Professor Kole Omotosho, a Nigerian author, has died in South Africa, his place of residence. He was 80 years old.
A family source confirmed that the late professor of English had been sick for some time before he passed away on Wednesday.
He had lived in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa for many years.
The family statement reads:
Our beloved father and husband moved on from this plane on Wednesday 19th late afternoon. We are sharing this with his close and much-loved community and will share more as we gather ourselves.”
On his 80th birthday on April 24, former President Muhammadu Buhari described him as a scholar who has an exceptional understanding of African history, culture and its significance in the global community.
Buhari had praised his acumen for mainstreaming traditional icons, folklore and values for humanity in his books, and drawing attention to the need for balance in relationships.
Omotosho published many books, articles, and reports during his lifetime.
Some of his works are “The Combat (1972); Miracles (short stories) (1973); Fela’s Choice (1974) and Sacrifice (1974, 1978).
Others are “The Scales (1976): To Borrow a Wandering Leaf (1978); Memories of Our Recent Boom (1982) and Just Before Dawn.