Dr. Okediran never looks on the tribal marks on one’s face or one’s religious beliefs or the region one is coming from while working and interacting with people, therefore, he continues to build strong friendships across the world
DR. Wale Okediran has been a fascinating phenomenon, a colossal literary figure with outstanding accomplishments standing tall like the once soaring groundnut pyramids of Kano.
A trained medical doctor and a passionate published author of dozens of well-received novels and travelogue books, he is in addition, an essayist, columnist and literary administrator per excellence whose stewardship as a former President of the Association of Nigeria’s Authors is ranked as one of the best.
Okediran, now serving as the Secretary General of the highest African continental body of writers, the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), has injected fresh life and visibility to the continental organisations, leading the Union to new heights to the admiration and sound applause of all.
Dr. Wale Okediran was recently decorated with a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL) — undoubtedly one of the highest medals reserved for those who distinguished themselves as beacons of intellectualism. He is a multiple award-winning literary icon with many feathers to his cap.
A dogged politician, he used his experience as a Member of the Federal House of Representatives to write a classic novel, Tenants of the House, which was subsequently adapted into a movie which was on NETFLIX global film platform for two years.
Dr. Okediran also excelled as a sportsman during his university days to the extent that he was awarded a University Sports Scholarship by the then University of Ife for his medical education.
Its therefore, not surprising that since his graduation, he has been a generous patron of sports, sponsoring different youth football tournaments.
To me, l personally see Dr. Okediran beyond a literary mentor but as a supportive brother who appreciates working with young writers, supporting them morally and financially without discrimination. I could say without any fear of contradiction that Dr. Okediran never looks on the tribal marks on one’s face or one’s religious beliefs or the region one is coming from while working and interacting with people, therefore, he continues to build strong friendships across the world.
Little wonder, his humanity and humbleness have endeared him to many across generations. Seen within the community of writers within Africa and beyond as a passionate writer, literary administrator, a peace lover and a bridge builder.
His administration of Ebedi Writers’ Residency, the first and the longest surviving home for writers from Africa, is a clear testament to his unique leadership and visionary accomplishment.
What has highly endeared him to me is his exceptional generosity and simplicity. On one occasion, I visited him in Abuja. To my surprise, he went to the kitchen before l woke up after saying my Subh prayers to get my breakfast ready.
One more remarkably distinctive trait that sets Dr. Okediran to stand tall always among his friends and associates is his loyalty to friendship and brotherhood. Personally, l am yet to know and interact with any member of ANA who rewards every little favour done to him with smiles and goodness.
After the election of Muhammad Buhari and the APC government started appointing those who worked for the party, Dr. Okediran once whispered to me, ‘Khalid, l prefer a Federal appointment than the Commissioner position my Governor was offering to me, because l want a position that would allow me to help many across the country, not just myself or my immediate constituency.”
That was the man Okediran for you, a pan Nigerian and pan Africanist, who twice without requesting him, nominated me to join other writers to attend international conferences in far away Lebanon and in the neighboring Niger Republic.
My relationship with Dr. Okediran has been a mutually beneficial one, especially as he continues to inspire me to write, reminding me,
“Khalid, you can’t call yourself a serious writer if you don’t pen a new book now and again. Set it as a goal to finish a book every year if possible.”
l can now proudly say that with Okediran’s encouragement, l have authored over twenty titles within the span of two decades of my journey as a bilingual writer.
As a way of encouraging writers from the North, Dr Okediran usually calls me to nominate writers to attend his Ebedi Writers’ Residency.
According to him: “You see Khalid, your Kano people gave me my ANA Presidency against a Hausa candidate from the North. It’s therefore important for me to show my appreciation for that kind gesture.”
As you mark your 70th Anniversary, sir, l am duty-bound to remember you as one who never believed in the ‘use and dump syndrome’ habit.
I sincerely wish you a prosperous life of sound health full of Allah’s grace.
Congratulations sir.
- Imam is Curator, All Poets Network International
