OBINNA EZUGWU
“In the Belly of Vultures,” a book authored by Nigeria’s famous columnist, social commentator and administrator, Chief Adetola Adeniyi is set for official launch on March 1st, 2018 at the NECA Event Centre, Hakim Balogun Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The book, a 1238-page compendium of his articles over the years, has over 13,000 articles, addressing the various ills of the Nigerian society.
Blunt with words, punchy in style, it is a book that is expected to stir controversies, and has been described by the author as his ‘landmark bequest to the country, particularly the youths.’
The book is the first volume of Chief Adeniyi’s collected writings that date as far back as 1959 and would be presented from 11.00 a.m on the scheduled day.
Adeniyi who has in the past written under column heads like Aba Saheed, has maintained regular columns in a number of leading Nigerian newspapers, including the Ibadan-based Nigerian Tribune, The Punch and the Nigerian Compass.
He has served as Deputy Managing Director of Sketch Newspapers; Director Times Journalism Institute; Editor, Nigerian Tribune Newspapers as well as Managing Director/Editor, the Daily Times of Nigeria.
An author of many books, including Teenagers Must Repent [1964], Aiye Ode Oni [1964], Soul Fire [1974], The Lunatic [1976], Nigerian Professionals [1985], The Jewel, a biography of Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo, Theatre On Wheels [1997], and Deaths in the Thighs [2001] among others, Chief Adeniyi has held many administrative positions in the country.
In 1994, he became a visiting lecturer at the Lancaster University UK, and in 1995, he moved to Canada with his entire family to establish Canada College of Business and Technology and Canada University Press.
He is the holder of over 27 traditional titles, including the Jagun Oodua Adimula II, the Araba of Remoland, the Bobagunwa Ago Iwoye, Akogun of Ijebuland, Iroko of Yewaland, Apala Onigege of Egbaland, Are Agbaakin of Ede, Otunba Awuwobiowu of Lagos among others.
A cerebral elder statesman, Chief Adeniyi is a winner of many students’ awards, some of which are: Best All Round Student Award [1964/65], 2nd Prize John Kennedy Essay Competition Award, [1965], a Federal and Western Region Scholar [1966-69] and Afro-American International Journalists Award [1979].
He holds a honour degree in English from the University of Ibadan, a Master’s degree in Theatre Studies from University of Lancaster, UK, and Diplomas in Mass Communication and Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
