‘One of the most brilliant minds’
(Trinidad Express) The world of academia was thrown into mourning following the death of former dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education and professor emeritus at The University of The West Indies (The UWI), St Augustine, Funso Aiyejina.
He died on Monday night at age 75.
Though born in Nigeria, Aiyejina has lived in T&T for the past 30 years and had integrated himself into indigenous culture and local art forms.
He was also a poet, short story writer and playwright. His collection of short fiction, The Legend of the Rockhills and Other Stories, won the 2000 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Best First Book (Africa).
In a phone interview on Monday, former UWI principal and former planning minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie expressed surprise at Aiyejina’s death. “I have known him for a long time. We had a good relationship. I thought he was too young to die,” he said.
Tewarie also noted the recent passing of Dr Lancelot Cowie, who was honorary professor attached to the Latin American programme at The UWI Institute of International Relations.
“I am sorry to see so many colleagues passing on. They have made their contribution. I am sure with more time they could have done more.
“Funso was a creative person. Besides teaching literature, he wrote. I am sure he has a lot of unfinished work. It’s a great loss,” he added.
UWI historian and founder of International Men’s Day Dr Jerome Teelucksingh described Aiyejina was one of the most brilliant minds in the field of literature.
“He brought his knowledge of literature from Nigeria and his other world experiences. He helped enhance the faculty. I think he also served in the Sports Academy.
“It meant his expertise, knowledge and training were used after retiring from UWI. I met him at Bocas Lit Fest about two months ago and he was looking fine. It’s sad. We have lost a fine gentleman and a scholar,” he said.
University of Trinidad and Tobago chairman Prof Clement Imbert told the Express he was very good friends with the late professor.
“I admired his work. Whenever we met, we would have a good chat. I liked his personality. He had a good personality. We would talk about literature, history and politics. A very nice man. I admired he was very much into Trinidad and Tobago culture. He died at a relatively young age.”
Aiyejina was also the co-facilitator of the Cropper Foundation Residential Writers Workshop.
When contacted, a member of the foundation said: “It’s sad. Our CEO (Omar Mohammed) is abroad. We are shocked. We extend condolences to his family.”
Aiyejina was also a founding member of the annual literary festival Bocas Lit Fest. In a release, the festival said the literary community was still reeling from the “devastating news” of the untimely passing of its former deputy festival director.
He was described as a “bridge” between the literary worlds of Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago.
“The sudden and unexpected death of Funso Aiyejina—writer, scholar and founding board member—is devastating news for the Bocas team and for many in Trinidad and Tobago’s and the Caribbean’s literary community. Funso was a loyal friend and steadfast partner, tireless in his contributions to our work and his many other interventions to promote literature in our region,” the release stated.
The release also described him as a beloved teacher and a scholarly authority on the work of Earl Lovelace.
“It was always a pleasure to be in his company, and we will miss him terribly. The Bocas team send their condolences to his wife and sons, his many friends, and all who were lucky to consider him a colleague and mentor,” the release added.
Several students whom he taught and mentored at The UWI, St Augustine, also expressed sadness at his passing.