Nigerian prolific writer and critic, Professor Femi Osofisan has called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of celebrating living heroes.
Osofisan was the chairman at the One-day Conference held at Leeds City University, Ibadan on Wednesday, in honour of Professor Toyin Falola’s book, titled ‘In Praise of Greatness: A Poetics of African Adulation’
While commending Toyin Falola’s effort to celebrate living heroes in his book, Osofisan explained that people will be encouraged to do more when they are celebrated.
The literary critic lamented that the culture of Nigerians is to celebrate people only when they are dead.
“Our people do not celebrate heroes while they are alive.
“When Awolowo was alive, many people did not support him.
“But after his death, people began to sing his praises.
“You can hardly say two sentences without mentioning Awolowo.” He said
Similarly, the key note speaker at the conference, Professor Oladejo Afolayan advocated that African scholars should ensure that they celebrate their root.
