ONUORA NZEKWU

Onuora Nzekwu (born 1928) is a Nigerian professor, writer and editor who has been writing and publishing assorted books for decades. His corpus includes general novels, and children's literature (with Eze goes to school being particularly celebrated)

Nzekwu has been a teacher, writer, and editor. In his (mature) works he explores the internal conflicts inherent in the relationship of the educated Igbo to traditional Igbo culture. After obtaining a teacher’s higher education certificate in 1946, Nzekwu taught for years, subsequently becoming editorial assistant and then editor of Nigeria Magazine. He would later return to federal public service, becoming deputy director with the Federal Ministry of Information.

Nzekwu’s first novel, Wand of Noble Wood (1961), portrays "the futility of a Western pragmatic approach to the problems created by an African’s traditional religious beliefs. To the hero of Blade Among the Boys (1962), traditional practices and beliefs ultimately gain dominance over half-absorbed European and Christian values." His latest work, Troubled Dust (2012) is a hefty book – well over 400 pages in length.

General Works: Wand of Noble Wood (1961), Blade Among the Boys (1962),
Highlife for Lizards (1965), Troubled Dust (2012), Eze goes to school.

STUDIES

Highlife for lizards, by Onuora Nzekwu. (Audiotape) by F Euba

Three Nigerian novelists by Robin Horton

The Victory of Magic in Two Novels of Onuora Nzekwu by John
Povey (African Studies Association).

STANLAKE SAMKANGE

STANLAKE J. W. T SAMKANGE (died 1988) was a rather early Zimbabwean writer who churned out novels, essays, miscellaneous writings, and other illuminating if at times polemical work. Best known for his historical novel, On Trial for my Country, Samkange was an early pioneer and visionary who initially studied in his native Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), South Africa (Fort Hare University), and overseas (Indiana University, Bloomington). Samkange lectured in many American universities before pursuing a career in politics whilst back in Zimbabwe.

Apart from On Trial for my Country (1966), Samkange published many other works; including Origins of Rhodesia (1968), African Saga (1970), Hunhuism or Ubuntuism (1980), The Mourned One (1968), Year of the Uprising (1978), Among them Yanks (1985), and On Trial for that UDI (1986)

Studies

History and fiction: a study of the interface between historical record and imaginative reconstruction in the novels of Stanlake Samkange – by Neville James Smith

The Struggle to become Zimbabwe – by James Currey

FEMI OSOFISAN

Femi Osofisan is a formidable academic and fecund writer. One of Nigeria's many superb writers, for decades he has been a critic of pertinent societal problems. His use of "African traditional performances and surrealism in his works" has also been commended over the years. Many pundits assert that he is somewhat of a didactic writer whose works seek to correct a prurient, sick society. He did post-graduate studies at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) where he has held pivotal faculty positions for many years.

His published works include: Kolera Kolej, The Chattering and the Song, Morountodun and Other Plays, Minted Coins (poetry), Another Raft, Once upon Four Robbers, Twingle-Twangle A-Twynning Tayle, Yungba-Yungba and the Dance Contest: A Parable for Our Times, The Album of the Midnight Blackout, Tegonni: An African Antigone



Studies

Ancient songs set ablaze : the theatre of Femi Osofisan by Sandra L Richards 

Emerging perspectives on Femi Osofisan 

The drama of Femi Osofisan : a critical perspective by Muyiwa P Awodiya 

Théâtre et société Fémi Osofisan et S.A. Zinsou : étude comparée by Juliana Omoifo-Okoh 

Portraits for an eagle : essays in honour of Femi Osofisan 

Femi Osofisan : the form of uncommon sense by Tejumola Olaniyan 

Visions of myth in Nigerian drama : Femi Osofisan versus Wole Soyinka by Osonye Tess Onwueme 

ASARE KONADU

Asare Konadu (1932– 1994) the late Ghanaian writer is probably most famous for two of his works, Ordained by the Oracle, and A Woman in his prime. Yet this journalist, novelist and publisher churned out a great deal of books. Asare studied at Abuakwa State College prior to working at the Ghana Information Service. He went on to study in London and at Strasbourg University,

His published books include: Wizard of Asamang, The Lawyer Who Bungled His Life, Come Back Dora: a husband's confession and ritual, Shadow of Wealth, Accra, Don't Leave me MERCY, A Husband for Esi Ellua, A Woman in Her Prime, Night Watchers of Korlebu, Ordained by the Oracle, 1969. Devils in Making, and The Coup Makers.

Studies

Asare Konadu and his two levels of (popular) literature by Leif Lorentzon