₦airaland Forum

RAPE ALLEGATION: IGWILO DEFENDS BAYO ADEBOWALE, CALLS SAHARA REPORTERS’ JOURNALISTS, MONKEYS.
THE GRIEVOUS SIN OF CALUMNY AGAINST ONE OF MY INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL MENTORS

Dr. Bayo Adebowale is a great intellect not properly celebrated in Nigeria. But I celebrate him and his idea that the sound intellect is the moral intellect!

His candor and fatherly advice makes me adore him and respect him immensely!

The faceless devils at Sahara Reporters in their usual penchant to peddle lies and calumny have smeared the personality of Bayo Adebowale and they have steered the honest nest!

Sahara reporters abandoning all ethos of journalism are in the business of appropriating the mores of fake news and we read them and laugh! But to now spread fake news on such a literary figure as Bayo Adebowale is the Devil’s play!
They accused him of having carnal knowledge of all his daughter begetting children from the unions and then aborting the children in a ritualistic orgy!
This accusation is clearly designed to destroy, to calumniate through fake news, the main art of Sahara reporters.

As a person who has known Dr. Bayo Adebowale, I attest that the accusation is sheer STUPIDITY! All of Bayo Adebowale’s Children are well loved by him and they are all married. A person who wishes to know the truth can easily contact these children and ask after their father!
The writer in Bayo Adebowale must be weeping at the irony of it all. The very thing he condemns in his many Novels and poem and journals is what he is calumniated about!
His writings are always about progress! Progress as a moral idea, about transforming self and transforming society through the resuscitation of positive aboriginal culture!
His book African Melody is full of poems about progress, about valor, about morals, about beauty, respects, togetherness, forgiveness, love, children, music, Africa, strength, etc. That book represents his moral rigor and his intellectual candor!
His other books, Lonely Days, The Virgin, Out of his minds, The River Goddess, Perdition, Talent and other writings of short stories and hundreds of poems bear testimony to Bayo Adebowale’s support for human progress especially for moral soundness.
His huge UNESCO recognized Library in Adeyipo village, just outside Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria, stands out as a testimony about the extent of his generosity!
He personally invest his resources to hold this library to offer unbridled African studies to ANYONE who may need serene country atmosphere to study, write and think! His library holds volumes we thought are extinct. He opened that library to help bridge the gap between the city and the village! This library remains a shining light for intellectual discussions and development and the monsters of gossip do not like this?
Who is angry about this and thought that calumny is a way out? These faceless bigots of morality will regret their actions!
We the intellectual children of Bayo Adebowale testify to his moral sense and refuse to be intimidated by wickedness of the faceless!
We invite ALL well-meaning Nigerians and friends from abroad to disregard the wickedness of this accusation and go ahead to continue to celebrate Bayo Adebowale, as usual, as a father of African literature and a Father of many children!

Long Live Bayo Adebowale, Long live African Storytelling and SHAME on the Monkeys at Sahara Reporters as they swallow back their poisoned banana!
By Malachy Igwilo, intellectual Son of Bayo Adebowale

PRESS STATEMENT BY BAYO ADEBOWALE'S ELDEST CHILD, TITILAYO OLALEYE (MRS)

For the avoidance of any doubt, my name is Titilayo Olaleye (Mrs) (nee Adebowale, the eldest daughter of Assiciate Professor of Literature, Bayo Adebowale.
Yes, I am the eldest daughter of the great man, a wonderful father, a great family man respected and adored by millions of people across the world for his contributions to scholarship, literature and the good of humanity.
Let me also quickly state that I am also a successful wife to MY OWN husband, to whom I am happily married and with whom I happily live with our loving children.
I need to emphasize these facts because of the blasphemy some people have been saying about my father, Associate Professor Bayo Adebowale. They said one accursed man raped all his daughters. To the greatest surprise of my siblings and other members of the family, the wicked people, who want to incur the wrath of God Almighty, linked this to my own father, especially on social media.
This has terribly saddened us, his children, because the allegation is false, callous and unspeakably debasing.
Well, on the issue on the internet. I mean the false accusations to the father of all fathers, Our loving Dad, Our adorable Dad, a man of honour and integrity, Our Excellent Dad, Our Precious Dad, My able Dad, This man you are insulting is so dear to me and to all of us his children. Anybody who smears his name and reputation will see the other side of us.
The man you are accusing is my father. I'm his eldest child and therefore qualified to speak on behalf of the other children. In fact, I can confidently say that I am closer to him than any other child. I know my father more than anyone. He confides in me on all he does and he is never a kind of person who will contemplate an unholy and ruinous relationship with his children.
I was busy in the hospital taking care of him when this rumour was being peddled on Facebook, that was why my reply came late. I affirm to the public that we are all happily married. Our lawyers have swung into action on this rape accusation and soups soon get to the likes of Sahara and Femi Gorman and the bastard child they alleged could be involved.
Because they have declared war on our family, this is the beginning of the WAR.

PRESS STATEMENT BY BAYO ADEBOWALE'S ELDEST CHILD, TITILAYO OLALEYE (MRS)

For the avoidance of any doubt, my name is Titilayo Olaleye (Mrs) (nee Adebowale, the eldest daughter of Assiciate Professor of Literature, Bayo Adebowale.
Yes, I am the eldest daughter of the great man, a wonderful father, a great family man respected and adored by millions of people across the world for his contributions to scholarship, literature and the good of humanity.
Let me also quickly state that I am also a successful wife to MY OWN husband, to whom I am happily married and with whom I happily live with our loving children.
I need to emphasize these facts because of the blasphemy some people have been saying about my father, Associate Professor Bayo Adebowale. They said one accursed man raped all his daughters. To the greatest surprise of my siblings and other members of the family, the wicked people, who want to incur the wrath of God Almighty, linked this to my own father, especially on social media.
This has terribly saddened us, his children, because the allegation is false, callous and unspeakably debasing.
Well, on the issue on the internet. I mean the false accusations to the father of all fathers, Our loving Dad, Our adorable Dad, a man of honour and integrity, Our Excellent Dad, Our Precious Dad, My able Dad, This man you are insulting is so dear to me and to all of us his children. Anybody who smears his name and reputation will see the other side of us.
The man you are accusing is my father. I'm his eldest child and therefore qualified to speak on behalf of the other children. In fact, I can confidently say that I am closer to him than any other child. I know my father more than anyone. He confides in me on all he does and he is never a kind of person who will contemplate an unholy and ruinous relationship with his children.
I was busy in the hospital taking care of him when this rumour was being peddled on Facebook, that was why my reply came late. I affirm to the public that we are all happily married. Our lawyers have swung into action on this rape accusation and soups soon get to the likes of Sahara and Femi Gorman and the bastard child they alleged could be involved.
Because they have declared war on our family, this is the beginning of the WAR.

PRESS STATEMENT BY PROFESSOR BAYO ADEBOWALE IN RESPONSE TO RAPE ALLEGATION

My attention has been drawn to a rumour and insinuations that a Professor of Creative Arts had canal knowledge of his daughters. The grave allegation has been wickedly and maliciously linked to my person on social media. This includes a satanic and libelous story in an online newspaper, SaharaReporters, which published the grave information without bothering to get the fact.

