Fidelis Uchenna Okoro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Novelist,
Playwright,
Musician,
Film producer
Fidelis Uchenna Okoro | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Occupations | Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Musician, Film producer |
Fidelis Uchenna Okoro (died 2021), also known as Fidoko, was a Nigerian poet, novelist, playwright, musician and film producer. As a faculty member of the University of Nigeria, he authored two novels, two poetry collections, and five plays. Additionally, he co-edited a poetry collection, released three albums, and produced four films.
Okoro graduated from the University of Nigeria in the 1990s.[1][2][independent source needed]
Career
Academic
Okoro joined the teaching staff of the University of Nigeria in May 1997.[citation needed] He was a senior lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies at the University of Nigeria.[3]
He co-edited Africa and World Literature: University of Nigeria Journal of Literary Studies[3] and was an editorial advisor for The Muse, the student journal at the University of Nigeria.[4][independent source needed] In 2022, The Muse created the Fidelis Okoro Prize for Poetry, sponsored by Friday Romanus, in his honor.[5][independent source needed]
Okoro was nominated by the University of Nigeria Staff Awards for the "Beat Dressed Lecturer (Male)" and the "Most Popular Lecturer (Male)".[6]
Writing
Okoro authored two novels, two poetry collections, and five plays. He also co-edited Apples of Gold: A Pageant of Modern Nigerian Poems with Emeka Joseph Otagburuagu.[citation needed]
In 1998, Okoro published his first full-length work, a play entitled Wisdom of the Ostrich. He later published the plays Joys of War (2000), Prof Zemzi’s Last Rehearsal (2005),[7] Quagmire (2010),[8] and Preamble to Apocalypse (2016).[3][9] Quagmire was the runner-up for the 2010 ANA/J.P. Clark Drama Prize.[10] The same year, the book, Quagmire, was shortlisted for the NNDC Prize for Drama.[1]
Okoro's third full-length publication was the novel The Rape of Regina (2002), which was followed by Cracking the Shell (2013).[11] Cracking the Shell was shortlisted for the 2009 ANA/Jacaranda Prose Prize.[1][3]
Okoro published his first poetry collection, When the Bleeding Heart Breaks, in 2006. The collection became the first runner-up for the 2006 ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize.[1][3][10] His second collection, Pimples and Dimples, was published in 2012 and was the first runner-up for the 2012 ANA/Gabriel Okara Poetry Prize.[citation needed]
Music
Okoro released three albums: One More Mile, Call on Me (2008),[3] and Baby Kpurunu m Ishi.
Film
In 2006, Okoro founded Fidoko Films International. With the company, he produced and direct four films: Saved by Sin (2007), Peace of the Graveyard, Uzumagada: The Search for Inspiration, and Paradisico.[3][10]
Personal life
Fidelis Okoro was a devout Jehovah’s Witness.[citation needed] He died from leukemia on June 22, 2021.[3]
Filmography
- Saved by Sin (2007)
- Peace of the Graveyard
- Uzumagada: The Search for Inspiration
- Paradisico
Publications
Novels
- The Rape of Regina. University of Nigeria Press. 2002. ISBN 978-978-2299-38-3.
- Cracking the Shell. Xlibris Corporation. 2013. ISBN 978-1-453-55222-3.
Poetry
- When the Bleeding Heart Breaks. El 'Demark Publishers. 2006. ISBN 978-9-788-06179-3.
- Pimples and Dimples. 2012.
Plays
- Wisdom of the Ostrich (1998)
- Joys of War. New Generation Books. 2000. ISBN 978-978-2900-51-7.
- Prof Zemzi’s Last Rehearsal (2005)
- Quagmire (2010)
