An encounter with Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, By Babafemi Ojudu

I recently ran into my favourite Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, at Addis Ababa Airport. He was returning to Nigeria from the United States.

I have been an admirer of his music since he performed at my 2018 governorship declaration. Osupa is not merely an entertainer; he is a deep and remarkably gifted composer. His command of Yoruba—its proverbs, imagery, humour, philosophy and subtle nuances—is extraordinary.

Had he chosen poetry as a profession, he would undoubtedly have excelled. But who says he is not already a poet? After all, Bob Dylan, the celebrated American singer-songwriter, was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature for creating new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition. The boundary between song and poetry has become increasingly porous.

Beyond music, Saheed Osupa has pursued his intellectual interests with admirable seriousness. He studied Political Science at the University of Ibadan and graduated with a good degree. He will soon return to the same university for his master’s programme.

During our encounter, we discussed many subjects, including a possible topic for his dissertation: “Language and Oratory in Yoruba Politics, 1955–1965.”

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Such a study could examine the rhetoric, wit, invective and political oratory of the master politicians and campaigners of that era—figures such as Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Adegoke Adelabu, Busari Adelakun and others. Osupa’s exceptional command of Yoruba would enable him to undertake a rich analysis of how language was deployed to persuade, entertain, mobilise and, sometimes, demolish political opponents.

Humble, thoughtful and delightful company, Saheed Osupa is proof that artistic brilliance and intellectual ambition can flourish in the same person.

I look forward to the day we shall address him as Dr Saheed Osupa, PhD in Political Science. It would be a well-earned addition to an already remarkable career.