Unabated fury of an ageing bard

Professor Osundare, left, with Professor Ayo Ogunkunle
at the event. Photo: Alolade Ganiyu.

Amidst the drums of his 60th birthday celebration last week, renowned teacher and poet, Professor Niyi Osundare’s anger with Nigeria resurfaced. Akintayo Abodunrin reports.

AGE has not tempered the bard’s anger. He is still angry as he was several years ago when he began his thought provoking commentaries on politics, human rights, social justice, culture and the economy through poetry.

At 60, Niyi Osundare, professor of English and renowned poet, is still angry with Nigeria. Last Wednesday at the grand finale of the five-day celebration organized by the Osundare @ 60 Committee in Africa, Europe and North America to celebrate his 60th birthday, ‘the poet of the market place’ showed that ageing has not diminished his anger over the prostrate state of the country.

Inside the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan, where the first part of the event comprising a public lecture, colloquium, and festival of life held, the ‘political’ poet declaimed unsavoury happenings in Nigeria in a passionate, angry manner. Beginning on a note of gratitude to members of the Osundare @ 60 Committee for the honour given to him from the commencement of the celebration on Saturday, Osundare said he had never seen a writer so honoured in the country. He thanked the University of Ibadan library for the exhibition mounted in his honour on Monday and confessed he was surprised out of his wits by the large turnout of students at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, his alma mater, during his interactive session with them on Tuesday.

The author of Eye of the Earth, confessed that the organizers blew his mind with the various events and that unlike a poet, he was short of words to express his gratitude. He thanked the audience made up of lecturers, students and the literatti for understanding his weakness but choosing to celebrate his virtues instead. “Thanks for accommodating me as a human”, he said.

Osundare, also, did not fail to acknowledge his parents and teachers for their roles in moulding his character. He said although his parents were not educated, they prioritized education and character He said they encouraged him to read, be sensible and to realize that character is beauty contrary to some Nigerian’s belief that money is beauty. The celebrant who stated further that he is the man he is because of the discipline his parents and teachers gave him restated his commitment to teaching and writing till death. He also affirmed his belief in the ability of the younger generation to lead Nigeria out of decadence and that for him, life begins at 60.

Osundare’s anger then erupted: “I won’t stop talking about Nigeria. In fact, I’m angrier than before. Nigeria has to be rebuilt. We live in rot. Our leaders have failed us but we are also at fault. One of the desiderata of humanity is the ability to think and act. We act, we don’t think and that is why our country is a country of post-mortems...

“Nigeria is rotten. The PTDF money has not been spent well. Our rulers have no sense of shame, this is why our country is the way it is. If it were another environment, the president and his vice would be facing trial, they should be in court,” he said.

Osundare also underscored the importance of having principles, saying lack of it contributed to Nigeria’s problems: “This country has too many people without convinctions and principles. We fall for anything and that’s why any fool would rule us in this country”.

He consequently explained that his quarrel with Nigeria is a lover’s quarrel, borne out of his desire for progress and growth. The same, he said applied to the University of Ibadan which he said “prepared and nurtured” him but which he had had cause to condemn in the past.

Saying that his anger with Nigeria has not subsided with age like people would expect, the Katrina survivor said “the day my anger goes, I’m dead”. Osundare then concluded his address the way he started. He thanked his “friendly conspirators”, Professor (Mrs) Pat Smith, who spearheaded the search for him after Katrina and the audience for being his clothes. He said the goodwill he received from associates after Katrina and the day’s event reinforced the meaning of a Yoruba poem “Eniyan laso mi” (People are my clothes) which he wrote in 1984. “With people like you, I can never grow cold”, he added before lapsing into Yoruba. “Omi o kin tan nile alakan, omi o kin tan lorun, nkan eye o ni tan lara yin”, meaning crab’s hole is never dry of water, heaven is never dry of water. “May honour always be your host” he prayed.

Earlier, the public lecture during which tributes were paid to the author of Songs of the Season, Tender Moments and others, began with a newcast by three children, echoing the essence of the gathering and gently chiding the culture of coming late to events which is peculiar to Nigerians. The newscast which also gamely mocked the grey hair of professors, wondered if it was a sign of poverty or reading too many books preceded the address from Vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, who chaired the lecture.

Represented by Professor Ayo Ogunkunle, deputy vice-chancellor (administration), Bamiro congratulated Osundare for attaining the age of 60. He said the celebrant had impacted lives positively and that his life was a challenge to others to do likewise.

The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor (Mrs) Aduke Adebayo, in her address, acknowledged Osundare’s scholarship, humane qualities, and commended him for being a good ambassador of UI. “He is our own literary icon, bred and nurtured in the Ibadan tradition of committed literature”, Adebayo said, adding that Osundare’s achievements encourage students in the faculty. “Our young ones are motivated by your achievements and this is important to us as we realise the need for worthy role models in our society”

Professor Lekan Oyeleye, head, Department of English, UI, also commended Osundare and his achievements. He said of the celebrant’s name. “It is a name that has come to be imprinted and etched in the soul of African literature. Beyond this, the daily accolades and recognition of this poet, internationally, point in the direction of an assured place in the canon of world literature”.

Oyeleye highlighted Osundare’s legacy to youths and his personable nature thus: “Osundare continues to be an inspiration to the literary community and the coming generation. Beyond his talent and knowledge of poetic craft, it is important to note that he has a deep sense of community” Dr. Stewart Brown, of the University of Birmingham, England, in a lecture he delivered at the occasion entitled “Imaginary Continent: Images of Africa in Modern British Poetry” said it would be foolish of him to tell the audience about African poetry which they know more than him.

