… Death of Prof Ike: Says Nigeria has lost a national icon By Seun Adams Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has urged diplomatic missions to emulate the Nigeria High Commission in Canada by dong more for their fatherland. He charged them towards catering for citizens’ needs and projecting national interest for the overall development of the country. Omo-Agege, spoke in Canada at the 25th Biennial Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, during the week end. Meanwhile, the lawmaker, has described the death of Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, a famous Nigerian novelist as shocking. He expressed deep appreciation to Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Atodo and staff of the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada for being sensitive to the needs of Nigerians living in the country. Omo-Agege, who paid a courtesy visit to the High Commission, said: “I thank you for the good job that you have been doing and the way and manner you have been projecting our government and our country. “Unlike our missions in many other countries, the reports we have been receiving through the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is really good, most especially in respect of the way and manner you take good care of our citizens’ needs here in Canada. “Also, worthy of praise is the way and manner you have also projected the vision and mission of President Muhammadu Buhari’s next level agenda. “Apart from being the Deputy President of the Senate, as most of you know, I am also a stakeholder in the next level agenda; therefore, when I see the value you add to the agenda, in support of the President, I want to acknowledge that you are doing much for the nation’s interest. “So, I want to thank you. I came here to attend the conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth nations; we have done most of the plenary work and the critical workshops are coming to an end. “I extend my deepest appreciation to the acting High Commissioner and all of you for the very warm reception given to me; since I arrived Canada, you have made us to feel very much at home that it’s like we are in Nigeria and you have taken good care of us.” Reacting to the news of the demise of the author, the lawmaker said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Professor Chukwuemeka Ike’s demise. He was not only an administrator, author and cerebral scholar but also a royal father. “As the author of books like: ‘The Naked Gods’, ‘Our Children Are Coming Home’ ‘Conspiracy of Silence’, ‘The Bottled Leopard’, ‘Toads for Supper,’ ‘The Potter’s Wheel,’ “Sunset at Dawn,’ among others, he used his God-given talent to showcase the richness of African culture”. While praying for repose of the soul of the foremost writer and traditional ruler, Senator Omo-Agege commiserated with his family, subjects and people of Anambra State and prayed Almighty God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. The novelist who died on at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi after a brief illness, was aged 89. Until his death, Prof. Ike was the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.