I was ten years old the first time I read a Yoruba novel – Ògbójú Ọdẹ Nínú Igbó Irúnmọlẹ̀ by D.O Fágúnwà. The command of Yorùbá language in the novel was captivating and it got me hooked. It was the beginning of my fascination with Yorùbá language.
I felt that same feeling of fascination as I opened SEGILOLA AROMIRE OGIDAN (SAO) to read.
Apart from the quality of the plot, Àrẹ̀mọ Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun’s skillful use of Yorùbá language made the novel an adventure I enjoyed. Developing a plot into a good story is one thing, doing it with good and ijinle Yoruba with relevant proverbs is another thing, and Àrẹ̀mọ deserves a big kudos for this.
SAO really resonates with me as I believe that we all have personal responsibilities in how we continue to tolerate bad actions from people who are supposed to be our loved ones.
Although the book chronicles the journey of two lovers (Ṣẹ̀gílọlá and Gbénga – the main characters), the most important lesson I took out of the story is that; while other people’s actions are not under our control, we have control over how we tolerate these actions and over our decisions to continue to sacrifice our wellbeing for our loved ones.
From Lateef’s obsession with being needed by damaged people, to Gbénga’s lack of maturity and responsibility to Ṣẹ̀gílọlá’s lack of self love, SAO is a guide to examining ourselves, our accountability and self-awareness levels.
My two dominant emotions while reading this story were anger and pity – anger at Ṣẹ̀gílọlá for always making one stupid decision after the other, and pity for Ṣẹ̀gílọlá because I also know how deeply societal conditioning affects the people who have been conditioned.
However, my pity for her evaporated when she started lamenting about Gbénga’s absence even after almost killing her.
Segilola Aromire Ogidan is a captivating story well delivered through a beautiful language that is dear to my heart. This is a book to enjoy, and also a book to remind us how much the trajectory of our lives depends on the choices we make and the actions we tolerate.
Who is the author of Segilola Aromire Ogidan
The author of Segilola Aromire Ogidan is Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun, who goes by the stage name: Àrẹ̀mọ Gemini. He is an experimental performance poet and art specialist, with a core focus in Yorùbá arts and culture. Recipient of Horn of Afroclassical Merit Award for excellence in the propagation of arts and culture (2018), his art is guided by so many drives, one of which is to sell out O² Arena, London for Yorùbá oral arts.
Recognised as the First Runner Up of the Grooming Talent Hunt 2020, his craft has received successful acceptance and validation from media houses within Nigeria and outside the shores, including BBC Yorùbá and The Folio Media (Nigerian exclusive affiliate to CNN). He is the author of a genre bending Yorùbá novel – Segilola Aromire Ogidan and he has so many works to his credits, including a collaboration with South African artiste – Willemien Rust (Beginnes & Eindes) and Nigerian musical artiste, Temmie Ovwasa (Space Fuji). His poem “Òkùnkùn” was recently translated to Slovenia by famed Slovene poet, Brane Mozetic and published in the Slovenian literary magazine – Poetikon; amongst other notable feats.
What is the main summary of the book
Torn between upholding her core values and risking a night stand for her lover, Segilola makes a decision that alters the trajectory of her life. Cultural taboo, a mother’s love, misogyny and revenge locks horn with crime at an interesting crossroad.
How to buy the book: Segilola Aromire Ogidan
Segilola Aromire Ogidan is available for purchase and nationwide delivery via Rovingheights bookstore. You could also get a copy via RHBooks or drop a WhatsApp text to the Author Aremo Gemini for manual purchase.
