I have only one of his books on my shelves. A book surrounded by other books on Nigerian history, or to be more to the point: Nigerian Churchhistory.   

It was published in 1965 and I bought it 22 years later on the other side of the continent. He wrote about “Christian Missions in Nigeria 1841 – 1891”. One of the main character in this book is the famous Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican bishop. Crowther was a former slave.

Crowther is my favourite Nigerian. And in Africa probably second place after the other famous man Saint Augustine (Austin), who was born and lived in and died in present-day Algeria. 

I did not know Ajayi wrote a book on Crowther, but now I know, thanks to this obituary. The search for this book will be on.