Amusaopeyemi:
Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka is set to be elected as the Oxford professor of poetry after emerging as the leading candidate for the role.

Candidates for the 300-year-old position, which is seen as the top academic poetry role in the UK, need to be nominated by at least 50 Oxford graduates.

Soyinka has already gathered more than 90 nominations, including votes from writers, Melvyn Bragg and Robert Macfarlane, the Guardian UK reports.

The role is currently occupied by eminent poet, Geoffrey Hill who will complete his five-year tenure this summer.

Also competing for the position are Ian Gregson, a poet, literary critic and professor of creative writing at Bangor University who has 54 nominations and Seán Haldane, a poet and award-winning novelist who has 51 nominations.

The Oxford Professor of Poetry will give one public lecture a term and will earn a stipend of £12,000 a year.

The winner will be announced on June 19.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/may/07/wole-soyinka-candidates-oxford-professor-of-poetry

12,000 pounds a year dts too poor

that's my prof. wish u good luck sir.

OrlandoOwoh:

I thought it's Prof. Olu Obafemi of Unilorin, now in National Institute of Policy and Strategic Study, Kuru, Jos, that translated "Igbo Olodumare." There is one other professor that translated "Ibudo Onireke." D. O. Fagunwa's books are full of mystery. If he had written in English, he might have won the Nobel Laureate (in Literature). The Queen gave him the title of Member of the British Empire (MBE).

Olu Obafemi translated 'Aditu Olodumare' Mystries of God. Dunno if he translated Igbo Olodumare too but Wole Soyinka sure did a translation for Igbo Olodumare.

Amusaopeyemi:

Olu Obafemi translated 'Aditu Olodumare' Mystries of God. Dunno if he translated Igbo Olodumare too but Wole Soyinka sure did a translation for Igbo Olodumare.

Ok.

OrlandoOwoh:

I thought it's Prof. Olu Obafemi of Unilorin, now in National Institute of Policy and Strategic Study, Kuru, Jos, that translated "Igbo Olodumare." There is one other professor that translated "Ibudo Onireke." D. O. Fagunwa's books are full of mystery. If he had written in English, he might have won the Nobel Laureate (in Literature). The Queen gave him the title of Member of the British Empire (MBE).

D O Fagunwa was the best. I love his books. Started with my mom's copy of 'Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Olodumare' at age 15. Had to go get the others plus two other translations at Ibadan like 5years ago.

captainBIAFRA:
[s][/s]

Yea, even a rabbied dog gets a medal

Many were mad, but only few are roaming!

Amusaopeyemi:

D O Fagunwa was the best. I love his books. Started with my mom's copy of 'Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Olodumare' at age 15. Had to go get the others plus two other translations at Ibadan like 5years ago.

I watched Ogbo Ode Ninu Igbo Irumole when it was staged in OAU, Ile-Ife some years back.

I respect prof.Soyinka whenever I hear his name mentioned in anything literature but I detest him whenever he tries bathing in political issues...


Soyinka flying the green and white flag...Nigerians I hail thee

OrlandoOwoh:

I watched Ogbo Ode Ninu Igbo Irumole when it was staged in OAU, Ile-Ife some years back.

Wow!
I'd love to Fagunwa's book adapted into movies someday.
Can't wait.

ayindejimmy:

What do you know about the genre of poetry when all you do is peddle drugs and sell fake electronics? So the Prof. Should start doing same... Init?
I'll pardon your parochialism but not your foolhardliness

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaa.....dont mind the fool...the guy is very stewpid...if that Professor stuff clicks...Prof Soyinka would be earning 230,000naira per month for 5years...and all he has to do is give a public lecture once in a term...whats better than sitting in a place and jus keep receivin alerts...

captainBIAFRA:
[s][/s]

Yea, even a rabbied dog gets a medal

sorry for the insolence this sunday morning . but bros u are a big fool.......it doesnt matter ur tribe. commend what is commendable and condemn what is condemnable...obu ya bu omenala igbo

InvertedHammer:
/
This Oyibo people no go kill person.

Professor of Poetry. .

Might as well name him professor of poultry.

Soyinka..... no go find job.

\

another bigger fool...if u fail to celebrate what is good, evil will never depart from ur household

africanusvu:
He hav realy lost aany single respect igbos av for him from dat day

now i see idleness is a disease..if only i went to church today, i wouldnt have been here reading such insane posts as this..pls could u all ignore this other fool and continue celebrating success......happy sunday to u all

InvertedHammer:

/
Correctly noted.

Even Shakespeare is only good for High School recitation.

Wole Soyinka is a very intelligent man who wasted his brain studying something that is obscure. Had it been he is a lawyer or something productive, even the sky will not be his limit.

Poetry is of no economic value. It smacks of intellectual laziness to sit all day to find English words in the dictionary that rhyme with one another. Can he teach Poetry in his native language? No!
/

If you are the manager of the London civic theatre or one of the many successful theatres , selling out weeks of shows and employing many actors you would not even dare say so.

Some of the most successful movie industry peole have been stage actors this is especially true for British and European standards . Such entertainment in used to express the human experience and tell stories so diverse.

Shakespeare can still sell out on Broadway any time and his books and plays have generated billions , ask any bookstore and you'll be swiftly told some of the best sellers are still the essential Shakespeare tittles. I studied through the last 4 years of grammar school in Europe and I know the standardised EU education system proscribes at least 2 Shakespeare tittles for review in 6th year for leaving cert. Imagine how many students go into a bookstore to pay 6--10 euro for a hardcopy or these days get a copy unto a kindle

Damn, education pay peanuts. Imagine how much top footballers earn and compare them to the money they are going to pay Soyinka for his genius and first class brain. Such a disparity, no wonder most youths are gunning for the entertainment industries and not academics.

