30th May, 2017
The late author and pioneer General Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chief Onuora Nzekwu, will be buried on June 30 in his hometown, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Nzekwu’s widow, Justina, told NAN on telephone on Monday that the deceased, a traditional title holder, would be laid to rest after traditional ceremonies.
Nzekwu, aged 89, died at 4.30p.m. on April 21 in Onitsha, where he had been living in retirement.
According to the widow, Onitsha indigenes residing in Lagos State would pay tribute to the late general manager on June 17 at his former residence, Olukole Street, Surulere, Lagos.
She said that a service of songs would be held in Nzekwu’s honour on June 23 at NAN, Media Centre, Iganmu, Lagos.
The late general manager was born in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, in 1928.
He trained and practised as a teacher for several years before establishing his reputation as a novelist in the 1960s.
Among his highly notable works are Wand of Noble Wood (1962), Blade Among the Boys (1963), and Highlife for Lizards (1965).
He co-authored the highly successful school reader, Eze Goes to School, in 1964, and produced its sequel, Eze Goes to College, soon after.
Nzekwu worked with the Federal Ministry of Information for several years before becoming the pioneer General Manager of NAN on July 1, 1979.
He retired as general manager of NAN in 1985.