Papers by Michael O Ejiodu
Ejiodu, Michael Onyeisi, 2011
This paper examines the current state of affairs in the world with particular reference to the de... more This paper examines the current state of affairs in the world with particular reference to the degradation of human life, and the fact that it is the future that is destroyed in killing (in its various forms) the youths. It also decries the level of lack of love among the human race, be it inter-or inlra-racial and/or tribal, and states that this and the utter hatred among humans are the key factors responsible for the destruction of the future. The paper however opines that the future could be reconstructed through literature by presenting such materials as could engender love and/or expose the ills of war in all its facets or, at least, reduce 'the bickering and wrangling among mankind to the barest minimum. The paper concludes that it is only when these are done that there can be hope for the future as we would have started on the tortuous road to the reconstruction of the future.
EJIODU, MICHAEL O., 2014
For literature to be functional, it must address contemporary challenges to bring about a better ... more For literature to be functional, it must address contemporary challenges to bring about a better society. There is no doubt that humans at the turn of this century are confronted with environmental issues such as, pollution, deforestation, depletion of the ozone layer, flooding, ice-melting, global warming, earthquake, etc. These constitute some of the contemporary challenges which are faced by Africans especially, and the world at large. These problems are threatening human existence. As such, urgent steps need to be taken if planet earth is to be preserved. It is against this background that this paper x-rays eco-Literature, a new area of scholarship in literary circles, with a view to accessing the contribution of literature to the fight to rescue the earth, our environment. Literature is used as a veritable instrument to protest against further degradation of our natural environment. This is the concern of recent Nigerian writers among whom are Niyi Osundare and Tanure Ojaide. This paper concludes that the protection of the ecosystem is a duty which all must participate in so that our earth will not die.
Michael Onyeisi Ejiodu, 2023
Literature emanates from society and is about society. It is about people and their interaction, ... more Literature emanates from society and is about society. It is about people and their interaction, both at the intra- and the inter-levels. It is a record or reflection of the actions and/or inactions and thoughts of humans. To this effect, the problems and general situations of man are given life outside of the human body, that encasement that gives tangibility to the life force. Politics, on the other hand, has to do with the art of governance and/or the methods and techniques of ascendancy onto the seat of power. Over the generations and most especially in recent times, politics has downgraded man. Man has degenerated on the altar of politics and the art of governance. The implication of this is that crises have engulfed the world. The most frequently heard news and information these days are about war, terrorism, crises, corruption, banditry, kidnapping, and so on. Often, these come as a result of people or groups striving to occupy some positions of authority/governance. The implication of this is that the road to the seat of governance is littered with limbs, heads and body parts, as well as rivers of blood. This paper argues that literature, which is about man and his society, could be employed in fostering the positives in the body polity and the politics in the State, both in the microcosm and macrocosm. This could be done by identifying the vices and values, and then decrying the vices while espousing the positive values. Often, politics tries to bring about the desired harmony, but unfortunately, the generator cannot be the solution, hence a different medium (literature) is sought as an instrument for the ultimate elimination of the crisis. The Chronological Approach is employed for this study, which employs a folklorist play, The Placenta of Death by Sam Ukala as the text for analysis. The focus of this paper is the quest for the solution to the problem posed by the search for political relevance, which since politics cannot proffer we have to seek in literature.
Keywords: Literature, Panacea, Politics, Conflict, folkism
Michael O Ejiodu, 2023
This paper examines the relationship between literature and the environment. The major focus is o... more This paper examines the relationship between literature and the environment. The major focus is on the anthropocentric attitude and activities of man, and how these impinge on the environment. The paper tries to xray some concepts such anthropocentrism, biosphere, earth, environment, man and the Others. The paper argues that the concepts in their physical manifestation are cardinal for the existence and survival of humanity as well as themselves. In addition to these, the paper looks at the effects of the degradation of the environment on mankind; the interrelationship between the degradation of the earth, corruption and protest among the citizenry. Another aspect examined is the political implication of the despoliation of the environment. These could be summed up in the perennial and circular flow of corruption and the attendant suffering and degradation of human life, leading ultimately to resistance among the populace. The text of analysis is Ruky Divine Ogede's Festering Wounds. The paper concludes that mankind no longer seems to understand or realise that humanity cannot exist nor survive in isolation. Another conclusion is that the environment's response to the degradation of the earth is a prelude to youths' restiveness and social revolts.
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Papers by Michael O Ejiodu
Keywords: Literature, Panacea, Politics, Conflict, folkism
Keywords: Literature, Panacea, Politics, Conflict, folkism