Emeka Enejere

Emmanuel Nnaemeka Enejere (;(1944–2016) was a Nigerian academic and a political scientist. He was the 14th Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a former president of the National Union of Biafran Students in the midst of the Nigerian Civil War.

Early life and education Enejere was born in Nsukka into the family of Israel Aneke Idah and Obochi Enejere on August 8, 1944. He obtained his first school leaving certificate from St. Paul's Practicing School, Awka in 1957. In 1962, he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate from Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi. In 1971, he graduated with a BSc (Political Science) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He proceeded to New School for Social Research, New York City US where he obtained his M.A. (Pol. Sc.) in 1975 and passed his PhD examination with Distinction in 1977.

Student leadership during the Nigerian Civil War In 1966, he was elected the President of the Students Union Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and at the same time the Vice President of National Union of Nigerian Students. In 1967, he was elected the President of Eastern Nigerian Students Union (ENSU). On May 30, 1967, Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the Eastern Region independent of Nigeria and known as the Democratic Republic of Biafra. As soon as Ojukwu declared Biafra, the Students’ Union of the UNN, led by its president, Emeka Enejere, formed the National Union of Biafran Students (NUBS), breaking away from the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS). The Nigerian Civil War began on July 6, 1967. Enejere became the President of the National Union of Biafran Students (NUBS) and led NUBS delegation to the United States, Canada and Western Germany. Furthermore, they spoke in quiet voices to demonstrate the mood of the situation but, as The New York Times reported, "their passionate devotion to Biafra was undiminished." In 1970, at the end of the war, Enejere mobilized National Union of Nigerian students to support and catalyze the re-opening of Institutions of Higher Learning in the former Eastern Region.

Career Enejere worked as a clerk of High Court Registry Enugu between 1963 and 1964. After his BSc in 1972 he worked as Senior Manager, Hardware Division of Union Trading Company (UTC) in Lagos. At the same time, he was a part-time Lecturer of Daily Times of Nigeria Training School for Journalists. During his stay in the United States, he lectured at Westbury College between 1973 and 1974, York College between 1975 and 1979 and Adelphi University Garden City. Upon his return to Nigeria, he secured an appointment with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on February 5, 1980, as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science where he taught for twelve years and earned himself the name 'Hobbes’. He was a Visiting Lecturer to the Command & Staff College, (JSC, Nigeria Air Force), Kaduna in 1981. He served as a member of the Joint Governing Council of Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, and Anambra State University of Technology, ASUTECH, Enugu (1986). He also served as chairman, Governing Council of Girls Secondary School, Ibagwa-Aka (1987–1988); Chairman, Governing Board of Vanguard Industries, (Anambra State Furniture Company) Enugu (1987–1988); Chairman, Governing Board of LOTTO (Anambra State Lottery Company) Enugu (1988–1989); Member, MAMSER Brain Trust, Abuja, and a host of other bodies. While on Sabbatical from UNN from 1989 to 1990, Enejere served with the Nigerian Presidency in various capacities. These include Deputy Director, Political Education, MAMSER Headquarters, Abuja; Member, MAMSER Study Team of 3 on comparative Analysis of Mobilization Strategies in Africa covering Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, Togo and Nigeria; he developed with others and edited MAMSER Political Education Manual and he served as Editor, MAMSER Publications. He led MAMSER National Headquarters Political Education Campaigns in South-East and South-South Zones of the country, and he made contributions to several Transition-to-Civil-Rule Committees of the Babangida administration Transition Programme through MAMSER. In 1993, he voluntarily retired from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Two decades later, on April 9, 2013, he was appointed the 14th Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Nigeria.

Political career In 1982, he aspired for the governorship of the old Anambra State.

Personal life In the early 1970's, Emeka Enejere married Honourable Justice Pearl Enejere (née Amobi) who hails from Obosi in Anambra State and they have two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Emeka Enejere died on Friday, May 20, 2016, at a medical facility in Abuja.