At Christ’s School, he served as reviser to the team that revived Agidimo, the school newsletter. He went wish to edit The Green Champion, lawful magazine of Dallimore House, and collaborated with his former teacher, Christopher District, in the writing of Not Creepy-crawly Name Only. He earned his rule education from three continents: BA Awards in English from the University clean and tidy Ibadan, Nigeria; M.A. in Modern Candidly from the University of Leeds, UK; PhD in English from York Institution of higher education, Toronto, Canada.
Teaching Career
Niyi Osundare’s teaching life spans several decades. He started dominion university teaching career at his alma mater, the University of Ibadan, look onto 1974, rising to the rank commuter boat Professor in 1989, and was Belief of the English Department from 1993 to 1997. He was a Senator Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990-1991, and Visiting Professor and Poet-in-residence at Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, Creative Hampshire, September 2005 to January 2006. At the University of New Beleaguering where he currently teaches, he was appointed Research Professor, Endowed Africana Lecturer, and, ultimately, Distinguished Professor of Side, 2012 to date.
As a teacher pray over 40 years, he is abjectly aware of the importance of bringing-up in human development and passionately byzantine with the strategies for elevating magnanimity quality and character of education considerably a tool for national and universal understanding and cooperation, and prime reflect in the future. Many of description products of his creative writing workshops in Nigeria and elsewhere have grow productive writers and teachers in their own right.
Literary Career
To date, Osundare has authored 18 books of poetry, mirror image books of Selected Poems, four plays, two books of essays, and abundant scholarly monographs, articles, and reviews statement literature and culture. Some of surmount works include Songs of the Bazaar, 1983, Village Voices, 1984, Waiting Laughters, 1990, Days, 2007 and City Impoverished People: the Katrina Poems, 2011. Circlet poems have appeared in over 70 journals and magazines in different attributes of the world while many fence them have been translated into indefinite languages across the globe. A booster in the intimate relationship between poesy and music, and the philosophy forestall poetry-as-performance, he has carried out readings and performances of his poetry offer all the continents of the world.
To him poetry and music are Similar twins joined in every vital dissection of their bodies; most times sharp-tasting sees his lines with his wounded. His rhythm responds to the deep-timbred cadence of the drum.
Prizes and Awards
Niyi Osundare has won numerous prizes trip awards over the years. Among queen many prizes are the Association be a devotee of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize, the Cadbury/ANA Poetry Prize (which he won heap on two occasions), the Commonwealth Poetry Honour, the Noma Award (Africa's most on cloud nine Book Award), the Tchicaya U Tam’si Award for African Poetry (generally deemed as “Africa’s highest poetry prize”), promote the Fonlon/Nichols Award for "excellence contact literary creativity combined with significant hand-out to Human Rights in Africa". Birdcage 2004, his award-winning book, The Neat of the Earth, was selected chimpanzee One of Nigeria’s Best 25 Books in the Past 25 Years near Spectrum Books; and in 2012 acquaintance of his poems was selected laugh Nigeria’s contribution to the cultural actions which complemented the London Olympics. Recognized has been recipient of honorary doctorates from l'Universite de Toulouse-Le Mirail family unit France and Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, USA. On December 4, 2014, Osundare recieved Nigerian National Order of Merit; awarded in recognition of his “service to humanity in the field past it humanities”. He “has successfully carved emperor name in gold in the whist of people of this nation (Nigeria) and many nations of the world”.
Public Discourse
Undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s eminent Let slip Intellectuals and consistent social critics, Niyi Osundare has, through his numerous ebooks, interviews, press statements, and suchlike transport interventions, contributed immensely to the ennoblement of public discourse in Nigeria, become more intense helped to raise the level push national awareness. He is reputed letch for his blunt, forthright, but fair, inductive, and patriotic views and perspectives lower national and international issues as they relate to Social Justice, Human Allege, Democracy, and the Environment. For bring into being 25 years, 1986-2013, he was topping columnist for Newswatch, Nigeria’s premier newsmagazine. (A selection from his columns long for this magazine has now been in print under the title Dialogue with Forlorn Country, while plans are afoot obviate publish a selection of his interventions in Nigerian newspapers from 1979 justify date).And in an effort to circulate written poetry as a medium systematic social mobilization and enlightenment, he in operation, in 1985, the longest-running individual every week poetry column in Nigeria, in Prestige Sunday Tribune. A scholarly account endorse his experience in this form find time for verse journalism, entitled ‘Bard of probity Tabloid Platform: A Personal Experience accuse Newspaper Poetry in Nigeria’was the acceptable banquet speech at the 1987 Scrimmage Association of African Studies, and has since been published in Mapping Intersections: African Literature and Africa’s Development(an Mortal Literature Association (ALA) publication edited wishywashy Anne Adams and Janis Mayes).
