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| Busayo Fakunle, ANA-OYO Publicity Secretary |
Travelogue 1
A Literary Journey to FCE (Special), Oyo.
(8th June,2023)
Fakunle Busayo Nsi
Before I became a married man, traveling was an integral part of me and to think that there would be a time I would spend a week without leaving Ibadan is unimaginable. But then that's the reality, responsibility of this committed married man and the country's economy has forced me to constantly ‘lay low’ but when the opportunity to attend Ana-Oyo Literary Retreat at Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo came, I jumped at it. At first my bank account looked like one that has been greatly affected by fuel subsidy removal not until I got palliative from a friend, then I paid.
At first, I still didn't want to pay considering family and the recent conversations I am having at home with my wife these days. She has started reminding me to probably increase the food allowance even when I am drinking water she would say ‘Busayo, nkan ti won gan o’. Isn't that truthful? Things are terribly expensive and the consequences it's having is better imagined. If you care to know, I've started trekking some little distances so to ensure money is saved and by the way it is instructive to be very economical in this period. Do not live beyond your income.
Having paid for the retreat, the challenge of transportation walked in and eventually got solved by another friend, Phil Nwoko , a rare friend and Aunty. Worthy of mention is Mr. Ola Rotimi, Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners Oyo state chapter who conveyed us down to Oyo. While at the filling station opposite IITA, Ibadan, we took expensive oranges whose sizes were like newly growing breasts. We bought four pieces for two hundred Naira and I felt disturbed. Walk into a hospital, the doctor will encourage you to take natural fruits and remind you of the importance of having varieties, yet not considering the economic challenge that even him/her is confronted with. How on earth does garri become 550 Naira per Congo? Make an attempt to give a child 50 Naira to get something, he would probably immediately remind you that there is nothing he can but with 50 Naira and be satisfied.
Before getting to Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, venue of the Ana-Oyo/Yusuf Alli Literary campaign and the Association's Literary Retreat, we spoke extensively on government's insensitivity to citizens plight regarding fuel subsidy removal. But then I was also watching the slow speed of the moving trees while bothered on the sight of the high way. It wasn't just bushy, dirty and filled with potholes but also looked deserted. Vehicles were scanty; the result of the sudden hike in fuel price. By the way, it's not only fuel you know?
At some points, the car would dance to the rhythm of the road and my head would hit side-roof. What happened to the billions we see yearly in the budget? Here in this state, millions was allocated to road maintenance, in fact called ‘operation no pothole’, yet on the way to the state secretariat, potholes littered the street. What are our sins? Mind boggling is the truth that leaders here are not proactive and thus lack focus.
Before getting to Jobele, we had one particular argument, that interests me the most, and that's about the role of followership in governance. I shared in the sentiment that leadership have failed Africa woefully but worthy of note also is the simple fact that perhaps we, Africans and especially Nigerians deserve the kind of leaders we have for followers hypocrisy is worrisome. Some of have lost the right line of thought because of poverty. Yes, poverty has always been an excuse for promoting bad leadership too and they (leaders) have equally turned it as a tool to further impoverish us. Sad. Very sad.
Currently, in FCE Special Oyo, there are several great buildings springing up and one would wonder why it has not been converted to a university going by that vast land the institution has. Though it looked unkempt, (I gathered students were on break) the silence that rented the atmosphere presents loveable environment for creative writing.
On our arrival around 12:30 p.m. at the Economics Lecture Hall, School of Arts & Social Sciences, on Friday, 9th June 2023, it was the rhythmic sound of drums that filled our ears, announcing to us the right hall to enter. The hall is such a big one, newly constructed, well tiled and painted yellow. The paint beams and I couldn't resist taking a quick ‘selfie’ that a friend would call 'selfish'. I knew I was a bit late being the Publicity Secretary of the Association but I couldn't help it. Fuel subsidy isn't my mate.
Taking the front entrance of the hall, many eyes scanned us. I quickly rescanned myself again. Afterwards, I smiled. I was satisfied with the looks. An Ankara, well sewn without a native cap. I dare not go to some meetings in Ibadan without Fila. They would immediately send me outside. The native cap on a native attire makes a complete cultural inclined person. But we are gradually losing it.
While the students from different schools set their eyes on us, I set mine on the stage. What a well decorated stage, courtesy of Prince Tunde Odunlade Arts and gallery. He was even at the event being one of the Patrons of the Association. He has consistently shown that art is life. Indeed, what is life without art? I covet his love for humanity. Obviously, he's a rare breed.
