Akeem Lasisi
YOU ARE QUICK TO SEE THE SUN IN A BUDDING VOICE

Since Olosunta has crowned you the most committed priest

What else can I sing

Other than take the litotes to history bank,

Since the gods have attested to your devotion to the dignity of the arts

What else can I chant

Other than tap anointing from your durable faith? 

When the sophomore painter had no canvas

You said he should sketch his dream upon your palms.

Because nothing moves you like the nectar of a tender talent

You love to see a Grammys grow from the nails of a guitar boy

From iconic Nwelue to Nubia and a thousand more

You are quick to see the sun in a budding voice 

Nurtured by conscience, 

Nurtured by your dissidence

The Guardian covered my nascent tongue

But for Labaf my pen might have been a star in a terminal dark

It wasn’t until iRep gave the green horn a rainbow space

That I moved my story onto the docu screen.

At a time they ganged up against the clay

You put the potter on the cover page

When they moved to nullify our ritual steps

You splashed the dance on the centrespread

The ears of the throne are deaf against grants

But you are never tired of salivating for endowment rites

No matter how long the long list

You say a robust reading must harbinger the Nigeria Prize

When Cona fails you

You seek an ally for Cora tunes

Where AWON flounders in the marathon race 

You rally advocates for caucus moves

Mentor of the green, disciple of the grey

Bonding with galleries, romancing the stage

Battling the ticks and thorny pirates

You stood with Nollywood since the Rattling days

From MUSON to O’jez to Freedom Park

Custodian of the Vision of the Child, ebullient parrot at the Elders’ Nights

Whoever needs in you a violent foe

Let him soil the Eyo’s snow-white mask,

Break a finger of Amadioha’s statue

Or de-leaf the tiniest tree in the heritage vineyard

Whoever wants to smell his burning hair

Should tear the garment of the drummer boy

When they wanted to sell the General’s Cap

You were the first to call the gods to a stampede

You said if the ghouls had their way too cheaply with the FESTAC testament

Whatever befell the Theatre would befall the museum

You said if we allowed the buffalos to swallow the Jabi lake

The Lagoon might turn a delicacy for their mega throats

Now since Olosunta has crowned you the most committed priest

What else can I sing

Other than take the litotes to history bank,

Since the gods have attested to your devotion to the dignity of the arts, Jahman

What else can I chant

Other than tap anointing from your durable faith?