The Sun News On-line

Nigerian born globally acclaimed mathematician, Professor Chike Obi (CON) is dead. He passed on yesterday morning at the age of 87. Dependable family sources told Daily Sun in Onitsha that following a directive from his younger brother, Obi’s remains had been deposited at the Interlab Hospital mortuary, Onitsha, while the family would soon meet to finalise arrangements on the burial.

Obi, who hailed from the popular Obieze Oba family of Ogboli Olosi quarters in the town, was a member of the prestigious Agabalanze Society of Onitsha and held the chieftaincy title of Nnabuenyi.
Anambra State governor, Peter Obi expressed shock over the demise of the elder statesman. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mike Udah in a telephone chat with Daily Sun, the governor said he was sad at the loss of the late icon, more so when only recently a standby electricity generating set was donated to him while he equally placed him on monthly stipend.

Born on April 7, 1921, Prof. Obi had his early education at Christ the King College, Onitsha and the Yaba Higher College, Lagos in the early 1940s. In 1946, he bagged a degree in Mathematics from the University of London as an external student. Prof. Obi had his postgraduate studies variously at the University of Cambridge UK and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

He began his academic career as lecturer at the University of Ibadan in 1959, and later moved to the University of Lagos where he became a Professor of Mathematics in 1971. He rose to the position of Dean, School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the university. And on his retirement in 1985, Obi was appointed Emeritus Professor by the University of Lagos.

Besides his academic excellence, Obi was also a colourful politician in his lifetime. Between 1951 and 1966, he was the founder and leader of the Dynamic Party. He also represented Onitsha urban in the Federal Parliament Forum 1960 to 1961. and was also a member of the Eastern Region House of Assembly from 1961 to 1966. He served the Federal Government in several capacities, especially the National Revenue Mobilization Commission during the military era.
For his meritorious service to Nigeria, Obi was conferred with the national honour, Commander of the Order of Niger (CON)