Some were born with greatness while some made their way into greatness; whichever way one attains greatness, it must be through one’s hard work and dedication to duties.
Those born into greatness had their forerunner paved the way for them — they had a shoulder to lean on — which serves as a “shortcut” to success for them. All they need do is to work hard to sustain greatness amidst all the privileges.
While some had to do all the heavy lifting amidst limited or no privileges.
I don’t know which of the two groups — the born into greatness where one only has to keep the flag up or the self-made greatness where one toils his way to greatness — that Professor Olu Obafemi belongs to.
One thing is sure, he is a great and fulfilled man. A great asset to himself, his Family, his District and Nation, and the whole World.
The renowned Professor of English and Dramatic Literature a Fellow and, at a time, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters is a treasure bestowed to the world by Bunu District.
I am compelled to write this short piece about him today as I came across a Facebook post on the handle of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba (formerly known as Kogi State University, Anyigba) — the post was about a winner of an Award named after Professor Olu Obafemi. I was happy at the sight of Baba’s name. It is not a mean feat for such a prestigious award to be named after an individual. Our darling Prof. deserves to be celebrated and commended for the honors he has brought to himself and the Bunu kingdom.
An excerpt from the post reads “… an alumnus of Prince Abubakar Audu University’s Theatre Arts Department and a member of Staff of the University has been awarded the prestigious SONTA-Olu Obafemi Prize for Playwriting (2024). The award which was conferred at the 37th International Conference of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists held at the Federal University Lokoja, is named after renowned playwright Professor Olu Obafemi and celebrates exceptional talent and creativity in playwriting.”
I was elated, just as I have always been, whenever I read about him in the local, national, and international dailies or journals. I do feel proud that he is from my part of the world — Bunu.
The Asiwaju of Kiri kingdom place is secured amongst the top individuals, if a list is to be drawn, of the numerous Bunu sons and daughters who are making meaningful and positive contributions to the world in different careers and capacities.
The Akutupa-kiri-born playwright became the 76th recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NMOM) award in the year 2018, being conferred with the award also means he is the first Theatre Critic to be so honored with the highest Professional honor for Nigerians.
The Author of many books has a long list of laurels and achievements which if I am to list, be sure that you will need nothing less than an hour to read this piece. I will attach a few lin ks at the tail of this piece for those who may want to read more about him.
A better option is to run a Google search on his name: “Professor Olu Obafemi ”, I can assure you of a beautiful and thrilling read about the man who has successfully reached the pinnacle of his career without blemish.
You just have to love the humble and cool-headed elder stateman who served for decades as the Grand Patron of Bunu Students’ Union; served as the Pro-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), the Chairman of the establishment committee of Kogi State University, Kabba, and currently the Chairman of the Governing Council of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State.
Prof, sir, “How you take run am” 😊
How did you get to this lofty height? How can we, the young generation, attain, or at least, come close to your cherished feats that transcend national borders by keeping the banner high and stainless as you did and still doing from Akutupa-Kiri to the World?
Prof, sir, you have to reproduce multiples of your kind in us.
Further read on Prof. Olu Obafemi:
- https://nalonline.org.ng/olu-obafemi/
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olufemi_Obafemi
- https://oluobafemi.wordpress.com/about/#:~:text=Olu%20Obafemi%2C%20Professor%20of%20English,the%20Association%20of%20Nigerian%20Authors.
- https://www.africanbookscollective.com/authors-editors/olu-obafemi
- https://aict-iatc.org/en/special-award-for-olu-obafemi/
© Alaba AIYEGBOKA
aaiyegboka@gmail.com
13th September, 2024.
