Writers Converge At UI To Celebrate
Okigbo’s Golden Anniversary
Lagos – 50 years ago after his exit, the legacy and
works of the late Christopher Okigbo, a Nigerian poet, teacher and librarian,
live on. Okigbo died at the age of 35 years, while fighting for the
independence of Biafra. Described in some journals as one of the best and most
widely anthologised African poets, Okigbo, the author of Labyrinths made
remarkable impacts, using his literature as powerful expression of postcolonial
African nationalism.
In commemoration of his
timeless contribution to African literature and golden anniversary of his
passage, the Christopher Okigbo Foundation, headed by her daughter, Obiageli,
is set to hold a two-day conference at the University of Ibadan, his alma mater
on Wednesday September 20 and Thursday September 21, 2017.
Speaking at a press
parley held at The News building on Monday, August 21, 2017, Dr. Wale
Okediran, former national president of the Association of Nigerian Authors
(ANA) who is the chief advisor of the foundation, said the conference would be
a reunion of the global writers.
Themed Legacy Of
Christopher Okigbo – 50 Years On, the Conference, a collaboration between
the Christopher Okigbo Foundation (COF) and the University Of Ibadan through
her Departments of Classics and English will be supported by a long list of
literary giants and scholars across the world.
A keynote address will
be delivered by Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, to be chaired by Prof
Chukwuemeka Ike while Obi of Onitsha Eze Achebe will be the royal father of the
day. Other eminent personalities expected at the event include,
Ambassador Judith Sefi Attah (Okigbo’s widow), members of the Okigbo family,
Christopher Okigbo’s friends, Anambra State governor, Governor Abiola Ajimobi
of Oyo State, Prof Dan Izevbaye, colleagues, mentees as well as International
and Local writers.
Thereafter, paper
presenters and a panel of discussants will talk on some of the subthemes before
the floor will be opened for discussions. A brief interlude of Cultural
Display/Poetry Readings will spice up the approximately four hour program. Gala
soiree will be hosted by Chief Joop Brkhout at Cambridge house, Ibadan
assembling Okigbo’s contemporaries, fellow poets, entourage, members of the
cultural industry and institutions worldwide that have been instrumental in upholding
Okigbo’s memory to date.
It would be recalled
that Cambridge House has been part and parcel of Christopher Okigbo’s legacy as
it was his home while he was the Nigerian representative of Cambridge
University Press built in 1960. In 1992, Chief Joop Berkhout (publisher) bought
the property and Chris Okigbo was celebrated at the opening in the presence of
Dr Pius Okigbo, Wole Soyinka and J P Clark amongst others, where a plague was
unveiled in front of Cambridge House – ‘Here lived Christopher Okigbo.’
The Conference will be
rounded off on Thursday September 22, 2017 when no fewer than 25 papers would
be presented at the Faculty of Arts building, University of Ibadan on various
subthemes.
Other activities include
unveiling of UNESCO Plaque with Joie Springer and book launch: “Collected
Poems” new edition by the chairman to be followed with poetry reading excerpts
of Labyrinths by Dr. Abubakar Othman.
However, the Christopher
Okigbo Poetry Prize will be resuscitated and Odia Ofeimun has accepted to be
the chief judge.
To make the conference
worthwhile, panelists have been specifically chosen based on their relationship
with the late poet. For instance, Princess Judith Attah (the widow) would be
speaking on Okigbo, the Family Man; Pius Okigbo Jnr – Okigbo, the
Sibling; former principal of Fiditi Grammar School where Okigbo taught
Latin in his days, Chief Alex Ade Ajayi – Okigbo, the Teacher; Prof Remi
Raji –Okigbo, the Poet; Okigbo’s friend, Prof J P Clark- Okigbo,
the Friend and Hon Chudi Offodile – Okigbo, the Martyr.
According to Kunle
Ajibade, executive editor of The News at the briefing, Okigbo would be
remembered for his valiant roles.
“Okigbo was a
cosmopolitan. He participated fully in Mbari Club with Soyinka, JP Clark, Mabel
Segun and Achebe. He was a great spirit man. He was the Africa’s most loved
poet.
He was charismatic. You will notice that in interview and after
interview, he was the one everyone was ready to accommodate and defend. The
kind of camaraderie among these people is a lesson to young writers. That
lesson should not be missed. People couldn’t be talking about him if he didn’t
touch them,” he said.
Other members of the
foundation include Okey Okuzu, founding member; Patrick Oguejiofor – Secretary
General and Patrick Okigbo III – Chief Consultant.
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