The renowned author of “One Week, One Trouble”, Prof Anezionwu Okoro has died at the age of 94.
His first son, Chukwuma Aneziokoro, confirmed his death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Enugu.
Chukwuma said his father died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday in his house in Enugu.
”He had been sick for sometime but he died peacefully around 4am. He was a great man, caring father and husband. I will solely miss him,” he said.
Speaking on his passing, the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA Enugu State branch said his death is a sad one in the New Year.
Zulu Ofoelue, Chairman ANA, Enugu Branch, who visited the family of the writer with some of the members, described him as one of Nigeria’s most prolific writers who created stories that have inspired many writers and imparted deeply in Nigerian youths. “He was also one of the first African to delve into the genre of Science Fiction.”
Ofoelue also said “As a member and Grand Patron of ANA, Enugu Branch, Prof Okoro was a glittering role model, motivator, counsellor, icon, support, leader and father.
Even in his old age, he was deeply committed to the growth of ANA Enugu. We will miss him greatly. May His Gentle Soul Rest in Peace!”, he prayed.
Born May 17, 1929, the nonagenarian dermatologist was the author of many fictions, medicine/health, environmental sciences and ecology, including One Week One Trouble, The Village School and the Village Headmaster.
Prof Anezi, as he was fondly called, had also written over 200 poems.
His recent publication was the translation of 10 Lamb’s Tales of Shakespeare to Igbo language entitled, `Akuko Ufodu Shakespeare Koro’ in collaboration with another author, Mrs Nwobiara Chukwura.
Okoro, a native of Arondizuogu in Imo State, was the first dermatologist in West Africa and the second in Africa.
Okoro had his secondary school education at the Methodist College, Uzuakoli, Abia State, Nigeria.
Anezi worked as a house surgeon, University College Hospital, Ibadan, from 1957 to 1959. He began his career as an academics in 1975 as a professor of medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
He was the president of African Association for Dermatology from 1986 to 1991. Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Lagos from 1977 to 1981. He was a visiting professor, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta in 1987, and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 1988, King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, as professor of dermatology from 1989 to 1995.
The nonagenarian was a one-time Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and member of the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF).
Some of his literary works include:
The Village School- 1966
New Broom at Amanzu- 1967
Febechi in the Cave Adventure- 1971
One Week one Trouble- 1972
Dr Amadi’s Postings- 1974
Febechi down the River- 1975
The Village headmaster- 1984
Double trouble- 1990
Pariah Earth and Other Stories- 1994
Second Great Flood- 2000
Flying Tortoise: A Novel- 2004
Akuko Ufodu Shakespeare Koro- 2015
He is survived by his wife, Ese, a gynaecologist and four children.