₦airaland Forum

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Organizers of the African Human Rights Essay Competition have announced the winners of the just concluded international essay contest aimed at promoting human rights values in Africa and to positively influence the betterment of the human rights situation in the continent.
The winners were meritoriously picked from the 13 shortlisted entries earlier picked by Izunna Okafor.
Izunna Okafor is a renowned journalist currently working with the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa Igbo Newspaper, and Sports Light Xtra). He is also an author of five books, with 27 national and international awards, and thousands of publications, cutting across journalism and creative writing.
A diglot writer and Igbo Language Activist, Okafor, who was a joint winner of the National Light’s Staff of the Year in 2019, and won 2015 Nigerian Writers Award, is also the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), the convener of Chinua Achebe Literary Festival; as well as the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement, and Editor-in-Chief, Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, and COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, among other positions.
However, the winning entries were judged by Tom Block.
Tom is a playwright, author of five books, and 20+ year visual artist. He has exhibited his artwork and spoken about his ideas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East. Tom founded the International Human Rights Art Festival at Dixon Place (NYC) in March 2017.
Find below the final winners and outstanding entries:
FIRST PRIZE: NELSON MANDELA PRIZE: $100
UGOCHUKWU ANADI- Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: It’s a Crime to be happy in My Country
SECOND PRIZE: THOMAS SANKARA PRIZE: $75
CHARLES IORNUMBE- Teenage Sexual Molestation: Rethinking the Havoc on Girl Child
THIRD PRIZE: OMOYELE SOWORE PRIZE: $50
OSHO TUNDE- Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: Gross Domestic Violence Against Women


HONORABLE MENTIONS

BETTY IGE- Women’s inalienable Right to Respectful Maternity Care
SAMUEL EPHRAIM EDWARD- Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa
JIDE OGUNLANA- Human Rights in Africa: The Lacuna
BONFACE ISABOKE NYAMWEYA- The Streets of Law Prostitution in Africa and the Quest for Human Dignity
FLOSSY KAMBUKU- Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
NWOKEABIA, IFEANYI JOHN- Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa: A Mortal Carnage
INNOCENT CHIEMEZIE OHAEKWE- The Locust in Africa

NOTABLES
OLUWATOBILOBA GRACE LAWALSON- Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: Gender Based Violence and Trafficking of Human Persons
ODHIAMBO JERAMEEL KEVINS OWUOR- Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
GODSTIME NWAEZE- Abuse and Violations of Human Rights in Africa
The winners are to contact the African Regional Director of IHRAF, Wole Adedoyin for the release of their monetary prizes.
African Human Rights Essay Competition is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), USA aimed at promoting human rights values in Africa and to positively influence the betterment of the human rights situation in the continent.

ANA KWARA ELECTS NEW EXCO, BABAYEMI EMERGES CHAIRMAN
By Wole Adedoyin (ANA PRO South)
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kwara State chapter, yesterday elected a new state Chairman, Mr. Opeyemi Babayemi and nine others to pilot the affairs of the association for the next two years.
The election held at the Knowledge Platform, GRA, Ilorin.
ANA Kwara Election Organizing Committee headed by Dr. Dipo Usman Akanbi and with support from his committee members namely: Dr. (Mrs.) Cecelia Etchie and Mr. Folorunsho Obalugemo (Secretary), reports that Mr. Opeyemi Babayemi emerged the Chairman, while Mr. Braimoh Abdulrazak was elected Secretary.
Other elected officials included, Mrs. Aminat Babatunde as Vice Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Alata as Ass. Secretary, Miss Sekina Jatto as Treasurer, Miss Rofiat Abdulkareem as Financial Secretary, Mr. Ahmad Saliu Toyin as Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sherif Olanrewaju as Welfare Secretary, Mallam Abdulraham Aderinoye (Ex-officio 1) and lastly, Mr. Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole as Auditor and ex-officio 2.
Speaking on behalf of the elected EXCO of the Chapter, the newly elected State Chairman, Mr. Opeyemi Babayemi promised to work towards the betterment of the association in the state.
While thanking ANA Kwara members for electing them, Mr. Opeyemi Babayemi said his EXCO will consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors and the platform provided to further take the chapter to greater heights.
He further called on ANA Kwara members not to relent on drawing their attention whenever they go wrong so as to have a smooth operation of the association in the state.
While promising to be transparent in the discharge of their responsibilities, the newly elected ANA Kwara Chairman reminded members of his chapter that cooperation is the backbone of peace and progress in every association and hence, the need to embrace it.
Also speaking, Dr. Dipo Usman Akanbi, Chairman 2021 ANA Kwara Election Planning Committee, commended the delegates for exhibiting high sense of maturity during the exercise.

ANA COMMISERATES WITH UMAR YOGIZA OVER MOTHER’S DEATH
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has commiserated with her National PRO (North), Umar Yogiza and his entire family over the demise of his mother, Kakamu (Hadiza) Osoba Giza.
ANA National Publicity Secretary (South), Wole Adedoyin, made this known in a Condolence Letter he signed which was made available to newsmen on Monday, May 03, 2021. ANA prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and encouraged Umar Yogiza to take solace in the fact that his mother led a life worthy of emulation.
The statement said that the fact that the deceased was able to attain an old age before her passing on was a proof that she led an exemplary life.
“Members of ANA across the country extend their deepest condolences to you and your family over this great loss. Although death is inevitable, the exit of a parent is always a painful experience. Late Mrs. Kakamu (Hadiza) Osoba Giza was a devoted, kind, meek, steadfast, liberal and resourceful woman who brought her children up in the fear of God.
ANA finally prayed God to give the deceased family, friends, community and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

AREWA BOOK CLUB
ABOUT US
Arewa Book Club is an initiative of Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by the Society in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in the Northern region area of Nigeria. Arewa Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
The television and radio could be used to propagate good literature and encourage reading. A television book club (like the Ophrah Winfrey Talk Show) discussing books would give the Viewer an idea as to how these book clubs are constituted, besides introducing them to the books being discussed on each programme.
Discussion could focus on genres of literature (the classic, best sellers, travel writing, science fiction, women’s writing etc. or themes (good, evil, ambition, oppression etc), or authors (Chukwuemeka Ike, Chinua Achebe, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta etc.) Just as it is desirable for primary school children to be read to, to arouse their interest in books, the strategy could be used effectively with adults through radio program. A program similar to “Good Books” on the BBC World Service would get the appetites of potential readers. A fifteen minute reading from the works of a Nigeria novelist or poet would serve the purpose of making people aware of the gifted writers in our midst besides promoting the writers themselves. The programme could include information on the publisher, date of publication and where one is likely to find books.
Arewa Book Club always hold book fairs (inviting publishers to display their titles at reduced prices), and once a year, as a special attraction. A live author could be invited to read from his or her works.
The reading promotion campaign could undertake a Book Drive (rather than a book launch which is so common in our midst and which is aimed at procuring money rather than encouraging people to read the book in question). Children could be prompted to bring the book they have read and exchange them for books they have not read.
In order to wear people away from the cheap newspaper or sensational gossip-magazine (which have a limited use) books have to be available at affordable prices. With the resources available in the city, children could be exposed to certain broad categories of fiction, science fiction and so forth. This will enable children and young readers to see the qualitative differences in literature written for them to identify setting, character, theme, author’s point of view, action and message.


AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF AREWA BOOK CLUB
1. To promote reading culture in the Northern region area of Nigeria.
2. To promote writers and their creative writings/literary arts
3. To enable children and young readers see the qualitative differences in literature written for them, to identify setting, character, theme, author’s point of view, action and message
4. To educate, entertain and inform readers irrespective of age, color, tribe, religion and sex.
5. To hold book fairs (inviting publishers to display their titles at reduced prices), and once a year, as a special attraction.
10 POINTS AGENDA
1. Arewa Book Fair
2. Arewa Young Readers Club(s) (To be established in some selected secondary and primary schools)
3. Free Reading Correspondence Course by e-mail.
4. Arewa Book and Art Festival
5. Paperless/Mobile Book Club/5000 E-Books Per School Project
6. Groom a Writer and Adopt a Reader Project
7. ABC Interview Series
8. Arewa Journal of Books
9. Arewa Prize for Literature
10. Arewa Book Review Series
CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP
1. BRONZE MEMBERSHIP
This category of membership is open to Primary school pupils. The membership is free. Members are entitled to the followings free of charge;
Benefits
• Free Membership Form
• Free Membership ID Card
• Free Certificate of Membership
2. SILVER
This category of membership is open to only Secondary school students. The membership is free. Members are entitled to the followings free of charge;
Benefits
• Free Membership Form
• Free Membership ID Card
• Free Certificate of Membership
3. GOLD MEMBERSHIP
This category of membership is open to only students of Tertiary institutions. The membership is free. Members are entitled to the followings free of charge;
Benefits
• Free Membership Form
• Free Membership ID Card
• Free Certificate of Membership
4. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
5. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

IBADAN BOOK CLUB TO PAY COURTESY VISIT TO OYO STATE LIBRARY BOARD ON FRIDAY
The Executive members of the Ibadan Book Club (IBC) will on 30th of April, 2021 pay a courtesy visit to the head of the Oyo State Library Board, Mrs. A.I Akinlolu to discuss opportunities for collaboration on reading culture and reading promotion in Oyo State.
In a statement issued and signed by Ayobami Odunyemi and Emeka Emmanuel, Coordinator and Secretary of the Club said the purpose of the visit is to open up a new chapter in the relationship between both parties and to leverage on each other’s strengths to deliver better in the area of reading promotion in the state.
The Courtesy visit will be led by the Coordinator of the Club Ayobami Odunyemi in the company of other Executives.
It would be recalled that during the March edition of the Book Club’s reading which took place at the Press Council Hall of the Polytechnic Ibadan, members of the club appointed a 7-man EXCO tasked to guide IBC`s strategic direction as the club continues to grow in membership.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in Oyo State. Ibadan Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Few of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centenary Anthology: A Collection of Essays, Articles, Poems and Artworks on Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and lastly Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of A Mind Always in Motion.

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY COMPETITION SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
The Organizers of the African Human Rights Essay Competition have announced the shortlist of top and outstanding entries for the just concluded International Human Rights Essay Competition aimed at promoting human rights values in Africa and to positively influence the betterment of the human rights situation in the continent.
The shortlist was selected from the 20 longlisted entries.
The winners of the African Human Rights Essay Competition will be announced on the 30th of April, 2021. First will get the prize of $100, second prize amounts $75, and third $50.
The final judging/selection of winners will be done by Tom Block, the founding producer of the International Human Rights Art Festival.
Tom is a playwright, author of five books, and 20+ year visual artist. He has exhibited his artwork and spoken about his ideas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East. Tom founded the International Human Rights Art Festival at Dixon Place (NYC) in March 2017.
Find below the complete shortlist:
1. BETTY IGE - Women’s inalienable Right to Respectful Maternity Care
2. SAMUEL EPHRAIM EDWARD - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa
3. JIDE OGUNLANA - Human Rights in Africa: The Lacuna
4. BONFACE ISABOKE NYAMWEYA - The Streets of Law Prostitution in Africa and the Quest for Human Dignity
5. FLOSSY KAMBUKU - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
6. UGOCHUKWU ANADI - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: It’s a Crime to be happy in My Country
7. OLUWATOBILOBA GRACE LAWALSON - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: Gender Based Violence and Trafficking of Human Persons
8. ODHIAMBO JERAMEEL KEVINS OWUOR - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
9. NWOKEABIA, IFEANYI JOHN - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa: A Mortal Carnage
10. GODSTIME NWAEZE - Abuse and Violations of Human Rights in Africa
11. INNOCENT CHIEMEZIE OHAEKWE - The Locust in Africa
12. OSHO TUNDE - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: Gross Domestic Violence Against Women
13. CHARLES IORNUMBE - Teenage Sexual Molestation: Rethinking the Havoc on Girl Child
African Human Rights Essay Competition is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), USA aimed at promoting human rights values in Africa and to positively influence the betterment of the human rights situation in the continent.

TWENTY ESSAYISTS MAKE THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY COMPETITION LONGLIST
Twenty Essayists from across Africa have made the African Human Rights Essay Competition longlist.
The longlist was selected from more than fifty English-language submissions. The selection of the longlist was done by Izunna Okafor.
Izunna Okafor is a renowned journalist currently working with the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa Igbo Newspaper, and Sports Light Xtra). He is also an author of five books, with 27 national and international awards, and thousands of publications, cutting across journalism and creative writing.
A diglot writer and Igbo Language Activist, Okafor, who was a joint winner of the National Light’s Staff of the Year in 2019, and won 2015 Nigerian Writers Award, is also the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), the convener of Chinua Achebe Literary Festival; as well as the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement, and Editor-in-Chief, Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, and COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, among other positions.
Entries were received from six different countries which include: Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Dubai and USA. Submissions were judged based on originality of thought, depth of analysis, clarity of expression, spelling and grammar and conformity to contest rules.
Find below the complete longlist:
1. ABDULLATEEF B. ISA - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: The Nigeria's Case
2. BETTY IGE - Women’s inalienable Right to Respectful Maternity Care
3. BONFACE ISABOKE NYAMWEYA - The Streets of Law Prostitution in Africa and the Quest for Human Dignity
4. CHARLES IORNUMBE - Teenage Sexual Molestation: Rethinking the Havoc on Girl Child
5. FLOSSY KAMBUKU - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
6. FRANKLIN IFEANYI DIALA - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa
7. GODSTIME NWAEZE - Abuse and Violations of Human Rights in Africa
8. GRACE OLUKOYA - Africa's Development in the Face of Poor Respect for Human Rights
9. INNOCENT CHIEMEZIE OHAEKWE - The Locust in Africa
10. JIDE OGUNLANA - Human Rights in Africa: The Lacuna
11. NWOKEABIA, IFEANYI JOHN - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa: A Mortal Carnage
12. OBEBE OLUSOJI - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa
13. ODE CONFIDENCE - Human Rights Abuse and Violation; Issue with the Freedom of Expression by Activist
14. ODHIAMBO JERAMEEL KEVINS OWUOR - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
15. OKAFOR MOSES ONYEBUCHI - Human Rights Abuse and Violation in Africa
16. OLUWATOBILOBA GRACE LAWALSON - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: Gender Based Violence and Trafficking of Human Persons
17. OSHO TUNDE - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: Gross Domestic Violence Against Women
18. PHILIP ONYIMOWO - General Idea of Human Rights Abuse and Violation
19. SAMUEL EPHRAIM EDWARD - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa
20. UGOCHUKWU ANADI - Human Rights Abuse and Violations in Africa: It’s a Crime to be happy in My Country

The shortlist will be announced tomorrow, Wednesday April 28, 2021.
African Human Rights Essay Competition is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), USA aimed at promoting human rights values in Africa and to positively influence the betterment of the human rights situation in the continent.