By the way, congrats in advance to the grey haired ageless professor, he deserves it.

Nigeria will conquer the world when she is ready

Amusaopeyemi:

Wow!
I'd love to Fagunwa's book adapted into movies someday.
Can't wait.

The problem with adapting plays like that, which Wole Soyinka once pointed on his, is interpretation. Kongi Harvest, adapted in the early 1970's, is the only play of Soyinka that has been adapted. He complained that the producer, an Africa-American didn't give it the needed interpretation. Recently, I heard that Áke, Years of Childhood would be adapted into a movie.
I believe the only problem that will be encountered in adapting D. O. Fagunwa's books into movies will be interpretation. Already, there is the forest in Ondo State, which borders Osun State around which his works are surrounded. It serves as a natural and readily available location.

Kizmarty:
I respect prof.Soyinka whenever I hear his name mentioned in anything literature but I detest him whenever he tries bathing in political issues...


Soyinka flying the green and white flag...Nigerians I hail thee

There is no way you can ostracize Soyinka's work, especially the plays, which are satirical, from politics. They are political in their own right. I read a book, Politics of Soyinka. The writer says his plays are shrouded in politics.
-A Play of Giants is about Idi Amin of Uganda.
-Dance of the Forest, which won the competition of plays to be staged for independence in 1960, is about the future of Nigeria. Almost all that he said about Nigeria have come to pass.

With due respect to the man, of what fvcking use is poetry to Nigeria. I rate JJ Okocha, Rashidi Yekini etc above all these so-called intellectuals who have contributed nothing tangible to the Nation. Jay Jay still remains much well known internationally than Soyinka and others like him.

Jay jay put Nigeria firmly on the world map.

Am proud to be a Nigerian. This man is just an epitome of knowledge i pray he clinch the position.

Good for the man of timber and calibre but God let people celebrate my nonsense this time in jesus name

eleojo23:
One good thing about this ('oyinbo') people is that they recognise and appreciate quality and talent not minding the tribe or nationality of the person. Once you have something to offer, they give you their support.

It's a lesson to all those who try to bring others down and refuse to acknowledge and appreciate their talents just because they are from a different tribe.

You are deluded. Millions of black people in the west are routinely denied employment even when qualified, owing to racism and discrimination, and even when employed, are often paid less than their white counterparts. There are raw statistics indicating this. Do not let these token gestures deceive you, Mr Oyibo worshiper.

OrlandoOwoh:

The problem with adapting plays like that, which Wole Soyinka once pointed on his, is interpretation. Kongi Harvest, adapted in the early 1970's, is the only play of Soyinka that has been adapted. He complained that the producer, an Africa-American didn't give it the needed interpretation. Recently, I heard that Áke, Years of Childhood would be adapted into a movie.
I believe the only problem that will be encountered in adapting D. O. Fagunwa's books into movies will be interpretation. Already, there is the forest in Ondo State, which borders Osun State around which his works are surrounded. It serves as a natural and readily available location.

Exactly. Did you see the rubbish that was done with "Half Of a Yellow Sun"?
The only person that can interpret Fagunwa's books properly is Tunde Kelani.

captainBIAFRA:
[s][/s]
Yea, even a rabbied dog gets a medal

do d needful!

Professor of Poetry ? !!. I still cannot fathom this rubbish. What we need are professors of Nuclear Physics, Neuroscience, robotics, computer engineering or even economics.

Sorry, but I'm not feeling this appointment.

Amusaopeyemi:

Exactly. Did you see the rubbish that was done with "Half Of a Yellow Sun"?
The only person that can interpret Fagunwa's books properly is Tunde Kelani.

You're right. Tunde Kelani is very good at film production. The person next to him is Kunle Afolayan. He did a good work in adapting some of Akinwumi Ishola's works like Oleku and Saworoide. He also did a good job in Ti Oluwa N'Ile, Arugba, Koshegbe, Narrow Path, etc.

ROSSIKE:
You are deluded. Millions of black people in the west are routinely denied employment even when qualified, owing to racism and discrimination, and even when employed, are often paid less than their white counterparts. There are raw statistics indicating this. Do not let these token gestures deceive you, Mr Oyibo worshiper.

(drops my glass of drink for a while)
I was expecting a comment like this. I know that the things you listed above exist, but what do you have to say about the injustice and ill treatment that Africans/Nigerians give to themselves in the name of tribalism?

Delusion? Funny.
For the record, I worship no race and even if I do, I don't think it should be your headache. Or should it? Please make me understand. (goes back to sipping my glass of Pure Heaven)

OrlandoOwoh:

There is no way you can ostracize Soyinka's work, especially the plays, which are satirical, from politics. They are political in their own right. I read a book, Politics of Soyinka. The writer says his plays are shrouded in politics.
-A Play of Giants is about Idi Amin of Uganda.
-Dance of the Forest, which won the competition of plays to be staged for independence in 1960, is about the future of Nigeria. Almost all that he said about Nigeria have come to pass.

partially true

a job Weldone sir...


Soyinka finally got himself a job

Kizmarty:


partially true

Show me one Soyika's play that is not a satire.

Amusaopeyemi:

He translated Igbo Olodumare too to 'In the forest of Olodumare'
I have all his books.
The prof is a Legend and I won't be surprised if he wins this one.

Good day Ope!
Can you give me a run down list of Fagunwa's books? I'd also appreciate it if you know any website where I can download their pdf's from