The literally community was agog on Wednesday this week when friends, colleagues, teachers, writers, poets and students gathered in Awka, the Anambra State capital to celebrate a literally icon – James Eze who has impacted the community with his numerous works.
The English Department of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, packaged the event to honour James for his outstanding qualities and poetic ingenuity in recent times having distinguished himself among the literally giants in Nigeria like Late Chinua Achebe, Ngozi Chiamamanda-Adichie, Late Christopher Okigbo, Niyi Osundare and others who have added great impetus to poetry.
The rendezvous commenced on a brighter note with exchange of jokes, banters and the unveiling display of the latest book cover of James – ‘Dispossessed’. The book is mainly a collection of poems written by James Eze on poetry series embedded with life experience.
The first performance was excellently captured by Udeagbara Johnson reflecting on the poetic significance of the book – dispossessed.
The Head of Department of COOU, Professor Ikechukwu Asika who was at his best did not mince words when he observed that James is the “People’s Poet”.
According to him, by his delving into poetry with all the creative embellishments, James is a writer who sees in the dark.
Writer with unique flavour
He said James is a writer who has a unique flavour in poetry. Other speakers highlighted the style of writing of James which stands him out among the equals.
However, overwhelmed James could not hold his joy for being celebrated and expressed gratitude to the Department of English, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
He traced his journey into poetry which he started in him naturally as a young student and how he perceives life generally and capturing it into poetry.
He advised the students to start on time to develop their talents in their early stage of life, stressing that it would help shape their perception about their future.
It was really an evening one should not miss as James read some of the stanzas of the “Dispossessed” to the admiration of the students and guests.
The auspicious event featured a former Commissioner for Information and Culture in Anambra State, Mr Paul Nwosu, former Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr Chido Obidigwe, former Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr Emeka Ozumba, and former Managing Director of Anambra Newspapers, Mr Chuka Nnabuife among others.