GIBRAN @ 90: KGS SET TO EXHIBIT 25 PAINTING WORKS OF KHALIL GIBRAN DURING IBADAN BOOK CLUB APRIL MONTHLY READING
In a bid to commemorate 90 years of Khalil Gibran’s death, Khalil Gibran Society (KGS) will be exhibiting twenty five painting works of Khalil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist at the April reading of the Ibadan Book Club which has been scheduled to take place on Saturday 24th April, 2021 at the TETFUND Hall, beside Drawing Room, South Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan by 12p.m prompt.
This was contained in a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin in Ibadan on Thursday.
Kahlil Gibran (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) was a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist. He is best known as the author of The Prophet, which was first published in the United States in 1923 and has since become one of the best-selling books of all time, having been translated into more than 100 languages.

According to Adedoyin, “April 10th of this year marks 90 years since the Late Khalil Gibran left this world. In order to celebrate 90 years of great impacts made by him and his numerous works, Khalil Gibran Society will be exhibiting twenty five of his paintings at the April book reading of the Ibadan Book Club. Also Khalil Gibran Poetry Art Anthology is currently undergoing editing and will be made available to the public in the middle of May of this year.

Kahlil Gibran was the key figure in a Romantic movement that transformed Arabic literature in the first half of the twentieth century. One of his books titled “The Prophet” provides timeless spiritual wisdom on a range of subjects, including giving, eating and drinking, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, teaching, time, pleasure, religion, death, beauty and friendship. Corresponding to each chapter are evocative drawings by Gibran himself.

Gibran explored literary forms as diverse as "poetry, parables, fragments of conversation, short stories, fables, political essays, letters, and aphorisms.

OSOGBO BOOK CLUB REVEALS PLAN TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSUN STATE LIBRARY BOARD, OTHERS

Osogbo Book Club has revealed plan to collaborate with the Osun State Library Board and the National Library of Nigeria, Osun State Branch in order to promote healthy reading culture in the state.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the Coordinator of the Club, Grace Godwin described the reading culture in Osun state as not only dwindling but crawling.

In a bid to contribute its own quota to the promotion of reading culture in the state, Osogbo Book Club has expressed readiness to work together with other stakeholders in the book industry in the state.

Osogbo Book Club during her April reading featured two Osogbo based writers, Lukman Alawode and Akobi Joshua Bamigbade. The two writers shared their writing experiences and also came up with ways of transforming and enhancing the reading culture of the state. Members also used the avenue to deliberate on ways of moving reading culture forward in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State and its neighborhood.

The club also used the opportunity to unveil her 10 points agenda, which are: Osogbo Book Fair,
2. Osogbo Book Club(s) (which will be established in different Primary and secondary schools in Osun State), Free Reading Correspondence Course named after TM Aluko, Osogbo Book and Art Festival, Paperless/Mobile Book Club/5000 E-Books Per School Project, Groom a Writer and Adopt a Reader Project, OBC Interview Series, Osogbo Journal of Books, Osogbo Prize for Literature and lastly, OBC Book Review Series.

The reading session of the meeting gave the participants an avenue to access and evaluates works of each other.

Osogbo Book Club is an initiative of Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by the Society in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in Osun State. Osogbo Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB HOLDS APRIL MONTHLY READING ON SATURDAY 24 APRIL, 2021
Ibadan Book Club has expressed readiness to host Ibadan based Writer and Editor, Jide Ogunlana on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the TETFUND Hall, beside Drawing Room, South Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan by 12p.m prompt.
This was contained in a statement jointly issued by the Coordinator and Publicity Secretary of the Club, Ayobami Odunayo and Emeka Emmanuel in Ibadan on Monday.
At the event, Jide Ogunlana is expected to read from his books and share from his publishing experience.
Jide Ogunlana is a Novelist, Editor, Playwright and Professional Publisher, Two of Ogunlana’s plays, Verbal Violence and Clash of the Gods have been successfully staged in the Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and they are being read at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and some higher institutions in the country. One of his short stories and extracts of his stories have also been published in some editions of ANA Review of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Ogunlana’s storybook, Primrose and the Kidnappers won the 2018 ANA Prize for Children’s Literature. Many of his books have been approved for school use in the current lists of books of Oyo State Ministry of Education.
Other publications by Jide Ogunlana include: Two Plays of Verbal Attack, Esin Amope (Yoruba) The Adventure of Three Wild Boys (published under a pseudonym, Wale Adewale), Primrose and the Kidnappers, Three Strange Stories for Children, Awesu in a Strange House, A Girl Called Corona Sofia and From Marriage to Prison (A Collection of Short Stories).
As an editor, he worked with Evans Brothers (Nig. Publishers) Ltd for some years before establishing his own publishing company where he now works as a writer, a rewriter and an editor. His work with the Evans Brothers as a Senior Editor exposed him to various works of great writers both locally and internationally. As an independent editor, he has edited outstanding works of many popular Nigerian writers such as the prose works of Dr Wale Okediran, the Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and a former Member of the House of Representatives, the biography of a former governor, the prose work of Diipo Fagunwa, the only surviving child of D.O. Fagunwa and the autobiography of Prof. Samuel Olusegun Ayodele, a renowned Nigerian professor of English.
The upcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue for reading creative works such as poetry, fiction, book sales and signing, contacts with other readers and book writers in all corners of the state of Oyo, the statement added.
Prospective writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to other writers and readers. Membership forms and certificate of membership will be available at no charge to first timers.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Nigerian Young Writers Society. It was founded in 2011 by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota to the growth and development of the Reading Culture in the State of Oyo.
The Ibadan Book Club consists of a group of people who meet, meet periodically to discuss the book they have read and exchange those books. Club members encourage each other and learn to read with a critical mind, articulating their opinions about a particular book with others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Some of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centennial Anthology: a collection of essays, articles, poems and works of art in honor of Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and Finally, Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of a Mind Always in Motion.

ONLY FEW CAN WRITE GOOD STORIES BUT NOT MANY CAN WRITE GREAT STORIES – JIDE OGUNLANA

Jide Ogunlana is a Novelist, Editor, Playwright and Professional Publisher. Two of Ogunlana’s plays, Verbal Violence and Clash of the Gods have been successfully staged in the Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan and they are currently being read at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and some higher institutions in the country. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, the former Senior Editor with the Evans Brothers (Nig. Publishers) Ltd talks about his writing and publishing career.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING?
JO: Immediately I left secondary school, I started contributing to a radio programme on our local radio station, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Ibadan for a prize. The programme was called WRITE IT WITH MUSIC, being anchored by Bola Alo, and each of all the letters I sent in that time won a prize of ten naira. There was another programme on Premier FM, Ibadan, where one would send in a poem written to a lover and which would be read on air. I believe it was Wale Don, the King of Lovers as he was called who anchored this. My poems were also aired many times. I guess these two things inspired me to start writing.
WA: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
JO: I guess I’ve been writing one thing or the other for about 40 years now.
WA: WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
JO: I started writing when I left the secondary school but I was not a published writer of creative stories until 2008 when I published my first book, a play.
WA: HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A WRITER?
JO: I read English in the university and I love the use of English as a teacher, an editor or a writer. The three professions are however closely related, I’m sure. As a school teacher for instance, I had written plays for my students which they had staged at various times. My love for writing however heightened when I got my first book published.
WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER, SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT?
JO: Passion for writing should come first. There will be plenty of opportunities to get frustrated along the way and to want to give up but it is the passion that will keep you going.It is not language proficiency; if Amos Tutuola could get published, you can. And anyway, as long as you don’t want to cut corners by bypassing the input of a good editor, there is a rescue. And again, everybody can write stories, few can write good stories but not many can write great stories. A great story demands investment of time, energy and money for the necessary research and materials.
WA: HOW DO YOU HANDLE WRITER’S BLOCK?
JO: My belief is that there is always a reason for writer’s block as long as the interest to write is there. I don’t usually have writer’s block but when I do, I will first find out what caused it. It may, for instance, be that I have pushed myself too much. In this case, all I do is to relax my mind by reading, watching comedies or wrestling. The writer’s block may however be psychological. You will struggle to come up with a great plot structure when your child has just been sent home from school for non-payment of school fees. When your mind is too crowded, just deal with the situations first before you come back to what you are writing. You will only be wasting time and you won’t be able to come up with a great creative work if you try to force yourself to continue.
WA: HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
JO: I have written two plays, one of which is in the Yoruba language, a collection of short stories, about eight children’s stories and of course these are besides English language textbooks.
WA: WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING THING YOU DISCOVERED WHILE WRITING YOUR BOOK(S)?
JO: One I guess is that I will just discover that I understand some piquant expressions that I’ve never used before, and I won’t even remember where or when I’ve heard them before. I guess this is why reading is quite important to writers.
WA: WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER?
JO: I have some favourite characters and one is Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories and Scot Harvath in Tom Clancy’s THE PATH OF THE ASSASSINS
WA: DO YOU HAVE FAVOURITE CHARACTERS THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN? IF SO, WHO? AND WHAT MAKES THEM SO SPECIAL?
JO: Professor, Policeman and Preacher in my play, VERBAL VIOLENCE. I enjoy their exchange of verbal abuse and civilized insults. I’ve always enjoyed good use of words in stories.
WA: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?
JO: From practically everywhere; music, past experiences, market place,reading, etc. A writer may not need to go far for an idea. Some things in life are evenstranger than fiction. A writer who can capture the extremism of the Boko Haram activities in Nigeria might even be accused of stretching credulity to the limit.
WA: WHERE CAN READERS PURCHASE YOUR BOOKS?
JO: My books may be purchased in two bookshops in Ibadan, Oyo State; Booksellers Bookshop, Magazine Road, Jericho and the University of Ibadan Bookshop. Direct order can also be made through email, leratobookpublishers@yahoo.comor jideogunlana@yahoo.com, or through any of these phone numbers; 07032573576; 08129476883; 08059350497.
WA: WHERE CAN READERS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BOOKS?
JO: I am active on Facebook and I have a page on Facebook: EDITING, WRITING AND REWRITING CONSULTANTS or through email or phone contacts.
WA: HAVE ANY OF YOUR BOOKS BEEN MADE INTO AUDIOBOOKS?
JO: No.
WA: IF SO, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES IN PRODUCING AN AUDIO BOOK?
JO: I have not attempted it and so I may not be able to talk about the challenges in producing it. But I can mention the problem of illegal copying, which may deny the writer a great source of income for his effort. Duplicating storage devices is much easier and cheaper than duplicating books unless the writer finds a way of preventing the piracy.It can of course also be made impossible to copy online but all these will invariably push up the cost of production.
WA: WHICH OF YOUR BOOKS WERE THE MOST ENJOYABLE TO WRITE?
JO: I enjoy writing all my books. As Achebe once said, choosing one of your books as your favourite is like choosing one of your children as your favourite. It sounds unfair.
WA: TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK.
JO: My first published creative book is TWO PLAYS OF VERBAL ATTACK. It was published in 1998. It is being read in some higher institutions in the country and the two plays have been staged in the Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan.
WA: WHAT WAS THE JOURNEY LIKE?
JO: I guess okay; just the usual promotion,marketing and marketers’ problems.
WA: WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION,ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF GOOD WRITING?
JO: I read THE ADVENTURERS by Harold Robbins many years ago. I got to a place where Dax, the protagonist, is dying with his guardian. The author then takes the reader back to some good times the two had shared. It was so emotional and I just couldn’t continue the reading again that night. This is a powerful use of imagery, which I appreciate in a story. Especially with a full-length story, characters must have distinguishable traits. It makescharacters and thereby the story unforgettable. The detective, Sherlock Holmes, seems so real and credible that readers were sending letters to his fictional 221B, Baker Street address in London. But then each genre of literature will determine the elements to be emphasised.I enjoy poems with rhythm.
WA: WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR OF ALL TIME?
JO: This is difficult for me to answer. It used to be Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,then it changed to Ian Fleming.I’ve read nearly all of Shaw’s work and it was G.B. Shaw at a time.Now that I’ve fallen in love with espionage, I’m tempted to say it is now Tom Clancy!
WA: YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK BY HIM?
JO: All the works of these writers are my favourites but THE PATH OF THE ASSASSIN by Brad Thor (Tom Clancy generation) is one story I simply cannot forget.
WA: ON YOUR LATEST BOOK TITLED A GIRL CALLED CORONA SOFIA CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOMETHING ABOUT THE BOOK?
JO: It’s a children’s book. As you have rightly guessed, it is about the Covid-19 epidemic. As an editor, I’ve had the privilege of editing many stories on the epidemic. What I’ve discovered is that many authors just write books on causes and precautions of Covid-19 and not what you may call a creative or an exciting story. And believe me; it is easy to fall into such an error unawares writing on a specific topic such as this.
WA: ARE THERE ANY SECRETS FROM THE BOOK YOU CAN SHARE WITH YOUR READERS?
JO: There is none really.
WA: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE STORY?
JO: This is not far-fetched. Many people, especially when the disease first surfaced, did not know a lot about it and many still don’t.As a topical issue, the adults as well as the children need to know about it to be able to protect themselves and avoid contracting the corona virus.One great way of passing the message across to the kids is of course through story telling.
WA: WHAT IS THE KEY THEME AND/OR MESSAGE IN THE BOOK?
JO: Essentially, the message is that corona virus is not a death sentence and we should avoid stigmatization. Also, if given the opportunity, children can play a considerable role that can change the negative orientation of even the adults.
WA: WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR READERS TAKE AWAY FROM THIS BOOK?
JO: Just as I have said, if properly guided and with love, children can make significant impacts in society.
WA: WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE?
JO: The title emphasizes the extent of the heart rending stigmatization experienced by the girl called Sofia in her school after returning to Nigeria from the USA.
WA: HAS A BOOK EVER CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
JO: On the negative side, I remember I read THE LOVE MACHINE by Jacqueline Susan when I was in Form 5 in the secondary school. I loved the character so much and I tried to behave like him. As his name, Robin Stone, implies, he has the heart of stone, especially in his relationship with women. Thank God it was not a permanent change! On the positive side, I have been greatly influenced by TRIUMPHANT CHURCH by Kenneth E. Hagin.
WA: WHAT GENRES DO YOU LOVE?
JO: I love all the genres of literature.
WA: ARE THERE ANY GENRES YOU DISLIKE?
JO: No.
WA: WHAT AUTHOR (WHO IS STILL LIVING) WOULD YOU DEARLY LOVE TO MEET?
JO: Wole Soyinka. I want, especially, to be able to ask him some questions in MADMEN AND SPECIALIST. I think there is still a lot more to that play than I have grasped so far. It’s a great play.
WA: DO YOU LIKE TO DISPLAY YOUR BOOKS ON A BOOKSHELF OR KEEP THEM IN A VIRTUAL LIBRARY?
JO: Both. Although virtual library is more permanent, it is not as easily accessible as books on a shelf.
WA: DO YOU PREFER FLASH FICTION, SHORT STORIES, NOVELLAS OR NOVELS?
JO: I really don’t have a preference here. Sometimes you suddenly get an idea for a particular type and sometimes it is for another type. And I read anyone that gets my fancy at a particular point in time.
WA: WHAT BOOK CAN YOU RECOMMEND TO ME?
JO: As I’ve said before, I’ve fallen in love with espionage. I will seriously recommend the Campus Novel, THE PATH OF THE ASSASSIN by Brad Thor (Tom Clancy generation). But you may start from the first of the Campus series written by Tom Clancy himself, THE TEETH OF THE TIGER although it may not be necessary.
WA: WHEN DID YOU LAST VISIT A LIBRARY?
JO: I go to the Oyo State Library in Ibadan regularly.
WA: HAVE YOU EVER HAD A CRUSH ON A BOOK CHARACTER?
JO: I can’t recollect any right now but I remember that of Kate in THE TITANIC film.
WA: HAS A BOOK EVER MADE YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD?
JO: Yes, one is Oliver Goldsmith’s SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER and others are G.B. Shaw’s plays, especially PYGMALION.

