Uzodinma Iweala Publishes His Debut Novel "Beasts of No Nation"
Beasts of No Nation is a 2005 novel by the Nigerian-American author of Igbo heritage, Uzodinma Iweala, publishes "Beasts of No Nation." The book won the 2005 Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. As a movie in 2015, it won multiple awards and nominations including British Academy Film Awards and Screen Actor Guild Awards.
1961 (Sep. 13)
The Onwu Committee Convenes To Unify The Modern Igbo Alphabet
The 11 members of the Onwu Committee convened in Enugu to help formalize Igbo orthography (writing). Their report "The Official Igbo Orthography," provided guidelines on how words should be spelled and how diacritics used. This helped form a united Igbo identity.
Upcoming This Month in Igbo History
2015 (Sep. 1)
British author Frederick Forsyth revealed he spied for MI6 under journalistic cover in Biafra.
British author Frederick Forsyth confirmed he spied for MI6 under journalistic cover in Biafra. While millions starved under a brutal blockade backed by the British government, Forsyth’s reports concealed the darker purpose of feeding intelligence to the very agents complicit in the devastation.
Published in the monthly periodical, around Sep 1st, 1791 - the poem Monimba describes the cruelty of slavery. The poem is centered around a pregnant enslaved Igbo woman on course to Jamaica. The woman chose suicide over slavery - showing the evil nature of the institution of slavery.
1955 (Sep. 5)
Zulu Sofola, Prominent Playwright, Dies Age 60
Nwazuluwa Onuekwuke "Zulu" Sofola (Jun 22nd 1935 to Sep 5th 1995) is credited as Nigeria's first female playwright. She was born in Issele-Uku in Delta State. Of Aniocha Igbo roots, she studied in the US and returned to study in Oyo State. Her famous works include Wedlock of the Gods (1972) and The Sweet Trap (1977).
1968 (Sep. 5)
Death of Nwosu Pita Nwana, Author of one of the earliest Igbo novels, "Omenuko"
Nwosu Pita Nwana (1881 to Sep 5th 1968) worked as a carpenter and interpreter. He wrote the popular Igbo language novel "Omenuko." The tale details Igbo culture in the context of a man that sells his relatives into slavery. The story is associated with real life politician Eze Igwegbe Odum.
1969 (Sep. 6)
Maria Ndidi Okogwu Marries Future Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida
On Sep 6th 1969, Maria Ndidi Okogwu (Nov 1, 1948 - Dec 27, 2009) marries Ibrahim Babangida. He would go on to become head of state in 1985. Maria, styled as Mariam Babangida would formalize the role of First Lady of Nigeria. She was born is Asaba with roots in the Hausa community in Niger State with her father being an Asaba native. She was known for her opulent style and regal demeanor.
2005 (Sep. 8)
Uzodinma Iweala Publishes His Debut Novel "Beasts of No Nation"
Beasts of No Nation is a 2005 novel by the Nigerian-American author of Igbo heritage, Uzodinma Iweala, publishes "Beasts of No Nation." The book won the 2005 Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. As a movie in 2015, it won multiple awards and nominations including British Academy Film Awards and Screen Actor Guild Awards.