I won’t beat or drive around any fair or beautiful illusion of any sphere of a dream in today’s production of this column. I am giving attention to the words of some readers who were kind enough to share them with me after reading my words on the recently late Kenyan high literary personality who was, I hear, cremated last week in the United States.
I begin with the following words snatched from Richard Wagner’s The Mastersingers of Nuremberg: My friend, it is the poet’s work/
Dreams to interpret and to mark. /Believe me that man’s true conceit/ In a dream becomes complete:/ All poetry we ever read / Is but true dreams interpreted.
Interpret this quote how you may, but in doing so, kindly pay good heed to the shapes of the readers who speak to us directly.
Professor Anonymous
You have penned artistic memories that are well-considered. My M.A. Dissertation was on Femi Osofisan and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. The woman-centred or feminist revolutionary bent is prominent in both writers. Africa still expects many of their writers to come to life. Thank you for the tribute, our un-common columnist.
Captain Jonathan Nani
This is another great piece from the don of letters. Ngugi’s decision to write in his mother tongue is a testament to his dedication to making literature accessible to his people. His pioneering work in this area has inspired many African writers. Ngugi’s pen was a lightning rod, illuminating the complexities of identity, culture and resistance.
Through his ground- breaking works in Gikuyu, he shattered the silence of colonialism and empowered a generation of Africans born and unborn to retain their narratives and to be proud of their mother tongue. His unwavering commitment to social justice and linguistic decolonisation continues to inspire writers, thinkers, and activists worldwide especially those of African origin.
As a literary giant, Ngugi’s legacy will forever be remembered in the fabric of African literature, reminding us of the transformative power of words. Good night to another don of letters. And thank you, dear sir, for doing what you have done for him.
Professor Sonny Awhefeada
Thank you very much, Sir, for your picture of Ngugi. I remember how you called the name Ngugiii…. in our days in UNIBEN. He lived well, but sadly Africa and Kenya failed him. Such a great African soul had to live and die and get buried in America….. so, so sad.
Professor Warisu Alli
Thank you, dear writer, for writing this beautiful tribute to a great African writer and revolutionary, Ngugi wa Thiong’o. I am intrigued and almost embarrassed that such a great revolutionary Pan-African activist could be dreaming of winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. Well, there’s no barrier to ambition. Revolutionaries also have dreams.
Mr. Kolawole Oluwasanjo
Our un-usual columnist, your piece on the late Ngugi is remarkable. But let me use this opportunity to openly celebrate you un-quietly. I know that coming in contact with you was not accidental but pre-planned by the Most High.
There were certain things I used to entertain myself before like draught playing, watching entertainment videos and listening to music but I have long brushed them aside to nurture and feed my mind with high quality stuffs that your write-ups are. Ever before I got android phone I used to get the very page of every newspaper that carried your columns.
Today I get the links of your columns from other readers – I study your columns diligently and studiously and they have helped me greatly in communicating with the high and mighty right from your In and Out column years in the Nigerian Tribune. I had been one of your silent admirers, and God was kind enough to let me know and see you face to face in the Conference Hall at the University of Ibadan when Dr Wale Okediran, also a Nigerian Tribune columnist, launched one of his books.
I was happy to see you live when the former House of Representatives member brought a whole you to his occasion. Why am I saying all this now? Your Ngugi article is the reason. It teaches every ardent seeker of knowledge. It is academic, intellectual and spiritual. Thank you for lighting up the dark paths of the silent millions (within which bracket I fall). In your endeavour I liken you to Ngugi. Am I wrong?
Dr Folarin Dimowo
Thanks, Sir, for the Ngugi piece. I am happy you met Ngugi. I’m sure he was a simple man like you. Greatness lies in simplicity.
Mr. Bob Majiri
Greetings from Abuja. A good, fabulous read, Sir, your essay on Ngugi. I agree absolutely with Ngugi on the daffodils even though I am not a great fan of his. I am already suffering the treatment the West gave JP Clark and Chinua Achebe, in the West refusing to acknowledge my works because I deigned to ‘attack’ their values. Some fifteen years ago, I challenged the Caine Prize for African Literature, their designation of literature coming from Africa as “African.”
The organisers went for me in subtle manners to the extent that my entries for the Commonwealth and Caine Prizes were ignored, and indeed both the British and American Embassies appear to have blacklisted me as well. Remember that you did a reference for me for University of Stirling but was not selected, that is, in spite of meeting All their conditions.
I have decided that these people keep their awards whilst I explore the new worlds of AI and my journalism to tell my stories. Note that they were literally silent about Ngugi’s demise apparently because of the issue you discussed. Your article will educate many, who seek to win awards by the West. The tragedy of it all is that if one does not celebrate their values, it appears impossible for them to put their stamp on one as a writer of note. Good for them.
Professor Owojecho Omoha
Beyond the Nobel Prize! Ngugi left daffodils in search of African ideologies in Kenya. He got them to the fullest. To hell with the Nobel Prize, their Prize. Ngugi got our prizes beyond the Nobel. TA, our celebrated, erudite and poetic columnist of dreams, you have paid your dues, sitting side by side with whom you love to remember, Ngugi. Your encounters at Stirling speak volumes. After all, the West was here at Ibadan, and elsewhere in Nigeria. If Ngugi was refused the Nobel, we will award the West the Ngugi wa Thiong’o Prize in years to come.
Dr Edafe Mukoro
Allow me to send you these three sentences on your column on Ngugi: I agree with you, Sir, that Ngugi is “an essential part of history”. You wrote a great piece of personal encounter with the great Ngugi. The piece is interesting, enlightening and enjoyable indeed, as an essay of and by a big mind.
Mr. Suyi Ayodele
Ngugi was a great man. Wonder why he would think the West would give him their Nobel! Your telling him so is audacious, vintage Itsekiri and pure Afejuku!
Sehaji Jacob Oshodi
Erudite columnist, your article on Ngugi is superb. Your memory is acute. That you could still remember the names of the Professors and lecturers you mentioned and your vivid conversation with Ngugi attests to your beautiful memory which I can liken to the memory of an elephant. The spiritual masters will continue to guide and protect you.
Afejuku can be reached via 08055213059.