SYNW PARTNERS WITH TABILI AFRICA TO MAKE PUBLISHING AFFORDABLE FOR YOUNG WRITERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers led by its President, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Tabili Africa, an online print-on-demand bookstore to make its platform available to young writers across the country.
According to a statement released by Tabili Africa on Friday, April 16, ‘Tabili Africa was established to help African writers have access to quality printing and publishing for as low as N20,000. It is our believe that this partnership with a literary organization as consistent as Society of Young Nigerian Writers, will enable us have access to thousands of young writers in need of quality affordable book printing and distribution’
Tabili Africa plans to make books available at the lowest cost possible to every home in Africa, while consequentially promoting the almost running comatose reading culture through its innovative technology backed print-on-demand service.
‘The print-on-demand service ultimately ensures our authors’ titles are never out of print as we will only print copies when a buyer visits our website and orders copies. It also enables authors to fill a simple form on our website and within ten to fourteen maximum working days receive a printed copy of their book at their doorstep. These we believe will prevent authors from losing a fortune to printing thousands copies of their books with self-publishers scattered across the globe.’
The Tabili Africa service seems to be very similar to that of its US based counterpart Amazon, which if successful might create a more reliable distribution system for African authors. Tabili Africa has its head office in Ibadan, Nigeria but can only be accessed online via www.tabili.com.ng

SYNW APPOINTS KEHINDE GBADEYANKA AS OYO STATE COORDINATOR
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has appointed Kehinde Gbadeyanka as its new Coordinator in Oyo State.
Adedoyin Wole, the National President of the Association made the disclosure in a statement in Ibadan on Friday.
According to the release, “Gbadeyanka’s appointment as Coordinator of the writers’ body in Oyo State is very important as he brings extensive experience and adds the necessary leadership and depth that will help us drive our short term goals of making Oyo state a reading state.
As SYNW Coordinator in Oyo State, Kehinde Gbadeyanka will oversee and coordinate the affairs of the Society in Oyo State in line with the constitution of the organization.
Gbadeyanka Kehinde is a playwright, poet and short story writer. He is an Alumnus of the Ebedi International Writers Residency.
Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), is an umbrella organisation that was founded to promote creative writing and literary arts among writers based in Nigeria between the ages of 10 and 40. It was founded in 2010 at the former house of the Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka at the University of Ibadan. It was formerly known as the World of Poets and Literary Society.
Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) is a member of the International Authors Forum (IAF). It has also collaborated with different international organizations like Alliance Francaise (Nigeria), 100 Thousand Poets for Change (USA), Woman Scream International Poetry and Arts Festival (Dominican Republic), Khalil Gibran Society, Youth Service America/Global Youth Service Day and lately International Human Rights Art Festival (USA).
In 2019, Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) was duly acknowledged and mentioned in a book titled “TEEN LIVES AROUND THE WORLD: A GLOBAL ENCYCLOPEDIA (2 VOLUMES)” edited by Karen Wells. The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) was described as the only teen writers’ body in Nigeria.
SYNW provides a platform for young writers to meet and collaborate, enhance and hone their writing skills. SYNW also publish, promote and market the works of its members.

APRIL EDITION OF THE OSOGBO BOOK CLUB MONTHLY READING HOLDS TOMORROW, SATURDAY 17 APRIL, 2021

Osogbo Book Club (IBC) has expressed readiness to host two Osogbo based writers, Lukman Alawode and Akobi Joshua Bamigbade this coming Saturday, 17 April, 2021, in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

A statement by Godwin Grace, the Coordinator of the club, said the event would take place at the Writers’ Global Movement Secretariat, Ona-babaona, Okebaalẹ, Tara Area Osogbo, Opposite Essence International School by 12PM prompt.

In 2014, 2016 and 2017, Osogbo Book Club in conjunction with the Osun State branch of the National Library of Nigeria under the headship of Mr. Bashir Akanni Salawu and Mrs Felicia Abosede Oyeleke held series of book reading programmes which were sponsored by the Board aimed at reviving and enhancing book reading culture in the state. The programmes also featured arts exhibitions and reading of creative books.

ABOUT OUR GUEST WRITERS/READERS

Luqman Alawode is the Director of Studies, Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship & Health, Osun state coordinator of SYNW, and a Fellow of World Institute for Peace. He is the founder of Humanity First Initiative and Initiator of War Against Fake News, a global anthology that was targeted at eradication of spread of fake news across the globe. He published his first magazine in 2020 which was tagged: Colours of Humanity, The Requisite to Redeem the Heritage of a Displaced World.

Luqman is a Poet, Short story writer, humanitarian and an anthologist. He is one of the over two hundred (200) global writers that co-authored a book titled Complexion Based Discrimination, a book that sought to eradicate discrimination against skin colour and ethnicity.

Akobi Joshua Bamigbade is a published author and book promoter. Akobi Joshua was born in the sixties in the city of Ile Ife. He attended about three different primary schools before settling down with one finally. This is a result of following his father who was a teacher during his transfers from one school to another. He attended the prestigious and only boys secondary school in Ile Ife, St John's Grammar school founded by a Catholic Reverend, Father Clouthier. He furthered his education by studying English and History at College of Education in Ilesa from 1982 to I985. He attended both University of Ilorin and the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife for his degree in Language Arts and English Language respectively, the former of which he abandoned after three years before settling for English Language at Obafemi Awolowo University.

He has worked as a teacher of English Language all through his career even when appointed as Principal until his retirement from government service in 2020 after the mandatory 35 years in service.

As a teacher in the 80s, he founded a magazine then called the 'voice ' to encourage creative writing among his students then.

He is a man in love with literary activities and has been involved in different inter-school debates programmes and essay competitions. He has equally contributed short stories and poems to the WGM Magazine,an online creative writing magazine.

He is happily married with children.

Luqman Alawode is the Director of Studies, Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship & Health. Also, Osun State Coordinator of SYNW and a Fellow of the World Institute for Peace. He is the founder of Humanity First Initiative and Initiator of War Against Fake News, a global anthology that was targeted at eradication of spread of fake news across the globe. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his love for writing and experience as a writer.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING?
LA: Writing to me is inborn, though my father was not a writer but he was an orator, he speaks senses and anybody that is so close to him like I did would have no option than to put on a thinking cap. His words are inspirations. So I can say, it all started from the willingness to document my father’s words of wisdom. This is how I developed the skill couple with the everyday happenings within my environment.

WA: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING
LA: Long ago, I can’t really say precisely but officially, I started in 2014 courtesy of my wife’s wishes to know my special skill apart from everyday’s office assignment.

WA: HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A WRITER
LA: Yes, it was not accidental. I have always wished to be a writer

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER, SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT?
LA: Writing is not a money bag. Fine, you can make it through writing but do not starts with the aim of making too much money otherwise you will be shown a way out very quickly. Start slowly and watch your skills taking you across the globe.

WA: HOW DO YOU HANDLE WRITERS BLOCK?
LA: Well, I don’t really experience this as such because writing is a pleasure to me. I don’t write to compete, I write to entertain and enlighten. So, I write only when I am inspired to do so.

WA: HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
LA: Sincerely, I have not published through the traditional publishers, most of my works are online. I have two of my books on Okadabooks; NEMESIS and POWER OF THE TONGUE. Also, I have championed and also participated in several anthologies both Local and International. I have also published a magazine on humanity, it was released late 2020.

WA: WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING THING YOU DISCOVERED WHILE WRITING YOUR BOOK(S)?
LA: The way the inspiration comes. I never knew I could write as much as I am doing today but the moment I start writing, I never get bored.

WA: DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE CHARACTER THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN? IF SO, WHO? AND WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?
LA: OLAMIDE in my book titled “OLAMIDE THE GLORIOUS CHILD” unfortunately; I sold the book to a publisher when I had no knowledge about how writing works.

WA: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?
LA: Everywhere

WA: HAVE ANY OF YOUR BOOKS BEEN TRANSLATED TO AUDIOBOOK?
LA: No

WA: WHICH OF YOUR BOOKS WERE THE MOST ENJOYABLE TO WRITE?
LA: OLAMIDE THE GLORIOUS CHILD

WA: WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF GOOD WRITING?
LA: The “THEME” that is central idea must be clearly understood. Before writing, the writer should understand what he/she wanted to write about
AUDIENCE; you are not writing for yourself, if it is for you, you already know the story but since writing is for others either to educate or entertain them, the writer must have the audience in mind.
CLARITY: Ambiguous words can piss your readers off, be as clear as possible.
POINT OF VIEW: Your point of view has to be specific. Are you writing in first person, second or third?

WA: WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR OF ALL TIME?
LA: I celebrate all authors. I don’t go with name but contents of books. However, I think JP CLARK

WA: YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK BY HIM
LA: The Wives Revolt

WA: HAS A BOOK EVER CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
LA: Not really but I am usually motivated when reading biographies

WA: WHAT GENRE DO YOU LOVE?
LA: All. All genres have their significance

WA: ARE THERE ANY GENRES YOU DISLIKE?
LA: No

WA: WHAT AUTHOR (WHO IS STILL LIVING) WOULD YOU DEARLY LOVE TO MEET?
LA: Wole Soyinka

WA: WHAT BOOK CAN YOU RECOMMEND TO ME?
LA: Talent is Never Enough – Brian Tracy

WRITING, READING AND STORYTELLING ARE VEHICLES THAT MOVE CULTURE FORWARD - AKOBI JOSHUA BAMIGBADE

Akobi Joshua Bamigbade is a published author and book promoter. He has worked as a teacher of English Language all through his career even when appointed as Principal until his retirement from government service in 2020 after the mandatory 35 years in service. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he shares with him brief details about his writing career.

WA: WHY DO YOU WRITE?
AJB: It's just an instinct.

WA: WHICH WRITER DO YOU ADMIRE?
AJB: Chinua Achebe

WA: WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? ARE THERE ANY AUTHORS (LIVING OR DEAD) THAT YOU WOULD NAME AS INFLUENCES?
AJB: There are so many of them. Sir. Rider H. Haggard, Chinua Achebe , Sydney Sheldon, Ola Rotimi and so on.

WA: WHAT WAS THE BOOK THAT MOST INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE — AND WHY?
AJB: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I was influenced by its straightforward narration and its use of proverbs.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR 10 FAVORITE BOOKS —AND WHY?
AJB: The question could have been my favourite genre or authors. I love African writers whose sole aim is exposing the African experiences under colonialism or apartheid or the new experience under self rule. In a nutshell, I enjoy satire. Equally I enjoy thrillers, espionage and adventures. I love reading books from Achebe, Soyinka, Elechi Amadi, Sembene Ousmane, Buchi Emecheta etc. For thrillers I enjoy books from Sydney Sheldon, Dennis Robin's etc.

WA: IF YOU HAD A BOOK CLUB, WHAT WOULD IT BE READING — AND WHY?
AJB: Poetry and Prose. I love poetry because of its use of words. Prose because it keeps you company. You are never lonely with Prose in your hands.

