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.
