The Ogbu Kalu Moment
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Toyin Falola
Jun 20, 2019, 5:01:55 PM6/20/19
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Today at Abia State University, we celebrated the contributions and legacies of our brother and distinguished professor, Ogbu, the great man with smile and laughter ever implanted in his face. The glue to our relationship was our difference! I am attracted to those who disagree with me.
Until the rise of the irrepressible Nimi Wariboko, Ogbu Kalu and Sanneh were the most preeminent scholars of African Christianity.
The inauguration of the Center was an event that came alive with the presence of Ogbu Kalu among the living. Truly, his legacies can never die. Professor Chima Korieh, an historian far more talented than me in the architecture of his imagination and arresting topics, introduced the vision and mission of the Ogbu Kalu Center.
The Vice-Chancellor was gracious, respectful, cordial and happy.
Ten years ago we lost Ogbu. His wife, Mummy Willy, called me from the hospital that my friend was gone.
Today we woke him up. And I did so by presenting the longest book on an African scholar, 600 pages, that puts his work in context. I poured my agonies and memory into narratology.
Years ago, at his village house in Ohafia, when the future was unknown, he told me that he wanted to locate his library in Imo State University which was then a year hold. My humble self was part of shaping the program of the new university with my “boss”, the brilliant Professor Geoffrey Uzoigwe.
The Kalu Center is now with us, the mustard seed that will become the big tree. Against all forces and odds, this seed will be nurtured and watered to become the Iroko tree we want.
It has been an eventful and fruitful day, back in the city of Enugu which is also called the Coal City, the darling on 042. Beautiful scene at night to behold, I am happy to be here.
TF
Sent from my iPhone
Until the rise of the irrepressible Nimi Wariboko, Ogbu Kalu and Sanneh were the most preeminent scholars of African Christianity.
The inauguration of the Center was an event that came alive with the presence of Ogbu Kalu among the living. Truly, his legacies can never die. Professor Chima Korieh, an historian far more talented than me in the architecture of his imagination and arresting topics, introduced the vision and mission of the Ogbu Kalu Center.
The Vice-Chancellor was gracious, respectful, cordial and happy.
Ten years ago we lost Ogbu. His wife, Mummy Willy, called me from the hospital that my friend was gone.
Today we woke him up. And I did so by presenting the longest book on an African scholar, 600 pages, that puts his work in context. I poured my agonies and memory into narratology.
Years ago, at his village house in Ohafia, when the future was unknown, he told me that he wanted to locate his library in Imo State University which was then a year hold. My humble self was part of shaping the program of the new university with my “boss”, the brilliant Professor Geoffrey Uzoigwe.
The Kalu Center is now with us, the mustard seed that will become the big tree. Against all forces and odds, this seed will be nurtured and watered to become the Iroko tree we want.
It has been an eventful and fruitful day, back in the city of Enugu which is also called the Coal City, the darling on 042. Beautiful scene at night to behold, I am happy to be here.
TF
Sent from my iPhone
Michael Afolayan
Jun 20, 2019, 11:51:29 PM6/20/19
to dialogue, usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Happy for you, Mwalimu Kubwa, TF! Until every African intellectual knows how to celebrate across ethnicities unharnessed, Africanism and Pan-Africanism will continue to elude us as the proverbial dream of a dog - conceived of, and dies in the mind of the dreamer. May the legacy of Professor Ogbu live long, and may your global embrace of humanity outlive you!
MOA
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Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
Jun 21, 2019, 2:32:39 AM6/21/19
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fantastic.
could you give a link to this book and perhaps to the web site of the centre?
what is Sanneh's full name?
thanks
toyin
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