Oracle of Identity, Recreant love, African Foliage

The poet is the ‘oracle’ inspired by the gods. This collection is the temple of prophesy. The poetic fountains are from the house of muse. This collection of poems by Dayo Ibitayo Arogbokun has seven movements namely: African Foliage, Religion apology, Welcome to Nigeria, Cosmopolitan, Sublime, Emotional Fraternity/regrets and Normal life.

The poet’s diction is metaphorically concrete and ripe with the fruits of imageries. The poet begins with slavery and the future of Africa. The thematic preoccupations of slavery in Africa are for Gold, Gospel and Glory. The poet writes in “Pray for Me”: “I am Africa / Bought by the purity of slavery”. This brings to the fore the poetry of David Diop “Africa My Africa”, my Africa, your Africa and our Africa.

The poet depicts in “I can tell”: I can tell from the perforations on your lips / That muffle your song of freedom / I can tell from the slave signature on your back / That it was very heinous.” The Oracle speaks through the poet that Africa should beware of second incursion vis-à-vis Nigeria business is now expatriates business. The country should not dwell on the memory of Civil War of 1967.

It is a black memory says the oracle. It is a war we could have averted if we reason with words. What have we gained or harvested from the recent Democracy? The poet depicts that ICPC and EFCC are political distraction to hunt opposition. The law of the land is for the common man. The law should be above everybody.

Justice is blind only to the poor man. The malady of corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. The nation has to put differences aside. United we stand: divided we fall, which is the cold hard truth. The hullabaloo and brouhaha that besiege the country needs to be addressed for peace to reign supreme. There should be room for dialogue and resolution not revolution.

We have to come as one and reason with words. The poet opines that religion, tribalism and corruption need to be tackled for the nation to progress. If words of reason are expensive one will opt for violence. The poet laments in “Ignore 11”:“Poets render verses of our disasters/ Parsons sermonize our oppressions / Teachers teach our frustrations / Journalists write our deprivations / Nigerians bear the sufferings / The woes our government decreed.”

We have to learn from the past to manage today’s gift as tomorrow remain a mystery. The poet writes in “Wasteland” that alludes to T.S Elliot’s “Waste Land” and Remi Raji’s “Love Song for my Wasteland”: “The flatter that all is well / Though many truths have spoken / Greed fell them on deaf ears / If ears would listen / Tears will cease to flow.

Nigerians are watching and hoping for a better tomorrow to catch a glimpse of the rainbow.” In “System of Government” the poet also laments: “And at election time / With false generosity / Give atom of their loot / To their electorates for re-election / Only then are they remembered as fellow Nigerians. The Creator is not interested in religion but personal with Him.

There will be anarchy when we abhor spiritual laws. A man must look inward in search of himself, outward to embrace his brothers and sisters and upward to praise his Maker. Blood is sacred. Children are asking pertinent questions about the state of the nation. It is a situational irony when the vanguard and crusader of peace are the perpetrators of war. In “Identity” the poet writes: “I collect my thoughts/ From the minds that know/ The shadows of the past/ From the mouths that speak/ No religion should look down upon another religion.”

Nobody should rule others with rigor. It is absurd to kill one another in the name of religion. The peace of God on men makes the world a better place. In “Beauty of the Flesh” the poet writes: “Within the myopia of the den/ Near so far, yet we sin/ Of the beauty of the flesh/ The truth of the apocalypse eclipsed.” Some of the poems have metaphysical imagery that echoes the essence of mortality and immortality.

Life is a journey. The poet preaches the Gospel according to poetry with the eyes of faith. The poet writes in “Sinless”: “He without sins/ Must first cast the stone/ Naked as the truth is/ We have all sinned/ And gone short of the grace.” The seed of love in the poet’s heart embraces the sunlight of hope. Love is the cord of our existence. In the eyes of love, we sing one song. The poet writes in “Recreant love”: “Don’t crush that rose/ It is my heart/ Love is the energy of life. It stirs the wheel of emotion into motion.”

Culled from: http://newtelegraphonline.com/oracle-of-identity-recreant-love-african-foliage/

Poetic Wakeup Call to Mend Fences with Twigs of Unity

Heart Beats In The Mangrove, a collection of poems by Fabiah Briggs brings to the fore a creek of a low tide with three thematic movements namely: nature and environment; history and contemporary happenings and praise worship. The latter segment echoes Miltonian sensibility of paradise lost as evident in ‘Cymbals to the Creator’. The nation needs the help of renaissance Moses.

The discovery of oil has caused a paradigm shift from Agriculture and no nation can survive without it. God used Joseph to save lives when there was famine in Egypt and all the land. Nigeria should borrow a leaf from that and bring back the good old days.

Fabiah writes in “They Destroy With Much Impunity” O gracious God, pray hearken when we wail. The poet’s thematic preoccupation depicts the rich natural resources the country is endowed with. Corruption, kidnapping and violence have become the anthem of the day. Nothing seems to work out on the platform of dialogue. Fabiah writes: Blood becomes the aesthetic value/ respect for human souls violently vanished.

