By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu
Nigerian writer and journalist, Izunna Okafor, on January 9, 2023, clocked 29 years of age.
Announcing this on his social media handle on Monday, Okafor said he almost forgot that today is his birthday, having been obsessed with the activities of the burial ceremony of his father, Mr. Josephat Okafor Udeze.
The award-winning literary figure and journalist had, in a recent interview with this reporter, described his life as one filled with testimonies, looking back to where and how he started.
Recalling and recounting how hideous it was for him in his early years, particularly in his teens; he appreciated God for His marvelous work and infinite mercies.
He went memory lane to narrate how he studied his primary school (at the Community Primary School, Ebenator) and some parts of his secondary school (at the Community Secondary School, Ebenator) barefooted, and with tattered school uniform, to the credit of his family's background.
According to him, being a son of a palm-wine tapper, hunter and electrician in a rural village; he started struggling his way out early in life, precisely during his secondary days when he began to do some handiworks, such as cutting palmnut, hunting, clearing bushes for farmers, tilling the ground/farmland, packing/dumping sands at village rivers, among menial jobs.
It was from these, which he said he was doing after school hours and on non-school days, that he saved money to publish his first book, âIkem's Adventureâ (a novelette) back then in 2012 during his secondary school days. This, he said, was a single feat that did not only pave way for metamorphosis in the taste of his life story, but also eventually landed him on the track of greatness where he rides and resides till date.
A second son and third child in the family of Mr. Josephat Okafor Udeze and Mrs. Susan Okafor Udeze in Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Izunna Okafor, is a novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, editor, translator, publicist, Igbo language activist and an administrator.
He graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he studied Public Administration. He also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and international best-selling author, his books include 'Ikem's Adventure' (his first book) published in Nigeria in 2012, during his secondary school; 'The Curse of A Widow' (his second novel), published in 2013; 'The Faithful Children' (his third book), published in 2014 (which received outstanding recognition in the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists 2015); âAjá» Enyiâ, his debut Igbo novel and fourth book, published in 2015.Â
With 'Ajá» Enyi', he became the first person to win the Nigerian Writers Award 2015/2016 as the Indigenous Writer of the Year. Also, with Ajá» Enyi, he won the Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature in 2015; and also got shortlisted for The 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award.
He has edited and co-edited over 25 books and anthologies (published nationally and internationally).
He has been published in many anthologies, nationally and internationally; has thousands of articles/essays as well as poems and short stories published online and on many platforms, to his credit.Â
A diglot writer, Okafor writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages, and has published widely in both languages.Â
He has won and been nominated/shortlisted for a number of awards, which include:
Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year 2015/2016
Pita Nwana Prize for Igbos Literature 2015
Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award Nigeria
Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016
Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016)
Award of Recognition from Students Union Government, Unizik (2017)
Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016
N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012
SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016
First Prize Winner, NAPAS Essay Competition, 2016
The Future Award Africa 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Award of Academic Excellence from National Association of Public Administration Students (2016)
Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017
NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year 2017
Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017
Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017
Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016
Young Author Award, 2018
Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018, among others
Campus Best Writer of the Year, 2018
Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018
Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019
National Light Staff of the Year 2019
Anambra Media Excellence Award/News Reporter of the Year 2019
Recognition Award, Anambra Through A Lens, 2020
Amazon Masterclass Award/Most Resilient Male Student 2021
Anambra Media Excellence Award/Best News Reporter of the Year 2021
ACORA/Awka Diocese Media Personality of the Week (November) 2021
South East Media Award 2021
Ebedi International Writers Residency (June) 2022
AMEA 2022/Outstanding Indigenous Language Media Content Creator of the Year
He also has some certificates of award, recognition and participation, the most recent of which include:
Certificate of Recognition from the ImpactField Global Initiative (2018)
Certificate of Award from the Applex Art and Creative Crew Africa (2018)Â
Certificate of Participation (War Against Fake News 2019)
Certificate of Completion for the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020
Certificate of Participation, Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020
Wikimedian Certificate from Igbo Wikimedian Hub 2020
Certificate of Appreciation from International Human Rights Art Festival 2020
Amazon Masterclass Certificate, 2021, among others
At the age of 21, Okafor was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious African youths awards.
