dupeolorunjo

Here’s an extract of a review of THE AIREGINAN DREAM by Kunle Ajibade that I pulled out of the archives, but which is very relevant for the moment.

          When seers, saints, priests, visionaries and writers set apart a date in their calendars, the dateline is always meant to put a spell on us. Overwhelmed by the intricate web of magical dates, we drape them in clothes of dreams, myths and emotions in order to make them survive….

          I started this brief remark talking about the power of dateline nurtured by a strongly desired purpose because the year 2013 is very central to Dupe Olorunjo’s The Aireginan Dream. That is the year of political fulfillment in this book, the year of a political triumph in an imaginary homeland called Airegin, which when spelt from the rear is Nigeria. The Aireginan dream, then, is the Nigerian dream. What is this dream about? It is about a country in which those who live in it will be treated with civility. It is about a country that will stop making itself a laughing stock in the comity of all decent nations. A country in which equity and justice will form the basis of the relationships among its ethnic groups. It is about a nation that will place premium on hard work. It is about a country of healthy, educated, happy people who live safely in boundless hope and prosperity. A country of God fearing individuals whose humanity is nourished by all the values that make other civilized human beings survive and endure.

          And who are the dreamers dreaming this tall dream? In what form are they dreaming it? They are some of the best of our young and upwardly mobile concerned professionals in this imaginary motherland. They are people who believe that the meaning of life ought to consist of living useful lives. They are the professionals who have made significant contributions in the corporate world. Professionals who are compelled to act, not just to save their country from imminent disintegration but also, out of enlightened self-interest, set out to save their own businesses and wealth from collateral damages. Continue reading →

I’m reproducing a review of the Aireginan Dream I received in my mailbox. Thanks Lanre for taking the time to write this….

A friend gave me an xmas gift. I have not read a book that is not Management or IT related in the last 12years. I opened the parcel it was “The Aireginan Dream”. I reckon there was something he wanted me to read as he was a prayer partner and friend and knew my major prayer point… Alas it has nothing to do with my prayer point. I realized this from the summary at the back, I was curious, so I continued reading and for 8hrs I read, leaving the book only to get drinks and biscuit and by this morning, I had finished it.

It’s my first fiction since secondary school when I was a fan of Hardly Chase and Robert Hoodlum. I now recall how I used to love reading……Thanks for making this happen and for a really wonderful story. My person relates so much with Dare, I have worked as Project Director in a PTO and a GSM company and not once in my career have a received a bribe and yes, I was offered often. I think “The Aireginan Dream” should be a secondary school text. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts in the wonderful book and may God continue to give you the grace to write more books and may he protect your family and raise men who will help save our country.

If you have read THE AIREGINAN DREAM and it has inspired you, why not a moment to share those inspirations here too.