Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike (28 April 1931 - 9 January 2020) was a Nigerian writer known for a mixture of lampoon, humor and satire. He owes a little bit of his style to his Igbo cultural upbringing. He studied history, English and Religious Studies at the University of Ibadan and earned a master's degree at Stanford university. Among many of the younger generation, he is popular as the author of Expo '77, a critical look at academic examination abuses in West Africa. Ike was a former registrar of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
A native of Ezinkwo Village, Ndikelionwu, Orumba North, Anambra State, in Nigeria, Ike was given the Christian name of Vincent but later chose his Igbo name, Chukwuemeka as his preferred choice (meaning "God has done great"). He was raised in a strict home. His father was a king, civic leader and disciplinarian who instilled in his son the necessity of civic duties and education.
Chukwuemeka started early education in his native town. He left his town for further education at Ife-Mbaise and then from 1945 to 1950, he attended Government College Umuahia. He started writing at Umuahia for the school magazine, The Umuahian, and he was also influenced by teacher that included Saburi Biobaku, who had honours in English from Cambridge. Some eminent Nigerian writers who attended the school include Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, and Ken Saro Wiwa. After completing his secondary education, he studied at the University of Ibadan.while at the college, he was invited by Chinua Achebe to join the magazine club.
He was the king, Eze Ndikelionwu of the great Aro town Ndikelionwu in eastern Nigeria, with the title "Ikelionwu XI" in his hometown of Ndikelionwu in Anambra State.
Ugwu Aro was Administrative Assistant/Assistant Registrar, University College, Ibadan; Chairman, Planning Management Committee, UNN; first Nigerian Registrar/CEO, WAEC; Director, Daily Times; Director, University Press Plc; President/CEO, Nigerian Book Foundation; Pro Chancellor/Chairman, Anambra State University of Science and Technology.
He is a Fellow of many professional bodies and is listed in several Who-is-Who. Some of his published works include One Week One Trouble, Sunset at Dawn, The Chicken Chaser etc.
He was married to Prof. Adebimpe and blessed with children and grand children.
The literary icon died on Thursday, 9th January 2020 at the Nnamdi Azikwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, Anambra State, at age 88 after a brief illness. May his soul rest in peace.
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