₦airaland Forum

ABOUT SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS (SYNW)

Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), an umbrella body of Young Nigerian Writers in Nigeria founded to promote creative writing and literary arts in Nigeria among writers between the ages of 10 and 40. It was founded in the year 2010 at the former house of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka at the University of Ibadan. It was formerly known as World of Poets and Literary Society.
Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) provides an avenue where Young Writers between can meet to brainstorm, enhance and hone their writing skills. Though there are numerous literary organizations in Nigeria but our literary activities and past literary records differentiate us from them. It is also part of our mission to publish, promote and market works of our members.
In a bid to make Nigeria a reading country, we initiated different literary and reading projects like Read Across Nigeria (RAN), National Book Awareness Week (NABAWK) and 2000 E-Books per School Project. We also established Paperless Book Club in various public and private secondary schools across the country. We have also honed and trained over 1000 young writers in different literary genres and published several via our electronic publishing platform.


AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS

1. To communicate with other writers and publishers
2. To market young writers and their works
3. To organize writers workshops and conferences
4. To organize lectures and symposia
5. To provide access to reference and research sources
6. To provide a forum for all young writers of Nigeria and those of Nigerian origin
7. To seek and vigorously defend freedom of expression for all Africans and the material and spiritual interests of Nigerian Writers and the association
8. To encourage the inclusion of Nigerian literary works in the curriculum of educational institutions
9. To promote Nigerian languages and the translation of Nigerian Literature into Nigerian languages
10. To promote peace and understanding in Nigerian and Africa through literature
11. To establish Young Nigerian Writers Journal
12. To ensure the protection of the works of Nigerian writers through the appropriate laws and agencies
13. To institute Young Nigerian Writers Literary Awards
14. To organize programmes to promote Nigerian Literary excellence.


12 POINTS AGENDA OF SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS

• Young Nigerian Writers Hall of Fame
• Young Nigerian Writers Merit Award
• Young Nigerian Writers Journal
• Chinua Achebe Poetry Library
• Creative Writing Correspondence Course by Postal and E-mail
• Wole Soyinka Literary Museum
• D.O. Fagunwa Yoruba Literature Library
• Pita Nwana Igbo Literature Library
• Abubakar Imam Hausa Literature Library
• Computerized Database of World Famous Authors
• Poster Exhibition of World Famous Authors
• Multimedia Pix of World Famous Authors

SOME OF OUR ANNUAL PROGRAMMES

• National Week of Remembrance for Departed Writers (NAWRED)
• National Book Awareness Week (NABAWK)
• Read Across Nigeria (RAN)
• Fagunwa Day
• Quarterly Creative Writing Workshop
• Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival
• 2000 E-Books per School Project

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has drummed up support for Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, a candidate who is also in the race for the office of the 13th Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan as the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, who is the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the institution, is expected to complete his five-year tenure on December 1st, 2020.
In a press statement issued and signed by the National President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin in Ibadan the capital of Oyo State.
It would be recalled that Prof. Raji-Oyelade was inducted as a fellow of ANA at the 38th International Annual Convention of the Association which was held in Enugu from October 31 to November 2, 2019). The immediate past National President of ANA, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, while conferring the fellowship, said that the nomination of Raji-Oyelade for the special and lifetime award was in recognition of his literary and scholarly excellence and his devoted service to the progress of the Association over the decades. The ANA fellow designation reflects achievement at the highest level of writing practice and excellence. This is in recognition of the sterling performance of Prof. Remi Raji as a two-term president of ANA.
According to the Statement, “Professor Remi Raji-Oyelade recorded huge success and achievements while serving as the National President of ANA. Few of his achievements are: Nigerian Writers Series (NWS), National Teen Authorship Scheme (NTAS), Enhancement of ANA Prizes, Won the Litigations on ANA Land which is now known as Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Raji-Oyelade designed ANA her current multimedia website, organized the first international creative writing workshop for Student authors in over 20 Nigerian Universities to mention but few. It is our believe that a UI Vice Chancellor requires a lot of experience, competence and other virtues for successful management. This is why the Council of the University of Ibadan by tradition, focuses more attention on academic prowess and high moral standing, managerial and administrative experience within and outside the university, amiability, sociability and good human relations as well as acceptability to the community. Prof. Remi Raji Oyelade has all these qualities.
SYNW finally calls on eminent personalities in academia, federal government and the governing council of the University of Ibadan to endorse Remi Raji-Oyelade’s candidature.
The literary scholar and award-winning poet had teaching stints at the Rivers State College of Education, Rumuolumeni; St. Andrew’s College of Education, Oyo; Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye; and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife before joining his alma mater as a Lecturer II in 1995. He was promoted to full professorship in the University’s Department of English in 2007.
Raji-Oyelade has served in various academic and administrative positions which include: Sub-Dean (General) Faculty of Arts, 1997-1999; Sub-Dean (Postgraduate) Faculty of Arts, 2002-2003; Acting Head of Department (English), 2009-2012; Dean of Faculty of Arts, October 2012- July 2015; Resource Person for the University of Ibadan Research Foundation (2013 till date), and Grants Writer for the University MacArthur Foundation (2016 till date).
Among other administrative responsibilities, Raji-Oyelade has been the Chairman, Faculty of Arts Information Technology Committee; Chairman, Business Committee of Senate; and Member, Senate Truth Committee. He has had over twenty international scholarship awards including the Visiting Scholar Fellowship at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, USA (2001); City of Stockholm Writing Award (2005); University of Cambridge African Scholar (October, 2005-March 2006); and the Georg Forster Fellow at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany (2006-2007), among others.
For his academic brilliance, resourcefulness, and innovative networking abilities, Raji-Oyelade was honoured along four other international scholars with the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Alumni Award for the year 2017. He remains till date the only Humboldtian Professor at Ibadan to be so honoured since the prize was instituted in 2009 for scholars in over 140 countries across the world.
Raji-Oyelade whose core areas of strength include mentoring of early career scholars across disciplines and coordinating of projects and grants for UI, was recently installed by His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I as the Mogaji of Adegboro Compound, Ibadan. Raji-Oyelade was elected as a Member of the University’s Governing Council, in July 2019.

ANA PRESIDENT, CAMILUS UKAH FELICITATES WITH WALE OKEDIRAN ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF PAWA.
The newly elected national President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr. Camilus Chima Uka has congratulated the founder and Director of the Ebedi Writers International Residency, who is also the current Deputy Secretary-General (Africa) for the Union of Writers from Africa, Asia and Latin America, Dr. Wale Okediran on his recent appointment as the Secretary General of Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA) which was communicated through a press release signed by Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Chairman, PAWA Steering Committee.
According to Camilus Uka, the former national President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is a renowned writer and a thorough bred practicing medical doctor who possesses requisite experience and international exposure to perform as Secretary General of the Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA).
“The Association of Nigerian Authors under my leadership view Dr. Wale Okediran’s appointment as Secretary general of the Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA) as a round peg in a round hole as we believe that the confidence the General Council of PAWA repose in him is as a result of the successes he recorded during his tenure as ANA National President and his independent literary projects like Okigbo @ 50 Celebration, Efuru @ 50, Things Fall Apart @ 60 to mention but few.
“We have no doubt that Dr. Wale Okediran will deliver as Secretary General of the Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA). He is a dynamic and enigmatic writer who will in no distant time make meaningful and appreciable impact as Secretary General (PAWA). We are confident that Dr. Wale Okediran will perform beyond expectations as Secretary General of the Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA).
Camilus Uka finally assured Dr. Wale Okediran of ANA’s support and corporation.
Wale Okediran was born on April 14 1955 in Oyo, Nigeria. He attended the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) where he qualified in April 1980 as a Medical doctor.
After working in a number of government and private hospitals for a number of years, he went into private medical practice in 1987 by establishing the Cornerstone Medical Centre in Ibadan. He remained in active private practice until 1999 when he went into active politics and was appointed Chairman, Oyo State North Hospitals Management Board. He remained in this position until 2003 when he contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja where he represented his constituency from Oyo state from 2004 till 2007.

