OGUNDOKUN Sikiru A.

Dr Sikiru Adeyemi OGUNDOKUN is a faculty member at the Department of Foreign Language Studies, Osun State University, Osogbo, since 2010. He studied French and graduated with Second Class Upper Division, B.A. (Hons.) French from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos and later obtained his M.A. French Studies and PhD from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His areas of research interests include Francophone African Literature, Cultural Studies and Gender Issues and Literary Theories. He has published academic articles, both locally and internationally in reputable learned journals. He co-authored La littérature africaine francophone origine et évolution Vol. I, Ibadan, University Press, 2019. Ogundokun is a seasoned lecturer and a promising scholar. He won the Outstanding Lecturer of the year, Southwest Nigeria Education Awards in 2018 among other awards. He was acting head of department from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024, and currently the Vice-Dean, Faculty of Humanities.
My research findings have contributed to the body of knowledge in the following ways:
- that literature is not a mere piece of writing for itself through its aesthetic property or otherwise but also for re-orientation and re-generation of the minds for socioeconomic, political and cultural advancement. In other words, literature is indeed a model of analysis and synthesis of social realities at different stages of life and periods that any society navigates. Literature helps readers to cope with the sociocultural, political, economic, religious and other challenges of their immediate as well as remote environments through the process of self-discovery. As such, positive social change is possible through literature.
- that good conduct, spirit of hard work, collective responsibilities and selflessness can be taught and achieved using African proverbs and folkloric expressions. It is again observed that such utterances have potentials that can help communities in achieving sustainable sociocultural, economic and political transformation. My research submits that cultural practices generally, should be advocated. It can positively enhance the core value system in the battered contemporary society.
- that literature is a tool for social mobilization, integration and there is a need to re-educate citizens on the issues of religions if peaceful co-existence of people of diverse faith is to be achieved.
- that the basic problem of African States is poverty, and the situation will remain the same until there is adequate provision for everybody according to his/her needs.
- that individuals, scholars, institutions, corporate organizations and government at various levels have roles to play in making indigenous knowledge a veritable tool for a happy living.
- that social transformation can be achieved through sociopolitical consciousness and for a country to develop, the masses should make the government, at various levels, do the needful by making them accountable for their actions and in-actions.