Poetry: The Mourner’s Gentle Smile

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2023

Eric

By John Favour Orodiran

Sitting on the terrace at night,

Thinking about the memories we shared,

Though my vision is dim and bleak,

I can still hear your piercing cries.

But deep inside, my thoughts are laid bare,

To the moon shining above,

Expressing my sadness and worry,

As the moonlight whispers in the night.

Then, a soothing breeze comes from the night,

Turning my world into a peaceful place,

Easing my pain and bringing comfort,

With gentle words to soothe my soul.

And that’s when a smile graces my face,

Prompted by cheerful jokes and banter.

Writers Celebrate Chinua Achebe’s 94th Posthumous Birthday

Published

6 months ago

November 16, 2024

Eric

Writers across Nigeria, under the auspices of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), have united in commemorating the 94th posthumous birthday of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe, renowned globally for his groundbreaking novel *Things Fall Apart*, remains an enduring symbol of literary excellence and cultural preservation.

In a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the President of SYNW emphasized Achebe’s unmatched contributions to African literature and his role as a beacon of inspiration for writers across generations. Adedoyin highlighted the Society’s unwavering commitment to honoring Achebe’s legacy through creative and impactful initiatives.

One of the key tributes mentioned is the *Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture*, initiated by the Anambra Chapter Coordinator of SYNW, Izunna Okafor. Now in its 9th edition, the festival has become a significant platform for celebrating Achebe’s works and discussing his influence on modern African literature.

Cynthia Maduekwe, the President of the Nigeria Society of Campus Writers, also spearheaded the *Writers Tour*, another initiative aimed at engaging young writers with Achebe’s literary philosophy. This tour exposes aspiring authors to Achebe’s timeless themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and societal transformation, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) reaffirmed its dedication to Achebe’s memory through these longstanding programs. Writers across the country were encouraged to reflect on Achebe’s life and works, sharing tributes and essays on social media platforms to further propagate his vision of storytelling.

Adedoyin lauded the efforts of writers like Okafor and Maduekwe, whose initiatives keep Achebe’s legacy alive.

He also urged literary organizations and institutions to continue collaborating to sustain Achebe’s impact on African literature and culture.

“Prof. Achebe’s work transcends literature. He gave Africans a voice on the global stage, presenting our stories with authenticity and pride. Celebrating his 94th posthumous birthday is a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping society,” Adedoyin stated.

The SYNW also used the opportunity to announce plans for a series of upcoming events dedicated to Achebe in the coming year, including essay competitions, poetry readings, and book discussions. These programs aim to further Achebe’s vision of nurturing literary talent and promoting African narratives.

As the literary community celebrates Achebe’s life and achievements, his timeless words resonate: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire writers to tell their own stories, preserving the richness of African culture for generations to come.

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded by inviting literary enthusiasts to join in celebrating Achebe’s enduring impact, emphasizing that his legacy is a shared treasure for all who value the power of words.

Literature

Oladokun and Odunlade Shine in ‘Te Oku’, A Mesmerizing Movie – A Literary Review

Published

1 year ago

March 22, 2024

Eric

By Tola Adeniyi

Ite Oku is a simple story but built into a very complex and complicated plot and catapulted over the roof by the ingenious interpretation of the characters by the star-studded cast assembled by producers Zentury Pictures and Sir Folly Film International.

It is the story of a very ambitious cab driver who is very much unsatisfied with his state in life and hastily seeks a get-rich-quick ladder to climb to opulence, prosperity and the attendant reckoning in society.

He fishes out a very wealthy woman and begs for money and fortune. Consequently the beautiful lady of high net-worth leads him to the mysterious abode of the dead where money rituals are performed and the huge wealth sought came in stupendous proportions.

Unknown to the greedy upstart, the beautiful lady belongs in the realm of the dead and she only assumes the body of the living for the sole purpose of dispensing largess to the needy as agreed upon by her husband in the grave! But with conditionality: whosoever becomes rich through her money rituals is bound by an irrevocable oath of chastity and barrenness throughout his or her life time. His or her spouse dwelling in the grave is wedded to him or her at the initiation of money rituals. Death, non-negotiable is the punishment for defaulters!

Fast forward, cab driver Aderoju acted by veteran Odunlade Adekola is courted by a bevy of ladies all over the community. These gold-digger dazzling ladies include Morenikeji acted by Yemisi Oke [who out of desperation enlists the supernatural powers of her mystical father], Layo played by Wunmi Toriola, Folake played by Ayisat Raji and Ajibike acted by Emiola Iyiola among others.

Full of suspense, viewers would not know how Yemisi, acted by vivacious legendary Bukky Wright emerges as the wealthy lady from the abode of the Dead, ‘Ite Oku’ or how Feyisara, acted by Temitope Adeniyi became Yemisi as the Dead living in the body of Yemisi acted by Bukky Wright. The knotty riddle becomes clearer when apprentice mechanic Femi, acted by multi-talented Murphy Afolabi is shown as the earthly fiancé of Feyisara [Temitope Adeniyi] who lost her life as a result of enforced abortion of the pregnancy she had for Femi by her upper-class parents who stoutly disapproved her relationship with apprentice Femi. Her untimely death provoked the unnatural death of Femi [Afolabi] and both then found themselves living happily together in the land of the Dead.

Femi had come by some fortune through money making rituals to counter his rejection by Feyisara’s parents. It’s this huge wealth he commands his dead fiancée Feyisara, in the body of Yemisi to go out to the land of the living and dispense to the needy where and how Aderoju falls into trap.

It is this entanglement that gives the plot its complexity and eerie weirdness and the experienced actors the opportunity to display their dexterity and super-star status in acting.