On the stage was this young lady whom I later learnt was a student of the college from Theatre Art department. She was on Yoruba attire. I love the way she shook her 'back' to the sounds of the drums. She made it clear that she wasn't only talented but also gifted. As if that wasn't enough, the second girl beside her on the stage came forward a bit as if trying to take over the song from the other. She gave everyone a rich smile. I focused at the little space she has between her front teeth. I thought that was all she wanted to show us, not until she started to flaunt her chest. Instead of focusing at her movements on the stage, my eyes were glued to the two dancing balls on her chest (toju bari, oye kenu le so). They weren't really like the 'oranges' we bought at IITA.
Talking about IITA, I still don't see reasons why the state government is not working with such institute to further improve the fortunes of farmers in the state especially in the areas of job and wealth creation for youths. If there are collaborations such seem yet to be fruitful I think, as it's not evidently reflecting on citizens. Again I ask, why is it difficult for local governments in the state to have farms, such that at the mention of a local government, one knows a particular food is cheap there? Will Nigeria ever work?
Meanwhile, if you're a nature lover, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture is a place you will want to visit while in Ibadan. I once went there on an excursion while at secondary school. That memory is indescribable. My second contact was when I had a client whose children also became clients. I still take private lessons ooo, if you have job for me, be it young or old. But seriously, IITA has an amazing urban planning, stunning architecture and serene environment. How I wish someone here can give me that great treat. 😍
Immediately I noticed it would soon be another round of reading competition for the invited secondary schools, I brought out my tripod and set it up. I took some pictures and did unprofessional videos. My phone needs to be changed but then for now, food comes first you know! 🤦
After long round of reading excerpts by the students, I was convinced that some public school students are not entirely bad as being painted outside. They read beautifully and I was amazed at their awesome deliveries, even with great, correct pronunciation of words.
At some points, I felt perhaps a particular school hired 'mercenaries' but after my findings, there was nothing of such. The students were so happy to come around for the competition and my rapport with them saw the need for the Association to continue in shifting or rather rotating the venue for the yearly ANA-OYO/YUSUF ALLI LITERARY COMPETITION.
After the dance presentations, reading performances by students from invited schools, presentation of certificates and books to participating schools and winners ended, we were all famished, so we had to go eat at the Theatre Arts department, also venue for the Ana Oyo State Chapter LITERARY RETREAT where Professor Sola Owonibi was to talk on 'Uniting Nigeria through Literature & Culture', the theme for the literary retreat. Mind I tell you that one of the reasons for attending was to meet again Professor Sola Owonibi, the keynote speaker.
I met Professor Sola Owonibi last year while at Ebedi International Writers Residency ( Ebediwriters Residency ), Iseyin. Dr Wale Okediran , the founder of the residency, brought some books for us then and one of it was 'The Tight Game', written by Professor Sola Owonibi. It is a translation of Professor Akinwumi Isola's Oleku. Again like I noted in my soon to-be published travelogue titled 'My Ebedi Reflections' (You all should be ready to buy that travelogue o😁😍❤️), I couldn’t but agree totally with Tade Ipadeola 's submission that really, ‘imagination travels’. I read many interesting and culturally embedded lines. In fact, pushing books like this into our school curriculum will avail students the opportunity to not only know more about real love (developing love-centred homes) and Yoruba culture but also channel their strength to learning about why it is important to be hardworking and morally upright even in a corrupt-filled society like ours. In that book, there is a clear fusion of literature with theatre. God bless the great movie maker, Tunde kelani for gifting us many of Professors works in filmic versions. By the way, which of Professor Sola Owonibi's works is your favourite?
After we took our lunch around 4p.m., we went to our seats to listen to Professor Sola Owonibi but then....
You want to know what's in the speech, right? I will be here to continue during the week. What's your comment on one of his assertions? 👇
"Yet, many Nigerians, for all their confident assertions about people of other tribes, are surprisingly lacking in cultural knowledge. For these group of people, everybody whose state borders River Niger or lies beyond is Igbo and everybody in the North of the country and the Middle-Belt is Hausa-Fulani. It is an absolute system that leaves no room for the Idoma, Tiv, Isoko, Gbayi, and a host of others who simply get told, So you are Hausa? or which one is Efik? Ibo is Ibo."
#nsiinspires
#agendasetting
Busayo Fakunle
08164776627
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