Celebrating sensational sentiments

Title: Candid Sentiments – a collection of select radio news commentaries
Author: Igba Ogbole
Publishers: Chapuga, Benue State
Reviewer: Edozie Udeze
Year of publication: 2021
Naturally, it takes special ingenuity to write a good radio commentary. Even in the newspaper editorial tradition, it is only people with special gift and highly discernable frame of mind that are qualified to do so. The reason is simple. It is taken that editorial; ditto radio commentary represents the official position of the management on an issue. This was what Igba Ogbole took the risk to do for many decades for the people, for the entire Nigerian society. His is not just highly commendable; here is a man who brought all his zeal, exposure on the job and deep sense of dedication to dwell on issues as they unfolded.
What makes the collection more deep-rooted, far reaching in all spheres is that Ogbole has been bold, fearless and indeed moderate in his choice of words and expressions. Here, therefore, is a candid collection of Candid Commentaries that are made to stand a test of time. In all spheres of journalism profession whether print or electronic, the over-riding principle is to stick to the rules of the game. This is what the author has carried on his shoulders all his active professional life that once you pick the Candid Sentiments – a collection of select radio news commentaries to read, your eyes, brain, senses, conscience, all, open up to the realities of the happenings in Nigeria, in the world at large.
You can then see and realize how every event in the society becomes a point of concern to the 4th Estate of the Realm. Ogbole’s sense of observation is huge, incredible and intimidating. He is attentive to details. He loves to paint an issue for the necessary results. He is at home with the right expressions to register his urgent impression. At intervals, you encounter a newshound, a snooper, whose eyes and ears are on ground. Issues that trouble all classes of people, all sections of the society, the ordinary depressed man on the streets strike for his attention. And so this collection is a cursory exposition of what the Nigerian society stands for, what the leader and the led indulge in daily either to make or mar the status quo.
The commentaries are hot, appropriately spiced to suit, to appeal, to douse and to redeem. Beyond analysing the sequences of events that led him into the foyers of a profession he loves so much, Ogbole is naturally effusive, sentimentally committed to truism. His works truly serve as the watchdog of the society. All the themes, topics, deeds and happenstances people usually take for granted adorn the pages of this thought-provoking work.
In dividing the works into sections, he has not only made the reading attractive, easier, he has equally succeeded in showing how thorough and organized and of course, how sentimental he has truly come to be. Ranging from the turbulent theme of gender equality to education, to agriculture, health issues, religious matters to environmental pollution, he has been able to redraw attention to areas of headaches and squabbles in the polity. He is not done yet. Ogbole digs deeper, he foresees tomorrow. He is a doyen of daring where it seems no one cares to thread. Insecurity is a somewhat sacred theme in this clime. But Ogbole says no.
In that typical, fearless device of his, he lashes out at the problem areas of national security, more so, as it pertains to the North. The sentiments are a bit lugubrious because he hits the nail on the head. Hear him: “The need for caution over calls for grazing routes and reserves.” As if not satisfied, he opines: “The series of unprovoked attacks by herdsmen on farming communities in parts of the country particularly Benue State has remained a shocking experience (page 129). The ferocity of the attacks, the high number of people killed, the large number of homes and property destroyed and the naked fear and helplessness on the faces of thousands displaced as well as the near-impossible challenge they posed to security agencies at the beginning created the impression that a pogrom was in the offing”.
Ogbole hammers on reasons for this anomie, this state of uproar and rudderless attitude in the society. Each commentary, whether about governance, politics, or on personalities, has the weight of the observatory instincts that speak much about what the society stands for… some of the themes pinch hard at the matter. See, the renewed attacks on Benue communities by herdsmen. And what of this: “The open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law 2017 and the threat from without”. Here, the cries and moaning over the killings of defenceless farmers, women and children as well as the destruction of crops and other valuable property, daily reverberate across the nation… (Page 135). And more. But this is vintage Ogbole, audacious and brave and courageous.
Although, most of the commentaries dwell on Benue State for the clear reason that he worked for Radio Benue, the commentaries are serious eye-openers. Each does it; this is the approach given to issues in terms of grammatical expression. For Ogbole, the American age-long aphorism that there is dignity in simplicity turns out to be his mantra in all the commentaries. Simple English that drips with meaning, fascinating words embellish the commentaries.
It is a book apt for students of history, sociology, social studies, mass communication and related courses in the Humanities. It is in reading the book that one gets to understand and appreciate what the commentaries mean to all. It is in studying the book that one knows the inner-workings of the press, broadcasting being the parametre. The book is neatly presented, properly edited and demarcated into chapters and sections to lure and sustain readers. This is a collection to read to become more addicted and attuned to societal inanities and the sorts that make a people what they are. Ogbole’s deep offering is very commendable and a rich addition to Nigerian body of literature and literary affairs.