BIO

Chinyeaka Okoli
MPS, MA, BA, (Hons) PGDE

Chinyeaka Emmanuel Okoli (Obuadazie) is a Nigerian-born African-Canadian and one of Nigeria’s most versatile creative artists of the 21st century.

He is a graduate of Theatre Arts, Drama Education, a Multimedia Production Specialist, an accomplished Literary Writer, a Poet, a Playwright, Designer, Choreographer, Song Writer/Producer and Performer as well as an Investigative Security Consultant. He is currently Chief, Information Technology & Security for Emerald Energy Resources Limited.

Believed to be a perfectionist, Chinyeaka has this “magic” of putting excellence in whatever he does.

Chinyeaka had his education at Christ Church School, Uwani Enugu, Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw Enugu, Higher Education at Government College Umuahia (equivalent to a North American College).

When he left Government College Umuahia, he trained and worked with Post & Telecommunications (P&T) department, Enugu as a technician for many years. While there, he took correspondence course in Journalism to pave way for his new passion in the field of Mass Communication and the development of the aptitude for Research and Investigative Journalism. He researched and contributed articles for local papers and radio. (Radio Nigeria, Enugu “Hello Young People” program).

In addition to researching and writing of articles, Chinyeaka wrote short stories and poems while still working as a technician with Post and Telecommunications Department, Enugu. He was later transferred to Maiduguri. While there, he was nominated among those to attend the Assistant technical Officers (ATO) Training in Oshodi, Lagos. Since his passion for creative arts was high, he rejected the offer. He resigned and returned to Enugu where he joined the Ministry of works and Housing (Survey Division) as a Draughtsman. He shortly left them to Ahmadu Bello University’s School of Basic Studies from where he proceeded to the University of Jos for the four years degree program in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos.

It was at the University of Jos that the doors to his creativity opened up in full. He studied Photography and Film Production alongside Technical Theatre, courses that require the application of most of his knowledge as a technician. Also he took Dance/Choreography (his cherished hobby). Electives in Creative writing from English department added to his tools. Like a voracious academic caterpillar about to pupate, Chinyeaka grabbed all these options and carried them along. He worked tirelessly and had such an outstanding result that he got the Federal Government Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence and graduated with Honours Degree.

He did his National Youth Service Corp program in Ilorin, kwara State where he served as the Artistic Director of the State Performing Arts Council for one year.

He returned to Anambra state to join the State Education Commission as a teacher for Drama and Literature.

He attended University of Nigeria Nsukka for a Post Graduate Diploma in Education. he later went to The University of Port Harcourt for a Master’s Degree program in Educational Technology.

He left Nigeria in 1992 to University of Calgary, Canada to study Drama Education. On completion, he went back to a Multimedia and Computer School where he graduated as a Multimedia Production Specialist.

On completion, he floated his own company Caditech Inc. – a Creative Arts, Design and Information Technology Company.

He undertook a security training program with Intercon Security where he worked for a while before quitting to concentrate on ensuring his business does not suffer.

While chewing on all these, Chinyeaka remained an active band member and performer with Aktivate Band of Calgary – a Reggae, Calypso and Soca band. He played with the Band for over 10 years. The band opened up performances for big Bands and musicians like Byron Lee & the Dragonaires; Shaggy to mention but a few. At the same time, Chinyeaka remain the Artistic Director of Afrikanata Dance Troupe ( a cultural African Dance and Performing Group)


AWARDS/HONORS

  • Afro Foundation’s job excellence award for selfless services.
  • Multimedia Production Specialist (MPS) Certificate award.
  • Federal Government of Nigeria academic merit award.
  • Federal Government of Nigeria scholarship award.
  • Honored by the Kwara State NYSC directorate for excellence and diligence to work.


ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Wrote over 70 Poems (some of which are published) Short Stories and Film Scripts.
  • Wrote, arranged, recorded and produced a music CD Album “Roots of Afrikan Rhythms”
  • Wrote, arranged, recorded and produced TV program’s “Bumper’s Tree House” theme music.
  • Taught over 2, 500 students in various academic disciplines.
  • Speaker for various workshops on Multiculturalism.
  • One of the pioneers of Sweet Breeze music group, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • Produced and recorded Rwenzori’s music album “Mutima Beat of Africa”


THESIS

“Reconciling Cultural Values through Drama Education” A study that was carried out using drama as an agent for change in intercultural attitudes. His essay based on the research findings, which was presented at the International Conference RESEARCHING DRAMA AND THEATRE IN EDUCATION in Exeter, Great Britain in April 1997 was chosen for publication in drama education journal.


PUBLISHED WORKS

  1. “The Tongue” (Poem)
  2. “Too Young to Understand” (Poem)

Both poems were Published in “Okike” An African journal of New Writing. Ed. Chinua Achebe University of Nigeria, Nsukka. No. 17: February, 1980. They also appeared again in “Rhythms of Creation”- A decade of Okike poetry Ed. D. I. Nwoga Fourth Dimension Publishing Co., Ltd. Enugu, Nigeria. 1982.

  1. “A Plea For Return” (Poem) Published in “Okike” An African journal of New Writing. Ed. Chinua Achebe University of Nigeria, Nsukka. No. 17: February, 1980.
  2. “A Better Land Than Earth” (Poem) Published in “Okike” An African journal of New Writing. Ed. Chinua Achebe University of Nigeria, Nsukka. No. 17: February, 1980.


UNPUBLISHED WORKS

  1. “Reconcilling Cultural Values Through Drama Education” – Emmanuel C. Okoli M.A Thesis project. Dept of GDER, University of Calgary, AB. Canada.
  2. “Two Decades of Poetic Reflections”- Chinyeaka Okoli A collection of poems by Chinyeaka Okoli from 1975-1995.
  3. “Some of the Problems of Implementing the J.S.S Programme in Nsukka Local Government Area” – Okobo V.E.C., Okoli E.C., Odo P.O., & Okafor W.I. Final year P.G.D.E. Thesis, Institute of Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria 1987.
  4. “The Use of Mystical Beings and Forces in Nigerian Written Plays and its effect On Production – A Case Study of J.P. Clark’s Ozidi and Wole Soyinka’s A Dance of The Forests” – Emmanuel Chinyeaka Okoli – Final year B.A Thesis. Dept of Theatre Arts, University of Jos, Nigeria. 1982.
  5. “The Madman”- Emmanuel Chinyeaka Okoli A film-script adaptation of “The Madman” by Chinua Achebe. – Final year project for Film Production, Dept. of Theatre arts, University of Jos, Nigeria 1982.
  6. “The Prize of Greed” – (A film-script ) Chinyeaka Okoli Dept. of Theatre Arts, University of Jos, Nigeria. 1981.
  7. Short Stories: The Chaser, ii. Life is Sweet, iii. From Shame to Fame, iv. The Pope, v. The Unfruitful adventure, vi. A Shocking Revelation, vii. Perspectives, viii. The Iyi-oku Masquerade ix. The Beggar, x. Liberation, xi. The hard skull (Isi Kal’aka), xii. The Reckless Lovers


MUSIC PRODUCTIONS

2003 – “Back To Your Roots”

1999 – “Children’s fun Theme” for Channels 2&7 TV show, “Bumper’s Treehouse”

1998 – “The Precious Vow”- single (May, 1998 by AFR Calgary, Alberta, Canada )

1997/98 – Root Of Afrikan Rhythms – 7 Tracks album (April, 1998)

1980/2000 – “We’ve Got To Live Together” – 6 Tracks album (Released)


ADDITIONAL SKILLS & HOBBIES

Film Production, Repairs of Electrical and Technical Equipment, Computers. Basic knowledge in Painting, Room Design and Decorations.

Soccer, Boxing, Athletics, Investigative Security & Social Research, Choreography, Physical Fitness Exercises; Traveling etc.

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