Wole Soyinka and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have joined other African authors in paying homage to Biyi Bandele.
With the recent death of the filmmaker and novelist still one family and friends are trying so hard to come to terms with, condolences have been pouring in from well-wishers.
Literary medium, Brittle Paper on Monday rolled out commentaries from about 100 African authors who shared glowing views of the life and person of Bandele.
Some of the commentaries covered the impact of Bandele’s works and how supportive he was to them in the realization of their literary dreams.
Nobel Laureate, Soyinka remarked, “The more he achieved, the further he aimed. It would not surprise me if Biyi had a secret plan to film in all genres, to eventually out-Spielberg Spielberg. I discovered this in him quite early — not that he ever expressed it.”
On her part, Lola Shoneyin said, “I am shocked and greatly saddened to hear that author, playwright, poet, and filmmaker Biyi Bandele has left us so soon, too soon.
“My heart goes out to his loved ones, and the creative communities he touched and enriched with his talent and generosity.”
Adichie commented: “We’ve lost a real star. Too (unbearably) soon. A humane human. A true artist. A brilliant writer. An original thinker. May his memory always be a blessing. May Temi and all who loved him be comforted.”
Other notable authors on the commentaries include: Okey Ndibe, Ellah Wakatama, Amatoritsero Ede, Shola Adenekan and Ben Okri.