The Delta State University, (DELSU), Abraka, will on Friday 17th December celebrate the life and times of the late playwright, poet and theorist, Emeritus Professor Samuel Chinedum Ukala, who passed away on 14th September 2021 at the age of 73.
In a statement issued by the organizing committee, the event tagged “Day of Tributes and Performances” is intended to celebrate the imperishable legacies of Sam Ukala as a teacher, theorist, theater director writer and actor.
Ukala made his mark as a playwright who exploited folklore in the dramatic apprehension of postcolonial experience. .
Some of his very famous plays include Akpakaland and Iredi War which won the prestigious LNG Prize for Literature in 2014. Born in 1948, Ukala was educated at universities at Nsukka and Ibadan before settling down to a life of scholarship and creative writing. He was also the winner of the BBC/ANA Drama Prize, ANA Prize for Fiction and poetry.
He taught at universities in Ekpoma, Hull and Abraka where he became Dean of the Faculty of Arts and later Provost of the Asaba Campus of the University.
The event which has the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga as chief host, kicks off at 10am will hold in the Theatre Arts Complex at the University’s permanent site.
