MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Dr Hope Oghenerukevbe Eghagha hails from Mereje in Okpe Local Government Area and was born at Burutu on September 4, 1959, both in Delta State. He had his early education at Zik Grammar School, Sapele (1972-1976) and Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State (19761978)).

He obtained BA (Hops) with a 2nd Class Upper Division in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State in 1982. He further had his MA and Ph. D in English from the University of Lagos, Lagos in 1984 and 1994 respectively.

His Major specialisation includes Dramatic Literature; Drama; African Literature; Theory of Drama; African Poetry; Poetry and Minor: Comparative Literature, Creative Writing and Diaspora Studies

He was a producer at the Nigerian Television Authority, Sokoto during his NYSC year (1982-83). He was appointed Graduate Assistant, Department of English, at the University of Lagos in 1985. He further taught at the Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti (now University of Ado Ekiti) from 1988-1994 before returning to the University of Lagos as lecturer I. He also taught at the Delta State University, Abraka on sabbatical leave from 2004-2005.

He was Sub Dean, Faculty of Arts, Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti from 1993-1994, General Secretary, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti Chapter from 1993 -1994 and Acting HOD, English Department, University of Lagos from Oct 31 to Nov 4, 2006. He was elected Member of University of Lagos Senate from 2000-2002.

He was presenter, Matters Arising, Unilag FM Radio (January 2007 till date), visiting member to The Guardian Editorial Board (1999 till date), External Examiner, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago lwoye, Ogun State (2002/2003), College of Technology, Yaba (2004) and Editor, Lagos Notes and Records as well as Editor Black Orpheus University of Lagos (2006-) and Editor, Journal of the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos. 2005 till date.

As an erudite researcher, he had the Fellowship Award of the American Government to study Contemporary American Literature at University of Louisville (June-August, 1999) and was awarded Honorary Colonel of the Commonwealth of Kentucky US in 1999, Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville in 1999, Honourable mention in the Pat Utomi Award for Literary Excellence in 2007 and Ford Foundation Grant to visit the US, South Africa and Nairobi to present his poetic works and publicise Black Orpheus in 2007.

He has over eighteen articles published in learned journals of local and international reputation, eleven chapters in books, reviewed essay, two biographies and nine creative books amongst which are 'Death, Not a Redeemer' (drama), 'Rhythms of the Last Testament' (Poetry), This Story Must Not be Told' (Poetry), 'The Governor's Lodge' (Poetry), Emperors of Salvation' (Prose Fiction), 'Premonitions and Other Dreams' (Poetry) and 'Mama Dances in the Night' (Poetry).

He has attended and participated in over eighteen local and international conferences in which he presented scholarly papers.Until his appointment as Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State, he has been an Associate Professor at the University of Lagos.

He is married to Mrs Pat Ogheneoseme Eghagha and they are blessed with four children - Esegbuyota, Edirin, Okeoghene and Efeoghene.

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