ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For the successful production of this book, we will like to first and foremost thank God Almighty for the gift of life, strength and knowledge, without which our efforts would have been in vain.

Our deep appreciation goes to the Executive Secretary, TETfund and the Acting Director, Education Support Services, for accepting to finance the publication of this edited work. It renewed our zeal-to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Professor Saliba B. James, of the Department of History, University of Maiduguri, for his critical peer review of this book. His evaluation and recommendations in terms of correction and the perceptive insights of the reviewer helped to improve the quality and standard of the book.

In a significant way, we also appreciate the chapter contributors who responded promptly to our call for chapters in such a way that made it difficult for us not to jettison the book project.

It is my priviledge to thank my academic colleagues in the Department ofHistory and International Studies of Imo State University, Owerri to wit: Professor G.I. Nwaka, Prof. U.D. Anyanwu, Prof. J.C. Nwadike, Prof. U.M. Nwankwo (Dean Faculty of Humanities); Prof. Ndulife Njoku; Asso. Prof. Udechukwu Udeke (Head of Department). Others are Dr. Kelechi Ubaku, Dr. Jerry Nwoko, Barr. L.I. Okeke, Dr. Emmanuel Ezeifedi, Dr. Chinonyerem Njoku, Dr. Barr. Solomon Duru, Dr. Solomon Onuekwusi, Dr. C.P. Anene, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Njoku, and Dr. Mrs. Cynthia Vitus Offor.

I am also thankful to the following Prof. D.C. Chima, Prof. Kennedy Okorie, Ven. Dr. Sunday Iheruo, Prof. Frances Nwanyizie Chukwukere, Dr. Gloria Ernest Samuel, Dr. Chris Nwaru, Dr. Mrs. Uwadiegwu, Dr. Emmanuel Kelechi Okafor and Dr. Augustine Emela.

My special appreciation goes to my loving and caring wife, Mrs. Oluchukwu Ann Nwosu and also to our children: Chukwuemeka, Oluebube, Somtoo, Nmesoma and Munachi.

Chukwuemeka Tony Nwosu PhD.

Department of History and Internaitonal Studies

Faculty of Humanities

Imo State University,

Owerri