Brown, who taught for several years at Bayero University, Kano, said although some British poets potray Africa as a dark continent in their poems, others who are enlightened do not. He listed three categories of British poets who write on Africa as tourist, traveller and troublemaker, and discussed the characteristics of each. He cited the poetry of Rudyard Kipling, Robert Gittings, John Pudney, Don Burness, John Haynes, Wendy Bishop, Tony Harrison, Landeg White and Femi Oyebode to discuss the categories.

Tributes to the celebrant continued after the introduction of Niyi Osundare Society (NOS), an initiative of the National Association of Students of English Studies (NASELS), UI chapter. The group’s spokesperson, Nur-d-din Busari, disclosed that the society is planning a creative writing competition tagged “Eye of the Earth Competition” in honour of the poet soon.

Osundare’s associates afterwards resumed commending the poet. Striking was the comment of a lecturer from the English department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who said Osundare was a stylistician of note, a linguist and professor of many colours apart from being a poet. Dr. Koyejo Oloso, recited an Arabic poem the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education read in honour of Nagouib Mahfouz, the Egyptian Nobel Laureate when he won the priceless literary prize. He rendered the Arabic version, then translated it thus. “The best of men, among all men is that man through whose work the whole of mankind is impacted”. The Ibadan Writers Club read a poem entitled “Katrina and other songs for Niyi at 60” and the Segun Adefila-led Crown Troupe of Africa entertained guests.

Praises for a governor

Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State receives encomiums at the presentation ceremony of two books written on him.

Governor Gbenga Daniel

AT the presentation of two books: I Serve, which he wrote himself and Daniel and The Spirit of Excellence , written by O.B.A. Obanla, Chief Gbenga Daniel, governor of Ogun State , was loudly applauded for being an achiever.

Held recently at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the presentation ceremony had in attendance Chief Ernest Shonekan, head of the Interim National Government, Prince Bola Ajibola, former president of the International Court of Justice and chairman of the Nigeria-Cameroun Mixed Boundary Commission, Erelu Olusola Obada, deputy governor of Osun State who stood in for her principal, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaja Salmat Badru, deputy governor of Ogun State, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, former Minister of Finance, Professor Biyi Afonja, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, Olorogun F.F. Kuku, Chief Femi Coker and Mrs. Lola Abiola Edewor.

Others at the event were the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, Olu of Ilaro, Oba Adekambi Tella, Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Chief Olatunde Abudu, Asiwaju S.K. Onafowokan, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Justice Oluremi Jacobs, Rt. Rev. Olusina Fape, Mr. Joseph Apapa, Ogun State Commissioner of Police and Dr. Olatunde Agbotan.

Also present at the ceremony were Professor F.A. Ogunye, who taught the governor at the University of Lagos, Chief (Mrs.) Moji Dokpesi, Chief Ogo-Oluwa Bankole, members of the Ogun State Executive Council and the state House of Assembly and people bearing goodwill who completely filled the hall and aisles to honour Daniel. Prince Bola Ajibola, chairman of the ceremony, who spoke after Mr. Kayode Samuel, Chief of Staff to the Governor who also doubles as the Ogun State Commissioner for Information had welcomed guests highlighted Daniel’s unique qualities.

Before Ajibola took the floor, Samuel explained that the gathering was “a little honour to recognise the huge contributions” of Daniel, the man, and not the governor. He said the objective of the two books is to popularise service, which is the gospel of Daniel. Mrs. Folake Marcus-Bello, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs later confirmed Samuel’s assertion when she affirmed that the event was to honour a man who has been diligent in every sphere of life.

According to her, the event was not to celebrate the governor, but “a man with a heart of gold always thinking of humanity, a man whose legacy to humanity is more vital to him than the perks of office.” She told those who would present the books to make their donations to the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF), an agency rendering social services which Daniel and Funke, his wife, established before he came into power.

Commending the governor, Ajibola said he is not a politician but a great statesman and that “History will have that in gold and it will be read from generation to generation”. He said Daniel’s blueprint for developing the state was what first caught his attention before he became governor and that he is happy that Daniel, who is also called OGD “came, saw and performed”.

The retired justice said it was Daniel’s performance and humility that endeared him to the people . “Daniel is a great performer, an achiever and one who has done it with absolute humility. We are not here because we are politicians, we’re realists. We are impressed, we are dazed and we will keep backing him all the time,” said the former Minister of Justice.

But Ajibola wasn’t done yet. He likened Daniel to the Biblical diligent man whose diligence took to the presence of great men, adding that he is a governor of governors. Ajibola’s exit line, which he said depicts the governor was John Wesley’s immortal “Do all the good you can/By all means you can/In all the places you can/At all the times you can/To all the people you can/As long as you ever can”.

Before the author of I Serve took the podium, the Awoist and social commentator, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, reviewed I Serve and Reverend Fape, reviewed Daniel and The Spirit of Excellence. Daniel, who patiently waited for the applause to quieten before speaking said the occassion was not one for speech making. He acknowledged those who worked with him on the book project and singled out Obanla, who wrote about him without meeting him; Babatope, whom he knew as a student at the University of Lagos and Reverend Fape who he described as a stickler for truth, for special commendation.

The governor also acknowledged the support of members of his executive council, local government chairmen and the organised private sector for partnering his government to record exploits in the state. He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), government in the state had introduced many positive things in Ogun State than previous administrations did. Daniel also acknowledged students at the event. He said students should always be encouraged to attend book presentations inorder to be motivated before appreciating people of the state for continuously supporting him.