2 hours ago
1
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, weekend, expressed sadness over the death Prof Damian Opata, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Professorial Chair Endowment Programme.
Opata, a professor of African literature of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, died on Thursday at 76. He was buried on Friday at his country home, Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The position of Ohanaeze was contained in a statement issued by its Global Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, which was made available to THE WHISTLER.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, in the statement, acknowledged Prof Opata’s dedication and invaluable contributions to the organisation.
According to him, Opata’s commitment to the Endowment Programme had earned him recognition, particularly for his leadership of its selection process, describing it “as transparent and merit-driven”.
The pan-Igbi group extended its condolences to his family, the academic community and the entire Igbo nation, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Opata was widely recognised for his scholarship in African literature, Igbo worldview, traditional values and culture, leaving behind a rich body of academic publications that contributed to the preservation and understanding of Igbo heritage and African literary traditions.
He was a scholar of English and Literary Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, whose academic career spanned decades of teaching, research and university administration.
Speaking during his internment, his younger brother, Prof Christian Opata, a lecturer at the Department of History and International Studies of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), described the death of his brother as “sudden and shocking”.
According to him, “I am still surprised and shocked on what happened on Thursday morning, after his brief illness of two weeks. We are burying him today in adherence to his directive that when he dies his remains should not be deposited in a mortuary but should be buried the next day.”
The first son of the deceased, Mr Chibueze Opata, said his father’s death was unexpected.
According to him, “My father has died but l am assuring everyone that we will sustain all his good legacies that endeared him to many people.”
The President, Association of Nsukka Professors, Prof Paulinus Ugwoke, said the news of Prof Opata’s death was shocking to the association. “In the death of Opata, the association has lost a big Iroko tree and a goal getter. May God grant his soul eternal rest as well as grant the family members, colleagues, friends and well wishers the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Adaobi Nwoye, Enugu State Chairperson of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), said, “I am personally pained and devastated by his demise. He was my mentor and friend.”
English (US) ·