His writing career started way back in his secondary school where he was an active member of the school’s press club and debating society. At the University of Ife, he edited a campus newspaper, Rip Off”. He has published till date twelve novels out of which nine are adult fiction and three are for children. Many of the books are on the reading lists of several Nigerian Universities such as the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nasarawa State University and University of Maiduguri among others.
In his positions as the National Treasurer, General Secretary and later National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, he contributed in no mean measure to the development of Literature in Nigeria through the establishments of ANA branches, organisation of Literary Seminars, Conferences and Publications.
In June 2010, together with a few friends, he established the first Writers Resort in Nigeria ;The Ebedi International Writers Resort in Iseyin, Oyo State. The Ebedi International Writers Residency is a private initiative for writers to complete their ongoing works in a conducive environment at no cost. Since its inception, in 2012, the facility has hosted more than 100 writers from 10 different African countries. It also offers publishing opportunities to its Fellows through an arrangement with one of Nigeria’s foremost publishing outfit, the Literamed Publishers, Oregun Lagos.
He is currently a Consultant to the National Assembly in charge of the Senate Committee on Health and the House Committee on HIV, Malaria and TB.
His Publications include:
• Rainbows Are For Lovers (Spectrum Books 1987)
• The Boys At The Border (Spectrum Books 1991). Shortlist for the 1992 Commonwealth
Literature Prize.
• Storms of Passion (Evans, 1995)
• The Rescue of Uncle Babs (Mcmillan, 1998) Winner of the 1999 ANA/Matatu Prize for Children’s Literature.
• Ten novellettes on the HIV/AIDS theme (Longman, 2001)
• Sighs of Desire (Caltop, 2002)
• Dreams Die At Twilight (Malthouse ,2002) Longlist for the 2004 NLNG Literature Prize. The
• book was also adjudged as one of the 25 best books in Nigeria in the last 25 years by Spectrum Books in 2004.
• Strange Encounters (Heinemann PLC, 2004) Winn

SYNW MOURNS SENATOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI, SET TO PUBLISH AN ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS AND ESSAYS IN HIS HONOUR.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) whose national headquarters is in Total Garden in Ibadan has expressed shock and sadness over the recent demise of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past governor of Oyo State who had been on a life support machine at First Cardiology Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, after slipping into a coma following Coronavirus complications.
A statement issued on Monday by the national President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Wole Adedoyin said that SYNW extended deep and heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State government and the good people of Oyo State, describing the sudden loss of the former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company as painful to the entire Oyo State, Southwest and Nigeria as a country.
It would also be recalled that during the eight ( years political administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo writers’ community also lost four (4) great men of letters, they are: Baba Supo Kosemani, Alagba Adebayo Faleti, Prof. Akinwumi Isola and Chief Oladejo Okediji. Alagba Adebayo Faleti burial was partly supported by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi led government. A road also named after Alagba Adebayo Faleti a few years later.
In SYNW’s bid to honour the late exemplary governor of the pace-setter state, the Society through her book reading arm, Ibadan Book Club (IBC) is ready to publish an anthology of poems and essays chronicling the times and life of the deceased to be written by those who have worked or met with the deceased. The proposed anthology will be published in electronic format and made public free of charge.
SYNW finally urged Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s family to take solace in the belief that the late Aare of Ibadanland has gone away from all earthly troubles to rest for eternity in God’s bosom.”

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has congratulated Prof. Akínwándé Olúwo̩lé Babátúndé S̩óyíinká, a Nigerian playwright, poet, novelist and essayist who was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature on the occasion of his 86th birthday anniversary.
In a statement by the National President of SYNW, Wole Adedoyin who is also the immediate past National Publicity Secretary (South) of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), lauded Prof. Wole Soyinka’s contributions to the promotion of African Literature and for being consistent in convening national discourse on issues of contemporary importance in the nation.
The statement further read: “Happy birthday to the father of modern African Literature and Theatre. Not only do you seamlessly adapt to address the emerging challenges from the persistent ones that we face in our country today, but you are also always striving to make things better with new approaches and such unfaltering determination. Members of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) across the country just want to thank you for all of your amazing efforts over the years!”

“You are our hero, our mentor and certainly the most influential person in our lives. We thank God for putting such a phenomenal person like you into our lives. We shall forever remember and appreciate all the incredible things you have done for African Literature and Nigeria as a country. God bless you. Happy birthday to you sir.”
Wole Soyinka was born on 13 July 1934 at Abeokuta, near Ibadan in western Nigeria. After preparatory university studies in 1954 at Government College in Ibadan, he continued at the University of Leeds, where, later, in 1973, he took his doctorate. During the six years spent in England, he was a dramaturgist at the Royal Court Theatre in London 1958-1959. In 1960, he was awarded a Rockefeller bursary and returned to Nigeria to study African drama. At the same time, he taught drama and literature at various universities in Ibadan, Lagos, and Ife, where, since 1975, he has been professor of comparative literature. In 1960, he founded the theatre group, “The 1960 Masks” and in 1964, the “Orisun Theatre Company”, in which he has produced his own plays and taken part as actor. He has periodically been visiting professor at the universities of Cambridge, Sheffield, and Yale.
During the civil war in Nigeria, Soyinka appealed in an article for cease-fire. For this he was arrested in 1967, accused of conspiring with the Biafra rebels, and was held as a political prisoner for 22 months until 1969. Soyinka has published about 20 works: drama, novels and poetry. He writes in English and his literary language is marked by great scope and richness of words.
As dramatist, Soyinka has been influenced by, among others, the Irish writer, J.M. Synge, but links up with the traditional popular African theatre with its combination of dance, music, and action. He bases his writing on the mythology of his own tribe-the Yoruba-with Ogun, the god of iron and war, at the centre. He wrote his first plays during his time in London, The Swamp Dwellers and The Lion and the Jewel (a light comedy), which were performed at Ibadan in 1958 and 1959 and were published in 1963. Later, satirical comedies are The Trial of Brother Jero (performed in 1960, publ. 1963) with its sequel, Jero’s Metamorphosis (performed 1974, publ. 1973), A Dance of the Forests (performed 1960, publ.1963), Kongi’s Harvest (performed 1965, publ. 1967) and Madmen and Specialists (performed 1970, publ. 1971). Among Soyinka’s serious philosophic plays are (apart from “The Swamp Dwellers“) The Strong Breed (performed 1966, publ. 1963), The Road ( 1965) and Death and the King’s Horseman (performed 1976, publ. 1975). In The Bacchae of Euripides (1973), he has rewritten the Bacchae for the African stage and in Opera Wonyosi (performed 1977, publ. 1981), bases himself on John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera and Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera. Soyinka’s latest dramatic works are A Play of Giants (1984) and Requiem for a Futurologist (1985).
Soyinka has written two novels, The Interpreters (1965), narratively, a complicated work which has been compared to Joyce’s and Faulkner’s, in which six Nigerian intellectuals discuss and interpret their African experiences, and Season of Anomy (1973) which is based on the writer’s thoughts during his imprisonment and confronts the Orpheus and Euridice myth with the mythology of the Yoruba. Purely autobiographical are The Man Died: Prison Notes (1972) and the account of his childhood, Aké ( 1981), in which the parents’ warmth and interest in their son are prominent. Literary essays are collected in, among others, Myth, Literature and the African World (1975).
Soyinka’s poems, which show a close connection to his plays, are collected in Idanre, and Other Poems (1967), Poems from Prison (1969), A Shuttle in the Crypt (1972) the long poem Ogun Abibiman (1976) and Mandela’s Earth and Other Poems (1988).

SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS – FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OWERRI (FUTO CHAPTER)

Wishes to Announce to the General Public

ON HER RECRUITMENT OF THIRTY SIX(36) NEW WRITERS ON CAMPUS!

Recently in Late May, SYNW FUTO, opened her arms for recruitment and decided to equip her literary arsenal with "PROLIFIC WRITERS OF MENTAL CHANGE" and also train young ones in Creative writing. Having a total of 143 applicants on the portal, SYNW selected applicants who met the requirements and size. SYNW FUTO Wishes to the General Public a successful future ahead in all their endeavors.

SYNW FUTO also enjoins the general public to stay safe and have a very nice productive time

Signed✍�
SAMUEL, Chidinma
Secretary, Society of Young Nigerian Writers, (FUTO Chapter)

INNOCENT David Chinaecherem
Coordinator, Society of Young Nigerian Writers, (FUTO Chapter)

Email: centiciniteam@gmail.¬com

Call��
08148198800, 08162434832

And on Reading Shakespeare Project:
“Shakespeare is responsible for inventing, popularizing, repurposing, and preserving thousands of common words in the English language. His playful usage of language included combining two words to make a new one, changing verbs into adjectives, changing nouns into verbs, and adding prefixes or suffixes to words. Shakespeare is important because he has made a significant contribution to the English literature through his work on Drama or Plays. Reading and analyzing his work also provides insight into the culture and society around those times.”

“The students of English, English learner, English researcher, English language researcher, English native or non-native speaker have profound attraction towards William Shakespeare. This is because Shakespeare is one of the best influential novelists and playwrights in the English language. Before Shakespearean time, the language of English was accurately not consistent. His writings significantly contributed to the standardization of English grammar, language, spelling, vocabulary and literature. Shakespeare included approximately 1700 unique words into the language many of them are still used in modern time. Shakespeare has deep influence on poetry and literature that has been lasted over centuries. He perfectly used blank verses those previously no one used, and it has become a standard in poetry. Due to having profound influence of Shakespearean language on the way we speak nowadays, studying the writings of Shakespeare is an essential part of cultural education and academic learning.”
SYNW finally urged the federal government of Nigeria to support and pay attention to the book industry of the country.

When SYNW Unveiled “National Book Hub” and “Reading Shakespeare” Projects
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers has launched another two reading projects tagged “National Book/Reading Hub” and “Reading Shakespeare”.
The mission of the Book Hub is to celebrate and commemorate the best literature in Nigeria, Africa and the world, develop its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in Nigerian culture while Reading Shakespeare is aimed at celebrating, reading and appreciating all the works of William Shakespeare. Also to showcase and exhibit the influence of William Shakespeare in Modern English Language and Literature.
This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by SYNW President, Wole Adedoyin in Ibadan recently.
It would be recalled that the same Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) inaugurated the Read Across Nigeria (RAN) project with financial support received from Dr. Wale Okediran, a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in 2016. The Read Across Nigeria (RAN) took readings to 30 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2016 and 2017.
“According to the press statement, “The major aim of the National Book Hub is to promote reading culture in Nigeria. The inability of Nigerian students to read or lack of reading culture among the youths has been described as the reason why the country is in a mess today. This is because reading is knowledge and knowledge they say is wealth.”

“The performance of students nowadays is attributed to their poor background in the reading culture which is a carryover from their primary school through the secondary and up to the University level. To read is to get ideas from print or written materials. Reading is a way of acquiring knowledge.”
“Reading boosts vocabulary and helps you become a better conversationalist. It also improves your knowledge and makes it easy for you to learn more in less time – when you can read faster and with less effort, you find that it’s easier to pick up knowledge and information in less time.”
And on Reading Shakespeare Project:
“Shakespeare is responsible for inventing, popularizing, repurposing, and preserving thousands of common words in the English language. His playful usage of language included combining two words to make a new one, changing verbs into adjectives, changing nouns into verbs, and adding prefixes or suffixes to words. Shakespeare is important because he has made a significant contribution to the English literature through his work on Drama or Plays. Reading and analyzing his work also provides insight into the culture and society around those times.”

“The students of English, English learner, English researcher, English language researcher, English native or non-native speaker have profound attraction towards William Shakespeare. This is because Shakespeare is one of the best influential novelists and playwrights in the English language. Before Shakespearean time, the language of English was accurately not consistent. His writings significantly contributed to the standardization of English grammar, language, spelling, vocabulary and literature. Shakespeare included approximately 1700 unique words into the language many of them are still used in modern time. Shakespeare has deep influence on poetry and literature that has been lasted over centuries. He perfectly used blank verses those previously no one used, and it has become a standard in poetry. Due to having profound influence of Shakespearean language on the way we speak nowadays, studying the writings of Shakespeare is an essential part of cultural education and academic learning.”
SYNW finally urged the federal government of Nigeria to support and pay attention to the book industry of the country.

SYNW FELICITATES WITH PROFESSOR NELSON OLABANJI FASHINA AT 60
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has written to congratulate Professor Nelson Olabanji Fashina of the Department of English, University of Ibadan, UI as he celebrated his 60th birthday recently.
Young Nigerian Writers under the aegis of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) conveyed warm felicitations to Professor Nelson Olabanji Fashina of the Department of English, University of Ibadan, UI and prayed that God grants him many more years of commendable service to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the National President of the organization, Wole Adedoyin who is also the immediate past National Publicity Secretary (South) of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), “SYNW join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life and to pray that He continues to bless you with robust health and imbue you with His continued guidance, protection, and enduring provision.”
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) also used the occasion to recognize the good and masses oriented efforts of Professor Nelson Olabanji in the areas of scholarship, herbal medicine and other community oriented projects.
SYNW finally urged Professor Nelson Olabanji Fashina not to rest on his oars for his enormous contributions to humanity.
Prof. Nelson Olabanji Fashina holds the BA (Hons.) OSUA, MA and Ph.D (IBADAN) degrees in English with special emphasis on Textual Stylistics, Literary Theory, Post-Colonial and Post-modern American Literature. A High Chief of Idaseland in Owo Kingdom. He was recipient of the RI [Evanston] Foundation Scholarship Grants in Cornwall and Devon, West England in 1992, and was African regional winner of the US Department of State Fulbright Scholarship Grants on Post-modern American Literature, University of Louisville, KY in year 2000. He holds honorary awards as the Colonel of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, given by the Governor; and Citizenship of Louisville, U.S.A, by the Mayor.
As an herbal medicine practitioner, Professor Nelson Olabanji Fashina shares affiliation of traditional knowledge of Ifa corpus, and claims to have cure for all manner of ailments and deceases including; Human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, thrombotic stroke, male and female infertility, madness, cancer, fibroid and others. Also a former coordinator, Use of English under the General Studies Programme, and a Sub-Dean Postgraduate. He was the Chairman/Convener, UI Community Forum for public interaction with the aspirants to the position of Vice-Chancellor, in 2015.
His published works include: gods at the harvest (1998), A Foliage in the Woods (1999), A Season of Harvest (2003), Lyrics of the River (2003) to mention but few.