Aside being a creative writer, Okafor is also an Igbo language activist who has played and continued to play great roles in sustaining and promoting Igbo language and culture. He preaches and takes the 'gospel' of Igbo language and the need for its sustenance to every nook and cranny, ranging from schools to churches, radio/television stations, and to other public places, being part if his own contribution and strategic measures to ensure that the language does not go extinct as predicted by the UNESCO in 2012.
He has also been featured in many radio and television stations across the country on this mission.
In addition to these, Okafor is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with Anambra Newspaper and Printing Coporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka á» Dá» Taa (which is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria) and Sportslight Xtra.
He also writes for Igbo Radio, which is an online Igbo language news hub headquartered in Canada, and also freelances for other media/publishing houses, both the online and print media.
Okafor is the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, which is a literary body that hosts Chinua Achebe Literary Festival, an annual literary event held in memory and honour of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, since 2016.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an international anthology annually published in honour of Achebe. The most current editions of the anthology include 'Arrows of Words (for Chinua Achebe)', 'Achebe: A Man of the People', âThere Was a Manâ, âAchebe the Soul Brotherâ, among others.
In April, 2020, Okafor was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement. He is the Editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled 'Ripostes of Locked Down Voices', which is the first international anthology of poems and essays on COVID-19.
He has served as a judge in many national and international writing-related competitions.
He is also an alumnus and 2020 Fellow of the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, being championed by the SprinNG Literary Movement.
He edits and publishes an annual Special Valentine Poetry Collection, which are all available online for free download.
During his undergraduate days, he was also an Editorial Board member of the FAMASSA Magazine.
He is Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; and Ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
An alumnus of Unizik, he is also a former Secretary General of the National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS), as well as the current National Secretary General of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers.
Today, Izunna Okafor marks his 29th birthday.
Congratulations to him.
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Three Male Writers Selected for 2022 Ebedi International Writers Residency
The Ebedi International Writers Residency, Iseyin, has received three new male writers for the June residency program.
The three writers, Izunna Okafor, Isaiah Adepoju, and Hassan, arrived the Residency, in Iseyin, Oyo State early this week for a month-long residency stay, replacing the immediate-past fellows, who were all female.
Hosting the new writers to a reception party, alongside other stakeholders from the Iseyin community; the founder and patron of Ebedi International Writers Residency Hon. Dr. Wale Okediran explained that the Residency affords writers comfortable and calm environment to focus on their writing without distraction and also at no cost on the writers.
Hon. Okediran, a former House of Reps member and current Secretary-General of Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), said while concentrating on their individual works the writers are expected to also interact with selected students of some secondary schools in Iseyin town for about four hours weekly, during which they can teach the students any form of creative arts or writing, as they so desire.
He also revealed that since its inception 12 years ago, the Ebedi Writers Residency has hosted over three hundred writers from different countries of the world.
Below are short biographies of the three new writers for the May 30 â June 30 2022 residency program:
Izunna Okafor
Izunna Okafor is a Nigerian novelist, poet, journalist, essayist, and Igbo language activist who hails from Ebenator in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages, and has published widely in both languages, including some books â Ikem's Adventure, The Curse of a Widow, The Faithful Children, Ajá» Enyi, among others.
A Public Adminstration graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Okafor's works have appeared in some print magazines, anthologies, journals, etc, both nationally and internationally; while he also has thousands of online published articles/essays, poems and short stories to his credit. He has also edited and co-edited over 25 books and anthologies (published nationally and internationally), as well as served as judge in some national and international literary contests.
