Abigail Kareem

Dr. Charles Akinsete, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Ibadan, launched his maiden novel titled “Broken Dreams on Lofty Hills” on December 3, 2024. 

The event took place in Room 32 of the Faculty of Arts and was attended by several dignitaries, including Professor S.O. Oyetade, the Dean of Arts; Professor Nelson Fashina, Head of the Department of English; Mr. Edward Dickson, Managing Director of Nigerian Tribune; the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor I. A. Abiona; Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian Tribune; Professor Aderemi Raji; Dr. Bolarinwa, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics; Dr. Makayewa from the Department of Religious Studies; Professor Akin Otebuyi, various lecturers from the Department and Faculty, students, family, and friends.

Mr. Edward Dickson, the special guest of honor, commended Dr. Akinsete’s dedication in his speech. He stated, “I have had the privilege of reading parts of the book and marked sections that resonated with me. I strongly believe that this book will reach many places.”

Associate Professor Adedoyin Aguoru, President of the African Pragmatics Institution and the reviewer of the novel, praised the book for its unique and outstanding form. She described it as an exploration of human experience, inviting readers to contemplate the nature of dreams, reality, and the complexities of human existence. 

Dr. Aguoru paraphrased from the book, stating, “A man once said that dreams are the origin of all fears. Every fear begins with a dream; every dream is an expression of our fears. He also expresses his disdain for dreams because they often leave him feeling expressionless, even the so-called good ones. First, they reduce you to a sensitive pleasure and eventually drown you in doubt, until your doubts morph into an infatuation with reality. If you don’t rise up, you will remain permanently trapped, like a curly niche on a white man’s skin.”

Also, during the event, Emeritus Professor Dan Izevbaye from the Department of English also briefly commended Dr. Akinsete for his work, appreciating contemporary authors like him for continuing the legacy of creative writing. 

Professor Aderemi Raji, while raising funds for the book, remarked that it was a celebration of endurance in the literary industry.

Dr. Charles Akinsete’s profile reveals his accomplishments as a poet, novelist, lecturer, and researcher, who is known for his exceptional academic achievements, beginning with a first-class honor in the Department of English, followed by his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees, along with other national and international accolades.

His previous poetry collections, titled “Do Not Preach to Me”, have been recommended twice by the Ministry of Education as part of the secondary school literature curriculum in Oyo State, while “Dance of a Savage Kingdom” was shortlisted for the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry in 2022.