The Teacher Boy: A Memoir of Life in Eastern Nigeria

In this book, Chief Sylvester Okereke uses the story of his life growing up in Eastern Nigeria to provide a first-hand account of several intriguing Igbo cultural practices such as the horse-acquisition chieftaincy title, the manhood rites, the women fattening/circumcision rites, marriage rites and more. In a highly accessible manner, he recounts how his father encouraged him against challenges to pursue education at a time when it was little valued among the people of eastern Nigeria.

As historical background, the author discusses the Anglo-Aro war of 1901-02, the conquering of eastern Nigeria by British colonialists in the early 1900s, the concept of warrant/paramount chiefs introduced by Britain as an indirect rule measure in southern Nigeria, and the British shaping of rural communities in eastern Nigeria. He tells of his life in detail--his travail in boarding homes in distant communities where he was sent for studies, the influence of cultural practices on his decision to go to school, and how he conquered these challenges. The book also covers his sojourn into politics as a young man of 21 and discusses the political structure at the time, county councils, native courts, district councils and more.

Sylvester Uzoigwe Okereke is a historian and retired teacher. He was among the first people to be educated in his community--Amaeze-Okpanku in Old Eastern Region of Nigeria, present day Enugu State. In 1958, at age 21, he became the first elected Divisional Councilor of Okpanku II ward. After the Nigeria civil war he returned to teaching and community leadership serving as palace secretary, three-time customary court judge, and chairman of the School Governing Board among other positions. He lives in the United Kingdom.