THEMES IN NIYI OSUNDARE'S NOT MY BUSINESS
Niyi Osundare’s poem “Not My Business” explores three primary themes: indifference, oppression, and tyranny. Through vivid, unsettling imagery and the perspective of a detached narrator, Osundare critiques the dangers of apathy in the face of oppression. The poem calls for collectivism, echoing unity in togetherness in the face confronting challenges. 1.The Theme of apathy Indifference is a central theme, conveyed through the narrator’s lack of concern for the suffering around him. As friends and neighbors are brutally oppressed by the government, he distances himself, rationalizing that these events are “not [his] business.” The narrator is more concerned with his personal comfort, dismissing the plight of Akanni, Danladi, and Chinwe as isolated incidents. However, his indifference does not shield him. In a haunting turn, he too becomes a target as he sits down to enjoy his “yam,” and “the waiting jeep” silently arrives for him. This shift illustrates the cost of apathy, showing how u