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.

Issa Oloruntogun     Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim     Grillo     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Ayo Opadokun     Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited     Women For Change And Development Initiative     Eleja     Kwara 2023     Convocation Ceremonies     Bluenile Associates     Kwara NIPR     Apado     Lawyers Unite Against Corruption     Esinrogunjo     Hassan Abdulazeez Elewu     Ahmed Bayero     Oko-Olowo     Peter Obi     Ahmad Ali     Farouk Salim     Magaji Are     Saliu Mustapha     Abdulrahman Abdulrazak     Prince Sunday Fagbemi     Ayo Salami     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Adamu Attah     ITEM 7     Unicontinental Construction Company     Oye Tinuoye     Mohammed Ibrahim     Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency     Hausa     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Atiku     James Ayeni     Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Ilorin Talaka Parapo     Nigeria Computer Society     Senate     Kwara State Television     Abraham Ojo     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Amasa     Muslim Media Watch Group Of Nigeria     Frootify     Hamza Usman     Abdulmutalib Shittu     Zaratu Umar     BECE     David Oyepinola Adedumoye     Isiaka Yusuf     Oya State     Rasheed Jimoh     Suleman Abubakar     Sun Qing Rong     Wasiu Odewale     Mohammed Halidu     Tanke Road     IFK     Pategi     Unilorin     SGBN     Ajibike Katibi     Moronfoye     Ajike People Support Centre     Bello Oyebanji     Zulkifli Ibraheem     Yoruba     Crystal Corner Shops     Bibire Ajape     Shehu Jimoh     Maigida     Onilupeju Of Ilupeju     Adamu Ibrahim Sabi     Moremi High School    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Oko Erin     Obasanjo     ITP     Nurudeen Mohammed     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Kunle Akogun     Funmilayo Mohammed     Baba Issa     Minimum Wage     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Omoniyi Ayinla     Okedare     Abubakar Atiku     Kwarareports.com     Umar Ahmed Gunu     Elese Of Igbaja     Mahmud Ajeigbe     Moshood Bakare     Senate President     Umar Saro     Fatai Adeniyi Garba     Abdulganiy Abimbola Abdussalam     Tricycle Owners Association Of Nigeria     Offorjama     Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq     Suleiman Ajadi     Islamiya Abdulraheem     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Salihu Ajia     Ajuloopin     GANZY     Bolakale Ayo     Abdulmalik Bashir Mopelola Risikatullahi     Agbarere     David Oyepinola Adedumoye     Muhammad Mustapha Suleiman     Elerinjare     National Pilot     Sa\'adatu Modibbo-Kawu     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     Isiaq Khadeejah     Aisha Ahman Pategi     Joseph Alex Offorjama     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     NULGE     Jumoke Gafar     Abdulfatai Salman Baakini     Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital     Gobirawa     Muhammadu Buhari     Sam Okaula     Chief Imam Of Omu-Aran     Sunset Workers     Adesoye College     Baruba     Imam Gambari     Stephen Fasakin     Pakata Patriots     Mohammed Saidu     Yetunde Balogun     KwaraLearn     Moses Adekanye     John Obuh     KWASSIP     JAAC     Ifelodun     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin     Issa Memunat Moyosore     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Abdulraufu Mustapha     Modibo Kawu     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Aliyu Muyideen     Abdullahi Biffo     March 18     Kayode Oyin Zubair