FAMILY
The renowned author was born Ifeanyichukwu Bright Ogbonye into the legendary family of Chief Patrick Oboroekweze Ogbonye (Ono Na Enyi 1 of Awom Na Ebo Autonomous Community) and Ezinne (Lolo) Helen Ekemma Ogbonye in Umuchukwueke Village, Umuariaga Community Oboro, Ikwuano LGA, Abia state, Nigeria. He is married to Joy Chidinma Ifeanyichukwu(B.Sc., M.Sc.)Accounting, and they have lovely chidren – Chiamara, Idimmachim, and Oma
CAREER
Ogbonye started his career as a writer. He is a writer of genius, described by the doyen of literature, Prof. Kalu Uka as “… imaginative, ever creative, ever brilliant author.” He is a scholar, author, playwright, poet, novelist, folklorist, editor, literarian, critic, Asst. Chief Information Officer (journalist) and Business Executive.
He started writing his poems in the 1990s, most of which were lost in the hailstorm of February, 2002 in his community. But his resilience and determination to succeed were top-notch, and produced the great author we see in him today. For his extraordinary versatility and proficiency in poetry, drama and the novel genres of literature, he has written across the three major genres and beyond in his creative, research, scholarly writings and publications. He was a Participant at the Colloquium/ Day of Tributes for Late Prof. Chinua Achebe (Literary Icon) in May, 2013 at Government College, Umuahia, Participant at the Seventh Workshop of the Doctoral Academy of Nigeria (DAN). Ogbonye writes with the use of folklore, mythology, epic, legend, magical realism and history, mixed with realistic and modern situations and functions. His works have also earned regular use in secondary schools, universities and other higher institutions. His contemporaries include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Uzodinma Iweala, Helen Oyeyemi, Chigozie Obioma , Okey Ndibe, Chika Unigwe and many others. He is a member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Bright Ifeanyi Ogbonye (Brifamous) has a bent for literature, he writes extraordinarily well, and he is admired for the elegance of his writing, his good command of the English language, the stylistic and technical innovations of his books and his outstanding vision and craftmanship which demonstrate his versatility as a writer, coupled with his effective use of Africanized flavour for both local and international audiences. Ogbonye loves literature and devotes his time to reading and writing. Life continues to provide the necessary muse for him. He is a man ahead of his generation as his sobriquet, Brifamous sings the songs of a prominent African writer whose works are very remarkable, impressive, laudable and classy.
Bright Ifeanyi Ogbonye (Brifamous) was educated at NRCRI Primary School, Immaculate Conception Seminary Umuahia, where he was remarkably the best student in English Language and Literature. This explains unequivocally why his essays and compositions were quintessential examples for teaching and learning for his fellows.
He got his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), WAEC, NECO, and Latin Examination Certificate to his credit, from his primary and secondary education. He holds Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts (MA) in Literature, the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in International Studies (Political Science), from Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria. Ogbonye also has Certificate in Social Standards and Advanced Certificate in Social Standards from the Federal University of Technology Owerri(FUTO), Nigeria – Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards(CE-sPESS).
The author, Bright Ifeanyi Ogbonye (Brifamous) was influenced by his contact with the Ikwuano-Igbo folklore and heritage, the great personality traits, and stories from his grandfather- Late Ezeji Chief Ogbonye Tatulee Ohuopia (Omendi, Otu Ugo gha gha gha, Oji Okpogho Atu Ube) – a nice blend of love, trust and friendship between him and his first grandson, Bright thrived and blossomed, thus, Bright got the name, Ohuopia from his grandfather, as he is the great-grandson of Maazi Ohuopia.
The exemplary influences he also got from his grandmother- Late Mrs Nwalaru Esther Chimbo (Ogbu Ebula Owogowo), and his parents helped him. Then, he was also influenced by his exposure to the works of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Flora Nwapa, Ben Okri , William Shakespeare, George Orwell, and International Affairs and Diplomacy. From his formative years in the university, Prof. Emma Ngumoha, Prof. Austin Amanze Akpuda, Prof. Afam Ebeogu, Prof. J.O.J. Nwachukwu-Agbada, Prof. Chinyere Nwahunanya, Prof. Uzoma Nwokochah, Prof. G.I.N. Emezue, Dr. Isaac M. Udoh, Mr Kalu Uka, Mr. D.A. Diribe, and his other lecturers played pivotal roles in his academics and writing.