Okigbo: Celebrating a literary icon, poet, social crusader

From Isaac Job, Uyo 

The Uyo Book Club (UBC) and family members of late Christopher Okigbo recently celebrated the Anambra State-born author,  activist, poet and social crusader, who died in 1967 during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.

According to the founder of UBC, Dr Udeme Nana, the club took permission from  Okigbo’s family in diaspora to celebrate posthumously the intellectual capacity and social revolutionary impacts of the literary icon who died at 35.

Born on August 16, 1932, in Ojoto, Anambra State, he

attended University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) where he graduated with a degree in classics in 1956.

Okigbo worked as a teacher, librarian and civil servant. He

published his first collection of poetry titled, ‘Heaven’s gate,’ in 1962. He rose to  prominence  in Nigerian literature with his unique writing styles and themes.

Okigbo’s literary contributions include his his modernist and symbolic poetry, explored themes of Nigerian culture, identity and politics influenced by classical Greek and Roman literature, as well as African oral traditions.

He later joined the Biafran army  during the civil War, believing in the cause of an independent Biafra. He was killed in active service on August 29, 1967, at the age of 35.

That was the end of a young literary genius but his works lived on, worth celebrating as a model for younger generation. Indeed, Okigbo is considered as one of the most important Nigerian poets of the 20th century who influenced generations of African writers and poets as his  work continues to be studied and celebrated globally.

Okigbo’s poetry is known for its lyricism, depth and exploration of the human condition. His legacy extends beyond his writing to his commitment to social justice and his ultimate sacrifice during the Biafran War.

Nana in his rendition recaptured in poem some incidents in the civil war where Okigbo was one of the actors  connecting them as flashbacks  to the civil war episodes.

“The 5 Majors struck, shaking strongholds, spilling blood, killing settled scions once ensconced on stolen thrones sending shock waves across the land.

“Dark clouds of discontent gathered and soon, it became a storm. Ironside demurred, dithered drawing anger from the boys who moved to revenge.

“Discontent, tension, suspicion, distrust disrupted the peace, calm, trust, friendship and confusion reigned.

“Like wildfire, the mindless pogrom broke and hell was let loose

To your obis they agitated , shouted. They searched out and killed.

“Age – long friends cut bonds and sacrificed communion and brotherhood and ties no matter how strong

“Soon, the staccato booming sound of gunfire broke through sending shivers down spines.

“From police action, war in spite of Aburi. Aburi was breached

And the onslaught raged and reigned

“Nsukka, that serene citadel of learning was breached by unrelenting gun fire, bullets, mortar, air sorties but he stood strong in stout defense of his conviction; his motherland, his ideals, ideas and sense of justice.”

Nana, a chief lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Media, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, said Okigbo was a defiant who fought on the brown stony soil running around the shrubs and undulating hills but was overwhelmed and  cut down at his prime.

He said: “The man whom we are gathered here to celebrate was socially committed, culturally obligated, politically engaged and intellectually grounded.

“His was not arts for arts sake. His was arts to advance his culture, his positive traditions, freedom, justice, fair play.

“The late Christopher Okigbo left the physical realm fighting for his beliefs. We are honouring him today because writers do not die. Their works are legacies which outlive them.”

The Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Sylvester Okonkwo, a lawyer, who was a special guest of honour, described Okigbo as a verisimilitude writer needed to be celebrated.

Okonkwo said Okigbo wielded poetry with unparalleled skill though he was cut down in his youthful days, adding that his poetry was his weapon wielded with unparalleled prowess.

He thanked the club on behalf of the entire Okigbo’s family and Ojoto people for the honour done the late poet and cultural Icon whose life and works were a testimony to his unwavering commitment to justice, equity and truth.

His words: “It is indeed an honour to stand before you today, in this hallowed gathering of intellectuals, poets and literary enthusiasts as we come together to celebrate the life, legacy and works of  a colossus in the literary world and my beloved brother, Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo.

“Before you, Mother Idoto, naked I stand,” begins Okigbo’s ‘labyrinths’ one of his most celebrated works. This line is more than an invocation; it is a return to the roots, a symbolic homage to the eternal, spiritual essence of the African soul.

“It is this essence that Okigbo so masterfully captured in his poetry, a deep reverence for the metaphysical, intertwined with the raw realities of his time. In Okigbo, we see the embodiment of the Igbo spirit: unyielding, introspective and profoundly connected to the land and its people.

“His poetry was his weapon and he wielded it with unparalleled skill, challenging the status quo, questioning the very foundations of society and advocating for justice and equity. No wonder that his works remain an integral part of African scholarship, studied and revered in academic circles across the globe.

He said Okigbo is  a name synonymous with profound introspection and lyrical mastery, not just a poet but a cultural icon whose voice echoed the struggles, aspirations and spiritual yearnings of a people.

Okonkwo, therefore urged Nigerians to always remember the words of Okigbo himself: “We carry in our hearts the fire of our ancestors,” adding that it was the people’s duty to keep that eternal flame of wisdom, culture and resilience burning and  pass it on to future generations.

He explained that the legacy of Okigbo and countless other literary  luminaries of the land must not be forgotten and  enjoined artists of the present times to begin to speak about security, and against corruption because every generation speaks about the problems of their time.

“The president of the 10th senate, an ardent admirer of Okigbo’s works, believes that in celebrating Okigbo, we celebrate not just a poet but a visionary, who saw the potential for greatness in our nation and our people.

“He sends his warmest regards and stands in solidarity with the aspirations and contributions of the Igbo nation, a people rich in culture, history and intellect. He has asked me to convey his deepest admiration for the man we celebrate today, a poet whose words continue to resonate across generations.

“May the spirit of Okigbo guide us as we continue to build a Nigeria that is just, equitable and deeply rooted in its cultural and intellectual heritage.”

The senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district, Senator Ekong Sampson, commended the Uyo Book Club for honouring and celebrating the legacy of the late literary Icon.

Sampson, who is the patron of UBC congratulated the club for bringing the world to Akwa Ibom to celebrate Christopher Okigbo, the living legend.

“Our youths should learn our past heros for their patriotism, focus and adding value to the society like late Christopher Okigbo,” he said.