Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Who Is This Professor Toyin Falola?

Dear Lavonda,

 

I did not understand Chidi to imply what has attracted the kind of reaction shown here.  I read Chidi as praising Professor Toyin Falola and wondering why Nigeria had not granted this outstanding citizen the recognition he deserves.  Chidi is a poet and even when writing prose, poets tend to use words in a manner that requires some re-reading to understand. 

The error regarding Ivy League Universities should be overlooked.  In some instances, some people think that 'Ivy League' refers to the fame of universities with track records of outstanding performance in the US rather than a remark on their 'humble' beginning. Notwithstanding, these universities have also grown to be very famous.  But they are limited to their original number, and there are only eight of them. 

I have done so before, but I share in the joy of Toyin's successes, so i congratulate him again.  We want more of our countrymen to be so acknowledged. 

 

Ifedioramma Eugene Nwana

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From: Lavonda Staples <lrstaples@gmail.com>
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, 10 August, 2011 19:36:51
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Who Is This Professor Toyin Falola?

Came out of the library for two ticks of a tock to answer Chidi

1.  University of Texas at Austin is not an Ivy League University.  It's great.  I would pee my pants if I got accepted to their Ph. D. History program, BUT, it is a state university with a measure of open enrollment.  The exceptions of state university as an Ivy League institution would be University of Virginia and University of California at Los Angeles (UVA and UCLA respectively).  Examples of Ivy League are:  Harvard, Yale, Columbia, etc. and so forth.  I hope you get the picture my brother. 

2.  Stop Hatin'! (urban colloquialism)

3.  Don't be burnin' bread!  (Mississippi colloquialism created during slavery which is actually a LOOSE translation of a Yoruba proverb which guards using words to wish ill on someone, especially someone who is more successful, defenseless, or who cannot defend your accusation because you do not do so in public).  Burnin' bread on someone is an act which displays envy and/or cowardice.  The expression exists to make plain, without uncertainty, the ties between the Africans who arrived in what would become the United States and those Yoruba and Igbo (for the most part) relatives who remained back "home."

4.  The work of Toyin Falola, especially what I'm reading right now, "A History of Nigeria" is essential for independent researchers and those who have grown weary of using the accepted canon(s) of history.  What Dr. Falola does with his work is present a history from the mouths of those who populate history instead of an interpretation from outside/external to the subject(s).

5.  Stop Hatin'!

4.  

On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 4:35 AM, Chidi Anthony Opara <piprom@hotmail.com> wrote:

Forum members have been congratulating Professor Toyin Falola for another high profile award. The awards keep coming. Who is this Professor Toyin Falola, if I may ask?

I am aware that he is a distinguished Professor of History in an Ivy League University in the USA. I am also aware that he has written over a hundred widely acclaimed books, scholarly articles, etc, including poetry. He is on the faculties of many World class Universities and chairs many distinguished organizations Worldwide, and so what?

How many chieftaincy titles does he have? During anniversaries of his birth, marriage, etc, I do not recall seeing and/or hearing congratulatory messages to him by "well wishers" on Nigerian newspapers, television and radio stations.

He does not even have a "National Honour Award" like the Nollywood comedian, "Aki" of the "Aki and Paw-paw" fame. No Street in Abuja have been named after him, soon, a major street in Abuja would be named after the late Boko Haram leader.

He was not even nominated in the last ministerial nomination, even if he was, I am sure he would not have been able to mobilize "Ghana must go" bags to the Senate chamber for his "clearance".

How many times has he dined with his country's President? Something Niger Delta militants do on daily basis. The Boko Haram people will soon be invited.

Does he have the clout to introduce me to someone who will give me a note to someone who will phone my state governor, Chief, Dr., Sir, Owelle, etc, Rochas Okorocha,(JP) to appoint me his Special Adviser on Poetry Matters?  I hear there is a Special Adviser on Comedy or something that sounds similar.

Does he……..? Abeg make I hear something jare! Right now I feel like joining Boko Haram.

------- Chidi

 

 

    

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La Vonda R. Staples

Adjunct Professor, Department of Social Sciences

Community College of the District of Columbia

314-570-6483

 

"It is the duty of all who have been fortunate to receive an education to assist others in the same pursuit." 

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