Simbo Olorunfemi
Encyclopedia
Simbo Olorunfemi is a Nigeria
n poet, journalist, and business person with a background in TV production and brand management. His first poetry collection, Rhythm of the Coins, attracted praise from critics and was short listed for 1993 Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize. Olorunfemi's follow up, Eko Ree, won first prize at the 2004 contest. As a journalist, he has written columns for several Nigerian newspapers on a regular basis.
Olorunfemi works professionally as a television producer. He has been credited on several popular local shows, and was nominated for TV producer of the year in 1991.
and a political science
degree from Ondo State University. He then studied to become a journalist at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and later earned a master's degree
in international Law
and diplomacy from the University of Lagos
.
At age 15, Olorunfemi wrote his first novel, The Cardinal Mafia.
described the book as "a simple, lucid, and reflective work of art," while the Daily Champion the called it "a promise that the Nigerian literary scene is not entirely off-course." Rhythm of the Coins was short-listed for the 1993 Association of Nigerian Authors
(ANA) Poetry Prize, earning an honorable mention.
Rhythm of the Coins was followed by the highly anticipated poetry collection Eko Ree (This is Lagos) in 2004. Those expected in attendance at the book's launch included the Executive Governor of Lagos
state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Bode Olajumoke
, and Chief Segun Olusola, among others. The collection uses simple language to portray Lagos State
as a place where inhabitants eke out livings in highly unusual ways. In his introduction to the book, cultural affairs officer Ambrocio Lopez writes "I believe Simbo has magnificently captured the pulse of life of the city... [he presents] urban conversations that challenge us to examine our very being."
Eko Ree: The Many Faces of Lagos took first place in the 2004 ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize competition. The accompanying $1000 prize was the largest awarded by the competition. The judging panel described it as "a candid but graphic reflection on the many faces of Lagos" adding "Eko Ree is distinctly impressive... The collection is engaging, the title is apt and captures the metaphor of Lagos life." Writing for Vanguard, Uzqr Uzoatu strongly disagreed with the judges, writing "no so-called poem in the collection is anywhere near successful... Eko Ree contains the lightest verses you ever read anywhere since kindergarten, words that are neither sublime nor solid." Uzoatu's criticism drew a response from Ayodeji Fashikun of THISDAY
. Olorunfemi himself poked fun at the critique during his official acceptance speech.
In 2007, Olorunfemi released his third book, Singing in the Rain through Raider Publishing International. His work was selected for inclusion in the 2009 anthology of Nigerian Poetry Lagos of the Poets.
Olorunfemi's works have been translated to Hindi and German.
. As a producer, he has numerous credits including the TV talk show MEE & YOU and the news program The Globe This Week, which ran for three years on Nigerian TV station
Lagos Television (LTV 8), Ikeja.
In 1991, he was nominated for TV producer of the year at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMAs). Olorunfemi's most recent involvement with television was the production of a programme on information technology
called CYBERDRIVE.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n poet, journalist, and business person with a background in TV production and brand management. His first poetry collection, Rhythm of the Coins, attracted praise from critics and was short listed for 1993 Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize. Olorunfemi's follow up, Eko Ree, won first prize at the 2004 contest. As a journalist, he has written columns for several Nigerian newspapers on a regular basis.
Olorunfemi works professionally as a television producer. He has been credited on several popular local shows, and was nominated for TV producer of the year in 1991.
Background
Simbo Olorunfemi received his general education at Federal Government College, IdoaniFederal Government College, Idoani
The Federal Government College, Ido-ani, Ondo State, is a secondary institution located in Idoani, Ondo State in Nigeria.The school, like other Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria, was created by the Nigerian government as one of the Federally funded "Unity schools" to bring together students...
and a political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
degree from Ondo State University. He then studied to become a journalist at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and later earned a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in international Law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
and diplomacy from the University of Lagos
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
.
At age 15, Olorunfemi wrote his first novel, The Cardinal Mafia.
Poet
Olorunfemi first published work, Rhythm of the Coins, was described by Nigerian journalist May Ellen Ezekiel Mofe-Damijo as "an endearing work" with "clear, simple, and easy to understand" language. The PunchThe Punch
The Punch is a Nigerian daily newspaper. It is the second largest newspaper in the country in terms of circulation, with 80,000 copies published daily in 1999.-History:...
described the book as "a simple, lucid, and reflective work of art," while the Daily Champion the called it "a promise that the Nigerian literary scene is not entirely off-course." Rhythm of the Coins was short-listed for the 1993 Association of Nigerian Authors
Association of Nigerian Authors
The Association of Nigerian Authors represents Nigerian creative writers at home and abroad. It was founded in 1981 with the novelist Chinua Achebe as President. The current President is Hon Wale Okediran...
(ANA) Poetry Prize, earning an honorable mention.
Rhythm of the Coins was followed by the highly anticipated poetry collection Eko Ree (This is Lagos) in 2004. Those expected in attendance at the book's launch included the Executive Governor of Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Bode Olajumoke
Bode Olajumoke
Wilfred Olabode Olajumoke is a Nigerian politician who has been a member of the Senate of Nigeria for Ondo State since 2007.-Background:...
, and Chief Segun Olusola, among others. The collection uses simple language to portray Lagos State
Lagos State
Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...
as a place where inhabitants eke out livings in highly unusual ways. In his introduction to the book, cultural affairs officer Ambrocio Lopez writes "I believe Simbo has magnificently captured the pulse of life of the city... [he presents] urban conversations that challenge us to examine our very being."
Eko Ree: The Many Faces of Lagos took first place in the 2004 ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize competition. The accompanying $1000 prize was the largest awarded by the competition. The judging panel described it as "a candid but graphic reflection on the many faces of Lagos" adding "Eko Ree is distinctly impressive... The collection is engaging, the title is apt and captures the metaphor of Lagos life." Writing for Vanguard, Uzqr Uzoatu strongly disagreed with the judges, writing "no so-called poem in the collection is anywhere near successful... Eko Ree contains the lightest verses you ever read anywhere since kindergarten, words that are neither sublime nor solid." Uzoatu's criticism drew a response from Ayodeji Fashikun of THISDAY
Thisday
THISDAY is a Nigerian national newspaper. It is the flagship newspaper of Leaders & Company Ltd and was first published on 22 January 1995. It has its headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, Lagos State....
. Olorunfemi himself poked fun at the critique during his official acceptance speech.
In 2007, Olorunfemi released his third book, Singing in the Rain through Raider Publishing International. His work was selected for inclusion in the 2009 anthology of Nigerian Poetry Lagos of the Poets.
Olorunfemi's works have been translated to Hindi and German.
Journalist
In addition to poetry, Olorunfemi has written columns for newspapers and magazines including TheNEWS, The PM News, and The Independent on Sunday.Television
Olorunfemi works professionally as a television producerTelevision producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
. As a producer, he has numerous credits including the TV talk show MEE & YOU and the news program The Globe This Week, which ran for three years on Nigerian TV station
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
Lagos Television (LTV 8), Ikeja.
In 1991, he was nominated for TV producer of the year at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMAs). Olorunfemi's most recent involvement with television was the production of a programme on information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
called CYBERDRIVE.