Okafor has won and been nominated for some national and international awards which include: Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year 2015/2016; Pita Nwana Prize for Igbo Literature, 2015; Nigeria Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016; Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016; N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition, 2012; SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016; First Prize Winner, NAPAS Essay Competition, 2016; The Future Award Africa, 2016; Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016; Award of Academic Excellence from National Association of Public Administration Students, 2016; Inspire Award/Outstanding Youth in Academics, 2017.
Others include: NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year, 2017; Anambra Campus Award/Campus Writer of the Year, 2017; Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year, 2017; Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year, 2016; Young Author Award, 2018; Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year, 2018; Campus Best Writer of the Year, 2018; Campus Best Journalist of the Year, 2018; Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019; National Light Newspaper Jounalist of the Year, 2019; Anambra Media Excellence Award/News Reporter of the Year, 2019; Anambra Through a Lens/Recognition Award, 2020; Amazon Publishing Masterclass Award/Most Resilient Male Student, 2021; Anambra Media Excellence Award/Best News Reporter of the Year, 2021; ACORA/Awka Diocese/Media Personality of the Week (November), 2021; among others.
He is a Fellow of the SprinNG Literary Movement/SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020, and alumnus of some creative writing workshops, including the Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020, among others
In April, 2020, Okafor was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement. He also headed the editorial team of the first international anthology of poems and essays ever published on COVID-19 â Ripostes of Locked Down Voices. He also edited âThe Malady and the Remedyâ, an international essay anthology on human rights abuse in Africa.
A literary organizer, Okafor is the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigeria Writers (Anambra State Chapter), National Secretary of Society of Young Nigeria Writers, as well as the organizer of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival (an annual international literary festival held in honour of Nigerian literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe). He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology.
Okafor said during his stay at the Ebedi Residency, he would be working on an Igbo novel and three others books, and would also be teaching the Ebedi students Igbo language, creative writing, poetry and others.
Isaiah Adepoju
Isaiah Adepoju, who hails from Osun State, studies Literature in English at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He writes for Literature Voices Journal, Nigeria; reads for Adroit Journal, UK, and reads for the James Currey Prize for Literature, UK.
He has works in Aster Lit mag, Sterling Notes, Poetica Review, Institute of African Studies Journal Nsukka, and elsewhere. He's the recipient of the 2022 HIASFEST Star Prize, the 2021 Chima Ugokwe Prize for Essay, the 2021 Pengician Chapbook Prize for Poetry; and longlisted for the 2020 Africa Writers Award.
Isaiah said he'll be working on a fiction, and teaching the students poetry during his 4-week stay.
Hassan Muhammad:
Hassan Muhammad is a childrenâs author, short story writer, and poet. He has a degree in Estate Management from the Federal University of Technology, Minna where he co-founded the Arts Club. He was a two-term Secretary and Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Niger State chapter. An active member of the Society of Childrenâs Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), heâs the recipient of multiple scholarships including Highlights Foundation, Authors Publish, SCBWI and GrubStreet. His childrenâs books are Biribiri Saves Us (2008) and The Empty Cage (2015) which was shortlisted for the ANA/Lantern Prize.Â
His works have appeared in ANA Review, Kalahari Review, Authors Publish Magazine, The Writers and Readersâ Magazine, Weekly Trust Newspaper, New Nigerian Newspaper, and the anthologies: Pyramids, Fireflies, Shadows and Dance Steps at Dawn. Other credits include NYSC Merit Award, Northern Nigeria Writersâ Summit Merit Award, Corpersâ Welfare Association Billiri Merit Award, and shortlist for the ANA/Funtime Prize.Â
He is an alumnus of British Councilâs Writing Workshop, ANA/Atiku Abubakar National Workshop on Childrenâs Literature, The Writing Barnâs Poetry Class, among others. He enjoys reading picture books, chess, comedy, and combat sports for inspiration and leisure. He writes as NmaHassan Muhammad and resides in Minna.
