President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late poet, Ikeogu Oke, as very vibrant, intelligent and innovative in his works as a social commentator.
He said he was constantly in search of plausible answers and solutions to contemporary issues bedeviling his society.
The president praised the renowned Nigerian poet and winner of the 2017 NLNG-sponsored Nigerian Prize for Literature in his message of condolence signed by his media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to Oke’s family, the literary and creative community on the painful demise of the award-winning poet,” Adesina wrote.
He quoted the president as saying that through his poetry, Oke enriched Nigeria’s literary genre and his legacy would live on in his works, which he was incredibly proud of and committed to, as he wrote in his epic Epitaph: ‘‘Here lies a man who loved virtue and art, And gave to both his fortunes and his heart…’’
The president encouraged all Nigerians, the literary community and lovers of art to honour Ikeogu Oke’s memory by imbibing the didactic message of his works.
He prayed God to console all who mourned the departed poet and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
