Female literary icon, Onyebuchi Emecheta, dies at 72

Delta gov Okowa, ANA, Osofisan mourn

Foremost Nigerian novelist and author, Mrs. Florence Onyebuchi Emecheta, passed away on Wednesday in her London home at the age of 72. Emecheta, born in Lagos on July 21, 1944, published more than 20 books throughout her career. Her notable literary works include Second Class Citizen, Joys of Motherhood and The Bride Price.

Her books were on the national curricula of several African countries. She was known for championing women and girls’ rights in her writing, although she famously rejected her being described as a feminist.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed sadness over the death of the literary amazon. Okowa, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, extolled the immense contributions of the late writer to the growth and development of literature in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

He, therefore, prayed God to grant her immediate family the strength to bear the irreparable loss, adding that her numerous achievements in the literary world would always be remembered.

Also, the president of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Malam Denja Abdullahi, said: “We have lost a rare gem in this field. She championed the female cause and made unforgettable contributions to African Literature. Mrs. Emechata was one of the earliest generations of women who took writing to project the voice of the female gender.

In the same vein, Femi Osofisan said: “She was one of the best. Her work will continue to speak about her.”