The Niger delta youths pick up arms. Insecurity has become our day’s mares. Angst of impoverishment from class crass, creating policy that chokes the nation with fear and insecurity. We survive to destroy the chain of dependency syndrome. Collective negligence of our leaders. In “Millions Melt Away” the Poet’s lament: Trillions grow wings/ And fly away into oblivion/ Some tucked away anonymously/ In foreign bank account!

A wake up call in the midst of plenty. Fabiah’s poems give a picture of the reflective mood of the deplorable conditions of the Niger Delta. The political gladiators’ are merging and vetting the aspirant for the next election.

The land is famished. The citizens breathe the mountain air. The land is keen on virulent ideology, invidious looting. Words lurking horns in flimsy debates. Violence foisting discrepancy. The Poet put it thus in “Bind Us Lord”: How beautiful it would be/ If we hold in unity/ Networking bridges of oneness/ And breaking the walls of division/ Forgetting all the past/ Stepping on of toes/.

We pray for the peace of nature to flow into the land as sun flows into trees. Let the sun of understanding shines on every dark spots on the land. “This river of oil belongs to us. The metaphors of our thoughts are unbroken. The Niger Delta militancy is a result of the deplorable backwardness of the oil producing state. The youth restiveness is another time bomb. Amnesty will be given after killing one another in the long run.

What seems very important to us, we turn away from it and we are facing the consequence. We have compromised moral and ethical values.” Fabiah‘s artistic eyes points the way forward with a rhetorical question in this volume. The oil has caused riff, rancor and discord.

The Poet depicts: “We will continue to receive the pain/ While they steadfastly extract the gain? Every question needs an answer.” Little will go round when there is love. The nation needs to settle its differences and stop the senseless killing and bombing.

The oil is a blessing not a curse. In “Curse or Blessing” The Poet writes: “Sucking out oil/ From all the veins therein/ Why press they your womb. It is really sad for the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) to break the fences they mend. The Boko Haram insurgency is militating against the peace and unity of the land. Terrorists tail to terrorize.”

Fabiah recommends: “Mend your fences quickly with the twigs of unity”. Love is the medicine for pain, anger and the peace of love, on all.

http://newtelegraphonline.com/poetic-wakeup-call-mend-fences-twigs-unity/

History of Nigeria and its Politics

Fuelling the Delta Fires is a novel detailing the socio-economic, political and environmental crises in Nigeria. Those familiar with the country will find the story familiar and the outside world will find it rather intriguing. A brilliant work of fiction by Ayo Akinfe, it is beautifully woven around true-life developments in the Niger Delta and the deeper causes of the violent uprising by the militant groups in this region. Supported by well-researched history and facts, Akinfe’s book connects the dots between the history of Nigeria, its politics and its intrigues. Fuelling the Delta Fires also offers an unbiased insight into the Niger Delta crises. 

The plot is woven around two characters – Chief Ibimina Tom-George and Mene Bene. With regards to Chief Tom-George, the book details his journey through the corridors of power, from minister to the governor of Western Ijaw State and subsequently his truncated attempt to become Nigeria’s president. Mene Bene the radical leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM) spearheads the resistance against the marginalisation of the Niger Delta people. In simple language, Akinfe tells the story of hopelessness, greed, betrayal, corruption, ignorance and deceit, which has left the Nigerian state in a quagmire. His characters and incidents are reminiscent of factual situations that are obtained in the Nigerian state in the last five years. The strength of this work is not just a thrilling storyline but the detangling of the seemingly intricate problems of the Niger Delta via beautifully crafted speeches of his characters and shows a deep understanding and indepth research of the region by Akinfe. It was easy to comprehend and the suspense was enduring. 

In summation, except for some avoidable grammatical errors (which are the publisher’s responsibility), inconsistent characters and a few unnecessary lengthy dialogues, Fuelling the Delta Fires is brilliant. It is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand Nigeria and its religious, ethnic and political complications. Akinfe succeeds in putting a human face to the Niger Delta uprising and exposing the ignorance of the very people responsible to effect change. 

Ayo Akinfe was born in Salford, Manchester in 1966, but he spent his key formative years in Nigeria. He is a London-based journalist who has worked as a magazine and newspaper editor for over 20 years.

http://www.mynewswatchtimesng.com/book-review-history-of-nigeria-and-its-politics/

Election 2015: Two Timely Books for Political Office Holders

Titles:  Qualifications, Disqualifications and Tenure

of Elected Officers under the 1999 Constitution.

Reflections on Electoral Matters containedin the 1999 Constitution

Author:  Chijioke Evaristus Mogbo
Reviwers:   Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) and Ifeanyi  Nrialike Esq.

With the 2015 general elections barely two months away, the question of the eligibility of candidates, which is always a sore point during electoral contests, is dominating public discourse in the country. Fortunately, an attorney, Barrister Chijioke Evaristus Mogbo, has decided to enter the fray with two very important books that seem to provide profound

answers to the delicate question of President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility for the 2015 presidential election, and also has the capacity to effectively resolve the raging controversy over the continued stay of the Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, amongst other contemporary matters.