WA: GIVE US THREE "GOOD TO KNOW" FACTS ABOUT YOU. BE CREATIVE. TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WRITING.
AJB: I love reading novels and love seeing children writing. Most especially I love pleasant surprises in actual live and always want to bring this into my stories. In a nutshell I love intrigues.
I always want reader to get the message I am using the story to pass across. I love treating contemporary issues though a literary work lives on forever and would be relevant in any period or time.

WA: WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT YOUR READERS TO KNOW? CONSIDER HERE YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES, YOUR INTERESTS AND HOBBIES, YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO UNWIND — WHATEVER COMES TO MIND.
AJB: For hobbies, I love reading and playing volleyball.

WA: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
AJB: My writing inspiration comes from happening in the society.

WA: HOW DID YOU GET TO BE WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?
AJB: I have a motto; Jah guides. God has been leading.

WA: ARE YOU A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME WRITER? HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR WRITING?
AJB: A part time writer. You know I have been a civil servant all along.

WA: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE FUTURE OF READING/WRITING?
AJB: Quite foggy. The likes of Achebe, Ferdinand Oyono, Peter Abrahams are dwindling.

WA: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
AJB: Can t say

WA: WHAT KIND(S) OF WRITING DO YOU DO?
AJB: Short stories and poetry

WA: WHAT CULTURAL VALUE DO YOU SEE IN WRITING / READING / STORYTELLING /ETC.?
AJB: Writing, reading and storytelling are vehicles that move culture forward. Without them there would be nothing left of a particular society's culture. They are transmitters of culture.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB SET TO HOST JIDE OGUNLANA AS GUEST READER/WRITER FOR HER APRIL BOOK READING
Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has set aside April 24, 2021 to host Jide Ogunlana as her Guest Writer/Reader for the month of April.
A statement jointly signed by the Coordinator and Publicity Secretary of the Club, Ayobami Odunayo and Emeka Emmanuel said that the event will take place at the TETFUND Hall, beside Drawing Room, South Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan by 12p.m.
This April Edition is kindly sponsored by Cosmopolitan Publishers.
Jide Ogunlana is a Novelist, Editor, Playwright and Professional Publisher, Two of Ogunlana’s plays, Verbal Violence and Clash of the Gods have been successfully staged in the Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and they are being read at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and some higher institutions in the country. One of his short stories and extracts of his stories have also been published in some editions of ANA Review of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Ogunlana’s storybook, Primrose and the Kidnappers won the 2018 ANA Prize for Children’s Literature. Many of his books have been approved for school use in the current lists of books of Oyo State Ministry of Education.
Other publications by Jide Ogunlana include: Two Plays of Verbal Attack, Esin Amope (Yoruba) The Adventure of Three Wild Boys (published under a pseudonym, Wale Adewale), Primrose and the Kidnappers, Three Strange Stories for Children, Awesu in a Strange House, A Girl Called Corona Sofia and From Marriage to Prison (A Collection of Short Stories).
As an editor, he worked with Evans Brothers (Nig. Publishers) Ltd for some years before establishing his own publishing company where he now works as a writer, a rewriter and an editor. His work with the Evans Brothers as a Senior Editor exposed him to various works of great writers both locally and internationally. As an independent editor, he has edited outstanding works of many popular Nigerian writers such as the prose works of Dr Wale Okediran, the Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and a former Member of the House of Representatives, the biography of a former governor, the prose work of Diipo Fagunwa, the only surviving child of D.O. Fagunwa and the autobiography of Prof. Samuel Olusegun Ayodele, a renowned Nigerian professor of English.
The upcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue for reading creative works such as poetry, fiction, book sales and signing, contacts with other readers and book writers in all corners of the state of Oyo, the statement added.
Prospective writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to other writers and readers. Membership forms and certificate of membership will be available at no charge to first timers.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Nigerian Young Writers Society. It was founded in 2011 by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota to the growth and development of the Reading Culture in the State of Oyo.
The Ibadan Book Club consists of a group of people who meet, meet periodically to discuss the book they have read and exchange those books. Club members encourage each other and learn to read with a critical mind, articulating their opinions about a particular book with others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Some of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centennial Anthology: a collection of essays, articles, poems and works of art in honor of Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and Finally, Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of a Mind Always in Motion.

POLY IBADAN HOSTS IBADAN BOOK CLUB APRIL EDITION, SET TO FEATURE EVANS EX-EDITOR, JIDE OGUNLANA AS GUEST WRITER/READER
The Polytechnic Ibadan, an institution of higher learning in Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. Founded in 1970 will on Saturday, April 24, 2021 host the Ibadan Book Club’s monthly Guest Writer Session. The edition is expected to feature Ex- Evans Senior Editor, Jide Ogunlana.
This was contained in a statement jointly issued by the Coordinator and Publicity Secretary of the Club, Ayobami Odunayo and Emeka Emmanuel in Ibadan on Monday.
At the event, Jide Ogunlana is expected to read from his books and share from his publishing experience.
Jide Ogunlana is a Novelist, Editor, Playwright and Professional Publisher, Two of Ogunlana’s plays, Verbal Violence and Clash of the Gods have been successfully staged in the Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and they are being read at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and some higher institutions in the country. One of his short stories and extracts of his stories have also been published in some editions of ANA Review of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Ogunlana’s storybook, Primrose and the Kidnappers won the 2018 ANA Prize for Children’s Literature. Many of his books have been approved for school use in the current lists of books of Oyo State Ministry of Education.
Other publications by Jide Ogunlana include: Two Plays of Verbal Attack, Esin Amope (Yoruba) The Adventure of Three Wild Boys (published under a pseudonym, Wale Adewale), Primrose and the Kidnappers, Three Strange Stories for Children, Awesu in a Strange House, A Girl Called Corona Sofia and From Marriage to Prison (A Collection of Short Stories).
As an editor, he worked with Evans Brothers (Nig. Publishers) Ltd for some years before establishing his own publishing company where he now works as a writer, a rewriter and an editor. His work with the Evans Brothers as a Senior Editor exposed him to various works of great writers both locally and internationally. As an independent editor, he has edited outstanding works of many popular Nigerian writers such as the prose works of Dr Wale Okediran, the Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and a former Member of the House of Representatives, the biography of a former governor, the prose work of Diipo Fagunwa, the only surviving child of D.O. Fagunwa and the autobiography of Prof. Samuel Olusegun Ayodele, a renowned Nigerian professor of English.
The upcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue for reading creative works such as poetry, fiction, book sales and signing, contacts with other readers and book writers in all corners of the state of Oyo, the statement added.
Prospective writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to other writers and readers. Membership forms and certificate of membership will be available at no charge to first timers.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Nigerian Young Writers Society. It was founded in 2011 by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota to the growth and development of the Reading Culture in the State of Oyo.
The Ibadan Book Club consists of a group of people who meet, meet periodically to discuss the book they have read and exchange those books. Club members encourage each other and learn to read with a critical mind, articulating their opinions about a particular book with others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Some of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centennial Anthology: a collection of essays, articles, poems and works of art in honor of Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and Finally, Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of a Mind Always in Motion.

OSOGBO BOOK CLUB SET TO HOST LUKMAN ALAWODE AND AKOBI JOSHUA BAMIGBALE FOR APRIL READING IN OSUN STATE
Osogbo Book Club (IBC), a reading arm of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has set aside April 17, 2021 to host two Osogbo based writers, Lukman Alawode and Akobi Joshua Bamigbade, in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
A statement by Godwin Grace, the Coordinator of the club, said the event would take place at the Center for Global Writers Secretariat, Ona-babaona, Okebaalẹ, Tara Area Osogbo, Opposite Essence International School by 1PM prompt.
Luqman Alawode is the Director of Studies, Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship & Health, Osun state coordinator of SYNW, and a Fellow of World Institute for Peace. He is the founder of Humanity First Initiative and Initiator of War Against Fake News, a global anthology that was targeted at eradication of spread of fake news across the globe. He published his first magazine in 2020 which was tagged: Colours of Humanity, The Requisite to Redeem the Heritage of a Displaced World.
Luqman is a Poet, Short story writer, humanitarian and an anthologist. He is one of the over two hundred (200) global writers that co-authored a book titled Complexion Based Discrimination, a book that sought to eradicate discrimination against skin colour and ethnicity.
Akobi Joshua Bamigbade is a published author and book promoter. Akobi Joshua was born in the sixties in the city of Ile Ife. He attended about three different primary schools before settling down with one finally. This is a result of following his father who was a teacher during his transfers from one school to another. He attended the prestigious and only boys secondary school in Ile Ife, St John's Grammar school founded by a Catholic Reverend Father Clouthier. He furthered his education by studying English and History at College of Education in Ilesa from 1982 to I985. He attended both University of Ilorin for his degree in Language Arts and English Language, the former of which he abandoned after three years before settling for English Language.
He has worked as a teacher of English Language all through his career even when appointed as Principal until his retirement from government service in 2020 after the mandatory years in service.
As a teacher in the 80s, he founded a magazine then called the 'voice ' to encourage creative writing among his students then.
He is a man in love with literary activities and has been involved in different inter-school debates programmes and essay competitions.
He is happily married with children.
The forthcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue of book and poetry reading, Spoken words, book sales and signing, networking with fellow book readers and writers across the nooks and crannies of Osun State, the statement added.
Upcoming writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to fellow writers and readers. Membership forms and Certificate of Membership will be made available free of charge to the first timers.
Osogbo Book Club is an initiative of Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by the Society in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in Osun State. Osogbo Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.

OSOGBO BOOK CLUB SET TO HOST LUKMAN ALAWODE AND AKOBI JOSHUA BAMIGBALE FOR APRIL READING IN OSUN STATE
Osogbo Book Club (IBC), a reading arm of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has set aside April 17, 2021 to host two Osogbo based writers, Lukman Alawode and Akobi Joshua Bamigbade, in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State
A statement by Godwin Grace, the Coordinator of the club, said the event would take place at the Center for Global Writers Secretariat, Ona-babaona, Okebaalẹ, Tara Area Osogbo, Opposite Essence International School by 1PM prompt.
Luqman Alawode is the Director of Studies, Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship & Health, Osun state coordinator of SYNW, and a Fellow of World Institute for Peace. He is the founder of Humanity First Initiative and Initiator of War Against Fake News, a global anthology that was targeted at eradication of spread of fake news across the globe. He published his first magazine in 2020 which was tagged: Colours of Humanity, The Requisite to Redeem the Heritage of a Displaced World.
Luqman is a Poet, Short story writer, humanitarian and an anthologist. He is one of the over two hundred (200) global writers that co-authored a book titled Complexion Based Discrimination, a book that sought to eradicate discrimination against skin colour and ethnicity.
Akobi Joshua Bamigbade is a published author and book promoter. Akobi Joshua was born in the sixties in the city of Ile Ife. He attended about three different primary schools before settling down with one finally. This is a result of following his father who was a teacher during his transfers from one school to another. He attended the prestigious and only boys secondary school in Ile Ife, St John's Grammar school founded by a Catholic Reverend Father Clouthier. He furthered his education by studying English and History at College of Education in Ilesa from 1982 to I985. He attended both University of Ilorin for his degree in Language Arts and English Language, the former of which he abandoned after three years before settling for English Language.
He has worked as a teacher of English Language all through his career even when appointed as Principal until his retirement from government service in 2020 after the mandatory years in service.
As a teacher in the 80s, he founded a magazine then called the 'voice ' to encourage creative writing among his students then.
He is a man in love with literary activities and has been involved in different inter-school debates programmes and essay competitions.
He is happily married with children.
The forthcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue of book and poetry reading, Spoken words, book sales and signing, networking with fellow book readers and writers across the nooks and crannies of Osun State, the statement added.
Upcoming writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to fellow writers and readers. Membership forms and Certificate of Membership will be made available free of charge to the first timers.
Osogbo Book Club is an initiative of Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by the Society in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in Osun State. Osogbo Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.

OSOGBO BOOK CLUB PARTNERS WITH IHRAF BOOK CLUB, COMMENCES ADVOCACY IN READING IN OSUN STATE

In a bid to improve learning and reading culture in Osun State, the Osogbo Book Club (an initiative of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers) has partnered with IHRAF Book Club, book promotion platform of the International Human Rights Art Festival in USA to promote dwindling and moribund reading culture in Osun State.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Godwin Grace in Osogbo on Monday.

In 2014, 2016 and 2017, Osogbo Book Club in conjunction with the Osun State branch of the National Library of Nigeria under the headship of Mr. Bashir Akanni Salawu and Mrs Felicia Abosede Oyeleke held series of book reading programmes which were sponsored by the Board aimed at reviving and enhancing book reading culture in the state. The programmes also featured arts exhibitions and reading of creative books.
According to the release, “Nigeria has been rated by the World Culture Score Index as one of the countries in the world with the lowest reading culture, while available statistics from National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education shows that 38 per cent of Nigerians are non-literate as four in ten primary school children cannot read for comprehension. Regrettably, this adverse development is an ominous challenge the country seems not to be paying needed attention to.
There is generally a poor reading culture in the country. The rich literacy history the country is famous for is gradually been eroded. Once upon a time, the country paraded the best set of authors and publishers in Africa. Then, reading was an innate affection for both young and old. This reading inclination reflected so much on the quality of leadership and civil discipline that brought pride to Nigerians anywhere in the world.
In Osun State, reading culture has suffered from widespread poverty, ineptitude and a dearth of dedicated quiet reading spaces like libraries. The decline in the standard of education has seriously affected reading ability. And it becomes harder when you have to deal with the many distractions and challenges that come with being an adult and living in a state like Osun State. Perhaps, our socio-economic environment is not reading friendly. The daily struggle for economic survival provides little or no time for people to cultivate a good reading habit.
Equally, high cost of books, particularly imported ones, has contributed to low readership promotion in the country.
Every last Saturdays of every month, Osun state book lovers, voracious readers, writers, artists will now be converging to discuss old and latest books, read to an interesting audience, meet the guest writer and reader and also get their works published in the newsletter of the club.
Osogbo Book Club is an initiative of Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by the Society in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in Osun State. Osogbo Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.

