By Tony Afejuku
Professors
Olu Obafemi and Akachi Ezeigbo need no introduction to anyone who belongs to
the profession of scholastic or literary or critical studies. In fact, the two
of them – scholastic gentleman and learned lady respectively – do not need this
column’s validation of their academic learning and significantly significant
literary-cum-creative standing in our clime and beyond.
*Prof Akachi Ezeigbo
I
have more than considerable respect for both of them not because they are
voluminous as scholar-writers or as scholar-thinkers. But because of what each
one of them individually means to me – even though they seemingly are two of a
kind. But let me explain myself better without peeling each one’s scholastic or
literary potato. That is not the goal of this enterprise now. What do I mean to
say without keeping you in any cage of suspense a little longer than necessary?
Professors
Olu Obafemi and Akachi Ezeigbo are two of the monumental admirers of this
column. Deliberately, I have withheld the harmonious exchanges of ideas and
praises relating to this column (and other matters) that we have shared – and
are still sharing. The pictures they share with me, among others, help to
constitute the pedal points of this column. What have we shared and what have
we not shared?