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, 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 -
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
Recently Viewed Product
-
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 -
Art & Collectibles, Collectibles, Craft, Memorabilia, Vintage
Multicolored Round Raffia Bag
Seller: kakakee Shop- Beautiful multicoloured Hausa Raffia Round Bag
- Size: Length 8. Width: 10 inches
- Made from raffia leaves & leather
- Comes with shoulder straps
- Single inner compartment
- Leather lock opening
SKU: n/a -
Books, Children
English Skills Practice book 4
Seller: Buy Books LtdEnglish skills practice is a series of six workbooks providing daily comprehensive and structured practice of literacy and language skills in spelling, word study, punctuation and grammar in order to consolidate and develop a students ability and confidence in English language.
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 -
Games
Wan Wan Touch; The Boardgame
Seller: NIBCARD LimitedWan Wan
Touch; The Boardgame is a dexterity boardgame version of the street soccer game known as Wan Wan Touch (or Boolu, voolu, one touch in different location).Age: 7+
No of players: 1-4
Time (average): 30mins
Year of Publish: 2019
Designer: Kenechukwu Ogbuagu KC
Publisher: NIBCARD Nig Ltd.SKU: n/a -
-
Books, Books & Games, Literature
The interpreters By Wole Soyinka
Seller: GrammyBooksThe interpreters, written by Wole Soyinka in 1965, divided into two parts, is a social realism which major theme centres on the post-independence moral decadence that plagues the Nigerian society, up-till date, attempted to be solved by the Nigerians who had just returned from studies abroad. Each of the main characters is engaged in the enterprise of interpreting himself in relation to the society in which he lives, in an attempt to discover the right way to live. The narrative is, as a result, multi-stranded and employs a shifting, subjective time-scale, and in some aspects, the narrative situation used is figural, sometimes resulting in flashbacks; rendered with an intense use of language somewhat complex and metaphorical. The novel has its settings in Lagos and University of Ibadan. There is a range of character types in The Interpreters in that each of the main personae has an individual way of interpreting the world, though of course, due to their association with each other, there is a degree of commonality in some respects, both in the sense of shared experience and of quality of experience as intellectuals, though with some exceptions. However, their interpretations tilted towards the same thought stemming from shared experiences as intellectuals, except Kola. They bear the burden of the author’s worries and emphasis on indecision. They collectively and helplessly search for self-identity as a way out of the identity crisis and lack of moral stance.
SKU: n/a -
-
Books, Books & Games, Politics & Development
Reflections on the Nigerian Civil War: Facing the Future By Ralph Uwechue
Books, Books & Games, Politics & DevelopmentReflections on the Nigerian Civil War: Facing the Future By Ralph Uwechue
Seller: GrammyBooksA comment on the First Edition from Lagos’ Sunday Times: “The most unimpassioned account, to date, of the Nigerian civil War…Reflections is a book for any shelf…”
SKU: n/a -
Art & Collectibles, Craft, Gift ideas, Memorabilia
Water Hyacinth Cord Gourd Art
Seller: MitimethHandcrafted
Upcycled coconut shells and woven water hyacinth
Dimension: 38″ Circumference x 18″H
Made in Nigeria
MitiMeth exclusiveThis two tone woven water hyacinth Gourd is just the piece you need to get that center table or shelf really excited. This handmade Accent adds the perfect rustic touch to your décor.
SKU: n/a
There are no reviews yet.