In a captivating tribute to the prolific Nigerian-Canadian poet, scholar, and researcher, Nduka Otiono, esteemed editors Chris Dunton, Iroro Mathias Orhero, and Ndubuisi Martins Aniemeka have announced an exciting opportunity for scholars, creative artists, and journalists to delve into Otiono’s remarkable career and impact on the literary and media landscapes.
Nduka Otiono, whose journey spans over three decades, has been an influential figure in journalism, literary administration, cultural curation, and academia. Before making his mark in Canada as the Director of African Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Otiono had already established himself as a veteran journalist in Nigeria. Notably, he pioneered the celebrated The Post Express Literary Supplement (PELS) and contributed significantly to the literary journalism scene. His legacy includes service as the National General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and instrumental involvement in the creation of the NLNG-sponsored Nigerian Prize for Literature.
OtionoOtiono’s scholarly focus encompasses diverse areas such as street stories, cultural and media studies, oral performances, diaspora, and postcolonial studies. His literary works have garnered multiple awards, including The Night Hides with a Knife (1995), Voices in the Rainbow (1997), Love in a Time of Nightmares (2008), and DisPlace: The Poetry of Nduka Otiono (2021).
This call for chapters seeks to explore Otiono’s rich multidisciplinary contributions and cultural activism in comparison to his peers, with a specific emphasis on his style, themes, and creative and critical engagements. Contributors are encouraged to examine Otiono’s impact on African cultural studies, postcolonial literature, and media practice, particularly within the literary supplement genre. Moreover, the call invites authors to explore the connections between Otiono’s literary signature and that of his contemporaries, as coined by Chris Dunton and Pius Adesanmi as the “third generation writers.”
The proposed topics for exploration include:
- The Place of Otiono in (Third-Generation) Nigerian Literature
- Narrative Arc and Narratology in Otiono’s Short Stories
- Critical Reception of Nduka Otiono’s Oeuvre
- Street Stories, Popular Imagination, and the Nigerian Digital Media Culture
- Nduka Otiono in the Skin of Postcolonial Writing and Media Culture
- Revisiting Mimesis and Materiality in Third-Generation Nigerian Writing
- New Schemes of Orality and Performance in Third-Generation Nigerian Poetry
- Thematic and Aesthetic Complexes in Nduka Otiono and the Art of Anthologies and Special Journal Issues
- Literature, Arts, and the Tabloid Platform
The culmination of these insightful chapters will result in a prestigious North American publication set for release in the Spring of 2024. Authors interested in contributing are urged to adhere to the MLA 9th edition stylesheet and submit essays ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 words by the deadline of November 15, 2023. Submissions should be directed to the second and third Editors:
Chris Dunton
Professor of Literature in English and former Dean of The Faculty of Humanities at The National University of Lesotho, Roma.
Iroro Mathias Orhero
McGill University, Canada (mathias.orhero@mail.mcgill.ca)
Ndubuisi Martins Aniemeka
Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (aniemekn@ff.cuni.cz)*
This forthcoming publication promises to be a fitting tribute to the legacy of Nduka Otiono and a valuable addition to the realm of literary scholarship. Scholars and enthusiasts alike are encouraged to embark on this intellectual journey, celebrating the multifaceted brilliance of Otiono’s contributions.
