For the first time in 26 years, the Federal University ofAgriculture, Abeokuta successfully hosted a LITERARY WEEK. The program was a
success through the unrelenting efforts of the three literature-oriented groups
in the science and management-inclined University: Just-A-Poet, FUNAAB Theatre
Troupe, Top-Notch Writers Organization and other individuals.
The week-long program which commenced on Monday, July 21,
2014 and was rounded off on Friday July 25, 2014 was designed to encourage
students with undying interest in literature, creating a platform for all and
sundry to exhibit their recessive talents of prose, poetry and drama.
As part of the event, Talkshop sessions were held at Julius
Amioba Okojie Hall 2 (JAO 2). The TalkShop, which began by 1:00pm on Wednesday,
23 July 2014 had Ify Onyegbule, the station manager of Rockcity 101.9 FM and
author of 'Not Between my Legs' engage students of the University and other
literary inclined individuals across the state, as she spoke on the topic:
'Holding your Audience'. In her address, she stressed that young people should
create a platform to air their informed views especially through different
social media platforms- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. She also encouraged
students to live a life of purpose and develop a PDP - an abbreviation for what
she termed 'Personal Development Plan'.
While interacting with participants on 'The Aesthetics of
Poetry', the winner of the $100,000 NLNG Prize for Literature (2013) and author
of the anthology, 'The Sahara Testament', Barrister Tade Ipadeola highlighted
inter-alia the importance of the presence of truth, power, simplicity - which
he refers as the height of sophistication - rhetorical flush and right diction
in every poetic piece. As remarked by one of the participants, 'he was so
practical in all he said that we all rightly understood'.
Tobi Joseph, a presenter on Rockcity FM lamented the decline
in the reading culture of present day Nigerian students and encouraged students
to read widely and brand themselves enviably anywhere they find themselves.
The event was spiced by a spoken word performance from one
of Nigeria's outstanding poets - Enigmatic Olumide Bisiriyu - as he thrilled
the students with elegance and raptly eloquent delivery of his poem titled
'Words'. This performance was the talk of the show even after the event.
Evidently, the eager thirst for literary appreciation and
knowledge by young participants were well satisfied at the event, as one of
Nigeria's youngest published author - Aanu Damola Morenikeji gave a charge to
all present on personal growth, development and empathy. Damola, who wrote his
first book titled 'Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child' at age nine, noted that
creativity is impeeded in the absence of freedom and admonished that in the
interest of education and national development, thoughts and actions should be
targeted at bringing back the over 200 girls abducted in Chibok, a hundred days
earlier.
The FUNAAB Theatre Troupe was on top of their game as they
presented a short but very meaningful presentation, in which they explained the
implications of losing track on cultural
heritage and values by young people.
The grand finale of the event held on Friday, 25th July 2014
was an attestation to the hard-earned belief that talent abounds within the
country, as several young people graced the the stage, delightedly rocked the
microphone and entertained the audience with the amazing presentations of
poetry, prose, rap, dance, spoken words and drama. Some of those who performed
were; Ajibola Tolase, Olatunji Tolulope, Omolara, Tosin Agelese, Adebote
Oluwaseyifunmi, Adeyemi Agarau, Bada Amoo, Abdul Olamilekan, Adeola Olalekan,
Adeniyi Ebenezer, Ogunwole Abdulazeez and a host of others.
The week, dedicated to the appreciation and celebration of
literature came to a close with the recognition of individuals who had
contributed to literary development. Among the awardees was Israel Ajons,
author of 'A Heart that Bleeds', who came all the way from Makurdi having being
recognised for his commitment and contributions to Nigerian literary scene.
Other awardees were Barrister Tade Ipadeola, Ify Onyegbule, Aanu Damola
Morenikeji, Olumide Bisiriyu, Roland Ndu-Akpe, Mr. Bolaji Amusan and Tobi
Joseph.
Written by:- Adebote Oluwaseyifunmi
Written by:- Adebote Oluwaseyifunmi
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