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.

Joseph Bamigboye     Dairo Kunle Paul     Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Muftau Akanbi Oke     Gbenga Olawepo     Abdulrazaq Solihudeen     Abiodun Musa Aibinu     Abdulganiyu Salahudeen     NURTW     Ike Ekweremadu     Bilikisu Gambari     Matthew Babaoye     Femi Oladiji     ASMAU PLAZA     National Information Technology Development Agency     QuickWin     Manzuma     Sabi     Mope Dasuki Belgore     NSCIA     Abdulrasheed Akogun     Suleiman Idris     Femtech     Adijat Adebiyi     Wahab Femi Agbaje     Shaaba Lafiagi     Saliu Tunde Bello     John Olobayo     Durosinlohun Atiku     Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development     Olatunji Ayeni     Oluwole Dupe     Universal Basic Education Commission     Folorunsho Erubu     Kayode Bankole     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Timothy Akangbe     Lanwa     Isiaka AbdulRazaq     Musibau Akanji     Law School Scholarship     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     Garba Ado Sanni     Galadima     Dan-Kazeem     Kale Bayero     2017 Budget     Hakeem Idris     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Kwara Consultative Forum     Nupe     Aisha Buhari     Abikan     IYA YUSUF     Dasuki Belgore     Kulende     Hassan Taiye Salam     Amos Bajeh     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Segun Ogunsola     Shonga     Col. Adedipe     Joseph Daudu     Toyin Abdullahi     Ola Falade     Abdulkadir Remi Hawawu     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     TIIDELab     JAMB     Eruku     Ladi Hassan     Razak Atunwa     Amos Sayo     AbdulRazaq Jiddah     KWASSIP     Madawaki    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Mufutau Olatinwo     Aso Ofi     Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen     Wahab Egbewole     CACOVID Palliatives     Tunde Idiagbon Road     Osi     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Valsolar Consultoria     Kamoru Kadiri     Halidu Danbaba     KWACOBPA     Amuda Musbau     Ilofa     Kwara Metro Park     Nigerian Correctional Service     Bayer Nigeria Limited     Saidu Kawu     Suleiman Ajadi     Sa\'ad Alanamu     A.G.F Abdulrasaq     Jaigbade Alao     IYA YUSUF     Olatunji Bamgbola     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     Sulyman Buhari     Kayode Issa     Abdulkadir Orire     IESA     2017 Budget     Amos Sayo     Yemi Sanni     Towoju     Academic Staff Union Of Universities     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Saliu Oluwole     Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency     KWAFFA     Shagari     Mohammed Yahaya Barki     Olabode Towoju     Park     Mohammed Alabi Lawal     ASUU     Abubakar Atiku     Ayo Adeyemi     Alao Ayotunde     Ajibike Katibi     Tunji Olawuyi     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Abdulkadir Jimoh     Onikijipa     Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria     Abdullahi Adisa Akodudu     Bursary     Centre For Digital Economy     Oja-Oba     Gbenga Adebayo     Hamid Bobboyi     KWATMA     Okiki     AbdulRazaq Jiddah     Ahmad Uthman     Kaiama     SSA Youth     Albert Ogunsola     Playing Host     Tunji Oyawoye     Musa Alhassan Buge     Oniyangi     Yomi Adeboye     Matthew Babaoye     Bola Sagaya     Dasuki Belgore     Nurudeen Muhammed     Moses Salami