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Booksellers mourn prolific author, Chukwuemeka Ike
By Ada Anioji
The Booksellers Association of Nigeria, BAN has said that Thursday’s passage of prolific author and administrator, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike, was indeed a massive loss for the book trade in Nigeria and Africa.
In a statement of response to news of Ike’s death, the group lamented that with his passage, the Nigerian and African book sector had indeed lost a foremost and most eminent champion.
The association’s statement, which was signed by its President and Managing Director of CSS Bookshops Limited, Mr Dare Oluwatuyi was made available to the media, Friday night.
The full text of the statement reads:
‘A GOOD MAN HAS TAKEN HIS BOW
The Booksellers Association of Nigeria, BAN is in mourning over news
of the death of the eminent writer and reading promoter, Professor
Chukwuemeka Ike who reportedly passed on this Thursday.
A former Registrar at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and visiting
professor at the University of Jos, Prof Ike had also served as
registrar of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), and was
indeed the first Nigerian to occupy that position.
A prolific advocate for the literary and books sector, Ike was always
to be found at the forefront of developments in the industry in Nigeria
and Africa. Indeed, Nigeria and Africa has lost a most illustrious
champion and advocate for the cause of the book. He will be sorely
missed.
His very rich output of novels include such impressive titles as Toads
for Supper, The Naked Gods, The Potter’s Wheel, Sunset at Dawn,
Expo ’77, The Bottled Leopard and Our Children Are Coming. He also
edited the epochal Directory of Nigerian Book Development.
May the Almighty God comfort his wife, the good people of
Ndikelionwu in Orumba, Anambra State where he served as traditional
ruler until his demise, and his countless admirers and well-wishers the
world over. A good man has taken his bow.
Dare Oluwatuyi
President, BAN
Professor Ike is survived by his wife, Professor Adebimpe Ike.
He was a contemporary of notable African writers like Professor Chinua Achebe and Onuora Nzekwu.
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