Oladejo Okediji

Oladejo Okediji, a handsome gentleman who also happens to be my baba, is receiving great honors from the Obafemi Awolowo University and the South West Association of Nigerian Authors–to acknowledge his contribution to African literature, at the young age of 90.

Here is the call for papers for the conference being organized to celebrate him:

Call for Papers

ÀJÀLÓLERÙ – An International Conference in Honour of Ace Yoruba Writer Oladejo Okediji @ 90

Venue: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Dates: 31st July to 3rd August 2019

Organizers: Institute of Cultural Studies, OAU, Ile-Ife, &

South West – Association of Nigerian Authors (SWANA)

The year 2019 marks the 90th Birthday Anniversary of Chief Oladejo Okediji. The Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in collaboration with the South West Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (SWANA) is happy to celebrate this prolific author and grand doyen of Yoruba thrillers with a befitting International Conference titled “ÀJÀLÓLERÙ – An International Conference in Honour of Ace Yoruba Writer Oladejo Okediji @ 90”

The 20th Century was indeed the century of the full coming-of-age of Yoruba Literature. The very rich Yoruba oral traditions that have enjoyed universal recognition since the 19th Century for their unparalleled aesthetic qualities gained even more attention on the global literary arena when the likes of D.O. Fagunwa, J.F. Odunjo, Amos Tutuola and other pioneer writers formally launched the Age of Yoruba fictional literature with their reinvigorating brand of magic realism. The glorious gauntlet would be picked up by later generations of writers who expanded the horizon of Yoruba literature to all conceivable literary genres in works after works that bring out the best of Yoruba dramaturgy, poetic arts and prose written in Yoruba language. And when Eurocentric critics tried to put down most African fictional writings as “literary but not quite” on the grounds that there were no full-length detective novels and artful suspense narratives in African languages, there came great names like Oladejo Okediji, Bode Sowande and Kola Akinlade to the rescue! Indeed, Yoruba narratives can be said to have taken their rightful place in the comity of crime novels with Oladejo Okedji’s Àjà ló lérù, published in 1969 and followed in quick succession by his other ground-breaking crime and suspense thrillers like Agbalagba Akan (1972), Rere Run (1973), Atoto Arere (1981). And when such a genius turns 90 and still keeps writing thrillers like Kárìn kápò which continues the literary saga of the intrepid detective Lapade, it is more than necessary to honour him with a befitting literary fiesta.

It is on this note that we invite proposals for papers or multi-media presentations at the ÀJÀLÓLERÙ! – Oladejo Okediji @ 90 Conference to be held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1st to 3rd August 2019. Presentations can be made in Yorùbá, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish languages.

Scholars may wish to present papers on any of the following or other related sub themes:

• Oladejo Okediji and the Emergence of the Yoruba Detective Novel

• Critical Engagements with the Works of Oladejo Okediji

• Women, Gender and Sexuality in Yoruba Detective Novels

• Tradition, Culture, Modernity/Globalization and the Transformation of the Oral Literature in Yoruba

• Theory and Aesthetics of Modern Yoruba Writings

• Poetry, Myths and Yoruba Literary Offshoots in the African Diaspora

• Language and Literature of Yoruba Art

• Yoruba Literature beyond Orality and Nollywood in Contemporary Times

• The Oral, the Written and the Digital: The Evolution of Literary Genres in Africa and the Diaspora

• The Impact of Yoruba Literature on Popular Culture, Youth Culture and Socio-Political Consciousness in Africa and the Diaspora

• Literature and the Reading Culture among Contemporary Yoruba Youth

• Translation and the Globalization of Yoruba Literature and Culture

• Healing Art and the Art of Healing in Yoruba Literary Tradition

• Crime and Crime-bursting in Yoruba and the Literary Traditions of Africa and the African Diaspora

Keynote Speaker: Professor Akintunde Akinyemi.

Professor and Chair,

Department of Languages, Literature and Culture,

University of Florida, USA

Abstracts of not more than 350 words can be sent to the following e-mail address: oladejookediji90@gmail.com The deadline for abstract submission is 15th June 2019.

Conference rates are: NGN25,000 (Local Participants); USD150 (Foreign Participants); NGN10,000 (Graduate Students). Selected papers will be peer-reviewed and published in a book form by a reputable global publisher.

For further details, please contact any of the Conveners via WhatsApp:

• Félix Ayoh’OMIDIRE – Director, ICS-OAU, Ile-Ife +234 806 763 4158

• Sola Owonibi – AAU, Akungba Akoko +234 803 459 7942

• Solomon Igunare – SWANA (Babcock, Ilishan Remo) +234 703 508 4570