September 12 2017


Dear Colleague.


INVITATION TO A CONFERENCE TO MARK 50 YEARS OF THE PASSAGE OF CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO


2017 marks the golden anniversary of the passage of Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo (16 August 1932– September 1967) the Nigerian poet, teacher, and librarian, who died fighting for the independence of Biafra. He is today widely acknowledged as an outstanding postcolonial English-language African poet and one of the major modernist writers of the 20th century. As part of the year- long activities to commemorate his passage, a 2 day Conference is being planned for September 20 and 21 2017 at his alma mater, the University of Ibadan. The Conference will involve the following activities;
1. Opening Ceremony at the Trenchard Hall University of Ibadan at 10am on September 20 2017

2. Reception, Book Launch and Unveiling of the UNESCO Plaque at Cambridge House, 20 Joop Berkhout Crescent, Onireke, Ibadan at 3pm on September 20 2017 (SPECIAL IV TO BE CIRCULATED AT THE CONFERENCE)


3. Paper Presentations at the Faculty of Arts , University of Ibadan from 10am on September 21 2017
The Conference, a collaboration between the Christopher Okigbo Foundation (COF) and the University Of Ibadan through her Departments of Classics and English, will be a two- day event on September 20 and 21 2017 at the University Of Ibadan, Nigeria under the theme, Legacy Of Christopher Okigbo; 50 Years On and several subthemes. A Keynote Address will be delivered by Prof Dan Izevbaye under the Chairmanship of Eze Prof Chukwuemeka Ike while HRH Obi of Onitsha Igwe Achebe will be the Royal Father of the day.
Other eminent personalities expected at the event include, HE, Governor Willie Obiano, Executive Governor, Anambra State, HE Mr Peter Obi, Former Governor, Anambra State, Prof Wole Soyinka, Prof JP Clark, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Hon Minister for Mines, Ambassador Judith Sefi Attah (Okigbo’s widow), members of the Okigbo family, Christopher Okigbo’s friends, colleagues, mentees as well as International and Local writers.
The Conference will continue in the afternoon of the same day with a Reception hosted by Chief Joop Berkhout at Cambridge house, Ibadan assembling Okigbo’s contemporaries, fellow poets, entourage, members of the cultural industry and institutions worldwide that have been instrumental in upholding his memory to date.

Thank you.

Sincerely,


Dr. Wale Okediran . Obiageli Okigbo
Chief Advisor, COF President, COF