He will be completing the revision of three childrenâs manuscripts which were workshopped recently during the GrubStreetâs Picture Book Revision course with Holly Thompson. He dedicates these stories and the residency to the memory of his son Abdullateef Hamood who died in a tragic fire accident on November 3, 2021.
To give back to the host community, he will be facilitating workshops on the craft and business of writing childrenâs books for the students in Iseyin community. In addition, he would love to form a chess club for the students in the community.
By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu
The award-winning young Nigerian writer and journalist, Izunna Okafor has clocked 28 years old, with laudable feats, goodwill and achievements.
In an interview with newsmen, Okafor (born January 9, 1994), said his life has indeed been a testimony, looking back to his background, where and how he started.
Recalling and recounting how hideous it was for him in his early years, particularly in his teens; he appreciated God for His marvelous work and infinite mercies.
He went memory lane to narrate how he studied his primary school (at the Community Primary School, Ebenator) and some parts of his secondary school (at the Community Secondary School, Ebenator) barefooted, and with tattered school uniform, to the credit of his family's background.
According to him, being a son of a palm-wine tapper, hunter and electrician in a rural village; he started struggling his way out early in life, precisely during his secondary days when he began to do some handiworks, such as cutting palmnut, hunting, clearing bushes for farmers, tilling the ground/farmland, packing/dumping sands (in rivers), among things.
It was from these, which he said he was doing after school hours, that he saved money to publish his first book, âIkem's Adventureâ back then in 2012 during his secondary school days âa single act that did not only pave way for metamorphosis in the taste of his life story, but also eventually landed him on the track of greatness where he rides and resides till date.
A second son and third child in the family of Mr. Josephat Okafor Udeze and Mrs. Susan Okafor Udeze in Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Izunna Okafor, is an award-winning young Nigerian novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, editor, translator, publicist, Igbo language activist and an administrator.
He graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he studied Public Administration. He also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and best-selling author, Izunna books include 'Ikem's Adventure' (his first book) published in Nigeria in 2012, during his secondary school; 'The Curse of A Widow' (his second novel), published in 2013; 'The Faithful Children' (his third book), published in 2014 (which received outstanding recognition in the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists 2015); 'Ajá» Enyi,' his debut Igbo novel and fourth book, published in 2015.Â
With 'Ajo Enyi', he became the first person to win the Nigerian Writers Award 2015/2016 as the Indigenous Writer of the Year. Also, with Ajo Enyi, he won the Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature in 2015; and also got shortlisted for The 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award.
His other books include âNzĂșzĂč M Egbuo Mâ (Igbo novel), âEducated Illiterateâ, and âTeach Me Grammarâ.
He has been published in many anthologies, nationally and internationally; has thousands of articles/essays as well as poems and short stories published online to his credit.Â
A diglot writer, Izunna writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages, and has published widely in both languages.Â
He has won and been nominated/shortlisted for a number of awards, which include:
He graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he studied Public Administration. He also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and best-selling author, Izunna's books 'Ikem's Adventure' (his first book, published 2012, in his secondary school days) 'The Curse of A Widow' (2013); 'The Faithful Children' (published 2014Â and given outstanding recognition in the 2015 Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists); 'Ajo Enyi' (Igbo novel, published 2015).
With 'Ajo Enyi', he won the 2015/2016 Nigerian Writers Award as the Indigenous Writer of the Year; won the 2015 Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award/Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature; and also got shortlisted for the 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award.
His other works include 'African Blood' (a short story), 'NzĂșzĂč M Egbuo M' (Igbo novel), 'Educated Illiterate', and 'Teach Me Grammar'.
He has edited and co-edited over 25 books and anthologies (published nationally and internationally).
He has been published in many magazines, anthologies, journals, etc, both nationally and internationally; has thousands of articles/essays as well as poems and short stories published online to his credit.