To say the least, I am alarmed and traumatised by the insinuations. I would have responded to the wicked rumour immediately it broke out but I did not get to know about it on time. A part of the reasons is that I’d been indisposed for some time. As a matter of fact, I had been hospitalised and so many people could not reach me. Even on their part, many of my family members, are equally traumatised by the allegation, deliberately kept away the information from me because they feared that it could worsen my health and even lead to a sudden death. I can only thank God that I am still alive to be able to boldly deny the shocking rumour, because if one had died in the last few days, the same wicked people would have said that one committed suicide to cover up the sacrilege.
Apart from having reached the climax of my profession and talent as some people have noted in their hasty, malicious and ungodly comments, I am truly blessed with children that include daughters who know me as a true father, who has never contemplated any unholy relationship with them for whatever reason. While I lost a daughter to the cold hands of death some years back, I still have daughters who are alive and doing well as individuals, as professionals and also as wives in their various matrimonial homes. The identities of my daughters are not hidden and if anyone bothers to know them and speak with them there is an opportunity to do so.
This, indeed, is what one expects any responsible person, whether as an individual, citizen journalist or a so-called online publication like SaharaReporters, ought to have done. Whatever stopped anyone from going after my children to ask them questions about the allegation that has nothing to do with me? Instead of doing so, the wicked ones went for my profile, which I built through the thick and thin, with a dint of hard work crowned by God’s mercy, and sought to establish me as that ruined person said to have raped her own daughters. Let me ask this question: if this kind of grave allegation is levelled against the father of any of those who have been mentioning my name in the context of the indicated sacrilege, will they just jump into attacking his personality or they will try to find out the fact of the matter? I could say I leave all of them to their consciences if such consciences are still alive, but I believe such a decision will not prevent nemesis from playing its role in the theatre of their lives.
I will not labour to begin to an analyse one after the other the issues raised in the stories circulating on social media. The reason is that they are definitely not my stories. They are not the stories of my families. I can only advise those who are truly agitated to go after seek the identity of such a man if he truly exists. Yet, I want to note that one of the things said about the man is that he has four daughters, that he impregnated the four daughters and caused them to have broken homes.
Well, I am happy to note that this is not the statistic of my own God-given family. I have no daughters who've been raped and my own daughters are happily married and are in their husband’s homes.
Of course, I know there will be further insinuations despite this statement of mine. Why I believe so is that some people who could be behind the genesis of the attempt to destroy my reputation may not stop at anything. While assuring anyone who may genuinely want further facts about me that the book of my life is a open one, I will also invoke the law to the last letter to protect my name and that of my family. My lawyers are studying everything that has been said about me concerning the matter and necessary actions are bound to be taken
I thank everyone, within and outside the country, who have shown concern over the matter. A lot of people have reached or attempted to reach me. Some are even more devastated than I am, shattered not just by the heaviness of the allegation, but by the fear that such could be true. I however categorically say I am the Bayo Adebowale you have always known: a true father, a true teacher and cultural person who is alive to his moral responsibility within and outside his home. I have never sought or got any canal knowledge of my daughter.
Thank You and God bless all.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ME ARE FALSE, BASELESS AND UNTRUE – BAYO ADEBOWALE
Dr. Bayo Adebowale, the popular author of the “Virgin” and the Founder of African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre (AHRLC), Adeyipo Village- the home of the first rural community-based African Studies research library has reacted to a false allegation levelled against him by some faceless and unknown individuals who recently uploaded a fabricated WhatsApp messages aim at damaging, tarnishing and defiling his hard-earned good name and reputation.
The fake news which recently surfaced on Sahara Reporters’s website (though has been removed now) that Dr. Bayo Adebowale raped all 5 of his daughters multiple times and impregnated them, such that four of the daughters had at least 3 abortions each was not only false but inflammatory and contemptuous statements.
Dr. Bayo Adebowale made this statement during the official visit of the national executive members of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) led by Mr. Wole Adedoyin, who is also the National Publicity Secretary (South) of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Dr. Bayo Adebowale confidentially told SYNW National Executive members who paid him courtesy visit that the issue has been reported to the Police and they are doing their best to arrest the perpetrators of the evil act. He also said that the whole family met on Saturday including all his sons and daughters who all described the action by the unknown faces of fabricating fictitious falsehoods painted to tarnish their father’s image and reputation in the eyes of members of the general public as wicked and devilish.
The immediate past Director of the Center for Foundation Education (CENFED), Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State however warned other fellow renowned writers to be very vigilant as such could also happened to any of them.
SYNW finally viewed with serious concern, insinuations and lies being peddled against Dr. Bayo Adebowale all with the intent of spelling him backward and distracting his attention from the serious business of investing and propagatiing sound African education in Nigeria and on Africa Continent.
“We are therefore appealing to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to fast-track their research and bring the culprits to book. We are also appealing to the good people of the Southwest region and Nigerians in particular not to pay attention to the inflammatory and contemptuous statements recently made against Dr. Bayo Adebowale.”
Dr. Bayo Adebowale was born in Adeyipo Village, Ibadan. He had his early education at St.Andrew’s Primary School, Kufi 1 and Bamgbola (Igbo-Elerin), and the Local Authority Secondary Modern School, Aperin- all in Ibadan; before proceeding to St. Peter’s College, Ilesa and Baptist College Ede. Later, he gained admission to the University of Ibadan, graduating with B.A. (Hons) English (1974); Diploma in Applied English Lingustics (1976); Masters of Arts, English Stylistics (1978); and the University of Ilorin, where he had his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Literature in English (1997).
Dr. Adebowale worked at St. Mathia’s Busogboro; St. Michael’s Eko-Ajala; Baptist school, Ilawe Baptist School, Labi-Apasan; and Ibadan City Council School, Agugu. Later at St. Augustine’s Teachers’ College, Lafia (Benue-Plateau State), Government Trade Centre, Oyo; the then Oyo State Colleges of Education, Ilesa, St. Andrews Oyo, Ila-Orangun; and the Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he was at various times, a Head of Department, a Deputy Dean, a Dean, and a two-term Deputy Rector. He is also a former Director, Center for Foundation Education (CENFED), Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.
Dr. Bayo Adebowale is the author of several short stories published in anthologies, local and international papers, magazines and journals. He is the author of The Virgin; Out of His Mind; A New Life; Village Harvest; A Night of Incantations; Lonely Days; African Melody; Memories and Beyond Control. He edited Talent and Culture and Creative Arts Books 1-6.
Dr. Bayo Adebowale is the Founder Founder of African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre (AHRLC), Adeyipo Village- the home of the first rural community-based African Studies research library on the Continent. He holds the Chieftaincy titles of the Agbaakin of Akobo, Ibadan; the Otunba Atayese of Awo (Osun); and now the Balogun Agbasaga of Yoruba Land, conferred on him by His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun, Arutu-Oluokun Bibiire 1, the Orangun of Ila.
https://societyofyoungnigerianwritersblog..com/2019/07/allegations-against-me-are-false.html

Adedoyin Promises Quality and Affordable Health Care
Wole Adedoyin, the governorship candidate of Hope Democratic Party in Osun state has promised to make quality, affordable healthcare not a privilege but a right.
Adedoyin hinted this through a press statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Ilesa his home town.
Adedoyin Promised to turn government owned hospitals into a modern referral hospital which will offer health services even to people beyond the borders.
“We will increase the budget and the salaries of health sector employees and public health will be declared a state priority. We will also emphasize on reforming the current network of health institutions. All public health records will be computerized and archived in a digital database”.
“We will alsorenew the network of current health systems in the state. We plan for the re-functionalization of emergency care and reorganization and enhancement of Osun health care system.
Adedoyin finally promised to make a clear separation between the private and public health sectors. Our new health system will ensure the right professionals, equipments and conditions, Adedoyin said.
http://wajaforosungovernor..com/2018/08/adedoyin-promises-quality-and.html
http://hopeforosun..com/2018/08/adedoyin-promises-quality-and.html
http://hopedemocraticparty..com/2018/08/adedoyin-promises-quality-and.html
http://youthallianceforpolitics..com/2018/08/adedoyin-promises-quality-and.html
http://youtharisefor2019..com/2018/08/adedoyin-promises-quality-and.html

HDP Promises to Promote and Develop Tourism
The Hope Democratic Party (HDP) Osun state governorship candidate in the forthcoming election, Wole Adedoyin, has promised to setup efforts to promote and develop tourism in the state once he is elected as Governor in the forthcoming election.
Addressing members of his party on Sunday, Wole Adedoyin added that he will setup small-scale industries to transform rural areas.
Adedoyin, also promised the people of Osun State that he would develop the tourism industry in the state which will in turn provide jobs, mainly to the youths once elected in the forthcoming September 22 poll.
Adedoyin said Osun State has many tourists attractions which include Oluminrin Waterfall (Erin-Ijesha), Oranmiyan Staff(Opa Oranmiyan), Suzanne Wenger’s House and Centre, Okonfo Rao Kawawa, Obalufon Shrine, Atamora Rock Scenery (Iwo), Atamora Rock Scenery (Iwo), Ayinkunkun Nigba Waterfall (Oke Ila), Kiriji War Site (Igbajo), Erile Shrine (Ilobu), Mbari Mbayo Heritage etc.
According to him “We hope to renovate and enhance the appearance of these tourists’ attractions and build 1 or 2 mini hotels around some of them with the intention of increasing the IGR of the state.

http://hopeforosun..com/2018/08/hdp-promises-to-promote-and-develop.html
http://wajaforosungovernor..com/2018/08/hdp-promises-to-promote-and-develop.html
http://hopedemocraticparty..com/2018/08/hdp-promises-to-promote-and-develop.html
http://youtharisefor2019..com/2018/08/hdp-promises-to-promote-and-develop.html
http://youthallianceforpolitics..com/2018/08/hdp-promises-to-promote-and-develop.html

Adedoyin, HDP Candidate promises to create more jobs through agriculture and do more for agricultural sector
Wole Adedoyin, one of the candidates contesting the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State has promised that the agriculture sector will be given priority if he is elected as the next governor of the state.
Adedoyin, made this known on Saturday through a press release and reiterated his commitment to developing the agriculture sector.
According to him “we will bring idle lands in nooks and crannies of the state to productive uses, rehabilitate of farm access roads, encourage cash crops and small livestock production in the interest of food security and nutrition.
Adedoyin further promised to institute various schemes in the agricultural sector to promote the general socio-economic lives of the people in the state.
“Our government will be committed to see more youth into the agricultural sector because it is the only area with more job vacancies” Adedoyin said.
HDP governorship candidate finally promised to use agriculture to develop Osun State economy if elected in the next month election.

Writers Should Stop Copying Prof Wole Soyinka, Other Known Writers- Wole Adedoyin
Wole Adedoyin is the President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) and the National Publicity Secretary, South, of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). In this interview with ABDULHAFEEZ T. OYEWOLE, he speaks on his writing and how it becomes the source of his selfless service to the growth and development of literature especially among young Nigerians.

Can you share with us your background as a writer, then author?

I started writing when I was in secondary school then. But later went professional when I became a financial member of Oyo State branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in 2004 under the leadership of Mr. Anthony Ebika, a former Chairman of the state chapter.

Before joining ANA, I was once the Coordinator of Olaudah Equiano Poetry and Prose Club of Educare Trust Exhibition Centre. We do hold readings on Thursdays of every week. And during such readings, established and known writers do participate to share their writing experience with us. We have featured writers like Dr. Tony Marinho, Ebika Anthony, Femi Adedeji, Abdulsalam el Mubashir, Kunle Okesipe, to mention but few. Also there was a time we featured one American Professor of Poetry when he came for an academic function in University of Ibadan (U.I.).

