Reuben Ibekwe Uzoma’s biography, Onye-Nkuzi
Onye-Nkuzi a well-crafted, 350-page book, is set for presentation.
Published by Safari Books Ltd, Ibadan, this historical biography offers riveting insights into the life and times of Reuben Ibekwe Uzoma and his immeasurable contributions to nation building and education in Nigeria.
The book title derives from Uzoma’s early career sobriquet as a young teacher and educator.
He was popularly referred to as onye-nkuzi, meaning — the teacher/counselor or simply, someone, who leads the way.
It is the work of two female academics — Dr. Adaoha Okwuosa, who is the author and Nonye Nnamezie, a co-author.
The book, according to Okwuosa, “is a historical biography which stands out in the league of contemporary Nigerian biographies by adopting a uniquely insightful perspective in biographical documentation.
The book sets out to show that a historical biography provides a record that is more than a ‘tunnel-narrative’ on the personality who is its subject.
It is a rich store of collateral and archival material on Social sector development in the East from the 1920s to the 1980s.
It also documents interesting aspects of the history of formal education in Nigeria, through the committed role of the voluntary (or non-governmental) agencies such as the CMS (Church Missionary Society), and the early educated elite who drove that process.”
Writing the foreword, Emeritus Professor of Education, O. C. Nwana states that the book “is a highly recommended reading and reference material for all who wish to have an informed insight into the important contributions of the Anglican Mission as a voluntary agency, in the early development of education in the former Eastern Region (of Nigeria).
Against the background of the numerous challenges that have beset the education sector in our contemporary society, this book also provides a view into a past and admirable age of formal education operations, and of the teaching profession.
It is equally a contribution regarding the strength and calibre of the great men and women like R. I. Uzoma who pioneered that regrettably now bygone age.”
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