A diglot writer, Izunna writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages, and has published widely in both languages.
He has won and been nominated for some prestigious awards which include:
The Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year 2015/2016
Pita Nwana Prize for Igbo Literature 2015
Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award Nigeria
Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016
Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016)
Award of Recognition from Students Union Government, Unizik (2017)
Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016
N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012
SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016
First Prize Winner, NAPAS Essay Competition, 2016
The Future Award Africa 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Award of Academic Excellence from National Association of Public Administration Students (2016)
Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017
NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year 2017
Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017
Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017
Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016
Young Author Award, 2018
Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018, among others
Campus Best Writer of the Year, 2018
Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018
Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019
National Light Staff of the Year 2019
Anambra Media Excellence Award/News Reporter of the Year 2019
Recognition Award, Anambra Through A Lens, 2020
Amazon Masterclass Award/Most Resilient Male Student 2021
Anambra Media Excellence Award/Best News Reporter of the Year 2021
ACORP/Awka Diocese Media Personality of the Week (November) 2021
South East Media Award 2021
He also has some certificates of award, recognition and participation, the most recent of which include:
Certificate of Recognition from the ImpactField Global Initiative (2018)
Certificate of Award from the Applex Art and Creative Crew Africa (2018)Â
Certificate of Completion for the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020
Certificate of Participation, Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020, among others.
Amazon Masterclass Certificate, 2021, among others
At the age of 21, Izunna was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious African youths awards.
Aside being a creative writer, Izunna is also an Igbo language activist who has played and continued to play great roles in sustaining and promoting Igbo language and culture. He preaches and takes the 'gospel' of Igbo language and the need for its sustenance to every nook and cranny, ranging from schools to churches, radio/television stations, and to other public places, being part if his own contribution and strategic measures to ensure that the language does not go extinct as predicted by the UNESCO in 2012.
He has also been featured in many radio and television stations across the country on this mission.
In addition to these, Izunna is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with Anambra Newspaper and Printing Coporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka á» Dá» Taa (which is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria) and Sportslight Xtra.
He also writes for Igbo Radio which is an online Igbo language news hub headquartered in Canada, and also freelances for other media/publishing houses, both the online and print media.
Izunna is the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, which is a literary body that hosts Chinua Achebe Literary Festival, an annual literary event held in memory and honour of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, since 2016.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an international anthology annually published in honour of Achebe. The most current editions of the anthology include 'Arrows of Words (for Chinua Achebe)', and 'Achebe: A Man of the People', âThere Was a Manâ, among others.
In April, 2020, Izunna was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement. He is the editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled 'Ripostes of Locked Down Voices', which is the first international anthology of poems and essays on COVID-19.
He has served as a judge in many national and international writing-related competitions.
He is also an alumnus and 2020 Fellow of the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, being championed by the SprinNG Literary Movement.
He edits and publishes an annual Special Valentine Poetry Collection, which are all available online for free download.
During his undergraduate days, he was also an Editorial Board member of the FAMASSA Magazine.
He is Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; and Ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
An alumnus of Unizik, he is also a former Secretary General of the National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS), as well as the current National Secretary General of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers.
Today, Izunna Okafor marks his 28th birthday.
Congratulations to him.
It is with a thankful heart of joy that young Nigerian Writer and Journalist, Izunna Okafor excelled unto his 27th rung in the ladder of years.
This was contained in a statement issued by the celebrant, Okafor, who celebrated his silver jubilee last year, being a fellow of January 9th 1994.
Recalling and recounting how hideous it was for him in his early years, particularly in his teens; Okafor, an award-winning said his life was indeed a testimony, and also appreciated God for His marvelous work and infinite mercies.
He went memory lane to narrate how he studied his primary school (at the Community Primary School, Ebenator) and some parts of his secondary school (at the Community Secondary School, Ebenator) barefooted, and with tattered school uniform, to the credit of his family's background.
