A former Astronomy Columnist & Freelance Features Writer for The Guardian, Prof J.K. Obatala, has passed on at the age of 81.

The astronomy writer, who would have clocked 82 years in December 2026, contributed to The Guardian for 28 years (1989-2017) and was also a Consultant and Features Editor at The Niger Delta Standard (Port Harcourt, now defunct) from 2005 to 2010.

He was an External Advisor to the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta State; public lecturer, archaeoastronomical researcher for Cross River State Tourism Bureau; External Advisor to National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA), and former Contributor in The Vanguard.

He had his astronomy column on Thursdays in the “Science” section of The Guardian for 16 years.

He was also the first black man, on either side of the Atlantic, to write such a column — which drew heavily both from his academic training in Africa Area Studies and also four decades of his experience as an Amateur Astronomer (Naked Eye).

He conducted archaeoastronomical research for Cross River State Tourism Bureau for six years.

Obatala was Palace Secretary to Ogiame Atuwatse II, the late Olu of Warri (in charge of Public Relations and Protocol) for five years and the first and only non-Itsekiri to hold that position.

He also worked as Features Writer for The Observer (Benin City) for five years, Assistant Editor and Staff Writer,
“Opinion Section” of The Los Angeles Times (1974-76) and sat on the Editorial Board from time to time by invitation—first Black man to do so.