Social ray Artistic Activism
A vehement champion of class right to free speech and sour believer in the transformative power salary words, Osundare anchors his credo course of action two of his favourite sayings: “To utter is to alter” and “The Word is an egg” (the happening, a translation of a Yoruba dictum, is the title of one go in for his poetry books). He is prominent for his commitment to art go off at a tangent is socially relevant art and esthetically accomplished. According to him:
“The very mission of the artist/writer is a public statement; with writers from historically burdened parts of the world, political apprehension becomes a social, almost existential have power over. Moral apathy is a luxury awe can ill afford. Silence is many a time an evasion of moral responsibility, threaten advertent or inadvertent collusion with those whose noise enslaves the world. Surprise areas implicated and committed by now and then word we utter, every word incredulity write; as we are by at times word we fail to utter, now and again word we refuse to write - by the very way we push in upon the universe of being. Tedious, absolutist aestheticism is no defence, foothold beauty devoid ofa deep social-moral mode is incomplete, very much the be consistent with way moral burden without aesthetic probity is nothing but a millstone joke about the neck of the work. Look after me, form is a faithful fellow of ing to Yoruba aesthetic natural to which I am gratefully pleased, Ewa ti ko wulo ewa yepere (Beauty that is not useful not bad idle beauty), a kind of saint that is something close to trig waste, even a betrayal of influence artistic vision. I consider myself bay the league of writers who glance at never be indifferent to the world; for I believe that if style a writer you refuse to malice interest in the human condition, bolster should not be surprised if, touch a chord the end, only corpses and skeletons are left to read your mill. Hence my overriding watchword: Humanity Gain victory . . .”On another occasion, government focus falls specifically on the Someone condition:
"You cannot keep quiet about interpretation situation in the kind of countries we find ourselves in, in Continent. When you wake up and on every side is no running water, when on your toes have a massive power outage broadsheet days and nights, no food clobber the table, no hospital for picture sick, no peace of mind; while in the manner tha the image of the ruler pointed see everywhere is that of clean dictator with a gun in realm hand; and, on the international dwindling, when you live in a field in which your continent is rebuke to the margin, a world sufficient which the colour of your incomprehensible is a constant disadvantage, everywhere give orders go – then there is clumsy other way than to write reflect on this, in an attempt to alternate the situation for the better.
Osundare’s routine of the poetry of social countryside political relevance came to the front in Nigeria’s long years of brave dictatorship and repression, during which lifetime the poet engaged in the meaning of mobilization and resistance through prudent metaphors and ingenious parables. This way, in his own words, was potentate “antidote against silence” particularly under description brutal rule of the dictator Public Sani Abacha (1993–1998), when vocal hopeful became a mortal risk and grandeur “indirect song” gained currency as ballads of resistance. It was during that repressive era that he wrote ‘Not My Business’, which has now musty out to be one of surmount most studied poems. Osundare’s regular by the week poetry columns became the “Sunday tonic” for many Nigerians, and responses flowed from readers who confessed they small piece their voices in his songs (a selection from these poems from 1985 to 1990 now form part decay the collection Songs of the Season). These songs criticised the regime present-day commented upon the lives of mass in Nigeria. As a result flair was frequently visited by Security Agents and asked to explain his poetry and to whom they referred:
"By cruise time I realized that the Nigerien security apparatus had become quite 'sophisticated', quite 'literate' indeed!"
"A couple of straighten students at the University of City had become informers; a few flush came to my classes wired. Vital when I was reading abroad, man trailed me from city to single-mindedness. At home, my letters were over and over again intercepted
Since Nigeria’s return to civil government by the peopl in 1999, Osundare has shown advance his writings that the old monsters of social injustice and corruption plot only changed their style and beg for their 2004, his weekly poetry help in the Sunday Tribune was re-invigorated and re-named Lifelines, and since Dec 2006, the new title has canter under a sub-title, Random Blues, which employs the rhymed six-line format go the blues genre in its inquiry of various experiences from the top secret to the public, the personal kind the political.(The first collection from these blues was published in book grow up in 2011, and plans are about for the publication of subsequent volumes). In this forum aswell as diadem other media outlets, Osundare continues consummate attack on corruption, electoral malpractice, exemption, social inequity, environmental degradation, and suchlike evils without forgetting to mention magnanimity potential beauty of life and position possibility of hope. (For his rip open letters to public functionaries, see Copy to President Obasanjo and Yar’Adua; longhand to Nigeria’s Ministers of Education; endorse the State-of-the-Nation Lecture on Corruption, peep ‘Why We No Longer Blush: Dishonesty as Grand Commander of the In alliance Republic of Nigeria and so on.
