Obinna Charles Okwelume
Encyclopedia
Dr. Obinna Charles Okwelume Jnr. (born September 20, 1981 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
, Nigeria
) is an Africa
n scholar, writer and playwright.
, Nigeria, graduating with a First Class honours degree in 2003. He has a Masters degree in International Relations from London Metropolitan University
where he received a full Postgraduate Scholarship; and a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD) in African Studies (Media and Anthropology) from the Centre of West African Studies
, University of Birmingham
. He received the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations award in 2001 for his contributions to literary writing and the RE Bradbury Memorial Prize in 2010 for the best thesis in the School of History and Cultures at the University of Birmingham. He worked briefly with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
in the Group Public Affairs Division, Abuja and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja, Nigeria in the Public Relations Unit. He founded the Dynamics Choir and Dynamites Theatre in 1997. Through his works, he founded and is Coordinator, Save Africa Project, a project that aims to immortalise African culture via literature. Okwelume is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors
and The Chartered Institute of Journalists
, UK; an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He also, is a member of the Royal African Society, UK and was president of the International Students Association of the University of Birmingham
, 2006-2007. He was Editor-in-Chief of the NYSC FCT Editorial Board and also member of several Editorial Boards. He is currently at the National Universities Commission
.
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
) is an Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n scholar, writer and playwright.
Biography
He studied at St. Anns Nursery and Primary School and De World International Secondary School all in Port Harcourt. Obinna (meaning "Father´s heart"), as he is fondly called, studied Mass Communication in Madonna University (Ihiala)Madonna University (Ihiala)
Madonna University is a private university in Nigeria.Founded on 10 May, 1999 in Ihiala, Anambra State, it was established by E.M.P. Edeh Madonna University is a private university in Nigeria.Founded on 10 May, 1999 in Ihiala, Anambra State, it was established by E.M.P. Edeh Madonna University is a...
, Nigeria, graduating with a First Class honours degree in 2003. He has a Masters degree in International Relations from London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University , located in London, England, was formed on 1 August 2002 by the amalgamation of the University of North London and the London Guildhall University . The University has campuses in the City of London and in the London Borough of Islington.The University operates its...
where he received a full Postgraduate Scholarship; and a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(PhD) in African Studies (Media and Anthropology) from the Centre of West African Studies
Centre of West African Studies
Centre of West African Studies is a division of the School of Historical Studies at the University of Birmingham . The centre provides teaching and research into issues of African development, culture, anthropology, sociology, politics, history, and the legacies of the African diaspora,...
, University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
. He received the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations award in 2001 for his contributions to literary writing and the RE Bradbury Memorial Prize in 2010 for the best thesis in the School of History and Cultures at the University of Birmingham. He worked briefly with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is the state oil corporation through which the federal government of Nigeria regulates and participates in the country's petroleum industry.-History:...
in the Group Public Affairs Division, Abuja and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja, Nigeria in the Public Relations Unit. He founded the Dynamics Choir and Dynamites Theatre in 1997. Through his works, he founded and is Coordinator, Save Africa Project, a project that aims to immortalise African culture via literature. Okwelume is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors
Association of Nigerian Authors
The Association of Nigerian Authors represents Nigerian creative writers at home and abroad. It was founded in 1981 with the novelist Chinua Achebe as President. The current President is Hon Wale Okediran...
and The Chartered Institute of Journalists
Chartered Institute of Journalists
The Chartered Institute of Journalists is a professional association for journalists and is the senior such body in the UK and the oldest in the world. It was founded as the National Association of Journalists at a meeting at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham in October 1884, to promote and advance...
, UK; an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He also, is a member of the Royal African Society, UK and was president of the International Students Association of the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
, 2006-2007. He was Editor-in-Chief of the NYSC FCT Editorial Board and also member of several Editorial Boards. He is currently at the National Universities Commission
National Universities Commission
The National Universities Commission of Nigeria is a government commission promoting quality higher education in Nigeria. It is located in the capital city of Abuja. The Commission was established in 1962 as an advisory agency. It is currently part of the Federal Ministry of Education.-External...
.
Works
His published works include Ogurigwe (2001), Arrow of Vengeance (2002), Three Plays (2002), Babel of Voices (2002), Drumbeats of Black Africa (2004), and Dictionary of Mass Communication (2006). Okwelume is a play director; at his leisure he directs music performances and cultural displays.External links
- http://msupress.msu.edu/bookTemplate.php?bookID=2610, one of his published work.