Buhari Mourns as ‘Mamalawo’ Sophie Oluwole Dies at 83

Segun Atanda/

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of Nigeria’s first female doctorate degree holder in Philosophy, Prof. Sophie Oluwole, who died today at 83.

In a statement received by NewsmakersNG, the President joined members of the family, the academia and other close associates in mourning the cerebral philosopher and original African thinker, who through her teachings and works celebrated the Yoruba culture, history and worldview, and reminded the world that within pristine traditions are values that promote the ideals of democracy, fairness, equity and justice.

The statement says, “President Buhari believes that the deceased will be honoured and remembered for her commitment and skill in spreading the word about the good in promoting African tradition, culture, knowledge and languages.

“He urges all who mourn Prof Oluwole to honour her memory by carrying on from where she left off in her zeal to promote indigenous knowledge, skills and discipline that could help us redefine ourselves as a people and a nation.

“The President prays that almighty God grant her soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn.”

Fondly called Mamalawo the late Prof Oluwole was vocal about the role of women in philosophy, and the disproportionate representation of African thinkers in education.

She was born in Igbara-Oke, Ondo State, in 1936, and she schooled in Ife, then she studied History, Geography and Philosophy at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

After her first degree, she was employed in UNILAG as an assistant lecturer in 1972, and went on to complete her PhD in Philosophy at the University of Ibadan.

Prof Oluwole taught African Philosophy at UNILAG for six years between 2002 and 2008. Her teachings and works are generally attributed to the Yoruba school of philosophical thought, which was ingrained in the cultural and religious beliefs (Ifá) of the various regions of Yorubaland. According to Oluwole, this branch of philosophy predates the Western tradition, as the ancient African philosopher Orunmila predates Socrates by her estimate. These two thinkers, representing the values of the African and Western traditions, are two of Oluwole’s biggest influences, and she compares the two in her book Socrates and Orunmila.