One of the books, Qualifications, Disqualifications and Tenure of Elected Officers under the 1999 Constitution, appraises and reviews the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as they relate to qualifications and/or disqualifications of persons seeking elections into political offices. The book under review also appraises and reviews the 1999 Constitution as it relates to

the tenure of office of persons elected into positions of authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In an important detail, the book takes on provisions of the 1999 Constitution in a piece meal manner, x-rays them, and then brings to the fore problems of interpretation and their suggested solutions.

A retrospective study of the contents of this particular book brings to bear an indispensable necessity for reforms of not only our electoral process, but also our electoral foundational laws, as contained in the electoral act, and most importantly, the constitution. The electoral act and laws are subjugated to the constitution, and no matter the reforms and amendments that are brought to bear on the electoral act, the nation cannot go far as long as there are constraints in the constitution militating a against the amended provisions in the electoral act.

The important task Mogbo’s book has addressed here is the presentation of submissions on the issues raised by some of the amended provisions in the electoral act, including predictions and prophecies of what the courts may do, if and when faced with the need to adjudicate on current electoral problems.

Mogbo’s second book, Reflections on Electoral Matters contained in the 1999 Constitution, which is a sequel to the first book appraised above, takes on new developments in the polity as they relate to electoral and constitutional matters since 2007, and offers incisive and profound views and submissions on all the cases reviewed. The author, in this second book, also

foraged for the most recent cases that impact the provisions of the constitutions in respect of electoral matters, and suggested solutions that are unique to the various situations. The result is that Mogbo has thrust unto our hands a foundational and fundamental anchor that has the potential of ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy does not falter or die.

The high points of this second book are located in chapters three and five; chapter three deals with the tenure of the Nigerian President. The book makes the point that it is the inability to differentiate between the phrases “term of office” and “tenure in office” that has engendered and sustained the controversy as to whether President Jonathan, for instance, is currently

doing a first or a second term in office. According to this book, a “term of office” is a whole, and can be counted in terms of first, second or third term of office, while “tenure in office” talks about the duration of a term, and it attaches to particular persons as they take the oath of office.

In this wise, the salient feature of the above distinction which this book makes is that if, for instance, a Nigerian president dies in office, during his first term in office, his remaining tenure is required by the constitution to be served out by the vice-president, but this vice-president is not deemed to have served any term of office. If this vice-president that has

turned into a president thereafter runs for president in a general election and wins, he is sworn in to serve his first term of office. Can there be any more profound treaties to a problem that is threatening the political stability of this country over President Jonathan’s intention to contest the 2015 presidential election than this offering from Chijioke Mogbo?

In chapter five, the BOOK DEALS with the issue of cross-carpeting which at the moment is threatening to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. Mogbo’s book brings a profound perspective to the issue of cross-carpeting in Nigeria. The book insists that a “division in a political party” is a question of fact, not law, since there is no legal definition for the phrase in

the constitution or the electoral act or any other law. Of course, as a way out of the problem, the book suggests that a “division in a political party” can be defined and deduced from the proportion or ratio of the registered members of a political party who veer from or are averse to a decision or a position taken by the party. Accordingly, the book maintains that “if the proportion of the registered members of the party who are averse to the party’s decision is infinitesimal, then there is no division.”

With a stroke of intellectual genius, the author of the book, Barr. Mogbo, solves the problem of defection in our political system for which courts, with even equal judicial powers, are busy giving conflicting judgments. With a plethora of cases coming up over the issue of cross-carpeting, especially given the tension in the polity over the defection of the Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.Aminu Tambuwal, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the nation has no other option than to approach Barr. Mogbo’s “Reflections on Electoral Matters” for a peaceful and commonsensical resolution of the crises that always comes up whenever legislators defect from the parties that sponsored them in elections to other parties where they think their political bread will be buttered.

In all seriousness, Barr. Chijioke Mogbo’s two books are a gift to this nation. The books are a formidable effort in the area of constitutional law. The cases cited, the analyses presented, the postulations and submissions made, some of which are ingenious, are worthy of note and commendation. The two books should be compulsory reading for scholars, lawyers, justices, politicians, as well as the enlightened public. The two books are clearly effective tools that have the capacity to help democracy thrive better and flourish in Nigeria.

·         Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) and Ifeanyi Nrialike Esq., are solicitors with Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN & co, Ogbueli Chambers, 2A Tanga Street, Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja.

Culled from- http://www.mynewswatchtimesng.com/election-2015-two-timely-books-political-office-holders/

Tolerance as Panacea to Human Relationship

BOOK TITLE: Tales of the Wind
Author: Makepeace Deorgi
Publisher: Kennyson Bookerville House
Pages: 176
Year of Publication: 2013
Reviewer: Oladipo Kehinde

Tales of the Wind is a novel that depicts the plight of women folks in the Nigerian society. In an ideal society, women and children are

being protected.

Make-peace offering has given an insight on how to stem the squabble and unsavory situation between couple. We are creatures of emotion and tolerance is the panacea to human complex relationship. The author urges family to live in peace and harmony. A house divided against itself cannot hold.

The author has laced this lucid tales in four thematic movements namely: “As A Child”, “As A Teenager”, “As An Adult” and “Epilogue”

The narration metamorphoses into an artist whole. Mary cleaves to her husband in spite of the ill-treatment doles on her. We are living in a society where we unanimously believe a man can piss and walk at the same time and a woman cannot. A man is nothing without a family.

