Joseph Folahan Odunjo Explained
Chief Joseph Folahan Odunjo (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 (1978)
Textbook
- Aláwìíyé Yoruba Readers (Fun awọn ọmọde ati awọn agbà ti o nkọ́ iwe Yoruba ni kikà: Yoruba language comprehensive learning text series) (1975)
Notes and References
- Book: Yoruba Gurus: Indigenous Production of Knowledge in Africa. registration. 17–18. 1999. Toyin Falola. Africa World Press, 1999. 978-0-86543-699-2.
- News: Remembering J. F. Odunjo, the literary icon. Nigerian Guardian . WN. June 14, 2016.
- Black Africa, Volumes 2-3. 0034-6640. Albert S. Gérard. Review of National Literatures. Albert S. Gérard. St. John's University Press. 1972. the University of Virginia. 195. June 14, 2016.
- Book: Yoruba: A Language in Transition. Ayọ Bamgbose. Ọlátúndé O. Ọlátúnjí. J.F. Ọdunjọ Memorial Lectures. 1986. University of Virginia. June 14, 2016.
- Book: Who's who in Nigeria: a biographical dictionary. Daily Times of Nigeria Limited. Times Press (Magazine Division). 1971. June 14, 2016.
- Web site: Odunjo remembered. Allafrica. June 14, 2016.
- Book: Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries. Janheinz Jahn. Ulla Schild. Almut Nordmann Seilerr. Horst Erdmann Verlag. 1972. 978-3-7711-0153-4. 286. June 14, 2016.
- Book: Review of national literatures. Black Africa, Volumes 2–3. Albert S. Gérard. St. John's University Press. 1972. June 14, 2016.
- Book: Abeokuta: 175 years of unity & excellence : plus who's who. Kayode Sobayo. Skys Production. 2007. 978-978-2829-07-8. 66. June 14, 2016.
- Book: New Findings in Yoruba Studies (J.F. Ọdunjọ memorial lectures series). Akínwùmí Íṣọ̀lá. University of Virginia. 1992. 978-978-30181-4-3. June 14, 2016.
- 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.
- Book: Who's who in Nigeria. 212. Nigerian Printing and Publishing Company. 1956. the University of California. June 14, 2016.
- Book: Yoruba: A Language in Transition. 1. Ayọ Bamgbose. Ọlátúndé O. Ọlátúnjí. J.F. Ọdunjọ Memorial Lectures (University of Virginia). 1986. 5. June 14, 2016.
- Web site: Literatures in African languages : Yoruba. Encyclopædia Britannica for Kids. June 14, 2016.
