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… Set To Imortalize King Otobotekere
The leadership of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has paid a formal condolence visit to the Otobotekere Family of Tombia in Ekpetiama Kingdom over the demise of their Patriarch, His Royal Highness, Christian Okpofaa Otobotekere, (Okun XIX)
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Associate Professor, Odingowei Kwokwo (PhD), who commiserated with the family, adding that as tradition demands, it is expected for the writers community to condole with the Otobotekere dynasty as the late monarch was an avid writer who holds the record of being the oldest writer in Africa until his demise at the peak of 97 years on the eve of Saint Valentine’s Day.
Kwokwo, who was a one-time Secretary of ANA Bayelsa, now doubles as the Head of Department, English and Literary Studies at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
He assured the family of the writers body to work with the them towards a befiting obsequies when a date is fixed.
Chairman of the State Chapter of ANA, Comrade Julius Laye, who also doubles as TUC Chairman of the State flanked by other expanded Executive members of ANA, including the immediate past Chairman, Dr Akpos Adesi, Elder Ebinyo Ogbowei, Associate Professor Rudolf Kansese, Dr Timi Kpakiama, Dr. Eno Agoro, and Vice Chairman, Amatare Mozimo appreciated the Otobotekere Family for the warm reception of given to the ANA delegation.
He hinted that in honour of the deceased in this month of February ANA Bayelsa’s monthly reading session holding in about a fortnight would be dedicated to the writings and works of the late Pa Otobotekere.
Meanwhile, in line with the tradition of ANA Bayelsa chapter, a Literary Requiem of Nine Verses shall be held in honour of the late Sage during the obsequies.
Receiving the Writers’ delegation on behalf of the family, Chief Godday Otobotekere, and the family Spokesman, Mr Peter Erepamo, coupled with the Eldest Son of the deceased who spoke on behalf of the children, they appreciated the high powered ANA Bayelsa delegation of about about twenty-one members and elders of repute in the writers’ community in the globe, for the warm condolences and assured to work with the Writers’ body towards achieving the week long burial obsequies of their patriarch whose writings and books have changed lives and shall continue to do so.
Highpoint of the condolence visit was exchange of traditional rites as well as signing the condolence register on behalf not ANA Bayelsa delegation by the ANA Bayelsa State Chapter Chairman, Comrade Julius Laye who hinted of ANA Bayelsa’s plans to institute A Literary Prize on Poetry and Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in honour of the late nonagenerian Poet King!
Until his soft passing, on the eve of St.Valentines Day, 2023, the late poet King was the Grand Patron of ANA Bayelsa and Chairman Board of Trustees.
He had authored and published several books to his credit including Around and About, Live Two Lives, My River, Your River, and his swansong which was only recently publicly presented and launched to mark his last 97th Birthday in August last year 2022!
The poet King, as he was fondly called, was the oldest writer in Africa until his time travel across the bridge of life.
