A Wreath of Words for Harry Garuba
By
Olu Obafemi
Wreaths of words are surely the most fitting and befitting conveyor of heartfelt Tributes to a great man of letters like Harry, who has left us, most painfully, alone on this sordid shores. These outpourings of grief on his demise re.ind us, yet again, of the cruel cuts that death inflicts on our tribe, one too often. We are yet to put sands on the closed eyelids of Tejumola, and then Harry, a peerless scholar-poet most aptly defined as a critical bridgehead of two generations between whom he sits , most comfortably and impactfully. Harry's company was ever so rewardingly pleasant as he comes out with his nerve-racking anecdotes in that his inimitably drinkable voice and infectious smiles. Apart from his great contributions to the errection of poetry guilds and literary scholarship, he was, in my experience, a committed academic. He had, in the nineties, come to Ilorin, a few times, at very short notice, to examine doctoral students for me with inimitable and seemingly effortless thoroughness. The last time I had from Harry was when he showed his proverbial kindness to my daughter, Morountodun, during her study visit to South Africa. This once again, is an incredible loss to the intellectual world. Harry Garuba deserves, and must take, a peaceful rest, after such a courageous battle for life. Sleep well, dear Harry.
Olu Obafemi.
Toyin Falola
Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
104 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78712-0220, USA
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