Leaders Extol Virtues Of The Late Literary Icon Professor Ike
By Tochukwu Ifejika, Awka
Leaders in Nigeria have extolled the virtues of literary icon Prof Chukwuemeka Ike three years after his demise.
They were gathered together at the epoch-making first-ever remembrance event in honour of the late Prof. Ike organised by the Nigerian Book Foundation (NBF) in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (Anambra State Council).
The late Prof Chukwuemeka Ike is a literary icon who has authored many books. He was also the former traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu in Orumba North local government council of Anambra State.
The event was held in Prof Kenneth Dike State Library in Awka, Anambra State capital with in-depth reminiscing of some of his literal works.
The NBF Co-President Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna on behalf of the NBF Board of Directors, in her welcome remarks thanked the Anambra State Government and by extension the state Commissioner for education for their unalloyed support in making this happen.
She further encouraged the pupils and students present to sit tight as the program was loaded with personalities that will impact life-changing experiences when they hear them speak.
The Labour Party Presidential Candidate, and former Governor of Anambra state, Mr Peter Obi, who is the distinguished guest of honour in his address extolled the writing prowess of Prof Chukwuemeka Ike and admonished the students to hold fast unto education.
Mr Obi emphasized the need for proper and quality education, citing some renowned Nigerians like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the late literary giant, Professor Ike who made history and became famous as great writers.
He described Professor Ike as a man whose legacies will remain forever and advised the students to strive for knowledge, values and good behaviour which he said is a ground for greatness.
“What we are doing today is symbolic, because we are remembering somebody who we see as exemplary. Prof Ike was the first Nigerian registrar for the West African examination council and a very famous author and writer.
“I was in secondary school when I heard about Prof Chukwuemeka Ike’s popularity and read his writing prowess in his works but coincidentally, when I was the governor of Anambra state I was the one who issued him with a certificate as a traditional ruler. That’s the story I tell young people to be hard working and stay in school.”
“That’s the irony of life, and only education, good values, and good behaviour cann put you on the pedestal to be at par even higher with people of great repute” Mr Obi said.
Immortalization
The Royal father of the day, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe in his remarks called for the immortalization of Prof Chukwuemeka Ike. According to Igwe Achebe, remembering Prof Ike is a welcome development and should be done annually for the giant strides he took in all areas of his endeavours, especially in his writing prowess.
“Today is a memorable day and I hope it is the beginning of celebrating Prof Ike in the state. He left indelible marks on me, others in the state and Nigeria.
“The distinctions of Ike were outstanding. We have to promote him for what he was and what he stood for. He was a very good man, I will continue to remember him till I go to my ancestors” he said.
In the same vein, the Anambra state NUJ chairman Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu said that naming an institution or project after Ike will encourage others to add value to the development of the state.
“We want the government to name very important projects in the state after him,” he said.
The Anambra State Governor Prof Soludo ably represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Mrs Ngozi Chuma – Ude described Professor Ike as a genius and literary giant who left indelible marks on the sands of time.
Prof Chuma – Ude while responding to the calls for immortalizing Prof Ike said that the governor had already projected to immortalise him by naming an institution after him.
“The Governor is filled with passion for education and projects everything education. He is very optimistic about establishing something in honour of Prof Ike, not just establishing something but something in the heart of the state” she said.
Literary works of Prof Ike
The keynote speaker Prof Sule Egya from Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda University Niger State took the audience through the literary and non-literal works of Prof Chukwuemeka Ike.
According to Prof Sule Egya, Chukwuemeka Ike is a prolific writer who had 12 novels to his credit; Toads for Supper (1965), The Naked Gods (1970), The Potter’s Wheel (1973), The Sunset at Dawn (1976), Expo ‘77 (1980), The Chicken Chasers (1980), The Bottled Leopard (1985), Our Children Are Coming (1990), The Search (1991) To my husband from Iowa (1996) the conspiracy of silence(2001) Toad Forever amongst other of his works.
“Prof Chukwuemeka Ike in his literally works tends to highlight the numerous social issues birthed in Nigerian society as they grapple with discovering a new nationality after the colonial rule, to the aftermath of the civil war and neo-colonialism.
“He took a stand in every one of his creative works to condemn any issues that negate the right values of our forebears and strongly proffered solutions to curb and at large to ameliorate the anomalies highlighted.
“This stance can be copiously seen in his Expo ”77 where he decried the intrusion of examination malpractice in Nigeria’s Education system,” he quipped.
The event was intermittently laced with playlets, poetic eulogy, spoken word, performance recitations, and presentations from various schools and individuals.
In appreciation, the brother of Professor Ike and Former Palace Chief, Prince Fortune Ike, thanked the organizers of the event for celebrating the literally Icon.
His Majesty Eze Iweka and a member of NBF, Igwe Chidubem Iweka in his vote of thanks appreciated everyone that came to grace the occasion and entreated the students present to shun every form of cultism and vice that would veer them away from accomplishing their set goals to greatness.
Emmanuel Ukoh
