Cyprian Ekwensi

Vanguard, From Emeka Osondu in Awka, 01.05.2008

The remains of the late literary icon and broadcaster, Chief Cyprian Ekwensi was yesterday laid to rest in his country home of Nkwellezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State with notable Nigerians, especially those of south east extraction in attendance.

However, against all expectations, no Federal Government delegation was present at the burial ceremony, which visibly irked some of the Igbo leaders as they recalled that no befitting honour had been bestowed on the late literary icon for his numerous contributions to nation-building and in particular, humanity at large.

Some of the Igbo leaders present included former governor of the state, Dr. Chris Ngige, former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Christina Onoh, and Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, who is also a notable literary icon in the country as well as the President General of Ohaneze Nd-igbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, amongst others.

In their respective interaction with newsmen, the Igbo leaders noted with dismay that the Federal Government had not given a befitting honour to Ekwensi, just as they described the national merit award of Member of Federal Republic (MFR) bestowed on the revered author sometime ago as a mere mockery and a let-down on his kinsmen.

According to Chief Onoh, “Ekwensi deserves something much higher. But in Nigeria today, there is a lot of pollution. If you look at those who received awards in the last four or five years, you will see that some of them even lobbied for it.

“Cyprian Ekwensi dese-rves an honour that will put him in the class of CRF (Commander of the Federal Republic ). But it is not even too late. The Federal Government can also give it to him posthumously,” Onoh stressed.

Prof. Ike, a renowned writer expressed shock at the lack of honour for Ekwensi, stating, “even those who are mere pedestrians and had no meaningful contributions to show, are being honored with MFR,” adding that the Federal Government is equating Ekwensi with such people.”

Imo state Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim was represented by his Special Adviser on Project Moni-toring, Engr. Ben Nnamdi Ekwueme who described Ekwensi as one of the inspiring educationists and role models of most Nige-rians and Ndigbo in particular.

Ekwensi, a renowned novelist, pharmacist and public commentator died on November 4, last year at the age of 86.

The author of the popular Jaguar Nana series, among several other novels and short stories died at the Niger Foundation hospital in Enugu where he underwent an operation for an undisclosed ailment.

Early last year, Ekwensi released Cash on Delivery, a collection of short stories, which turned out to be his last book. When he turned 86 last year, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos State chapter and the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), feted him.
Ekwensi is recognised as the author of the earliest published fiction on social life in the Lagos metropolis. The accomplished novelist is remarkable for his down-to-earth style of writing and his prolific output, with over 20 novels to his credit.
One of his books, Divided We Stand, a lampoon on the Nigerian Civil War, is slated for discussion by experts during a conference to be held on the civil war, 40 years after.

Encomium as Ekwensi goes home

ALPHONSUS NWEZE, Onitsha, Champion, Sat Jan. 5, 2008

Literary icon, Cyprian Odiatu Duaka Ekwensi, was, yesterday, laid to rest in his country home, Ifite Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi local government area of Anambra state amidst encomium from large array of prominent personalities.

Ekwensi, writer, pharmacist and journalist, was interred at exactly 1.38pm, after a funeral mass conducted by Monsgr. Benedict Obidigwe, Vicar-General of Jos Archdiocese.

Former governor of old Anambra state, Chief Christian Onoh, led the park of prominent persons, including Dr. Chris Ngige; Dame Virgy Etiaba, deputy governor of Anambra state, Chief Mrs. Stella Odife, deputy to Dr. Andy Uba in his brief administration.

Others were novelist Chukwuemeka Ike, Prof. Okey Umeh, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who represented the vice-chancellor, Prof. Ilochi Okafor,; Mrs. Grace Obayi of Nwodo clan; Chief Cherry Adannaya Onwu, Association of Nigerian Authors’ (ANA) auditor, who represented the national president, Dr. Wale Okediran; veteran broadcaster Ikenna Ndaguba, among many others.

In his sermon at the burial service held at Ekwensi’s compound, Monsgr. Obidigwe said the problem of life and its troubles are mysterious to humans but becomes even more mysterious in death, even when people knew that one day they will die and death comes at unexpected time.

He however said that Christian faith makes us firm in matters of death, saying that "our nothingness but implicit hope in God carries us along in a time of death."

The Cleric said knowing that the time of death will come and after that, judgment, people should strive to live life pleasing to their creator. He charged them to stop inflicting pain on their fellow human beings because of their selfish interest.

"God is not a respecter of any person. We must live Godly life, do the good you can do and do it now," he charged, stressing that Chief Ekwensi served humanity in his life time.

The vicar-general noted that Ekwensi’s achievement was not known at home but outside, stating that he is an international man. He described Ekwensi as a silent Christian, a situation that influenced his public life, just as he called on the state and Ekwensi’s town to institute an award in his honour.

In their separate tribute, president of ANA said that the association had already commissioned PEN Nigerian to reproduce a special recording of life and times of Ekwensi for distribution to schools and libraries all over the country, adding that part of the writers’ village in Abuja will be named after the literary giant.

Prof. Umeh said Ekwensi was a man of everything, stating that as a professor of English Language and Literature, no one passes through the English Language department of any Nigerian university without reading Ekwensi’s works.

He said "Ekwensi was a man of foresight, whose area of study was pharmacy, but who turned into a great writer. As Chinua Achebe and others have sons and daughters, so is Ekwensi. He is not dead."