“NOT MY BUSINESS” by NIYI OSUDARE

NOT MY BUSINESS

They picked Akanni up one morning
Beat him soft like clay
And stuffed him down the belly
Of a waiting jeep.

What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?

They came one night
Booted the whole house awake
And dragged Danladi out,
Then off to a lengthy absence.

What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?

Chinwe went to work one day
Only to find her job was gone:
No query, no warning, no probe –
Just one neat sack for a stainless record.

What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?

And then one evening
As I sat down to eat my yam
A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.

The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn
Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.

Background of the Poem

The poem “Not My Business” by Niyi Osundare reflects the political situation in Nigeria during the period of military dictatorship. During this time, many citizens lived in fear because the government often suppressed opposition and violated human rights. In the poem, the line “They picked Akanni up one morning / Beat him soft like clay / And stuffed him down the belly / Of a waiting jeep” reflects the brutal way security agents arrested people without explanation.

During the years of military rule, people were often arrested or punished without proper legal procedures. This lack of justice is illustrated when Danladi is taken away at night, as shown in the lines “They came one night / Booted the whole house awake / And dragged Danladi out.” These lines portray how security forces could invade homes and arrest people suddenly, creating fear in society.

Another aspect of the political background is the abuse of power by authorities. Citizens could lose their jobs or freedom without any fair hearing. This is reflected in the experience of Chinwe in the poem when “Chinwe went to work one day / Only to find her job was gone / No query, no warning, no probe.” This shows how people were treated unfairly under oppressive leadership.

Because of this environment of fear, many citizens avoided speaking out against injustice. They believed that staying silent would protect them. This attitude is clearly shown in the repeated line “What business of mine is it / So long they don’t take the yam / From my savouring mouth?” which reveals how people ignored the suffering of others to protect their own comfort.

Therefore, the background of the poem is rooted in the oppressive political atmosphere of military-ruled Nigeria where human rights abuses were common. Through the experiences of Akanni, Danladi, and Chinwe, the poet criticizes the culture of silence and fear that allowed injustice to continue.

Summary of the Poem

The poem tells the story of a narrator who witnesses the oppression of several people but refuses to intervene because he believes their problems do not concern him. The first incident involves a man named Akanni. The narrator observes how “They picked Akanni up one morning / Beat him soft like clay.” Despite seeing the violence, the narrator chooses to ignore the situation.

After witnessing Akanni’s arrest, the narrator remains indifferent. He comforts himself by thinking that the matter does not affect him personally. This attitude is expressed in the refrain “What business of mine is it / So long they don’t take the yam / From my savouring mouth?” The “yam” symbolizes his personal comfort and enjoyment of life.

The second incident occurs when security agents come at night to arrest Danladi. The poem states “They came one night / Booted the whole house awake / And dragged Danladi out.” Once again, the narrator refuses to speak out or defend his neighbour because he believes it is not his concern.

The third example involves Chinwe, who suddenly loses her job unfairly. The poet writes “Chinwe went to work one day / Only to find her job was gone / No query, no warning, no probe.” Even though Chinwe’s dismissal is clearly unjust, the narrator still refuses to sympathize with her.

In the final part of the poem, the narrator finally becomes a victim of the same oppression he ignored. While he is about to eat, “A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.” When he looks outside, “The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn.” This ending shows that ignoring injustice against others can eventually lead to one’s own suffering.

TONE OF THE POEM

The tone of the poem is largely satirical and critical. The poet criticizes the selfish attitude of people who ignore injustice around them. This is shown in the repeated statement “What business of mine is it / So long they don’t take the yam / From my savouring mouth?” Through this repetition, the poet mocks the narrator’s self-centered thinking.

Another tone present in the poem is accusatory. The poet indirectly accuses society of allowing oppression to continue because people refuse to speak out. When Akanni is violently arrested and “Beat… soft like clay,” the narrator’s silence reflects the moral failure of society.

Towards the end of the poem, the tone becomes ironic and warning. The narrator who ignored the suffering of others finally becomes a victim himself. When “The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn,” the poet warns readers that indifference to injustice will eventually lead to personal consequences.

Mood of the Poem

The mood of the poem is largely fearful and tense. The arrests of Akanni and Danladi create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. For example, the line “Booted the whole house awake” suggests sudden violence that frightens everyone in the neighbourhood.

The poem also creates a mood of sadness and frustration. Readers feel sympathy for the victims who suffer unjustly. Chinwe’s situation, where “No query, no warning, no probe” is given before she loses her job, highlights the unfair treatment of innocent people.

In the final stanza, the mood becomes suspenseful and shocking. The narrator suddenly realizes he is now the target of oppression. When “A knock on the door froze my hungry hand,” readers feel the tension and fear as the narrator understands that the same fate that befell others has now come for him.

SETTING OF THE POEM “NOT MY BUSINESS” by Niyi Osudare

The poem “Not My Business” by Niyi Osundare is set in a society marked by political oppression and fear. Spatially, the poem takes place in Nigeria, particularly within ordinary neighbourhoods where people live their daily lives. The setting appears to be a residential community where neighbours know one another, as seen in the references to Akanni, Danladi, and Chinwe. The line “They picked Akanni up one morning / Beat him soft like clay / And stuffed him down the belly / Of a waiting jeep” suggests that these arrests happen openly within the community. The presence of the “waiting jeep” symbolizes the authority and mobility of government agents who move from place to place arresting people. The narrator also refers to “my bewildered lawn,” indicating that the events occur around homes and neighbourhood spaces where people should normally feel safe.

Temporally, the poem is set during the period of military dictatorship in Nigeria, when many citizens experienced human rights abuses and suppression of dissent. This era was characterized by arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and abuse of power by security forces. The poem reflects this period through repeated incidents that occur at different times of the day. For instance, Akanni is arrested “one morning,” while Danladi is taken away “one night.” These time references show that oppression can happen at any moment, whether day or night. The narrator’s final experience also occurs “one evening / As I sat down to eat my yam,” indicating that the threat of arrest constantly hangs over the people.

Psychologically, the setting is dominated by fear, anxiety, and helplessness among citizens. People are aware of the dangers around them but feel powerless to challenge authority. The narrator’s reaction to the suffering of others reflects a psychological state of self-preservation and indifference. The repeated line “What business of mine is it / So long they don’t take the yam / From my savouring mouth?” shows how fear pushes individuals to ignore injustice as long as they remain personally safe. However, when the narrator finally hears “A knock on the door [that] froze my hungry hand,” the psychological tension becomes intense. The narrator suddenly experiences the same fear that others had felt earlier.

Socially, the poem portrays a society where injustice and oppression are widespread, while citizens remain silent and disconnected from one another’s struggles. The experiences of Akanni, Danladi, and Chinwe demonstrate different forms of injustice that occur in society. Akanni is violently arrested, Danladi is forcefully taken from his home, and Chinwe loses her job unfairly with “No query, no warning, no probe.” These events reveal a breakdown of justice and fairness in the social system. At the same time, the narrator’s refusal to show concern highlights the lack of solidarity among members of the community.

Overall, the setting of the poem combines spatial, temporal, psychological, and social elements to portray a society living under oppression. The neighbourhood environment, the era of military rule, the fearful mindset of the people, and the social culture of silence all work together to emphasize the poem’s message. By the end of the poem, when “The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn / Waiting, waiting in its usual silence,” the poet shows that the oppressive system eventually reaches everyone, especially those who once ignored the suffering of others.