Obituary: Professor Obodimma Oha

[Toyin Falola]

I woke up this morning to hear the news of his passing. I think I am older than him. I am not sure. A fine writer, his prose is uniquely his own. He signed a contract with the truth, not the one that always hurt. I used to think he was a philosopher until I was told that he was more into literary studies.

What a great mind!

I was the one, based on his writings, who sought him out. I went in search of him, as I did with various others.  I enjoy debates if they are conducted within a legitimate framework. Obodimma provided solid arguments, not ones from the conclave of lunatics who operate in silos of enmity and envy. He could wear you down, but with the credibility of a dedicated scholar and not from a mind that seeks to destroy others.

He once asked me why I never did administration, and I told him my only commitment is to teach and research. He said, “in that case, I, too, will never be a Head of Department.” I lost contact with him for many years now, and I did not know how he ended his options and choices. Wise people change their minds in relation to context and growth.

He also asked me where I got my big heart from when he saw me in front of UI Guest House drinking beer with someone who, as he told me, was always lying about me. My usual answer: this reflects him, not me. I can keep my values and character—I have no control over those of others who have biases that prevent their emotional sustainability. A wise person hates no one.

He was a solid contributor to the USA-Africa Dialogue until he drifted away, as people do, letting others come and go, and the agenda shifted.

I no longer have Professor Nelson Fashina’s email address to include him in this short condolence. Please, this should be forwarded to him.

May His Soul Rest in Peace

TF

[Oluwatoyin Adepoju]

Evil news!

What could have happened to him?!

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[Oluwatoyin Adepoju]

It would be great if those who are informed could keep us posted about the burial arrangements.

Toyin 

[Michael Afolayan]

Sorry, I meant "Obododimma" - the correct spelling of the gentleman's name (as he himself wrote it). 
MOA

On Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 09:58:54 AM EDT, Michael Afolayan <mafo...@yahoo.com> wrote:

This is so sad. I read him on the Dialogue in the past and wondered what became of him. He was so generous in sharing his thoughts and creativity regardless of whether anyone embraced or rejected them. May the legacy of our friend, Obodomma outlive him!

MOA

[Toyin Falola]

I have been contacted to know his burial plans as some want to attend.

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Subject: Re: Obituary: Professor Obodimma Oha

 

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[Michael Afolayan]

This is so sad. I read him on the Dialogue in the past and wondered what became of him. He was so generous in sharing his thoughts and creativity regardless of whether anyone embraced or rejected them. May the legacy of our friend, Obodomma outlive him!

MOA

On Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 08:47:25 AM EDT, Toyin Falola <toyin...@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:

[Ololade Bamidele]

May his soul find rest. AMEN! 

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[Biko Agozino]

Chai, I had written on 12/12/25 to enquire from him why we no dey hear his tori again, hoping that body dey for sokoto. No answer, unlike him.

Here is a tribute by one of his colleagues at Ibadan, Dr. Oka Obono, Professor of Sociology and Ethnodemography:

Obodo was a Malabite, first and last. His mettle says so. That nonconformist bent came from Calabar, which explicitly identified true scholarship with activism and intellectual courage. Obodo embodied this tradition. We were contemporaries at the University of Calabar. More than that, we were brothers. Somebody has paid tribute to his dependability. I attest to this. He was always like that - iconic, enigmatic, sufficiently eccentric to traverse diverse worlds, and utterly utterly utterly dependable. That was Obodo. As we all know, he was a first-rate thinker, a first-class scholar — graduating as such from the University of Calabar in the mid-1980s. Even while frail in sickness, he could still bring his legendary wit to bear on the protracted illness that ravaged his body but didn’t touch his mind. The twinkle in his eye was still there. It gave me hope for his recovery. I found his imagination and humour remained deep and insightful. He sounded sound. His inclination for poetic profundity was undiminished; and his natural grasp of disparate ideas unsullied. This ability is displayed in the gracious foreword he wrote to my debut collection, Shadrach and Other Poems. The idea behind publishing those reflections, which alone survived the fire incident at my Sociology office here at UI, was entirely his. “You have no choice”, he had said, half laughing but in earnest, as we stood by the stark louvrelessness of what was once my office window. “There must be a reason only these fragments survived. They are no longer yours to keep.” He went on to write such a formidable Foreword to the collection that my wife would say of him, “he was the right writer” for that role. The colossal loss of such intellect as his is incredible. When shall we see it again? I mourn him in the quiet guttural way unutterable grief must mourn. How exactly do you mourn a seasoned semiologist in days that consistently devastate hope, and flagellate memory? Just a month ago, it was Biodun Jeyifo. And now, Obododimma Oha. Who’s next in this eerie departure lounge of our incomprehensible airport? Alas, my brother! Adieu, Obodo. Farewell, my friend. You fought it out. Rest, at last, in peace. Please.

Biko

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[Dr. Oohay]

May HIS SOUL REST in TRANQUILITY. Imafedia Okhamafe

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