Reactions have continued to trail the demise of an Iroko of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the school of General studies in the University of Nigeria, Prof Miriam Ikejiani-Clark. Former Vice President of the federal republic Atiku Abubakar yesterday joined several Nigerians to mourn the death of the former Minister of State for FCT who died on Thursday 22 september 2011 at National Hospital Abuja. In a condolence message yesterday, former Vice-President Abubakar described Professor Ikejiani-Clark as “an intellectual colossus whose demise is not only a loss to the intellectual community but also to Nigeria at large”.
Atiku in a condolence message issued by his media office in Abuja also added that “the late Ikejiani-Clark was like a tall tree now missing in the forest of knowledge”.
Describing her as an accomplished intellectual, Atiku recalled her single-handed efforts as Dean of Social Sciences, through alumni groups of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), to rebuild and re-equip the Faculty of Social Sciences of the institution to the envy of others Institutions.
He explained that “while she served as a former Minister of State in the FCT during the General Sani Abacha administration, the late Professor Ikejiani-Clark made herself respected and recognised because of the sheer intellectual arsenal and intimidating experience she brought to bear on her job.
According to Atiku, “because of her intellectual credentials, she never felt intimidated by a male-dominated society”, stressing that “in her life time, she made women believe in themselves and push themselves to the highest levels opportunities could take them, if they dared to strive and be noticed”.
In his own condolence message, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State said: “The people of Anambra State and I are grief-stricken at the death of our illustrious daughter and sister, Prof Miriam Ikejiani-Clark. Her contributions to education and governance are not in doubt. While she was alive, she was our worthy Ambassador and she shall be missed by all, especially those of us in Anambra State. May God grant her soul eternal rest.”
Amongst other notable Nigerians that have commiserated with the family of the deceased is Eze Nwosu Ibe, theEze Ndigbo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who noted that the former minister dedicated her life to the service of humanity, especially those who have nobody to speak for them. He also said “While I wish God to accept her soul in heaven, I must not fail to add that Ndigbo in the FCT will continue to miss her and that the vacuum she has created will remain unfilled for a long time to come”
The University of Nigeria community also is still in a state of shock as the news of the death of madam clark who is so dear to her students became the talk on the lips of all students and members of staff in the school.
May God grant her family, and The University of Nigeria, Nsukka community the fortitude to bear the colossal loss, and may her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen