Nigerian author, Ben Okri, to be honoured by South African university

Ben Okri, a renowned Nigerian author, will receive an honorary doctorate at the University of Pretoria’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony in South Africa on Friday, the university has said.

In a statement, the University Council said, "Okri is being honoured on the grounds of his being a widely recognised, international writer and scholar whose outstanding contributions to contemporary world literature dare not go unnoticed."

As a foremost literary author, Okri has authored nine novels, the third of which, The Famished Road, won the Booker prize in 1991.

In addition to these novels, he has published nine volumes and collections of essays, poetry and short stories.

Widely regarded as one of the best writers of the 20th and 21st centuries, Okri was born in Nigeria and spent his early childhood in London before returning to his native land.

His works are heavily influenced by Nigerian mythology and culture, as well as the devastating effects of the Biafran War.

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