By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Prof.Emeritus Olu Obafemi.
(C) Google.
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has honoured one of Nigeria’s foremost literary icons, Prof. Olu Obafemi, for his pioneering use of literature as a catalyst for social reform and national consciousness.
At the 3rd Colloquium held on Tuesday in his honour in Lokoja,the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, described Obafemi as a scholar whose works have redefined the relationship between art, justice, and moral values.
Our correspondent reports that the colloquium, one of the intellectual highlights of the university’s forthcoming 9th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for October 18 at the Felele Campus, was dedicated to examining Obafemi’s life, works, and intellectual legacy.
“Through Prof. Obafemi’s radical and ideological theatre, literature has become a platform for confronting injustice and promoting moral values,” Akinwumi said.
“Beyond his creative output as a poet and dramatist, he has served Nigeria with distinction as a public intellectual, mentor, and policy influencer.
“His conferment with the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM),the nation’s highest honour for intellectual achievement,attests to his monumental contributions to knowledge, culture, and humanity.”
The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the speakers and discussants for their scholarly reflections on Obafemi’s influence on African literature and society.
In a presentation titled “Agurumo on the Cross: The Social Vision and Revolutionary Aesthetics of Olu Obafemi,” Prof. Ayodele Bamidele of FUL’s Department of English described the celebrated writer as an avowed realist who believes that art must mirror and transform society.
“Prof. Obafemi believes that art should serve humanity by making society a better place. This conviction runs through the entire tapestry of his dramatic works.
“As a literary historian, he chronicles the evolution of Nigeria with the goal of annihilating the ‘Agurumos’,symbols of oppression and corruption,for the sake of peace and justice. Although it is not yet Uhuru, his vision for a just society remains a work in progress,”Bamidele said.
In his remarks, Prof. Obafemi expressed deep gratitude to the university management for the honour, and to all who contributed to the success of the event.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
