Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of a raging civil war, a gifted African poet and author is steadily achieving higher heights of glory and success. It may sound incredible but, Dr. Tanure Ojaide has the knack to achieve the impossible. The warmongers are busy spilling blood, in name of the Niger Delta Conflict, so that the people of Africa are deprived of the vast natural wealth of the continent. The sharp and utmost sensitive mind of Dr. Ojaide is equally active in contributing to the cause of humanity and tries to resolve the ongoing crisis.
One of the most famous West African poets of all times, Tanure Ojaide was born in an Urhobo family across the marshy Niger Delta region. In his own words, “After completing the local Catholic Grammar School, I went to the Federal Government College at Warri. From there, the boy moved on to the University of Ibadan, where he received his bachelor’s degree in English. As the final destination of my academic career, I was admitted into the famous University of Syracuse to complete an M.A. in Creative Writing as well as the Ph.D. in English.”
Dr. Ojaide, at one point of time, became associated with the University of Iowa as a Fellow in Writing. His extraordinary academic career seems to have failed to satisfy the creative urge that he was blessed with. As he devoted himself thoroughly into the world of creative writing, it did not take time for Dr. Ojaide to earn respect and recognition around the world as a gifted poet and a prolific writer.
As a keen sociopolitical observer, his works cover various aspects and mostly represents the enriched culture of the continent and her people. Tanure’s works, he prefers being called by his first name, not only receive critical acclamation from the global intellectual circle but, are widely read by the masses as well. Some of the more famous works of the Nigerian poet include Labyrinths of the Delta, The Fate of Vultures, The Blood of Peace, The Tale of the Harmattan, Waiting for the Hatching of a Cockerel, The Beauty I Have Seen and Love Gifts.
Dr. Ojaide has to travel extensively across the world to attend various literary festivals and intellectual meets. He is an ideal globetrotter who has travelled almost the whole world. These exposures have certainly helped to bolster his principles and refine his writing. When asked, how he would like to be remembered, Dr. Ojaide’s reply came in the following words, “Through people of Africa and their enriched culture of course.”