ENVIRONMENTAL PROTEST IN THE LITERARY WORKS OF TANURE OJAIDE

Abstract

Tanure Ojaide, like many Niger Delta poets, employs combative poetry to protest social inequalities and injustices in Nigeria. This paper examines selected volumes, including Delta Blues and Home Songs and Daydream of Ants and Other Poems, to illustrate the poet’s critique of societal infractions. The study underscores the role of writers, particularly poets, in reawakening leaders to consider citizens in policy planning and execution and in encouraging the public to reject unjust laws. By fostering dialogue between the governed and their leaders, literature can facilitate compromise on contentious issues. The analysis is informed by Ecocriticism, which examines the interdependence between humans and the environment and literature’s role in resolving related conflicts, and Sociological Critical Theory, which situates literary themes within social realities. Drawing on these frameworks, the paper concludes that poetry remains socially relevant when it mediates understanding and collaboration between governments and citizens, contributing to the common good.