It was poetic oration galore for Ambassador (Dr) Yemi Farounbi as family, friends and professional colleagues gathered, today, to celebrate his 78th birthday.
The birthday of the seasoned journalist, administrator and politician comes up on Saturday, same day Nigeria will be celebrating its 62nd National Independence Day.
The Poetry Enclave (POEN), Ibadan, organised the Yemi Farounbi Poetry Festival (YEMFAFEST) 2022 as part of the activities to mark Farounbi’s 78th birthday,
The event, supported by and held at the Alliance Francaise, Iyaganku, Ibadan, was held under the chairmanship of Professor Soji Adejumo, a former chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Speakers attested to the achievements and contributions of Dr Farounbi, a former Ambassador of Nigeria to the Philippines, to journalism and humanity in general.
He was described as a man of many parts “who has become very distinguished with his trademark white beard matching his costume.”
In his speech, the chairman of the event, Professor Adejumo, described Dr Farounbi as an icon and a giant who has made meaningful and positive contributions to national development.
He said the celebrant is a personality whose sphere of influence cuts across all major fields and professions.
“I feel highly honoured to chair such an occasion to celebrate an icon. Dr Yemi Farounbi is a giant in all fields, cutting across journalism, administration and politics.
“He has made great and impactful contributions to national development, especially when he was the Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines.
“His friendship cuts across all political divides,” Professor Adejumo, the former chairman of Oyo SUBEB, said.
Speaking to the theme of the event, “Poetry Is Our Life”, president of POEN, Ibadan and the Festival Director, Ebika Anthony, said its essence was to celebrate Farounbi who, he said, has made meaningful contributions to humanity.
He said it was worthy celebrating the former envoy, noting that Farounbi had celebrated and is still celebrating poetry over the years.
“Farounbi’s look is poetry. He has done a lot of works in journalism. He is a great man; he is a great mind in several fields.
“Farounbi has contributed immensely to the world of Geography, Communications and Politics, among other fields.
“We are unconsciously celebrating his birthday today. We can celebrate him with poetry which encompasses all our life. We can celebrate him with music and dance,” the POEN, Ibadan president said.
Dr Farounbi seized the opportunity of the event to take a critical look at the polity and declared: “I frantically believe that there is going to be a better tomorrow, either we like it or not.
“We have gone beyond abuse. We need people to stand up for what we believe in. We should not give up on what we believe in.
“All what the bad people need is for the good people to give up. But we must not allow this to happen.
“Poetry is a good weapon to change the society. Media men and poets, not the politicians, chased away the tyrants in 1999. Why are we quiet now?
“They said I abuse [the late General Sani] Abacha who is still sending money to us, more than 20 years after his death, but I have not abuse the other man who is doing nothing.
“I will abuse him; I am going to abuse him and nothing will happen,” Farounbi said, just as he called on the organisers to make the event an annual programme.
A book, “Rhythms For Farounbi”, written in honour of Farounbi, by the Festival Director, Ebika Anthony, was launched at the event.
