One of Nigeria’s foremost and famous writers, poets and novelists, Dr Gabriel Okara, is dead.
Okara, who hailed from Boumadi, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa on Sunday.
The legendary poet and novelist, a lifelong Patron of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), died at the age of 97 years and a month to his 98th birthday.
A family member, who pleaded anonymity, said Okara was relaxing at his Yenagoa residence when he slumped about 4p.m. on Sunday.
He said the head of the Okara family had sent a text message out for an emergency meeting, and the family would issue a formal statement afterwards.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passage of the renowned poet.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, the president extended his condolences to the Okara family.
Buhari also condoled with the government and people of Bayelsa State, 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.’’
Buhari prayed Almighty God to grant the soul of the departed writer peaceful repose and comfort all who mourned him.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State described the death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria.
Dickson stated that as a mark of honour, his administration has declared a three-day mourning for Okara beginning from Monday to Wednesday this week with all flags to fly at half mast.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, quoted the governor to have made the remark in a statement on Monday.
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.
Dickson, who said that Okara was held in high esteem as a pride to the Niger Delta and indeed the African contingent, added that it was in appreciation of his exploits that the state government decided to name the State Cultural Centre in Yenagoa after him.
He noted that the late Okara would be greatly missed by all lovers of literature and intellectualism especially the young and upcoming writers.
The governor pointed out that Okara, reported to be the first renowned English Language black African poet, was very supportive of his administration’s educational policies and took time to attend some state events alongside other literary icons.
The governor assured that his administration would support the deceased family to give the first African modernist writer who hailed from the state a befitting burial.
Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State Chapter, in a statement by its chairman, Mrs Bina Ilagha, said the association was saddened by the news of the death.
“The Association is ruffled by the news because it came at a time when preparations are 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 in the map of literary excellence,” he said.
Also, the speech writer to the Governor of Bayelsa, and one time Chairman of ANA, Mr Michael Afenfia, in a statement in Yenagoa expressed sadness about the death.
“It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of the renowned poet and novelist, Gabriel Okara. Even in passing, I am sure your poem, “Piano and Drums”, will ‘minister’ to me in many ways.
“Your words are an inspiration! Your concerns about the African culture in the face of Western ‘threat’ as expressed in “Once Upon a Time” are ever before me.
“Thank you for leaving us with so much to remember of your time here with us. Thank you for setting the pace for several generations of writers,” he said.
Gabriel Imomotimi Okara (born 24 April 1921) is a Nigerian poet and novelist who was born in Bumoundi in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
The first Modernist poet of Anglophone Africa, he is best known for his early experimental novel, The Voice (1964), and his award-winning poetry, The Fisherman’s Invocation (1978) and The Dreamer, His Vision (2005).
In both his poems and his prose, Okara draws on African thought, religion, folklore and imagery and he has been called “the Nigerian Negritudist”.
According to Brenda Marie Osbey, editor of his Collected Poems, “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.”
