Foremost Yoruba Novelist, D.O. Fagunwa’s Son Launches Book
LAGOS JUNE 9TH (NEWSRANGERS)-A novel, Ifewumi, The Travails of Inulayewa, written by the scion of foremost Yoruba novelist, D.O. Fagunwa, was launched at the University of Lagos, June 8.
Written by Dipo Fagunwa, son of the legendary Yoruba novelist, Ifewumi is a narrative follow-up of Aditu Olodumare, the 1961 novel written in Yoruba language by the author’s father. Ifewumi is however written in English language.
Chairman of the occasion, Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Tanus Communications Ltd commended Dipo Fagunwa for writing a book at this period in Nigeria’s lifetime. He observed that Nigerians don’t write books any more and labeled book writing a “dying art.”
He said for the author to embark on writing a book of such historical significance is commendable. He subsequently called on the author to write more books especially as it relates to the Yoruba culture. He also said the book should be part of Nigerian school curriculum.
Reviewer of the book, Professor Francis Oyebade, a professor of linguistics and former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo state, complemented the author on his use of descriptive language through out the book. Just like Ogunbiyi, Professor Oyebade recommended the book for its beautifu llanguage and prose and urged Nigerians to read it.
The author who, true to his father’s legacy as a foremost Yoruba language connoisseur, spoke partly in Yoruba language. At a later interview, he said Ifewumi was his first literary work, aside from his academic writings. He also said he has some other literary works on the way. For Ifewumi, Fagunwa revealed he had to change the language to English for it to reach a wider audience.
IIfewumi is written in the classical tradition of African narrative and Fagunwa’s story telling that commends Yoruba traditional values, morals and virtues to its readers. D.O. Fagunwa, though a yoruba language author, ranks at par with Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. In fact, Soyinka translated the monumental Fagunwa novel, Ògboju Ode nínú Igbo Irúnmolè,widely considered the first novel written in Yoruba language into English in 1968 as The Forest of A Thousand Demons.
The author, a London trained disability management specialist, is CEO of DFFW Nigeria Ltd, a social support services concern and founder of Elderly Care and Support Services iin Ondo state. He is married with two children.
Present at the launch were representatives of the governors Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, traditional rulers, extended family and friends of the D.O. Fagunwa’s family.
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