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Funeral Arrangements for Professor Okello Oculi: Celebrating a Pan-Africanist Scholar, Poet, and Intellectual
Abuja, Nigeria – August 7, 2025 – The family of the late Professor Okello Oculi, a distinguished Ugandan scholar, poet, novelist, and pan-Africanist, announces the funeral arrangements to honor his remarkable life and legacy. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js"> Professor Oculi passed away on July 26, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria, at the age of 82+, leaving behind an indelible mark on African intellectual, literary, and political spheres.
Funeral Arrangements
The family invites friends, colleagues, and admirers worldwide to join in commemorating Professor Oculi’s extraordinary contributions through the following events:
Online Session of Tributes: A global online session for friends, former associates, and admirers to share tributes and reflections will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 7pm.
Service of Songs: A Service of Songs will take place on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at The Cathedral Church of the Advent, Lifecamp, Abuja, celebrating Professor Oculi’s life through music and shared memories.
Funeral Service: The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at The Cathedral Church of the Advent, Lifecamp, Abuja at 10am, followed by interment at Gudu Cemetery.
Biography of Professor Okello Oculi
Born in 1942 in Dokolo District, Northern Uganda, Okello Oculi was a towering figure in African academia, literature, and pan-Africanism. Educated at Soroti College, St. Peter’s College Tororo, and St. Mary’s College Kisubi, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Makerere University in 1967, with a year as an exchange student at Stanford University (1964–1965). He bagged an MSc in Arts from University of Essex in 1968. He later pursued a PhD in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin, USA, under a Rockefeller Foundation Scholarship. Choosing Nigeria over a return to Idi Amin’s Uganda in 1977, Professor Oculi spent 48 years in Nigeria, becoming a beloved figure in its academic and intellectual communities with a Special Immigration status. He served as a Professor of Social and Economic Research at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria and later as a private political and social consultant in Abuja through the Africa Vision 525 Initiative. He was a long-serving member of the Daily Trust Editorial Board, shaping its pan-African editorial direction with historical insight and intellectual rigor.
Achievements in Nigeria:
Over his 48 years in Nigeria, Professor Oculi made profound contributions to academia, literature, and pan-Africanism:
Academic Influence: At ABU, he inspired generations of students, many of whom became influential figures in Nigerian society. His innovative “Mock OAU/AU Summits” encouraged students to study African countries beyond Nigeria, fostering pan-African consciousness. He later extended this initiative to secondary schools as simulations of the African Union from 2003 to date in Nigeria. These simulations teams also staged performances at Nairobi and the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Literary Contributions:
A prolific writer, Oculi’s works, including Orphan (1968), Prostitute (1968), Kanta Riti (1973), Malak (1976), Kookolem (1978), Nigerian Alternatives (1987), Discourses on African Affairs (1997), Song for the Sun in Us; Orphan 2;1 and Banana Man (2024), blended satire, folklore, and socio-political critique, capturing the struggles and aspirations of post-independence Africa. His writing championed African values and critiqued European imitations.
Pan-African Advocacy:
A committed pan-Africanist, Oculi worked tirelessly to promote African unity. In the last six months of his life, he focused on a book project about Diallo Telli, the first Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and sought to establish a Diallo Telli Prize for African diplomats, seeking support from the Dangote Foundation.
Journalistic Impact:
As a member of the Daily Trust Editorial Board for nearly a decade, he enriched discussions on African issues. He was instrumental in the Daily Trust’s “African of the Year” project, notably recognizing Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege. He contributed articles to international and Nigerian publications, including West Africa, Le Monde Diplomatique, The Guardian, and Vanguard. He played a role as a member of the editorial board of ThisDay and was currently a weekly contributing writer on their opinion page.
Cultural and Social Engagement:
Known for his vibrant personality, Oculi was a regular at intellectual gatherings, sharing his love for African culture, music, and cartoons. His home in Nigeria, shared with his wife Debrah and son Sembene including Sophie and Bashir, was a hub for pan-African dialogue.
Tributes and Legacy
Professor Oculi’s passing has left a void in the African intellectual community. Colleagues like Yusuf Bangura described him as “a scholar who lived and breathed Africa,” while Is’haq Modibbo Kawu called him “a pan-Africanist asteroid” whose contributions illuminated the continent’s potential. His commitment to decolonizing African knowledge systems and fostering unity resonated globally, earning him admiration from the late Prof. Ali Mazrui, with whom he shared a passion for pan-Africanism and literary pursuits. The family encourages all who knew Professor Oculi to share tributes, stories, and reflections to celebrate his life. These are being creatively compiled into a memorial collection to honor his legacy.