According to him, being a son of a palm-wine tapper, hunter and electrician in a rural village; he started struggling his way out early in life, precisely during his secondary days when he began to do some handiworks, such as cutting palmnut, clearing bushes for farmers, tilling the ground/farmland, packing/dumping sands (in rivers), among things.
It was from these, which he said he was doing after school hours, that he saved money to publish his first book âIkem's Adventureâ back then in 2012 during his secondary school days âa single act that did not only pave way for metamorphosis in the taste of his life story, but also eventually landed him on the track of greatness where he rides and resides till date.
Born (9th January 1994) to the family of Mr. Josephat Okafor Udeze and Mrs. Susan Okafor Udeze in Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Izunna Okafor, is an award-winning young Nigerian Novelist, Poet, Essayist, Journalist, Editor, Translator, Publicist, Igbo Language Activist and an Administrator.
He graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he studied Public Administration. He also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and best-selling author, Izunna books include 'Ikem's Adventure' (his first book) published in Nigeria in 2012, during his secondary school; 'The Curse of A Widow' (his second novel), published in 2013; 'The Faithful Children' (his third book), published in 2014 (which received outstanding recognition in the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists 2015); 'Ajá» Enyi,' his debut Igbo novel and fourth book, published in 2015.Â
With 'Ajo Enyi', he became the first person to win the Nigerian Writers Award 2015/2016 as the Indigenous Writer of the Year. Also, with Ajo Enyi, he won the Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature in 2015; and also got shortlisted for The 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award.
His other books include "African Blood" (A Short Story), "NzĂșzĂč M Egbuo M," (Igbo novel), "Educated Illiterate," and "Teach Me Grammar."
He has been published in many anthologies, both nationally and internationally; has thousands of articles/essays as well as poems and short stories published online to his credit.Â
A diglot writer, Izunna writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages, and has published widely in both languages.Â
He has won and been nominated/shortlisted for a number of awards, which include:
The Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year 2015/2016
Pita Nwana Prize for Igbo Literature 2015
Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award Nigeria
Nigeria Heritage Icon Award 2016/Young Writer of the Year, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Merit Award from Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016)
Award of Recognition from Students Union Government, Unizik (2017)
Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016
SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Award of Academic Excellence from the National Association of Public Administration Students (2016)
Inspire Award 2017/Outstanding Youth in Academics
Academic Icon of The Year 2017 (from National Association of Public Administration Students, NAPAS)
Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017
Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016
The Future Award Africa/African Prize for Education, 2016.
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017
Youth Writer of the Year 2016
NAPAS Essay Competition 2017
Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016
Young Author Award, 2018
Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018, among others
Anambra Campus Award/Campus Best Writer 2018
Anambra Campus Award/Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018
Best Secretary General of NAPAS (2018)
Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019.
Joint Winner, ANPC Best Staff of the Year 2019
Recognition Award, Anambra Through A Lens, 2020
Certificate of Award from SprinNG Literary Movement, 2020
Young Achievers Award/Most Influential Young Writer of the Year, 2020 (though yet-to-be awarded, due to COVID-19)
Certificate of Recognition, from ImpactField Global Initiative, 2018
Certificate of Award from Applex Art and Creative Crew Africa, 2018
Certificate of Completion for the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020
Certificate of Participation, Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020, among others.
At the age of 21, Izunna was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is the biggest and most prestigious African Youth Award.
He has been published in many literary magazines, websites, and blogs.
Aside being a creative writer, Izunna is also an Igbo Language Activist who has played and continued to play great roles in sustaining and promoting the Igbo Language and culture. He preaches and takes the 'gospel' of Igbo language and the need for its sustenance to ever nook and cranny, ranging from schools to churches, Radio/Television Stations, and to other public places, being part if his own contribution and strategic measures to ensure that the Igbo Language does not go extinct as predicted by the UNESCO in 2012.
He has also been featured in many radio and television stations across the country on this mission.
