Nobel Prize: Sen. Sani, Akinfeleye, Pate, say Gurnah’s victory phenomenal
Stakeholders in the world of literature have described the recent award of Nobel Prize in Literature to Tanzanian born Abdulrazak Gurnah as phenomenal.
The stakeholders in an interview with the Newsmen on Monday in Abuja noted that the prize had once more proven that Africans were talented and hardworking and could achieve any feat.
Sen. Shehu Sani, former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, said the prize was a major accomplishment for Africa and the people of the Continent.
He stressed that it was an affirmation of Gurnah’s contributions in the field of literature, adding that it was a testimony to his hard work, determination and intense research.
“I believe the award will encourage more African writers to stay on course and continue to use their writings for socio economic and political change.
“The award will no doubt excite interest on the issue of colonialism and the contribution of literature in the preservation of our memory, conscience and history.’’
Sani encouraged the Nobel Laureate not to relent, adding that the award was a call to break more grounds.
He expressed optimism that more Africans, particularly Nigerians, would win the prestigious award in subsequent years.
Also speaking with Newsmen, Prof. Raph Akinfeleye, Council Member, World Journalism Education Congress congratulated Gurnah for making Africans proud.
Akinfeleye, a professor of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, also congratulated members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm for the award.
He said the award was a huge success for writers all over the world, adding “it means our profession has been recognised worldwide.
“We are fourth estate of the realm promoting comradeship, peace and tranquility in the world.
“We hope that Nigerian journalists too will aspire to win the next award.
“We are happy and glad at the award and he should not stop working hard,” he said.
Akinfeleye, former Chairman and Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos, stressed that the award was an indication that “Africans are not dummies and that black people matter’’.
The don further said Gurnah’s link to Bayero University Kano, (BUK), made the award a plus for BUK and the university system in Nigeria in general.
“I am not shocked that he won because Africans are brilliant people all over the world.
“The major problem we have is good leadership.
“So, I am calling on African leaders to wake up and support scholarship and research,’’ he said.
The don expressed optimism that another African would win the next award.
Also speaking, Prof. Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, told NAN that the award was recognition of the talent of African scholars.
Pate, who was once lecturer at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), congratulated Gurnah for making Africans all over the world proud, saying, “we are grateful that one of us emerged winner of this prestigious award.
“We congratulate him and all Africans.”
Reports state that 73 years old Abdulrazak Gurnah is the latest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
He won the award based on his relentless effort to unravel the effects of colonialism and the fate of refugees trapped between cultures and continents.
He is an author who has written so many novels on colonialism, migration, identity, state failure as well as displacement.
Some of his works are, Memory of Departure (1987), Pilgrims Way (1988), Dottie (1990), Paradise (1994), Admiring Silence (1996), By the Sea (2001), Desertion (2005), and The Last Gift (2011) among others.
Gurnah worked as a professor at Bayero University Kano Nigeria in the early 1980s and later proceeded to University of Kent, where he retired.
