Nigeria’s prolific historian and retired Professor of History at University of Ibadan, Obaro Ikime has passed at the age of 86.
The son of the late Prof. Ikime, Mazino announced the passing of foremost historian. According to Mazino, his late father passed about 5pm on Tuesday in Ibadan.
Prof Obaro Ikime was born in 1936, attended Government College, Ughelli, then known as Warri College (1950-1956), and the University of Ibadan, graduating BA (1961) and PhD (1965). He was a Lecturer in History at Ibadan from 1964, becoming Professor in 1973.
In 1975, he was Visiting Professor first at UCLA, then at Berkeley, and later at Harvard. In 1981-82 he was Visiting Professor at the University of Benin.
He has contributed chapters to twelve books and is the Editor, Groundwork of Nigerian History, first published by the Historical Society of Nigeria in 1980, and co-Editor with Michael Crowder of West African Chiefs Their Changing Status Under Colonial Rule and Independence.
Ikime served as Director, Institute of African Studies; two times as Head of the Department of History; and as Dean, Faculty of Arts. He was President, History Society of Nigeria, March 1984 – April 1988.
He was at different times Visiting Professor of African History, University of California, Los Angeles, and at Beckley; Harvard University Summer School and the University of Benin. He was National Secretary, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, November 1975 – November 1983.
After retirement, he served as Professor of History (on contract), Bayelsa State University, Wilberforce Island, for three years.
He joined the ordained ministry of the Diocese of Ibadan, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Commission, in December 1995, and served until 2007; he was made a Deacon in December 1995, he was priested in 1996, preferred Canon, 2002 and preferred Archdeacon in December 2006.
An associate of late Prof Ikime, Prof. Mark Nwagwu wrote: “I’m devastated. Prof. Obaro Ikime, whom we fondly call Oik, is one the finest gentlemen of our generation, no. 1 Citizen of Kuti Hall, UCI, 1957-61 an epitome of all that’s worthy and wholesome. I’ll write on him. May his dear soul rest in peace. Amen”.
Prof. Adigun Agbaje also eulogized his former teacher: “I just got to know that Prof Obaro Ikime, foremost Historian and distinguished member of the Ibadan School of History, passed on yesterday evening at Ibadan.
“May his noble and blessed soul rest. He was my History teacher at the University of Ibadan 1976-77: an exciting, vibrant, knowledgeable, master of his art, approachable and humane. Nigeria finds it difficult to handle excellence and tends to celebrate ignorance and arrogance.
“Unsurprisingly, Nigeria happened to him at the apex of his distinguished and productive life. Thanks to God that although he was scarred by that encounter, he was never bowed. Adieu, my wonderful teacher. May you truly rest. You deserve it”.
