Akwaeke Emezi Publishes Her Debut Novel, "Freshwater"
On Feb 13th 2018, Abia native Akwaeke Emezi (Jun 6th 1987) published her debut novel "Freshwater." She is would also publish a New York Times bestseller in 2020 "The Death of Vivek Oji." She is known for her fantastical style as well as LGBTQ themes.
2021 (Feb. 15)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
On 02/15/2021, Okonjo-Iweala was unanimously appointed as the Director-General on 15 February. She is the first woman and and the first African to lead the WTO at that top position. Okonjo-Iweali was born on June 13th 1954 in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State into the Obahai royal family.
Upcoming This Month in Igbo History
2021 (Feb. 2)
Author, Louis Chude-Sokei, Publishes Memoir "Floating in a Most Peculiar Way"
On Feb 2nd 2021, Louis Chude-Sokei (born in 1967), published his memoir. Titled "Floating in a Most Peculiar Way," he disucsses the experience of his childhood during Biafra and life in the American diaspora. Chude-Sokei served as the director of the African American and Black Diaspora Studies Program at Boston University from 2017 to 2025 and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for General Nonfiction in 2025. His father was the commander of the Biafran Air Force.
1998 (Feb. 4)
Philosopher, Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze, publishes the authoritative text "African Philosophy: An Anthology"
Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze (18 January 1963 – 31 December 2007) was a master of postcolonial philosophy. His parents resided in Northern Nigeria at the time of his birth. The pogroms and Biafran war brought him to Nsukka. His writings addressed and refuted the inherent racism of Western philosophers. He also founded the journal "Philosophia Africana" at DePaul University.
1994 (Feb. 5)
Artist, Ben Enwonwu, Dies Aged 76
Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu (July 14th 1917 - February 5th 1994) of Onitsha, Anambra State would be known as one of Africa's greatest artists as early as the 1950's. Amongst his famous works are: 'Anyanwu' - a sculpture of the goddess Ani striking a pose venerating Chukwu, 'Tutu' - a painting of the Ife princess Adetutu Ademiluyi, and a 1957 bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II. Additionally in 2009, NASA named a crater on the planet Mercury in his honor.
1967 (Feb. 6)
Charles Onyeama Becomes First Nigerian Judge at the International Court of Justice
Charles Dadi Umeha Onyeama (Apr 26th 1916 – Sep 5th, 1999) began his service on the International Court of Justice on Feb 6th 1967. He was bornin in Enugu to a family with significant traditional strength. HE would study at Oxford and hold prominent positions on the Nigerian Supreme Court.
2018 (Feb. 13)
Akwaeke Emezi Publishes Her Debut Novel, "Freshwater"
On Feb 13th 2018, Abia native Akwaeke Emezi (Jun 6th 1987) published her debut novel "Freshwater." She is would also publish a New York Times bestseller in 2020 "The Death of Vivek Oji." She is known for her fantastical style as well as LGBTQ themes.
2021 (Feb. 15)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
On 02/15/2021, Okonjo-Iweala was unanimously appointed as the Director-General on 15 February. She is the first woman and and the first African to lead the WTO at that top position. Okonjo-Iweali was born on June 13th 1954 in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State into the Obahai royal family.