LITERATURE WORD

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

N iyi Osundare's poem "Not My Business" addresses the theme of human rights abuses by exploring the consequences of indifference and passivity in the face of oppression. The poem is a powerful commentary on the dangers of ignoring the suffering of others, particularly when it involves violations of basic human rights. "Not My Business" is structured around a series of events in which different individuals suffer injustices—being dragged away, their possessions confiscated, or physically assaulted. The speaker, however, repeatedly distances himself from these events, claiming that they are not his business. This attitude of indifference persists until, in the poem's final lines, the speaker becomes a victim of the very same abuses he previously ignored.    One of the most prominent themes in Osundare’s poem is the danger of indifference. The speaker represents a person who sees others suffer but believes it does not concern him as long as he is unaffected