By Henry Akubuiro
The grandeur of the matriarch of Nigerian literature, Mabel Segun, resonated recently at the JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Arts and History, Victoria Island, Lagos, when members of the Nigerian literary community, family and friends converged to celebrate the 95th birthday of veteran writer, Mabel Segun. From the Nobell laureate, Prof Woke Soyinka, who spoke from Abu Dhabi; the legendary poet, Professor Niyi Osundare; Dr. Wale Okediran, the General Secretary of the Pan African Writers Association; to Professor Akachi Adrmora-Exigbo, eulogies trailed the celebrant and her footprints on earth.
Mabel Segun, who was born in 1930 in present-day Edo State to the family of Reverend Isaiah Aigbovbioise Imoukhuede, has excelled in many fields in her lifetime, from creative writing, journalism to sports. In literature, she has made a greater impact in children’s literature, jointly winning the Nigeria Prize for Literature in in 2007 with Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, though she is also a playwright and a poet. Her rich oeuvre include works such as My Father’s Daughter (1965), My Mother’s Daughter (1987), Conflict and Other Poems (1986), Friends, Nigerians, Countrymen (1977), The First Corn (1989), The Surrender and Other Stories (1995), Sorry, No Vacancy (1985), Twins and the Tree Spirits (1985), Under the Mango Tree: Songs and Poems for Primary Schools and Poems for Primary School (1980-12-29).
For two days, the legendary writer was given a befitting birthday celebration in Lagos. Themed “‘The Multifaceted Artistry of Mabel Segun,” a series of activities, including a children’s writing workshop inspired by her writings in children’s literature, a mock table tennis tournament in honour of her sports legacy, plus an exhibition capturing vintage Mabel Segun as a sport woman, having won national laurels in table tennis, was held on Day 1. The event also gave voice to The Mabel Segun Foundation, which was floated to ensure her profound artistic legacy would outlive her.
The second day of the “Multifaceted Artistry of Mabel Segun” featured a colloquium organised by CORA (The Committee for Relevant Art) led by Jahman Anikulapo and Toyin Akinoso (General Secretary). His younger brother, Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, said their father greatly influenced both of them. A writer himself, Aig-Imoukhuede said her sister was altruistic, citing an example when she gifted him a scholarship, an act Aig-Imoukhuede said echoed her generosity and hallmark as a selfless individual.
In his tribute to Segun, Prof. Niyi Osundare valorised her as a pioneer female writer in a field dominated by male in the country. The port laureate recalled fthe first time he heard her same during his high school years in the 1960s. He was subsequently awed when, as an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan, he began to engage with her poetry.
Prof Soyinka, who was Segun’s contemporary at the Ibadan University College (now University of Ibadan), had developed a gender consciousness way before feminism became an academic and social refrain. Recalling their schooldays, the famous writer noted that Segun was a personification of true equality. As a trailblazer, who acted decisively and paved the way for many people, he said she illustrated true equality in her actions
Comparing her to a football player, Prof Soyinka said, “While some are busy looking for a ladder to climb over the wall and retrieve the ball, one of you had already climbed over the wall, retrieved the ball, tossed it back to your yard and followed the game by the same route. That person would be Aunty Mabel.”
As a table tennis player, Segun became a national champion, representing Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games and other international events. She also had the rare honour of beating top male players. Soyinka added that she was also active as a member of the university community writing poetry, participating in debates and writing for children. He wished her more health years.
Mabel Segun passed on in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, in Lagos. She is survived by Gbenga Segun (son), Omowunmi Segun (daughter), and Rolari Segun (granddaughter). A press statement released by the family said burial arrangements would be shared soon.