So, whenever such readings hold I tapped from the experience of such writers. And of course, the Association of Nigerian Authors helped me a lot. During those periods, I didn’t miss any ANA monthly meetings. I was always there before any member to help them arrange chairs and do other things. That was when Mr. Anthony Ebika became the Oyo State Chairman of ANA. It was also during this period I came across the current President of ANA, Mallam Denja Abdulahi, when he came to represent ANA President in Oyo state for a literary programme. Though we later met at ANA/GLO/CBAAC Drama writing workshop held at UNILAG when I represented ANA Oyo at the workshop. I think that was 2005 or 2006.

During this period also, I contributed some of my best poems in ANA Oyo anthologies and Agogo, a monthly literary magazine edited by Mr. Anthony Ebika. I still have some copies of these issues. My late dad helped me preserved them in his library. I became ANA Oyo Auditor in 2006 and served till 2008. Later I was elected ANA Oyo PRO for another period of 2 years.

It has been long some ANA Oyo members have hated me not only in Benue. You would recall that they stood against my candidature as ANA National PRO in Benue State when I expressed my interest to contest for that position. Some of them also opposed my candidature when I wanted to become ANA Oyo Auditor in 2006. During this time also I started my personal literary movement known as World of Poets and Literary Society which later metamorphosed into Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) in 2010.

What's the trigger for your writing expedition?

Happenings around me which also made me to venture into politics. Also the search for qualitATIVE and educative information. Though I’ve read lots of books, I also did Literature in English during my secondary school days. This also added to it.

How did the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) come to being?

I was once asked this same question in an interview with Mallam Ibrahim Adam of the Daily Trust Newspaper. As I have stated earlier (there), the World of Poets and Literary Society in 2010 metamorphosed into the Society of Young Nigerian Writers after due consultations with some literary stakeholders, especially young writers.

In 2010, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers started as an Ibadan literary movement to create an avenue for upcoming writers to share ideas, criticize and network with one another.

SYNW idea was original. Original in the sense that the membership concept is different from ANA. And the fact that it embraces writers between the ages of 9 and 35. It accommodates teen and young writers. We did not draw any member from ANA Oyo then. What we did then was going to the University of Ibadan and the Polytechnic of Ibadan to hold creative writing workshops.

Our programmes like Fagunwa Day and 2000 E-Book project draw secondary schools' students nearer and closer to our Association. The Association however went National when we organized Prof. Remi Raji @ 50 National Poetry Competition. That was 2011 and that was the first time we would have our release published in Nigerian Tribune, The Nation and The Sun Newspapers. We also received entries from International students from 5 different universities in US, UK, Ghana, France and South Africa. Though the competition was divided into two segments: Junior Category (for secondary school students) and Senior Category (for tertiary school students). Winners were awarded monetary prizes. Also, participation and prize certificates were given to all of them.

After the event, our other activities like quarterly workshops, E-anthology project and Fagunwa Day attracted other young writers to join our Society. Later we started having National, Zonal and State coordinators.

What are other programmes and activities of SYWN?

Our programmes are not much due to funding. But in order to carry out all objectives as stipulated in our Society’s Constitution, we have earmarked some activities as annual programmes. We also have quarterly events. Some of our programmes/activities are: SYNW quarterly workshop which started in the year 2012 and has trained over 1000 young writers across the country. We have had people coming from far places such as Kano, Jos, Kaduna, Edo, Rivers, Benue and Kwara State. We taught them practicals.

We have taken them to printing press, taught them how to paginate, design book covers and turning their publications into E-Books on the computer (practical approach). We have evidence for all of these. And we do give them Certificate of Participation for any workshop anyone of them attend. And again our E-Anthology has published over 500 young writers through our poetry anthologies. You can download some of these publications on Obooko. One school in Philippines is currently using one of these anthologies as a recommended text for their students. The name of the school is St. Nicholas College.

Our Annual Fagunwa Day event is now in its Seventh year. It has published, recognized, rewarded and awarded over 100 secondary school students from over 40 schools in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state. The event has also featured eminent personalities in Yoruba literature like the Late Prof. Akinwumi Isola, High Chief Lekan Alabi, Dr. Remi Adedokun, Prof. Bayo Adebowale, Baba Tunbosun Oladapo, Mr. Jare Ajayi to mention but few. Three editions had also had in attendance three children of the late author, Chief Mrs. Sijuwola (Nee Fagunwa), Mr. Dipo Fagunwa and Mrs. Diwura Fagunwa.

Chinua Achebe National Day is another vital project of the Society in honour of the late modern architect of African Literature, the Late Prof Chinua Achebe. The idea was conceived by the Anambra State Chairman of the Society, now the National Secretary, in person of Mr. Izuna Okafor. The annual event has been endorsed by the Anambra State Library Board and the family of the Late Prof. Chinua Achebe. It is an avenue for remembering, celebrating and honouring the late author annually. Now in its third year.

And of course, our annual Read Across Nigeria (RAN) project which started in the year 2016 took readings to 23 states of the federation. The 2016 event was in honour of Dr Wale Okediran, a medical doctor and a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). The 2016 Read Across Nigeria took place only in 23 states of the federation. The 2017 edition which had Hajiya Hafsat as our guest of honour was held in only 10 states of the Federation. The idea behind the project is to take reading to the grassroots.

We currently have three correspondence courses which we have developed to test and enhance the creative writing and reading skills of our members. The courses are Creative Writing Correspondence Course in Poetry, Prose and Drama. D.O. Fagunwa Correspondence Course, to test the abilities of his readers and fans; and JF Odunjo Yoruba Correspondence Course, fully written in Yoruba Language to test the abilities of students in Yoruba Language, traditions and culture.

We also have SYNW 2000 E-Book Digital Library project aim at establishing Paperless book clubs in schools. We have already established over 50 digital libraries and paperless books clubs in some selected secondary schools in Oyo State. Our first edition of the National Week of Remembrance for the Departed writers (NAWRED) took place last year. It was an online event which exhibited photographs and profiles of outstanding and best dead authors from Nigeria. Currently we now have over 200 in our archives.

Another of our programmes and activities is Prof. Ola Rotimi Inter-Secondary Schools Playwriting Competition. The first edition was held in 2014 at the Amphi theatre, through the support of the former Head of Theatre-Arts Department of the University of Ibadan, Dr. Remi Adedokun. The event was bankrolled by my late dad, Late Prof. Albert Aderemi Adedoyin.

We have also compiled the database of eminent authors and writers across the world, country by country. They are currently online in PDF format archived in a blog. We have also designed graphical wallchart posters in JPEG format of famous authors across the world.
What is the Society doing to ensure a lasting reading and writing culture in young Nigerians?
Our activities have been highlighted (above). We have done what we could in our own little ways since the inception of this Society. Our quarterly workshops, E-Anthologies at Obooko, Fagunwa Day, Chinua Achebe National Day, 2000 E-Books Digital Library and Paperless Book Club Project, Correspondence Courses, Read Across Nigeria (RAN) Project, National Week of Remembrance for Departed Writers (NAWRED), Prof. Ola Rotimi Inter-Secondary School Playwriting Competition, We have also compiled and designed database and wall chart posters of world renowned and eminent authors.

Our future projects include: Groom a reader and adopt a writer project, Yoruba Literature Animation project, Indigenous Reading Campaign project, Reading for National Development and Unity (READ-U) which will take us to all the six geo-political zones of the country. We are also currently designing online archives/blogs for some selected writers aim at keeping their legacies and documenting latest literary researches on them. The writers are: Cyprian Ekwensi, Elechi Amadi, Akinwumi Isola, Adebayo Faleti, Chinua Achebe, Ene Henshaw, Supo Kosemani, D.O Fagunwa, J.F Odunjo, Prof. Olabimtan, Buchi Emecheta, Flora Nwapa, Abubakar Imam to mention but few.

How is SYNW funded?
We are funded through donations and dues from members as fully stipulated in our Society’s Constitution.


What can you say about your published book; and are you working on any one at present?
I only have one published work titled, "Ojuju and Other Poems for Children". It won ANA Oyo John Asiedu Sarpong Prize for Children Poetry in 2005. It was published in Ibadan by Dei Tempus Press and Publication Agency. I still have like four other unpublished anthologies of poems for children. I’m currently working on a collection of short stories also for children.

What inspired you to dedicate yourself to impacting in young writers and authors?
I am still a young writer. I passed through a lot before even publishing my first poem in a national daily. I have passed through what other young writers are currently passing through. How I overcome the ordeal is what I’m currently giving out to them. And the best way to do it, to my own knowledge, is through SYNW and God has been giving me the grace to continue the good work. Anyone that is above my might. I do refer them to my literary father Dr. Wale Okediran.

What's your perspectives on authorship. In other words, who's an author?
This has been a very serious issue over the years. Normally, an author is a published writer. One who expresses ideas in writing or one who engages in literary work. An author is also a person who writes novels, poems, essays and so on. Mainly, he or she is the composer of a literary work.

The concept is if you are a writer, you can write about other people’s thoughts or ideas, but an author has to come up with the idea, the plot and content. You also become an author when your books are published, but if your writings never publish, you remain a writer.

What's your take on digital and traditional publishing and which one is your preference?
Publishing is an industry that is worth looking more closely into, at how the industry has evolved from print format to digital publishing. The traditional publishing refers to the system of getting a book published which involves processes like editing, computerizing (formatting, cover designs, pagination, footnoting, end noting), copywriting, Proof reading and later becomes a book. After this, marketing and distribution comes in.