Deadline for Tributes: Tributes to Professor Oculi can be submitted via email to sysoculi@gmail.com, emmhu@yahoo.com or through the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgahEueoPF6O38a1KsGsRo379HjlMuuBrnkK8DCf2K3-vZAw/viewform?usp=header
by Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
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Ajia: Tunji Disu’s Leadership Offers Hope for Tackling Insecurity
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Dan Amanan Fune Emirate of Yobe State and Nwanne Ukwu Di Na Mba of Amaba-Ukwu Item in Abia State, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, Ph.D, has congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, describing his appointment as well deserved and timely for Nigeria’s security challenges. js">
Ajia also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called a bold and thoughtful decision in appointing a highly experienced and celebrated police officer to lead the nation’s police force.
In a statement signed by his Director of Communications, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday , Ajia praised Disu’s impressive educational background, professional training and operational experience, noting that Nigeria and Nigerians are fortunate to have him at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force at this critical time.
According to Ajia, the new IGP has built a reputation for professionalism, discipline and dedication to duty, qualities he said are necessary to reposition the police and strengthen internal security across the country.
He noted that the appointment has raised renewed hope that the country can decisively confront insecurity, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry if the police leadership fully deploys its experience, training and operational capacity.
Ajia, a celebrated retired Police Officer, however, advised the new police chief to prioritise the welfare and concerns of officers and men particularly the rank and file who carry out the bulk of policing duties across the country. He stressed that listening to their “yearnings and cries” would significantly improve their morale and operational effectiveness.
He urged the new IGP to see to the end of final exit from the Pencom system to an improved police pension system . Also to address structural imbalances within the force, particularly the growing disparity between senior officers and the rank-and-file personnel who are responsible for frontline policing.
According to him, the police system must return to a proper pyramidal structure that allows for balanced growth, professionalism and efficiency.
The security expert further called for the recruitment of more rank-and-file officers to strengthen community-level policing, noting that the current structure has too many officers in higher ranks while the operational base remains understaffed. He encouraged the new police boss to ensure that recruitment becomes a real and transparent exercise rather than routine announcements.
On welfare, Ajia urged the police leadership to work towards the realignment of police salaries with those of other internal security agencies. He recalled that approval had been granted during the administration of president Goodluck Jonathan but requires only full implementation.
He also advised the new IGP to work closely with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund to ensure that projects and interventions are based strictly on the operational needs assessment of the force . According to him, the National Assembly should also strengthen the legal framework guiding the Trust Fund so that it functions purely as a professional support institution rather than a political structure.
Fune Emirate title holder emphasised that with the establishment of the Trust Fund, funding for policing in Nigeria should no longer be a major challenge if properly managed.
Speaking on insecurity, he expressed confidence that Nigeria can significantly reduce insurgency, kidnapping and banditry if the police rise fully to the responsibility of internal security. He urged Disu to deploy his experience, networks and training to confront criminality decisively.
He also recommended the establishment of a special force counter-terrorism unit within the police, stressing that the Nigeria Police already possesses a model that can be strengthened into an effective national response unit for violent crimes
Ajia concluded that Nigerians are optimistic about the future of policing under Disu’s leadership and expressed confidence that with courage, strategic reforms and commitment to officers’ welfare, the new Inspector-General of police will leave a lasting legacy in the nation’s security system.
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Rev. Fr. Barkindo of the Kukah Centres highlights 2 points to tackle insecurity, at the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Centre Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the National Peace Committee has identified two cogent points to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
He revealed this during the 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for the Nation, presented by Ashraaf Islamic Foundation in Abuja, Nigeria.
While answering questions from journalists at the event, Rev Fr. Barkindo highlights misrepresentation of religion as the first problem.
He said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“If you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
He further revealed that education is the second key element in the equation.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”, he continued.
While reacting to questions on why he is part of Muslim gathering, he said, “God is God, where are the human beings trying to make distinction, God has absolutely no problem.”
“The Christians are fasting, Muslims are fasting, there is nothing wrong for me to come and grow from the Islamic perspective. If I get to heaven and there is no Christianity, I have Islam, I will enter heaven; If I get to heaven and there is no Islam, I have Christianity, I will enter heaven; so, I am pretty very much okay with it.”
“My biggest interest was actually to look at the Islamic jurisprudence, either supporting or making illegitimate terrorist activities in this country. Does Islam support terrorism through jihad or does Islam prohibit terrorism and condemn jihad rather than personal effort and I think for me this is really an interesting aspect and I think this will afford the government in developing some very strong strategic policies recommendation from lectures of this nature.”
“To see how they can work with religious leaders particularly Islamic groups in supporting the justice system, the judicial processes that will hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.”
“And at the same time, what sort of mediation, conflict resolution, reconciliation platform can communities create in their local area in order to mitigate the violence across this country.”
