UNESCO, Wole Soyinka, Others Pay Tribute To Okigbo

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and other distinguished Nigerians, have honoured the legacy of the late Nigerian poet Christopher Okigbo.

Okigbo was widely regarded as the greatest Anglophone, post-colonial and modernist African poet of the 20th Century.

The historic event brought together poets, writers, global leaders, academic experts, traditional rulers, and members of the National Assembly to commemorate Okigbo’s legacy and achievements in Abuja, yesterday.

The event themed: “The Importance of Christopher Okigbo’s Nomination into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register and Its Impact on Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage and Literary History,” celebrated his literary contributions.

At the event UNESCO representative in Nigeria and cultural development expert, Ifeanyi Ajagbo, described Okigbo as a world-class artist, whose poetry made an indelible mark on Africa and the world.

He said UNESCO officially recognised his collection by inscribing it into the Memory of the World Register in 2007.

Okigbo’s poetry blends a deep understanding of the Western literary canon with rich elements of Igbo mythology, creating symbolic and naturalistic imagery rooted in his personal and cultural experiences, he said.

According to him, his numerous literary publications and scholarly works around the globe continue to pay tribute to his significance and uniqueness in modern African literature.
On his part, founder and president of Christopher Okigbo Foundation Obiegali Okigbo explained that the UNESCO Memory of the World Register is a flagship program established in 1992 to safeguard the documentary heritage of humanity.

She noted that among the 494 items listed globally, only 36 are from Africa—just 5% of total entries. These include the Colonial Archives of Benin, German Records in Tanzania, collections from Senegal, and South Africa’s Liberation Struggle Archives.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Ekong Sampson, said Okigbo is not dead. Writers have no caskets – because writers are prophets. And prophets don’t die.”

He emphasised the importance of recognizing and preserving the legacy of such literary figures, adding:

Also, the executive director of Development Specs Academy, Abuja, Prof. Ikey Ikechukwu, stated that the occasion marked global recognition of an exceptional poet and literary icon in African history.

“His works, now preserved for future generations, enhance his national and international stature. They also inspire cultural scholarship and creative engagement,” he said.