The advent of Google, Facebook, You tube, Twitter, Amazon’s kindle and Apples’ iPhone and iPad. The transformation from traditional print to digital has changed the industry for good. Both digital and print have their pros and cons but the real challenge with both of these concepts is trying to maintain and build audience as well as producing content that is engaging and relevant. With ever decreasing attention spans and even more content available, people expect a constant stream of personalized engaging short form content delivered instantly which can be consumed on mobile and tablet.

The beauty of digital publishing is that it makes it very easy to share your favourite poems, prose chapters, essays to spark discussions on social media that creates a much higher reader engagement, build community, and access a lucrative wide audience. Reading from print publications offers a memorable and leisurely experience as you fold pages to save your favourite chapters of lines, opening from page to page and digesting slowly. The problem of this is that once you have read it and put it away, you are like to forget about it.

In SYNW, we utilize digital publishing. 40% of our project were done digitally.
What's your typical day like?
Good and splendid. I am always online 24/7. I’m a professional blogger and web content manager. I update my blogs and manage other social media platforms. I also source for latest information almost every day in case if there is any on the activities of the Association of Nigerian Authors.

How do you balance your task as ANA Publicist (South) and SYNW President?
Well, you cannot serve two masters at a time. You must leave one for another. The success of the current National President of ANA, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, is what I am after. I have handed 80% of SYNW’s works to our National Secretary and PRO, in person of Mr Izuna Okafor and Mr Musa Muhammed. They are both outstanding and brilliant literary organizers. If I’m still running SYNW like I have been doing before, I won’t be fully committed to ANA’s cause.

What’s the secret behind all your successful landmarks in your engagements in the Nigerian reading and writing world?

Commitment and dedication in everything I do. Also giving respect to the elderly ones. No matter what you have attained or been in life, there are people ahead of you. I don’t underrate anybody. I ask questions if I don’t understand. And I mingle with people irrespective of age, colour, tribe, gender, culture, background and religion.


How do you read and write?
I always read from 12:00am to 2:00am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I was brought up that way since when I was a kid. And for writing, I write anytime the inspiration comes.

What draws you to read any book to the end?
The plot, setting and the beautiful words used in such book. Also the connection with what is currently happening in the real life.

Do you have favourite books?
Yes. There are lots of books I starred with different reasons. Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, the Ake and the Trial of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka, Tenants of the House by Dr. Wale Okediran, Nene and Other Stories by Dr. Tony Marinho, Petals of Blood by Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Animal Farm by George Orwell, Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith and lastly Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.

Which should come first in your opinion: writing or reading?
Reading of course. If you can’t read you cannot write.

If there's one thing you can do to improve the state of Nigerian writings and writers, what would that be?
Pass the endowment funds for the arts into law. We all need it.

What's your vision for years ahead?
There are lots.


What's your word of advice for young writers and authors?
They should be committed, dedicated, respect their elders and not selfish. Whatever that is not useful to you; if it’s useful to another writer, don’t keep it: give it out. You will forever be remembered for what you have done in his or her life. And they should stop copying Wole Soyinka and the rest of the known writers. They should be themselves. Be original.

https://www.thewordsfinesse.com.ng/2018/08/writers-should-stop-copying-prof-wole.html

How I bridged the communication gap between the national and state chairmen of registered political parties in Nigeria – Wole Adedoyin
Wole Adedoyin, is the governorship candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. A former Oyo State Secretary of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP).In this interview with Ademola Rilwan, Adedoyin talks about his WhatsApp platform which has been uniting and an avenue for sharing news and information among the national and state chairmen of different registered political parties in Nigeria.
Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Wole Adegoke Joshua Adedoyin. I’m a blogger, literary activist, computer analyst, writer and a freelance journalist. I am the current national P.R.O (South) of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and the National President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW). Also a former Oyo State Secretary of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) and currently the National Coordinator of the National Interparty Youth Alliance (NIYA).
Tell us about National Focus and how you started?
The idea behind the creation of National Focus and the IPAC Watchdog started after I emerged as the pioneer secretary of IPAC in Oyo State. Before the advent of IPAC, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) was the only association of political parties in Nigeria. Chairmen of political parties across the country then found it difficult to discuss, share news related to their parties and INEC unless there were physical meetings summoned by INEC and related stakeholders. Sometimes individual state chapters of CNPP do organize workshops and seminars to sensitize and educate their members not only within their states but also across their regions. The advent of IPAC actually changes the face of registered political parties in the state. IPAC was established by INEC guided by a Code of Conduct, which is also mandatory for any registered political party to join. While CNPP is voluntary. IPAC has killed or incapacitated some state chapters of CNPP in the country. After I emerged as the pioneer secretary of IPAC in Oyo state, a positive idea came to me. An idea of building a strong and viable platforms where election stakeholders like INEC, Police, Civil Defense, DSS, Customs, Immigration, Prison Service, Political Parties, Election Observers and Civil Society organizations can discuss political and national issues as well as update members of the platform with useful news and information. This is what NATIONAL FOCUS is all about. On the WhatsApp Platform you will see top officers from INEC, Police, Civil Defense, DSS, Customs, Immigration, Prison Service, Political Parties, Election Observers and Civil Society organizations. National Focus was created on the 11th of February, 2016 a year after the 2015 general elections.
What about IPAC Watchdog?
IPAC Watchdog is only meant for the national and state chairmen of registered political parties in the country. The idea of creating this platform came to me during the first annual IPAC conference held in Kaduna state. There were representatives of different political parties across the country and few national chairmen of different political parties at the event. It was from the place I started collecting their phone contacts and emails. That was around 2014. With the few contacts I created IPAC Watchdog. The platform shares news about INEC operations, latest news about different registered political parties, updates on elections, press releases and communique from political parties and group. Currently, there are representatives of over 45 different political parties on the platform from over 25 states of the Federation. Also information and news about IPAC, CNPP, including the latest coalitions in town CUPP and CPPP are shared on the platform. I have also created other social media platforms like Facebook and blog for the platform. News publicized on the WhatsApp group are also shared on the Facebook page and group.
What inspired setting up the two platforms?
For sharing useful news and information as related to INEC and different political parties. It is currently the only platform mainly focused on the activities of INEC and registered political parties in the country. Bridging the communication gap between the national and state chairmen of different registered political parties in the country is the reason of setting up the platform.
What challenges did you face starting them and how did you overcome them?
The first challenge I encountered was getting phone contacts of state party chairmen across the country. Same thing applicable to the contact of the national chairmen. But God eventually helped me. The second challenge is the fierce action and reaction of some party national chairmen when they were criticized or assessed. Many state chairmen of different political parties have been sacked or suspended because of this.
How old are the platforms now?
Three years old
What were the reactions of the National Chairmen when you created the platforms?
Many of them commended me for the development while some criticized my actions. But 80% out of 100% praised the initiatives and gave them full support. Some of them even sent me their state chairmen contacts to add them as members of the platforms.
Is IPAC National Chairman aware of this?
Fully aware. Alhaji Muhammad Nalado, the current IPAC National Chairman is on the platform. He has been contributing and publishing on the platform. He is also one of the administrators of the platforms. He has been supporting the platform since his emergence as the national chairman of IPAC. Former and current National EXCOS of IPAC are members of the platforms.
Any other innovations from your side apart from creating these two platforms?
Yes, of recent I singlehandedly established a private organization known as the Documentation Centre for Nigerian Political Parties (DCNPP) for documenting and archiving documents and facts about and on the defunct, deregistered and the current political parties in the Country. The Documentation Centre is situated at Adeyipo African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre owned by Prof. Bayo Adebowale. It currently stored all the constitutions and manifestoes as well as news and releases from all the registered political parties in Nigeria. We compile news almost every day. Of recent we published names of chairmen and secretaries, phone numbers and addresses, Websites, Emails and Facebooks accounts of all the registered political parties in the country.

Nigerian youths are not ready to run for national development but ready to enrich their pockets – Wole Adedoyin
Wole Adedoyin, founder of the National Interparty Youth Forum and the coordinator of Youth Alliance for Politics “YAP” and Youth Arise for 2019 “YAF19”. Adedoyin is also the governorship candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. In this interview with Latifat Ogunrinde, he talks about participation and involvement of Nigerian youth in politics and why they should be fully active in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

1. How was the idea of the having a youth platform born?

It was born out of passion and commitment to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country and the fact that the youth of the country needs a conducive platform to exercise their political rights. There are millions of youths out there who are interested in politics but they don’t have the resources, platforms, means and wherewithal to actualize their vision.

2. Give a brief description of the platform, including what your structure is?

The National Interparty Youth Alliance (NIYA) was founded for card-carrying youths of different political parties irrespective of their party programmes, ideology and mission. Youth Arise for 2019 “YAF19” is a platform initiated for youths who are interested in participating in the forthcoming 2019 general elections while the Youth Alliance for Politics “YAP” is a general platform for youth to brainstorm, share ideas and think-tank on ways of actualizing their vision. For over three weeks now we’ve have been talking and discussing with over twenty national chairmen of different political parties to allow some passionate youths who are also our members and have shown their interest in contesting the forthcoming elections under their parties for free. Majority of these youths are well known in their respective domains and truly grass rooted. Our mission is to look for a platform for them to contest. Currently we have members across the states of the Federation which cut across different political parties.

