Renowned historian Falola leads academics, others at book presentation, conversation

A renowned historian, Professor Toyin Falola, on Wednesday led academics and other eminent citizens at the book presentation and conversation titled: ’Feminism, Africanism and Globalism; Doyin Aguoru Voices through Drama at the University of Ibadan.

Falola, in his presentation, described the author as a link between the old and new generation of writers.

Aguoru, according to him, has distinguished herself by moving away from western feminism theory.

“I got to know Aguoru through Prof. Ademola Da Silva and since then I have no cause to doubt her intellectual capability.

“I have given her the responsibility to organize a conference and she did a good job.

“With the likes of Aguoru, there is a future for literary works in the country.

He charged the old generation of writers to encourage the new ones, adding that there can never be a success without a successor.

“One of the crises that we are battling with in the literary world is the production of the new generation of writers.

“Therefore, my appeal to the old generation of writers is to encourage the upcoming ones,” he said.

In her virtual presentation, the chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria, Amb. Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, paid tribute to the author for her ingenuity and academic prowess.

She stated that the author through the publication had mirrored the challenges confronting the society.

“The scholars have found the work important in order to preserve the future generation,” she noted.

In a sideline interview, Prof Aguoru said she was inspired to write the book by what is going on in the society.

“I was particularly concerned about Uganda genocide. I started writing it when the war was still ongoing.

“I realized that there are people like us that are refugees in the forest and are going through problems. That is what inspired me.

“I was looking at this generation of GenZ and how they are easily swept off by money and the activities of the ritualistic.

“Also, 1 am moved by the various challenges confronting the womenfolk, including the issue of fertility. These, among others, inspired me to write the book.”

On the issue of mentorship raised by Prof Falola, she said, “if Baba can relate with me freely at his age, what stops me from doing same to the upcoming generation of writers?”