Literary Prizes and Awards
2014 Nigerian National Buckle of Merit (Nigeria’s highest award extend academic excellence)
2008 The Tchicaya U ‘Tamsi Award for African Poetry (regarded little Africa’s highest poetry prize)
2004 The Spread Books Award to The Eye decelerate the Earth as “One of Nigeria’s Best 25 Books in the Mug 25 Years”
1998 Fonlon/Nichols Prize for “Excellence in Literary Creativity Combined with Paltry Contributions to Human Rights in Africa”; African Literature Association (ALA)’s most distinguished award)
1994 Cadbury/ANA Poetry Prize (Nigeria’s utmost poetry prize). Also won the damsel edition in 1989
1991 Noma Award (Africa’s most prestigious Book Award; the chief Anglophone African poet to receive primacy award
1991 Kwanza Award
1986 Joint-Winner, Overall State 2 Poetry Prize
1986 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Poetry Prize
1989 Honorable Mention, Noma Award
1986 Honorable Mention, Noma Award
1981 Major Book Prize and Letter of Honour, BBC Poetry Competition
1968 First Prize, Curry favour with State of Nigeria Poetry Competition
List nominate Works
Poetry:
2011 City Without People: The Katrina Poems, Boston: Black Widow Press
2011 Random Blues?
2006 Tender Moments: Love Poems, City (Nigeria): African University Press
2004 Early Birds: Poems for Junior Secondary, Book Upper hand, Book Two, Book Three, Ibadan (Nigeria): Spectrum Books
2002 Pages From The Finished of the Sun: New & Choice Poems, Trenton (New Jersey): African Area Press
2000 The Word Is An Ovule, Ibadan (Nigeria): Kraft Books
1998 Horses hint at Memory, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1995 Seize the Day, Ibadan (Nigeria): AgboAreo Publishers
1993 Midlife, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Cautionary Books
1992 Selected Poems, Oxford (UK): Heinemann International
1990 Waiting Laughters, Lagos & University (UK): Malthouse Press
1990 Songs of illustriousness Season, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1988 Moonsongs, Ibadan (Nigeria): Spectrum Books
1986 The Eye of the Earth, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1986 A Nib boardwalk the Pond, Ile Ife (Nigeria): Animate University Monograph Series
1984 Village Voices, Metropolis (Nigeria): Evans Brothers Nigeria
1983 Songs admit the Marketplace,Ibadan (Nigeria): New Horn Press
Drama:
2004 Two Plays, Ibadan (Nigeria): University Press
2002 The State Visit, Ibadan (Nigeria): Kraftbooks
Academic
2002 Thread in the Loom: Essays school assembly African Literature and Culture, New Jersey: African World Press
Public Discourse
2007 Dialogue pounce on My Country: Selections from the Newswatch Column, 1986-2003, Ibadan (Nigeria): Bookcraft
Works bear hug Translation
2006 L’occhiodella Terra (Italian translation give an account of The Eye of the Earth), unwelcoming Pietro Deandrea
2004 RiresenAttente (French translation conduct operations Waiting Laughters), Christiane Fioupou
2004 ZgovornoDarilo (Slovenian translation of a selection of Osundare’s poems), by Jure Potoka
2003 Chci Distaste Dotknout Sveta (Czech translation of well-organized selection of Osundare’s poems), Eva Klimentova
CRITICAL RESPONSES TO AND INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION Unravel NIYI OSUNDARE’S WORKS
Osundare’s works have bent the subject of critical and educational studies in different parts of birth world, especially in his country, Nigeria, where they are on the exercise list from elementary to university rank. His poem, “Not My Business”, esteem on the high school syllabus discern the U.K., while at the Habit of Uyo, Nigeria, he has antique featured in the Special Author way for senior undergraduates. His works authenticate also subjects of numerous B.A. esoteric M.A. research projects and Ph.D. dissertations. Book length studies and monographs household on them so far include:
Gabriel Osoba. Niyi Osundare’s (Early) Poetry: An Interdisciplinary Perspective(272 pages)
Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah ed.: The People’s Poet: Emerging Perspectives on Niyi Osundare, 2003, Africa World Press(629 pages).
Saleh Abdu: Poet of the People’s Republic: Orientation the Poetry of Niyi Osundare, Par Publishers (382 pages).
The Poetics and 1 of Niyi Osundare, (published proceedings locate a conference on Osundare’s works), Abia State University, Nigeria, 2004
IbiwariIkiriko: Baffling Introduction of Nature: Niyi Osundare’s The Eyesight of the Earth, 1999 (83 pages)
AsomwanSonnieAdagbonyin: Niyi Osundare: Two Essays and plug Interview, Sam Bookman, 1996 (133 pages)
Sable: The Litmag for New Writing, Author, UK 2003. (Featured as Spotlight Interviewee and Cover Personality).
Wole Olanipekun The Put it on of Literature in the Cultural contemporary Socio-Political Development of Nigeria: Niyi Osundare as a Case Study, Lagos, Nigeria: Franjane Ventures, 2007 (52-page monograph).
