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.

Folorunsho Erubu     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Abdullah Janet Amudat     New Nigeria People’s Party     Atiku     Mukhtar Shagaya     PharmAccess Foundation     Idiagbon     Muhammed Aliyu     Sobi Hill     Harrison Osauwagboe     JAMB     Binta Abubakar Mora     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Baaziki Sulaiman     Sulu Gambari     Hajj     Bond     Saadu Gbogbo Iwe     Wahab Isa     Kumbi Titilope     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Ahmed Saidu Rufai     Idi-Ape     SAPZ Project     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Shade Omoniyi     Zulkifli Ibraheem     ENetSuD     Mary Kemi Adeosun     Kubra Kazum     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Sai Kayi     Pategi     Abubakar Ndakene     Akume     Risikat Lawal     AbdulRazaq Jiddah     Asa     Shettima Of Ilorin     CT Ayeni     Titus Suberu-Ajibola     Isiaka Alikinla     Hassan Oyeleke     Olugbense     KWASIEC     Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Saliu Mustapha     Leke Ogungbe     Funmilayo Zubair     Emmanuel Bello     Oye Tinuoye     Muslim Media Watch Group Of Nigeria     Ishola Moses Abiodun     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate     Oke-Ode     Nigeria Computer Society     JUSUN     Salihu Alhaji Musa     V.O. Abioye     Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations     Plat Technologies     Rachael Obisesan     Bayo Ojo     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     Ishaq Salman     Ridwan Agboola     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Bashiru Makama     Omotosho     IF-K     Jamila Bio Ibrahim     Isiaka Abdulrazak     Javed Khan    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Baaziki Sulaiman     Ope Saraki     Yahaya Jibril Usman     Kishira     Ibrahim Jawondo     Bukola Ajikobi     Kwara TV     Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa     Chief Imam Of Lafiagi     Bashiru Makama     Government House     Saheed Popoola     Okasanmi Ajayi     Taibat Ayinke Ahmed     NURTW     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Tayo Awodiji     Senate     Omupo     Kehinde Baale     Kwara State Government     Abdullahi AbdulMajeed     Bello Bature     Plat Technologies     Memunat Monsuma     TESCOM 2025     Taofik Mustapha     Toyin Falola     Yakub Lai Gobir     KwaraLearn     Offa Metropolitan Club     Quranic Recitation Competition     Lawan     Muhammad Yahya     Jamiu Oyawoye     IEDPU     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin     COVID     Elerinjare     Lai Gobir     Madawaki Of Ilorin     Leke Ogungbe     Mohammed Kamaludeen     Amina El-Imam     Saheed Alakoso     Roheemat Hammed     Ahmad Belgore     11th Galadima     Magaji Erubu     Muideen Olaniyi Alalade     Kamaldeen Kehinde     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Ndama Al-hassan     Kwarareports     Sunset Workers     Rex Olawoye     Local Government Pension Board     Temi Kolawole     HYPPADEC     March 18     Ajikobi     Umar Adelodun     Omu Aran     Albert Ogunsola     Mashood Dauda     Jalala     Arinola Lawal     Ohoro Of Shao     Haliru Yahaya     Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir     Yakubu Shaaba     Bond     GAMA     Galadima     Universal Basic Education Commission     Yahaya Seriki     Lai Mohammed