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Odia Ofeimun Quotes

born 1950

Odia Ofeimun (born 16 March 1950) is a Nigerian poet, essayist, and cultural commentator. He served as the private secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo and is a prominent figure in contemporary African literature.

Random Odia Ofeimun quote

7 quotes

"Everywhere one looks in this country, you see the hypocrisy of many. But we know those who really paid the price for democracy."

I have come down to tell my story by the same fireside around which my people are gathered… And I must tell my story to nudge and awaken them that sleep among my people.

Nigeria is no longer appropriately described as just a geographical expression. It has evolved into a nation over the decades since around the 1960s, despite some Nigerians' reluctance to acknowledge this.

I do not claim to be, I am a writer
guerrilla-happy in unhappy times
pacing the common morality
of truth tougher than fear.

"A nation is defined by its cultural expression and a sense of self that includes all its people. Viewing Nigeria as just a country implies it is only a geographical area with people within its borders."

I let the Lagoon teach me
to forget street names
in order to gulp whole cities
like a glass of kola wine.

I let the lagoon speak for my memory
though offended by water hyacinth
waste and nightsoil…

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Odia Ofeimun (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.