A man needs a woman to raise a family. Chris, the man of the house, let things to fall apart, because of his extra -marital affairs. Amid a series of hardship, Mary wanted the best for her children, but he could not cater for the home-ront. The author craves that marital violence is blight on humanity. Poverty is a destroyer of lives. To say the truth in few words, only few ladies would like to marry a man like their father.

Chris maltreated his wife and daughter and appraises the boys. This is a book of a relative problem in our society. It is witty, a delight of reminiscence with a straight forward language. Tales of the Wind portrays the reality of womanhood as the epilogue reads in page 172 “Yes, she was free. That was all she wanted to be: free from self-imposed slavery. But then at the back of her ears she hears the voice speak ever so softly, ‘should you not have stayed? ”

When Tears Become Rain Drops

Title: Tears From An Old Man’s Eyes
Poet: Bob Ekat
Pages: 74
Publisher:The Pen Society
Reviewer: Oladipo Kehinde

Poetry comes naturally to this author like leaves on trees, and with this collection of poems, aptly titled: ‘Tears from an old man’s eyes’, Bob Ekat feeds his readers with the fruits from his tree of creativity. He is the son of his age, but shares same page with sagely old men, who cannot but lament when society’s moral values are abused. Thus he says:

And I break down and cry for my land

I share these thoughts so that we can stand

   Rebrand

   Put our hands on the sand

And make our land grand

The eyes of a poet search for beauty within lines, even while the mind wallows in the placid pleasure of the imageries. Ekat satisfies these desires in this book. His imageries are wrapped in nice-sounding words which tickle the mind; words which do not hide the passion behind them. In ‘My Words’, he proves this:

My words are like vitamin to my being:

Upholding me when I’m ill

   Helping me with the bills

And making my world real

In line with the title of the collection, the tears are like rain drops. These are tears of wasted years. Who will wipe the old man’s tears away? Change is a soothing balm and panacea for bleeding hearts. This is a wakeup call for change. A poet is an observer. Bob’s echoes Alfred Lord Tennyson in rhymes and rhythms which make the poems musical to the ears with spontaneous poetic magnitude. Bob is a living proof that poets are not, in fact, afraid of voicing hard bitter truths. In ‘Take My Life’, he writes:

Ah, death can’t be worse

Than living in this curse

   Where our country’s purse

Is the property of the political boss

The rhythm and pace of these poems capture the experiences of the poet in a voice and with a grace every listener can appreciate and admire. The poet cries for a change in the country as things seem to retrogress instead of progress. The land is all that we have and no one is greater than it. The poem, ‘The Land is Ours’, reflects Niyi Osundare’s ‘Eye of the Earth’. Here, Bob makes reference to the irrational, senseless killing in the northern region of Nigeria, and wonders if modern Nigeria reflects the dreams of our forefathers. The perpetrators are nameless, faceless, and senseless. The country is colonised internally by centrifugal forces and something is not just right. Thus, he laments:

Boko’s guns, Boko’s bombs

Turning every landscape to tombs

O, this land of our forefathers

This is not the land, the land of our forefathers

In ‘Arise Africa’, Bob states that Africa is a methodological assertion of a black man’s race. He is of the opinion that Africa is old enough to provide for her descendants. He writes that every African should rise up against the concerted forces and their stooges who are bent on holding the continent to ransom, thereby making our past heroes restless in their graves, as their children are enslaved by their leaders on their land. In the poem, he expressed his deep love for the black man’s black skin thus:

Thy colour is thy sunny strength

Blazing black radiance all around the earth

I will not be forgiven if I end this review without talking about the lighter side of the poet, Bob. He loves the African woman. He believes the African woman is the most finely crafted piece of art created. And this deep love is evident in some of his works like ‘The Girl From My Village’, ‘Strange Angel’, ‘Yemisi’, and others. These poems bring to mind the poem of Leopold Sedar Senghor, ‘Black Woman’.

The themes of hardship, love, adventure, nature, revolution, and death cut across this collection. The mood dictates the tone. The imageries are vivid in our minds. The poems have robust messages. The diction makes strong appeal to our emotion. Personification and apostrophe appeal to the sense of sight and vision. Bob is a rhyme master, an image maker, a messenger, a revolutionary and an adventurer.

http://www.mynewswatchtimesng.com/tears-become-rain-drops/

Uncommon Moral Relativism in Common Fate

Book: Common Fate
Author: Iddahson Daniel
Publisher: Kennyson Boorville House
Year: 2011
Pages: 108
Reviewer: Oladipo Kehinde
(brighthousecreations@yahoo.com)

Truth is greater than religion. It is second to love. Common Fate is a novel that brings to the fore the mores, culture, ceremony and traditional belief system of the Owailo. The fact is that Africans cannot abandon their tradition.

There is a glimpse of light in the heart of darkness. What is the black man’s place in history? Religion is an important aspect of life; it influences many things. In the village of Owailo, the luster values of religion are heeded at high esteem. Festival, rituals and ceremony are in a circle.

