Professor Sam Ukala an ICON of literariness

Hon. Olise Sam Ukala has said that with the support received from well-meaning individuals, organizations and our little resources, the foundation has started fulfilling its core objective of immortalizing a world renowned thespian of Delta State origin.

Olise disclosed this in his welcome address on the occasion of a day of the great literally and creative work in memorial of late emeritus Prof. Ukala Sam Ukala,on Wednesday 25th, September, 2024, at the amphitheater, maryam babangida leisure park and village, anwai in Asaba Delta State.

He added that, successfully collaborating with the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM–UNESCO), Federal Ministry of Tourism, Delta State Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Oshimili South Local Government Council and major stakeholders in the film industry, between March-October 2023, for Asaba to be accepted and designated a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of film.

According to him " This historic/landmark achievement was communicated by UNESCO to the Mayor of Asaba (Oshimili South Local Government Chairman) via a letter dated 6th November 2023.

''That the city of Asaba has been approved as a Creative City among the 55 new UNESCO creative cities, based on the fact that Asaba plays host to the Legendary Literary Works and Folklore of late Professor Emeritus Sam Ukala, diverse music and comedy entertainments, numerous film practitioners as well as Arts and Crafts.   

Olise went further that, another landmark achievement of the foundation is the institution and successful organization of the maiden edition of Professor Chinedum Samuel Ukala Literary Essay Competition, also known as the Sam Ukala Prize for Literature in the secondary school category, among Secondary Schools in Delta State. 

Hear him "This academic feat was carried out in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. This is to complement government efforts toward rejuvenating the old reading and writing culture which is paramount for improving standards in the education sector and prerequisite for human capital development, which is a core mandate of this present administration, one we all need to support.

In another development, The Professor Chinedum Samuel Ukala Literary Essay Competition took place from 23rd – 30th November, 2022 with winners and participating schools and students going home with various cash prizes ranging from N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) for the first place winner of the competition, N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) for second place winner and N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) for third place winner. 

"In furtherance of our bid to fulfill another core mandate of the foundation, we have also effectively donated over three thousand (3,000) copies of reprinted books authored by the Late Professor to the Delta State Library Board, Delta State University, various secondary schools as well as individuals. 

"The titles of books donated include the Placenta of Death, two Plays, the African Drama and Theatre, the Last Heroes, Skeletons a Collection of Stories and others. 

"We have also commenced a yearly drama competition among schools in Delta State in collaboration with the Delta State Directorate of Culture and Tourism based on the published short stories of the great literary icon where winners will enter into mentorship programme with the foundation and exposed to the global theatre of the entertainment industry, somewhat similar to Broadway Theatre found in Hollywood. 

"We are also hopeful that his authored books will be inculcated into the Academic curriculum of Secondary and Tertiary institution in Nigeria and beyond.

Hon. Olise Sam Ukala, thanked the former Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori as well as Delta State University Abraka, UNIDEL Agbor, Dennis Osadebay University Anwai and others for their numerous support and contributions to the foundation. 

He maintained that "It is our firm belief that your continued support and collaboration will enable us continue to contribute our Quota towards promoting and preserving the Great Literary and Creative Works of the Late Icon of Ika origin.

Highlights of the event includes: performance, poem presentation by DOU crew, poetry performance by JADC, Delta State Council for Art and Culture troupe presentation of "Iredi War" and presentation of awards.

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