Book: Sorry You've Been Troubled
Author: Omoseye Bolaji
Publisher: Eselby Jnr Publications (South Africa)
Author: Omoseye Bolaji
Publisher: Eselby Jnr Publications (South Africa)
Introduction by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
Intriguing writer, Omoseye Bolaji has once again
generated another enchanting work of literature that is remarkable revealing
his excellent literary prowess.
Primarily, the book comprises works like “Text of a major Lecture
delivered by him at a Nigerian University in 2016-Sorry you’ve been troubled,
world famous Ngugi, female writer MatshidisoTaleng, criticism, general
appreciation of African Literature and Introduction of selected African works...
His dazzling lecture in the University expresses
superlative literary features that are imperatively impressive. The lecture furnishes apposite details which
are colossally significant in the domain of literature. As Wikipedia stresses: ‘Mr.Bolaji is an
award-winning Nigerian writer who over the years has contributed phenomenally
to the growth of African Literature at grassroots level in South Africa,
especially in the Free State. Bolaji is
a novelist, short story writer, playwright, poet, literary critic, biographer,
editor and journalist. He has been
largely praised as a catalyst for writing in Africa…’
In his Nigerian Lecture, he has delivered a most
powerful lecture in the literary sphere.
The lecture title “Sorry you’ve been troubled” is extraordinarily fetching
as it highlights literary aspects that are pertinent in literature. The lecture is embellished with delectable
details about literature which simultaneously coupled with the keen desire to
read it time and again. The kernel of
the lecture is specifically about literature in general. Firstly, his honest perspective emanating
from his experience is essentially dramatic.
Of course his point of articulation is utterly based on South African
and Nigerian literature, he also mentions writers of great calibre from both
countries of Africa. Mariam Tlali, Flora
Nwapa, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Peter Abrahams, Es’kiaMphahlele, ZakesMda
constitute part of his lecture.
By being familiar with the lecture, one will
recognize that Omoseye Bolaji prospect of his lecture is not near-sighted or
criminally parochial, but albeit he unequivocally expresses what exactly
entails bona fide literature. Omoseye Bolaji
has the ability to point out literary dimension that are heady to African
literature. Precisely, his vast
erudition as concerning literature shuns the concept of negligence and ignoble
demeanour that attempts to degrade African literature. Nowadays, some mushrooming writers attempt to
forge bizarre situation that is irrelevant in literature. To neglect what constitutes literature can be
devastating. Constantly writers need to
acknowledge their invaluable contribution in literature as unparalleled thing
that adds enormous value in the advancement of literature. If writers will behave haughtily and be psychologically
undermined by supercilious attitude-that will be eventually tantamount to
cataclysms in literature.
Writers should perpetually concentrate in
promulgating literature with great zeal.
Prolific writer like Omoseye Bolaji need to be commended by his sterling
work that he sincerely showed over the years, in particular his fervent desire
to spread quintessential literature.
When you properly contemplate his lecture, you will recognise his
brilliance regarding literature. By far
he is known for his countless number of exhilarating literatures he produces
and he is invariable willing to disseminate literature in this wise. For example in this book especially his
superlative lecture reminisces about the heyday of African literature-when it
was radical, marvellous and idyllic. Enthusiastically,
he significantly mentions African writers who specialised in fables like O.
Fagunwa, Amos Tutuola and sublime wordsmith of African literature such as Wole
Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Es’kiaMphahlele etc.
African female catalysts of literature like Mariam Tlali and Flora Nwapa
are of course mentioned in Bolaji’s lecture.
Blatantly-both these female writers of Africa, their works and
contribution in literature will always remain immortal inspiration to many
African females’ writers across African continent and in the world.
In addition, the lecture emphasises how
OmoseyeBolaji played an essential role in the grassroots literature in South
Africa. Importantly, he appreciated the
power of internet in making things easier especially when you are seeking
information and doing researches. It is
through the internet that he was able to be familiar with writers of great
integrity like Aryan Kaganof. The role
and contribution that Omoseye Bolaji played in literature is very pivotal. He always encourages others to be writers too. The young people whom he influences to be
writers ultimately end up doing well in literature. Obviously, when you write about OmoseyeBolaji
literary works, it is vitally important to acknowledge literary criticism. Literary criticism will remain critical in
literature and it is quite phenomenal to see Mr Bolaji stress its importance in
literature. Only few writers appreciated
this ilk of literature, however others see it as menace to their work.
