Bolaji on the CREST of his creativity

BOOK REVIEW

Book: THE CREST – Omoseye Bolaji honoured in Nigeria (2008)
Author: Flaxman Qoopane
Reviewer: Peter Moroe

This book details the events of a special week in the life of writer Omoseye Bolaji whilst he was honoured in Nigeria for his contributions to African black literature. After a special Book Presentation (of two of his literary works), the events culminated in the conferment of a Chieftaincy title on Bolaji. Flaxman Qoopane, a key writer himself, was invited to Nigeria to witness the events.

The author of this book, Mr Qoopane has done a good job in putting together salient pieces from the special week. He starts with a fine Introduction, and reproduces his formal Invitation to the events. He sets the stage for the Book Presentation which took place at the revered University of Ibadan . He also adds other snippets.

Also included are presentations (critiques etc) on Omoseye Bolaji’s literary work generally, and pertinently on the two books focused on: People of the Townships, and The subtle transgressor. The inclusion of these speeches and essays make this book a valuable addition to the corpus of critical work on Bolaji already available.

Also included is Bolaji’s Vote of thanks at the Book presentation itself – titled THE CREST (from which the title of this book is taken). Once again we have some insights into the shaping of Omoseye Bolaji the writer from a very young age. It is often remarked that since Bolaji is a notoriously private person, it is only once in a blue moon (mainly through interviews) that one gets glimpses into what makes him tick.

And by interviewing the man behind the company that printed the west African books of Bolaji (Kunle Bamidele) Qoopane adds a human face to what many regard as a rather amorphous and soulless business – printing and publishing. Mr. Bamidele in his own way makes literature alive and relevant by talking about books and writing generally in that region.

There is also an account of the “Chieftaincy Day” itself, intriguingly through the eyes of the protagonist himself - Omoseye Boalji. His account is brief and interesting – and personal. But despite this, it is clear that both the author of this work, Flaxman Qoopane, and Bolaji placed much more emphasis on the Book Presentation itself. This fact is important when one considers that in places like west Africa a major Chieftaincy title being conferred on an individual is the ultimate in achievement. Yet Qoopane and Bolaji stay true to their innate instinctive beliefs that the show must revolve around the books, literature itself. After all, without his contributions to African writing Omoseye Bolaji would not have garnered so many awards, or plaudits.

On the whole, Flaxman Qoopane does a good job in this new work (book) of his. Earlier in his writing career, Qoopane published books like A poet abroad (2000), Memoirs of A Cultural Activist (2001), Reneiloe-Mpho’s Story (2002), The Conference (2003) among others. His last book was City of Roses and Literary icons (2007). We welcome THE CREST, his latest book (2008)