3. What is your take on the current level of youth participation in politics?

Youths are not showing much interest in practical politics. When I say practical politics, I mean youth involvement in politics whereby they officially belong to a registered political party, obtain their membership card, attend meetings and pay prescribed subscriptions or dues as authorized by the constitution of such political party. Well, I can say lack of funds hinders some of them. Youth don’t take politics serious in Nigeria. You will always see them where they share money, rice, detergent, bournvita, clothes and semolina. Well, our politicians called that stomach infrastructure. Many youth have sold their future and rights through this. Some of them don’t even know the meaning of party ideology; they are not ready to know the principles behind the formation of the party in which they are members. All they are after is their stomach and selfish interest. If you ask anyone of them to tell you their party’s programmes, you will be baffled with their response. They will only tell you what they hear on radio and read in newspapers. Some of them don’t even know that a typical political party has what they called “Manifestoes”. Some of them don’t even read. That is why when they argued on issues related to the political and economic problems of the country they argued blindly.

4. You have a big task ahead of you, what are the key challenges you will face?

One of the major challenges we are facing right now is the issue of finance. We currently lack funds to execute some of our brilliant ideas and programmes. We need to print more IEC materials to sensitize more youth. Approach different registered political parties to cooperate with us. Another challenge is the poor operation of the NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN. Currently, we don’t see any impact the initiative is making apart from the fact that it gives young people the right to contest and be voted for. Only the children of the rich people are benefiting from the initiative. No registered political party will render any service for you free of charge. They can never use their resources for you if you are not financially useful for the party. Even if your village oracle tells them you will win, you must still drop something. The initiators of this laudable project should seek for international support to create an endowment fund for this. Any youth who is poor and passionately interested to run for any office with good blueprints and programmes can apply for support.

5. How do you hope your programme will help to contribute to greater participation of young people in politics in Nigeria?

It is already making a positive impact. We shall soon publish the names of some of those who have benefited from our project. We don’t want any interested youth to be unserious members of any registered political party. We want them to be card-carrying members who must also have sense of belongings and have 100% rights in such parties. They must know what such parties stand for, manifestoes, programmes and blueprints. They must differentiate between a politician who have their interest and that of the nation in his or her heart rather than pursuing his or her selfish ambition.

6. Are young people eager to get involved in politics in Nigeria?
If you say a progressive politics I will say no. But if it is stomach infrastructure politics I will say yes. A typical Nigerian youth nowadays during campaign if they are offered N500 or N1000 would tell you to get yours too because once they (politician campaigning) enter, you will never get anything from them again. This is the way a typical Nigerian youth thinks nowadays. They believed that the little stipend they always collect from candidates contesting for any election is their right. They are even the one given those politician the strength to embezzle when they get there. Because to a typical Nigerian politician the money they spent during and every elections is an investment which they hope to get back when they win such election. That is why most of them make it a do or die election. Some of them would even go ahead selling their personal properties and family assets to actualize their goal of winning such election. And some would even kill their strong opponents which they think might pose a threat to their selfish ambition. Nigerian youths are not ready to run for national development but ready to enrich their pockets.


7. How did you venture into politics?

My venturing into politics is a long story but I’ve chaired political parties like Peoples Mandate Party (PMP), Democratic Front for People Federation (DFPF), United Progressive Party (UPP) African Peoples Alliance (APA) and Hope Democratic Party (HDP). I was also a former Oyo state secretary of the Coalition for a New Nigeria (CNN), Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC).

8. What are your plans for youth in the state?

I have promised Osun state youths to create youth centers aimed at educating, advocating, empowering and making them independent through vocational and technical training in field like tailoring, catering, carpentry, computer engineering, bakery, photography, lamination, computer operation, bead making, videography, arts and crafts, publishing and others. We are already consulting with experts and professionals in different professional fields on logistics and financial implications of such venture.

9. What is your advice to your fellow Nigerian youths?

I will implore them to take politics serious and stop following all those selfish political leaders who are using them for their selfish ambitions. They should always think of their future and their generations yet unborn. There are currently 68 registered political parties in Nigeria, PDP and APC are only part of them. They are free to join any one of the 68 registered political parties. If APC and PDP are not conducive for you to achieve your ambition, then try other parties.
Youths shouldn’t be thinking that the only way of making fast money is by joining politics. Politics should be seen as voluntary and not as profession. If anyone is fully active in politics, he or she must make sure there is job to support ones political ambition. So youth shouldn’t take politics as job but as vocation.

Osun 2018: HDP launches website, Facebook and others for her governorship election campaign
As part of Hope Democratic Party (HDP) effort to take their campaign to the grassroots and nooks and crannies of the state. Also in a bid to connect and network with the grassroots people of Osun State. Hope Democratic Party, Osun State Chapter has launched her social media platforms which will be used for campaigns and sanitization of voters on the party’s governorship candidate and the blueprints of the party for the citizens of the state.
Speaking with newsmen yesterday, the Osun State public relations officer of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Mr. Dada Olusegun said the party and her governorship candidate have designed friendly blogs and facebook accounts aim at showcasing the programmes and manifestoes of the party and her candidate for the forthcoming governorship election. Also Twitter and Instagram are part of the social media platforms created alongside the blogs and the facebook account to be used for his party’s campaign.
Speaking further on the issue, Mr. Dada Olusegun said this action is necessary as to win the hearts and vote of the peoples come September 22nd.
Below are the newly created platforms:
WEBSITE (BLOGS)22w1q22
WAJA for Osun Governor
http://wajaforosungovernor..com
Hope for Osun
http://hopeforosun..com
FACEBOOK
WAJA for Osun Governor
https://mobile.facebook.com/WAJA-for-Osun-Governor-258011024994507/?ref=Footer&_rdr
Wole Adedoyin for Osun State Governor 2018
https://mobile.facebook.com/Wole-Adedoyin-for-Osun-State-Governor-2018-250741149088477/?ref=Footer&_rdr

ACPP Congratulates Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola on his emergence as APC flagbearer
Prince Adesoji Masilo Adeleke, the Osun State Chairman of the Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) has urged the gubernatorial flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in the state to see his emergence as an opportunity to continue the good work of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and to deliver on the mandate he enjoys by providing the basic needs of his people and generally raising the level of development in the state.
This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by ACPP Chairman, Prince Adesoji Masilo Adeleke in Osogbo, Osun state capital yesterday.
Prince Adesoji Masilo Adeleke also applauded other contestants for the maturity and decision exercised without recourse to violence. He however tagged Chief Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola as Ogbeni the second.
The Alliance further commended the leadership of APC for rallying support in ensuring that Chief Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola emerged as the party candidate. Prince Masilo also gave kudos to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for providing the enabling political environment for the successful conduct of the primary election.

Osun 2018: HDP Candidate Wole Adedoyin, promises quality education in government schools
The governorship candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the forthcoming September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Mr. Wole Adedoyin has promised to provide the public school students of Osun state with access to quality education including all the basic facilities, as part of his commitment for winning the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Mr. Wole Adedoyin, the governorship candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) took to the press yesterday to discuss the state of education in Osun state, while also committing to a list of citizen’s demands ensuring quality education in government schools.
He however commended the incumbent governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for rebranding the face of education in the state.
Mr. Adedoyin promised to implement broad based learning so that students may possess the necessary knowledge and disciplinary tools while in school.
He further stated that it was her party’s priority to prioritise scientific education, for which they will train teachers and upgrade curriculum. Adedoyin’s manifesto focuses exclusively on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
Mr. Adedoyin also spoke about increasing the budget allocated for education while also high-lightening the need to strictly regulate and monitor private and public schools.
Finally, Adedoyin has promised to initiate and commit to a charter that will be based on the demands of parents, teachers and community members in Osun state. The charter will outline the need to upgrade schools from primary to tertiary institution while also highlighting the need for constructing science and computer labs.
The charter will make it mandated that more government schools be renovated and constructed at every level while also improving the quality of education. The charter included that libraries should also be established alongside science and computer labs, teachers will be trained in modern teaching practices and that healthy co-curricular activities be made more popular.

ANA National Publicity Secretary emerges HDP Governorship candidate in Osun State
By: Toju Johnson On: 07/20/2018 In: Local News With: 0 Comments

The national publicity secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), who is also the national President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Mr. Wole Adedoyin has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) for the September 22 Osun state governorship election.
The party’s publicity secretary in the state, Mr. Dada Olusegun told newsmen yesterday in Osogbo that Mr. Wole Adedoyin, a former pioneer Secretary of Oyo IPAC (Interparty Advisory Council) and former CNPP (Conference of Nigerian Political Parties) Secretary emerged at the party’s primary held on Wednesday 18th of July. The primary was supervised and monitored by four INEC representatives.
Mr. Wole Adedoyin was 2008 recipient of the Oyo State Merit Award in Literary Art and was also nominated last year for the prestigious Future Africa Award in Education category endowed by the University of Sussex. He is also a foundation member of the working committee of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum ICT (NCCF ICT) and Association for Information and Communication Technology for Local Content (ICT LOCA), initiatives founded by Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB) under the political administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that ICT practitioners are allowed to benefit from the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content and Development (NOGICD) Act. Mr. Adedoyin has Chaired political parties like Democratic Front for People Federation (DFPF), Peoples Mandate Party (PMP), United Progressive Party (UPP), African Peoples Alliance (APA) and Hope Democratic Party (HDP).
According to Mr. Dada, the primary which outcome was accepted by all members was peaceful and democratic.
He said delegates from fifteen local governments were accredited and at the end of the exercise, Mr. Wole Adedoyin emerged as consensus candidate of the party.
Mr. Olusegun Dada said that HDP is the only party that meant well for the masses and urged the people to vote for her candidate comes September 22 and continue to support it.
http://9javenue.com/2018/07/20/ana-national-publicity-secretary-emerges-hdp-governorship-candidate-in-osun-state/

Osun HDP picks Olawale Adewumi as Deputy Governorship Candidate
The Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in Osun State has picked Mr. Olawale Adesoye Adewumi as its deputy governorship candidate.
This was made known in a statement issued by the state publicity secretary, Mr. Dada Olusegun in Osogbo on Saturday.
He said the decision was reached after wide consultations with stakeholders in the state. The elders’ caucus of the party, after serious meeting and deliberation finally agreed that Mr. Olawale Adesoye Adewumi should be the running mate of their party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Wole Adedoyin.
The party has absolute confidence and belief that the combination of the duo will win the September 22 governorship election, the statement said.
Mr. Dada Olusegun finally assured the public that the governorship campaign of HDP would soon be officially flagged off.

