Efuru@50 NOC visits Maiduguri

Efforts to have a successful commemorative event to celebrate 50 years since the publication of Flora Nwapa’s ‘Efuru’ have shifted into top gear with the National Organising Committee visiting Maiduguri, Borno State.
Chairman of the NOC, Dr. Wale Okediran and the Chairman of the Flora Nwapa Foundation, Barr. Uzoma Nwakuche joined members of the Maiduguri LOC on a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi recently.
In her opening remarks, the head of the Maiduguri Local Organising Committee for the celebrations, Dr. Razinat Mohammed said that celebrating the book at the University of Maiduguri was important because of Flora Nwapa’s association with the university, between 1997 and 1998, where she served as visiting professor and introduced the Creative Writing course to the department during her stay there.
She reiterated her commitment to ensuring that a befitting event is held in honour of the first published female African writer.
In his comment, the Chairman of the NOC, Dr. Wale Okediran said the events are being planned nationwide in view of the significance of ‘Efuru’ and how its publication reshaped the history of literature on the continent and mentioned that the courtesy visit to the vice chancellor was to ensure the support of the institution in having a hitch free event in Maiduguri.
Receiving the guests on behalf of the vice chancellor were the Deputy Vice Chancellors, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba (The DVC Academics) and  Prof. Godowoli (The DVC Central Administration) as well as the Registrar and Director of Works.
Prof. Shugaba apologised for the absence of the VC and promised that the University will give the event its full support since the celebrant was once a member of the University’s staff.  He also assured of the University’s commitment to a strong academic tradition, the main reason why the University remained open throughout the very difficult six-year insurgency period in Borno State.
Speaking earlier, Flora Nwapa’s son, Barr. Nwakuche said his mother’s stay in Maiduguri was her most enjoyable academic sojourns and that was why he thought it was important to have an event in Maiduguri despite the security situation in the state.
The visit was rounded up with a courtesy call on the Head of the Department of English Language and a familiarization tour of the university campus.