Osita, the only child of renowned novelist and administrator, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, who is now a traditional ruler, Ikelionwu of Ndikelionwu, Anambra State, speaks to EMMANUEL OBE about his father
What memories of growing up with your father can you recall?
I only have vague memories of our stay at Stanford University, where I first went to school before the Nigerian Civil War, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I also have vague childhood memories of Biafra, including the birth and death of my younger brother. I had a brief stint at the Central School, Ndikelionwu, established around 1946 and which is still going strong. My parents have always loved reading and music. Vacations were part of the annual itinerary, no matter where we lived. Plenty work must be followed by a break. We always had a pet dog. I once had 11 dogs at my home in Lagos. My father was already a renowned author in my childhood days. My parents love music. My father used to play the piano, which he brought back from Ghana with him.
What kind of father was Prof. Ike to his children?
Chukwuemeka Ike has always been a man of integrity, clear principles and sustainable Christian values. Integrity makes you reliable, dependable, trustworthy and comfortable to be with. His word is worth more than gold. Papa Nnukwu (the Big Father), as he is fondly called, is also a brilliant, but humble, self-effacing gentleman. His humility is infectious. Dad has been an unending blessing and an eternally loved and beloved father, grandfather, friend and mentor. Personally, my father as my friend is essential. If more parents were truly friends of their children, they would not be looking for cults outside to provide familial love and support.
As an only child, weren’t your parents too soft on you?
A slight correction, I am the sole surviving biological child of four sons God blessed my dear parents with. My grandfather, Mazi Charles Chinwuba Ike, was a teacher, church-man and was strict, honest, principled and firm. His two sons and four daughters, Winifred, Chukwuemeka, Joy, Mercy, Emmanuel and Ada, who are all still living, imbibed and practiced what they learned with pride. Their offsprings are all blessed. To the credit of my parents, by age 11 when I went to boarding secondary school, I was so grounded in who I was, where I was from and where I was going. Cults were never in my purview. Hemp, cocaine, rape, homosexuality were never of interest to me. My mother talked straight up with me on sex and its consequences, respect for the dignity of all, especially girls and this has been a life-long conversation.
How did he enforce discipline?
My dad never used the cane. His words and facial expression did it for him. It was my mother that had the gift for the creative use of koboko, without which I would have been a nuisance.
How often did he take his family out?
Daddy loved and loves the good life. We ate well at home. We occasionally dined out at varying specialty restaurants at home and abroad. You could call him an epicurean. He also enjoyed his wines, cognacs and other sip-sip delights, if I may call them that. I learnt the use of chop sticks from my dad. We still have a photograph of dad doing the Tiniklin Dance on a visit to Manila in the Philippines early in the 1970s. We travelled to various countries on holidays, almost like going on cultural pilgrimage. He has always been a citizen of the world. When my grades were below expectations, they would leave me behind in Nigeria while they went off to Europe on vacation. You had to earn your fringe benefits. So, I laugh when people suggest that any child of Prof. Ike could ever be spoilt.
How does he relax when he is at home?
Leisure for him includes reading, writing, music and watching TV sparingly. Sadly, with the state of our country, he can no longer stroll around in some places like he used to, especially after two kidnap attempts and an assassination threat that fortunately got nipped in the bud by security agencies. It is so sad to see what the serene, lovely country of my childhood has been turned into, by visionless and corrupt politicians.
What are the values you imbibed from him?
Integrity and dedication are the values people feel I have taken from my dad. Some say I am hot- headed and wonder if he was like me in his youth. Tongue-in-cheek, I remind some that for five years, I was an army cadet at King’s College, successfully overthrowing the recalcitrant ommandant Princewill in a ‘bloodless coup’ in 1980, and becoming the most vibrant commandant. Lieutenant Osita Ike of the decade, and the only successful ‘coupist’ in the history of King’s College since it was founded in 1909. There would certainly be some chemical left in my brain after all that.
How has his name opened doors for you?
We are not a family of name-droppers. Dad believes in individual achievement. He will rarely give you a note to any one or make a phone call to ask a favour for you. Indeed, there were times when it seemed a great disadvantage to be his son. People placed obstacles in my way because they either wrongly believed I was privileged or felt my father ought to have sought their assistance and felt slighted that he did not do so. In many places, I went in unannounced, no title, sometimes using one of my other less known names. I still do that, keeping a very low profile. I let my work speak for itself and get most jobs from referrals.
How did he handle misunderstandings with your mother?
My late grandmother, Madam Dinah Ike’s words, would suffice in answering your question. I was about 18, on holiday at Ndike, when Mama Nnukwu (grandmother), who was very fond of me, said in not so many words, “Your mother is a wonderful woman, a blessing to us. We named her Ife N’gosi which means, ‘Pattern’ because she is the living example of the ideal Christian woman. When I visited your parents at Nsukka, I would sense there was a problem and I asked, ‘Bimpe my daughter, what is the matter?’ She would say nothing was the matter. She never complained, never reported her husband to anyone. My son never complained about his wife too.” Like our grandma, we never saw mum and dad quarrel. There were no shouting matches, and definitely no threat of any physical violence. An amazing, blessed couple indeed, in spite of challenges over the years. Now married for 55 years and waxing stronger, God has remained their rock and refuge.
What impression of him do you have, having read his works like Bottled Leopard, Naked Gods, Expo ‘77 and Our Children are Coming?
