Jeff Unaegbu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeff Unaegbu
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Unaegbu in 2022
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Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu
1 October 1979 Inyi, Enugu State, Nigeria
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| Education | University of Nigeria (MA, BA) |
| Alma mater | University of Nigeria |
| Occupation | Writer, researcher, artist, actor, filmmaker |
Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu 
i// (born on 1 October 1979) is a Nigerian writer, researcher, actor, and filmmaker. He is also a freelance journalist.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Unaegbu was born on 1 October 1979, in Inyi, Enugu State, Nigeria. He was the first of five children. He went to Government Secondary School in Minna, Niger State from 1990 to 1996.
He later studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) from 2002 to 2006. There, he earned a degree in Mass Communication. While at the university, Unaegbu was the chief editor of the school's Roar Magazine. He also won awards for his studies and poetry. In 2018, he earned his MA in African Studies from the same university.
Career Highlights
Unaegbu has a diverse career. He works as a researcher, writer, and filmmaker.
University Work
In 2008, Unaegbu started working at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He became a Research Fellow at the institute in 2021.
Writing Books and Stories
Unaegbu has written many books and articles. His first book was a collection of poems called Ode on Lagos (This Lagos Na Wa). It was published in 2006. A magazine called Newswatch said one poem in the book was "the longest poem by a Nigerian." Another magazine, The Roar, called it "the longest metrical poem in Africa."
While still in college, he wrote his second book. It was titled Freedom in Our Bones: the history of the Students' Union Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1960-2004. This book was published in 2007.
He has also written several biographies about important Nigerian professors and figures. These include:
- A book about Professor Alexander Obiefoka Enukora Animalu.
- A biography of the famous geophysicist Cyril Agodi Onwumechili.
- Braving the Stars, a book about the space scientist Pius Nwankwo Okeke.
- 92 Days in Power, which is about Dr. A.A. Nwafor-Orizu as acting President of Nigeria.
- The Biography of Nigeria's Foremost Professor of Statistics, Prof. James Nwoye Adichie. The famous Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, thanked him for co-authoring her father's biography.
- Biography of Nigeria's Foremost Professor of Mechanical Engineering: Gordian Ezekwe.
- Amazing Grace: The Authorized Biography of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, published in 2022.
Unaegbu also wrote a book of his thoughts called The Jephian Philosophy in 2020. In 2021, his short story collection Sambisa Forest and Other Stories was published. One story in it, "Prey," was shortlisted for an award. Another story, "The Fulani Damsel," was published in a UK magazine.
He also helped create an epic poem called Elephant Tusk: An Epic. This poem started from conversations on social media.
Journalism and Awards
As a freelance journalist, Unaegbu has interviewed many notable Nigerian authors. These include Chika Unigwe and Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. He also wrote about important people like Grace Adichie, who is Chimamanda Adichie's mother.
Unaegbu also organizes writing prizes. He started the Cecilia Unaegbu Prize in Flash Fiction in 2011. He was also a judge for the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize in 2012.
Public Service
Unaegbu is involved in public service. In 2019, he became an envoy for the Oja Cultural Development Initiative (OCDI). He traveled to Zimbabwe to share cultural ideas. He represented the Igbo ethnic group there.
In 2020, he helped build a large hand statue at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. This statue represents the important ideas of the university's founders. In 2022, he was appointed Director of Protocol for the Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development.
Activism
Jeff Unaegbu was one of the three people who started the "Occupy Nigeria" Facebook group in 2012. This group helped organize protests across Nigeria. The protests were against the government's decision to remove a fuel subsidy. A fuel subsidy is when the government helps pay for fuel to keep prices low. When the subsidy was removed, fuel prices went up, leading to protests.
Works
Filmography
Unaegbu has worked on several films, mostly documentaries.
- Saved by Sin, part 2 (2007)
- Saved by Sin, part 3 (2007)
- Zik of Africa- A Historical Reflection (2008/2010)
- Journalism (Flash Documentary) (2010)
Short Story Collections
- This Mosquito in Your Net, (Nsukka: Global Publishers). (2010)
Poems
- "There May Be A Historian Amongst the Ants" in Best "New" African Poets Anthology 2020.
Nonfiction Books
- Freedom in Our Bones: THE HISTORY OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA (1960-2004), (Onitsha: Blue Publishers, 2007, 2008).
- The Origins of the NYSC, (Nsukka: Global Publishers, 2009).
- ALEXANDER O.E. ANIMALU: A Biography of the Distinguished Professor of Physics (Co-authored with Dr. Akpojotor, G.E.) (Abuja: Ucheakonam Foundation (Nig.) Ltd., 2008).
- Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama African World Challenge: Arts and Science in the Reconstruction of the Consciousness of Africans in the 21st Century, A Dialogue of Western and African Worldviews, (Co-authored with Professors Animalu, A.O.E.; Umezinwa, W.A. and Achufusi, G.) (Enugu: Snaap Publishers, 2009).
- The Youth and National Development in Nigeria (Co-edited with Otagburuagu, E.J. and Ohia, N.C. (Nsukka: Global Publishers/ Benak Ventures) (2010).
- Biography of Nigeria's Foremost Professor of Statistics, Prof. James Nwoye Adichie. (Co-authored with Professors Animalu, A.O.E.; Peter Uche) (Abuja: Ucheakonam Foundation (Nig.) Ltd) (2013).
Personal Life
Unaegbu is married to Ogechukwu Sonia Unaegbu.
See also
- List of Nigerian film producers
