HOW IBADAN BOOK CLUB HOSTED 62 WRITERS IN 2021 AND 2022
Ibadan Book Club, one of the leading literary organizations in Nigeria, successfully hosted 62 writers in 2021 and 2022. The monthly readings were held at the Oyo State Library Board, and the events drew a diverse range of writers and book lovers from all over Ibadan and beyond.
The Coordinator of Ibadan Book Club, Odunyemi Ayobami, recently expressed her delight at the success of the readings, stating that the events had not only promoted a culture of reading and writing but also provided an opportunity for the club to engage with writers and authors from different backgrounds and genres.
Established in 2011 by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, the Ibadan Book Club has consistently sought to promote a love of literature and reading among Nigerians, especially the youth. The monthly readings, which are open to the public, have become a fixture of the literary scene in Ibadan, attracting writers, poets, journalists, and book enthusiasts from across the city and beyond.
Last year, the Ibadan Book Club executed a project tagged "Read Nigeria Project" in conjunction with Adwinsa Publications (Gh.) Limited, a publishing firm based in Ghana and Nigeria. The project was aimed at promoting local literature and authors and encouraging the reading of Nigerian books. The monthly readings, which were part of the project, featured various writers and authors from within and outside Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
According to Ayobami, the Read Nigeria Project was a huge success, and the monthly readings, which were one of the key components of the project, were very well received by the public. "We are thrilled that the project was able to bring together various stakeholders in the literary industry to promote a reading culture and celebrate Nigerian authors," he said.
The monthly readings, which are free and open to the public, have featured an impressive roster of writers and authors over the years.
Ayobami noted that the monthly readings have become an important platform for emerging and established writers to showcase their work and engage with readers and other writers. "We are proud that the Ibadan Book Club has become a hub for literary excellence and a platform for promoting the work of Nigerian writers," she added.
The Ibadan Book Club has also been at the forefront of promoting a reading culture among young people in Nigeria. Ayobami noted that the club has organized several book clubs for children and teenagers in Ibadan, which have been successful in promoting a love for reading among young people.
The monthly readings have also provided an opportunity for publishers and booksellers to showcase their books and engage with readers. Ayobami noted that the club is committed to promoting the book industry in Nigeria and is working to create partnerships with publishers, booksellers, and other stakeholders in the industry.
The Ibadan Book Club has become a trailblazer in the literary world in Nigeria, and its monthly readings have become an important fixture in the cultural calendar of Ibadan. The club's commitment to promoting a reading culture and celebrating the work of Nigerian authors is commendable, and we look forward to more of its exciting events in the future.