7.4 NOT MY BUSINESS BY NIYI OSUNDARE

INTRODUCTION

Not My Business is a powerful African poem by Niyi Osundare, a renowned Nigerian poet and playwright. The poem addresses apathy, social injustice, oppression, and moral responsibility. Osundare critiques the tendency of people to ignore the suffering of others, highlighting the dangers of indifference in the face of tyranny.

It is highly relevant for WAEC and JAMB because it teaches lessons about solidarity, civic responsibility, and the moral consequences of inaction.

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FORM AND STRUCTURE

• Written in free verse, reflecting natural speech and directness.
• Short lines and stanzas emphasize the stark reality of oppression.
• The poem is progressive: it begins with incidents happening to others and ends with the speaker himself being affected, showing the personal consequences of ignoring injustice.
• Simple, repetitive language makes the poem accessible and memorable, ideal for moral and thematic exploration in exams.

SUMMARY / MEANING

The poem begins with the speaker observing how others are punished, oppressed, or taken away by a tyrannical force, yet he convinces himself it does not concern him — “not my business.”

He lists examples of injustice happening to other people:

• “Someone’s house is looted”
• “Someone is taken away”
• “Someone is beaten”

At each incident, the speaker repeats “not my business”, reflecting apathy and self-interest.

In the final stanza, the speaker himself becomes a victim of oppression. The poem ends with a powerful warning: ignoring the suffering of others is dangerous because tyranny eventually affects everyone.

The poem critiques social apathy and encourages solidarity and moral responsibility.

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THEMES

1. Social Injustice and Oppression

• The poem highlights acts of oppression, cruelty, and unfair treatment.
• Tyranny affects innocent people, showing the prevalence of injustice in society.

2. Apathy and Indifference

• The speaker initially ignores others’ suffering, reflecting a common human tendency to avoid involvement in other people’s problems.
• Osundare warns that apathy allows injustice to thrive.

3. Moral Responsibility

• Humans have a duty to stand against oppression and defend the vulnerable.
• The poem stresses that collective action is essential to prevent tyranny from spreading.

4. Consequences of Inaction

• The poem shows that ignoring injustice ultimately backfires; the speaker becomes a victim.
• Moral inaction endangers not just others but oneself.

5. Unity and Solidarity

• The poem encourages society to care for each other and act against oppression collectively.

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LITERARY DEVICES

1. Repetition

• The phrase “not my business” is repeated throughout, emphasizing the speaker’s initial indifference and the central theme of apathy.

2. Irony

• The speaker claims that oppression is “not my business,” yet it eventually affects him — showing irony and the danger of ignoring injustice.

3. Imagery

• Vivid images of houses looted, people beaten, and arrests convey the harsh reality of oppression.

4. Direct Address / Colloquial Tone

• The simple, conversational style engages readers and makes the moral lesson direct and relatable.

5. Symbolism

• The oppressed individuals symbolize the wider society.
• Tyranny represents any force or system that harms the vulnerable.

6. Tone

• The tone shifts from indifferent and casual to alarming and cautionary, reflecting the poem’s moral progression.

MORAL / MESSAGE

• Ignoring the suffering of others is dangerous.
• Social apathy enables oppression to grow.
• Everyone is connected; injustice against one is a threat to all.
• Moral courage and solidarity are essential in resisting tyranny.

RELEVANCE TO AFRICAN SOCIETY

• Reflects historical and contemporary African experiences under dictatorships, corruption, and social injustice.
• Teaches that civic responsibility and solidarity are key to societal survival.
• Encourages young Africans to speak out against oppression rather than remain passive.

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CONCLUSION

Not My Business is a socially and morally conscious poem by Niyi Osundare. Through repetition, irony, imagery, and a conversational tone, it warns against apathy and moral indifference, urging readers to stand against injustice.