President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said he is deeply grieved to learn of the passing of one of Nigeria’s renowned poets and winner of the 2017 NLNG-sponsored Nigerian Prize for Literature, Ikeogu Oke.
On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari said he extends heartfelt condolences to Oke’s family, the literary and creative community on the painful demise of the award-winning poet.
The President who spoke through his media aide, Femi Adesina, said as an author, journalist and poet, Oke exuded vibrancy, intelligence and innovation in his works as a social commentator.
He said he was constantly in search of plausible answers and solutions to contemporary issues bedeviling his society.
Through his poetry, the President believes that Oke enriched Nigeria’s literary genre and his legacy will live on in his works, which he was incredibly proud of and committed to, as he wrote in his epic Epitaph: ‘‘Here lies a man who loved virtue and art and gave to both his fortunes and his heart…’’
Buhari, therefore, encouraged all Nigerians, the literary community and lovers of art to honour Ikeogu Oke’s memory by imbibing the didactic message of his works.
He prayed God to console all who mourn the departed poet and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
