CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Many poets have appeared on the Nigerian literary scene since the early 1980s. Most of these poets saw the degeneration of their beloved country from the oil boom of the 1970s to the oil doom of the 1990s, catalysed by the imposition of the Structural Adjustment Programme on the people. They have witnessed the militarisation of the Nigerian polity and have, themselves, been victims of dictatorial brutality.

Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usman are novelist who are sensitive to the issues of history. To that extent, they can be called a historical novelist. they recreates history in their novels. Their poetry captures this age because they are “voices that have refused to be intimidated by bayonets, voices that survived the near decimations and decapitation of creativity; today, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usman are one of such voices. Akachi Ezeigbo makes the past present. They are making history to be on the present, thus making the distant near. In the novel, they projects the womanist notion of feminism. they projects women as agents of change and heroines. They are interested in giving a new dimension to women literature by placing women at the forefront of revolt and war.

However, the preoccupation of the new Nigerian poets is centred on military oppression within the aforementioned period. In delineating the distinctive nature of the political poetry written within this time frame, we use Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usman poetry as an example to show the poet’s love for his nation, his confrontational stance against the despoilers and his optimism that, in spite of the plunder, the nation will rise again.

The term 'politics' is derived from the Greek word 'politeia' that embraces everything which touches life of an individual and state. Greeks were having an organic view of politics that became a trilogy for them incorporating theory of the State, theory of the Moral and theory of Law. Politics was understood as "the distilled wisdom of the age"2 and a political man possessed insatiable curiosity to know the unknown fact; a scientific attitude and instinct for criticism wielded by Reason; debated the concept of Idea and Form and had a very dynamic Theory of Justice.

Oakeshott defines political activity as "an activity in which human beings related to one other as members of a civil association, think and speak about the arrangements and the conditions of their association from the point of view of their desirability, make proposals about changes in these arrangements and condition, try to persuade others of the desirability of the proposed changes and act in such a manner as to promote the changes".

Oakeshoot, Michael. Political Education (Cambridge, 1952). He further elaborates "in political activity, then, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea; there is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage; neither starting place nor appointed destination. The enterprise is to keep afloat on an even keel; the sea is both friend and enemy.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

        Political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usman brings back the history of how women had their consciousness only in the Kitchen and not being aware of what was going on in the society let alone to have a voice or to participate in the political activities or offices; instead they are being deprived of their civic right and make them to accept whatever thin is being said about them. Finally, due to the negligence of consciousness in politics, hence the study; political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usman. Collection of spellbound and waiting for dawn.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

        The main aim of the study is to examine political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spelling and waiting for dawn. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the factors affecting political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spellbound and waiting for dawn.
2. to determine the influence of political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spellbound and waiting for dawn.
3. to determine the extent to which political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spellbound and waiting for dawn can influence the society of today.
4. To proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS               

1      What are the factors affecting political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmam, collection of spellbound and waiting for dawn.

2      What is the influence of political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spellbound and waiting for dawn?

3      What is the extent to which political consciousness in the poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spellbound and waiting for dawn can influence the society of today?

4      What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on political consciousness in the poetry of Akechi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmancollection of spellbound and waiting for dawn will be of immense benefit in the sense that it will enable the unique poetic voice of a writer whose gospel as a poet is connecting poetry and society in a way that the former serves the latter. It will also enable the political consciousness of the people both male and female to be awakened. Akechi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmam’s distinctive eloquence as poets and distinct manner of approaching the ubiquitous themes of political consciousness is something worth investigating. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1.6   SCOPE OF STUDY

        The study on political consciousness is limited to poetry of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and Halima M. Usmam. Collection of spellbound and waiting for dawn.

1.7   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Political Consciousness  Describes a person's political sense of self. That is, consciousness describes a person's awareness of politics.

Poetry      Is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language

Dawn       To become day", is the time that marks the beginning of twilight before sunrise.