BEVERLY HILLS, SEPTEMBER 08, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserateed with the family and friends of literary icon, Prof. Isidore Okpewho, who passed on at the age of 74.
According to a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the President joins the people and Government of Delta State, the academia and the literary world in mourning the loss of the multiple award winning and exceptionally brilliant scholar who lived a simple, dignified and exemplary life.
“As one of the winners of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 2010, President Buhari affirms that the late Okpewho brought pride and glory to his country through inspiring novels, teaching skills and mentoring of young writers,” the statement read.
“The President believes the legacies of discipline, hard work and honesty which shaped the life and times of the scholar, and were interpreted in his works, will continue to inspire younger writers in Nigeria and across the world.”
“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant him eternal rest, and also comfort his family.”
Prof. Okpewho died peacefully at a hospital in Binghamton, a town in Upstate New York where he had lived and taught since 1991. His teaching career spanned University of New York at Buffalo (1974-76), University of Ibadan (1976-90), Harvard University (1990-91), and State University of New York at Binghamton.
The late Prof was a prolific author, co-author and editor of about 14 books, dozens of articles and a seminal booklet – A Portrait of the Artist as a Scholar.
Born on November 9, 1941 in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, Okpewho grew up in Asaba, his maternal hometown, where he attended St Patrick’s College, Asaba. He proceeded to the University College, Ibadan, for his university education.
He graduated with a First Class Honours in Classics, and moved on to launch a glorious career: first in publishing at Longman Publishers, and then as an academic after obtaining his PhD from the University of Denver, USA. He crowned his certification with a D.Litt from University of London.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Obiageli Okpewho; his children: Ediru, Ugo, Afigo, and Onome, as well as members of his extended family.
Story by David Oputah
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