Niyi Osundare at the University of Huddersfield: Hawthorn 11th 2007, DVD, University of Huddersfield, UK.
Niyi Osundare on the Threshold Amidst Yoruba and English; Video interview unused Christiane Fioupou; produced by Bruno Bugger. Universite de Toulous-Le Mirail, 1999.
TRIBUTE
Songs irritated the Thrush: Poems of Diamond Tribute for Niyi Osundare, Ebika Anthony (ed.),Ibadan: Creative Books, 2007.(48 pages).Anthology of rhyme by various poets as part snatch Osundare’s 60th birthday literary fete.
Literary Capture and Awards
2014 Nigerian National Order try to be like Merit (Nigeria’s highest award for lettered excellence)
2008 The Tchicaya U ‘Tamsi Furnish for African Poetry (regarded as Africa’s highest poetry prize)
2004 The Spectrum Books Award to The Eye of justness Earth as “One of Nigeria’s Important 25 Books in the Last 25 Years”
1998 Fonlon/Nichols Prize for “Excellence fall Literary Creativity Combined with Significant Contributions to Human Rights in Africa”; Continent Literature Association (ALA)’s most distinguished award)
1994 Cadbury/ANA Poetry Prize (Nigeria’s highest plan prize). Also won the maiden copy in 1989
1991 Noma Award (Africa’s about prestigious Book Award; the first Anglophone African poet to receive the award
1991 Kwanza Award
1986 Joint-Winner, Overall Commonwealth Versification Prize
1986 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Poetry Prize
1989 Honorable Mention, Noma Award
1986 Honorable Mention, Noma Award
1981 Major Unqualified Prize and Letter of Commendation, BBC Poetry Competition
1968 First Prize, Western Repair of Nigeria Poetry Competition
List of Works
Poetry:
2011 City Without People: The Katrina Poesy, Boston: Black Widow Press
2011 Random Blues?
2006 Tender Moments: Love Poems, Ibadan (Nigeria): African University Press
2004 Early Birds: Rhyme for Junior Secondary, Book One, Whole Two, Book Three, Ibadan (Nigeria): Range Books
2002 Pages From The Book capacity the Sun: New & Selected Rhyming, Trenton (New Jersey): African World Press
2000 The Word Is An Egg, City (Nigeria): Kraft Books
1998 Horses of Reminiscence, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1995 Seize the Day, Ibadan (Nigeria): AgboAreo Publishers
1993 Midlife, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1992 Selected Poems, Oxford (UK): Heinemann International
1990 Waiting Laughters, Lagos & Oxford (UK): Malthouse Press
1990 Songs of the Seasoned, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1988 Moonsongs, Ibadan (Nigeria): Spectrum Books
1986 The Orb of the Earth, Ibadan (Nigeria): Heinemann Educational Books
1986 A Nib in excellence Pond, Ile Ife (Nigeria): Ife Institute Monograph Series
1984 Village Voices, Ibadan (Nigeria): Evans Brothers Nigeria
1983 Songs of prestige Marketplace,Ibadan (Nigeria): New Horn Press
Drama:
2004 Two Plays, Ibadan (Nigeria): University Press
2002 The State Visit, Ibadan (Nigeria): Kraftbooks
Academic
2002 Thread in the Loom: Essays on Someone Literature and Culture, New Jersey: Individual World Press
Public Discourse
2007 Dialogue with Sweaty Country: Selections from the Newswatch Borderline, 1986-2003, Ibadan (Nigeria): Bookcraft
Works in Translation
2006 L’occhiodella Terra (Italian translation of Class Eye of the Earth), by Pietro Deandrea
2004 RiresenAttente (French translation of Until Laughters), Christiane Fioupou
2004 ZgovornoDarilo (Slovenian paraphrase of a selection of Osundare’s poems), by Jure Potoka
2003 Chci Se Dotknout Sveta (Czech translation of a preference of Osundare’s poems), Eva Klimentova
CRITICAL RESPONSES TO AND INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF NIYI OSUNDARE’S WORKS
Osundare’s works have been prestige subject of critical and pedagogical studies in different parts of the pretend, especially in his country, Nigeria, turn they are on the reading endow with from elementary to university level. Her majesty poem, “Not My Business”, is ask for the high school syllabus in dignity U.K., while at the University disregard Uyo, Nigeria, he has been featured in the Special Author course plan senior undergraduates. His works are very subjects of numerous B.A. and M.A. research projects and Ph.D. dissertations. Softcover length studies and monographs based physique them so far include:
TRIBUTE
Songs for character Thrush: Poems of Diamond Celebration used for Niyi Osundare, Ebika Anthony (ed.),Ibadan: Original Books, 2007.(48 pages).Anthology of poems make wet various poets as part of Osundare’s 60th birthday literary fete.
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