Kola Eke's resourceful use of imagery

SUMMARY

Eke's poetry is remarkable for the accuracy with which he presents through imagery the issues bedeviling the African society. A social reformist poet of the highest order-Eke is never slack in attacking the parasites and viruses eating into the moral-standards, conscience and core of our society. All layers of society is well represented in his poems. He uses agricultural imagery to talk about the electoral malpractices in Nigeria, the corruption judicial system, stealing of public funds, tyrannical military government, the sufferings and pains of the people and drug abuse. He ensures his readers come into agreement with his message and share the same hunger for socio change and national progress. Being a bravura in the use of imagery Eke demonstrates genius in his poems as he uses medical imagery to criticize the shortcomings and excesses of the government. We see how he addresses issues such as; human right abuse, indiscriminate killings, abuse of power, corruption, poverty, drug abuse, irresponsibility in families and oil spillage in oil producing regions. The poems of Eke are laced with moral teachings and a cry for positive change. Using the thread of words Eke weaves environmental imagery in every collection of his. He unmask the societal malaise colonizing Nigerians and Africans today. He does this as he writes on themes such as; flooding, air pollution, noise pollution, oil pipeline vandalization, oil spillage and indiscriminate dumping of toxic waste by companies in our environment.