Prof. Nelson Fashina is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Linguistics Association of Nigeria (LAN), Modern Language Association of America (MLA), African Literature Association (ALA) and other international literary bodies.

SYNW MOURNS THE PASSING OF EMERITUS PROFESSOR OLADIPO AKINKUGBE

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has described the demise of Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, the renowned author of “High Blood Pressure in the African” (1972), “Priorities in National Health Planning” (1974), “Hypertension in Africa” (1972) as a huge loss to the country’s health sector.

Reacting to the news of the death of the first Professor of Medicine in Africa from his Ilesa country home where he had gone for isolation because of Covid-19 Pandemic, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, SYNW President said that he was yet to believe and come to terms with the reality of Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe’s death as it was hard to contemplate the void his passage has created.

Wole Adedoyin further lamented that the father of modern African medicine passed away at a trying period in the life of the nation when his knowledge and intelligent are mostly needed.

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) however, commiserated with the family, friends and associates of foremost Nigerian professor of Medicine who died recently in Ibadan, at the age of 86.

SYNW finally urged Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu to immortalize Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe’s name and prayed that Almighty God will receive Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe’s soul and grant him eternal rest.

Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe CFR, MD, D.Phil, FRCP, FWACP, FAS, NNOM, Officier de l'Ordre National de la Republique de Cote d'Ivoire, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Ibadan, was born in Ondo on 17 July 1933. He attended Government College Ibadan (1946-51), University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) (1951-55), University of London (1955-58), University of Liverpool (1960), and Oxford University (1962-64). He became Professor of Medicine, University of Ibadan (1968); Dean of Medicine (1970-74); Visiting Professor of Medicine at Harvard (1974-75); Oxford (1981-82) and Cape Town (1995); Principal, then Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (1975-78); Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (1978-79); Pro-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt (1986-90); Foundation Chair, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Chairman, Management Board, University College Hospital, Ibadan (2000-2003).
He was a member of various international medical and scientific panels, and author of many papers on hypertension and renal diseases in national and international journals. In 1989 he received the Searle Distinguished Research Award for his contributions to hypertension in black populations and in 2004, the Boehringer Ingelheim Award of the International Society of Hypertension. He was made Hon. Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford University in 2009 and has Honorary Doctorate from six Nigerian universities, including Ibadan. He has also been conferred with traditional chieftaincy titles from Ile-Ife, Ondo, Ibadan and Ijebu-Igbo.

SYNW MOURNS THE DEATH OF ROUF ABIOYE, 2016 AND 2017 WINNER OF THE FAGUNWA INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOLS YORUBA LITERARY CONTEST –PERFORMANCE POETRY CATEGORY.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) on Sunday joined friends and extended family of Chief Abioye Oyejide (JP), the Baale of Oyedeji Village to mourn the death of their son, Late Rouf Abioye, a performance poet and a member of the Society of Young Nigerian writers (SYNW) who died recently.
A press release signed by Mr. Wole Adedoyin, SYNW National President on Sunday, said they received the news of the death of the late performance poet who is also a member of Ibadan Book Club with shock and pray that his soul should rest in eternal peace.
SYNW believes that the Late Rouf Abioye, a two term winner of Fagunwa Yoruba Literature Prize will be remembered for his submissiveness, thoughtfulness, dedication to excellence and the profound understanding of human affairs exhibited in his oral poems.
In a bid to immortalize the young performance poet, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has instituted an annual prize in his memory tagged “Rauf Abioye Teen Writers Prize”
The umbrella body of young writers in the country further urged members of Chief Abioye Oyejide’s family, his fellow colleagues and all who mourn him to take solace in the knowledge that the much admired poet’s beliefs, views and insights will live forever through the body of works he has left behind.
Rauf Abioye was born to Chief Abioye Oyejide (JP), Baale of Oyedeji Village and Mrs. Serifat Oyejide on the 1st of March, 1999. He attended St. David Anglican Primary School, Abidi Odan, Ibadan. For his secondary school education, Late Rauf Abioye attended and graduated from Bashorun Ojoo High School in 2017. During his secondary school days, Late Rauf Abioye participated in the two editions (2016 and 2017) of the Society of Young Nigerian Writer’s annual Yoruba literary event tagged “Fagunwa Day” also known as “Fagunwa Inter-secondary School Yoruba Literary Competition” where his school, Bashorun Ojoo High School emerged winner under the performance poetry category. Late Abioye Rauf eventually gave up the ghost on the 29th of March, 2020.
The literary body finally expressed their condolences to the Chief Abioye Oyejide (JP), the Baale of Oyedeji Village and to the people of the pen community for the loss of one of their own.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Directory of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers
(1st Edition)
(For published and unpublished writers only)
Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers hereby call the attention of interested Christian Authors and Publishers to submit their following data:
FOR CHRISTIAN AUTHORS
• Name
• Title of Work
• E-mail
• Web/Blog Address
• Award(s) Won
• Philosophy
• Phone Number
Data should be sent to 08072673852 (Whatsapp) or woleadedoyin@gmail.com
FOR CHRISTIAN PUBLISHERS
• Name of Publishing Firm
• Short profile of the firm
• Notable works published
• Web/Blog Address
• Philosophy
• Phone Number
Data should be sent to 08072673852 (Whatsapp) or woleadedoyin@gmail.com
Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers (ANCAPS) was founded in 2011 with the major objective of providing Christian writers, proofreaders, editors (and other freelancers who provide support services for authors and publishers) with an avenue for cooperative competition through mutual support and exchange of information and resources.
The mission of the database is to design a printed and computerized Christian writers and publishers directory (database) to be published latest by August, 2020. The deadline for submission is 30th of July, 2020.
For more information/ Enquiry(s) call: Wole Adedoyin on 08072673852

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

NATIONAL DIRECTORY FOR YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS (3RD EDITION)

Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) is using this opportunity to call on Young Nigerian Writers at home and abroad between the ages of 15 and 40 to submit their following information:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Schools attended with dates:
Qualification(s):
Title of Work(s):
Publisher(s):
ISBN Number(s) of works:
E-mail Address:
Award(s) or Prize(s) won:
Membership of Literary Organization(s):

Data should be submitted to: 08073673852 (whatsapp)
E-mail: societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com/woleadedoyin@gmail.com

AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DIRECTORY

- To design a computerized/web friendly database which will contain information about Young Nigerian Writers living in Nigeria and abroad.

- To make the works of Young Nigerian Writers available to wanted buyers/researchers.

- To make works/information of Young Writers accessible to the general public/researchers.

- To encourage/promote Young Nigerian Writers.

