And so poets too die young

The performer who hailed from Enugu was involved in a fatal accident on her way to Abuja Friday March 16th. Ironically, Ify, author of ‘Now that Dreams are Born’ was the only fatality in the accident involving the mini bus in which she had been travelling. Her nine-month old son with whom she had been […]

The performer who hailed from Enugu was involved in a fatal accident on her way to Abuja Friday March 16th.

Ironically, Ify, author of ‘Now that Dreams are Born’ was the only fatality in the accident involving the mini bus in which she had been travelling. Her nine-month old son with whom she had been travelling sustained minor injuries.

Ify Agwu Omalicha had made a stunning appearance in Abuja last year when she was hosted by the Abuja Writers’ Forum. Her performance, in which she showcased her impressive stage performance and poetic skills, left a lasting impression.

Writers have been taking to Facebook and other social media to express their shock and condolence over the performer’s sudden demise. In Ibadan, where the poet had been based –she teaches dance and choreography at the University of Ibadan – news of her death was received with shock and a candle light vigil was held in her honour.

Ify had been involved in several stage productions including A Restless Run Of Locust by Femi Osofisan;  All For Oil by J.P Clark-Bekederemo – produced and directed by Prof. Dapo Adelugba; Hallowed Scream  by Don Pedro Obaseki; Speaking Back, a musical-cum-dance drama written by Tony Marinho and choreographed by Chukwuma Okoye and Voyage Around Isara, another adapted work by Femi Osofisan from Wole Soyinka’s novel, Isara.

She had been scheduled to perform at the Black Heritage Festival before her death, which has left a lingering cloud of grief looming over the arts community.