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By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
The legendary poet W.H. Auden famously wrote that “poetry makes nothing happen”, but the great man would have written differently if he had been at the Mr. Smith courtyard, Awka, Anambra State, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, when James Eze shook up the elements with the charge of his poetry.
Poetry definitely made things happen through the theme of the evening: “Fire & Memory: Celebrating The Poetry Of James Eze.” The event was convened by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, with the head of the English Department, Associate Professor Ikechukwu Asika, facilitating matters suavely. The ever vivacious Vice-Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, gave her word that she would make the evening climax in fine fettle – and she did!
The students from COOU and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, forged a questing assemblage of aspiring creatives. Professors and poets gave the event vistas of intellection and creativity. There was a grand unveiling of the cover of James Eze’s award-winning first collection of poems, Dispossessed.
The special guests included Prof. Chike Okoye (Ududo) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ifejirika Echezona of COOU, former Anambra State Commissioner for Information Dr. Paul Nwosu, the managing director of Animbra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife, former Deputy Press Secretary of Anambra State Governor Mr. Emeka Ozumba, the managing director/CEO of Anambra State Signage & Advertising Agency (ANSAA), Mr. Odili Ujubuonu, who is also an award-winning novelist, and Anambra State House of Assembly Member representing Idemili South, Hon. Ebuka Igwe. The dramatic entry of the masterful emcee and former managing director of Anambra State Broadcasting Service, Sir Chido Obidiegwu, created a stir.
The renditions of the Anambra State and COOU anthems were followed by opening prayer and the kolanut-breaking rituals.
The rendering of the poetic festivities got off to a resounding start with the performance of James Eze’s compelling poem by Udeagbara Johnson.
Then Odili Ujubuonu, author of the novel, “Pregnancy of the Gods,” delivered an incisive overview of the poet-artiste James Eze and his work as per themes, style and reception.
He cited the discovery that James Eze is essentially the master poet of light gifting sunshine to the landscape.
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The evening was then softened with a musical interlude that brought the gathered guests to the floor, dancing frenziedly. Emeka Ozumba got a flower of love delivered to him by a fair lady.
As the music petered out, James Eze stepped forward to undertake his first poetry reading of the evening. He read from sections of Dispossessed dealing with “Innocence”, “Transgression” and “Atonement”. The poem “Searching for Myself” was soul-stirring while the love poem “Rainbow” was in sync with the Valentine season. The call-and-response poem “Biafra” got the audience into effective participation.
The creative reenactment of James Eze’s poem by Nwokedi Precious was a sight to behold. Another creative response to the guest poet’s poem by Senator Nancy and Tessy Ifeafulukaba had the audience asking for more.
Prof. Ifejirika Echezona, in his critique of James Eze’s poetry, stressed that the poet deserves plaudits for producing works that are profoundly simple without being simplistic.
A dramatic reenactment of the poetry of James Eze by the duo of Nnajiofor Favour and Ofunelo Christian was greeted with lofty applause by the appreciative audience.
Vice-Chancellor Omenugha climaxed the evening with her entry, and the eventual reading from the manuscript of her about-to-be-published book.
James Eze was gifted the crown of “The People’s Poet”, and the plaque was presented by the House of Assemby Member, Hon. Ebuka Igwe.
There is no doubt whatsoever that James Eze deserves celebration, being a prolific poet who, after his debut collection, “Dispossessed,” has published a critically acclaimed second collection, “Goosebumps.”
His third collection, entitled “Unbind Me Now,” is about to be published by Masobe Publishers, Lagos.
