It's been almost a year since this blogger debuted his blog with the first series of “Musings of an Over Critical Mind” on these pages.
Thenceforth, it has been from one blog post to another reflecting and reverberating the different position and disposition of the youthful blogger on different subject matters. As much as possible, this blogger has refrained from turning the blog page into a political platform dwelling on Nigeria’s politico-economic issues. Although, the temptation was quite compelling and two blog posts satisfied his vituperative urge and vent on Nigeria’s politico-economic landscape so far.
It’s been a mixed combination of feelings and responses from different readers and friends alike. Someone will say, “Francis, your grammar is too much o. it’s not for someone like me”. Another will comment, “You make your blog quite unreadable, Foye”. Another yet will compare my written English with the spoken English of the enigmatic and polemic Chris Okotie. How audacious!!!
A close friend would advice to reduce each paragraph of my writings to four or five sentences and lines to improve online readability. An advice I took in stride and works wonderfully well. Thanks Diran.
The greatest commendation, however, would come from an unexpected person; an old classmate from the University days at the Great Ife. She would leave a message for me on facebook:
Hi Francis.
I’m sure you are wondering to yourself why is Chinenye sending me a message. You will find out soon enough.
I happened to stumble on your note “Hues of a Quizzical Reality”. After reading it, I had to confirm that YOU had written it (and was surprised when I decoded the foye signature). I then left you a message. But then curiosity got the best of me and I read the other notes. I’m still in shock ‘cos I never imagined you to be a writer. YOU often seemed like you had a lot on your mind back then in school even though you also gave the impression of a wild boy. Don’t get me wrong pls. I’m deeply impressed by your mind and that is the reason for this message. I think you have an amazing talent and I enjoyed your notes which is saying something ‘cos I get bored easily.
I can go on and on, but I’m guessing you’ve gotten d message....keep it up. Will definitely be checking out your blog again.
Cheers.
To Chinenye, I say thank you again. I hope I continue to impress you. To the very many others who has read Francis Olatoye's Blog, offered a feedback or the other, I say thank you too.
The journey to start and manage Francis Olatoye’s Blog had being borne out of a compulsion to express, through words, the very many issues that seem to constantly bother my mind. For me, the society we live in is quite bothersome and sufficiently so to keep one’s mind occupied with its many complications, contradictions and contraptions. For any sufficiently perceptive and open mind, it should be the same.
From the “Musings of an Over critical Mind I and II” to “Of a Monumental but Farcical Clime” to “Hues of a Quizzical Reality” to “Thoughts on Reclaiming the Nigerian Dream” to “Ebbs of Human Perception” to “On the Nigerian Educational Milieu” to “Economy of Emotions” and finally “Self – Criticism”, the goal has remained the same. My interest in Moral Philosophy, Social Psychology and a depart from “Traditional Thinking” remains unfettered and unwavering.
Sadly, however, my writings are often burdened with many “big words” and my diction often ruefully verbose, sometimes unnecessary or even inappropriate. One may need a dictionary once in a while to understand what I may exactly be saying or trying hard to say. However, the level of “big words” used has been considerably reviewed and moderated as much as possible to accommodate and encourage readability from readers.
With absolute satire, I render that my writings are not as brilliant as I would have loved them to be. I only try to emulate some of the writers who have shaped my thoughts and writing. From Wole Soyinka (my literary model) to Idowu Akinlotan and Tatalo Alamu (both of the Nation Newspaper) to Albert Einstein (a scientist and a philosopher at the same time) and many much more, the influence has not been ephemeral. I hope to become better by the day. I hope to become a true writer, a true intellect and a true person at the end of the day.
Foye.