•He’s our mentor, says VC
From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Globally acclaimed thespian and theatre arts teacher, Professor Emeka Nwabueze, was roundly celebrated recently, as the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) held its 50th convocation.
Nwabueze and three others were conferred with emeritus professorial status. For him, his was very significant as he became the first Emeritus Professor of Theatre and Film Studies of the institution.
At the convocation arena, Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Charles Igwe, stated that Nwabueze was honoured for his contributions to the development of education in the country.
Igwe said: “I congratulate the awardees of the Honorary Degrees and Professor Emeritus. Your avalanche of contributions to humanity’s development is well-recognized and highly regarded. You are the beacons of excellence and human advancement in our time.”
Prior to the convocation proper, a programme of activities was organised in furtherance of the celebration of Nwabueze by the University.
It began with a drama night where Nwabueze’s Echoes of Madness, directed by Ezekiel Nnaji went on stage at the Arts Theatre of UNN, on March 22.
The next moment of glory for the celebrated scholar was the next day, March 23, during the presentation of a book by the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, UNN, titled: “In Our Words: The Colossal Strides of Emeka Nwabueze.” The event was clearly to honour the doyen of performing arts who recently retired from active service from the department.
The VC showered praises on Nwabueze and called him his mentor. He disclosed that he looked up to him and had emulated his zeal and determination during his undergraduate and postgraduate days in higher institutions.
Igwe added that Nwabueze’s books and other academic works have contributed to the development of education in Nigeria.
“I am not surprised that the department is presenting a compendium of his literary and artworks because he is an erudite scholar who is worthy of emulation.
“Growing up, I looked up to him as a mentor, I was inspired to continue my postgraduate courses after I learned upon graduation from my first degree that Prof Nwabueze had completed his doctorate from an oversea university. As a kinsman, he was a good reference point to most of us then.
“Here in UNN, he mentored me and had always played a big brother role to me. He was the person that nominated me when I was first appointed as deputy vice-chancellor administration,” he said.
Thanking the Theatre and Film Studies Department for their courage to reward the good works of Nwabueze through the compendium, he, however, challenged them to start documenting and airing their art programmes. He assured that the university management will give the department all the necessary support required.
The book reviewer, Uche-Chinemerm Nwaozuzu said that the book was a compendium of works of a great scholar of drama and theatre arts in Nigeria.
“The work has 42 chapters covering diverse creative and critical outputs as a scholar, administration, mentor, and also as father.
“It was edited by three editors, (myself) Uche-Chinemerm Nwaozuzu, an Associate Professor of Theatre and Drama UNN, Prof Canice Nwosu, a Professor of Theatre, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Emeka Aniago, a senior lecturer, Department of Theatre and Film Studies, UNN. Contributors for this diverse work span from different background and nationality,” he said.
Remarking, Head, Department of Theatre and Film Studies, UNN, Dr. Chinenye Amaonyeze, said the book was written by diverse groups of scholars, critiques, and academics who decided to write on Nwabueze’s works and life as an academic.
She explained: “We presented this book to the university community and the widest society and I made that presentation in my role as the head of the department where Nwabueze was the former HOD, and he remains the father of the department even in retirement.
“Prof Nwabueze has written so many books, he is known nationally and globally because of his numerous literally and artworks, he is a mentor to all of us in the department.
“Department of Theatre and Film Studies is honoured to have had him in our department and UNN in particular.”
In his response, Nwabueze thanked the department for the book in his honour saying that he would always make himself available for advice any time the department and the institution require such from him.
Some of the students and staff of the department took turns sharing their memorable experiences with Nwabueze, even as the UNN VC unveiled the book.