Segun Atanda/
One of Nigeria’s literary giants and the first Modernist poet of Anglophone Africa, Gabriel Imomotimi Okara died on Sunday night, March 24.
President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson have expressed sadness over the passage of the renowned poet, novelist and playwright, at 97.
This is coming as the state government yesterday declared a three-day mourning in honour the late Okara.
Born April 24, 1921 in Bumoundi, Yenagoa, in Bayelsa State, according to his Wikipedia record, the late Okara is best known for his early experimental novel – The Voice; his award-winning poetry, published in The Fisherman’s Invocation (1978) and The Dreamer, His Vision (2005). In both his poems and his prose, Okara drew on African thought, religion, folklore and imagery, and he has been called “the Nigerian Negritudist”.
Brenda Marie Osbey, the Editor of his Collected Poems said, “It is with publication of Gabriel Okara’s first poem that Nigerian literature in English and modern African poetry in this language can be said truly to have begun.”
Okara was educated at Government College Umuahia, and later at Yaba Higher College. During World War II, he attempted to enlist in the British Royal Air Force but did not complete pilot training, instead he worked for a time for the British Overseas Airway Corporation (later British Airways).
In 1945 Okara found work as a printer and bookbinder for colonial Nigeria’s government-owned publishing company. He remained in that post for nine years, during which he began to write. At first he translated poetry from Ijaw into English and wrote scripts for government radio. He studied journalism at Northwestern University in 1949, and before the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–70) worked as Information Officer for the Eastern Nigerian Government Service. Together with Chinua Achebe, Okara was roving ambassador for Biafra’s cause during part of 1969. From 1972 to 1980 he was director of the Rivers State Publishing House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in Abuja, the president extended his condolences to the Okara family.
Buhari also condoled with the government and people of Bayelsa, the literary community and all who drank from the writer’s fountain of knowledge.
The president believed that Okara, who was deservedly known as the ‘‘founder of Modern African literature’’ would be fondly remembered for his immense contributions to the development of African literature, drawing on experience from his native Ijaw language.
The president extolled the “great story-teller whose powerful use of imagery and symbolism in his literary writings helped the world to appreciate and understand the richness, complexities and uniqueness of the African heritage and culture.’’
On his part, former President Jonathan has condoled with the Okara family, the Bayelsa State Government as well as the literary world over the demise of the foremost poet and novelist.
In a message of condolence he personally signed, Jonathan described the exit of the literary giant as a colossal loss to the Ijaw nation, the country and the African literary community.
In a statement, which was released by Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, his media adviser, the former President extolled Okara as a great man of arts and wit, whose legacies permeated the field of humanities and statesmanship.
It says: “The death of a loved one, no matter his age, brings grief to our heart and tears in our eyes, but we must take solace in the fact that Pa. Okara lived a long and glorious life.
“He was a pioneer voice in modern African literature, a consummate journalist, a seasoned administrator and a statesman who lived a life worthy of emulation.”
Dr. Jonathan also prayed that God will continue to bless members of the Okara family, and grant them the fortitude to bear his exit.”
Okara, who is from Boumadi, Bayelsa State, died at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, in the evening of Sunday, March 24, 2019.
It was gathered that the legendary poet and novelist died at the age of 97, approximately a month to his 98th birthday.
The Association of Nigerian Authors, Bayelsa State chapter, in a statement by its chairman, Mrs. Bina Ilagha, said, “The association is ruffled by the news because it came at a time when preparations were in top gear to celebrate his masterpiece, The Voice, at 55.
“We are saddened by the news, but are consoled that he left behind lofty legacies.
“Pa Okara, through his literary exploits, put Bayelsa on the map of literary excellence.”
Meanwhile, Dickson has described Okara’s death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria.
He stated that as a mark of honour, his government has declared a three days of mourning for the late Okara begining from yesterday to next tomorrow (Wednesday) with all flags to fly at half mast.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson quoted the governor to have made the remark in a statement issued yesterday.
He said Okara who passed on at the age of 97 made a remarkable mark in the African literary industry, churning out great works that helped shaped the African society which include, The Call of the River Nun, the Fisherman’s Invocation, Piano and Drums, You Laughed and Laughed and Laughed and others.
The governor who said that Okara was held in high esteem as a pride to the Niger Delta and indeed the African contingent added that that it was in appreciation of his exploits that the government decided to name the State Cultural Centre in Yenagoa after him.
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