I recieved with greatest shock this afternoon, the death of one of the greatest intellectuals of our time, Ambassador Professor Okon Edet Uya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ambassador Professor Edet Uya is one Collosus that his death will be one of the greatest losses to Nigeria and beyond. He was Nigerias Ambassador to Argentina, Chile Peru and Paraguay. He was also former Chairman of National Electoral Commission, former Acting Vice Chancelor, University of Calabar, former Deputy Vice Chancelor, University of Calabar, former Director, Institute of Public Policy and Administration, University of Calabar and recently, a member African Peer Review Mechanism.. His students in that institute (especially me) will never forget him in a hurry. As my teacher then in the institute, i thought of what to give to this great scholar for all the scholarly impartation i recieved from him, nothing other than a gift of the Holy Bible and a British English Dictionary came to my mind. He recieved this gift with great appreciation. He rewarded me with a letter of commendation and this was published in the institute. While as a director, he transformed the institute to what such a citadel of learning should be. The institute became the light of the university. He never failed to organise two important lectures (IPPA Distinguished Lecture and IPPA International Seminar) every year. Those lectures attracted the likes of Professor Dele Jinadu, Prof. Isawa Elaigwu, Prof. Adiele Afigbo, Prof. Obaro Ikime, Prof Akinsanya, Prof. Kalu Uka and many other Nigerian scholars. Published works from such proceedings are already well recieved over the country. Amb. Prof. Uya has over 45 published books and over 600 articles published in international journals. His book, African Diaspora and Blacks Experience in New World Slavery, has been regarded as the best work ever published by any black man in that subject. He was appointed amongst the 200 greatest intellectuals in the world in 2003. He was also selected amongst Who is Who in the World and in Africa. Ambassador Professor Uya held the Chieftaincy title of Ikpoto Oro. This renowned Havard and Wisconsin product was also a Pastor, a community mobiliser and a renowned historian. As we mourn your departure, we pray that your family be consoled in the legacies you left behind and may your gentle soul rest in peace. Adieu my academic icon!
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:47:44 +0000
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