I SEE POLITICS AS A CALL TO SERVICE, NOT MONEY MAKING VENTURE- WOLE ADEDOYIN
Prince Abdulhafeez Oyewole July 24, 2018 Interview, Who Is Who


Wole Adedoyin is the governorship card bearer of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in Osun state. He is to contest against other political parties in the next Osun State governorship election scheduled for 22nd of September, this year. In this interview with ABDULHAFEEZ T. OYEWOLE, he speaks, among other things, on what him and his party is bringing to the people of Osun state when becomes victorious at the poll.

Who is Wole Adedoyin in your state political space?
Wole Adedoyin is a Nigerian from Osun state. I’m a political activist and core democrat. My late grandfather, Prince Ogini Adedoyin and my late father, Prince Albert Aderemi Adedoyin were both practical politicians. Of recent when I was searching our family house in Ilesa, I saw my grandfather’s Action Group’s membership card. I am currently with my father’s UPN and SDP membership cards too. I take it with me to wherever I go. My father and grandfather were both followers of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Politics to me flows in our blood. My father was the PRO of UPN for some times. He was very active and dedicated. I am following his footsteps. Politics to me is a vocation. It is not a profession. I have my own job. I’m a writer, journalist, blogger, programmer, computer analyst, theologian and photographer. I started my politics in Osun State barely four years ago after the demise of my late dad. It was an agreement between me and him that I should return to Osun state and continue my politics since that place is our state of origin. We are from Ilesa. Though I was born and bred in Ibadan, Oyo state capital. When I got back to Osun, I transferred my Voter's Card and got other necessary documents like Certificate of Origin and so on.

What I just noticed is that if you don’t participate in politics you won’t be contented and be complaining with the way our rulers and leaders are governing us. You know there is an adage which says if you can’t meet them, then you join them. My brother in person of Dcn. Tolulope Adedoyin contested for the Oyo State House of Assembly (Ibadan North Constituency 1) on the platform of the African Peoples Alliance (APA) in the last 2015 election. He really performed well. He came fourth out of the nine contestants.

I know you as a young Nigerian writer, when did you dabble into politics and for what reasons?
Before going into politics, I was the National Coordinator of the Conference of Young Nigerian Democrats and the National Secretary of Good Governance and Transparency Club. The Conference of Young Nigerian Democrats was affiliated with the Global Youth Service Day of America. The aim of the club was to create a forum where youth and interested participant can share, brainstorm and ruminate about problems facing youths in their communities and professions. We later diverted our interest into politics and we compelled all members to join any political parties of their choice. That was around 2004. I was then championing youth participation in politics and encouraging youth to show interest in politics.

Before my foray into politics, I was into activism under Comrade Laoye Sanda. I do visit him in his house where he would lecture me basics and principles of Socialism. I was into full activism for three solid years before joining the Progressive Action Congress (PAC), a registered political party then under the National leadership of Chief Nwodo. I was then made the Ibadan North Local Government Chairman of the party. I served the party for six months before joining the major opposition party in the state then, the Action Congress (AC) as ward Secretary. When my ward Chairman then was impeached for no reasons, I resigned my membership of the party and went back to the Progressive Action Congress but not as Ibadan North Local Government Chairman of the party again but as state P.R.O.
After leaving PAC, I joined African Renaissance Party (ARP) and later became their state Secretary. My passion for socialism and the intervention of Comrade Laoye Sanda made me to become a member of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) under the national leadership of Alhaji Balarabe Musa. I was appointed in acting capacity as State PRO and Secretary of the party in Oyo state. I was in charge of the party’s correspondence with INEC. This also gave me direct access to discuss with Alhaji Balarabe Musa. I was a member of Peoples Redemption Party for a period of two solid years. I voluntarily resigned my membership when some unserious people decamped into the party which later made the party irrelevant and non-functioning. It was during my stay in Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), I became the State Secretary of a coalition, called Coalition for a New Nigeria (CNN) formed by Alh. Balarabe Musa, then to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Fifteen political parties were members of this Coalition in Oyo State. This Coalition was used to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state then under the government of Otunba Christopher Alao Akala.
We actually worked for the current Governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi in 2011. I remembered that myself and Comrade Laoye Sanda were both in his house a day before the 2011 governorship election. I was the State Secretary; Comrade Laoye Sanda was the State Chairman, Chief Lamidi Apapa was Vice Chairman, while Mr. Taiwo Ibrahim was our Publicity Secretary.

After the Coalition, I was made the state Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) under the Arc. Oyeniyi led CNPP faction. During this time Prof. Wole Soyinka had also registered his party called Democratic Front for People Federation (DFPF), before the deregistration of the party. I was made the party’s acting Secretary and later acting Chairman. I started playing professional party politics when I was appointed the Oyo state Chairman of the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP) under the national leadership of Prof. Edward. It was through the party I attended my first UNDP programme. I was nominated by the national Chairman of the party to represent him in the programme which took place in Lagos. After the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP) was deregistered, I was appointed the foundation acting Secretary of the United Progressive Party (UPP) under the national leadership of Chief Chekwas Okorie. I became an acting Chairman of the party when the foundation chairman of the party was moved to the national.

After leaving the United Progressive Party (UPP), I was appointed the African Peoples Alliance (APA) party’s Chairman. It was in this party I fielded my first governorship and house of assembly candidates. I also emerged as the pioneer Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). After the last 2015 general election, I made up my mind to continue my political activism in my state of origin, which is Osun state and where I am today.
When I came to Osun State, It took me time to get a good political party with masses-oriented ideology. When I went through the manifestoes of the Hope Democratic Party, I felt happy and was interested to become a member of the party. I later got to know that the party did not exist in the state. I got this information through INEC when I went to make enquiry. With the kind support of the National Chairman of the Party, Chief Ambrose Owuru, I brought the party and was made the foundation Chairman of the party in the state.
How do you see your emergence as the Governorship card-bearer of your party?
Well, this is great and not surprising at all. As I’ve told you before that I’ve once fielded both the governorship and house of assembly candidates before in the last general elections. It is a welcome development.
Why did you decide to contest the seat?
It is not because the current Governor is not doing well or the ruling party blueprint is bad. I always admire Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He has tried and done his best. He is one of my favourite Governors in the country. He made Osogbo what it is today because of his developmental blueprints. We know it is not easy. Innumerable accolades must be given to him. Ogbeni himself knows us well. Whenever he does wrong we knock him and whenever he does right we praise him. But we feel we can still do more on what he has done. We want to continue where he stops.
Aregbesola has opened the third eyes of Osun people that our state can be better if we vote for the right people. This is the reason why I am contesting. Several times, our party has commended Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for all the developmental projects he is executing in the state and the free and fair parliamentary elections he contested in the state earlier this year. With this, Ogbeni Rauf Aregesola has proved his critics wrong with seen-and-believing projects all spread over the nooks and crannies of Osun State. Also, another achievement of Aregbesola led government is the peace, oneness and equality he brought to the political party administration of the state. Governor Aregbesola sees all political parties as equal, no record of government brutality against any political party in the state since he has assumed power.
Have you, in the past, contested or held any political position in Osun state?
No, no, not at all. This is my first time and this is the first time my party will be contesting too in Osun since it was registered in 2006. I don’t hold any political position in the state, apart from being the current state Chairman of my party, the Hope Democratic Party (HDP). I am also the Coordinator of Osun Redemption Group (ORG) and Osun Democrats (OD). I equally coordinate literary platforms like Osogbo Book Club (OBC) and Osogbo Writers Forum (OWF).
What will be the topmost priority of your government when elected?
We have designed our 5 PLAN REVOLUTION BLUEPRINT for a new Osun state, which are (1) Agricultural and Industrial Revolution, (2) Health and Educational Revolution, (3) Economic and Political Revolution, (4) Infrastructural and Leadership Revolution, and (5) Cultural and Security Revolution.
We developed this five plan Revolution Blueprint for our envisioned new Osun State. The execution of this well-articulated welfarist programme is expected to reverse in positive light the current or prevalent overtly negatively adopted capitalist tendencies that has over time bred corruption in Osun State and which also has over time grown into a cankerworm permeating all spheres of the life of our people in the state, thereby stalling any sustainable developmental projects such as funds for world class infrastructural development, good roads. Steady jobs and general well fair of the Osun State citizenry are channeled to private accounts breeding social injustice in the land, mass poverty and disparities between the poor and the rich and which in turn breeds social misfit and ready hands for crime, terrorist recruitment leading to insecurity in the land. All these happened during the reigns of PDP in the state.

