Honouring BJ: Why the haste?

By Mojisola Olaniyan/Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò

We grieve with Professor Biodun Jeyifo’s family and others on his unexpected passing. We, alongside other friends, ex-students, and colleagues await the details of his burial from his family and associates.

We note with distress and profound shock the announcement of a proposed session on his life by the Toyin Falola Interviews organization scheduled for February 22, 2026, on Zoom.

We do not begrudge anyone the right to mourn BJ however they choose. But we find it distasteful and very hasty that he had not been dead for 24 hours when this notice went out. Of course, we need not stress the fact that he has not even been buried.

We also note that BJ was not devoid of celebration while he lived. Indeed, a big celebration was held in Lagos to mark his 80th birthday, just last month.

We are at a loss understanding this undue haste in commemorating him even as his family are coming to terms with his passing and organizing his funeral.

No, it is not for us to determine whether or not this event should go on. We just want to ask those who are participating in it to examine their own conscience and judge whether this is an appropriate event with which they want to be associated.

We mourn our dear departed BJ, and we look forward to even more tasteful commemorations in the years ahead.

*Mojisola Olaniyan and Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò wrote from the United States of America.