Renowned literati and a retired Professor of English and English Literature, Prof. Olu David Olagoke has passed away at the age of 88 years.
Olagoke, a former Dean of Faculty of Arts, Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti (OSUA), was said to have breathed his last at his country home, Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Ekiti state, on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Olagoke became popular through one of the books he authored, ‘The Incorruptible Judge’.
Born on January 22, 1934, Olagoke began formal education at Methodist Boys’High School, Lagos, between year 1945 to year 1950.
He moved shortly to attend University College, Ibadan, 1954-57 and then went further to study abroad at Institute of Education, University of London, 1957-58, University of Colchester, Essex, 1967-68; and University of London, 1983-85.
Olagoke had a wonderful career life. He got his first job in 1958 when he was appointed and served as Education Officer at King’s College, Lagos, a position he held till 1960 before he became the Principal of Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, between 1961 to 1968.
He was later appointed Lecturer II/I, University of Lagos, 1968-76; Senior Lecturer, 1976-84; Associate Professor of English University of Lagos, 1984-87; Professor of English and Dean of Arts, Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti November 1987 and retired in 2004.
Olagoke who was a Longman Research Fellow, University College, London University, 1973-74 authored many plays including ; The Incorruptible Judge, Longman, Evans, 1962; Irokoman and the Woodcaver, London, Evans, 1963; Hakimu Nwadilifu, A Swahili translation of the Incorruptible Judge, Evans; and Death in the Forest, University Press, Ibadan, 1983.
He was married to Patricia Olajumoke Ayeni in 1960 and the union was blessed with three sons and two daughters.
His final rites of passage will be announced later by the family.