The seasons and harvest mean a lot to the Owailos. They speak to the spirits of the river, mountain, forest and woods. Ojonya faces humiliation and ignominy, as it is forbidden for a lady to see Alekwu masquerade. She is a pretty lady, the dotting eyes of the young men.

She asks herself many questions but the answer is for her to run naked to the river while the young men beat drums after her. The drums speak the language of deceit and mischief.

The author writes: “When she got there she jumped into the river. When she got up she saw Aladi at the bank with a wrapper waiting for her to come out. “ p 13. The men set her up for being a devoted Christian.

There is a grouse between the Christians and the villagers. Truth is the true religion. Onyela, the mother of Onjoya is a victim of ethnic clash. A whole community is being set ablaze on the pivotal of sexual immorality committed by two adults.

Guns, machetes, spears and fire brings out the orgy of violence in humanity: “ Many were impaled alive, some were killed and mutilated, some escape naked, some old men and women were allowed to flee the land. ” p 40. The purpose of life is to be decent to one another on earth: spirit of tolerance. Igli, Igbombe and Igbotu caused terror in the village and neighbouring villages as their hands are idle. They engage in nefarious activities that bring shame to their families. To satisfy their escapade and urges, they embrace tragedy.

We are for each other as part of the creative consciousness. We have to embrace moral relativism. Ojoya and Onyela suffer collective pain. Daniel uses lucid words to propel the story .It is full of suspense and comic relief. There are many parts that lead to one source. We are interconnected.

http://newtelegraphonline.com/uncommon-moral-relativism-common-fate/

SIMILITUDE OF THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE: A REVIEW OF GIVE ME ROOM TO MOVE MY FEET by Mildred Kiconco Barya

Publisher: Amalion Publishing, Senegal

Genre: Poetry

Year of Publication: 2009

Number of Pages: 119

Reviewer: Olutayo IRANTIOLA

In this era of transcultural readings, it is easy to discover that the African experience is quite similar from one region to the other. It must be mentioned that this review is based on the themes in this anthology of poetry. I also want to appreciate the publisher, Sulaiman Adebowale, who gave me a copy of this book during the Lagos Books and Arts Festival (LABAF 2013) because he has added to my repository of knowledge about contemporary East African poetry.

As poetry is usually described as cryptic but this anthology written in plain language which cannot be understood by anybody who understand the basic construction of English language. The anthology has 7 categories namely: Revolving Lives, Stormy Heart, Before the Sun Sinks, The Pain of Tenderness, Shame has a place, The Shape of Dreams and Until the Last Breath is Drawn. The poem in the anthology is a hundred poems; the shortest of the poems are three with the following titles; Is This Life, A Wish and Wish, with 6 lines each. However, I would prefer to say that A Wish is the shortest because each line has a word. While the longest of these poems is Miracle Inside, this poem has 41 lines. Regardless of the location of the poem in the anthology, there would be categorization of poems with similar themes.

There are three straight poems dispersed across the book which concurs with the title of this review, the poems are; Africa So Same, Seth Africa and Africa Remains. Africa So Same capture the thoughts of the poet based on her exposure to the Western world, the tone of the poem is that of despair as experienced from one African country to another remains the same. Some of the features of African countries mentioned include; the poor state of transportation, poor roads infrastructure, street begging while inhabitants are warmly disposed despite the pains around them. The continent remains the same, it is a familiar terrain that is easily recognized as one touches the ground. The poem elicits the feeling of crying. Seth Africa is the story of Africans who are not accepted in the Western world and also in Africa. The poem is a reminder of the disenfranchisement of Africans who are resident out of the continent and they are not allowed into Africa because their passport has expired. It is a shameful scenario which cannot be helped.  While the last in this series, Africa Remains is a poem that describes the attachment of Africans to their homeland notwithstanding of the challenges and afflictions that abound. These poems signify that the African experience is continent-wide.

The rustic experience of the poet to her African descent is also evident in some poems that showcase her growth within an African community. These poems are I Shall Ask Grandma to Write Me a Recommendation, GrandMa & I, What is Native Can’t Harm You. I Shall Ask Grandma to Write Me a Recommendation is a recount of the request by the scholarship office that the intending student must be recommended by a tutor, mentor and someone who has seen her progress over time. The poet believes so much in the wisdom acquired from her grandma as very crucial to her success. Some of what she has learnt under Grandma’s tutelage includes, indigenous craft, genealogies, meaning of names, didactic stories all of which the poet has preserved through writing. This makes her work amuse the Professor. Grandma & I is a nostalgic poem with the typical settings of Africa. Different elements of nature, such as the sun, rain, sky, river are used to show the romantic adventure of the poet during holidays with Grandma and interestingly, the holiday would soon be over. The typical agrarian family in Africa was reflected in this poem where grandparents trade in farm produce. What is Native Can’t Harm You is a reflection of the “colonized mindset” of African elite who instruct their children not to accept whatever is indigenous. The children on holidays are made “resident-aliens” because they must stick to eating what they brought from the city alone. However, the “westernized” meals and supplements do not give the desired growth while natural supplements would waste away.

