The George Padmore Institute are saddened to learn the news of Bankole Omotoso’s passing. Kole (as he was known) and his children, Akin, Pelayo and Yewande, were frequent visitors to London, where they often stayed with their close friends, our founders, the late John La Rose and Sarah White. Our condolences are with Kole's friends and family at this time.
Kole’s passing is a great loss to the African literary and academic community. Born in April 1943, Kole commenced his secondary education at King's College, Lagos, and subsequently pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Ibadan. He would go on to obtain his doctoral degree from the University of Edinburgh, with his dissertation focusing on the Arabic writer Ahmad Ba Kathir. Working at numerous universities, he ended his academic career in 2017 when he retired from Elizade University.
Kole was a good friend of John La Rose and worked closely with him throughout the International Book Fairs of Radical Black and Third World Books (1982-1995), holding panel discussions and prose readings throughout the duration of the Book Fairs. Kole also features in both the first and second John La Rose memorial lectures.
The GPI is an independent charity (1003001), it is not associated with any other organisation. We rely on grants and individual donations to continue to preserve and make available the stories of many black and Asian communities. See details below for ways to make a donation.
PayPal
Pay via PayPal to the account info@georgepadmoreinstitute.org
Bank transfer
CAF Bank Account:
Sort Code: 40 52 40
Account No: 00035060
Email info@georgepadmoreinstitute.org to confirm bank transfer.
Cheques
Make out a cheque to George Padmore Institute and post to: 76 Stroud Green Road, London N4 3EN.
.png)