Adepoju and Barber
Veteran poetry merchant, Lanrewaju Adepoju, ?resurfaces? at a conference on poetry performance in Osogbo, Osun State, writes AKEEM LASISI
For fans of once-fiery Yoruba poet, Lanrewaju Adepoju, time came for a re-union about two weeks ago. The Ibadan, Oyo State-born poet, who ruled the waves with inspiring and often critical Ewi (Yoruba poetry), especially in the 1980s, has, in the past decade, retreated to the backstage. As a result, many people have missed the critical but highly metaphoric interventions he used to make with his craft, which he waxes into albums and distributes across the country and beyond.
When he thus surfaced in Osogbo, Osun State at the Conference on Poetry Performance in Nigeria, he was the cynosure of all eyes. Even poet laureates such as Professors Niyi Osundare and Femi Osofisan, revered anthropologist, Karin Barber, and other celebrated writers, including Remi Raji and Odia Ofeimun, could not hide their elation at seeing the chanter who appears to have become the proverbial big rat that is hardly seen in daylight.
Interestingly, Adepoju, who, among other bruises suffered in the course of his poetry performance career, was harassed by agents of the Ibrahim Babangida junta for sharply criticising the government in Nibo la n lo? (Where are we Going from Here?), was fully prepared to tread memory lane with his colleagues and fans.
Although he is no more the young man he used to be, his voice is still bright, loud and very clear.? It still oozes the poetic sweetness that endeared him to the masses. As fast as Adepoju would, however, love to sprint in the forest of words, one thing drew him back: his ailing sight.
The audience first got a hint that there was some trouble when he had to be led to the high table by an aide. Dressed in a brownish kaftan, with his boisterous beard eagerly announcing that he is still the Islamic missionary he became more than a decade ago, he mostly had to consult his toes to know where the steps were as he mounted the podium in the Centre for Culture and International Understanding hall, venue of the conference.
Despite the challenge, he presented a paper titled Alaye Oro Lori Ise? Akewi ? The Business of Poetry Performance. Apart from the medicated glasses he wore, he had two other lenses on his right and left. Yet, he could only progress very slowly, as he had to stagger through some of the passages.
But his audience endured it all. The nostalgia he invoked as he gave examples of some of his old poems and the humour he injected even as he lamented that the poor sight had slowed him down, served more than consolation for them.
He noted that poetry is an important phenomenon that demands a good measure of craftsmanship. According to him, to achieve good poetry, the poet must be a good observer and be well equipped with language power.
Adepoju said, ?Often, imagination sends the mind to different places. Poetry is not a business of or for fools. It is for the wise, the brainy and the intelligent.? Most times, the search for beautiful words makes the composer spend a lot of time on a particular work.?
Some of his old albums from where he quoted verses to the delight of many are Ilu Le, Agba Oro, Oriki Olodumare and Iku Awolowo.
Responding to some of the questions asked him, Adepoju said he has not retired from writing and performing poetry. He recalled that he recently produced Agbara Idibo ? Power of Ballot ? when Prof. Attahiru Jega was appointed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He added, ?We are all in Nigeria. Our children are here.? So, there are things happening in the country that one cannot just but comment on. Those inspired by God will continue to talk.?
Although he conceded that marketers have become somehow lazy, while pirates are also wreaking havocs, he promised that he would soon come out with a series of new works ? although with the indications that they would be in the mould of those propagating his Islamic faith.
The conference, which has a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Dr. Niyi Okunoye, as the coordinator, also inspired to the stage other seasoned performing poets that included Alabi Ogundepo.? On separate evenings, they re-assured the ?modern? poets and critics in attendance that Africans have always been custodians of beautiful poetry.
Interestingly, this is the conclusion of most of the scholars who presented papers at the event. Invoking different traditional poetic forms across the country, the experts, including Prof. Toyin? Jegede of the University of Ibadan, Dr. Patrick Olokor, Dr. Felicia Ohwovoriole,? Dr. Bose Afolayan (all from the University of Lagos, Akoka), Dr. Abubakar Liman (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria), Dr. Rotimi Fasan (Osun State University, Osogbo) ad Dr. Friday Okon (University of Uyo), generally agreed that poetry performance has a place even in contemporary Nigeria.
With the centre?s Director-General, Prof. Wole Ogundele, as chief host, other participants include Sule Egiya, Dr. Jendele Hungbo, Henry Hunjo, Idom Inyanbri, Prof. Adebayo Lamikanra and Dr. Olugbenga Ogunbote.
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