‘We’ve lost a genial father’,
Nigerian writers mourn Chukwuemeka Ike
by Araayo
Akande January 10, 2020
The Nigerian literati is mourning
foremost novelist and traditional ruler, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike, who passed
on Thursday at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, after a
brief illness.
Aged 88, Ike was the Ikelionwu IX of
Ndikelionwu community in Orumba, Anambra State.
The former Registrar of the West
African Examinations Council (WAEC) and Trustee of the Nigerian Book Trust
Foundation was the author of eight novels. They are, ‘Toads for Supper’, ‘The
Naked Gods’, ‘The Potter’s Wheel’, ‘Sunset at Dawn’, ‘Expo’ 77′ and ‘The
Chicken Chasers’. He also wrote ‘The Bottled Leopard’, ‘Our Children Are Coming
Home’ and ‘Conspiracy of Silence’.
Reacting to Ike’s demise, the
immediate past President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Denja
Abdullahi, described it as the end of an era.
He said that “The death of
Chukwuemeka Ike can be said to signify the end of an era; he was a contemporary
of the likes of Chinua Achebe, John Munonye, Cyprian Ekwensi, Nkem Nwankwo and
Flora Nwapa who all wrote works of fiction that defined an era of our literary
existence. He was a socially committed writer of a satiric streak. His works satirise
the foibles of the society, and they are delightful to read with striking
titles.
“He was by nature also a very humble
and genial person who stood out in his contributions, far beyond just being a
writer, to the development of the Nigerian book industry. In his lifetime he
attended several ANA conventions and had always been a source of encouragement
to younger writers. Losing Chukwuemeka Ike to all living Nigerian writers is
like losing a genial father, uncle and grandfather.”
Adjunct Faculty in the School of
Media & Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Chido Nwakanma, said Prof.
Ike left an impressive legacy as a writer and administrator.
“Nigeria has lost one of its leading
lights in the creative field, an astute administrator and one of those who
restored the dignity of traditional rulership. Chukwuemeka Ike covered all the
right bases. He went to our best schools, Government College, Umuahia and
University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan). He was the administrator
who revived and rebuilt the University of Nigeria from the ravages of war.
“He was a Nigerian who practised the
handshake across the Niger through marriage before it turned into a political
catchphrase. Above all, most people in the arts and creative communities
respect his corpus of works in literature with no fewer than six outstanding
novels,” he said.
The former President of the Public
Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria added that “Ike contributed to
education in Nigeria and West Africa, serving as the Registrar of the West
African Examinations Council for many years. He was the distinguished Baba WAEC
or Baba Yaba.
Condolences to his beloved wife, Prof Adebimpe Ike. They bore
with admirable stoicism the loss of their son, Osita, a few years ago. The Lord
strengthen her. Adieu, Professor.”
Another former ANA President, Dr
Wale Okediran, described Professor Ike as “a literary giant, educationist, and
a great administrator” who contributed immensely to the book industry.
Okediran disclosed that he worked
closely with him during the establishment of the Nigerian Book Foundation.
“During one of our ANA conventions, I was part of the team of ANA members asked
to try and convince him to run for the ANA Presidency. In his characteristic
humility, he declined. Apart from his coronation ceremony, I also attended his
60th birthday ceremony in his hometown, Ndikelionwu in Orumba. May his soul
rest in perfect peace, and his numerous legacies preserved.”
Deputy Editor, Nation on Sunday,
Olayinka Oyegbile, also hailed the artistry of Professor Ike and expressed hope
that a publisher would re-issue his works.
“Eze Chukwuemeka Ike was (I find it
hard to refer to writers in the past tense) a writer I find enchanting. I grew
up reading his books since my first encounter with The Potter’s Wheel and
others. I read and have all his book,” began Oyegbile.
“He wrote about every event and did
them masterfully. Is it ‘Naked Gods’ that deals with juju in ivory towers or
‘Toads for Supper’ about love across tribal lines on campus or ‘Expo ’77’ about
that year’s scandal in school certificate exams? He was (oh, that word again)
he was a great writer who deployed his talent for the development of his
country and people. He’ll be sorely missed. I hope some publishers would soon
gather his novels and give us his complete books in one volume,” he added.
Born on April 28, 1931, the late
Professor Ike was educated at Government College, Umuahia, and the University
of Ibadan. He is survived by his wife, Professor Adebimpe Ike, and a grandson.
His only child, Osita, died in 2016.
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