The romantic theme in the anthology can be seen in the following poems, Greeting Moon, November In Dakar, Sipi, On this Mount Elgon and Coexistence. Greeting Moon is a poem on the moon when it was at its best. November in Dakar can be likened to the experience of cold in the Northern region of Nigeria in places like Maiduguri, Borno State or Jos, Plateau State. The effect of the harmattan is described as blowing hot in our faces, skins turn into fish scales, lips chapped like crocodile hide, eyes teary from allergies and the nose rocks with sneezing spells. When the night become cool, couples get together to welcome the change in season. Sipi is a poem in which the poet queries the relationship of the fall with River Mississippi, the poet extols the greatness feature of this waterfall. The fall is described as “loud, will in your falls” line 20. In order to understand the beauty of this river, I googled and found out that it is one of the tourist sites in Uganda. On This Mount Elgon is a poem on the expedition of the mountain with a team of explorers. The beauty of nature on the hills and forests is seen in this poem. The poem Coexistence is still about the coexistence of man and different elements of nature still on the same Mt Elgon.

There are themes that pungently reflect the African experience such as HIV/AIDS which is in the poem, At the River’s Edge. This phenomenon has wiped out many people of African descent. The poem opens with a feeling of neutrality by 2 groups of people: Africans who are not affected and the International community. The scourge has turned many children into bread winners. The port implores that Africans should reach out and share love with those affected. Africans care for one another till death. The poem Dear Trevor is about the untimely death of Trevor, a jolly good fellow who had a willing heart to help. However, it is gratifying to know that his life was short but purposeful. Trevor is one of the many victims of election violence and other heinous crimes that are in abundance in Africa. Ears is a poem on internally displaced people’s camp like we currently have it in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. The people in the camp had to keep mum regardless of the experience in the camp notwithstanding the bombing around the camp.

As typical to Africans who constantly call for revolution, a poem tagged Revolutionaries, is about the efforts of the youths to save Africa after the Darfur crisis and the Rwandan genocide. After a while, factions came up, some leaders died and some were “settled”. This has made the continent to waste on because of lies and betrayal by those that lead and were trusted. Also, the poem, Thief, is the revolution that is expected in the liberation of the language of Africans. The colonialists substituted the language at their advent. Every African nation has been systematically colonized linguistically since their advent. Some school of thought might argue that it is for global intelligibility but the truth remains that many beautiful thoughts in our languages that cannot be contextualized in English and French languages are gradually fading off. The poet vehemently requested for the restoration of language so as to convey her thoughts in her own mother-tongue.

Another group of poems that I want to sum up is can be grounded under the theme of Urbanized Africa. Living Out of a Suitcase is a description of the lifestyle of a lady who lived with 8 families in 3 months. The lady is quite helpless because she does not have a steady job. Unfortunately, she loses more than expected because her originality, her creativity and freewill is being traded in an attempt to eke a living. The poet summed it up that it is the way of people who keep walking the streets of life. Skipping is a way of correcting the assumption of youngster about generations that have gone ahead. She made it known that the prevalent challenges of today, namely, marriage, injustice, joblessness, was also experienced by the previous generation. However, at the demise of the older generation, the current generation thinks the past was favoured. Monday Morning is a poem that describes the aftermath of Sunday’s fun. Monday is never easy because it comes with a lot of bodily weaknesses which include indigestion, constipation, exhaustion, hang-ups and hangovers. The joy of an average man is full when it is a public holiday, where there is rainstorm, the roads are impassable and normal routine disrupted. People see it as a gift and they remain in bed on a Monday morning. A Wish is a poem that speaks of one of the issues of urbanized Africa which is depression. The poet wishes that depression has a cure. Many people are suffering from depression. The poet as a female might have suffered a heart-break that lead to depression and other socio-economic problems.

I would want to end this review by showing a myth and proverb that is closely related to that of Yoruba culture in the anthology. In the poem titled, Grandma and I, it was raining and there was sunshine simultaneously, in the poet’s culture, it means the hyena is getting wedded but in Yoruba culture, it is called, “Ekun n bimo” which means the Tiger is giving birth. Also in Ears, the mother cautioned her children making them know that walls have ears and this is similar to a Yoruba adage of the same meaning “Ogiri leti”. The thought pattern of Africans is identical.

The anthology Give Me Room To Move My Feet has a very rich content both that shows that the themes that unify the African cosmology. Barya has shown that it is possible to write in simple English and still give profound description of happenings around Africa. Barya has got a larger room by writing these poems in her own unique way.

Reviews of TRUE CALLING: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF REVD JOHN ADEGOKE OKESIJI, JP by Olutayo IRANTIOLA

The book, a biography has two parts. The first part chronicles the life history (step by step analysis) of Revd John Adegoke Okesiji, JP, from cradle to adulthood. It also dealt with his humble beginning in life as a teacher, his call to serve in the vineyard of God, his trial and travails, the high and low points as well as his retirement from active ministerial service. The second part is a collection of people’s view, feelings and comments from different perspectives on the man of God.

On a general note, the author has been able to show that for every man that is truly called to the gospel ministry, there must have been a bright and fruitful beginning (past) as a qualification for the task ahead. Like the early disciples of Jesus Christ and the great martyrs’, Peter and Andrew were profession fishermen, Matthew was a tax collector (probably a qualified Accountant), Paul was an accomplished legal luminary, while Luke was a physician etc. In his own case, Revd John Adegoke Okesiji was a teacher and a son of a clergy of great repute.

