In a condolence message by James Eze, Senior Special
Assistant on Media, Governor Obiano described Prof Nzekwu’s death as a big blow
to the Nigerian literary tradition and an end to a glorious career that spanned
journalism and fiction writing.
According to him, Nzekwu who co-authored the classic Eze
Goes to School with Michael Crowder in 1963 was a man of many parts having
distinguished himself in different fields of human endeavour.
“Prof Nzekwu had a long meritorious career as a journalist
and rose through the years to head the nation’s News Agency. But he was still
prodigious enough to churn out important literary works like Eze Goes to
School, Eze Goes to College, Wand of the Noble Wood, Troubled Dust, Blade Among
the Boys and Highlife for Lizards among others. With his death, we have lost an
irreplaceable institution,” the governor declared.
Governor Obiano also described the late author as a
quintessential father-figure whose physical and figurative presence always
loomed across the landscape, saying that the world is poorer without him.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the illustrious Nzekwu
family in Onitsha and all lovers of literature who have suddenly been thrown
into mourning by this huge loss. I pray that God will give his family, friends
and fans the fortitude to bear this loss,” he further added.
The Governor therefore urged Nigerians to emulate the
exemplary life led by the author whom he recalled had won the Rockefeller
Foundation Fellowship in 1961 as well as the UNESCO Fellowship in 1964 which
exposed him to a higher learning in New York, Geneva, Prague, Paris and London
among other important cities of the world.
Governor Obiano also recalled that Chief Nzekwu had served
his country well and was consequently conferred the Nigerian National Honour of
the Officer of the Order of the Niger in 2008.
By James Eze
