Toyin Falola at 70: Memories of a Scholar and a Legend, by Tunji Olaopa
In the best sense of Yoruba cultural understanding, TF is a most distinguished gbajumo. Its larger than life stature is a function of many illustrious references, from the academic and the intellectual to the socio-cultural. It is therefore very difficult to arrive at a model that captures the multidimensionality of his being and his contribution. But let me create my own model, however insufficient, with what I consider an apt description: TF knows the books and knows the people.
TF, as Professor Toyin Falola is known the world over, has been graciously inducted into the exalted and venerable circle of Septuagenarians. And strangely, his erased self would not recognize or celebrate this momentous occasion with at least a seminal offering, as we are used to. Sometimes, in November 2022, I discussed with him the question of the approach of the 70th anniversary. “What should we expect? I asked. I had in mind the type of elaborate intellectual celebration that announced its 65th anniversary in 2018. TF immediately answered my question: "It will be in May 2023." I was momentarily confused. But seeing how disorganized and distracted I could be at times, I took the statement as some kind of confusion on my part, hoping to get back to the conversation seriously. But then when I received the invitation a few days ago to preside over this anniversary event scheduled for January 1st, it immediately became clear to me that TF's response to me was the usual diversionary tactic and escapism to distract from a celebration of its immense self. Well, thank goodness it didn't work! Didn't Ralph W. Sockman, the famous American Protestant radio pastor, say that “true humility is an intelligent self-respect that keeps us from thinking too high or too meanly of ourselves. It humbles us by reminding us how far we are from what we can be.
The truth is, TF is the kind of person who wouldn't want to put himself in front of others. And all the more so if the circumstances and the occasions are not propitious. His sense of self is necessarily reflected in his understanding and concern for others. This is the meaning projected in the Yoruba proverb: Àìfinipeni, àìfèèyàn-pèèyàn, lará oko-ó fi ńsán ìbàntẹ́ wọ̀lú ("A lack of respect for others, a lack of respect for people, is what emboldens the country thug to venture into town wearing nothing but a loincloth"). In other words, TF is not one to reject others in the service of self-glorification or And yet the truth is that while tragedies, setbacks and troubling circumstances will always be a part of us, crossing the 70-year mark, and especially for a well-regarded icon, will never happen twice. Hard times will also never justify that we do not count the days of the deserving, so that we can order our steps towards wisdom, as the scripture commands us.
In the best sense of Yoruba cultural understanding, TF is a most distinguished gbajumo. Its larger than life stature is a function of many illustrious references, from the academic and the intellectual to the socio-cultural. It is therefore very difficult to arrive at a model that captures the multidimensionality of his being and his contribution. But let me create my own model, however insufficient, with what I consider an apt description: TF knows the books and knows the people. Being born in Ibadan comes with a great cultural richness that connects TF not only to tradition and heritage but also to people. One must read the two autobiographical accounts – A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt and Counting the Tiger's Teeth – to understand the historical trajectories of a boy from Ibadan who grew up in the part of a culture that values people as garments that envelop a person with iyì (prestige) and ẹ̀yẹ (honour). When the Yoruba say that Ẹni tí ò lówó a léèyàn (he who lacks money will be rich in people), they are talking about a robust dynamic of social relations that firmly connects a man to his immediate family. and expanded, friends and colleagues, members of the community and virtually all of humanity. This is the framework for TF's investment in people. This investment links mentorship to a sacrificial propensity to bear the burden of others.
In the best sense of Yoruba cultural understanding, TF is a most distinguished gbajumo. Its larger than life stature is a function of many illustrious references, from the academic and the intellectual to the socio-cultural. It is therefore very difficult to arrive at a model that captures the multidimensionality of his being and his contribution. But let me create my own model, however insufficient, with what I consider an apt description: TF knows the books and knows the people.
TF, as Professor Toyin Falola is known the world over, has been graciously inducted into the exalted and venerable circle of Septuagenarians. And strangely, his erased self would not recognize or celebrate this momentous occasion with at least a seminal offering, as we are used to. Sometimes, in November 2022, I discussed with him the question of the approach of the 70th anniversary. “What should we expect? I asked. I had in mind the type of elaborate intellectual celebration that announced its 65th anniversary in 2018. TF immediately answered my question: "It will be in May 2023." I was momentarily confused. But seeing how disorganized and distracted I could be at times, I took the statement as some kind of confusion on my part, hoping to get back to the conversation seriously. But then when I received the invitation a few days ago to preside over this anniversary event scheduled for January 1st, it immediately became clear to me that TF's response to me was the usual diversionary tactic and escapism to distract from a celebration of its immense self. Well, thank goodness it didn't work! Didn't Ralph W. Sockman, the famous American Protestant radio pastor, say that “true humility is an intelligent self-respect that keeps us from thinking too high or too meanly of ourselves. It humbles us by reminding us how far we are from what we can be.
The truth is, TF is the kind of person who wouldn't want to put himself in front of others. And all the more so if the circumstances and the occasions are not propitious. His sense of self is necessarily reflected in his understanding and concern for others. This is the meaning projected in the Yoruba proverb: Àìfinipeni, àìfèèyàn-pèèyàn, lará oko-ó fi ńsán ìbàntẹ́ wọ̀lú ("A lack of respect for others, a lack of respect for people, is what emboldens the country thug to venture into town wearing nothing but a loincloth"). In other words, TF is not one to reject others in the service of self-glorification or And yet the truth is that while tragedies, setbacks and troubling circumstances will always be a part of us, crossing the 70-year mark, and especially for a well-regarded icon, will never happen twice. Hard times will also never justify that we do not count the days of the deserving, so that we can order our steps towards wisdom, as the scripture commands us.
In the best sense of Yoruba cultural understanding, TF is a most distinguished gbajumo. Its larger than life stature is a function of many illustrious references, from the academic and the intellectual to the socio-cultural. It is therefore very difficult to arrive at a model that captures the multidimensionality of his being and his contribution. But let me create my own model, however insufficient, with what I consider an apt description: TF knows the books and knows the people. Being born in Ibadan comes with a great cultural richness that connects TF not only to tradition and heritage but also to people. One must read the two autobiographical accounts – A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt and Counting the Tiger's Teeth – to understand the historical trajectories of a boy from Ibadan who grew up in the part of a culture that values people as garments that envelop a person with iyì (prestige) and ẹ̀yẹ (honour). When the Yoruba say that Ẹni tí ò lówó a léèyàn (he who lacks money will be rich in people), they are talking about a robust dynamic of social relations that firmly connects a man to his immediate family. and expanded, friends and colleagues, members of the community and virtually all of humanity. This is the framework for TF's investment in people. This investment links mentorship to a sacrificial propensity to bear the burden of others.
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