ABOUT SYNW:

Society of Young Nigerian Writers is a literary organization based in Oyo State, Nigeria. It was established to promote creative writings among youths in the country.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: 08073673852 (whatsapp)
E-mail: societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com/woleadedoyin@gmail.com

For submissions: 08073673852 (whatsapp)
E-mail: societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com/woleadedoyin@gmail.com

Website: http://www.societyofyoungnigerianwritersblog..com/

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers has launched another two reading projects tagged “National Book/Reading Hub” and “Reading Shakespeare”. The mission of the Book Hub is to celebrate and commemorate the best literature in Nigeria, Africa and the world, develop its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in Nigerian culture while Reading Shakespeare is aimed at celebrating, reading and appreciating all the works of William Shakespeare. Also to showcase and exhibit the influence of William Shakespeare in Modern English Language and Literature.
This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by SYNW President, Wole Adedoyin in Ibadan on Sunday.
It would be recalled that the same Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) inaugurated the Read Across Nigeria (RAN) project with financial support received from Dr. Wale Okediran, a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in 2016. The Read Across Nigeria (RAN) took readings to 30 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2016 and 2017.
“According to the press statement, “The major aim of the National Book Hub is to promote reading culture in Nigeria. The inability of Nigerian students to read or lack of reading culture among the youths has been described as the reason why the country is in a mess today. This is because reading is knowledge and knowledge they say is wealth.”
“The performance of students nowadays is attributed to their poor background in the reading culture which is a carryover from their primary school through the secondary and up to the University level. To read is to get ideas from print or written materials. Reading is a way of acquiring knowledge.”
“Reading boosts vocabulary and helps you become a better conversationalist. It also improves your knowledge and makes it easy for you to learn more in less time – when you can read faster and with less effort, you find that it's easier to pick up knowledge and information in less time.”
And on Reading Shakespeare Project:
“Shakespeare is responsible for inventing, popularizing, repurposing, and preserving thousands of common words in the English language. His playful usage of language included combining two words to make a new one, changing verbs into adjectives, changing nouns into verbs, and adding prefixes or suffixes to words. Shakespeare is important because he has made a significant contribution to the English literature through his work on Drama or Plays. Reading and analyzing his work also provides insight into the culture and society around those times.”
“The students of English, English learner, English researcher, English language researcher, English native or non-native speaker have profound attraction towards William Shakespeare. This is because Shakespeare is one of the best influential novelists and playwrights in the English language. Before Shakespearean time, the language of English was accurately not consistent. His writings significantly contributed to the standardization of English grammar, language, spelling, vocabulary and literature. Shakespeare included approximately 1700 unique words into the language many of them are still used in modern time. Shakespeare has deep influence on poetry and literature that has been lasted over centuries. He perfectly used blank verses those previously no one used, and it has become a standard in poetry. Due to having profound influence of Shakespearean language on the way we speak nowadays, studying the writings of Shakespeare is an essential part of cultural education and academic learning.”
SYNW finally urged the federal government of Nigeria to support and pay attention to the book industry of the country.

SYNW LAUNCHES FOUR BOOK PROJECTS TO MARK 2020 WORLD BOOK DAY
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) on Wednesday launched four internet based book projects alongside their blog sites to celebrate this year World Book Day. The book projects are; World Book Day, National Book Awareness Week, African Book Week and the Children’s Book Week. All blogs contained concise review of renowned books collated from around the world written by famous dead and living writers.
This was contained in a statement issued by the President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin, in Ibadan on Wednesday.
According to the statement, “the National Book Awareness Week (NABAWK) is an internet based literary project aim at promoting only Nigerian literary books. NABAWK showcased only old Nigerian literary books which people have forgotten, refreshing and bringing back their memories of such books. The World Book Day showcased bestselling books across the world. The African Book Week on the other hand showcased African literary books written by renowned African writers, dead and living. While the Children’s Book Week showcased reviews of notable children’s books.”
The four internet based projects which contained reviews of popular books also featured historical details, characters, themes and other features readers need to know about books.
The Projects featured over 400 works of creative writers like Daniel O. Fagunwa, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Nurudin Farah, Ola Rotimi, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, Elechi Amadi, Ben Okri, Wale Okediran, Bayo Adebowale, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Adams Ibrahim, T.M Aluko, Ngugi Wa thingo, Nadine Gordimer, Ayi Kwei Amah, George Orwell, Zulu Sofola, Flora Nwapa to mention but few.
To check out the four projects, kindly log on to the below blog sites:
National Book Awareness Week (NABAWK) - https://nabawknigeria..com/
World Book Day (WBD) - https://worldbookdayhub..com/
African Book Week (ABW) - https://africanbookweek..com/
Children’s Book Week – (CBW) - https://cbwnigeria..com/

SYNW APPOINTS HENRY NDIFREKE PRECIOUS AS SYNW COORDINATOR IN UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA
In order to achieve SYNW’s aim of promoting creative writing and book reading among Nigerian students between the ages of 10 and 35 in our various universities, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers has again appointed Henry Ndifreke Precious as Coordinator of the writers’ body in University of Abuja.
In a statement made available to newsmen today, Wole Adedoyin, the National President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) said, Henry Ndifreke Precious will be responsible for connecting students with SYNW’s resources, organizing monthly readings, workshops, competitions with support from individuals, corporate bodies and the National body, while also supporting them in ways that help promote reading culture in University of Ibadan and enhance their literary career.
We look forward to seeing the initiatives that Henry Ndifreke Precious introduces and continues at the campus,” Adedoyin said.
Henry Ndifreke Precious hails from the South - South region of Nigeria, a native of Oruk-Anam LG in Akwa-Ibom state. She is currently studying Linguistics at the University of Abuja. An aspiring writer who is passionate about human stories in writing fiction and poetry. She promotes children, women's right, and the right of the less privileged in her writings.
SYNW finally urges other students who are interested in starting SYNW Chapters in their various universities to send their Letter of expression of interest to woleadedoyin@gmail.com or Whatsapp @ 08072673852

SYNW APPOINTS ALABI MATTHEW DAMILARE AS SYNW COORDINATOR IN UNILAG
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has announced the appointment of Alabi Matthew Damilare as her Coordinator in the University of Lagos.
In a statement made available to pressmen today, Wole Adedoyin, the National President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) said, Alabi Matthew Damilare will be responsible for connecting students with SYNW’s resources, organizing monthly readings, workshops, competitions with support from individuals, corporate bodies and the National body, while also supporting them in ways that help promote reading culture in UNILAG and enhance their literary career.
In order to achieve SYNW’s aim of promoting creative writing and book reading among Nigerian students between the ages of 10 and 35 in our various universities, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers has again appointed Alabi Matthew Damilare as Coordinator of the young writers’ body in the University of Lagos.
We look forward to seeing the initiatives that Alabi Matthew Damilare introduces and continues at the campus,” Adedoyin said.
Alabi Matthew Damilare is an undergraduate of pharmacy, he spends most of his time reading, writing and researching. He is the author of Sweet Days of Teens.
SYNW finally urges other students who are interested in starting SYNW Chapters in their various universities to send their Letter of expression of interest to woleadedoyin@gmail.com or Whatsapp @ 08072673852

SYNW MOURNS MENEGIAN SARO-WIWA, RENAMES HER COVID-19 CORRESPONDENCE COURSE AFTER HIM
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) on Tuesday joined other eminent writers across the country to mourn the death of Menegian Saro-Wiwa, son of late environmentalist, activist and playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who died recently from coronavirus (Covid-19) complications in a London hospital. Menegian Saro-Wiwa, being the first Nigerian Poet/Writer to have died of the disease.
A press release signed by Mr. Wole Adedoyin, SYNW National President on Tuesday, said they received the news of the death of the late poet with shock and pray that his soul should rest in eternal peace. Menegian’s death comes almost four years after the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr, eldest son of the late activist.
In the same dimension, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has also renamed her Covid-19 Correspondence Course after Menegian Saro-Wiwa as a way of honoring the departed Nigerian Poet.
It will be recalled that the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) recently launched her “Covid-19 Correspondence Course” aim at informing, educating and testing the knowledge and ability of the participant on issues surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic virus. The course covers areas like introduction to the Virus, Transmission, Medical information and Prevention. The course is an internet based and certificate of participation/completion will be issued to individual participant at the end of the course.
Objectives of the Course include; To inform and educate the masses on the Convid-19 Pandemic disease; to test the ability/knowledge of the participant on issues surrounding the virus; to help the Federal Government fight against the spread of Covid-19 virus in Nigeria
and to help Nigerian government provide advice on how best to fight the virus.
The literary body finally expressed their condolences to the Ken Saro Wiwa’s family, Ogoni people and to the people of the pen community for the loss of one of their literary associates.

