during its 30th anniversary in 2006.
Literary Contributions
Onuora Nzekwu is best known for his contributions to Nigerian and African literature. His novels often explore the tension between traditional Igbo culture and modern education, colonial influence, and identity.
Notable Works
- Wand of Noble Wood (1961): A novel examining the internal cultural struggles of educated Igbo individuals.
- Blade Among the Boys (1962)
- Highlife for Lizards (1965)
- Eze Goes to School (1966): Co-authored with historian Michael Crowder, widely used in African primary education.
- Eze Goes to College (1988): A sequel to Eze Goes to School.
- The Chima Dynasty in Onitsha (1977): A historical work chronicling the monarchs of Onitsha.
- Faith of Our Fathers (2003): A detailed compendium on Onitsha traditional society.
- Troubled Dust (2012)
- Ahmad Daggash (Story of the True) (2016)
His literary work has been praised for preserving Nigerian heritage, particularly the values, institutions, and spirituality of the Igbo people.
Awards and Honors
Onuora Nzekwu received numerous awards recognizing his service and literary excellence:
- Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship (1961) – Studied magazine production in New York.
- UNESCO Fellowship (1964) – Studied copyright administration in Geneva, Prague, Paris, London, New York, and Washington.
- “Maker of NAN” Recognition (2006) – Honored with a commemorative plaque at NAN’s 30th anniversary.
- Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) (2008) – National honor for outstanding contribution to Nigeria.
Personal Life
Nzekwu married Onoenyi Justina Ogbenyeanu, daughter of Chief Isaac Aniegboka Mbanefo, Odu II of Onitsha, in June 1960. In May 1991, he was inducted into the prestigious Agbalanze Society of Onitsha, further solidifying his role in preserving Onitsha cultural heritage.
Despite his literary acclaim, he experienced financial struggles, even mentioning in interviews that he couldn’t always afford books during parts of his life.
Later Years and Death
In his later years, Nzekwu focused on writing historical works and reflecting on Nigerian society. He passed away on April 21, 2017, in Onitsha, at the age of 89. His death marked the end of an era but left behind a lasting legacy in literature, journalism, and cultural preservation.
Legacy
Onuora Nzekwu’s life and work embody the synthesis of tradition and modernity in Nigeria. Through teaching, writing, and public service, he championed Nigerian identity, dignity, and heritage in both national and international spaces.
References
- Premium Times Nigeria – Onuora Nzekwu Dies at 89
- Eze Goes to School. African Reader’s Library. 1971. ISBN 978-0-602-21935-2.
- Britannica: Onuora Nzekwu
- PM News Nigeria – Why I Wrote Eze Goes to School
- The Cable – Obituary of Onuora Nzekwu
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