Ifeoma Okoye facts for kids

Ifeoma Mokwugo Okoye is a Nigerian novelist. She was born on December 21st, possibly in 1937. Many people consider her one of the most important female writers from Nigeria, following famous authors like Flora Nwapa and Buchi Emecheta. She was born in Anambra State, which is in the eastern part of Nigeria. Ifeoma Okoye studied at St. Monica's College in Ogbunike. There, she earned a teaching certificate in 1959. Later, she graduated from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in English in 1977. She has written many books, including novels for adults like Behind the Clouds. She is also well-known for her children's novels and short stories, such as The Village Boy and Eme Goes to School.

Early Life and Education

Ifeoma Okoye was born on December 21st, likely in 1937. Her birthplace was Anambra State, Nigeria. She attended St. Monica's College in Ogbunike. There, she earned a certificate to become a teacher. After getting her certificate, she taught at St. Monica's College for two years.

From 1963 to 1967, she went to All Saints International School in Enugu. Later, from 1971 to 1974, she managed her own nursery school in Enugu. Ifeoma Okoye continued her studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She attended from 1974 to 1977. At the university, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She then traveled to England to study at Aston University. From 1986 to 1987, she earned a postgraduate degree in English there. After her studies, she taught English at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She continued teaching until the year 2000.

Achievements and Awards

Ifeoma Okoye is famous for her children's short stories. However, she also wrote books for adults. One of her adult novels is Behind the Clouds. This book tells the story of a couple who cannot have children. It explores how the woman often receives most of the blame.

Ifeoma Okoye received several awards for her writing. In 1983, she won prizes for both Behind the Clouds and The Village Boy. These awards came from the Nigerian National Council of Art and Culture. The next year, in 1984, her novel Men Without Ears won the best fiction of the year award. In 1985, she received another award for Daily Bread after Eze. This award was given at the Ife National Book Fair. She was also recognized internationally. In 1999, she was the African Regional Winner for the Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

Main Books and Stories

Ifeoma Okoye started her writing career after finishing her education. She wrote many short stories and novels. Most of her works were short stories created for children. However, she also wrote several novels for adult readers.

• The Power of a Plate of Rice. circa 2011.
• Busy Bee Number Workbook. 1980.
• Eme Goes to School. 1979.

See also

Nigerian woman novelists

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Buchi Emecheta
• Flora Nwapa
• Karen King-Aribisala
• Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
• Chidera Okolie
• Taiwo Odubiyi
• Adaora Lily Ulasi
• Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo
• Nnedi Okorafor
• Chika Unigwe
• Sefi Atta
• Helen Oyeyemi
• Chinelo Okparanta
• Lola Shoneyin
• Chibundu Onuzo