Wole Adedoyin, the President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has joined the rest of Nigerians in celebrating Dr. Wale Okediran, a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) on the occasion of his 65th birthday.
This was contained in a press release issued and signed by the President of the Society in Ibadan on Monday. SYNW joined friends and literary associates of Dr. Wale Okediran, the founder and the Director of Ebedi International Writers Residency to felicitate with him on his 65th birthday.
According to the release “We appreciate you for all the lives you have imparted positively through your literary initiative, Ebedi International Writers Residency. SYNW President being one of the beneficiaries. You nominated him for the 2017 Study Abroad in Lebanon (SAIL) Program organized by the Wole Soyinka Foundation in conjunction with the Notre Dame University and Cedars Institute in Lebanon. You also nominated four of our members to participate in your Residency Program and single handedly funded our first national reading project tagged “Read Across Nigeria (RAN) which took place in twenty two states of the Federation which was used to mark your 61st birthday in 2016. This special day gives us an opportunity to personally thank you for the contributions you have made to the development of our literary organization and creative writing in Nigeria. There are leaders but you are a true leader. We have fathers but you are just outstanding, we have so many dreamers but you are among the few visionaries, Many people rule but you lead by example, other leaders do noble things but you surpass them all. Throughout your tenures as ANA President, you have shown yourself to be a man of hard work, dedication and principle. Words alone cannot express our joy that has assumed a huge proportion. “Happy birthday and many more you”. Your days are blessed sir.
Wale Okediran was born on April 14 1955 in Oyo, Nigeria. He attended the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) where he qualified in April 1980 as a Medical doctor.

After working in a number of government and private hospitals for a number of years, he went into private medical practice in 1987 by establishing the Cornerstone Medical Centre in Ibadan. He remained in active private practice until 1999 when he went into active politics and was appointed Chairman, Oyo State North Hospitals Management Board. He remained in this position until 2003 when he contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja where he represented his constituency from Oyo state from 2004 till 2007.

His writing career started way back in his secondary school where he was an active member of the school’s press club and debating society. At the University of Ife, he edited a campus newspaper, Rip Off”. He has published till date twelve novels out of which nine are adult fiction and three are for children. Many of the books are on the reading lists of several Nigerian Universities such as the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nasarawa State University and University of Maiduguri among others.


In his positions as the National Treasurer, General Secretary and later National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, he contributed in no mean measure to the development of Literature in Nigeria through the establishments of ANA branches, organisation of Literary Seminars, Conferences and Publications.
In June 2010, together with a few friends, he established the first Writers Resort in Nigeria ;The Ebedi International Writers Resort in Iseyin, Oyo State. The Ebedi International Writers Residency is a private initiative for writers to complete their ongoing works in a conducive environment at no cost. Since its inception, in 2012, the facility has hosted more than 100 writers from 10 different African countries. It also offers publishing opportunities to its Fellows through an arrangement with one of Nigeria’s foremost publishing outfit, the Literamed Publishers, Oregun Lagos.
He is currently a Consultant to the National Assembly in charge of the Senate Committee on Health and the House Committee on HIV, Malaria and TB.

His Publications include:
• Rainbows Are For Lovers (Spectrum Books 1987)
• The Boys At The Border (Spectrum Books 1991). Shortlist for the 1992 Commonwealth
Literature Prize.
• Storms of Passion (Evans, 1995)
• The Rescue of Uncle Babs (Mcmillan, 1998) Winner of the 1999 ANA/Matatu Prize for Children’s Literature.
• Ten novellettes on the HIV/AIDS theme (Longman, 2001)
• Sighs of Desire (Caltop, 2002)
• Dreams Die At Twilight (Malthouse ,2002) Longlist for the 2004 NLNG Literature Prize. The
• book was also adjudged as one of the 25 best books in Nigeria in the last 25 years by Spectrum Books in 2004.
• Strange Encounters (Heinemann PLC, 2004) Winner of the 2005 ANA Prize for fiction.
• After The Flood (Longman Nig Ltd, 2005)
• The Weaving Looms (Kraft Books 2005) Shortlist for the 2008 Wole Soyinka Prize For African Literature.
• The Riot And Other Stories (Mosuro Books, 2006)
• Tenants Of The House (Nelson Books, 2009) Co-Winner of the 2010 Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature.
• Madagali (Evans PLC, 2020).

His collaborative works include, Human Rights Educational Book for Children (Amnesty Int, Nig 1995) and Encyclopedia of Post Colonial Literature in English (Routledge,11 New Fetter Lane, London)

DISCLAIMER: GROUP WARNS ANA CHAPTERS, CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS , FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, THE MEDIA, CAC, BANKS, ANA LAND DEVELOPER( KMVL), FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF ANA (YUSUF ALI-SAN, AE-FUNAI ,ETC ) OF FRAUDSTERS PARADING THEMSELVES AS "NEW ANA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."

Bring Back ANA Movement has warned members of the public, corporate organizations, eminent politicians, ANA Members and chapters across the nooks and crannies of the country to be cautious of a deviant, unelected and unconstitutional "ANA National EXCO "led by one Barr. Ahmed Maiwada who has been using the name of ANA to engage in all sort of unauthorized and illegal activities that would drag the name of ANA in the mud.
Wole Adedoyin, a member of the Movement who is also the immediate past National Publicity Secretary (South) of ANA gave the warning on Tuesday, 7th of April, 2020.
It would be recalled that the ANA Board of Trustees on the 13th of March 2020 viewed with dismay the act of indiscipline of a deviant group led by Barr. Ahmed Maiwada which purportedly elected what it called a 'new ANA Executive' at Abuja on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

In a release signed by Prof. Ernest N. Emenyonu, PhD on behalf of ANA Board of Trustees described the Barr. Maiwada led group’s action as outrageous and unconstitutional and therefore warned all responsible members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to ignore them and their activities.
The release further stated that "Any action by any member/s of ANA intended to compromise the integrity and dignity of ANA in contravention of the vision of the 'founding fathers' and/ or in violation of the Constitution of ANA, as evident in the charade and indiscipline displayed by the deviant group at Abuja in the purported meeting and election on Saturday March 7, 2020 shall attract appropriate severe disciplinary action including expulsion from the Association. "
This set of of persons who are attempting to fraudulently impose themselves as leaders of the Association without being elected as provisioned in the ANA constitution are now parading themselves " new ANA National EXCO" and have been sending letters and proposals to corporate organizations, eminent politicians and individuals requesting for donations for their selfish utilization in the name of ANA.
This latest revelation was contained in a press statement titled “30 Days in Office and immediate Task Ahead” issued and signed this morning by one Akogun Tai Oguntayo who has been illegally parading himself as the National Secretary of ANA.
Wole Adedoyin said corporate organizations, government bodies at all levels, the media and partners of ANA and KMVL , ANA Abuja Land developer, should be wary of these disgruntled members as they have embarked on using ANA’s name to pursue their selfish agenda and do not have the authorization or validation of the ANA congress to do anything in ANA's name . He further explained that the warning became necessary following reports that this disgruntled and self appointed ANA National EXCO have been visiting State Governments, Corporate organizations and politicians in attempts to collect money from them under the pretext of financing the activities of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Wole Adedoyin further recalled the release of the Prof. Jerry Agada-led committee earlier mandated by the ANA Advisory Council and the board of trustees to conduct an Emergency General Meeting and elections of a valid new national executive council which was to hold in Makurdi on the 28th of March 2020 before it was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world. In the committee's release dated 26th March 2020 postponing the EGM / elections and signed by its Chairman, it was stated thus: " the committee wishes to remind all members , friends , associates and partners of ANA that for now, the Association has no elected executive committee until such a time when the election being postponed would have been conducted and those elected duly sworn in . Therefore , anyone who parades him/ herself as an elected national official of ANA should be ignored."
Adedoyin advised ANA Board of Trustees , Advisory Board , Past Presidents, well-meaning members of ANA to rise against the perfidy of this desperate group who seem determined to steal the mandate of ANA and arrogate to themselves the collective patrimony of the Association .