Can you share your other agenda when elected by your people?
Several occasions through our press releases and conferences, we have assured workers and pensioners in the state that their welfare would be priority in our agenda if voted in. We know that any government would not get effective services from workers when they were poorly treated.

We have also promised Osun state youths to create youth centers aimed at educating, advocating, empowering and making them independent through vocational and technical training in field like tailoring, catering, carpentry, computer engineering, bakery, photography, lamination, computer operation, bead making, videography, arts and crafts, publishing and others. We are already consulting with experts and professionals in different professional fields on logistics and financial implications of such venture. Housing and eradication of poverty are other priorities in our agenda.

How do you intend to achieve your said agenda?
Well, I think we shouldn’t make that public now.

Our audience will like to know about your party's activities and how it's being funded?
Hope Democratic Party (HDP) was registered on November 10, 2006, later de-registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission in 2011, but was later reinstated by a federal High Court judgment in 2015. HDP participated in the last 2015 general elections. It was also one of the 14 political parties that fielded presidential candidates in the last presidential election.

In 2015, Hope Democratic Party (HDP) developed five plan revolution blueprints for its envisioned new Nigeria. The 5 plan revolution blueprints are Agricultural and Industrial Revolution, Health and Educational Revolution, Economic and Political Revolution, Infrastructure and Leadership Revolution and Cultural and Security Revolution. We are currently running the party through donations and subscriptions made by our card-carrying members.

Assuming you don't win at the poll, who will you prefer winning among your contenders and why?
APC, of course. Of recent, our national headquarters alongside other parties formed a coalition known as Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (CPPP). CPPP is a pro APC coalition. We can’t be queried or questioned if at the end of the day we work for APC. We shall support her candidate, Chief Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola.

Let us put sentiment and politics apart. This is a man with huge experience and achievements. His profile speaks volume. We want the best and I can assure you that Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola is the best for Osun state. So if we don’t win, then definitely we will support Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola. We want the continuity of Aregbesola’s giant strides. So if HDP can’t achieve that, then we will support another candidate with the same goal.

What are your parting shots?

As for me, I don’t see politics as money making venture. I see it as a call to service. Youth of nowadays should also reason this way. On the Not Too Young To Run! This initiative is not well executed. There should be an endowment fund for this initiative. Many youths are interested io participating in politics but lack of funds hinders them. I know how much I have spent for me to clinch my party’s ticket. Where ever you go people ask for money for them to do one or two things for you. It will be a good idea if the initiators of NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN can set up a fund, something like Youth in Politics Endowment Fund, where serious youth in politics can apply for assistance. Nothing is free in any political party. This will make a lot of sense. Unless only the children of the rich people will be benefiting from this initiative. And there should be an enforcement body or committee that will make sure that INEC and political parties actualize this goal.


Property's of Kwarareporters

CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP
Hope Democratic Party (HDP Osun State Chapter) calls for new member
Are you a citizen of Osun state yet to belong to a political party?
Or
A party member tired of your membership in your current political party?
Do you know that you can also become a state or federal honourable without spending huge money?
If you want to
THEN JOIN HOPE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TODAY
Do you know that the only way to stop complaining about the plights currently rocking osun state is to join HDP and prepare to vote for its anointed candidate come 2018 election
Stop complaining
JOIN HOPE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (HDP)TODAY
For a good dividend of Democracy
Remember, Osun HDP is currently registering new members across the three senatorial district areas of the state like Boluwaduro, Boripe, Ifedayo, Ifelodun, Ila, Irepodun, Odo Otin, Olorunda, Orolu, Osogbo, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade, Ayedaade, Ayedure, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Irewole, Isokan, Iwo, Ola Oluwa.
To join send your name, age, phone number, area/senatorial district to 08072673852 or call 08142693764. You can also whatsapp your information to 08072673852 or email us at hopedemocraticpartyonline@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP IS FREE

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
• Free issuance of Certificate of Membership
• Free ID Card
• Free access to our party’s constitution and manifesto
Our party slogan
HDP – Unity and Trust
HDP – Peace and Justice
HDP – Equality and Integrity

Grab this opportunity today and become a full member of HDP
HDP stands for transparency, equality, accountability, integrity, justice, peace, trust and truth.
REMEMBER, A CITIZEN WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF HDP IS LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER
Wole Adedoyin – HDP Osun State Chairman - to 08072673852
Don’t vote for fake promises, vote your conscience.

Call for Entries: 2018 Nigeria Christian Book of the Year Award
(Fifth Edition)
The Nigeria Christian Book of the Year Award is given annually to an original book written by a Nigerian citizen normally resident in Nigeria and published by a Nigerian Publisher. The award recognizes and encourages excellence in Nigerian Christian writing.
NCBOY Award carries no monetary prize but a framed certificate of Merit, Certificate of Participation, Certificate of Award and Achievement for the author and publisher.
Entries are judged with an eye to the:
Literary Style – including suitability for the target audience
Original Nature of the Work.
Design, layout, cover, text and illustrations.
Contribution that the book makes in meeting a need for Christian writing in the Nigerian situation and in the Nigerian Market.
SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES
• Entries must be published after 1st of Jan 2016 and submitted as from April 23, 2017.
• There is no limit to the number of titles which a publisher may submit.
• Entries are read and judged by a panel selected by the Judges. If, in the opinion of the judges, no entry meets the standards expected, no award will be made.
• Send 10 copies of each title being entered.
Entry closes 1st of September, 2018.

For queries:
woleadedoyin@gmail.com, 08072673852.

For submissions:
The Awards Coordinator, Nigerian Christian Literature Awards. P.O. Box 6332, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
BENEFITS/PRIZES TO BE WON
1. Certificate of Participation will be awarded to all participants
2. Certificate of Award alongside Certificate of Achievement will also be given to all winners
3. Free Membership into the Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers
4. Free promotion/publicity of winning books online and in newspapers
5. All winners are entitle to1000 Christian E-Book pack
6. No monetary Prize for now

Call for Entries open for Christian Teen writers
2018 NIGERIA CHRISTIAN TEEN WRITERS AWARD
(Fifth Edition)

The Young Nigerian Christian Writers’ Awards aim to discover and encourage writers of the future. The Award carries no monetary prize but a framed certificate of Merit, Certificate of Participation, Certificate of Award and Achievement for the teen author.
The winning work will explore a Christian perspective or theme and incorporate, explain or encourage Christian life and values.
Entries are judged with an eye to the:
Original Nature and Content of the Work.
Literary Style including suitability for the target audience
Contribution that the work makes in meeting a need for Christian writing in Nigeria.
Conditions of Entry
• The Award is open to Nigerian Citizens normally resident in Nigeria under the age of 25. Entrants will need to supply proof of age and citizenship and details of their Christian community.
• Entries must be the original and unpublished work of the author.
• Only one entry per person.
• Entries close on 1st of September, 2018. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Each entry must be submitted as a hard copy. The entrant’s information must be attached on a separate page.
Eight Copies for each submitted entry
• Entries will not be returned, so remember to keep a copy.
• An entry will be disqualified if it is handwritten or in manuscript format.
• Entries are read and judged by a panel selected by judges. If, in the opinion of the judges, no entry meets the standard expected, no award will be made. The judge’s decision is final. The organizers reserve the right to withdraw any unsuitable entry.
• Copyright of submitted work will remain with the author. The names of winning entrants and copies of their winning entries may be published on the Association’s website.
• All finalists will be notified by 15th of September, 2018.

The Nigeria Christian Literature Awards are administered by the Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers. An activity of the Association for promoting Christian Knowledge, discovering and nurturing tomorrow’s Christian writers.
For queries:
woleadedoyin@gmail.com, 08072673852.
For submissions:
The Awards Coordinator, Nigerian Christian Literature Awards, P.O. Box 6332, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
Benefits/Prizes to be won
1. Certificate of Participation will be awarded to all participants
2. Certificate of Award alongside Certificate of Achievement will also be given to all winners
3. Free Membership into the Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers
4. Free promotion/publicity of winning books online and in newspapers
5. All winners are entitle to1000 Christian E-Book pack
6. No monetary Prize for now

Call for Entries: 2018 YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS AWARD
In a bid to promote, test, reward, recognize and award young Nigerian writers of creative works. The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has announced the opening/call for entries for the 2018 edition of her annual award.
Call for Submission/Nomination
Nominations may be submitted in one of four categories:

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS
POETRY AWARD
Ify Omalicha Agwu Award for Teen poets (Between the ages of 7 and 15)
Sesan Ajayi Award for Young Poets (Between the ages of 18 and 35)
DRAMA AWARD
Dapo Adelugba Award for Young Nigerian Playwrights (Between the ages of 18 and 35)
Ola Rotimi Award for Teen Playwrights (Between the ages of 7 and 15)
PROSE AWARD
Akinwumi Isola Award for Young Nigerian Novelists (Between the ages of 18 and 35)
Festus Iyayi Award for Teen Novelists (Between the ages of 7 and 15)
INDIGENOUS LITERATURE AWARD
Imam Abubakar Award for Hausa Literature (Between the ages of 18 and 35)
D.O. Fagunwa Award for Yoruba Literature (Between the ages of 18 and 35)
Pita Nwana Award for Igbo Literature (Between the ages of 18 and 35)
Conditions of entry
• The Award is open to Nigerian Citizens normally resident in Nigeria under the age of 35.
• Entries must be the original and published work of the author.
• Participation is free
• Individual writer must attach a copy of their CV.
• Only one entry per person.
• Entries close on 31st of September, 2018. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Each entry must be submitted as a hard copy. The entrant’s information must be attached on a separate page.
• 10 copies of the submitted book(s) must be included
• Entries will not be returned, so remember to keep a copy.
• An entry will be disqualified if it is handwritten or in manuscript formats (entries must be printed copies).
• Entries are read and judged by a panel selected by judges. If, in the opinion of the judges, no entry meets the standard expected, no award will be made. The judge’s decision is final. The organizers reserve the right to withdraw any unsuitable entry.
• Copyright of submitted work will remain with the author. The names of winning entrants and copies of their winning entries may be published on the Society’s blog.
• All finalists will be notified by October 15th, 2018.
Benefits/Prizes to be Won
1. Certificate of Participation will be awarded to all participants
2. Certificate of Award alongside Certificate of Achievement will also be given to all winners
3. Free Membership into the Society of Young Nigerian Writers and Publishers
4. Free promotion/publicity of winning books online and in newspapers
5. All winners are entitle to1000 E-Books pack
6. No monetary Prize for now
Contact information:
For queries:
societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com, grouponlinenigeria@gmail.com, 08072673852,

For submissions:
The Awards Coordinator, Young Nigerian Writers Award, P.O. Box 6332, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.