Long suffering widow, Mama Aderoju, magnificently portrayed by another legendary actor Tola Oladokun comes face-to-face with the heart-breaking realisation that her son, the only son, is a millionaire in cohort with money-making ritualists in the haven of the Dead. From that moment on, motherhood; emotional, harried, weeping, wailing and ecstatic, charges the atmosphere of the movie, garnering for Tola Oladokun the medal of the champion of the day. She is a delight.

But she is not alone. Bukky Wright, Murphy Afolabi and Yemisi Oke will not let go without creating dilemma for the viewers as to whom the ‘Victor Ludorum’ should go.

Watching Bukky Wright with the ease of her acting and delivering of her lines one is tempted to believe they are having a natural conversation with the lady next door or a family member in a family setting. She is so natural and naturalistic.

Odunlade Adekola is a man for all seasons and acting has become so natural that he is, in reality, the character he portrays.

Murphy Afolabi couldn’t have acted a dead man in the grave better nor could Tola Oladokun be more convincing as an agonizing mother in the throes of a grown son with death sentence on his head.

The costumes, the lighting, the audio, and other acoustics contribute in no little measure to the greatness of the movie *Ite Oku* which makes it one of the most outstanding movies in recent times.

It is entertaining, educative, and instructive while its visuals are both thrilling, captivating and alluring. Nothing was spared in making Ite Oku a movie for all time.

It was a big relief that the writer of the story, Shonde Afolabi did not insult African spiritual essence like several writers of stories in Nollywood who often times would portray the Bible or the Quran as being superior or more potent or more efficacious or more edifying than our [Africa’s] own cherished and revered traditions, cultures, beliefs and mores. Every religion is a product of people’s culture and tradition.

Tola Oladokun, Odunlade Adekola, Bukky Wright and Murphy Afolabi, you make acting a pleasure!

High Chief Tola Adeniyi is an Actor, Dramatist, Playwright, Choreographer, Producer, Director and Chairman Tola Adeniyi Foundation for Theatre and the Arts [TAFTA]

Literature

Azuh Arinze Dedicates New Book ‘Anything And Everything Journalism’ to Dele Giwa, Dimgba Igwe

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2024

Eric

The publisher/editor-in-chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine, Azuh Arinze is out with a new book.

Entitled Anything And Everything Journalism, the 448-page book is dedicated to two of Nigeria’s greatest journalists whose sudden deaths shook the nation, Dele Giwa and Dimgba Igwe.

Giwa, one of Nigeria’s most colourful and charismatic journalists, was the founding editor of Newswatch. He was killed via a parcel bomb on 19th October, 1986.

Igwe, on the other hand, was an astute journalist and founded The Sun newspaper alongside his “twin brother”, Mike Awoyinfa. He died under controversial circumstances on 6th September, 2014.

Anything And Everything Journalism could be rightly summed up as the “Bible” of journalism. It features 37 detailed and diligently-conducted interviews with some of the best and brightest journalists that this country has produced on how they made it to the top, and cuts across print, broadcast and online.

Among them are Segun Osoba, Ray Ekpu, Bayo Onanuga, Mike Awoyinfa, Dele Momodu, Femi Adesina, Reuben Abati, Olusegun Adeniyi, Azu Ishiekwene, Simon Kolawole, Ikechukwu Amaechi, Gbenga Omotoso, Dare Babarinsa, Musikilu Mojeed, Dotun Oladipo and Lanre Idowu.

Also included are Eze Anaba, Christopher Isiguzo, Ali M. Ali, Bisi Olatilo, Larry Izamoje, Soni Irabor, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Femi Sowoolu, Bimbo Oloyede, Seye Kehinde, Louis Odion, Gbenga Adefaye, Funke Egbemode, Lekan Otufodunrin, Ibim Semenitari, Shola Oshunkeye, etc.

On why he dedicated the book to Dele Giwa and Dimgba Igwe, the author, Azuh Arinze said: “It’s first and foremost, to ensure that their memory continues to live, especially in a profession they gave their all. And secondly, because the works of our heroes past must never be in vain.”

Shedding more light on the book, he revealed that it took him years to have a one-on-one session with all those featured in the book. Adding that he embarked on the massive project because of his love for the profession. Also, because he wants up and coming journalists, aspiring journalists, the current practitioners and even lovers of the noble profession to know and understand that it could be rewarding if practiced professionally and without cutting corners.

According to respected journalist, columnist and biographer, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju who wrote the foreword: “I strongly recommend this book to students of journalism, practicing journalists, persons in public relations and image management and to all who seek to understand why journalists do what they do and how they do it.”

Anything And Everything Journalism will be presented to the public, alongside Azuh’s other book, My Story Of Many Colours, on Monday, 25th March, 2024, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, former DG of NIMASA, will be the chairman. The books’ reviewer is Chief Uche Nworah, Ph.D, former MD, Anambra Broadcasting Service; the Royal Father of the Day is HRM Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Elerinmo of Erinmo Kingdom while the Books’ Presenter is Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Nigeria Limited.

Among the special guests expected are Mr. Udeme Ufot, MFR, GMD SO&U, Lady Onyeka Onwenu, MFR, accomplished musician, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, Executive Vice Chairman, Verdant Zeal, Rotarian Ify Ejezie, District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Rotarian Wole Kukoyi, Incoming District Governor, Rotary International, District 9111, Rotarian Femi Adenekan, Incoming District Governor, Rotary International, District 9112, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson, First Female District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, etc.

The event which will begin at 11am prompt will be anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st.

My Story Of Many Colours and Anything And Everything Journalism are Azuh’s 8th and 9th books. The previous ones were The CEO’s Bible 1 & 2, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, A Taste Of Success, Conversations With Showbiz Stars, Encounters: Lessons From My Journalism Career and Tested And Trusted Success Secrets Of The Rich And Famous.