Adedoyin, finally urged members of the public, governments, corporat¬e organizations to abstain and stop dealing with this group who codenamed themselves “New ANA National EXCO” under her illegal and self-appointed President, Barr. Ahmed Maiwada and warned that whosoever transacts any business with them do so at his or her own risk.

SYNW APPOINTS SAKINAH YUSUF AS SYNW COORDINATOR IN BAYERO UNIVERSITY
In order to achieve SYNW’s aim of promoting creative writing and book reading among Nigerian students between the ages of 10 and 35 in our various universities, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers has again appointed Sakinah Yusuf as Coordinator of the writers’ body in Bayero University (BUK).
In a statement made available to pressmen today, Wole Adedoyin, the National President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) said, Sakinah Yusuf will be responsible for connecting students with SYNW’s resources, organizing monthly readings, workshops, competitions with support from individuals, corporate bodies and the National body, while also supporting them in ways that help promote reading culture in BUK and enhance their literary career.
We look forward to seeing the initiatives that Sakinah Yusuf introduces and continues at the campus,” Adedoyin said.
Sakinah Yusuf hails from Okene, Kogi State. She is currently a second year law student at the Bayero University, Kano. Sakinah, a short story writer, she likes reading, writing and meeting with new friends.
SYNW finally urges other students who are interested in starting SYNW Chapters in their various universities to send their Letter of expression of interest to woleadedoyin@gmail.com or Whatsapp @ 08072673852

SYNW CELEBRATES PROF. OLU OBAFEMI AT 70 WITH DIGITAL LITERARY ARCHIVE
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has unveiled an online literary archive @ https://oluobafemidigitalarchive..com/ to commemorate and celebrate Prof. Olu Obafemi @ 70. The Society also felicitated with Prof. Olu Obafemi as he marked his 70th birthday on Saturday, 4th of April, 2020.
The electronic literary archive which contains interviews, articles, book reviews and essays sourced with references written by and on Prof. Olu Obafemi’s promises to be an avenue for studying the author’s life and works. The blog will be updated as more writers and research works are written on the celebrant.
In a statement signed by its President, Wole Adedoyin, in Ibadan on Saturday, the Society said it was proud to associate with the former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), describing him as a role model worthy of emulation.
Adedoyin, in the statement, enjoined his family, friends, literary loyalists, and well-wishers to celebrate this milestone of him attaining the joyous age of seventy in good health and sound mind.

SYNW urged the Prof. Femi Osofisan to continue in his invaluable support to the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and Nigerian Literature.
SYNW, the first young writers’ body in Nigeria finally prayed that the Almighty God will grant Prof. Olu Obafemi longer life, good health and more strength to celebrate more fruitful years.

Olu Obafemi, Professor of English and Dramatic Literature is a Fellow and Vice-President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL). He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian English Studies Association, Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists and the Association of Nigerian Authors. He is the immediate past Director of Research at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
A Playwright, theatre director, poet, novelist, translator, literary scholar and newspaper columnist, Professor Olu Obafemi has published numerous books and journal articles in national and international outlets. His main scholarly books include his seminal work on Contemporary Nigerian Theatre, brought out in 1996 by Bayreuth African Studies, Bayreuth, Germany, Politics and Aesthetics: Essays: Essays in Drama, Theatre and Performance, Public Discourse on the Humanities, Cultural Studies: Theories, Concepts and Practice and Ideology and Stagecraft (the last two with Ahmed Yerima) among others. A prolific creative writer, Olu Obafemi has published numerous plays including Naira Has No Gender, Nights of a Mystical Beast, Suicide Syndrome, Ogidi Mandate which won the ANA/JP Clark Prize for Drama (2010), Running Dreams (2015) etc. His poetry volumes are Songs of Hope and Illuminations. Wheels is his first novel. He has translated and published D.O.Fagunwa’s Adiitu Olodumare as The Mysteries of God (2012).
As a man of the media, he has been a member of the Editorial Board of many Newspapers including The Nigerian Herald, Post Express, The Comet and The Sun Newspapers. He has been Editorial Consultant and columnist for eight Nigerian newspapers.
He has been editor and editorial advisers for many national and international books and journals including Cultural Studies, Okun Studies, African Theatre, CBAAC journal, Omookun journal, Journal of the Society of Theatre Artists, etc. His play Ogidi Mandate won the ANA/JP Clark Prize for Drama in 2010 while his poetry, Illuminations got Honourable mention in the ANA Prize in 2009.
A one-time Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Commission for Museums and monuments (NCMM), former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Professor Obafemi is the current Chairman of the Intellectual Property organization, the Reproductive Rights Society of Nigeria and a member of the International Federation of the Reproduction Rights Organization (IFRRO).

SYNW LAUNCHES COVID-19 CORRESPONDENCE COURSE BY EMAIL, JOINS FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC VIRUS.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers has again launched another of her latest project tagged “Covid-19 Correspondence Course” aims at informing, educating and testing the knowledge and ability of the participant on issues surrounding Covid-19 pandemic virus.
The course covers areas like introduction to the Virus, Transmission, Medical information and Prevention. The course is an internet based and certificate of participation/completion will be issued to individual participant at the end of the course.
No turning out at night and traveling to evening classes. No taking notes from lectures, everything is written down for you to study at will and revise as often as you like. No being held back because of slower students in the class. No being rushed too quickly ahead because a lecturer has to keep up with a timetable. You don’t have to take a chance on how good you are.
Aim and Objectives of the Course
1. To inform and educate the masses on the Convid-19 Pandemic disease.
2. To test the ability/knowledge of the participant on issues surrounding the virus
3. To help the Federal Government fight against the spread of Covid-19 virus in Nigeria
4. To help Nigerian government provide advice on how best to fight the virus.
Benefits of Participation
1. Issuance of Certificate of Participation/Completion to interested participants
2. Automatic Membership into the Society
How to participate:
1. Send your Name, Age, State, Phone Number and Email to 08072673852 (SMS and Whatsapp only).
2. After that, log on to https://covid19correspondencecourse..com/
3. Read carefully the whole write-up on the blog
4. Go to the question section and answer the whole questions
5. Kindly send your answers to societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com, also remember to copy woleadedoyin@gmail.com.
6. Statement of Result will be forwarded to you to notify you if you fail or pass.
7. If you pass, then your Certificate of Participation/Completion will be forwarded to your mail box.
For further enquiries call:

Wole Adedoyin
President
Tel: +2348072673852 (Call, SMS and Whatsapp)
Website Blog: https://societyofyoungnigerianwritersblog..com,CC:woleadedoyin@gmail.com

In her bid to help the Federal Government fight against the spread of Covid 19 virus in Nigeria, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has unveiled a web blog aim at updating, informing and educating the masses on latest updates on the Pandemic disease.
This was contained in a press release issued and signed by Wole Adedoyin, the Society’s President and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday. According to him, Society of Young Nigerian Writers will be supporting the Federal Government in the dissemination of coronavirus-related information from Nigerian governments to the grassroots.
As the pandemic escalates, timely, reliable information plays an important role helping masses prepare and take as many preventative measures as possible. But the circulation of misinformation and rumours about the virus poses an enormous risk.
Clear, accurate communication is critical, especially in an environment where fake news about the virus abounds. This initiative will help Nigerian government communicate genuine, credible news content, as well as provide advice for how best to fight the coronavirus.
SYNW platform will also distribute press releases from the Presidential Task Force on Covid 19, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Presently, the Society has uploaded some tips aim at informing and controlling the spread of the pandemic disease. Below are some of the links to the tips
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/background-of-coronavirus-pandemic-in.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/tips-for-parenting-during-coronavirus.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-what.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/everything-you-need-to-know-about.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/6-ways-parents-can-support-their-kids.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/novel-coronavirus-covid-2019-global.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/un-launches-global-humanitarian.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/how-teachers-can-talk-to-children-about.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/un-tackles-infodemic-of-misinformation.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/defending-africa-from-covid-19-un-and.html
https://synwcovid19informationhub..com/2020/04/the-recovery-from-covid-19-crisis-must.html
Any individual, freelance journalist or writer who wishes to distribute news releases about coronavirus for free can email Society of Young Nigerian Writers at societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com and also copy woleadedoyin@gmail.com. Entries are also welcomed in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages respectively.

SYNW FELICITATES WITH ODIA OFEIMUN ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY
The Society of Young Nigerian Writer (SYNW) has felicitated with the former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr. Odia Ofeimun, on his 70th birthday.

This was contained in a congratulatory message issued and signed by the President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin on Monday in Ibadan.
SYNW in her statement enjoined Mr. Odia Ofeimun’s family, friends, literary associates, and well-wishers to celebrate this milestone of him attaining the joyous age of seventy in good health and sound mind.
According to the Statement, Mr. Odia Ofeimun is the best leader anyone could ask for. We are very proud of him and his literary achievements. He has been a literary role model and an example of a great literary personality to this generation, and we are proud to hold him as someone worthy of emulation.
SYNW finally prayed that the Almighty God will grant Mr. Odia Ofeimun longer life, good health and more strength to celebrate more fruitful years.
Odia Ofeimun (born 16 March 1950) is a Nigerian poet and polemicist, the author of many volumes of poetry, books of political essays and on cultural politics, and the editor of significant two anthologies of Nigerian poetry. His work has been widely anthologized and translated and he has read and performed his poetry internationally.
Odia Ofeimun was born in Iruekpen-Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, in 1950. He worked as a news reporter, factory labourer and civil servant before studying Political Science at the University of Ibadan, where his poetry won first prize in the University Competition of 1975. That year his work appeared in the anthology Poems of Black Africa, edited by Wole Soyinka.
Ofeimun also worked as an administrative officer in the Federal Public Service Commission, as a teacher, as private (political) secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria, and as a member of the editorial board of The Guardian Newspapers in Lagos. He studied at Oxford University on a Commonwealth fellowship. Returning to Nigeria at the annulment of the 1993 election, he wrote columns for The Guardian On Sunday, the Nigerian Tribune, as well as contributing to many other newspapers. He was chairman of the editorial board of the defunct daily, A.M. News, as well as The News and Tempo magazines.
Ofeimun was publicity secretary (1982–84), general secretary (1984–88) and president (1993–97) of the Association of Nigerian Authors. He was also designated advisor to PEN Nigeria Centre and is a founding member of the Pan African Writers' Association.
Ofeimun is the author of more than 40 works. His published collections of poetry include The Poet Lied (1980), A Handle for The Flutist (1986), Dreams At Work and London Letter and Other Poems (2000). His poems for dance drama, Under African Skies (1990) and Siye Goli - A Feast of Return (1992), were commissioned and performed across the UK and Western Europe by Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble in the early 1990s, and his most recent poem for dance drama, Nigeria The Beautiful, has been staged through major Nigerian cities to wide acclaim.[7]
Awards
In 2010 Ofeimun received the Fonlon-Nichols Award for literary excellence and propagation of Human Rights, which was conferred on him by the African Literature Association.
Selected bibliography
Poetry
• The Poet Lied (1980)
• A Handle for The Flutist (1986)
• Under African Skies (Lagos: Hornbill House, 1990; ISBN 978-0951677407)
• London Letter and Other Poems (Lagos: Hornbill House, 2000; ISBN 978-9783527041)
• Dreams At Work and Other Poems (Lagos: Hornbill House, 2000; ISBN 978-9783527003)
• A Feast of Return (Lagos: Hornbill House, 2000)
• Go Tell the Generals (2010)
• A Boiling Caracas and Other Poems (2008)
• I Will Ask Questions With Stones If They Take My Voice (2008)
• Nigeria The Beautiful: Poems for Dance Drama (2011)
Anthologies
• Lagos of the Poets
• Salute to the Master Builder
Cultural politics
• A House of Many Mansions (Lagos: Hornbill House, 2012: ISBN 978-978-49005-8-4)
• Impossible Dream of the African Author
• Media Nigeriana
• In Search of Ogun: Soyinka In Spite of Nietzsche (Lagos: Hornbill House, 2014; ISBN 978-978-49005-9-1)
Politics
• Taking Nigeria Seriously
• June Twelvers' Dilemma
• When Does a Civil War Come To an End?
• This Conference Must Be Different

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) on Wednesday unveiled plan to celebrate this year World Book Day with three projects namely; National Book Awareness Week, African Book Week and the Children’s Book Week. All projects will run concurrently.
This was contained in a statement issued by the President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin in Ibadan on Wednesday.
According to the statement “the National Book Awareness Week (NABAWK) is an internet based literary project aim at promoting only Nigerian literary books. NABAWK will be showcasing old Nigerian literary books which people have forgotten, refreshing and bringing back their memories of such books. The African Book Week on the other hand will be showcasing African literary books written by renowned African writers, dead and living. While the Children’s Book Week will be showcasing notable children’s books.”
The internet based projects which promised to be a display of only literary and creative writing books will also be featuring reviews and historical details of such books.
The Projects will be featuring over 300 works of creative writers like Daniel O. Fagunwa, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, Niyi Osundare, Ola Rotimi, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, Elechi Amadi, Tanure Ojaide and Ben Okri, Dr. Wale Okediran, Chris Abani, Denja Abdulahi, Tony Marinho, Bayo Adebowale, Ayobami Adebayo, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lola Shoneyin, Adams Ibrahim, T.M Aluko, Yemi Ogunyemi, Yemisi Aribisala, Sefi Atta, A. Igoni Barrett, Helon Habila, Chigozie Obioma, Helen Oyeyemi, Nnedi Okorafor, Chinelo Okparanta, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Chika Unigwe, Ogaga Ifowodo, to mention but few and all the books under the African Writers Series will be covered.