Foremost history professor Obaro Ikime is dead

Obaro Ikime

Former president of the Historical Society of Nigeria Professor Obaro Ikime has died at the age of 86.

The retired priest of the Anglican Church and former member of the University of Ibadan Governing Council died on Tuesday.

TNG reports that one of his friends AM Akpieyi confirmed the death in a short message

“I am deeply saddened to announce that my mentor, my Head of House and Head of School, internationally renowned Historian, Prof. (Venerable) OBARO IKIME (GCU 1950 SEPTEMBER SET) transited today to glory at about 05: 30pm in Ibadan,” Akpeyi wrote.

Another professor of history Christopher Ogbogbo wrote about the death in a Facebook on Wednesday.

“Words fail me. I hear rumours about daddy Obaro Ikime, I need to hear from Mazino,” Professor Ogbogbo wrote.

Professor of cell and molecular biology Mark Nwagwu also confirmed Ikime’s death with a message he received from his son Mazino Ikime.

The message from Mazino read: “Uncle Mark your friend and brother Oik is gone yesterday about 5 pm.”

A devastated Nwagwu added: “Prof. Obaro Ikime, whom we fondly call Oik, is one the finest gentlemen of our generation, no. 1 Citizen of Kuti Hall, UCI, 1957-61 an epitome of all that’s worthy and wholesome. I’ll write on him. May his dear soul rest in peace. Amen.”

Ikime is survived by wife Hannah, sons Mazino and Maino and daughter Majiro.