The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has celebrated the induction of the archives of late poet Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo into UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register.
Okigbo, regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest literary figures, made history in 2007 when he became the first Nigerian and indeed the first African to receive the distinction.
His collection of manuscripts, letters, photographs, and unpublished works was inscribed into the register, placing his legacy among humanity’s collective heritage.
In a statement, the NCAC said the honor reaffirms the global significance of Okigbo’s contributions to literature.
His poetry, which fused Igbo spirituality with modernist brilliance, continues to resonate with readers and scholars around the world.
The Council noted that the recognition immortalizes a writer whose promising career was cut short by the Nigerian civil war but ensures that his voice will endure for generations to come.
It added that the induction also serves as inspiration to upcoming Nigerian poets, authors, and cultural pioneers.
“Christopher Okigbo remains not only a national treasure but also a symbol of Africa’s enduring contribution to world literature and culture,” the NCAC said.
Recall that the late poet became the first Nigerian, and indeed the first African, to be accorded the distinction, placing his literary legacy alongside the world’s most treasured cultural and intellectual heritage.