ANA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN PICTURES
Camilus Chima Ukah – President (ANA Imo)
Farida Mohammed – Vice-President (ANA Niger)
Maik Ortserga (ANA Benue) General Secretary
Freeman Okosun – Asst. Secretary (ANA Oyo)
Stella Touremi – Treasurer (ANA Bayelsa)
Chimankpa Ogbueri – Financial Secretary (ANA Rivers)
Matthew Taiwo – Auditor (ANA Kaduna)
Wole Adedoyin – PRO South (ANA Osun)
Umar Kakamu Aliyu – PRO North (ANA Nasarawa)
Bentex Torlafia – Legal Adviser (ANA Nasarawa)
Charles Iornumbe- Ex Officio 1 (ANA Benue)
Odono Matthew – Ex Officio 2 (ANA Ebonyi)

TRAVELOGUE; A MEMORY OF JOHN MAGUFULI’S TANZANIA BY WALE OKEDIRAN

The road to Bagamoyo from Dar Es Salam is a well laid highway running through several towns and communities with such delectable names as Kawe, Mizimuni, White Sands, Kunduchi, SalaSala, and Bunju among others.

The evidence of a developing landscape was all around with new buildings, towns and access roads sprouting like newly planted corns on a farm. In the far distance, a hovering mist above the early morning sun gave a magical appearance to a handsome but winningly humble country. To protect the small towns from reckless drivers, the speed limit in the towns was 50km/hour.

In addition to the speed limits were warning signs in Ki-Swahili, the official language of Tanzania: as ‘Nenda Pole Pole’ (Go slowly). To effect the traffic regulations were the ubiquitous ‘Askaris’ (policemen) in their immaculate white uniforms at every strategic spot on the way.

As the SUV that conveyed me from Dar (the nickname for Dar Es Salaam) glided through the early morning traffic, the vegetation soon changed from the leafy foliage of the south to swampy fields and sparse vegetation of the north. Soon, the tightly packed buildings of the city centre gave way to suburban scattered buildings.

Before long, we were in Bagamoyo where I savoured encounters with the salty and warm Indian Ocean whose rhythmic and booming waves lulled me to sleep every night as well as delicious freshly caught Tilapia grilled over outdoor charcoal fire.

Actually, my most memorable stay in Tanzania was at the coastal town of Bagamoyo, a distance of about 65 kilometres north of Dar Es Salaam. A town of wonderful beaches, palms and ancient history, Bagamoyo is said to mean ‘’Here I lay down my heart’’ an expression about the despair of slaves brought from the hinterland as they reached the town and for the first time, saw the sea, which must have symbolised the end of all their hopes.

It is easy to fall in love with Bagamoyo with her famous ruins and white lovely beaches that ran along the wide blue waters of the wave tossed Indian ocean. At night, in the distant glow of the moon, I saw fishing boats scattered on the sea like black butterflies on an apple yard as fishermen went for their nightly duties. Once in a while the echoes of their voices and nocturnal activities came to me in my hotel room, not far from the beach.

Sometimes I stayed up far into the night just to watch the boats as they roamed about the fathomless sea without a care for the giant waves, heavy rains and occasional storms that were usually their lot. To see the fishing boats out in the sea with their sails bellowed by the wind under the full glow of the midnight moon, with the voices of the fishermen floating in the midsummer’s night was one of the most magical moments of my travelling experience.

Every morning in the light of day break, I would be at the beach to welcome the heavily laden boats. Their catch was always awesome; sardines, lobsters, kingfish, rock cod, red and blue snapper as well as prawns and squids. I soon made friends with the fishermen who allowed me to pose for photographs with their lovely looking fishes and sold me fresh Tilapia at give- away prices.

I had come to Tanzania, the Swahili land on the invitation of the organisers of the annual ‘Mwalimu Nyerere Intellectual Festival’ to deliver a paper on the conference theme; ‘’The Politician in the rise and fall of Africa’’. The three- day dialogue was expected to explore the quality and nature of politicians in Africa as well as the challenges this category of leaders are facing in the execution of their duties among other issues. The discourse was also expected to determine how the politician in Africa had contributed to the development or underdevelopment of African countries.

And so for three good days the conference was awash with erudite presentations from a diverse array of speakers made up of political scientists, human rights activists, gender experts, as well as former and serving Members of Parliaments.

Speaker after speaker paid glowing tributes to the first Tanzanian President and the father of the Tanzanian nation, Julius Nyerere to whom the conference was dedicated. Expectedly, the politician was at the receiving end most of the time with many paper presenters inundating the audience with gory and unsavoury political scenarios allegedly perpetuated by African politicians as if the people themselves are innocent bystanders.

It was indeed a difficult time to be referred to as a politician and one of my Tanzanian friends jokingly advised me not to introduce myself as a politician but as a writer and physician! Luckily, the audience seemed to agree with the focus of my presentation which was that politics is too important to be left alone in the hands of politicians, as such, the people have to be more responsive and responsible to politics and politicians.

A major highlight of the conference was Prof Patrick Lumumba’s highly entertaining and provocative paper; ‘’’A call for Hygiene in African Politics’’ The presentation by the well- known human rights Lawyer with its eloquence, drama and masterly erudition delivered to a packed audience consisting mostly of students almost brought down the roof.

Prof Lumumba who heaped praises on the current Tanzanian President John Magufuli whom he referred to as a ‘breath of fresh air’ for his anticorruption stand, predicted that Tanzania would in a few years’ time become one of the biggest economies in Africa if Magufuli was able to maintain his wonderful governance tempo. Lumumba like several speakers before him also reiterated the urgent need for Africans to de-ethnicise politics. As he put it ; ’the God I worship is a God of diversity’ .

Dar es Salaam with a population of 4.36 million is the commercial capital and largest city in Tanzania. It is situated in the east coast of the Indian Ocean.

The original name of the city, I was told was Mzizima (tremble due to cold) but the city was renamed by its early Arab settlers as Dar es Salaam, ‘The City of Peace’. Although with about the same land size with Nigeria (Population; 201 million) Tanzania with just a population of about 56.9 million people is considered to be a generally laid back country with friendly people and well organised transport, health and educational systems,
Tanzania also has a relatively new capital city, the central city of Dodoma, to which remaining parts of the government are expected to relocate by the year 2017.

Many Tanzanians were eagerly looking forward to the move to the new capital if anything else to reduce the very high rent in Dar es Salaam. ‘’ Dar is very expensive for ordinary Tanzanians due to a high presence of diplomats and expatriates who have driven up house rent to as much as $3,000 per flat in some sections of the city’’ one Tanzanian writer observed.

With an exchange rate of about 2,200 Tanzanian shillings to a dollar, the cost of house rent in local currency can best be imagined. However, other daily needs such as food and transport are not that exorbitant. For a 30- minute ride in the ‘Bajaj’ the Tanzanian tricycle, I paid about 500 shillings while a ride for the same period of time in a commercial bus ‘Dala Dala’ was considerably less.

The Tanzanian President, at the time of my visit; John Magufuli ‘The Bulldozer’ was known to be an anti- corruption czar.

On my second day in Tanzania, screaming newspaper headlines announced the results of some of his many anti- corruption interventions. Commenting on the suspension of the CEO of EWURA, the country’s power generating firm, the Dar Es Salaam based ‘The Citizen’ reported the suspension as a ‘Midnight Drama’.

In its own report of the massive plundering of the country’s mineral wealth as revealed by a Presidential investigating committee, The Tanzanian Guardian observed thus; ‘’Even The Devil Must Be Mocking Us’’.

As The Guardian put it; ‘’ The second presidential probe committee has revealed industrial-scale plunder of mineral wealth from Tanzania to the tune of over 100trn shillings in unpaid tax revenue over 20 years’’.

Coming after several cost savings measures including the May 2017 sacking of the country’s Minister for Mines, Sospeter Muhongo over allegations of improper declaration of mining exports, it was obvious that Magufuli meant business.

Expectedly, it was not all Tanzanians that were happy with the President’s style of government accusing Magufuli of human rights violations.

I later went on a tour of Dar Es Salaam, beginning with the National museum which was established in 1940. At the entrance to the museum was a cubicle containing an array of twisted and burnt steel material.

Above the cubicle was an inscription; IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED ON THE 7TH AUGUST 1998 BOMBING INCIDENT AT THE US EMBASSY IN DAR ES SALAAM.

My guide informed me that the twelve people who died during the bombing incident were all Tanzanians who were visiting the Embassy at the time. Other artefacts and historical pictures in the museum included evidence of the Majimaji war of 1905-1907, beds and gates from Kilwafrom 1760 as well as the photograph of Dr Richard Hiddorf who established Sisal cultivation in East Africa.

Also included was a very massive bed that was said to have belonged to a former Sheikh of Dar Es Salaam. The bed was so big that the Sheikh was said to have who needed the support of a slave to climb it.

There were also photographs depicting the killing of many Zimbabweans through hanging as the evidence to the resistance to the German rule of the 1700s , the war against Uganda between 1977 to 1979 as well as those about the country’s struggle for Independence in 1961/62. Also in the museum was the stuffed version of the lion that was presented to former President Julius Nyerere on his retirement from office in 1985.

From the museum, Idi, the Nigerian Embassy driver drove me to the very congested central part of Dar Es Salam via the city’s main artery, the shop lined Samora Avenue. All the shops were bursting with merchandise which varied from textile, shoes, bags and electronics.

Before long, we were in Kariakoo market with its heavy throng of shoppers preparing for the end of the Ramadan fasting.

The crowd was so thick that movement whether vehicular or human was almost impossible. And as Idi manoeuvred the big SUV through the crowd, he honked and swerved with the dexterity of a veteran driver that he is.

Once in a while, I had the sinking feeling that he was going to hit somebody but luckily, we completed our tour without any bad incident. Later in the evening, His Excellency Ambassador Salisu Umaru and his wonderful team from the Nigerian Embassy, hosted me to a dinner at a posh Chinese restaurant in the highbrow Oysterbay area of the city.

The following day I was at another dinner at the residence of the Vice Chancellor, University of Dar Es Salaam. As scholars, students, diplomats and other guests tucked into the barbecued chicken, potatoes, plantain and fish dinner amidst clinking of wine glasses, laughter, light hearted jokes and merriment rented the air to the background of melodious music under the June starry night.

As the DJ later changed the disc to a popular music by Nigeria’s iconic musician P Square, an electrifying mood suddenly enveloped the night as some of the students at the function immediately took to the dance floor.
Minutes later, lured by the insistence rumble of the percussions and sonorous voice, I soon found myself on the dance floor much to the students’ great delight.

Before long, music, arguably the highest form of art, broke all kinds of barriers as scholars and students, diplomats and politicians, youngsters and the elderly danced the night away. It was a befitting end to the three day ninth ‘Mwalimu Nyerere Intellectual Festival’ in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam.

The following day, I was back in Bagamoyo for a quick tour of the town especially the old part with its narrow streets, hotels and guest houses. I also visited the ruins of the first stone building said to have been built by the first prominent Arab settler in Bagamoyo, Abdallah Selemani Marhabi.

The building which was originally designed as his personal residence had changed hands in the past two centuries from the Arab to the Germans, then to the British and now in the hands of the Tanzanian government. From a slave camp, the building has been used as a prison, government official residence and as a police Post. Sadly, on the day of my visit, it was in ruins.

Also visited were the Arab Tea House, the District Hospital, ruins of the German Customs House, the new church as well as the cenotaph to commemorate the landing of the first Christian missionary to East Africa.

On my way back to my hotel, I branched at the local market where I made some purchases of the local fabric, Kanga and some souvenirs. At the fish market despite my difficulty in understanding Ki -Swahili, I was still able to bargain for two tilapia fishes for 15,000 shillings.

On my last day in Tanzania, I made my way to the beach in Bagamoyo. The morning was warm and clear, the sky blue, so also was the ocean.

Even at that early hour, the beach was already active with joggers, swimmers, lovers and singers and fishermen and traders. Sitting round an abandoned old boat, some fishermen were resting while others were repairing their fishing nets in preparation for another nocturnal trip.

Next to the foamy waves at the shore, a large trawler from Zanzibar was discharging its cargo of gallons of ‘Oki’ vegetable oil. All around me, the seductive sounds of Ki-Swahili floated in the air as labourers waist deep in the shallow water shouted and swam as they herded hundreds of the floating gallons to the beach.

A young man approached me; he wanted me to buy some paintings. I politely declined. Another came, a photographer. I posed with the fishermen and the labourers, my feet in the warm, salty Indian ocean smiling faintly, knowing fully well that my time was up.

In a stretch of the long white sand, a group of boys were playing soccer. Their ball strayed to where I was sitting listening to the ocean. I picked it, tossed it up and kicked it back with an old instep I learnt several years ago. The ball flew into the air in the direction of the boys.

It seemed to have flown in the direction of Addis Ababa, my next destination.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB CONGRATULATES DIIPO FAGUNWA ON HIS BIRTHDAY

Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has congratulated Diipo Fagunwa, the club’s guest writer/reader for the month of February and only heir to the throne of the Late D.O Fagunwa’s literary dynasty over his birthday celebration.

In a statement signed by the Club’s new Coordinator and Publicity Secretary, Ayobami Odunyemi and Emeka Emmanuel on Monday in Ibadan, said the Club joined Diipo Fagunwa’s family, friends and writers in celebrating the only surviving son of the Late D.O Fagunwa, whose father’s contributions to the Yoruba language and literature has brought about great development and transformation to the country’s literary industry.


According to the release, “On the occasion of your birthday, may all the joy you have spread around come back to you a hundredfold. We wish you and your family abundance, happiness, and good health. May you receive the greatest of joys and everlasting bliss. You are a gift yourself, and you deserve the best of everything. Happy birthday.

