"I gained reputation for violence because of racism"

Date of birth: January 1951

City: Enugu in Nigeria,

    Father: judge Charles Dadi Umeha Onyeama

Profession: author and publisher

Did you know that Dillibe Onyeama was one of the first Africans to complete studies at Eton,a prestigious collage in the United Kingdom? 

The interesting fact is three years after obtaining his school leaving certificate from Eton collage in 1969, he  received an official later  frorm Eton banning him from visiting the prestigious school. During his four years at the boarding school for boys at Eton, Onyeama suffered racism, this made him write a book called "Niger at Eton" published in 1972 when he was 21 years. He detailed  his experiences of all the racism he suffered whiles in school.

In an interview with Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani of BBC, Onyeama stated, " As far as the school saw it, I was indicting them as a racist institution".. " People come to Africa and write all sort of indicting and shaming experiences and publish them in books and nobody says anything"

He gained reputation for violence as he always responded racism act of his collegues with a punch to the extent of breaking a boy's jaw at Eton.  Another thing that has been a scar on his memories is the fact that whenever he performed poorly in academics his colleagues student attributed it to his race but when he obtained seven O level passes the entire school was confounded."Tell me Onyeama, how did you do it? I am asked time and time again" "you cheated, didnt you?" These were questions his collegues asked whenever he performed well in academics.

After getting his diploma from the premier school of journalism, he retrurned to Nigeria in 1981 and set up his own publishing company, DELTA PUBLICATION. Today, according to Onyeama, Eton means nothing in the Nigerian Community. Gone at the days where graduating from Eton meant a lot in the Nigerian community.

 The ban from Eton was lifted about ten years ago after he received an invitation to a reunion but couldnt attend. He has finally received an apology from Eton this year for mistreatment.

Books written:

REVENGE OF THE MEDICINE MAN

THE STORY OF AN  AFRICAN GOD

GODFATHERS OF VOODOO

SECRET SOCIETY

THE RETURN: HOMECOMING OF A NEGRO FROM ETON

NIGER AT ETON.

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