Month: April 2018
THE HELL WITH WRITING -A Nigerian Perspective By Terseer Sam Baki
As a citizen, I was born at a time when the world was still young. Maybe, the world had just woken up from sleep then. In any case, this republic of ours was just about fifteen years old when I came into existence. This means that I’ve actually seen so much of our history unveiled right before my eyes.
The entire world too wasn’t that old when I stepped on the scene. There were virtually no Computers around. Television sets too were not coloured. Neither were cell phones, handsets, smartphones, tablets and “capsules” in use.
Women? Yes, they weren’t poorly clad, especially in churches. They knew that their hair wasn’t to be seen. So, they didn’t have to come up with various tricks of exposing their beautiful hairstyles and flesh. Nude bodies of women were sacred. We didn’t watch them in television commercials every minute.
Men? Hmm, they kept long hair in which they sometimes forgot combs. High heeled shoes with open ended trousers that looked more like funnels were their stock in trade. There was no NaijaBet or BetNaija. However, some simpletons indulged in “Pool betting.”
Those who were privileged and acquired Western education: they read books everyday. They didn’t have to wait till they had examinations by the corner. Reading was a lifestyle rather than a task. Yes, in those black and white days, those who went as far as secondary schools would arguably teach most of today’s university graduates. Knowledge rather than paper qualification was the main point of focus.
In those good ol’ days, those who saw the four corners of a classroom used “among” when they had to compare three nouns or more. They used “between” only when they compared two nouns. “Live” was never used when “leave” was intended. The word “Why” was used in asking questions and not in place of the word “while.” Folks easily understood differences that exists among the words: “there,” ” their” and “they.” “Were” meant a different thing from “Where.” Just as “complement” meant and spelt differently from “compliment.”
The most abused punctuation mark, the apostrophe (‘) never knew there was going to be such an age where self acclaimed journalists would bastardise it this much.
See, back then, folks introduced themselves as “my name is Terseer Sam Baki” and not “my names are “Terseer Sam Baki.” It may be because we had fewer lawyers around. I can’t say precisely.
When a document emanated from an academic institution such as a university, one could bet one’s life that surly, it was going to be typo free.
There was nothing like text messaging and chatting. So, we laboured to learn the basic art and science of letter writing. Whether a Sciences or Arts scholar, everyone consciously or unconsciously mastered the art and science of creative writing. It was common sight to read stuff like, “…as the cool breeze was blowing, the birds were chirping out there in the trees. I thought about you and my heart stopped beating. So, I picked up my golden pen from my golden basket to write you this golden letter…” Such was our lot.
These days, yes, guys would speak smooth and fluent like fine wine. If you’re my kind of person, you’d love listening to them. Yet, when they write, you’d want to spank their asses without mercy. You’d have no choice but lose whatever regards you had for them.
Maybe you’re asking, “…but how the hell do I (we) overcome all these?”
It’s simple. The first step is, start reading creative works of fiction. Secondly, nurture your reading into a habit. Let it gradually but consciously grow into an addiction: such as with tobacco consumption.
Thirdly, read like your being alive depends on it and, boom! You’ve cultivated for your lovely self a lifestyle.
Naturally, at this point, which I like to call point of saturation, you might probably start romancing the dreadful thought of writing.
Hello!
LITERARY COMPETITION
The overall winner would be announced on Saturday,19th May, 2018 at the grand finale of the 35th Anniversary of Senator Suemo Chia’s Tiv classic novel, “Adan Wade Kohol Ga” also translated into English language as “The Story of Adan-Wade” by Professor Tyôhdzuah Akôsu.
Venue: College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi.
Time: 9AM.
Yes, you too can be part of this. Don’t be left out!
The Terseer Sam Baki Blog 