Nigeria’s renowned Author and one of the leading traditional rulers in Anambra state, Prof Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike has died at the age of 89.
Born 28th April, 1931, the respected writer died Thursday, January 9, 2020 after some health challenges since December, where he was admitted at the Teaching Hospital Nnewi.
In the literary world, Professor Ike was well- known for a unique brand of fiction that mixes lampoon, humour and satire. His hometown, Ndikelionwu, was a regular feature in his writings.
His fiction include: Toads for Super (1965), The Naked God’s (1970), The Potter’s Wheel (1973), Sunset at Dawn (1976), Expo ’77 (1980), The Chicken Chasers (1980), The Bottled Leopard (1985), Our Children Are Coming Home (1990), and Conspiracy of Silence.
Chukwuemeka Ike, started early education in his native town. He left his town for further education at Ife-Mbaise and then from 1945 to 1950, he attended Government College Umuahia.
He started writing at Umuahia for the school magazine, The Umuahian and he was also influenced by teachers that included Saburi Biobaku, who had honours in English from Cambridge.
Some eminent Nigerian writers who attended the school included Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, and Ken Saro Wiwa.
The monarch went ahead to study history, English and Religious Studies at the University of Ibadan and earned a master’s degree at Stanford University.
Among many of the younger generation, he was popular as the author of Expo ’77, a critical look at academic examination abuses in West Africa.
Professor Ike was a former registrar of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). He was survived by his wife, Prof Adebimpe Ike, and only son, Osita Ike, having died few years ago.