Renowned scholar and prolific author, Professor Balogun Odun, has passed away. He died on February 7, 2025, in the United States at the age of 78.

Born on April 21, 1946, in Iga Akoko, Ondo State, Professor Odun was a distinguished academic with a remarkable educational background. He attended St. Theresa’s Catholic Seminary (1960-1964), Loyola College, Agodi, Ibadan (1965), and earned his degree at Leningrad State University, USSR (1966-1973). He later pursued further studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA (1973-1977).

Professor Odun began his teaching career at the University of Benin (1977-1984), where he became an Associate Professor and Head of the English Department before relocating to the US.

He authored numerous books and scholarly works, including: Adjusted Lives, The Late Visitor (2009), Tradition and Modernity in the African Short Story, Ngugi: An African Post-Colonial Narrative, Place and Self-Identity in Black Literatures, The Call of the West and Mothers’ Mansion

His academic brilliance earned him several accolades, including the Fulbright Scholar Award (2012-2013) and the Delaware State University Award of Excellence.

Professor Odun is survived by his children, Temi, Nike, and Odun (Junior), all based in the US.

He will be laid to rest at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Camarillo, California, on February 14, 2025. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Vanguard)