“We don’t have to wait for another country to come into Nigeria and tell us what is happening. We can all see for ourselves. It’s not Christians, it’s not Muslims, Nigerians are dying literally from every part of this country; in Sokoto, in Zamfara, in Katsina, in Benue, in Plateau, in Adamawa, Christians, Muslims, atheist; at the end of the day, Nigerians are dying.”
“And I think for me we should look at it from that perspective. Death is about Christians or Muslims. It is about the fact that Nigerian citizens are being killed and what can we do to stop the killing together?”.
The Ashraaf Islamic Foundation is always striving to tackle the socio-economic problem bedeviling the nation with its Annual Ramadan Lecture and Maolid Nabiyy. This year edition of the Annual Ramadan Lecture had gathered notable Nigerians focusing on the Islamic perspective on banditry and terrorism with theme “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria.”
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Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Tackles Insecurity with 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Many people, especially Nigerians were not happy when on October 31st, 2025, the United States of America led by Donald Trump had again designated Nigeria a country of particular Concern (CPC), citing severe systemic and ongoing violation of religious freedom. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
This is because Nigeria insiders know that impact of insecurity in Nigeria does not only affect a particular religion or sect or tribe or state as claimed by outsiders. The version of insecurity that Nigeria as a nation is currently experiencing has recorded significant blow to properties and loss of lives to Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and atheists alike; from the northern, southern, eastern, western and even the middle-belt parts of the country. So, concluding that a particular religion, sect or tribe is being targeted at might revealed that such does not actually understand the true nature of insecurity in Nigeria.
Notable among those that truly understand the real calculus of insecurity in Nigeria is the Founder/Chairman, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan. So, it is not surprising that the 9th edition of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation’s Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for The Nation focused on assisting the government in tackling insecurity by bringing stakeholders together under one roof of discussion so as to channel a course of action for the nation.
This year Ramadan Lecture which theme is “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria” gathered stakeholders from across the board; the judiciary, the executive and the legislative arms of government; religious leaders, politicians, business moguls among other notable Nigerians.
Those that speak with journalists among guest speakers at the event expressed enthusiasm hoping that outcome of the event will boost the fight against terrorism and banditry in no small measure.
Salisu Abubakar representing the grand cardy of the sharia court of appeal of FCT, Abuja while interacting with journalists at the event said, “the grand cardy had wanted to attend however, other engagement prevented him from doing so. And he sends his appreciation and congratulations to the organizer, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, especially for coming up with a very timely topic on the issue of Islamic judicial perspective on terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.”
“This topic could not have come at a better time than now especially considering what the country is with lately presenting, Nigeria has been designated as a country of a particular concern by the United State of America.”, he continued.
“It is our belief that Islam has provided solution and prescription on how to fight terrorism and banditry. Allah clearly says in the Holy Quran in chapter 5, verse 33 on how bandits and terrorists should be dealt with. Incidentally and fortunately the terrorism prohibition acts in Nigeria has borrowed a leaf from most of the punishment prescribed in the Quran. So, what is left is the will to prosecute bandits and terrorists.”
“All hands must be on deck, the judiciary, the executive and the legislature to see to the end of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.”, he charges.
“Fortunately, the organizer is able to empanel the right stakeholders to this program, the representative of Mr. president, the person of honourable minister of state for health and social welfare was here; a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria is here and the judiciary is represented by us.”
“So, all the three arms of government are here and we hope that this program will come up with solutions on how to implement the laws that we already have; both in the Quran and the Nigeria constitution and other relevant legislation
Also, a security expert and politician, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Ajia commending the organizer of the Annual Ramadan Lecture event while emphasizing its importance to the modern-day challenges bedeviling us as a nation said, “I must say to you that this Ramadan Lecture is a very unique one, the topic borders about typical issue that is confronting our nation.”
“The guest lecturers and all the speakers are looking at the perspective on how to assist the country in tackling the problems of insurgence, kidnapping and all sort of senseless killing that is going on across Nigeria. And from here today, we are going to deduce that if you go back to faith, if you go back to Islamic perspective on dealing with high level of crime, I can tell you the society will be free of such heinous crimes.”
While proffering solutions to the insecurity, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the national Peace Committee highlights two cogent points as a take-home if we must get it right about the insecurity.
Fr. Barkindo said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“if you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job, they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”
All hands must be on deck so as to see to the end of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Imam Aliagan, the visionary founder of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, has continuously worked towards educating and awakening the consciousness of Muslims and non-Muslims alike on topical issues of national concern. For years, his efforts have been showcased during the Annual celebration of his Foundation’s Maolid Nabiyy and Special Ramadan lectures and prayers.
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