October/ɒkˈtəʊbə /
On the first of October, 2021, Nigeria clocked 61. A ripe age, almost nearing retirement, many would say. That day featured a proliferation of conferences and talks about Nigeria’s stage of development and whether there is still hope for our nation.
The NASELS Southwest region also held one which featured the acting Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dr. Adegbite Tobalase, from Adeleke University, Ede and our dearest grand patron, Professor Remi Raji. They said many things which conjured mixed feelings in me about what to write to you.
It is easy to claim, ‘I am not a politician; I can’t function in that role’ and then stand on the fringes of the society and condemn the government. What is hard is to actually take action.
As students of language, which is the glue that holds the fabric of the society together, we cannot afford to stand outside the political box and shift blames; ‘our account balance is too low for that expenditure’.
According to Dr Adegbite, we should engage in creative/critical writing which centres on exposing or expounding Nigerian themes in a bid to stir change. To achieve this change, we must ensure to end the plot of our writings on positive ‘vibes’ in order to continue to feel ‘vibes on vibes’.
As a linguist, you are the police of the society. Yes, you creative/critical writer! Look at the literary icon, Adichie. Look at the depth of change she stirs with her writing and speaking engagements. Cite Elnathan John, the proficient satirist who writes in pidgin English. Pidgin English! That would transcend the lectal divides of our society.
Such is what we must aim for, as the foremost proponents of language. We are politicians! Every single one of us, and we, the youths are the leaders of today because the future is now.
Uphold the principles of ITT as posited by Professor Remi Raji.
Be INDUSTRIOUS
BE TRUE
BE TRANSPARENT.
Engage with indigenous literatures, train your talents, think even when the box is non-existent; be open at all times. All in, make impact.
Dear NASELSites, October is here,
Go ye, and multiply.
Zainab Aderounmu,
Editor-in-chief,
NASELS Southwest.
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