Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Farooq's Elevation

Farooq Kperogi is technically my relative, many may not know that! His town of birth is next door to my high school, and we used to literally walked there one Sunday a month in our days. His Egbon Agba (old Bo), by the name Moses (not Moses Ochonu), happened to be my high school pal! How else do you define a relative?

Ojogbon Falola said it right and said it well, Farooq is a treasure and even when I occasionally disagree with him, as in his recent write-up on TF, I still smile at the end of his essays. He is that good! While on a UNICEF assignment in Sokoto some four or so years ago, some UNICEF colleague, a lady, brought a newspaper (The Tribune) to my table at the hotel restaurant and showed me an article written by an audacious Nigerian in America by the name Farooq Kperogi. It was a back-cover column that diagnosed the problems of Nigeria with an impeccable bull's eye critique of the nation's leadership. She wished we could have one more of such person in Nigeria or anywhere around the world and our nation would have a chance to move one more step on the ladder of progress. I agreed with her and proudly declared as-a-matter-of-factly, "Yep, that author is my friend." The lady could not believe it until I showed her a chapter that Farooq wrote in my own edited book. Needless to say, I am very proud of Farooq. He is a professor that professes much, a griot that knows his line, a scribe that has a way with words. Who would not be proud of such a man! 

Congratulations, Farooq! Kú iṣẹ́ o! May your tenure be the beginning of a lifelong productivity. I promise: on my next stop in Atlanta, I will be sure to take you to the best pepper soup joint downtown - everything on you sha.

 Let the music play on, my friend!

Michael O. Afoláyan

From the State of the Living Spring 

On Friday, March 26, 2021, 5:05:21 PM GMT+1, Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:

Dear all:

 

It brings me great joy to let you know that his university has elevated the great Farooq to full professorship.

I know that many of you will think it is long overdue given his prodigiousness. I think it is long overdue. His service to the academy and the public, especially his relentless commitment to transformation, represented by his weekly column, will dominate his legacy. He has written himself into our archives. I told someone to write his Ph.D. on him only two days ago as the data is there. Farooq, Bolaji Aluko, Bimbo Adelakun, Jibrin Ibrahim, and Ayo Olukotun have become the nation's archives. Their names can never be erased in our collective journeys.

 

Farooq is a highly charming, harmless, and intelligent guy. I have spoken about Farooq so many times that I cannot remember how many. A few days ago, it was an hour-long conversation with him and a friend on Hijab. Folks in Abuja have called me and asked me to pressure him to stop his column, and I will ask them to talk to him directly. I am not his gateman.

 

He is very humble. When I thought he went too far in criticizing Jibrin, a blessing to Nigeria, I told him so. At a fish joint where some of us were, his name came up with his former neighbor. I called Farooq to apologize to Jibrin, and he did. This enhanced his stock and reputation with me. I have written an essay on him, a chapter in a book that I have completed but not mature enough even for a first draft.

 

I don't know whether he reads the Quran. Whether he does so or not, he should go back to Surah Al-Asar Al-Ra'd, where the stress is on how we spend our time and for what purpose and the righteous deeds that must accompany them. May he not depart from the commitment to the pursuit of peace, contentment, and peace. The prescriptive 20:14 seeks a complete surrender to Allah.

 

Congratulations, the great one.

TF

 

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