In addition to these, Izunna is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with the Anambra Newspaper and Printing Coporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka á» Dá» Taa âwhich is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria âand Sportslight Xtra.
He also writes for Igbo Radio which is an online Igbo Language news hub with its headquarter in Canada, as well as freelance for other media/publishing houses, both the online and print media.
Izunna is the Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers q (Anambra State Chapter), as well as the initiator, "Chinua Achebe Literary Festival," which is an annual literary event organized in memory and honour of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, under the umbrella of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra Chapter.Â
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an anthology annually published in honour of Nigerian literary star, Late Prof. Achebe, and which attracts entries and submissions from different countries of the world. The most recent of these anthologies is the "Achebe: A Man of the People" which was published in 2020, during the year's edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival.
Izunna is the Chairman, Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of the "Ripostes of the Locked Down Voices" which is an international anthology of poems and essays on Coronavirus.
During his undergraduate days, Izunna was part of the editorial team of the FAMASSA Magazine.
He is Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria, and the Ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
An alumnus of Unizik, he is also a former Secretary General of the National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS), as well as the current National Secretary General of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers.
In 2019, Izunna met and discussed literature with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at a literary evening that climaxed the 2019 Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop, organized by the international literary figure, Adichie.
¶Unveil New Anthology For Chinua Achebe
It was a fecund and commemorative gathering yesterday as literary enthusiasts and writers converged in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, to mark the 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival organized young writers in the state.
The event which is a literay festival held annually in honour of foremost Nigerian literary champion, Late Prof. Chinua Achebe in celebration of his worthy life, works and legacies in the literary field.
Delivering a lead paper on the event's theme â ''Intellectuals And National Development: The Chinua Achebe Approach,'' the Guest Lecturer, at the event, RC (Reginald Chiedu) Ofodile described Achebe as a great intellectual and patriot whose commitment to national development was uncommon, being a man who placed his nationâs advancement above his personal glorification, as evidenced by his two-time rejection of the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Going memory lane through Achebe's works and life, Mr. Ofodile, an international award-winning writer and actor said "In his approach as an intellectual striving for national development, abjuring art for artâs sake; Chinua Achebe walked his talk, and posterity gives him credit for that."
Describing the event as auspicious, the Chairman of the occasion who is also an award-winning poet and author of 'Pregnancy of the gods' Mr. Odili UjubuoĆu noted that Chinua Achebe was not only a great writer but also a cultural activist who through his pen and mastery of art, exposed to the world, the real beauty of Igbo culture and that of Africa at large.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the convener of the event and Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra Chapter), Mr. Izunna Okafor said the primary aim of the event was to celebrate Achebe as a hero and eagle on the Iroko of African Literature, immortalize him in their own way as young writers, and also remind the concerned authorities to immortalize him the best way he deserves.
He said "Aside these, we also, through this event, promote, encourage and reward creative writing and reading culture among our youths and students; discover and harness the hidden but amazing talents among our young ones, in the literary field; and also present writers and readers (intellectuals) as the elixirs to the country's ailments, among other objectives we pursue through it."
Acknowledging that Anambra State has given the world arrays of writers, Izunna who himself is an award-winning author and journalist also called for public and private support for the subsequent editions of the event, even as he urged the state government to appoint aide(s) (Special Assistant or Senior Special Assistant or even both) on literary matters, who will stand as a bridge between the government and writers in the state, both young and established.
Responding, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. James Ezeh extolled the young writers for initiating and sustaining the literary festival in honour of Achebe the legend, and also avowed the state government's continuous support to the young writers and youths in the state, being a youth friendly Governor.
The Governor was thereafter presented with a gift of pictorial artwork containing a sonnet, creatively crafted by one of the young writers, Mr. Chinonso Okafor.
The 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival featured, among other literay packages, the unveiling and official presentation of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, entitled "Arrows of Words" which is a new (85-paged) anthology of poems and essays, published by the young writers in honour of Achebe.
