Re: Prof Niyi Osundare: A response to the Open Letter to KWASU VC. By Basit Olatunji

Date: 2016-03-26

MY TAKE ON SHERIFF OLANREWAJU'S APPEAL TO THE VC OF KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY NOT TO HOST 2016 NIYI OSUNDARE INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL JUST BECAUSE THE POET-PROFESSOR BERATES SEN. BUKOLA SARAKI'S MISCONDUCT IN HIS WRITINGS

Let me begin by saying that 'every writer is a writer in politics' (Ngugi Wa Thi'ongo) and if per chance, you accept or believe in the role of a (literary) writer as a promoter or a denouncer of a kind of politics (activities of people in society which make or break their social bond or development in all ramifications), then I make bold to say that your opinion in the letter is sycophantic or one of infelicitous attempt to gain cheap popularity by problematising what is clearly not problematisable.

You're probably in the dark of the sociopolitical expediences of Osundare's socially relevant and responsive writings. If you care to know a bit about his social commitment that has spanned over three decades and which have equally proclaimed him as one of the most important writers to have emerged out of Africa, I will advise you read 'Songs of the Season', 'The Word Is an Egg', 'Village Voices' or more importantly 'Dialogue With My Country' or 'Random Blues' which has Fayose and the likes as its objects of lampoon. I have read Osundare inside-out, I have listened to him keenly, I have known and understood his passion as a socialist (and perhaps a moralist) and I have never noticed any commissioned lie or propaganda in his writings.

Well, it's none of my business if you're pro-Saraki or not. And to dub Osundare's social commitment as 'feigned' lacks credence and as well, aptless. Even the number one enemy (if there's any) of Osundare would never call him such. Why, because his literary engagement is well defined and too clear-cut to be coated in elevated lies or any form of premordial interests (self or otherwise). That's the path Osundare has chosen as a writer. And it's incongruous and out of place for anyone to cheapen his writings as feigned (not even a scholar in his rank or close to his rank).

That said. I would like you to answer the following questions. Is Saraki blameless of all the accusations against him? If yes, encourage him to prove it beyond reasonable doubt. Is Osundare's social commitment now 'feigned' just because he berates Saraki's ineptitude and misconduct? If yes, I would say that's laughable and farcical and your appeal not to host the International poetry festival because Saraki established the university can't be more laughable. If no, please I earnestly request you to prepare a solid ground for your point. Then, I will gladly accept that my point is irrational . How or where did Tinubu and Co commission Osundare to write against Saraki? How are you so sure Saraki is too holy to be soiled in such accusations? Which confession is Tinubu's and which is not?

I think your opinions will be better directed at helping Saraki redeem his self-soiled image rather than wanting to live on the reputation of 'our Distinguished Poet-Professor'

Basit Olatunji
Poet, Critic and Editor
Author of 'Rainbow in My Heart' (Poems)

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Abdulmumini Jawondo     Nigeria Customs Service     FOMWAN     Bureau Of Lands     AbdulHamid Adi     Justina Oha     Imodoye Writer’s Enclave     Pilgrims Board     Shero     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Academic Staff Union Of Universities     Kwara State Government     Oke-opin     Bashir Adigun     Salman Jawondo     SWAN     Seni Saraki     Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Interchange     Omotosho     Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa     Kwara State Branch Of The National Library     Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Illyasu Abdullahi     Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Nagode     Haleeman Salman     John Mayokun Dada     Elerin Of Adanla Irese     Oladimeji Thompson     Kwara NIPR     Lai Gobir     Suleiman Ajadi     Erubu Oba Zubair     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Umaru Saro     Yusuf Lanre Badmas     Oke-Ero     Olaiya Lawal     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Rasheed Jimoh     Moses Adekanye     Olatunji Moronfoye     Kwara Teaching Service Commission     Ayinke Saka     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Osi     Musa Abdullahi     Oni Adebayo     Zainab Abass     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     International Public Sector Accounting Standards     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Kwara-SAPZ Project     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     Kwara Pdp     Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq     Michael Nzekwe     Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital     Kunbi Titiloye     Sadiq Buhari     Sidikat Akaje     Ibrahim Labaika     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     Abatemi-Usman     Madawaki     Owo Isowo     Kemi Adeosun     SDP     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Abraham Ojo     Government High School Adeta     Rashidi Yekini     Eleja     Oba Abu     Laolu Saraki    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Grillo     Tosho Yaqub     REO CAKES     S.O. Opowoye     Yemi Osinbajo     Isiaka Yusuf     Women Radio     Sunday Popo-Ola     Dele Momodu     Okin Malt     ASUU     Yahaya Seriki     Saheed Akinwumi     Undergraduate Bursary     Garment Factory     Muritala Olarewaju     Toyosi Thomas     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Jani Ibrahim     Florence Saraki     Babajide Ajayi     Alanamu     KWASIEC     Justina Oha     Saliu Ajia     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Lanre Badmus     Adedeji Onimago     Donatus Ejidike     Tunde Saad     Abubakar Ndakene     Nagode     Kwara University Of Education     Kwara Basketball Association     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye     Ganmo     Bolakale Saka     Yomi Adeboye     Azeez Bello     Bashir Badawi     National Association Of Nigerian Students     Abdulkadir Orire     Abioye Bello     Elerin Of Adanla Irese     Okanlawon Musa     Sango-UITH Road     Kamaldeen Kehinde     Oniye     John Obuh     Bello Bature     Radio SBS     Muhammed Akanbi     Bluenile Associates     Rotimi Atere     GGDSS Pakata     Curfew     JAMB     Mustapha AbdulGaniyu     Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf     Bola Tinubu     Arandun     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     Kwara Metro Park     Suleiman Idris     Moro     Ilesha-Baruba     IYA YUSUF     Ramadan     Sheriff Shagaya     C2c@kwarastate.gov.ng     KWAFFA     AbdulRahman Saad