Dialogue with my Country By Niyi Osundare
$10.00
Niyi Osundare’s poetry, as exemplified in this volume, portrays the realism of a keen and critical intelligence.
Dialogue With My Country, Niyi Osundare’s latest book, which is a compilation of articles written under his 24-year-old column in Newswatch, makes a debut
Niyi Osundare, poet, writer and professor of English, is an angry man. Last week, many who gathered at the presentation of his book titled: Dialogue With My Country, caught a glimpse of his feeling of anger which emitted from the pages of the compilation of his column in Newswatch magazine. For 24 years through the magazine, Osundare had used the pen as a dagger to disembowel the high and the mighty in the society.
Keith Richards, managing director of Promasidor, who reviewed the book, aptly captured Osundare’s anger in his review. “While this is a collection that contains both wit and wisdom, it is fundamentally an angry book. The quiet rage may be contained in a wrapper of humour and softened by the style and pedigree of his prose but Osundare is true to his belief that the basis of all art is justice.”
According to Richards, not only were the issues raised in the column relevant today, but they were also prescient. When Osundare’s column criticised the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, of the time, he didn’t envisage that to date Nigerians would still be talking about the seven-point agenda and though he decried the National Electric Power Authority, NEPA, the Power Holding Company Nigeria, PHCN, is still a problem. He had written against campuses emptied by cultism in the past, yet today, they are laid to waste by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. In March 1993, he wrote surely, Nigeria’s democratic experimentation must be the most expensive in the world. He probably had not imagined that today the cost of the legislature would be colossal. “It is no wonder that the satire and ridicule that appealed to Newswatch readers originally should be so contemporary till this very moment. It is no wonder that Osundare’s wit and humour, his passion and connection barely disguise his anger and frustration,” Richards said.
Richards said the book is a must read for those who want to know more about Nigeria. For one, it prompted memories and sometimes a bitter smile of reminiscence for older Nigerians. For younger Nigerians, especially those educated abroad who are disappointed with the economic situation in the country today, it facilitates a greater understanding of those with a touch of grey hair. For expatriates ready to learn more of the background to the frustrations and anger felt by those who thought that this democracy would be the realisation of years of hope, it provides insight.
Dan Agbese, editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine couldn’t agree more. Agbese, who was the moderator at the book presentation, had also edited Osundare’s column for the past 24 years and attested that the writer was indeed filled with a unique kind of rage that was surrounded with a bout of humour. “To me, he projects two charming personae. As a man, he is humorous but when he sits before his word processor, all traces of humour and laughter vanish because as a writer and social commentator, he is an angry man. Angry at a country that promises so much, yet delivers so little. Angry at our leaders, in khaki or agbada, for failing us and making a career and fortunes from our misfortunes,” he said.
Agbese said the title of the book: Dialogue with My Country is like a cruel pun on the word ‘dialogue’ because columnists in Nigeria always seemed to be talking to themselves. Agbese believes that Osundare’s choice of the book title was meant to be understood as a dialogue of the deaf because though Osundare had been talking for 24 years, nobody has been listening.
Based on 0 reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
General Inquiries
There are no inquiries yet.
You may also like…
-
Books, Children
A Lesson for Grandpa
Seller: Buy Books LtdA Lesson for Grandpa is the account of a little called Ada whose Grandpa sent his tenants out of his building for a selfish reason. Another set of tenants were brought into without knowing much about them. Who are these tenants? What happens to Grandpa at the end? the answer to these questions and more are in the books
SKU: n/a -
Books, Books & Games, Language
The Forest of a Thousand Daemons By D. O. Fagunwa Translated by Wole Soyinka
Books, Books & Games, LanguageThe Forest of a Thousand Daemons By D. O. Fagunwa Translated by Wole Soyinka
Seller: GrammyBooksThis book is a free translation of the Chief D. O. Fagunwa’s novel, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale, the most famous of all works of Yoruba fiction. It is the pilgrimage of the Yoruba race and its themes are universal: the quest for lasting happiness and peace of mind and the hazards this entails Wole Soyinka has put this novel at the disposal of a wider reading public by translating it into English. He is a leading national playwright, novelist and poet. His works include Season of Anomy also in this series.
SKU: n/a -
Books, Books & Games, Literature
The Illustrated Things Fall Apart
Seller: GrammyBooksThis special, large-format, lavishly-illustrated edition of Things Fall Apart, ‘Africa’s best loved novel’, is a timely tribute to ‘the father of modern African Literature’. It is published to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of a book now considered a classic of African and World Literature. This edition uniquely blends the enduring simplicity of Achebe’s tale with the creative visual talents of some of Nigeria’s best and bright contemporary artists. The result is a book that will appeal to lovers of African Literature and Art the world over. A treasured testament to the art of story-tellling, Things Fall Apart Illustrated is bound to become a collector’s item.
