By Max Amuchie
ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – An icon and founding father of African literary criticism, Professor Ben Obumselu, has died, aged 85.
He died in the early hours of Saturday (today) in Lagos after a protracted battle with cancer.
In announcing Obumselu’s death to Sundiata Post, his friend, Mr. Chuddy Oduenyi, who is CEO of Compact Communications Ltd., said:“Humanity is diminished by his exit. Please remember him and those he left behind especially his immediate family in your prayers.”
Professor Obumselu was widely regarded by his contemporaries as one of the most cerebral literary critics in the African continent of the 20th Century. His rare outputs have attained global circulation because of their philosophical, intellectual and oracular powers, according to Obu Udeozo.
He served as the first Black and African lecturer in the English Department of the University of Ibadan, his alma mater. He taught at various times at Universities of Birmingham, Zambia, Botswana and Swaziland after earning a doctorate from Oxford University.
During the Nigerian Civil War, he acted as Vice Chancellor of the defunct University of Biafra.
He was also a top commander of the dreaded Biafran S Brigade. He co-wrote the Biafran manifesto, philosophy of the Biafran revolution, called the Ahiara Declaration.
He was a confidant and close friend of the late poet, Christopher Okigbo as well as a contemporary of Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
He was political adviser to Governor Jim Nwobodo, second republic governor of old Anambra State.Thereafter, he taught at old Imo State University, Etiti.
He was managing director of Torch Publishing Company Ltd with the late economist, Dr Pius Okigbo as chairman.
The late Obumselu was a former deputy national president of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo. He served as consultant to Anambra State Government under former Governor Peter Obi and was until his death, the chairman of Compact Communications Ltd., Lagos.
Obumselu, the first president of the National Union of Nigerian Students, was indigene of Oba in Anambra State.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.