Joseph Folahan Odunjo

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Chief

Joseph Folahan Odunjo
Born1904 (1904)
Abeokuta, Nigeria
Died1980 (aged 75–76)
Occupation
  • Novelist
  • poet
  • teacher
  • politician
Alma materLondon Institute of Education
Period1943–1970s[1]
GenreYoruba language Children's literature:
Notable works
  • Alawiye (series)
  • Kuye

Chief Joseph Folahan Odunjo Listenⓘ (1904–1980) was a Nigerian writer, educator and politician best known for his works in Yoruba children's literature.[2][3][4][5][6]

Early life and education

Odunjo was born in Ibara, Abeokuta in 1904.[7] He was educated at St Augustine's Primary School, Abeokuta, the Catholic Higher Elementary Training School and the London Institute of Education.

Teaching and Writing career

Odunjo commenced his teaching career as the schoolmaster of the Catholic Training College, Ibadan from 1924 till 1927 and was later the headmaster of his alma mater, St Augustine's, Abeokuta. As a teacher, he formed the Federal Association of Catholic Teachers to negotiate with the Catholic missions on behalf of mission teachers. Odunjo was a teacher and headmaster of various Catholic Schools from the 1940s to the 1950s.[8] His printed work in 1958 was one of the early written works of the language. He wrote several novels, plays, poems and texts in the Yoruba language. His published works later became a source of inspiration for future writers.[9][10] He was an active member of the Yoruba Orthography Committees of 1966 and 1969.[11] He was also affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Teachers for a number of years.

Politics

In 1951, he won a seat to the Western House of Assembly and later became the region's first minister of Land and Labour.[12] He was a president of the Egbado Union, and also held the chieftaincy title of the Asiwaju of Egbaland.[13]

Chief Odunjo died in 1980.

Selected works

Poetry

  • Ise ni Ogun Ise ("Work is the antidote for poverty")
  • Toju Iwa re Oremi ("Watch your behaviour, my friend")
  • Akójopò ewì alâdùn (1961)

Novels

  • Omo oku orun (1964; "The deceased woman's daughter")[14]
  • Kuye ISBN 978-978-148-016-4 (1978)

Textbook

  • Aláwìíyé Yoruba Readers (Fun awọn ọmọde ati awọn agbà ti o nkọ́ iwe Yoruba ni kikà: Yoruba language comprehensive learning text series) ISBN 978-0-582-63865-5 (1975)

References

  1. ^ Toyin Falola (1999). Yoruba Gurus: Indigenous Production of Knowledge in Africa. Africa World Press, 1999. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-0-86543-699-2.
  2. ^ "Remembering J. F. Odunjo, the literary icon". WN. Nigerian Guardian. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ^ Albert S. Gérard (1972). "Black Africa, Volumes 2-3". Review of National Literatures. the University of Virginia: St. John's University Press: 195. ISSN 0034-6640. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  4. ^ Ayọ Bamgbose; Ọlátúndé O. Ọlátúnjí (1986). Yoruba: A Language in Transition. University of Virginia: J.F. Ọdunjọ Memorial Lectures. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  5. ^ Daily Times of Nigeria Limited (1971). Who's who in Nigeria: a biographical dictionary. Times Press (Magazine Division). Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  6. ^ "Odunjo remembered". Allafrica. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  7. ^ Janheinz Jahn; Ulla Schild; Almut Nordmann Seilerr (1972). Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries. Horst Erdmann Verlag. p. 286. ISBN 978-3-7711-0153-4. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  8. ^ Albert S. Gérard (1972). Review of national literatures. St. John's University Press. Retrieved June 14, 2016. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Kayode Sobayo (2007). Abeokuta: 175 years of unity & excellence : plus who's who. Skys Production. p. 66. ISBN 978-978-2829-07-8. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  10. ^ Akínwùmí Íṣọ̀lá (1992). New Findings in Yoruba Studies (J.F. Ọdunjọ memorial lectures series). University of Virginia. ISBN 978-978-30181-4-3. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  11. ^ Philiip Adédòtun Ògúndèjì. 2016. Odúnjo, Joseph Folàhán. Encyclopedia of the Yoruba, ed. by Tóyìn Fálolá and Akíntúnde Akínyemí, pp. 251,252. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
  12. ^ Who's who in Nigeria. the University of California: Nigerian Printing and Publishing Company. 1956. p. 212. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  13. ^ Ayọ Bamgbose; Ọlátúndé O. Ọlátúnjí (1986). Yoruba: A Language in Transition. Vol. 1. J.F. Ọdunjọ Memorial Lectures (University of Virginia). p. 5. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  14. ^ "Literatures in African languages : Yoruba". Encyclopædia Britannica for Kids. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
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