Ibadan Book Club (IBC) finally lauded Diipo Fagunwa for his efforts in promoting and sustaining the literary legacy of his late father, the Late Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa of blessed memory.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB APPOINTS NEW EXCO, ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has appointed a new executive committee led by Ayobami Odunyemi and Jude Asogwa following approval from the members of the Club. The changes are effective immediately. The task of the newly appointed EXCO is to guide IBC`s strategic direction as the club continues to grow in membership.
The new executive committee members are:
Ayobami Odunyemi, Coordinator
Jude Asogwa, Assistant Coordinator
Ndukwo Mary, Secretary
Emeka Emmanuel, Information Secretary
Gbadeyanka Kehinde, Social/Welfare Secretary
Lanrewaju Babajide, Education Secretary
Akinyemi Jelili, Finance Secretary
Ibadan Book Club continues to grow and seeks to diversify membership to enhance its vision and execute strategic alliances with like-minded organizations in book industry. Their appointments take effect as from 1st of April, 2021.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers. It was established by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota towards the growth and development of Reading Culture in Oyo State. Ibadan Book Club consists of group of people who get together, periodically meet to discuss the book they have read, and to exchange such books. The members of the club encourage each other, and learn to read with a critical awareness, articulating their opinions on a particular book with the others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Few of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centenary Anthology: A Collection of Essays, Articles, Poems and Artworks on Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and lastly Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of A Mind Always in Motion.

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY COMPETITION: IHRAF UNVEILS JUDGES
The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), organizer of the African Human Rights Essay Competition has announced the selection of two judges for the ongoing Essay writing competition aimed at addressing human rights issues and promoting human rights culture and ethics in Africa.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Coordinator of IHRAF in Africa, Wole Adedoyin disclosed that they have received outstanding entries from five different countries within Africa. The countries are: Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.
To evaluate and select outstanding entries for the top prizes in the competition, the organizer of the African Human Rights Essay Competition has unveiled two distinguished individuals with diverse experiences and expertise in Essay Writing.
The two selected judges are Izunna Okafor and Tom Block.
Izunna Okafor is an award-winning Nigerian Novelist, Poet, Journalist, Essayist, Editor, Translator, Publicist, Igbo Language Activist and an Administrator who hails from Ebenator in Nnewi South L.G.A of Anambra State Nigeria.
He is graduate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he studied Public Administration. He also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and best-selling author, Izunna has written globally applauded books. He is the author of: 'Ikem's Adventure' (his first book) published in Nigeria in 2012, during his secondary school; 'The Curse of A Widow' (his second book), published in 2013; 'The Faithful Children' (his third book), published in 2014, and received outstanding recognition in the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists 2015; 'Ajo Enyi,' his debut Igbo novel and fourth book, published in 2015.
With 'Ajo Enyi', he won the 2015/2016 Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year; the 2015 Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award/Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature; and also got shortlisted for the 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award.
His other books include "African Blood" (A Short Story), "Nzúzù M Egbuo M," (Igbo novel), "Educated Illiterate," and "Teach Me Grammar."
He has been published in many magazines, anthologies, journals, etc, both nationally and internationally; has thousands of articles/essays as well as poems and short stories published online to his credit.
A diglot writer, Izunna writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages and has published widely in both languages.
He has won and been nominated for many awards which include: The Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year 2015/2016; Pita Nwana Prize for Igbo Literature 2015; Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award Nigeria; Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria 2016; Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016); Award of Recognition from Students Union Government, Unizik (2017); Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016; N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012; SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016; Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016; Award of Academic Excellence from The National Association of Public Administration Students (2016); Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017; NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year 2017; Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017; Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016; Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017; Youth Writer of the Year 2016 NAPAS Essay Competition 2017; Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016; Young Author Award, 2018;Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018, among others; Campus Best Writer 2018/Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018; Best Secretary General of NAPAS (2018);Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019; National Light Staff of the Year 2019; Anambra Media Excellence Award/News Reporter of the Year 2019; Recognition Award, Anambra Through A Lens, 2020; He also has numerous Certificates of Merit, Award, Recognition, the most recent of which include:; Certificate of Recognition from the ImpactField Global Initiative (2018); Certificate of Award from the Applex Art and Creative Crew Africa (2018); Certificate of Completion for the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020; Certificate of Participation, Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020, among others.
At the age of 21, Izunna was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious African youths awards.
He has been published in many literary magazines, anthologies, websites, and newspapers, and many other platforms.
Aside being a creative writer, Izunna is also an Igbo Language Activist who has played and continued to play great roles in sustaining and promoting Igbo Language and culture. He preaches and takes the 'gospel' of Igbo language and the need for its sustenance to every nook and cranny, ranging from schools to churches, radio/television stations, and to other public places, being part if his own contribution and strategic measures to ensure that the Igbo Language does not go extinct as predicted by the UNESCO in 2012.
He has also been featured in many radio and television stations across the country on this mission.
In addition to these, Izunna is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with Anambra Newspaper and Printing Corporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa (which is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria) and Sportslight Xtra.
He also writes for Igbo Radio which is an online Igbo Language news hub with its headquarter in Canada, and also freelance for other media/publishing houses, both the online and print media.
Izunna is the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, which is a literary body that hosts Chinua Achebe Literary Festival, which is an annual literary event held in memory and honour of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, since 2016.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an international anthology annually published in honour of Achebe.
In April, 2020, Izunna was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement. He is the editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled 'Ripostes of Locked Down Voices', which is the first international anthology of poems and essays on COVID-19.
He is also an alumnus and 2020 Fellow of the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, being championed by the SprinNG Literary Movement.
He edits and publishes an annual Special Valentine Poetry Collection, which are all available online for free download. During his undergraduate days, he was part of the editorial team of the FAMASSA Magazine.
He is Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; the ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
An alumnus of Unizik, he is also a former Secretary General of the National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS), as well as the current National Secretary General of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers.
In 2019, Izunna met and discussed literature with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at a literary evening that climaxed the 2019 Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop, organized by the international literary figure, Adichie.
Tom Block is a playwright, author of five books and 20+ year visual artist. His plays have been developed and produced at such venues as the Ensemble Studio Theater, HERE, Dixon Place, Theater for the New City, IRT Theater, Theater at the 14th Street Y, Theater Row, A.R.T.-NY and many others. He was the founding producer of the International Human Rights Art Festival (2017), the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010) and a Research Fellow at DePaul University (2010). He has exhibited his artwork and spoken about his ideas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. www.tomblock.com
The longlist of 15 outstanding entries are expected to be announced on the 10th of April, 2021.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB SET TO HOST BUSAYO FAKUNLE AS GUEST READER/WRITER FOR HER MARCH BOOK READING
Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has set aside this coming Saturday, March 27, 2021 to host Busayo Fakunle as her Guest Writer/Speaker for the month of March.
A statement from Wole Adedoyin, the founder of the Club, said that the event will take place at the Press Council Hall, Beside Olori Hostel, North Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan by 12p.m.
Busayo Fakunle is a Phonics consultant, poet, publisher, seasoned English language tutor, an editor, author of children's literary texts and the CEO, Hope Alive Educational Consultancy. Some of his creative works have appeared in both national and international anthologies cum journals of high reputation.

Busayo Fakunle is the winner of The Poetry Court contest to celebrate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 81st birthday. He is currently the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Oyo state chapter.

Some of Fakunle’s publications include, Too Big To Be Beaten, Tomi’s Trials, The Blacksmith, Daddy’s Advice, The Faces of Life, I am a good child and My Storybook.
The upcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue for reading creative works such as poetry, fiction, book sales and signing, contacts with other readers and book writers in all corners of the state of Oyo, the statement added.
Prospective writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to other writers and readers. Membership forms and certificate of membership will be available at no charge to first timers.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Nigerian Young Writers Society. It was founded in 2011 by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota to the growth and development of the Reading Culture in the State of Oyo.
The Ibadan Book Club consists of a group of people who meet, meet periodically to discuss the book they have read and exchange those books. Club members encourage each other and learn to read with a critical mind, articulating their opinions about a particular book with others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Some of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centennial Anthology: a collection of essays, articles, poems and works of art in honor of Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and Finally, Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of a Mind Always in Motion.

MANY OF THE PROBLEMS TROUBLING OUR PEOPLE ARE PREVENTABLE AND CAN BE SOLVED VIA THE RIGHT EDUCATION - DESMOND KOFI AKWAAH

Desmond Kofi Akwaah is the founder and Executive Director of Eaglesworld Innovatives, a nongovernmental organization based in Ghana. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his activism, experience and efforts in promoting sexual and reproductive health education in Ghana.

WA: YOU ARE THE FOUNDER OF THE EAGLESWORLD INNOVATIVES, WHAT ACTUALLY LED TOTHE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INITIATIVES?
DESMOND: I grew up in a society where you find a lot of social problems confronting the people which most of them are as a result of ignorance. You find many girls drop out of school because of teenage pregnancy. Misconception about HIV and AIDS, and other social, environmental and health issues. With my passion to help solve these problems in my community, I attended workshops and seminars when I was at the university. When I completed university and after my national service, my passion in social entrepreneurship grew. I started developing innovative educational materials on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) to educate the people, especially, the youth. I realised this vision must be formalized thereby formally registering Eaglesworld Initiatives.

WA: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT OF THE EAGLES WORLD INNOVATIVES
DESMOND: It was a SRH education for forty (40) senior high school students in Ashanti region of Ghana. It was in partnership with DKT International Ghana. The project was dubbed, " No Yawa, We dey for you". (No Yawa means No Problem. We dey for you is the response). Twenty (20) of the schools had drama in addition to the verbal education and 20 had no drama.

WA: TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION
DESMOND: Actually I read Agriculture at the university but my quest to help solve these health problems in our society, I learnt a lot about HIV, SRH via seminars, workshops, training programs and reading wide on the subject.

WA: IN WHAT WAY IS YOUR ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION IN GHANA
DESMOND: Apart from the fact that my organization engaged in projects directed by Ghana AIDS Commission, we have been developing practical and innovative HIV, SRH educational materials that captures the attention of the youth thereby perfectly sensitising them on the subject.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU FACING IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK
DESMOND: The challenge has been seeking partnership with likeminded organizations and funding.

WA: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN EXPERT IN HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION
DESMOND: I know people have gained higher educational certificates in health courses related to HIV and SRH. But I also believe that anyone with the passion for it and ready to learn through books, workshops and seminars can also end up becoming expert in the subject.

WA: AS THE FOUNDER OF EAGLESWORLD INNOVATIVES, WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE?
DESMOND: My challenge as a founder has been not being able to convince organizations (funders) to support a project that I believe will have a positive impact on the lives of many disadvantaged people when executed.

WA: HOW AND IN WHICH AREAS DO YOU THINK EAGLES WORLD INNOVATIVES AND THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ART FESTIVAL CAN COLLABORATE
DESMOND: At Eaglesworld Innovatives, we are good at developing innovative educational materials to educate people on a subject, therefore, IHRAF being expects in Arts, we believe we can learn a lot from your outfit and also add value (professional) to the works we develop.

WA: WHAT ARE THE THEMATIC AREAS OF THE EAGLESWORLD INNOVATIVES
DESMOND: Now, Sustainable Development Goals- innovative ways by which the knowledge of the SDGs will get down to the grassroots so that no one will be left behind to advance the United Nations (UN) vision of " Decade of Action".

WA: WHATDRIVES YOU AS THE TEAM LEAD AND VISIONER OF EAGLES WORLD INNOVATIVES
DESMOND: The fact that many of the problems troubling our people are preventable and can be solved via the right education.

WA: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT SINCE THE INCEPTION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION
DESMOND: The SRH education for forty (40) senior high school students.

WA: WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO RAPE VICTIMS AND HIV/AIDS PATIENTS
DESMOND: My advice to a rape victim will be to admonish her to let the law deal with the matter if it is accessible, not to allow the pain of rape to destroy her life by being slave to it and do well to encourage other rape victims to live above the pain of rape.
WA: WHAT ARE THE KEY LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF YOUR INITIATIVE?
DESMOND: I have learnt that the things the enlightened ones see as simple are not that simple for the illiterate folks. Also, I have learnt that to be a good social entrepreneur and to be able to help solve some of these societal problems, you must continue to learn everything including the cultural behavior of the people you want to help, and avail yourself for new ideas that emerge on daily basis.

WA: WHATIN YOUR LIFE HAS BROUGHT OR GIVEN YOU THE GREATEST SATISFACTION OR FULFILLMENT?
DESMOND: Before I registered my organization, I realized the need for the youth to be educated on HIV and AIDS. Since I did not have any job to raise money to fund my passion, I would seek a job as a labourer in construction, raise funds, print some of the HIV educational materials to do the education. One of such passionate works happened at sports stadium when there was inter schools athletes’ competition. I will go to the stadium, distribute the educational materials and verbally educate them. I was always happy when I saw how they were eager to listen and learn. I felt satisfied doing this.

WA: LOOKING BACK, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY? WHATWOULD YOU DO AGAIN?
DESMOND: I would have searched for the right network of organizations that are also in line with our purpose. Seek for every capacity building that came my way. Now is about continuing to learn and to be creative and innovative as much as I can.

IHRAF MOTIVATED ME TO PUT MORE EFFORT INTO MY WRITING - GRACE SUGE

Grace Suge, a Kenyan writer currently based in Eldoret Town. She is the author of ‘Maasai in red’. In this chat with Wole Adedoyin, she shares details about her writing career and her latest book.

WA: PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF
SUGE: My name is Grace Suge, a Kenyan writer currently based in Eldoret Town.

WA: HOW AND WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT IHRAF AND IHRAF PUBLISHES?
SUGE: I had written several short story pieces and was exploring ways to get them out there. So I subscribed to submittable and that was where I got to know about IHRAF.

