The late Prof. Obaro Ikime who hailed from Erowha in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State reportedly died in Ibadan at 86.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Governor Okowa said that with the passage of Prof. Ikime, the historical world had lost an enigma whose works would continue to dominate contemporary Nigerian history.
Okowa described Ikime’s transition as a great loss to the country and the academia and extolled him for his immense contributions to the appropriation of scholarship in the country.
The Governor noted that the late historian and prolific writer fought hard for the restoration of history into the educational curriculum of the country.
Okowa however urged all who mourn the demise of the late Prof. Ikime to take solace in the fact that he “remains alive through his published works”.
He prayed to God to grant his immediate family, the Isoko nation and lovers of history, the strength to bear the irreparable loss, pointing out that his numerous achievements in academia would continue to be remembered.
The statement read partly, “The historical works of Professor Ikime promoted Delta, Nigeria and Africa, hence his demise would be felt by many, who benefited immensely from his academic sojourn across the world.
“As a notable historian, Fellow and erstwhile President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, the late Prof. Ikime was a consummate patriot, an academic icon, a teacher par excellence and a global authority in history whose publications inspired deep thoughts, especially on social-economic and political themes.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Ikime family and the entire Isoko nation over the passing of renowned historian and academic giant, Emeritus Professor Obaro Ikime.
“He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he affected in many ways with his historical works.”
