Tribute to dele jegede @80
By Mudiare Onobrakpeya
WRITING about Dr. dele jegede brings back a wave of memories, of conversations, encounters, and quiet reflections over the span of more than four decades. His life has been a remarkable journey marked by passion, purpose, and a fierce commitment to the power of art and scholarship. jegede has never merely existed within the art world; he has helped shape it, challenge it, and elevate it with every brushstroke, cartoon panel, and published line.
I first encountered him during my undergraduate days at the University of Lagos. He was part of a vibrant circle at the Centre for Cultural Studies, under the pioneering guidance of Professor Ebun Clark. It was a fertile period, and jegede stood out—not just because of his wit and intellect, but because he genuinely believed that culture should inform and elevate everyday life. Together with people like Abayomi Barber, he helped to bring thoughtful, high-quality programming to the university community. Their work ignited minds and stirred imaginations. One of such that I remember was a retrospective on Demas Nwoko, and a week-long celebration of Herbert Ogunde.
Outside the university, his presence was equally profound. At Yaba College of Technology, jegede became not just a lecturer, but a mentor, a role model, and a custodian of excellence. Students admired him, colleagues respected him, and his reputation as both practitioner and scholar continued to grow. His cartoon work was biting and bold—speaking truth to power with humour and clarity. His paintings held a different kind of depth—reflective, layered, and rich with narrative. And then there were the essays, lectures, and curatorial work—each one contributing to the broader conversation on African modernism. I count myself fortunate not only to have known him personally, but also to be a proud collector of one of his paintings done in 1990, an oil on canvas piece that speaks volumes, both artistically and emotionally.
After his Sabbatical at Spelman College in Atlanta, jegede moved into American academia, taking up leadership roles at Indiana State University and later at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He embraced this new terrain with the same integrity and vision that marked his earlier years. Oxford, just outside of Cincinnati, became home—a familiar corner of the world to me as well, having lived in that city for many years. I take some comfort in knowing that he has settled into a community that allows him the quiet space to continue reflecting and creating.
Despite the miles between Nigeria and the US, jegede never turned his back on home. His scholarly work on Akinola Lasekan was not only timely—it was vital. And in editing Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Mask of the Flaming Arrows, he once again lent his voice to the documentation and interpretation of African art from within. His ability to move between worlds—geographically, intellectually, and artistically—is something few achieve with such grace and clarity.
As he celebrates his 80th birthday today, we honour not just a man, but a legacy. A legacy built on intellect, humour, and heart. May this milestone be filled with joy, and may the years ahead bring him continued health, inspiration, and the quiet satisfaction of a life well lived.
Adumadan in 2023: Bruce Onobrakpeya and dele jegede at the High Museum in Atlanta
