Grand plans to celebrate Flora Nwapa’s ‘Efuru’ at 50

In 1966, ‘Efuru,’ a novel by Nigerian writer, Flora Nwapa was published as the 26th book in the African Writers Series. What was remarkable about that news was that it was the first book by an African woman to be published. It has been 50 years since that momentous occasion and many women have followed […]

In 1966, ‘Efuru,’ a novel by Nigerian writer, Flora Nwapa was published as the 26th book in the African Writers Series. What was remarkable about that news was that it was the first book by an African woman to be published.
It has been 50 years since that momentous occasion and many women have followed the path blazed by Nwapa. And plans are underway to commemorate the golden jubilee.
The Flora Nwapa  Foundation has grand plans to celebrate the occasion with events scheduled for Abuja, Lagos and Maiduguri with a grand finale in Enugu. They will include symposiums, drama sketches, writing competition, a children’s carnival and a nights of tributes.
It is being shaped to be a fitting celebration of a book that has changed the course of African Literature since its publication. ‘Efuru’ centres on the title character, an independent-minded Igbo woman and respected trader, who lives in a small village in colonial West Africa. 
The book is rich in portrayals of the Igbo culture and of different scenarios, which have led to its current status as a feminist and cultural work, leading to international and local acceptance of the author.
The foundation, headed by Nwapa’s son, Mr. Uzoma Nwakuche, a legal practitioner, has inaugurated a five-man National Organising Committee, to be led by Dr. Wale Okediran to coordinate the events nationwide while various local organising committees will organise events in the various cities.
Prof. Hope Eghagha, the Head of the Department of English, University of Lagos, will head the LOC in Nigeria’s former capital, while Prof. Vicky Sylvester, who occupies the same position at the University of Abuja, will oversee proceedings in Nigeria’s new capital. In Maiduguri, where Flora Nwapa was once a visiting professor, Dr. Razinat Mohammed of the University of Maiduguri will oversee affairs there while in Enugu and Oguta, Nwapa’s birthplace, Prince Paschal Mebuge-Obaa will spearhead affairs.
Commenting, the Chairman, Nwapa Foundation and son of the late Nwapa, Barrister Uzona Nwakuche described the golden anniversary celebration of Efuru as a deserved celebration  for his mother whom he said, nothing much has been done to celebrate her feats as a foremost African female writer and the first female commissioner in the old Eastern Region.
“Twenty three years after her death, we have done much to celebrate Flora Nwapa and what she was through out her lifetime. The Nwapa Foundation has however been set up to protect and promote her legacy.
“We also look forward to using the foundation to promote the cause of female writers as well as women artists. We hope when female creativity are promoted, many more will be encouraged to pursue their dreams,” the foundation chairman said.
The activities will be held in collaboration with the local branches of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Commenting on the importance of celebrating Nwapa’s work, Dr. Okediran, a former president of ANA said, “It is important to celebrate ‘Efuru’ because it was written by Flora Nwapa who is the first African woman writer to be published. In addition, in view of the global acceptance of the book and its author, its celebration will bring attention back to a historical book, which unfortunately is no longer available in Nigeria.”
Aside from the children’s carnival in Abuja, the events which will hold between November 29 and December 11 in the four cities across the country, will also feature a quiz competition for students in secondary schools.
Flora Nwapa who was born in Oguta, Imo State on Janury 13, 1931 has been called the “Mother of African Literature.” She died in Enugu, October 16 1993 at the age of 62.