Obi Wali (27 February 1932 – 26 April 1993) was a minority rights activist, politician, distinguished senator, literary scholar, and an orator from Nigeria. Among his achievements, he fought for the cause of the Ikwerre ethnic minorities and argued that African literature should be written in African languages.
Obi Wali was born on 27 February 1932 in Rumuigbo Town, headquarters of Apara Kingdom, in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.[1] His parents were Late Chief Frank Wali Otogbo and Late Mrs. Jane Wali Otogbo daughter of the famous Late Chief Ezebunwo Amadi Nwondugba, the then paramount ruler of Oroworukwo Rebisi in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. He had a younger sibling, Late Mrs Patience Waku Okabie Worgu. He was educated at the West African People's Institute, Calabar, followed by St. Augustine's Secondary School, Nkwerre. For his higher education he attended the University College Ibadan, where he specialized in literature. He then continued his studies in the United States, where he obtained a doctorate degree in literature.[2]
Little additional information is available about his early life or personal/family life.
Career
Wali was one of the founding fathers of Rivers State in Nigeria and served as the first Commissioner for Education, as well as a member of the first executive council of the state.[3] He was later elected as a member of the 1978 Constituent Assembly and also as a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee that drafted the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.[4] He was elected as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Second Republic and in 1980 he was elected the Minority Leader of the House of Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria.[5]
As a politician, he is perhaps most remembered for championing the cause of the Ikwerre ethnic minorities in Nigeria. Senator Wali was one of the best known leaders from the Niger Delta region to consistently campaign against the marginalization of the Niger Delta people (particularly the Ikwerre ethnic nationality). He fought for the creation of Port Harcourt out of the then Rivers State of Nigeria. Creating the Port Harcourt State for the Ikwerre people was an important achievement in his advocacy for the end of the marginalization and oppression of the Ikwerre, and the state-inspired exploitation of their resources.[6] Wali campaigned for the correction of the imbalances in the socio-economic and political power of the Nigerian state throughout his political career. He also is remembered for his call for a critical examination of Nigeria's commitments to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).[7]
In addition to his political roles, Wali was a professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he taught courses including "Introduction to African Literature."[8] Beyond his educational and political contributions in Nigeria, Wali also contributed to literary scholarship.
Contributions and views on African literature
Wali is known for his assertion that African literature should only be written in African languages. He emphasized the importance that works deemed "African" be written in the languages of the African peasantry and working classes rather than in English or other foreign languages. Through an alliance of these classes within the many nationalities of Africa, he predicted an "inevitable revolutionary break with neo-colonialism."[9] He expressed these views in his controversial essay "The Dead End of African Literature", which is considered a landmark in the field of African literary modernity.[10] In the essay, Wali writes "an African writer who thinks and feels in his own language must write in that language."[11] Wali presented this paper in 1962 at Makerere University in Uganda at the first major conference on new African writing at the institution.[12] The well-known paper went on to be published in the tenth issue of Transition magazine.
Although opposed by some, Wali's essay has been lauded by many African literary giants such as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who changed his name to a traditional African name after reading Wali's argument. Additionally, Wali argues that it is necessary for literary critics to learn African languages before analyzing African literary texts and producing theories about their meanings.[13] Wali and Ngũgĩ's viewpoint that African literature be exclusively written in African languages is often positioned in opposition to the opinions of Chinua Achebe and Ama Ata Aidoo, who argued that African literature can also be written in foreign languages.[14]
Suspected assassination
Wali was violently murdered and dismembered at home in his bedroom by suspected hired assassins on 26 April 1993. The reasons for the murder remain unestablished; however, many speculated that it was in connection with his political opinions.[15] At the time of his murder, Wali was a respected Nigerian Senator of Rivers State.[16] He was later buried on 24 February 1994. This was not long before the Nigerian state executed another minority rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
General Ibrahim Babangida (former Nigerian Military Head of State), Chief Rufus Ada George (former Governor of Rivers State), and Peter Odili (then Governor of Rivers State) among others were accused of complicity in Wali's murder in Port Harcourt. The case of Wali's murder was brought before a commission investigating human rights abuses, before which allegations of cover up were forwarded by the Ikwere Community and Wali's son, Ihumuo, along with his wife Nnenna.[17]
Legacy and memory
In 2014 the Obi Wali International Conference Centre was opened to the public in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, created and named in the memory of Obi Wali's political and literary contributions.[18]
Furthermore, the Ikwerre people organize an annual memorial lecture in Obi Wali's honor.[19]
^"Justice for Obi Wali.By Okachikwu Dibia". TheNigerianVoice.com. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
^Rosales, Thomas. "Gallery of Great Igbo People: Dr. (Senator) Obi Wali".
