REAWAKENING THE MEMORY OF D.O. FAGUNWA THROUGH FAGUNWA NIGHT
Fagunwa Night is an initiative of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers toward promoting Yoruba Language and Literature in the South Western zone of Nigeria (Yoruba speaking states). It is also a celebration of the life and works of late D.O. Fagunwa, a renowned Yoruba Writer and Author of Adiitu Olodumare, Igbo Olodumare, Ireke Onibudo, Irinkerindo Ninu Igbo Elegbeje and Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale. The Society has also compelled its Southern and Northern members on the need to promote Igbo and Hausa language through Imam Abubakar Night and Pita Nwana Night. Before the middle of the year, the society will be embarking on organizing a national competition in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo languages respectively. We are hereby using this opportunity to call the attention of other writers bodies across the country on the need to promote our indigenous languages and literature.
Aims and objectives of Fagunwa Night Includes: a. to encourage writing and reading in Yoruba Language. b. to promote Yoruba Culture, Traditions and Values. c. to give out awards and reward young writers who are making use of their indigenous languages to write. d. to appreciate the talent and works of writers who are using Yoruba Language to write. e. promotion of reading culture in indigenous language (Yoruba). f. to encourage upcoming and talented young writers in South West in the use of their Yoruba Language in passing across useful and educative information across the globe. g. to promote the works of Late D.O. Fagunwa. Postal Exhibition of Yoruba Culture, Traditions, Figures and Literature. Fagunwa Night will also feature: On-Spot Creative Writing Competition in Yoruba Language among some selected secondary schools, Books Exhibition of Popular Yoruba Novels, Poetry, Plays, Poetry, Essays etc., Presentation of Prize Certificates and Awards to Outstanding Schools, Reading from Popular works by other Famous Yoruba Writers like Akinwumi Isola, Adebayo Faleti, Afolabi Olabimtan, J.F. Odunjo, Odujinrin, Tunbosun Oladapo, Atari Ajanaku etc. For the past one year now the Society has been struggling in developing Yoruba Language and Literature, as a result of this the Society has come up with the following ideas and which will be launched during this second edition of Fagunwa Night. The project includes:
Ø Centre for Yoruba Literature Research and Documentation.
Ø J.F. Odunjo Comparative Yoruba Correspondence Course for Secondary Schools Students.
Ø Yoruba Fact-Finder – CD which contains collections of E-Books, Articles, Papers, Essays on Yoruba Culture, Traditions and Literature.
Ø Fagunwa Inquirer – CD which also contains collections of E-Books, Articles, Papers and Essays on the Late D.O. Fagunwa.
Ø Egbe Odo Onkowe Ede Yoruba
Ø Yorubapedia – online collections of articles and Essays on Yoruba culture, language and literature.
Ø Wall Chart and Postals on Yoruba Traditions and Literature
The programme which is expected to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of February 2013, will feature important personalities in Yoruba Language and Literature like Mr. Jare Ajayi, Dr. Adebayo Faleti, Mr. Akeem Ajibade, Baba Supo Kosemani, Professor Akinwumi Isola to mention but few. Mr. Jare Ajayi a distinguished Journalist, Biographer, Writers, Teacher and Scholar in Yoruba Language and Literature will deliver a lecture titled: Innovation in Yoruba Literature after the demise of Late D.O. Fagunwa.
The event will also feature readings from the invited students and Mr. Akeem Ajibade, author of Odidere Eye Okun, Mo le kewi, Ibunu Oluko. Certificates of participation and Prize Certificates will be given to participating students and outstanding schools at the end of the programme.

This piece was contributed by Mr. Wole Adedoyin, the National President of Society of Young Nigerian Writers

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