The lecture contains wonderful didactic lesson for young people. Nevertheless, there must be nothing turbulent among the youth about genuine literature. Young people need to appreciate genuine literature in order to benefit. For example, because of the comfort and privilege which the present technology generates, young people are easily tractable to it. Technology is salient when it is used precisely for the advancement of literature rather than to be used as fun and displaying of visual luxurious photos. The quality of the lecture is considerably significant and certainly it is a fillip to people of Africa. Mr.Bolaji never ignored the fact that Africa is losing its legendary literary icons. Africa and the Africans need to emulate these writers by learning about how things are properly done. Without their appreciation, surely Africa will be destroyed.
Earlier in 2016, Omoseye Bolaji published another
exhilarating literary work (Cognoscenti) that completely acknowledged African
literature. Overall, the book contains
colossal work of literature that is deliberately underpinning African
literature. The work is glaringly Pan
African. Pan Africanism, for decades in
Africa, it has been interpreted and implemented differently. Here, however the writer’s focus is essentially
on African writers who over the years contributed immensely to African
literature. Cognoscenti, includes
writers such as Flaxman Qoopane, Es’kiaMphahlele, Gabriel Okara, Ola Rotimi,
MbelleSonneDipoko, Peter Abrahams, Tiisetso M Thiba, GomolemoMokae, Ishmael
MzwandileSoqaga etc.
Similarly, in this newly book, Chief Bolaji continues to mesmerize the world with his delectable excellent literary dexterity. Again, he constantly appreciates African literature with profound glee, only scoundrel individuals will be dumbfounded by this devastating work of literature which is palatable to read. His latest work aims at reinvigorating and advocating literature in general-this is the work that one must savour with great enthusiasm. Like it is graphically lucid in his recent lecture “Sorry you’ve Been Troubled” in the University in Nigeria, thus showcases him as an outstanding prolific writer who is always committed in propagating literature. There are underlying quantity of remarks and questions that he poses in his remarkable lecture. Concisely, he commented “It is as if in our African societies, one should apologise for loving literature, for relishing creative reading and writing; as if one should genuflect to others, and say: “Sorry you’ve been troubled”. Imagine that... “Sorry you’ve been troubled”! Should we apologise for embracing literature and literacy in Africa?
Similarly, in this newly book, Chief Bolaji continues to mesmerize the world with his delectable excellent literary dexterity. Again, he constantly appreciates African literature with profound glee, only scoundrel individuals will be dumbfounded by this devastating work of literature which is palatable to read. His latest work aims at reinvigorating and advocating literature in general-this is the work that one must savour with great enthusiasm. Like it is graphically lucid in his recent lecture “Sorry you’ve Been Troubled” in the University in Nigeria, thus showcases him as an outstanding prolific writer who is always committed in propagating literature. There are underlying quantity of remarks and questions that he poses in his remarkable lecture. Concisely, he commented “It is as if in our African societies, one should apologise for loving literature, for relishing creative reading and writing; as if one should genuflect to others, and say: “Sorry you’ve been troubled”. Imagine that... “Sorry you’ve been troubled”! Should we apologise for embracing literature and literacy in Africa?
Moreover, this time around Bolaji in his book
includes three Literary Profiles of African writers-one of such profiles
involves the world celebrated Ngugi; whilst Bolaji also focuses on a young
talented female writer MatshidisoTaleng.
In a manner reminiscent of his 2016 book, title Cognoscenti, Bolaji
again includes many short reviews of sundry books in this work-about 20 of them
this time. These reviews include the
celebrated works and authors like Wellesley Cole, AreoyeOyebola, Kofi Awoonor,
Samuel Johnson, AyiKweiArmah, Dangarembge, Wole Soyinka etc.
The general picture of this new collection by Bolaji reinforces what he has been focusing on in recent years; criticism and appreciation of African literature in general and tantalising introduction of selected African works and writers in general. The general major lecture included in this new book; and all the 20 or so short reviews of selected African books included in the new book... Essentially, this is a noteworthy book which continues to enthrall literary aficionados with utmost delectation.
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IM Soqaga (Mangaung, South Africa)
IM Soqaga (Mangaung, South Africa)