WA: WHAT IS THE TITLE OF YOUR WORK THAT GOT PUBLISHED ON IHRAF PUBLISHES?
SUGE: Two of my pieces have gone on to be published on IHRAF; i. Tessellated woman; ii. Laibon’s prophesy

WA: DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN IHRAF’S LAST YEAR END SARS COMPETITION
SUGE: No

WA: DOES WRITING ENERGIZE OR EXHAUST YOU?
SUGE: Writing energizes me and it is my greatest stress reliever.

WA: WHAT ARE COMMON TRAPS FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?
SUGE: Expecting that their works would get accepted for publication the few times they submit. In reality, one would get a lot more declines before their works would get a home. Also expecting considerable financial returns at the beginning of their careers which is not always the case.

WA: HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN READER’S BLOCK?
SUGE: Yes, especially when I was a full-time banker and a young mother. Getting myself to concentrate on reading a book proved futile.

WA: DID YOU EVER CONSIDER WRITING UNDER A PSEUDONYM?
SUGE: No. I express my individuality in my writing so I don’t find it necessary to hide my true identity.

WA: DO YOU TRY MORE TO BE ORIGINAL OR TO DELIVER TO READERS WHAT THEY WANT?
SUGE: I try to be original and artistic in my writing. I have learned that writing what comes from within me will always find an audience out there.

WA: DO YOU THINK SOMEONE COULD BE A WRITER IF THEY DON’T FEEL EMOTIONS STRONGLY?
SUGE: No. We harness our emotions to come out with a great piece of writing. In other words, we have to relate with what we write for it to appear realistic, for us to create relatable characters and the readers will ultimately get to relate with the characters as well.
WA: WHAT OTHER AUTHORS ARE YOU FRIENDS WITH, AND HOW DO THEY HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER?
SUGE: I am a fairly new author and I haven’t made that many physical friends in the industry. But I am literary friends with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi Wa Thiongo, and many African writers whose books I have gotten to read and enjoy. As I said earlier, a piece of work always captures the writer’s individuality. You can most certainly get to interact with a writer through her/his works and ultimately get better in yours. Currently, I am best friends with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. We are nearly of the same age and we tackle nearly the same themes in our writing. She preceded me in the industry and my having read her books partly motivated me to write my first novel ‘Maasai in red’ which I have published on kindle. More is to come.

WA: WHAT WAS AN EARLY EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU LEARNED THAT LANGUAGE HAD POWER?
SUGE: When I was in primary school, aged 10-12 years, my insha (Swahili word for composition) writings were always the best in my class and they would be read out in front of the pupils as a sample of what they ought to have written. I mastered my Kamusi (Dictionary) and from it mined some peculiar literary words which I would creatively use to come up with unique Insha pieces. My teachers nicknamed me ‘mhenga wa Kiswahili’ which means ‘a sage or ancestor’ of the Kiswahili language. In other words even my teachers believed I was trusted to give sound advice even though I was just but a child. I became one to fear.

WA: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT MAGAZINES FOR WRITERS TO SUBSCRIBE TO?
SUGE: The New Yorker, Granta.

WA: HOW MANY UNPUBLISHED AND HALF-FINISHED BOOKS DO YOU HAVE?
SUGE: One

WA: WHAT DOES LITERARY SUCCESS LOOK LIKE TO YOU?
SUGE: As a fiction writer, I concoct stories that capture what is in my heart, what comes to my mind, what I read, and what I experience in my interactions with others. When these stories radiate with someone else out there, I count myself successful.

WA: WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MARKET YOUR BOOKS?
SUGE: Online and through organizations like IHRAF

WA: WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH DO YOU DO, AND HOW LONG DO YOU SPEND RESEARCHING BEFORE BEGINNING A BOOK?
SUGE: I do extensive research on a subject before I put pen on paper. Before I wrote my first novel ‘Maasai in red’, it had taken me six months to research and read numerous books about the Maasai people, about the advent of colonialists and the Christian missionaries in Kenya before I gained enough confidence to write. It also helped that I lived for some time with the Maasai in Narok town.
WA: DO YOU VIEW WRITING AS A KIND OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE?
SUGE: Yes. When I am stressed and depressed, I write to enable me to heal.

WA: FINAL ADVICE FOR IHRAF PUBLISHES
SUGE: Mine is only to thank IHRAF for promoting new writers like me. ‘Tessellated woman’ was my first piece of writing after a long while and getting it published the first time I submitted it to IHRAF motivated me to put more effort into my writing. Now I have a book, one year on.

I WILL ORDINARILY NOT ADVICE ANYONE TO TAKE UP WINNING OF LITERARY PRIZES AS A GOAL OR AN OBJECTIVE TO PURSUE - TERSEER SAM BAKI

Terseer Sam Baki is a great lover of the Arts, a passionate poet, editor and all round writer. He is the author of the celebrated poetry collection, 'Euphoria of Sophistry' (2nd Runner up, ANA Poetry Prize 2015). He was one of the judges of the EndSARS National Poetry Competition, 2020 and a coeditor of the EndSARS Poetry Anthology. He has published in several other literary anthologies. Terseer Sam Baki is the immediate past General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Benue State chapter. He holds a bachelor's degree in English Education and is presently researching for a master's degree in Language Education, all at the Benue State University, Makurdi. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his writing and experience as one of the EndSARS National Poetry Competition Judges.
WA: FROM YOUR ENDSARS EXPERIENCE, WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A JUDGE?

TERSEER: Being a judge for a literary contest in the caliber of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, SYNW, and the International Human Rights Art Festival, IHRAF's ENDSARS National Poetry Competition had been many things to me. It had been one of the most fascinating and exhilarating experiences I've had in recent times. Being a judge of that prestigious competition of such magnitude was to me an irresistible opportunity to feel the creative pulse of the Nigerian youths in their expression of literary and creative energies. Having watched the youths come out in their numbers, defiling ethnic, religious and political differences to speak out in one strong and unequivocal voice against police brutality, assault and battery, I was sure to find a rich and solid collection of literary pieces among those entries. Nigerian youths were clearly passionate, well coordinated and articulate about their resistance to the human rights abuses perpetuated by men of the Nigeria Police, and we all know that poetry thrives better on such powerful emotional issues. Their determination to ensure that their voices were heard loud and clear was unmistakable. It was therefore, a rare privilege and honour to be one of the first readers of that epoch making collection of poetry. Most importantly, reading those power laden entries with the intention of picking out the best among them entailed that one had to do an intensive reading of those entries, paying close attention to every printed word, expression and so forth. Finally, I wish to add that as a serving security officer, reading those entries provided a firsthand opportunity to get direct feedback and an assessment of how the security and law enforcement agencies are generally perceived by the average Nigerian tax payers whom all security agencies are meant to serve. At the end of the day, a fraction of the entries was published. Not everyone had the opportunity to see all the poems that were received, but I was privileged and honoured to see and read everything sent to the organisers of the competition. That alone is not something to take for granted.

WA: EVERY YEAR THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE LITERARY PRIZES APPEARING: WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS? DO WE NEED SO MANY?

TERSEER: In my opinion, the proliferation of literary prizes in Nigeria in itself should be a good development. The population of Nigeria has grown significantly from less than fifty million people to more than two hundred million people from post independent Nigeria to the present day Nigeria. Secondly, the level of awareness and education has also grown tremendously. Therefore, one should naturally expect an increase in the number of things like this. If the objective and the standards set by organisers of such literary prizes are for quality and the advancement of literature reading and writing, I have no problems with that. But if the intention is for the manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable upcoming writers and literary enthusiasts, then I have a problem with that. Literature is a veritable tool for liberation of a people, firstly, from ignorance and secondly, from oppressive and suppressive tendencies. Therefore, the closer that the literary art is brought to the people, the better for us all.

WA: AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A JUDGE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE SUBMITTING A POEM TO A PRESTIGIOUS POETRY AWARD? ANY FAUX-PAS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

TERSEER: My advice to anyone submitting poems or any other literary work for a contest that would lead to the award of a prize, is first of all to understand what literature or creative writing is all about. Again, one must first of all aspire and strive to be a creative writer. One must read widely as well as study all relevant concepts, theories, conventions and principles surrounding each genre of literature. In addition, every organiser of literary contest have their entry or submission guidelines clearly spelt out in their advertorial or call for entries. And so, the beginning of the journey into success or failure sometimes starts from adhering or neglecting those entry requirements as publicised by organisers of each competition. Having said all of this, I wish to add that venturing into creative writing with the sole aim of winning literary prizes and awards is perhaps one of the biggest mistakes anyone could ever make. I advice people who wish to take up creative writing, especially the younger ones, to do so because they have great love and passion for the art of writing. Write because you have the flair for writing. Don't write because of the financial benefits that come with wining writing contests and selling your publications. That's not to say that making money from one's art is totally wrong. Wining competitions and making money should be the last things to think of after every other important thing I've earlier mentioned here is in place. So, read, read and read have a good grasp of the art and craft of writing before embarking on putting pen to paper.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE END SARS OUTSTANDING POEMS?

TERSEER: Hmm, they're many. It's a difficult choice to make, honestly. It's like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. The level of creative dexterity demonstrated by Nigerians and of course, non-Nigerians who sent in over a hundred entries for the EndSARS Poetry Competition in 2020 was simply amazing. There is Chukwu Sunday Abel's "Split Green Flag", Nwokeabia Ifeanyi John's "How our Lights were Put Off", Godstime Nwaeze's "Bermuda Triangle" and a whole lot of others. As a matter of fact, all ten shortlisted entries and many others not on the shortlist actually won my heart and can favourably be tagged my favorite EndSARS outstanding poems because anyone of them at that level could have emerged the overall winner.

WA: WHICH POETRY COLLECTIONS ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

TERSEER: There are tons of poetry collections currently on my shelf, waiting for me to devour, and I'm very eager to. I'm presently and regrettably not reading any literary pieces now, not because I don't like to. This is because of my academic work. At the moment, I'm deeply engrossed in putting together my dissertation as one of the conditions I need to fulfill to the Benue State University's department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, for the award of a Masters degree in Language Education. Amongst those collections I've mentioned are people’s unpublished manuscripts I'm meant to edit for publication and so forth.


WA: IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT A POEM THAT WOULD MAKE YOU INSTINCTIVELY SWITCH OFF FROM READING IT?

TERSEER: Yes. If the first few lines of anything worth calling a poem fail to grab my interest poetically, I lose interest in it. The truth is that any piece that fails to deploy language appropriately isn't worth the name of a poem. Poetry is not prose, and so, poetry must be rich in devices like metaphor, figures of sound such as rhymes, rich diction, and originality of ideas and so forth. In all of these, any piece of poetry must be sensible, linguistically fresh and enticing and must have a message for its readers.

WA: WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES YOUR HEART SOAR A LITTLE WHEN YOU READ A NEW POEM?

TERSEER: If and when a poem appeals to any of my senses and/or emotions. You see, a good poem must make the reader feel something them through the poem's effective deployment of words and language. Instead of getting me irritated by its lack of depth, penmanship and lack of good craftsmanship, anything worth calling a poem at all should either create some mental pictures in me or evoke some emotional stir in me. The presence of any one of these is okay, but the absence of all of these is certainly unacceptable by me and I believe this applies to all true poetry enthusiasts and artists.

WA: WHILE JUDGING ENDSARS POETRY COMPETITION WAS THERE A TIME YOU DIDN’T READ BEYOND THE FIRST LINE OF AN ENTRY AND DISMISS IT IMMEDIATELY?

TERSEER: That terrible urge to dismiss some entries just after I started reading the first few lines was certainly there. But people are gifted differently, and so, in order to ensure fairness and justice, I made sure I read everything to the end, no matter the nightmare in it. I do this with the hope that perhaps, some contestants would prefer to save their best for the last. That's why the job of a judge of a literary contest is such a difficult one. The judge passes through psychological torture sometimes in attempt to read some poorly written entries to the last lines.

WA: WHICH PRIZES HAVE YOU SEEN EMERGING RECENTLY THAT YOU THINK WILL HAVE A BIGGER PROMINENCE IN NIGERIAN LITERARY SCENE?

TERSEER: The thing with literary bodies and literary contests and prizes is not really in the level of media gimmicks adopted by their organisers. It's not about the level of what I refer to as 'whitewash' arrangements. The staying power lies on the soundness of the foundation upon which such literary prizes stand. We have seen many platforms offering one from of literary prize or the other fizzle and peter out every now and then. But like the saying goes, by their fruits, we shall know them. In Nigeria, some individuals, obscurity, rode to some level of prominence on the benevolent wings of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. For some selfish and unclear reasons, some would hurriedly dump the Association to set up some mushroom literary bodies touting one literary prize or the other. These are the sort of mushroom literary bodies you see on and off every now and then like the phenomenal Nigerian NEPA. But that is not to say that there are no promising literary prizes with genuine intentions and high prospects of bigger prominence in the Nigerian literary scene. A few of them actually come to mind, such as the recent collaborative efforts between the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, SYNW and the International Human Rights Art Festival, IHRAF who successfully organised the 2020 EndSARS National Poetry Competition.

WA: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THOSE ENTERING COMPETITIONS ARE INFLUENCED TOO MUCH BY THEIR IDEAS OF THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE JUDGES AND WRITE TO THE DETRIMENT OF THEIR POETRY?

TERSEER: True, that possibility cannot be ruled out completely. In a desperate attempt to seek to impress judges, contestants are sometimes misled into overstretching themselves artistically. You see, art is meant to be a free expression of one's creative and imaginative ideas and impression about any given subject matter. One is supposed to be as real to oneself as possible. Seeking to impress unduly leads to disastrous consequences. There's tendency to put oneself under an undue pressure thereby putting one's natural poetic flow in serious jeopardy. It is always better to write at the dictates of one's heart than in an attempt to please a judge.

WA: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU AS A JUDGE TO FIND A NEW VOICE?