A child does not really form impressions of a parent from the creative work of the parents. Chukwuemeka Ike, the author, is an international brand, because he writes unforgettable novels, with characters that spring out of the pages at you. He is the iconic wordsmith, anointed with the gift of writing well. His books have sold millions of copies across the world, with his novels in English, French and Igbo loved in equal measure. Any child would respect such phenomenal achievement. I certainly was inspired as well. I was anointed with a flair for poetry, and I have also written and published short stories. My career includes about three years as a full time journalist and 20 or more years as contributing editor, guest columnist and freelancer, so I have written more essays, articles, reports, photo stories and features than I have written poems. My father’s only published anthology of short stories, titled The Accra Riviera, was published by Oyster, my company.
Which of his works are your favourites, and why?
The Potter’s Wheel was dedicated to me. I guess that should make it my favourite book of his. What I have found, however, is that his various books appeal to people for various reasons. Fortunately, many of his readers have many favourites among the large body of writing he has done. I like that.
How come you did not take to the academia and writing, since your parents are academics?
My parents were really not academics. They taught at secondary and tertiary levels at various times, but had other primary and most fulfilling careers that they rose to the top of. Remember that dad was Assistant Registrar at the University in Ibadan, before moving to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as Deputy Registrar, then first Nigerian Registrar of UNN. He moved on to Ghana as Registrar and CEO of the multinational West African Examinations Council, WAEC. Mum was Deputy Librarian at UNN, worked at The Ghana Library Board in Accra before returning to Nigeria to join the University of Lagos Library. She went on to become the pioneer University Librarian and Dean of Students when the new federal university opened in Bauchi. Even when she was Visiting Professor in Librarianship, at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka for over 10 years, Prof. Adebimpe Ike was also the National Coordinator of the National Documentation Centre for Sciences and Technology with nodal centres in federal universities across Nigeria. Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike’s last full time academic engagement was as Visiting Professor in English at the University of Jos up till 1985/86.
Who are your father’s friends?
Chief Chike C. Momah was a year his senior at Government College, Umuahia and has been a friend, indeed brother ever since. Momah is also a successful author. Prof. Chinua Achebe was also more of a brother than friend and his death upset him a lot, for it was Achebe who encouraged him to write at Ibadan. The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who, like Ike, is also an alumnus of Stanford University, is also more of a younger brother than mere friend. Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Onyeabo Obi, Prof. Bede Okigbo, Prof. Ayo Banjo, Bishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe and a handful of other eminent persons have been lifelong friends.
What is his favourite meal?
It is difficult to say now. He loves fruits and vegetables and has a healthy, cultured dietary routine, whatever that means. He eats well, if I may put it that way.
Does he have any special mode of dressing?
Within the palace, dad is casually and comfortably dressed. As king, he wears robes essentially the long Uwe, the regal Igbo jumper, made of choice fabrics including hand woven Akwete. The crown or beaded cap is worn, depending on the occasion. The other royal ornaments are worn too.
What is his schedule like?
It is hectic to be frank. Some days, he is up writing by 5am.Community service and palace duties are combined with service as President of the Nigerian Book Foundation and other state functions. It can be quite a mix. But he takes it all in his stride.
How close are you to him?
We are pretty close now. He is also a great father, grandfather and uncle. So, lots of people love to spend time with him as their mentor. I also assist him, quietly overseeing duties of Chief of Staff at the palace. Fortunately, I have completed my assignment as 1st Vice President-General of Ndike Welfare Association and there is a new, effective Chairman of the Culture Committee, which organises our festivals. So I have time to face other duties.
How sociable is he?
I would describe His Majesty as sociable. He has excellent interpersonal communication skills. People tend linger in his presence. Others look forward to meeting the legend, the literary icon, the elder statesman with absolutely no blemish on his public service records. He is seen as a fountain of wisdom and wit. However, I suspect your question really is whether he is a socialite. The answer is a capital no. For instance, he took on membership of the Ikoyi Club 1938 in the 1970’s largely on my account. I do not think he went there more than three times. You would never have found him at a beer parlour, even as a young man. One also would not find him at an owambe, and definitely, one would not find him ‘spraying’ money. Disciplined, prudent, privately philanthropic and reserved; that is our dear father whom we love and respect.
Does he encourage you to be a writer too?
The encouragement was subtle. I believe parents, like government, should create a conducive, enabling environment in which their children would thrive, blossom and grow. Love is an essential ingredient and truth engenders peace. Children can be offered options and should be left to make their choices, based on individual passion and capacity. I thank my parents for doing just that.
Do you think he made a good decision to become a traditional ruler, considering his academic and religious background?
God actually made the decision. I do not want to sound impetuous or act like the undesirable Nigerian politician. When he was asked to become King, His Majesty encouraged the Ike Royal Family to consult extensively and this took about two years. While consultations went on, our nuclear family prayed and fasted at different times, while Prof. went on with his normal life. Prayers continued and certain signs gradually indicated that God endorsed the decision. Of greater importance were signs and good omens that were an indication that God would empower His Majesty to serve successfully as a Christian King, in the manner of the great kings in the bible who walked in the light of God. Ndikelionwu is much better today for this. In every assignment, there will be challenges. With Almighty God, intended stumbling blocks are turned into steps leading up to great achievements.
Are there challenges you face as son to a distinguished don?
No problem for me at all. I have never had a chip on my shoulder or felt threatened by his international success and global stature. We were taught contentment and confidence in ourselves. Everyone was created for a purpose, some for big roles and others for small support roles. Some cut their teeth in small roles and are promoted to the big stage. God has the master plan and all things work for good. Integrity, contentment and fulfilment are principles we imbibed at a tender age. These are the same principles my children are beginning to exhibit.
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