Ikeogu Oke: Tribute to the poetic
choirmaster
Goodwill and Destiny
(For Wale Okediran*)
We are what we are because of others
With whom the heavens steer our
lives like rudders.
And may the heavens gift your life a
rudder
Like this brother from another
mother.
—Ikeogu Oke
The
above poem which was written in my honour by Ikeogu as part of his Acceptance
Speech for the 2017 Nigeria Prize for Literature entitled; Poem as a Dreamer
and Pacifist goes to show the intense humanity and humility that filled the
heart of this wonderful Nigerian. As close friends, we had over the years given
each other multitudes of advices on every available topic that ranged from
personal to professional matters. Therefore, for me, just because I suggested
to him to enter his prize winning book for the 2017 NNLG prize was not more
important than all the other very important pieces of advice he had also given
me over the years since our paths first crossed.
At
the time of our first meeting several years ago, both of us were still trying
to make our ways out of the typical literary maze that is the lot of many
writers. As was typical of writer friends, we exchanged several literary tips,
suggestions and even went as far as collaborating on many literary ideas and
projects. In addition, we travelled together both within and outside the
country during which we bonded like brothers sometimes discussing far into the
nights our personal achievements, fears, successes and failures. That was when
I realised that Ikeogu’s life was a Biographer’s dream. In addition to a very
humble background, my brother went through a tough period of deprivation when
he had to see himself through formal education. His brief sojourn as a Civil
Servant was equally challenging but through it all, he drew on seemingly
limitless reserves of energy and wily resilience that made him not only to
endure but also to prevail. He was never bitter against a system that he felt
was unfair to the poor and the needy. Rather, he was always eager to see how he
could stand on the side of the oppressed. Each time he regaled me with
the tale of his years as a staff of the now defunct National Electric Power
Authority (NEPA) and how he used to lead many rebellions against the management
that was unfair to the workers, he used to do so with wit and endless humour.
And
even though some of our mutual friends sometimes complained about what they
called Ikeogu’s ‘occasional eccentric behaviour’ that seems to be energized by
confrontation, I usually came to his defence. I knew that lurking beneath the
occasional cover of cocky fervour and acerbic nature, was a rising star with an
unusual talent. In return, he was always grateful to me for always standing up
for him. As he put it; ‘you are one of the very few people who really understand
me’
Despite
his very busy literary and professional schedules, Ikeogu still had time for
his family. His love for his children, wife and friends knew no bounds. Same
was his love for poetry which very recently, he had started setting into music
so much so that in the midst of his lyrical verses, peace and love sang in
unison and Ikeogu was the choirmaster.
When
late last year, Ikeogu confided in me about the nature of his worsening health,
we held each other and cried just as we had also cried together about two years
earlier when I had informed him about my late wife who had been stricken with
the same ailment. Without saying a word, we both knew that his time was up
because of his terminal ailment.
As
I prepare to join a coterie of his family, friends and other literary
enthusiasts in his country home of Akanu Ohafia, Abia State on Saturday,
February 23 2019 to give him a befitting burial, I briefly pause for a minute’s
silence in honour of a dear brother and friend, a committed writer whose
unflinching love for poetry has made him to share his spirit and talent with
the world at large.
His
legacy will live forever in the fine works of his arts and in the minds of the
beautiful family and friends he has left behind.
Rest
in eternal peace, my friend, brother and fellow wayfarer.
Okediran
is a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