All these antecedents helped to mould his work life and fantastic record keeping habit. His education helped him to combine Church Administration with Spiritual Leadership, which is a rare combination. It was fascinating reading about this octogenarian, through the views of people, from within his nuclear family to the ageless Pa T. A. A. Ladele who was his teacher and guardian in Primary School.

The sum total of all the comments is that, we are celebrating a man of God, who like Paul, has fought a good fight. The life and times of Revd John A. Okesiji has already consigned into the archives the say that ‘The good that men do lives after them’. I believe very sincerely that God has spared his life to witness this day when his good deeds is been celebrated. Heaven is already rejoicing over an achiever, a true man of God and a devoted Baptist.

To the author, I have this to say:

You have done the right thing not only for yourself or the man (Revd J. A. Okesiji) himself but to Christendom. You have done justice to the Yoruba adage which says ‘ko si asegbe, asepamo lo wa’ meaning ‘there can never be a secret that will remain secret forever’. Whoever is reading this book is being reminded of the fact that whatever they might have done, whatever they are doing presently and whatever they are going to lay their hands on, will become history. The question is: what will people say about you and me?

Olutayo Irantiola, you have unknowingly written a part of your own history for readership in generations to come with the publication of this collection.

Once again, accept my best wishes and congratulations for a successful job done!

BOOK REVIEW 

TITLE: True Calling: The Life and Times of Revd. John Adegoke Okesiji, J. P.

AUTHOR: Olutayo Irantiola

PUBLISHER: Gavima Press Limited

PAGES: 215

REVIEWER: Tim Amosun

The book traced and did a critical analysis of the historical antecedents of Revd. John Adegoke Okesiji who hails from Alasia Compound in Isia, Okeho, Oyo State. His father, Moses Majaro, later became a pastor and had his magnificent contributions in both civic and spiritual aspects of human endeavours. 

The Life and Times of Revd. John Adegoke Okesiji was thoroughly researched into and well documented to learn from by one of his grandsons cum the author of the book, Mr. Olutayo Irantiola who meticulously gave detailed attention to the writing of the book. It contains a biography of an exemplary man of God who lived his altruistic life in the service of God and humanity. It chronicles his life from childhood till the life after retirement though not tired in the profession he has sown his entire life into. Revd. John Okesiji, is popularly called “Revd. Olokemeje” because he came from Okeho. He worked in Oke-Isokun, Oke-Isoko, Ori-Oke, Okelerin, he is ‘Goke by name and Okesiji as his surname earned him this. He lived within the former western States with particular attachment to Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun area of current Oyo State. It is also very evident that he traveled far and near to learn by experience and exposure in his passion to fulfill his God-given vision.

The book contains the testimonies of a man with humble beginning raised to the status of a force and a power to reckon with in the service to God and humankind in all the areas he touched. Revd. John Okesiji caught his vision early in life and he pursued it single-mindedly. Having received the call of God, he sacrificially developed himself thoroughly along the line by unshaken faith in God for the best. In the book, he is described as a loving, kind, quite but disciplined, assertive and brilliant pastor. He is a prolific writer, song composer, and a peacemaker. He is an instructive teacher blessed with pedagogic capacity and very result-oriented with passion for excellence in his approach to issues.

Among his many achievements are: spreading the gospel, planting and funding churches. In various capacities under the Nigerian Baptist Convention, he was appointed into the Oyo State Pilgrims Board (Christian Wing). He was the elected Chairman, planning Committee toward the actualization of the Western State Baptist Conference in 1971, appointed into the Western State Schools’ Board, Treasurer of Oyo West Baptist Conference, Chairman, Nigerian Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Chairman, Ogbomosho Baptist Association to mention but few. He was a contributor to the book titled, “Oyo-Okeho Baptist Association from 1858-2008” to mark the 150th anniversary of the Association.

He selflessly contributed his quota to the home front in various undisputable ways. He was a foundation member of the Okeho Council of Elders. He contributed to the writing of “Iwe Itan Okeho” as a member of the Research Committee. Also, the History of First Baptist Church did not come to limelight without his contribution in a bid to mark the Centenary anniversary of the church. His connection and influence brought Post Office to Okeho and he made his moral, material and financial contribution towards the construction of Okeho Town Hall where he hails from. The Okeho Anthem that was approved and adopted by the Okeho Council of Elders in October 2007 was composed by him.

No doubt, he was an ideal family man who put God first, family second and finally the ministry to ensure a transactional sense of balance. He is a sacrificial pastor of no mean repute who is conscious of others in his actions and reactions. He attached little or no importance to materialism. He is interested in capacity building by affecting, influencing and mentoring lives that comes across his way.

