6 September 2008
Lagos — Humility is the most remarkable feature of our guest today. Some say he is humble to a fault, which probably explains why there is no road to his office in Awka, Anambra State.
Any other 'big man' and elder statesman would have held the state governor to account for such a sorry state of affairs. Especially since the office of the Nigerian Book Foundation is in government established Oganiru Estate. Indeed, the NBF office was built with the assistance of the Chief Mrs Toyin Olakurin-led Educational Tax Fund (ETF) so you could say there is both federal and state presence in the estate, yet no motorable roads exist and senior citizens park and walk about one kilometer to their buildings. Especially in the rainy season.
Prof Ike will not complain however, accepting the fact that governments have conflicting interests, particularly when political expedience is a factor. Whenever Governor Peter Obi's men decide to give them a road, they will be grateful.
Glitteratti spoke briefly with Prof in Awka and at Ndikelionwu in his 'country home'. He was coordinating meetings of his people as his town prepares for his coronation as king on October 18 and for the Centenary of its home parish, St. Margaret's Anglican Church in November 2008.
Prof is evidently passionate about youth development, as the youth are the future. Indeed, one of his novels, Our Children are Coming, tackles this major concern.
He is also passionate about community development and individual empowerment and has lived in his village since 1993, spear heading communal development efforts.
Ike will readily tell you 'My people are poor so there are challenges in equitable development and wealth creation and distribution'.
Professor Chukwuemeka Ike was born to Mazi Charles Chinwuba Ike and Mrs Dinah M Ike on 28 April 1931 at Ndikelionwu in present day Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State of Nigeria. He received primary education at Aro Settlement School, Ndikelionwu from1937 to 1939, CMS Central School, Ife Ezinihitte in present day Imo State from 1940 to 1943, and CMS Central School, Nnewi in 1944. He went to Government College, Umuahia in present day Abia State from 1945 to 1950 and for undergraduate education, was at University College, Ibadan from 1951 to 1955, from where he obtained the B A (London) degree. He obtained the M A degree from Stanford University, USA, in January 1967.
Prior to his undergraduate career, he taught at CMS Central School, Amichi in 1950 and 1951. On graduation, he became the first Graduate Teacher at Girls' Secondary School (later St. Catharine's) Nkwerre, Orlu from 1955 to 1956. He switched to a career in university administration in January 1957, beginning as Administrative Assistant and rising rapidly to Assistant Registrar in charge of student welfare at University College, Ibadan between 1957 and 1960.
In October 1960, he joined the pioneer staff of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as Deputy Registrar. In March 1963, he became the first Nigerian Registrar of the University, a post he held until 1971. At the end of the Nigeria/Biafra War in January 1970, the Administrator of East Central State appointed him Chairman of the Planning & Management Committee which reopened the war battered university and managed its affairs until the appointment of a regular Governing Council in November 1970. In that capacity, he served as Interim Chief Executive of the University, combining the functions of Chairman of the Governing Council and Vice-Chancellor at a most critical period of reintegration into Nigeria by the University in particular and Ndigbo in general.
'In August 1971, I retired voluntarily from the University and accepted appointment as Registrar & Chief Executive of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the first Nigerian to attain that position and moved with my family to Accra, Ghana, the headquarters of the Council'.
It was during his tenure, from 1971 to 1979, that WAEC cut its umbilical cord with the Universities of Cambridge and London, the Royal Society of Arts, and City & Guilds of London Institute, becoming a truly independent Council whose certificates received national and international recognition and whose services and counsel were sought by examining councils in the developing Commonwealth. The Republic of Liberia, with its historical link with the USA, voluntarily joined the Council during his tenure.
In appreciation of his services as WAEC Registrar, City & Guilds of London Institute conferred its Honorary Fellowship on him in 1978. He became the first Nigerian to receive the award, equivalent to an honorary doctorate degree of the University of London, of which City &Guilds was a part.
Ike gave more time to what had been his primary hobby - Creative Writing - when he retired voluntarily from WAEC and the public service in July 1979. He was later invited to teach English on contract at the University of Jos as Visiting Professor, becoming the first Nigerian to teach Creative Writing at Professorial rank from 1983 to 1985.
Looking at a most fulfilling life of service, Prof. Ike summarizes the highlights, noting that 'I have, at various times, served as Chairman, Commonwealth Planning Committee on Public Examinations, Accra, Ghana (1973), Chairman, 4th International Conference on Educational Assessment, Baden, Austria (1978), Chairman, Culture Sector, and Member, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (1986 - 1991), Member, Nigerian Delegation and Chief Spokesman for Culture, General Conference of UNESCO, Paris, France (1989 and 1991), Chairman , National Anti-Piracy Committee (1991 - 1994), Member, Nigerian Copyright Council - now Commission - (1989 - 1994) and Chairman, Seminar on Book Development & Reading in the ECOWAS Sub-Region, Ibadan (January 1990). I have been Member, Anambra State Elders Forum/Advisory Council since January 2008'.
Professor Ike also served most commendably as Director, Daily Times of Nigeria Plc from 1971 to 1987, Short-term Consultant to the Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland Schools Examinations Council, under the auspices of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation in October 1974 and was a dynamic Director, University Press Plc from 1978 to 2002.
Other public service appointments held included that of Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Governing Council, University of Benin from 1990 to 1991, and Pioneer Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Anambra State University, from 2001 to 2005. He served on the Visitation Panel to the one-time Anambra State University of Technology in 1988.
Some of Ike's warmly remembered legacies have been in the non-governmental, non-profit sector. Professor Ike was the inspiration behind the establishment of the Nigerian Book Foundation, and has served as its President & Chief Executive since 1993. He was also the brain behind the establishment of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust which runs the annual Nigeria International Book Fair and his dedication to national book development has earned him many awards.
In gratitude to God to whom he gives credit, Ike has served God and man over the years. 'I served as Honorary Organising Secretary in-charge of the Eastern
Region, Student Christian Movement of Nigeria in 1956. I was Member, General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion from 1995 to 2002, and Member of its Standing Committee from 1998 to 2001'.
Ike was also Chairman, Synod Report Editorial Board, Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion from 1996 to 2005, Chairman, Diocesan Education Committee, Diocesan Economic Empowerment Committee, and Diocesan Church Centre Ndikelionwu Committee, Diocese of Aguata, Anglican Communion from 2005 to 2006. He is a Life Member of the Bible Society of Nigeria.
Professor Ike is acknowledged nationally and internationally as a major Creative Writer.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM) since 1987, Professor Ike has received national and international honours in recognition of his achievements. They include the 1978, Hon FCGI (Honorary Fellow, City & Guilds of London Institute) award. In 1987, Honorary Fellow in Writing, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA. 1994, Distinguished Friend of the Council (WAEC) Award, from the West African Examinations Council. 1998, Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) honoris causa, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 2000, Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) honoris causa, University of Lagos. 2000, Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Ibadan Alumni Association. 2001, Honours Award, National Council for Arts & Culture. 2001, National Honours in the rank of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (0FR). 2003, Recognition Award, Nigeria International Book Fair. 2006, Outstanding Achievement Award, Nigerian Booksellers Association. 2007, Award of Honour, Anambra State University. 2007, Award for Excellence, Nigerian Book Fair Trust, Eastern Zone. 2008, Fonlon - Nicholas Award, conferred by the African Literature Association at its 34th Annual Conference held at Eastern Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, USA on 25 April 2008.
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