Senate President Bukola Saraki has mourned the death of the poet and novelist, Gabriel Okara.
Okara’s death was announced on Monday after his passage at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa.
The Bayelsa-born poet is remembered for his collection of poems and short stories like Call of the River Nun, Piano on Drums, The F
In a tweet on Tuesday, Saraki described Okara as a ‘venerated member of the pioneer generation of Nigerian literature’.
He wrote: “With the passing of Gabriel Okara, Nigeria has lost a venerated member of the pioneer generation of Nigerian literature. Millions will remember immortal poems like ‘Piano and Drums’, and recall with fondness their school years.
“Pa Okara was active and engaged till the end. An ageless man of Nigerian letters has passed into eternity. His work will stand, and we shall always celebrate him.”
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce also mourned the late Okara whom he described as ‘a true son of the great state of Bayelsa.’
Murray-Bruce wrote: “Sad to hear about the death of Gabriel Okara, but at the same time, we must celebrate a life well lived. A man of many firsts – first renowned English language black poet and first African modernist writer. A true son of the great state of Bayelsa. You will be dearly missed.”
