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.

Abdulquawiy Olododo     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Alimi Abdulrazaq     Laboratory-to-Product     Summit University     Tinubu     Kayode Yusuf     Halidu Danbaba     Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab     Temi Kolawole     Akume     Nurudeen Mohammed     Oyawoye     Lateef Ademola Olatunji     University Road     Nagode     Bello John Olanrewaju     Yunus Oniboki     Saheed Akinwumi     Folajimi Aleshinloye     Abdulwaheed Musa     Freshvine Nigeria Limited     Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman     Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education     Modupe Oluwole     Shao     Smart School     Medview Airlines     Eleja     Wale Oladepo     Laduba     Isiaka Oniwa     Babajide Ajayi     John Dara     Sulyman Tejidini     Bello Bature     Toyin Falola     Quran     Kayode Zubair     John Obuh     Sobi Specialist Hospital     Kwara Consultative Forum     Universal Basic Education Commission     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Razaq Atunwa     Chief Imam Of Lafiagi     Gbenga Adebayo     AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi     Alikinla     Neo Mundo Ltd     Olateju Lukman     Olaosebikan     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Suleman Abubakar     Kwara Pdp     Katibi Ibraheem Adeola     Olatunji Ayeni     Kwara State Television (KWTV)     Hajj     Al-Adaby     Ayodele Olaosebikan     Emmanuel Bello     Kale Bayero     Ajidagba     Monthly Sanitation     ASUU     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Amoyo     Kwara Apc     Omotoso     Yemi Sanni     Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Mahmud Babatunde Baker     Nigeria Customs Service     Kwara Polytechnic     Adedipe     Henry Olaosebikan    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Code Of Conduct     Oniye     Yusuf Aiyedun     Wahab Olasupo Egbewole     Aliyu Sabi     Rebecca Olanrewaju     AbdulQowiy Olododo     Unilorin     Agbarere     Jare Olatundun     Sulyman Age AbdulKareem     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Eghe Igbinehin     Labaeka     Ubandawaki     Saraki     CCEPE     Tunde Oyawoye     Yoonus Kola Olatinwo     Edret Sabi Abel     CBT     Amuda Bembe     Illyasu Abdullahi     Alaaya     Abiodun Abdulkareem     Saka Adeyemo     ASMAU PLAZA     Obayomi Azeez     UITH     Saliu Tunde Bello     Tunde Akanbi     New Nigeria People’s Party     Curfew     Ilorin East     Public Holiday     Isau     Ibrahim Gambari     Iyiola Oyedepo     Moses Afolayan     Olugbense     Esinrogunjo     Kwara Polytechnic     Sodiya     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Simeon Sule Ajibola     Ibrahim Mashood     Chief Imam Of Omu-Aran     Convocation Ceremonies     Bluenile Associates     Kwara 2015     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Yusuf Mubarak     QuickWin     Women Radio     Bursary     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Sunday Popo-Ola     Aliyu Adebayo     Balogun Gambari     Dagbalodo     Kwara State Health Insurance Agency     Kwara State Sports Commission     Ileloke     Eruku     Bilikisu Gambari     Kabir Shagaya     Iponrin     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     Bolakale Saka     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Nigerian Medical Association     Tinubu Legacy Forum     Onilu     Samuel Adedoyin     Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board     Awwal Jawondo     Kehinde Baale