Late Prof. Austin Chukwu

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

I and my family were distraught to hear of Professor Austine Chukwu's passing. He looked so robust and strong when I saw him last at an ANA convention some years back. I know it is unwise to think of any mortal as immune to death; but I know it is also tempting to consider the relatively young at least temporarily shielded from death's withering gaze. Every occasion of death apaarently serves to foreground our delusions and to challenge us to accept the sober realities of human life.

Knowledgeable, approachable, passionate about his convinctions, Professor Chukwu was also among the most admirable lecturers among my generation of students at the newly established Imo State University then at Ekiti. His mastery of the performative component of the literature of the African Diaspora typically made his classes virtually enchanting and so always well-attended. With the recent passing of Professor Ben Obumselu and now of Professor Chukwu, the ranks of those illustrious Etiti pioneers are so badly depleted!

At Professor Chukwu's death, the world has lost a great teacher and a great man. But great scholars do not die; they live immortally in their work and their voices are heard whenever their proteges part their lips. So shall it be with Professor Chukwu. Be therefore consoled; and may God grant you and your children a short passage from mourning to morning.

Do accept my heart-felt condolences.

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A TRIBUTE TO AN ACADEMIC GIANT PROF. AUSTIN E. CHUKWU

It is with deep sorrow that I pay this tribute to an academic giant, Prof. Austin E. Chukwu. His demise is still a shock to me, indeed an arrow that daily pieces the heart. As each day passes, his conspicuous absence in the academic family that he loved much drives home the message.

                I borrow late K.O. Mbadiwe’s coinage “Timber and Caliber” to better point out the quality in Prof. Austin Chukwu. He was really a man of “timber and caliber.” Mbadiwe’s is in politics, while his is in learning and teaching toward knowledge which is power.  From ABSU up to EBSU and further to FUNAI, Austin Chukwu is a name that rings louder than the old West Minister Church bell, echoing the priority, joy and beauty of knowledge. Prof. Chukwu’s manifest love and passion for the University as a citadel of knowledge was a great source of inspiration to many. My impression of him, working very closely with him as a lecturer and as a Faculty Dean was rather very exciting. Prof. Chukwu’s presence In the University between 9 am (at times earlier) and 3.30 to 4 pm ( at times beyond), Monday to Friday in the week that I keenly observed, almost made me ashamed of myself as a priest.  His deep concern in the academic growth of the junior lecturers stands as an indelible legacy in all the universities, he taught.  Prof. Chukwu had a very admirable sense of objectivity and open-mindedness in all matters concerning human... VIEW FULL TRIBUTE

Professor Austin E. Chukwu - A Tribute

We learnt of the passing of our dear matrilineal brother, Professor Austin E. Chukwu on the 7th August 2017, a date that will stand out in infamy in our hearts with rude shock and profound sadness.

Prof. Austin Chukwu stood out as a peerless and scholarly academic, a loving Father, an adorable brother and a wonderful husband. Only recently, at an event in Edda, he reminded me of our struggles together in the same unit during the dark days of the Biafran debacle. Death, ever so cruel, would snatch him from us when we were poised to become even closer in the light of this discovery.

However, we cannot question God. We all must take solace in Prof's prodigious achievements during his short life, in his loving nature and his tremendous impact on the lives of those who were privileged to come close to him.

We pray that the good Lord will console us all and grant the grace to bear this awesome targedy with fortitude.

May He give our departed brother, Professor Austin Chukwu, a crown of glory in Paradise. Cherr up!

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A TRIBUTE TO AN ACADEMIC ICON, PROFESSOR PRINCE AUSTIN CHUKWU (PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND THE HUMANE LETTERS)

Our Dear Prof,

We have battled with this reality for weeks now and still find it very hard to believe that you are gone. You had been our academic father, mentor, and boss. Your untimely demise was too sudden and shocking to us. Your demise was an eclipse at noon; it is still incredible and bewildering. Your demise is a thunderous fall of a giant pillar of citadel of learning in Nigeria. Your demise is a great quake in the entire literary world.

A great custodian of knowledge and standard, a great reservoir of Afrocentric values and stance;

A defender of the weak and the oppressed;

Oke nna, Your exit has left a gulf, a vacuum which none can fill, a shoe too large for any to step into; you were just phenomenal;

The Prince, you got the best out of us; you believed in us and gave us a voice in seemingly vocieless situations. Thank you for reaching out to us and giving us the opportunity to learn and be mentored by you.

We miss your reassuring, assertive speeches

We miss your lively lectures, conversations and debates

We miss your candour and encouragement

Your friends and followers are weeping

Your fans wish to have you back but God knows the best

Adieu, The people's Professor

Adieu, the Prince from the lion of the Omakejali

Adieu, The Oke nna

Indeed, we have lost but we're glad... heaven has gained.

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A TRIBUTE TO A FATHER BY NATURE

My Nna,

August 7, 2017 was the saddest day of my life.

Your exit took us unawares.

We love you and I am sure you know it.

We promise to be good and practice all you believed and stood for.

We won’t stop thanking God for the opportunity He gave us to have a Dad like you.

May your beautiful soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.

Great Man! Oke Nna! Humble Lion! Indefatigable Prof!

Lerue enya, Nna.

Loads of love,

The Barrister (Chi)

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