By and large, the book is a must read for all who desire great achievement in life and ministry. The 215 pages book is well branded, packaged and written in simple English language in such a way that it communicates the central message of the book to the readers. The author created a lot of suspense by giving a hint of what to expect in the next chapter from the previous chapter. To add spices, he used inspiring quotable quotes from men of worth. He published some photographs of Revd. John Adegoke Okesiji at different stages of his life to buttress some of his points. The author began the nine chapter book with a prologue and concluded it by publishing some commendation letters written by eminent personalities such as Revd. S. Ola Akande, the Onjo of Okeho, Soun of Ogbomosho, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon to express their perception of Baba as a man of integrity.

Foreword also was written by the present Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, who was baptized by Baba and remained close to Baba’s family till date. I humbly enjoin all and sundry to buy copies of this book for personal reading, as gifts for the individuals and for Libraries knowing fully that the secrets of blessing, long life, satisfaction and fulfillment is embedded in it.

A BOOK REVIEW 

TITLE: TRUE CALLING: The Life and Times of REVD. JOHN ADEGOKE OKESIJI, J.P.

AUTHOR: OLUTAYO IRANTIOLA 

PUBLISHED BY: Gavinma Press Ltd, 2009.

REVIEWER: ARULOGUN, Joy Olubukola

The book is a biograghy of Revd. John Adegoke Okesiji, J.P. It is divided

into two parts. The first consists of eight chapters, while the second part

has only one chapter. The first chapter takes us back to the memory lane

–the beginning of Baba’s life. It relates his early life, how he grew up

under the love and care of his maternal grandmother at Okeho, Oyo State; and

his adolescent adventures.

In chapter two, the focus is on his educational pursuit and challenges.

During his school days in First Baptist Day school, he was noted for

diligence and excellent performances in his academic works. Thus, he was

loved by his mates and teachers. The chapter also reveals the kind of

challenges the less privilege kids are facing; he and his friends took up

manual jobs to pay school fees. He is a focused and courageous person who

would not allow anything to hinder his educational pursuit; as a result he

was given a scholarship to realise his dream to become a pastor. Meanwhile,

chapter three discusses the beginning of his pastoral work at Iwofin Baptist

Church and his relentless efforts to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus

Christ in Oyo and Ogbomosho town and villages.

Furthermore, chapter four dwells, on Revd. J. Adegoke Okesiji’s major

achievements and exploit at Okelerin Baptist Church where he spent over

three decades in dedicated, committed and faithful service unto his God and

humanity. More so, chapter five through seven helps us to know that Papa is

a devoted, upright and a true man of God. Though, he faced so many

challenges in life, family and ministry, his strong faith in God saw him

through; hence, was able to make tremendous success and impact. He held

several honourable and leadership positions in the Christian Association of

Nigeria, Nigerian Baptist Convention, and the Western State of Nigeria. He

was actively involved in the establishment of churches, pastors’ schools and

many Christian organisations.

A popular adage says, “Behind every successful man is a woman.” This is

played out in chapter eight as Mrs. Sarah Okesiji tells us about her loving

husband. She describes him as a caring, understanding and sincere man.

Thereafter, other members of Papa’s family testify to his enviable character

as man of integrity, kind hearted and godly. His life is worthy of

emulation.

Lastly, the final chapter, herald the testimonies of people from all walk

of life who have come in contact with Papa and whose life he has influenced

greatly in one way or the other. These people range from king, traditional

rulers, friends, co-workers, fellow pastors, neighbours to mention a few.

In conclusion, this piece of work serves as a pointer to us that we are

playing a script in life; and shall give account of how we live, be it to

man or God. Therefore, we should be challenged through the exemplary life of

Rev. John Adegoke Okesiji to live a life of integrity, selfless service to

God and man. A good name, they say, is better than riches. One day, somebody

will write or say something about you and me; what would they write?

WHY GOOD MEN MUST DIE

why good men must die,

I do not know

He came to the world like a baby,

He cried out loud from mama's world,

He came into his own world,

A world of fantasy.

He came to a fulfilled world,

He fulfilled his own world,

He was a teacher, who trained the world,

A doctor, he saves life,

A gardner,who watches over people. 

An engineer who.... 

A planter, who sows good seed always. 

A writer who wrote his genesis well. 

Yes he is indeed more than what, 

I can say, write dramatise, 

Grave is a silent place that no one dares to go.

Yet, papa left for the gentle grave 

He left the world of worry and doubt, 

The world of anxiety and distrust, 

A world that murmurs evil, 

he left 4 a lonely place 

d bossom of his dare futher 

we will meet to part no more, 

we will all meet to sing psalms and hymns

soon and mabe sooner than anyone thinks 

since no one wants to go 

Moving to the silent place is not what matters, 

what people have to say and write matters. 

your past and present will shout after you have gone, 

papa left us what we are proud of, 

your life is not wasted, its a legacy for us to follow. 

we luv you but God loves you more 

O DI GBA.............

Abioye, Tomilayo

A Fantastic FEAT!

really my brother u've done a fantastic work. the book is enriched with your noble

knowledge and writing aptitude through self develpment. someone once said "if u find

a path with no obstacles, it probably leads to no where" which happened in your own

case but u never give up till the vision comes in to reality.to papa he lead an

exemplary life as a pious christian. i learnt to keep calm even when you're right

4rm him in a new way.honestly, my thought and knowledge is blessed.keep it up!.

Alawode Olaide.