Popular Nigerian novelist and playwright, Mabel Dorothy Segun has passed on at the age of 95.
A statement by the deceased’s family revealed that she died in the early hours of Thursday.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well spent in the pursuit of excellence in Literature, Broadcasting and Sports that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun (nee Aig-Imoukhuede)” the statement read.
She is survived by her son, Gbenga Seun, Daughter, Omowunmi Segun and her grandchildren.
Born in Ondo Town, Segun had her secondary school education at CMS Girls’ School Lagos. She graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1953 with a degree in English, Latin and History.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Segun was also an accomplished athlete. She excelled in table tennis, earning the University of Ibadan’s Table Tennis Half Colour, and won a gold medal in the doubles category in 1954.
Her first book, My Father’s Daughter, published in 1965, had been widely used as a literature text in schools all over the world, and her books have been translated into German, Danish, Norwegian and Greek
She was a teacher, broadcaster, and a sportswoman