Federal University Lokoja hosts 2nd Annual Symposium in honour of Professor Olu Obafemi
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL), in collaboration with its Department of English and Literary Studies, is set to host the second edition of its annual symposium in honour of renowned Nigerian poet, playwright, and scholar, Professor Olu Obafemi. The symposium is scheduled to take place on October 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the Multi-Purpose Hall on the University’s Felele Campus.
This year’s theme, “Professor Olu Obafemi’s Post-Feminist Vision: Drama, Materialist Aesthetics, and the Nigerian Woman,” aims to explore Professor Obafemi’s contributions to post-feminist discourse and the impact of his work on materialist aesthetics within Nigerian drama.
The symposium promises to be an intellectual celebration of his legacy, particularly his examination of gender dynamics in the Nigerian society through his plays and scholarly works.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi, has extended invitations to scholars, students, and the general public, encouraging participation in the event, which will serve as a platform for robust discussions on Nigerian literature, feminist thought, and the theatre.
Professor Obafemi, born on 4th April 1950, has had a career as a prolific poet, playwright and author, and he has held the position of Professor of English and Dramatic Literature at the University of Ilorin since 1990. He is highly regarded for his revolutionary aesthetics, which has shaped second-generation Nigerian and African drama, and his experimental approach to radical theatre in West Africa during the 1980s and 1990s.
Among his notable works are “Pestle on the Mortar” (1974), his first play, which was broadcast by the Kaduna Broadcasting Corporation, and “Naira Has No Gender” (1993), which tackles gender identity and societal expectations in Nigeria. His other significant works include “Nights of a Mystical Beast” (1986), “The Love Twirls of Adiitu-Olodumare” (2016), and “Iyunade” (2016). His writing often blends revolutionary ideas with a strong sense of societal justice, reflecting the cultural and political challenges of his time.
In recognition of his scholarly achievements, Professor Obafemi received the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 2018, becoming the 76th recipient of this prestigious national award. He also served as President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters from 2016 to 2018.
The upcoming symposium will provide a rare opportunity for scholars and theatre enthusiasts to delve into Professor Obafemi’s pioneering work on post-feminist thought in Nigeria, with a particular focus on how his dramatic pieces engage with materialist aesthetics and the experiences of Nigerian women. The discussions will cover his influence on both Nigerian and African literature and drama, as well as his lasting contributions to feminist theory in the context of African societies.
The event will commence at 10 AM at the Multi-Purpose Hall on the Felele Campus of Federal University Lokoja on October 16.