The event also featured presentation of awards to some deserving personalities and organisations in the state, as well as presentation of prizes to the winning schools and students in the Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition, which is an essay writing competition for secondary schools in Anambra State, endowed by the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (publishers of the National Light Newspaper, Ka O Di Taa Igbo Newspaper and Sportslight Xtra).
Others great writers and literary enthusiasts who graced the occasion included the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, H.R.M Igwe Chidubem Iweka, represented by Chief Okey Mgbemena (Uzzi Obosi); Sir Chuka Nnabuife (author of 'Mbize: Rage of Red Earth, and MD, National Light Newspaper); Mr. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu (author of God of Poetry, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communication); Rev. Fr. Ositadimma Amakeze (author of The Last Carver); Mr. Okeke Chika Jerry (author of The gods Are Hungry); Mr. Isidore Emeka Uzoatu (author of Vision Impossible); the Director of Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze, and MD/CEO of Naira Rice industry, Comr. Arinze Omenwa, among others.
Zuma is set to publish debut novel, Fib and the Axe of fury by Esosa Kolawole in 2019.Â
Fib and the Axe of fury is a young adult story of Fibikemi Adeosun, a determined, girl of St. Marthaâs school.
Hereâs the blurb:Â Aaron Oni has just two more months to live.
When Fibikemi lost her eyeglasses, a magical barrier protecting her from herself, she encounters something strange.
Itâs only the beginning of a weird and terrifying journey and in a matter of time, someone dangerous will come for her.
Her obsession with saving Aaron pushes her to do the unimaginable and eventually, she discovers exactly why she must never take off her eyeglasses outside her home.
Brilliantly paced, with a young, exciting heroine and a twisting, imaginative story line, Fib and the Axe of fury is a strange West African mythological story.
This story sheds light on the Yoruba gods/ goddesses and more will be established in the spin off. It also deals with mental issues and how people handle it differently.
âI wanted to write a book that touched some social issues, but still have some fun. Iâm glad I was able to do that. Even though some of my characters were quirky and fun to relate with, I was able to delve into what loss of loved one can cause, rape and the resulting effect. Even boys are not safe too.â
Esosa Kolawole first wrote a novella titled Dear Dave in 2017, but developed a strong connection with paranormal stories. Some of her short stories includes: AsĂĄkĂš and the goddess of death, The house of tiny people, The Ant Queen, Portal of Faili and many more.
Esosaâs writings have appeared in Fiction magazines including the 81 words and 101 fiction.She holds a degree in Estate management. When not working, she plays adventure games on her play station.
Fib and the Axe of fury will be available in retail stores in Nigeria in 2019
âThe man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.â â Friedrich Nietzsche.
Sounds confusing, but an explanation below: For me this quote by Nietzsche is addressing true objectivity.
Think of the âman of knowledgeâ as a referee in a football game. They love one team and hope that team will win.
But they have to be fair.
They canât let their âhatredâ of the one team or their love of the other influence the truth of a call. In this case they must learn to âlove their enemyâ (the other team) and âhate their friendsâ as a metaphor for the difficulty in staying in âWhat is true, regardless of your relationship to either sideâ.
Former Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted a plea bargain to plead guilty to tax fraud and in return get a suspended sentence of 2 years and a fine of £16.9m.
The Portuguese was accused last year by the Spanish state prosecutor on four counts of tax fraud valued at 14.7 Million Euros. The tax fraud was stipulated to be within 2011-2014 year.
The prosecutor accused the Portuguese talisman of having used shell companies outside the country to hide financial earning made from the image rights. The accusation does not include his Salary during his time at the Bernebeu. Ronaldo in a court hearing last month denied any wrongdoing when asked by the Judge.
In 2016, Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi received a suspended 21-month jail term after being found guilty of defrauding tax authorities 4.1 million Euros.