LITERARY FLASHES

    ... honoured with 'Exquisite Calabash' The Gbobaniyi Club of Ikire ( Nigeria ) has conferred its ‘Exquisite Calabash’ award on Writer, Omoseye Bolaji for his ‘Contributions to the Genre of Mystery/Detective Writing in Africa'.  ‘It is quite apposite and seemly that the recipient Mr  Omoseye Bolaji  would be receiving this award exactly 20 years after he published the very first adventure of the Tebogo Mystery series, titled Tebogo Investigates. That was in 2000. The series has grown in leaps and bounds since then and is now known worldwide.  ‘We refer to Omoseye Bolaji as ‘Mr' here, not because we are unaware that he is an eminent Chief (of Ibadan)himself, or out of disrespect; but Mr. Bolaji has always stressed in his simple way that he prefers to be addressed simply as ‘Mr’. We are also very happy that despite reported poor health over the recent years Mr Bolaji is here in person to receive the award. We also appreciate the presence of literary men, r...

  Egg on the Face! 'I bet Thabang will notice my thigh high slit, i wonder if he'll ask me to be his girlfriend tonight or if he'll want to end things with Priscilla first. I don't like that Priscilla, I wonder what he even sees in her, her face is as dark as the night and her hips are as wide as a nursing cow's... When she walks her thighs rumble like thunder" Mmabatho giggles by herself as she trailed the foot path to the market, extcied by the upcoming village festival happening later tonight.  Mmabatho inherited 20 chickens from her late grandmother 2 months ago. She has been gathering their eggs to sell at the market so she can buy a dress that she will wear to the festival. Hopefully this dress will be enough to get Thabang to notice her.  "Finally the day has arrived, i finally have enough eggs to buy my dress" she says as she walks into the chicken house carrying a bright yellow woven basket that her mother used as a young girl to carry her gr...

  ROMANCE   'Things are changing for the staff of Lagos firm City Finance, and not necessarily for the best. But for Ada Okafor, a bright, dedicated and beautiful trainee accountant, the only change worth noticing is the dashing, British-trained new assistant managing director Tony Okoli. Ambitious and determined, Ada ignores her feelings for Tony and focuses on juggling her work in accounts with completing her degree in business and finance. But their love of books draws them closer together and soon they fall passionately in love. They soon discover that the course of love does not run smooth and a host of obstacles - from Tony’s disapproving family to jealous colleagues - litter their path. Their passion for each other is truly tested as they fight to persuade themselves and the world that love, in the end, trumps social status...'

  Tribute to Pa Kgang Abel Motheane By M. I Soqaga   Of course the world is reeling with great grief, unremitting tears eventual proverbial pains of the past spawn from what can not be usual invariably startling and dumbfounded heartbroken because of sadness   He is declared deceased in awe the world remains shocked not ready to accept the news inevitable and unpalatable news At his ripe old age constantly revered able to illustrate his awesome skill nothing will stop him to produce such enormous work of literature... Today he is known as dead tearful sad news of the past since millenniums remain with humanity capable to trigger sorrow, melancholic grief compel perpetual emotional mourning He is today declared deceased at his old ripe age the earth can be proud to swallow him at a known last resting place like in the beginning when the womb concoct miracles the beginning of blissful life embryonic ecstatic blessi...

Writer WALE OKEDIRAN has reacted swiftly to the covid-19 pandemic by bringing out a string of quality, pertinent books that serve to conscientise the society, and the youth in particular, about the impact and ramifications of the virus. Okediran has been writing for decades now; here is a profile of the great man: Nigeria's  Wale Okediran  is easily one of Africa's most prolific writers of fiction. Think Meja Mwangi of Kenya, or David G Maillu - you get the idea. Or if you like, since Wale Okediran is also a qualified medical doctor, you might want to compare him with South Africa's Gomolemo Mokae, a revered medical doctor and creative writer. Oh, and by the way, Wale Okediran is also a formidable politician in his own right too!           But of course, here we are mainly concerned with Wale Okediran the award-winning quality writer, who has been publishing his works for decades. The Bibliography of the man can be see...

Victor Thorpe wrote and published a series of brilliant, well-plotted African thrillers. The inherent, spontaneous humour running through these works always stands out, almost undermining the sophisticated language, and polished erudition embedded in these enduring novels. Thorpe's books include The Worshippers, The Instrument, and Stone of Vengeance. Here is a biography of this most intriguing writer: Thorpe was in Calabar, Nigeria, in 1919. After completing his secondary education, he served in the Army as a signaler, clerical officer, method instructor and physical training instructor. He joined the British Council in Ibadan in 1948 and worked as a library assistance and clerk before being promoted to Administrative Assistant. He retired in 1975 and was recalled in 1977 to serve as Acting Librarian. He was the Nigerian Chairman of the Society of Metaphysicians, leader of the Efik community in Ibadan and President of the Calabar Welfare Association. He died in 1994. ...

Book: From Where I Stand Author: George Rampai Publisher: Mbali Press “It is thrilling to see that an authentic ‘township boy’, George Rampai has successfully weaved together an intriguing thriller titled,  From where I stand ; a work that comes close to being a world class novel. On his own admission, Rampai over the decades has been heavily influenced by euro-centric thriller writers; most especially James Hadley Chase. In fact the reader will be forgiven to think that he/she was reading one of Chase’s thrillers transplanted onto the townships, whilst reading this book. Examples of such hackneyed phrases made famous by Chase are found many times in this beautifully written book, to the point of absurdity. Cheap, melodramatic turns of action hit you. Ineluctably, for example, we do not in reality confront black people practically "blushing" as often happens in this book. Even some of the names are not rooted in the ambience of Black township life as you know it, e...