^Saylor, Ryan (1 July 2016). "Ethnic Entrepreneurs and Movements for New Administrative Units: Lessons from Nigeria". Publius: The Journal of Federalism. 46 (4): 568–595. doi:10.1093/publius/pjw016. ISSN 0048-5950.
^Omoruyi, Omo (April 2000). "The Politics of Oil: Who Owns Oil, Nigeria, States or Communities?".
^"National Network Newspaper". National Network Newspaper. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^Wali Obi. 1982. "Rationale for the demand for Port Harcourt State". In Adejnyigbe Omolade, Dare Leo, Adepoju Aderanti (eds), Creation of States in Nigeria: a review of rationale, demands and problems up to 1980, Lagos: Federal Government Printer, 119–123.
^Onwuka, R. I. (1 January 1982). "The Ecowas Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons: A Threat to Nigerian Security?". African Affairs. 81 (323): 193–206. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a097408. JSTOR 721727.
^Okafor, Dubem (1 January 2001). Meditations on African Literature. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN9780313298660.
^Thiong'o, Ngugi wa (1 January 1994). Decolonising the mind: the politics of language in African literature. East African Publishers. ISBN9789966466846.
^Nwakanma, Obi (1 January 2016). "MJC Echeruo: Occidentalism, Diaspora, Nationalist, and Transnationalist Trajectories of His African Modernism". Research in African Literatures. 47 (3): 106–123. doi:10.2979/reseafrilite.47.3.07. JSTOR 10.2979/reseafrilite.47.3.07. S2CID 163942915.
^Wali, Obiajunwa (1 January 1963). "The Dead End of African Literature?". Transition (10): 13–15. doi:10.2307/2934441. JSTOR 2934441.
^Okpewho, Isidore (1 January 2003). Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart: A Casebook. Oxford University Press. ISBN9780195147636.
^Shelton, Austin J. (1 January 1964). "Some Problems of Inter-Communication". The Journal of Modern African Studies. 2 (3): 395–403. doi:10.1017/s0022278x00004341. JSTOR 158648.
^"Mots Pluriels Azodo". motspluriels.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
^"Justice for Obi Wali.By Okachikwu Dibia". TheNigerianVoice.com. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
^Dike, Okoro (13 June 2016). In the Company of the Muse. Cissus World Press. ISBN9780967951126.
^Akunna, Ahamefula Ogbu and Chuks (21 January 2001). "Nigeria: Oputa Panel, Babangida, Odili Named in Murder Case". This Day (Lagos). Retrieved 4 January 2017.
^admin. "Govt Names Int'l Conference Centre After Obi Wali | :::...The Tide News Online:::..." Retrieved 4 January 2017.