TERSEER: Besides being a judge of a literary contest, I've been actively involved in managing a literary organization, the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, through which literary awareness, reading and writing campaigns have vigorously been pursued. These campaigns are generally aimed at among other things, the discovery of new talents in creative writing. As a judge I found myself doing same thing in a different manner. You see, the harvest is much, but the labourers are few. There is still so much to write about. So many gaps to fill in the literary space and few writers are available to carry this out. Again, there are many more budding talents to be uncovered and brought to limelight. The Nigerian literary scene still yearns for new voices to take over from the established giants of the older generation of writers. So, as a literary enthusiast, I'm elated whenever I come across a promising young writer with the potential to redecorate Africa or Nigeria on the world map of literature.

WA: DO YOU IMAGINE THAT READING LOTS OF POETRY FOR A COMPETITION LIKE THIS WILL HELP WITH TEACHING POETRY?

TERSEER: Reading lots of poetry as a judge of a poetry contest actually provides the opportunity to directly assess how well the contestants understand what poetry entails. Instead of requiring them to answer questions on aspects of good poetry, they turn in pieces of poetry for a direct assessment. This form of assessment is very useful in the teaching and learning of poetry. It serves both as an assessment of learning and an assessment for learning. It provides a good opportunity to know areas of strengths and those of weaknesses of the learners (contestants) which puts the teacher (judge) in a better position to know what next line of action to adopt.

WA: ANY ADVICE FOR POETS HOPING TO WIN FUTURE PRIZE?

TERSEER: I would ordinarily not advice anyone to take up winning of literary prizes as a goal or an objective to pursue. I would rather strongly advice aspiring writers to take time to hone their creative skills by being voracious readers of good texts. It is only through serious reading of literary texts that one gets to understand the basics of what good writings are. Aspiring writers also need literary appreciation skills to understand some of the literary concepts, conventions, theories and principles of literature and creative writing. When one has gotten a good grasp of these, only then can one think of indulging in creative writing. If one decides to enter for a writing competition, one should do so to seek for validation or assessment of one's writing. In summary, setting out to write to win prizes is what I seriously discourage writers from indulging in.

WA: TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND

TERSEER: Well, I hail from Ikurav-Tiev 1 in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. I grew up partly in urban areas and partly in rural areas. My primary education wasn't stable as I attended about five primary schools at different points in time across three states of Nigeria, namely, Benue, Imo and Ondo. My love for the literary Arts started as far back as when I was in primary five. Before I finished my primary education, I had already developed a strong love for reading stories. At that time, I didn't even know there's something called literature whose preoccupation was nothing other than stories. I got to secondary school and was excited to find out that there's a subject that dwells squarely on stories, and since then, my love of stories has never dwindled. At a point in time, I would stay indoors and read all day and night till all of me hurt. I'm presently in my mid forties. There wasn't much of the television for me to spend time watching while growing up and so, most children at that time got their entertainment through hardcopies of books. That helped a great and I guess that's what has shaped the most part of my life. I get confused whenever people say literature is difficult. I don't see the difficulty in reading and enjoying stories around the world. Fast forward, I'm professionally trained to teach language and literature. I'm the award winning author of "Euphoria of Sophistry", a poetry collection approved by the Benue State ministry of education for use in senior secondary schools. I write, I edit and counsel people on the art and science of reading and writing. I'm a senior public servant with the federal ministry of interior who is happily married with five beautiful children.

WA: ANY TYPICAL/COMMON MISTAKES THAT NEW WRITERS TEND TO MAKE?

TERSEER: I think the commonest mistake that new and emerging writers make is to set their minds on winning prizes. The second is being in a haste to publish. The third is trying to copy others' style of writing. Of all these common mistakes, I think rushing to publish is the worst of them all and should be avoided if one intends to come out of press in the grandest of styles.

WA: WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT A PIECE OF WRITING AND WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SINK?

TERSEER: I'm usually spell bound by any piece of writing if the style of the writer is so captivating and I am also able to relate to the events of the story and there is so much suspense such that I find it difficult to eat until I've finished reading the very last page. My heart sinks when characters that I admire or have pity for in stories are made to suffer untold hardship from beginning of stories to their end without any form of compensation. A good example is Abu Bakir in Cyprian Ekwensi's "An African Night Entertainment."

WA: WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS AND WHY?

TERSEER: I have read so much such that it's hard to say exactly who my favorite writers are. I love Suemo Chia, Isidore Okpewho, I love Ayi Kwei Armah, Chuma Nwokolo, Peter Abrahams and Wilbur Smith to mention just a few. All these writers have left indelible marks on me and they all have unique styles that are just peculiar to them.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

TERSEER: I'm a public servant at the moment and so there are a lot of things I wish I could do but I just can't do now. I hope to retire into full time literary engagements. I hope, wish and pray that I have time to complete many of the manuscripts, mine and those of others that I had started work on but I’ve been compelled to abandon for years, I hope to start a literary agency and publishing outfit. I hope to be able to assist people live their dreams of writing and publishing with less hassles.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT?

TERSEER: Read widely, know the basics of the art, join literary groups, don't ever be caught without a pen and a writing pad, keep a diary and make entries in it daily, be true to yourself, believe in yourself, tell yourself that you are the best and believe that to be true, write from your heart and don't be in a mad rush to publish.

WA: HOW SHOULD OUR MEMBERS APPROACH YOU IF THEY WANT TO?

TERSEER: I blog and I'm very active on social media, especially on Facebook. I blog at https://terseersambaki. my email is terseersam@gmail.com. You can tweet at me on @baki_ter and on Facebook, I'm Terseer Sam Baki. I also run the Facebook page "Pen & Pad Africa." Anyone can reach out to me through these platforms.

GIBRAN WAS NOT ONLY A TALENTED WRITER BUT HE WAS ALSO A WORD STYLIST – PEN LEBANON PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY

The PEN Lebanon, a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organisation was founded by several Lebanese writers. Since inception, it has never fallen short of its mandates which is promoting literatures of Lebanese and also defending of the freedom of expression and thought as specified in Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

However, in this dual Chat with Wole Adedoyin of the Kalil Gibran Society of Nigeria, Iman Humaydan, a University Professor and President of PEN Lebanon shares a heart rendering conversation about PEN Lebanon, Khalil Gibran and which was graciously translated by Marie Tawk who also is a writer and translator. Incidentally, Marie hails from the home village of Gibran and she is one of his avid readers as well. She is also Secretary, PEN Lebanon. This interview is run concurrently as Marie Tawk provides us the English narration from Professor Iman Humaydan.


WA: PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELVES
IH: I am Iman Humaydan. A Lebanese Writer, Researcher, University Professor, and President of Pen Lebanon. I am also a Board Member of Pen International.
MT: Marie Tawk: I am a Writer and Prominent Translator from French into Arabic.


WA: TELL US ALL ABOUT PEN LEBANON
IH: Pen Lebanon was founded in 2012. It is an affiliated center to Pen International. Its main aim is to promote literature and defend the freedom of speech. Its main activity is to promote literature on different platforms and in Secondary Schools, Cultural Clubs, through organized readings of literary texts and fruitful discussions.


WA: HOW IS PEN LEBANON PROMOTING THE WORKS OF LEBANESE WRITERS?
MT: Through our reading programs, Lebanese writers visit schools invited by Pen Lebanon. They read their texts in front of the students. These visits help writers to be known by the young generation and at the same time, help students to get to know the writers and to be encouraged in writing their own texts and express themselves freely through discussions and writings. At present, we are translating poems of very young Lebanese poets that have never been translated before. This is part of a plan to promote them and make their creative writings popular. We are organizing a zoom poetry event to take place and introduce these poets to the public.


WA: WHAT MAJOR SUCCESSES HAVE YOU HAD SINCE BECOMING THE PRESIDENT OF PEN LEBANON?
IH: The literary visits that we, all members of the Pen Lebanon have been organizing to remote schools in Lebanon, as well as the continuous support to young writers. Now, because of the crisis in Lebanon and because of Covid 19, the schools have been shut down for a while now. We are planning to organize poetry events online.



WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE KHALIL GIBRAN TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT READ ANY OF HIS WORKS?
IH: Gibran is local and international. His work can be described as influenced by his local atmosphere, ie.Bsharri, as well as by the international atmosphere that affected him as a writer and artist.
The Prophet, as a book is embedded in Philosophical atmosphere, has gone beyond geographical and historical frontiers. Its human value talks to all times and all places. Nevertheless, this ‘Internationalism’, if we can say, could not make us forget the hidden effects and traces of the first place of Gibran. There, where he listened for the first time to the singing of Birds, the sounds of Animals, the howl of the wind, the roar of the storm, the running water in little streams, the whisper of the air, and the pattering of the rain on the house roofs of Bsharri. We cannot see the Northern part of Lebanon but in the eyes of Gibran. He has this complexity and richness of dimensions. Gibran is very Lebanese, but at the same time he is international. The Lebanese writer Mikhail Naimi, who knew Gibran very well, wrote ‘‘we cannot see the writings of Gibran but embedded is a Lebanese character. In his sentences we see the Snow, the Water sources, the Valleys, the light that penetrates the Valleys, the Fog of early mornings etc….’’.
We, as readers of Gibran, agree with Naimi, as we cannot see the Mountainous North of Lebanon but in the eyes of Gibran. Mikhail Naimi also said ‘‘if you want to feel and smell your land, and know your country, you must read Gibran’’. From this narrow local place (Bsharri), Gibran went very far to the international scene. In this sense Gibran is a talented multi-dimensional writer. Gibran was not only a talented writer but he was also a word stylist.

MT: On the other hand, he is an international citizen. In his writings he called for the internationalization of religion and values. He was able to be local and international at the same time. Reading ‘The Prophet’, one can feel the human values, as this book goes beyond time. You can read it at any time and it stays contemporary at any time. Gibran was able to be the son of Mar Sarkis (an area in his village), and the son of no one. He wrote once: ‘The whole earth is my homeland and the world is my family’. He is the international citizen, the restless who is searching in vain for a shelter that makes him feel satisfied. He is the stranger, the philosopher in a continuous search for beauty and human reality, who is never satisfied with what he finds. Gibran is the ‘outsider’ in the sense of Albert Camus word and book title ‘l’etranger’.


WA: IF READERS WOULD LIKE TO READ KHALIL GIBRAN’S BOOKS, WHAT BOOKS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
IH: The Broken Wings, and, Sand and Foam.


WA: GIVE US THREE "GOOD TO KNOW" FACTS ABOUT PEN LEBANON
MT: It includes multi linguistic writers. The majority of its active members are women writers. It never accepts financial support from Lebanese political authorities!

WA: WHAT MAKES YOU EFFECTIVE AS THE PRESIDENT OF PEN LEBANON?
IH: This should be left to other Pen members to answer. If I have to say something, it is that I try to be effective.


WA: WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? ARE THERE ANY AUTHORS (LIVING OR DEAD) THAT YOU WOULD NAME AS INFLUENCES APART FROM KHALIL GIBRAN?
IH: I am currently reading The Books in my Life, by Henri Miller, and I am also reading the Boxes of Desire (Arabic novel written by Abbass Beydoun, a member in Pen Lebanon). There are many writers (dead and alive) whom we read and whose work is important. For example, to mention few Lebanese here: MIkhail Naimi, Maroun Abboud who reminds us of Gibran’s atmosphere too. And other international writers as for example, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Paul Auster, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.


WA: WHICH OF KHALIL GIBRAN’S BOOK INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE — AND WHY?
MT: His early writings. They are full of passion, of social criticism, of freedom of spirit, and of images that make you feel you are living the story and its place. Mainly The Madman, and Sand and Foam. We read them in the age of adolescence and they were important to us because they introduced revolutionary ideas. These books helped us to understand the negative social effects on the free souls and to believe that humans were born free. Undoubtedly, The prophet affected us too, as well as The Broken Wings.
In the Broken Wings, Gibran criticized the Lebanese society. In The Prophet, he introduces an international body of values that can be adopted in any place in the world. In all of his books, he internationalized the human values and founded the culture of peace and of openness. He is a revolutionary spirit searching for more than one reality. He was free, really free.



WA: WHICH CHAPTER OF THE PROPHET WAS THE MOST PERSONALLY INTERESTING TO YOU? WERE THERE ANY FACTS OR THEMES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO INCLUDE, BUT KHALIL GIBRAN DIDN'T MAKE INTO THE BOOK?
IH: The Chapter on Love. Gibran topics went into philosophical directions. He covered many subjects and themes. However, he did not tackle the topic of sex, gender and gender relations; neither he went profoundly into the concrete practical meanings of social justice. And lastly, he did not talk about aging. But a good writer never writes about everything.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR THREE FAVORITE BOOKS BY KHALIL GIBRAN —AND WHY?

MT: We already mentioned above 3 titles of books beside the Prophet. Here add, also the book ‘The Storms’. I suggest them because of their human values, and because they carry very important messages on the innate freedom of human beings. They are the religious and social authorities that make human beings prisoners of the traditional frustrating norms and habits.


WA: WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT YOUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT PEN LEBANON AND YOUR FUTURE PROJECT ON KHALIL GIBRAN?
IH: It is important to found Pen centers all over the world. We founded Pen Lebanon because we want to have our voices heard and our works read. Pen Centers in the world enhance cultural and literary exchange and this is a very good initiative that writers all over the world need. What a pleasure now to find ourselves writing about Gibran and about our center to Gibran Society in Nigeria. This is what Pen centers do: Openness towards the other, a value that Gibran himself believed in. We hope to continue promoting literature and freedom of writing and expression. Actually, Gibran’s work is a part of the yearly education program for schools.


WA: WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO KHALIL GIBRAN READERS AND LOVERS?
MT: The world is in a health crisis; Lebanon is not only in health crisis but also taken hostage by vicious military powers who do not believe in peace nor in an independent Lebanon. We need Gibran today more than ever, as his writings be a light to our dark times. He was among the first who wrote on peace in its spiritual and philosophical dimensions. We call every person who works for peace to read him again and to read him always. Khalil Gibran writings can be a constitution for human values.