EZE GOES TO SCHOOL By Onuora Nzekwu

 

This book, written and published decades ago by a revered Nigerian academic, was a bestseller and a must-read for children for many years. Whilst the western world can boast thousands of important works published for children, the same is not the case in Africa. Or even general works. The author of Eze goes to School, Mr Nzekwu might even seem like an unlikely "candidate" to have written such a fine work for kids, as he is a superb author of adult novels; some pundits even claim that in some ways he was "better" than Chinua Achebe as a novelist. Those who might find this incredulous would do well to read Nzekwu's novels like Wand of Noble Wood, and Blade among the Boys. Interestingly, Achebe said he was not happy with the way Eurocentric writers portrayed Africa and its denizens hence he decided to write his own novel(s); and Nzekwu has also pointed out that he wrote this famous book for children when he found out that there were no such books written for kids by Nigerians who knew the society well. And hence this legendary work was conceived and born. For decades thousands and thousands of children in west Africa would identify with the protagonist, Eze and his travails whilst trying to garner the rudiments of western education. There are many difficulties in his path, and heart-breaking tragedy too, especially when he loses his father! The angst here lives on in the mind of many readers. But our Eze is not a quitter and plods on, ever resilient...and somewhat succeeds. The importance of education is highlighted in this book, which essentially is a long-standing triumph
- Malome