LAUREL FOR OMOSEYE BOLAJI
The Gbobaniyi Club of Ikire (Nigeria) has conferred its ‘Exquisite Calabash’ award on Writer, Omoseye Bolaji for his ‘Contributions to the Genre of Mystery/Detective Writing in Africa'. Excerpts from the formal Citation here:
‘It is quite apposite and seemly that the recipient Mr Omoseye Bolaji would be receiving this award exactly 20 years after he published the very first adventure of the Tebogo Mystery series, titled Tebogo Investigates. That was in 2000. The series has grown in leaps and bounds since then and is now known worldwide.
‘We refer to Omoseye Bolaji as ‘Mr' here, not
because we are unaware that he is an eminent Chief (of Ibadan)himself, or out
of disrespect; but Mr. Bolaji has always stressed in his simple way that he
prefers to be addressed simply as ‘Mr’. We are also very happy that despite
reported poor health over the recent years Mr Bolaji is here in person to receive the
award. We also appreciate the presence of literary men, reviewers, critics here
like Mr Henry Ozogula, Ms Lupna Avery, and Mr O. Bakare. You have all published
a lot on Mr Bolaji’s Writings, including the Tebogo Mystery series which he is
being honoured for today.
‘Indeed the Tebogo Mystery series is famous not only in Africa, but in the literary world generally. Scores of essays have been published on the copious books that constitute the series. Many scholars, black and white, have written full-length books on the works including the likes of Charmaine Kolwane, Petro Schonfeld, and Julia Mooi. Mr. Bolaji has done not only Yorubaland, but also Nigeria and Africa very proud with his intriguing books.
‘The experts will continue to point out the
ingenuity of the plotting, characterization, dialogue etc of the books in the
series. There is always a consensus about the twists and turns, the unexpected
endings of virtually all the books. That Mr. Bolaji has sustained it for at
least 20 years is an outstanding achievement and a thing of joy. Countless copies
of books in the Tebogo Mystery series are stocked in dozens of illustrious and
world class Libraries all over the world.
‘We are very happy to present Mr. Bolaji with the Exquisite Calabash Award… '
THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Mr. Bolaji
ReplyDeleteKudos, Sir.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first began to read the Tebogo books back in 2000; together with other local writers then I fell in love with the series. I remember being a bit confused when the first adventure, Tebogo Investigates was written in the general ‘Eye of God’ method, but the subsequent ones were written in the first person. Tebogo Fails (2003) was my favourite for many years, as I did not particularly like Ask Tebogo (2004) or even the fifth in the series. Yet in those days I found myself defending the merits of Ask Tebogo, in books and journals! With Tebogo and the Bacchae, I think like many others, that Bolaji was at a very high level. But on the whole he has done very well to keep the series alive over the decades. Congrats
ReplyDeleteGee, Congratulations Sir. Apart from this Detective series, you have published many other books
ReplyDeleteWooooooow, I'm so happy for you Chief Bolaji for receiving Exquisite Calabash. You have done tremendously well to take literature to the highest level.
ReplyDeleteI remember back in 2009 when I first read your poetry book 'Poems from Mauritius' and didn't met you in person, it was so eye catching. And when I met you, it was great time and that moment will never be forgotten because I have learned a lot from you.
THANKS, PROF THIBA. Are you saying Malome enjoyed in Mauritius (though no Emu there)...
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DeleteI remember Charlotte, the interesting lady that features in the Tebogo and the Haka adventure. No doubt Tebogo liked her a lot too....which brings the expression femme fatale to mind. Quite a number of female creations in the Tebogo books are very interesting
ReplyDeleteI know that quite a number of people, critics are not too happy with the way the author presents some of his female characters, but generally I find the presentations quite interesting, and even convincing. After all not all (we) women are the same anyway, and I can’t really find anything out of the ordinary with the women in most of the books. Anyway, congratulations to the author.
ReplyDeleteI know that quite a number of people, critics are not too happy with the way the author presents some of his female characters, but generally I find the presentations quite interesting, and even convincing. After all not all (we) women are the same anyway, and I can’t really find anything out of the ordinary with the women in most of the books. Anyway, congratulations to the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a series. I agree that it is a remarkable achievement of the author to have kept the series going for like 20 years. A commentator here has also referred to Bolaji’s poetry, a clear indication of how versatile and talented Chief Bolaji is.
ReplyDeleteWe have had some fun following Tebogo over the years; the guy himself is essentially a good man, but of course flawed like all of us. His moral dilemmas in particular come to mind, which leads him to identifying with killers in adventures like Tebogo Fails, and Tebogo and the Haka. He is many times not as intelligent as many readers would think also, as he plumbs the depths of stupidity or naivety in the book, Tebogo and the pantophagist.
ReplyDeleteChief Bolaji has created an exciting African sleuth that is successful all over. He deserves this his latest award.
ReplyDeleteI think Tebogo and the epithalamion is the Tebogo book that sticks out in my mind. Here Tebogo - like he often does - travels to another small town to look into the disappearance of a young lady. This was just before South Africa hosted the football World Cup (2010) and the excitement of the time over the event is somewhat referred to in this work, Then of course we have the allures of a woman (Neo) outlined here, and the hold she has on (some) men. Interestingly at the end Tebogo himself gets to meet Neo, and he is captivated by her too. Nothing untoward happens - also typical of Tebogo and the varied women he meets in his adventures - but we get a strong idea of the very charming Neo. Congratulations to Mr Bolaji on this award.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Mr. Bolaji
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ReplyDeleteI think the psychological ramifications of Tebogo books like Tebogo Fails, and Tebogo and the Bacchae would leave a strong impression on many readers. By contrast, the latest Tebogo book, Tebogo and Uriah Heep seems simple and straightforward despite the twist at the end. Come to think of it, there is a psychological angle here too, as we learn at the end that the culprit has been mentally unbalanced though being part of township life for many years. In Tebogo and Uriah Heep a youngster provides the key to the mystery; just as in Tebogo Fails (if I remember correctly) another youngster provides a vital clue. Hence one can see the interlocking between the diverse books in the Tebogo series, even if on the surface most of the adventures are different, with motley other characters being involved. But it shows the great work the author has done over the years. CONGRATS, in order.
Well done, Sir
ReplyDeleteTebogo Mokoena. I fell in love with the character right from the beginning. One always had the impression that though a detective, Tebogo is a good person, sly occasionally, but very much humane (though there was an attempt to present a tougher Tebogo in the book, Tebogo and the bacchae.) Right from the start Tebogo hates violence and is rarely confronted with the same during his many investigations. But it is the author that actually comes across as a person always on the side of peace, as he glosses over descriptions that should involve violence and instead concentrates on interesting ladies, and often witty conversations. Chief Bolaji has done well over the decades and deserves the encomiums
ReplyDeleteJust to congratulate Mr. Bolaji for his new book, WILDFLOWER: An Intriguing tv series... Interesting.
ReplyDeleteA fine fine writer. I loved the mystery, and characters in Tebogo and the Bacchae
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