SKU: n/a
Recently Viewed Product
-
Books, Children
Active English Grammar and Composition Book 3
Seller: Buy Books LtdThis workbook comes in six series. It focuses on helping the child become a young master of the English grammar and to also have a full knowledge of the art of English composition. This is an activity driven book. This allows instructors to easily measure the success of each lesson.
SKU: n/a -
Art & Collectibles, Collectibles, Craft, Memorabilia
African Talking Drum (Omele Gangan)
Seller: kakakee Shop- Talking drum
- Comes with shoulder strap and beating stick
- Perfect as a musical instrument, collectable or decorative item and as gift
- Made from sustainable materials: Wood and goat skin
- Available in different sizes
SKU: n/a -
Games
Luku Luku Abstract
Seller: NIBCARD LimitedMeet Luku-Luku.
LUKU-LUKU is an education game with three editions – Noun, Abstract and Map. It’s a fast game and based on the name, it is about how fast your eyes can move. Luku luku Abstract teaches stars, numbers and regular shapes in a fun way depending on what the player wants to learn.
Age: 5+
No of players: 2
Time (average): 20mins
Year of Publish: 2016
Designer: Kenechukwu Ogbuagu KC
Publisher: NIBCARD Nig Ltd.SKU: n/a -
Books, Children
jasmine – A Caterpillar in a cocoon (Patience)
Seller: Buy Books LtdWe had become airplanes touring the neighborhood with our arms stretched out. Then we saw the garbage truck. It all happened when the runway narrowed. I lost my balance and fell on the tarmac. Zeynep was okay. She run to bring help.
SKU: n/a -
-
-
Books, Books & Games, Language
Aare-Ago Arikuyeri by Lawuyi Ogunniran
Seller: GrammyBooksIse ni ogun `se
Mura si ise ore mi
Ise ni afi ndeni giga
Bi ako ba reni fehinti
Bi ole la a ri
Bi a ko ba reni gbekele
A tera mose eni
Iya re le lowo lowo
Baba re si le leshin le kan
Bi o ba gboju le won
O te tan ni mo so fun o
Ohun ti a ko ba jiya fun
Se kii le tojo
Ohun ti a ba fara sise fun
Ni npe lowo eni
Apa lara
Igunpa ni iye kan
Bi aiye ba nfe o loni
Ti o balowo lowo
Won a ma fe o lola
Jeki o wa ni ipo atata
Aiye a ma ye o si terin-terin
Jeki o deni rago
Ko o ri bi aiye ti nyinmu si o
Eko si tun seni doga
Mura ki o ko dara-dara
Iya nbo fomo ti ko gbon
Ekun mbe fomo ti o nsa kiri
Ma fowuro sere ore mi
Mura si ise ojo nlo.SKU: n/a -
Face Care, Health & Beauty, Natural Products, Skincare
REVITALIZING FACE CREAM
Seller: Leemah LuxurySize: 50g
The revitalizing face cream is the perfect hydrating cream. It reveals a brighter, more hydrated and refreshed skin. It contains ingredients that help fight pigmentation, reduce the appearance of dark spots and repair damaged skin.
SKU: n/a -
Books, Books & Games, Language
The Forest of a Thousand Daemons By D. O. Fagunwa Translated by Wole Soyinka
Books, Books & Games, LanguageThe Forest of a Thousand Daemons By D. O. Fagunwa Translated by Wole Soyinka
Seller: GrammyBooksThis book is a free translation of the Chief D. O. Fagunwa’s novel, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale, the most famous of all works of Yoruba fiction. It is the pilgrimage of the Yoruba race and its themes are universal: the quest for lasting happiness and peace of mind and the hazards this entails Wole Soyinka has put this novel at the disposal of a wider reading public by translating it into English. He is a leading national playwright, novelist and poet. His works include Season of Anomy also in this series.
SKU: n/a -
Face Care, Health & Beauty, Natural Products, Skincare
FACIAL WASH
Seller: Leemah LuxuryThe Facial wash is great for oily and acne prone skin as It helps to control excessive sebum production, deep cleanse and unclog the pores and fight acne causing bacteria. Moisturize with a hydrating face cream afterwards to give the skin some moisture.
Size: 100ml
SKU: n/a -
Books, Children
Jasmine Responsibility- A Blessing in disguise
Seller: Buy Books LtdI ran into my teacher while walking to school the next day. She had quite a few folders and bags in her hands. She had difficulty carrying them. ¨Could you help me, Jasmine?” she asked. I obliged willingly and took a few folders from her. I felt cheerful helping out my teacher. I started hopping towards the teacher’s room. As I was hopping right, left and backwards, I ran into a student. All the folders in my arms dropped on the floor.
SKU: n/a
There are no reviews yet.