^Ejiowho, Emeka Jilly (26 September 2012). "Ikwerres End Late Obi Wali 8th Annual Memorial Lecture In Grandstyle - The Newswriter". www.thenewswriterng.com. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
External links
"Society for Research and Academic Excellence". academicexcellencesociety.com. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
January 07, 2023
wali, february, 1932, april, 1993, minority, rights, activist, politician, distinguished, senator, literary, scholar, orator, from, nigeria, among, achievements, fought, cause, ikwerre, ethnic, minorities, argued, that, african, literature, should, written, af. Obi Wali 27 February 1932 26 April 1993 was a minority rights activist politician distinguished senator literary scholar and an orator from Nigeria Among his achievements he fought for the cause of the Ikwerre ethnic minorities and argued that African literature should be written in African languages Obi WaliBorn1932Rumuigbo TownDied26 April 1993 1993 04 26 aged 60 61 Occupation s Nigerian politician and writer Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Contributions and views on African literature 4 Suspected assassination 5 Legacy and memory 6 Published works 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksEarly life EditObi Wali was born on 27 February 1932 in Rumuigbo Town headquarters of Apara Kingdom in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State 1 His parents were Late Chief Frank Wali Otogbo and Late Mrs Jane Wali Otogbo daughter of the famous Late Chief Ezebunwo Amadi Nwondugba the then paramount ruler of Oroworukwo Rebisi in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State He had a younger sibling Late Mrs Patience Waku Okabie Worgu He was educated at the West African People s Institute Calabar followed by St Augustine s Secondary School Nkwerre For his higher education he attended the University College Ibadan where he specialized in literature He then continued his studies in the United States where he obtained a doctorate degree in literature 2 Little additional information is available about his early life or personal family life Career EditWali was one of the founding fathers of Rivers State in Nigeria and served as the first Commissioner for Education as well as a member of the first executive council of the state 3 He was later elected as a member of the 1978 Constituent Assembly and also as a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee that drafted the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 4 He was elected as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Second Republic and in 1980 he was elected the Minority Leader of the House of Senate Federal Republic of Nigeria 5 As a politician he is perhaps most remembered for championing the cause of the Ikwerre ethnic minorities in Nigeria Senator Wali was one of the best known leaders from the Niger Delta region to consistently campaign against the marginalization of the Niger Delta people particularly the Ikwerre ethnic nationality He fought for the creation of Port Harcourt out of the then Rivers State of Nigeria Creating the Port Harcourt State for the Ikwerre people was an important achievement in his advocacy for the end of the marginalization and oppression of the Ikwerre and the state inspired exploitation of their resources 6 Wali campaigned for the correction of the imbalances in the socio economic and political power of the Nigerian state throughout his political career He also is remembered for his call for a critical examination of Nigeria s commitments to the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS 7 In addition to his political roles Wali was a professor at the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he taught courses including Introduction to African Literature 8 Beyond his educational and political contributions in Nigeria Wali also contributed to literary scholarship Contributions and views on African literature EditWali is known for his assertion that African literature should only be written in African languages He emphasized the importance that works deemed African be written in the languages of the African peasantry and working classes rather than in English or other foreign languages Through an alliance of these classes within the many nationalities of Africa he predicted an inevitable revolutionary break with neo colonialism 9 He expressed these views in his controversial essay The Dead End of African Literature which is considered a landmark in the field of African literary modernity 10 In the essay Wali writes an African writer who thinks and feels in his own language must write in that language 11 Wali presented this paper in 1962 at Makerere University in Uganda at the first major conference on new African writing at the institution 12 The well known paper went on to be published in the tenth issue of Transition