A renowned literary scholar, Emeritus Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, will be laid to rest in Ibadan on March 4, his family has announced.

Jeyifo, the pioneer President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), was described as the Olori Ebi (family head) of the Jeyifous family of Oke-Bola, Ibadan.

He was born on 5 January 1946 and died on 11 February, aged 80.

He is survived by his children, Okunola, Lekan, and Ayoka.

According to an obituary notice posted by Prof. Okunola Jeyifous on behalf of the family, funeral rites will begin on Tuesday, 3 March, with an evening of tributes at 4.00 p.m. at Omolayole Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

On Wednesday, 4 March, a lying-in-state will take place first at TOS funeral homes, Ibadan, from 9.00-10.00 am and later at the deceased’s residence at Oke-Bola, Ibadan, from 11.00 a.m – 12noon.

Interment is scheduled to be held the same day at the Anglican cemetery, St. James The Great Cathedral Burial Ground, Ijokodo, Ibadan, at 1.00 p.m.

Jeyifo graduated with a first-class degree in English from the University of Ibadan in 1970.

He earned a Master’s degree from the same institution in 1973 and a doctorate from New York University in 1975.

He taught for many years at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, which later awarded him a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa).

His academic c’reer later took him to the United States, where he held senior appointments at Cornell University and Harvard University. He served as Emeritus Professor of African and African American Studies and of Comparative Literature until his death. (The Nation)