‘Fire & Memory’ Event Honors James Eze’s Poetic Legacy
By JULIET EKANEM
CHUKWUEMEKA Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam Campus, will host ‘Fire & Memory: Celebrating the Poetry of James Eze’ on 11 February 2026 at 3:00pm, at Mr. Smith Hotel, Awka. The event highlights the work of James Eze and his acclaimed poetry collection, Dispossessed, recognized for its exploration of memory, loss, and resilience.
The event will convene academics, cultural leaders, artists, and students to engage with Eze’s poetry through readings, critical responses, and discussions. Dr. Nelson Omenugha, Senior Special Assistant to the Anambra State Governor on Youth Empowerment, will chair the occasion. Special guests include Comrade Peter Nwosu of Peter NUPENG Group and Mr. Tony Odili Ujubuonu of ANSAA.
Key respondents, including Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, Prof. Echezona Ifejirika, and Prof. Chike Okoye, will analyze Eze’s poetic craft, thematic concerns, and stylistic innovations. The event aims to introduce students to the depth of contemporary African poetry and nurture emerging creative talent.
Dr. Ikechukwu Asika, Head of COOU’s English Department, described the work as “a luminous contribution to contemporary African poetry—one that articulates complex truths and speaks to both individual and collective experience.”
‘Fire & Memory’ is set to be an intellectual and cultural tribute that underscores the enduring power of poetry to remember, resist, and inspire future literary voices.