magazine Although opposed by some Wali s essay has been lauded by many African literary giants such as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong o who changed his name to a traditional African name after reading Wali s argument Additionally Wali argues that it is necessary for literary critics to learn African languages before analyzing African literary texts and producing theories about their meanings 13 Wali and Ngũgĩ s viewpoint that African literature be exclusively written in African languages is often positioned in opposition to the opinions of Chinua Achebe and Ama Ata Aidoo who argued that African literature can also be written in foreign languages 14 Suspected assassination EditWali was violently murdered and dismembered at home in his bedroom by suspected hired assassins on 26 April 1993 The reasons for the murder remain unestablished however many speculated that it was in connection with his political opinions 15 At the time of his murder Wali was a respected Nigerian Senator of Rivers State 16 He was later buried on 24 February 1994 This was not long before the Nigerian state executed another minority rights activist Ken Saro Wiwa General Ibrahim Babangida former Nigerian Military Head of State Chief Rufus Ada George former Governor of Rivers State and Peter Odili then Governor of Rivers State among others were accused of complicity in Wali s murder in Port Harcourt The case of Wali s murder was brought before a commission investigating human rights abuses before which allegations of cover up were forwarded by the Ikwere Community and Wali s son Ihumuo along with his wife Nnenna 17 Legacy and memory EditIn 2014 the Obi Wali International Conference Centre was opened to the public in Port Harcourt Rivers State created and named in the memory of Obi Wali s political and literary contributions 18 Furthermore the Ikwerre people organize an annual memorial lecture in Obi Wali s honor 19 Published works EditThe Individual and the Novel in Africa 1965 The Dead End of African Literature 1963 See also EditKen Saro WiwaReferences Edit Justice for Obi Wali By Okachikwu Dibia TheNigerianVoice com Retrieved 2 January 2017 Rosales Thomas Gallery of Great Igbo People Dr Senator Obi Wali Saylor Ryan 1 July 2016 Ethnic Entrepreneurs and Movements for New Administrative Units Lessons from Nigeria Publius The Journal of Federalism 46 4 568 595 doi 10 1093 publius pjw016 ISSN 0048 5950 Omoruyi Omo April 2000 The Politics of Oil Who Owns Oil Nigeria States or Communities National Network Newspaper National Network Newspaper Retrieved 30 May 2020 Wali Obi 1982 Rationale for the demand for Port Harcourt State In Adejnyigbe Omolade Dare Leo Adepoju Aderanti eds Creation of States in Nigeria a review of rationale demands and problems up to 1980 Lagos Federal Government Printer 119 123 Onwuka R I 1 January 1982 The Ecowas Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons A Threat to Nigerian Security African Affairs 81 323 193 206 doi 10 1093 oxfordjournals afraf a097408 JSTOR 721727 Okafor Dubem 1 January 2001 Meditations on African Literature Greenwood Publishing Group ISBN 9780313298660 Thiong o Ngugi wa 1 January 1994 Decolonising the mind the politics of language in African literature East African Publishers ISBN 9789966466846 Nwakanma Obi 1 January 2016 MJC Echeruo Occidentalism Diaspora Nationalist and Transnationalist Trajectories of His African Modernism Research in African Literatures 47 3 106 123 doi 10 2979 reseafrilite 47 3 07 JSTOR 10 2979 reseafrilite 47 3 07 S2CID 163942915 Wali Obiajunwa 1 January 1963 The Dead End of African Literature Transition 10 13 15 doi 10 2307 2934441 JSTOR 2934441 Okpewho Isidore 1 January 2003 Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart A Casebook Oxford University Press ISBN 9780195147636 Shelton Austin J 1 January 1964 Some Problems of Inter Communication The Journal of Modern African Studies 2 3 395 403 doi 10 1017 s0022278x00004341 JSTOR 158648 Mots Pluriels Azodo motspluriels arts uwa edu au Retrieved 4 January 2017 Justice for Obi Wali By Okachikwu Dibia TheNigerianVoice com Retrieved 4 January 2017 Dike Okoro 13 June 2016 In the Company of the Muse Cissus World Press ISBN 9780967951126 Akunna Ahamefula Ogbu and Chuks 21 January 2001 Nigeria Oputa Panel Babangida Odili Named in Murder Case This Day Lagos Retrieved 4 January 2017 admin Govt Names Int l Conference Centre After Obi Wali The Tide News Online Retrieved 4 January 2017 Ejiowho Emeka Jilly 26 September 2012 Ikwerres End Late Obi Wali 8th Annual Memorial Lecture In Grandstyle The Newswriter www thenewswriterng com Retrieved 4 January 2017 External links Edit Society for Research and Academic Excellence academicexcellencesociety com Retrieved 22 April 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Obi Wali amp oldid 1055027343, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
