1. This is a poem I wrote for my friend and lecturer, Ben Tomoloju on the anniversary of
the launch of his first music album in Nigeria in 1992 (The poem was published in the
Daily Times 08/04/1992).
''TO BEN TOMOLOJU UPON HIS SONG FOR NIGERIA''
Dear Ben, thy song for thy fatherland,
Is but a dream come true at prime of time.
'Tis full of prayers and aspirations,
Thrust Upon thee nightly during visitations
By thy musical muse -- thy nightly choirs.
Methinks the Heavenly Cherubic Choirs
Have come visiting the night before,
When thy renditions was performed
Before our very eyes -- my taste reformed,
In thy song, full of good missives and hope.
Do not stop the flow of thy soulful song,
Thy Heavenly voice -- such velvety voice,
Which makes the heart of God rejoice!
Least the Music hearing no such thing,
The Nightingale forget to sing.
Do not conceal the strength
And emotions loaded in thy words,
Since thou achieve more scores
Than those 'praise-wasting' Crooners;
Thou achieveth Unity with thy songs.
Written by,
Babs Ibitoye (1992)