2018 edition of Nigerian Christian Literature Award opens for Christian writers
In a bid to promote, test, reward, recognize and award Christian books and writers in Nigeria. The Association of Nigeria Christian Authors and Publishers (ANCAPS) has announced the opening/call for entries for the 2018 edition of her annual award.
2018 NIGERIA CHRISTIAN LITERATURE AWARD
FIFTH EDITION
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS/Nominations
Nominations may be submitted in one of 15 categories:
AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Femi Emmanuel Christian Writers Award (on Christian Inspirational/Motivational Books)
2. A. Adeboye Christian Writers Award (on Church Planting Books Category)
3. Ayo Babalola Christian Writers Award (on Prayer Books Category)
4. F. Kumuyi Christian Writers Award (on Practical Evangelism Books Category)
5. Ben Idahosa Christian Writers Award (on Salvation and Redemption Books Category)
6. Samuel Ajayi Crowther Christian Writers Award (on Christian Fiction Category)
7. Moses Orimolade Christian Writers Award (on Christian Biography and Autobiography Category)
8. Samuel Oshoffa Christian Writers Award (on Tracts Evangelism Category)
9. Henry Townsend Writers Award (on Christian/Church History Books Category)
10. K. Olukoya Christian Writers Prize (on Church Administration Books Category)
11. Wale Oke Christian Writers Prize (on Christian Biography/Autobiography Category)
12. B Joshua Christian Writers Prize on (on Christian Healing/Miracle Books Category)
13. Chris Oyakilome Christian Writers Prize (on Christian Counseling/Ethics Books Category)
14. Mathew Ashimolowo Christian Writers Prize (on Christian Youth Books Category)
15. Chris Okotie Christian Writers Prize (on Christian and Politics Books Category)
NB: Entrants should specify which category they are entering for. Only first, second and third will be selected in each category
The Nigerian Christian Writers’ Awards aim to discover and encourage writers of the future. Prizes are given for the best published works by a Nigerian Citizen under 50 years of age. Supplementary awards may be made.
The winning work will explore a Christian perspective or theme and incorporate, explain or encourage Christian life and values.
Entries are judged with an eye to the:
• Original Nature and Content of the Work.
• Literary Style including suitability for the target audience
• Contribution that the work makes in meeting a need for Christian writing in Nigeria.
Conditions of entry
• The Award is open to Nigerian Citizens normally resident in Nigeria under the age of 50. Entrants will need to supply proof of age and citizenship and details of their Christian community.
• Entries must be the original and published work of the author.
• Entries are free
• Individual writer must attach a copy of their CV.
• Only one entry per person.
• Entries close on September 1st, 2018. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Each entry must be submitted as a hard copy. The entrant’s information must be attached on a separate page.
• 10 copies of the submitted book must be included
• Entries will not be returned, so remember to keep a copy.
• An entry will be disqualified if it is handwritten or in manuscript formats (entries must be word in printed copies).
• Entries are read and judged by a panel selected by judges. If, in the opinion of the judges, no entry meets the standard expected, no award will be made. The judge’s decision is final. The organizers reserve the right to withdraw any unsuitable entry.
• Copyright of submitted work will remain with the author. The names of winning entrants and copies of their winning entries may be published on the Association’s website.
• All finalists will be notified by September 15, 2018. All entrants will be invited to attend the awards event at a venue and date to be notified. If you have any queries please e-mail – woleadedoyin@gmail.com
Benefits/Prizes to Be Won
1. Certificate of Participation will be awarded to all participants
2. Certificate of Award alongside Certificate of Achievement will also be given to all winners
3. Free Membership into the Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers
4. Free promotion/publicity of winning books online and in newspapers
5. All winners are entitle to1000 Christian E-Book pack
6. No monetary Prize for now
The Nigerian Christian Literature Awards are administered by the Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers. An activity of the Association for promoting Christian Knowledge, discovering and nurturing tomorrow’s Christian writers.
Contact information:
For queries :
woleadedoyin@gmail.com, 08072673852.
For submissions:
The Awards Coordinator, Nigerian Christian Literature Awards, P.O. Box 6332, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.

2018 ANA LITERARY PRIZES: CALL FOR ENTRIES

INTRODUCTION
The Association of Nigerian Authors [ANA] hereby announces a range of prizes for its 2018 literary competitions. The prizes are:
1. ANA Prize for Poetry (published & unpublished) – N 100,000
2. ANA Prize for Prose Fiction (published & unpublished) – N 100,000
3. ANA Prize for Drama (published & unpublished) – N 100,000
4. ANA Prize for Children's Literature- 7-13 years age range (Published works only and open to all categories of authors) - N100, 0000
5. ANA/ Abubakar Gimba Prize for Fiction (Short Stories Collection-Published) – N200, 000.
6. ANA/NECO Teen Authors Prize for Prose (Published & Unpublished)- N100,000
6. ANA/Maria Ajima Prize for Literary Criticism (Focus on criticism of emergent Nigerian Literature) – N100, 000
Nigerian writers, at home and abroad, desirous of entering their works for the Annual Literary Prizes, may now do so. Works entered should have been published between 2017 and 2018.
REQUIREMENTS
1. An entry fee of N3, 000 (per entry) is required for all the prizes except the Teen Authors Prize. The fee is to be paid by the author or the publisher in favour of the:
ACCOUNT NAME: Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA)
BANK: Zenith Bank of Nigeria Plc
ACCOUNT NO: 1014606745
Please, note:
[a] The entry fee is for the purpose of prize administration only.
[b] A photocopy of the appropriate Deposit Slip[s] MUST accompany Requirement #2 below.

2. Six copies (6) of the book or manuscript to be entered, specifying the Prize being entered for, alongside a covering letter and the photocopy of the Deposit Slip used in Requirement 1 above, should be sent by post to:

The General Secretary,
Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA),
KM 2, Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja
Or PMB 18485,Area 10 Garki, Abuja

The covering letter should contain accurate contact details of the writer or/and publisher of the work, including email and surface mail addresses and telephone numbers.

Please, note also that:
[a] The Association will NOT take responsibility for the delay in the postal service nor claim registered parcels in cases where it has to pay for such entries or parcels.
[b] Multiple entries, where applicable, are allowed but a work must not have been entered for the same prize prior to the present entry and it must have been published between 2017 and 2018.

GENERAL INSTRUCTION
The works that are to be submitted in all categories should be original and not recast(s) of already existing works. All submissions are subjected to copyright laws of Nigeria as authors should note that they retain full responsibility for any sort of infringement. Works entered into for ANA prizes are expected to be of the highest language and literary quality.

(a)ANA/ Maria Ajima Prize for Literary Criticism (published works only)
Length: Not more than 15 pages of A4 paper size following format of academic essays.
1. Type double spaced using MS Word. Use Times New Roman Type face 12 point font size.
2. The essay, if published in a journal, newspaper, books or as electronic text on-line, must be within the valid dates indicated on this call for submissions.
3. Referencing style is either the latest MLA or APA style.
4. Five hard copies as loose sheets or as a bound monograph are to be submitted to ANA, plus a soft copy sent by email to foninyang@yahoo.com and anaexco2015@gmail.com
6. The essay should not be a generalized survey but should rather be focused on specific texts (in any of the genres) of selected authors at a time.
7. The essay should state where the texts or performance analysed can be accessed or located and where it (essay) has been published.
8. All entries in this category should be accompanied by a letter affirming the originality of the essay and authorial authenticity.
9. In addition, all other rules covering ANA competitions are applicable.

Copyright: The copyright to every winning entry is to be held by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Maria Ajima Trust, and the author of the work. The winning entry will be published in subsequent ANA Reviews.

(b) ANA.NECO Teen Authors Prize for Prose(Published & Unpublished)
Entries must be accompanied by photocopies of Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age and any other evidence of the entrant as a school-going person.
DEADLINE

Deadline for the receipt of ALL entries is Friday, May 25th, 2018(there will be no extension of this deadline). A shortlist will be announced in September, 2018. Winners of the prizes will be announced by the judges at the Awards Dinner during the 37th International Annual Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors in October, 2018.
Ofonime Inyang, PhD
General Secretary