omoseye bolaji’s acceptance speech
THANKS
On an occasion like this, inevitably words fail one; one becomes nonplussed and overwhelmed with transcendental feelings of gratitude, humility and fulfilment. Yet despite my being in the presence of this august and lofty assembly, I shall endeavour to say a few words.
No words can really express my gratitude to the University of the Free State for conferring me with the Chancellor’s Medal. It is a gesture and achievement that will follow me to the end of my days. I earnestly thank the Chancellor for hosting this Dinner, and I am also very grateful to Prof Engela Pretorius for playing a cardinal role in the conferment of this Medal on me.
Kindly indulge me as I briefly thank others who have contributed indelibly to my being here today. My father, SL Bolaji, who instilled an abiding love for literacy and literature in me from infancy; sundry authors worldwide - too numerous to be mentioned here who shaped my work; Free State writers like Mr Pule Lechesa, Mr Flaxman Qoopane and Mr Tila who have always been good friends. Mr - Oom Johan Botha, of Drufoma Publishers, who has over the years been my main Publisher; Ms Jacomien Schimper of the Free State Provincial Library service who has always been excited about grassroots literature; Prof Margaret Raftery for her initial help and interest; Mr Aryan Kaganof and his memorable, exhilarating blogs; and I must repeat that I remain permanently indebted to Prof Engela Pretorius, Prof De Klerk and others that I do not even know about.
My fulsome thanks once again to the Chancellor, Dr Sonn, and the University of the Free State. Thank you. (bow)
Omoseye Bolaji
September 17th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Great, great. An event in itself to see Mr Bolaji in a suit! Kinly add a caption, please.
September 17th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Wonderful. Very fast. But what about the photo of me and my lady at the Chancellor’s Dinner too???felicitation encore a monsieur bolaji
September 17th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Congrats Mr Bolaji. This is beautiful. But is my name in your speech? Ha, ha, ha!
September 17th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
A fine speech, short and to the point. Congrats, and good luck, Bolaji
September 18th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Congrats, patron. E maa wa wa lo (laugh)
September 18th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
je suis a la fois ravi et surpris de voire cette photo, combien imposante et majestieuse de celui qu on appelle malome. sincere felicitatons, …
September 18th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Impressive thank you speech, necessarily brief. Bolaji certainly deserves the Chancellor’s Medal
September 19th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Trust Mr Bolaji and books! Almost immediately after getting this award he was already heavily involved excitedly in the production of a new book, helping another writer…
September 19th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Ja. It was a very interesting occasion. I was happy and proud to witness it myself. Boalji has contributed a lot to grassroots literature. Not that I’ve read most his books.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Once again, congrats! there is no writer who is worthy of this prestigious award than you. On behalf of all the sundry/budding writers in the Free State province i want to say: “We are happy for you, Malome ‘Seye.” Keep up the Good work. You shall forkeeps remain the ray of sunshine to all the writers in our country and beyond.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
What a short and precise speech,typical Seyi.You really touched my heart when you mentioned the role Your late Dad played in your early days of writing.You left out your comrade in writing Larry James Olakunle Olubukola Apantaku. You really deserved the award for all your hard works. Congrats Boss.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Congrats Bolasto. I was happy to witness the occasion
September 26th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Who is this Larry James..guy? Is this some sort of joke?
September 27th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
habari ya mshangazo! kujuwa kwamba wewe mjomba bolaji mumepewa iyo chancellors medal,
sijuwi ni seme nini , lakini myezi mungu akuzidishe , faraha…aaronn sungura
nairobi, kenya
September 28th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Always brings a smile to my face whenever i see this, the photo in particular
October 1st, 2007 at 10:53 am
The opening remarks are typical of Bolaji’s dexterity. Overflowing with his trademark eloquence.He just blew me over. However I would have liked to hear him refer to his vast literary corpus. His influences thrughout his life,I know he used to speak fondly of pioneers like charles dickens and one series of teenage adventure that was popular in his youth that he lapped up all as a young boy. I would have wanted him to speak about his plans for the future, whether he would continue nurturing young talent and write some more because there are many more books in his ever busy mind. Nonetheless it was an propitious occation, befitting of a chief. Halala.
Enough said about seye, but I could not help but notice the 14th comment here above, it’s written in Kenyan language or something, I’m intrigued to learn what it means. Could the writer please translate for me. It reminds me of the days when I used to read a lot of Kenyan literature, the likes of Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Meja Mwangi.