The heart of literature takes hold of thoughts and experiences -both internal and external- and uses them to communicate emotions and ideas. Often though, this heart is choked by the fatty substance of daily living or the anemia of intellectual obfuscation. The resultant effect is that the heart of literature fails to do what it’s meant to do which is pump the blood of human consciousness that humanity may be reminded of its place in the universe in relation to other forces –terrestrial or extraterrestrial.

It is therefore interesting and engaging that Femi Onileagbon’s new books attempt -and successfully I dare say- to get the heart beating and working well again. Our error, often, is concluding that literature must be aloof to function but really, the world and word are too much with us to allow that to be.

The Missing Vendor and Other Stories (fiction) and absence of reason (poetry) take us around the city, showing us here and there what we have failed to do, what we are doing, and what we must do to return humanity to what it should be –humane. They also lead us beyond city limits, into rural life and show us why we must engage nature in order to retain our sanity and humanity.

A beautiful feature of Onileagbon’s new books is the skilful use of different languages –English, Yoruba and Pidgin. In an era where many Africans are disconnecting from their native tongues, it falls on our writers to help secure the survival of these languages. This Femi Onileagbon has done really well. The amazing thing about the books is the ease with which words and sounds from different languages work well with one another, a complex feat made simple by a master of verbal cookery. I’m happy that at the end of each book translations are provided for many non-English words and expressions. However I surmise that if none had been provided, it would not have taken anything from the quality of the works or their intelligibility. Often the creative writer is being forced to combine the jobs of critic, translator, and scholar with that of being a writer. It’s unfair really and one can only hope that the rest of us step up and do our writers the favour of taking such tasks off their hands.

I encourage everyone who loves African writing to get a copy of each book. The Missing Vendor and Other Stories guarantees a trip into a world you may never know existed or one you left behind when you were too young to even know it was there. Laugh with Ogogoro Na Fire and experience some somber moments with Itchy Smell of Money while pondering on how choices we make at times affect our loved ones as shown in The Roof Party. The Missing Vendor and Other Stories is Onileagbon’s first fiction work to hit the public space. I expect he’ll give us more works in this genre and equally expect him to get better with each new story he writes.

You can also get in the mood for the 2019 elections, and indeed future elections, by reading the hard-hitting poems in absence of reason. Here follow Onileagbon’s evaluation of past, present and future political plays and Nigerian politicians. Join in the call to both the electorate and political class to have a sound understanding of what ‘change’ is and why it is important to put the common interest above personal ambition and desire. Walk into the world of nature where the predatory cycle is brought closer home and true affection is shown to be more than cozy moments or lovemaking.

Femi Onileagbon is a quiet worker, silently going about the fulfillment of his calling as a writer. Having produced six works before the latest releases, he is working his way towards becoming a reference point in Nigerian, indeed African literature. He has displayed a mastery of poetry and drama in his previous works which have been performed in many parts of Nigeria. I am pleased to welcome him into the world of fiction writers.

John Carlotti
UK