ibadan scored a first when the International Young Writers Academy was inaugurated at the Conference Hall of the Alumni Centre, University of Ibadan.
According to its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kayode Adejumo-Bello, the academy is the first of such dedicated to raising young literary talents in Nigeria.
A total of 25 history-making young literati were admitted and matriculated as pioneer students of the academy.
“These students were drawn from secondary schools across Ibadan and were between 11 and 18. They were drawn from among the finalists of the first Ibadan Young Writers’ Summit 2017,” he said.
He said students would be trained on writing and publishing. In a chat with The Nation, Kayode said the academy would encourage students to start and complete a personal book project as well as participate in a joint project involving other students. “The students will embark on local and international literary excursions and exchanges. This will expose them to opportunities for development and interaction,” he said.
He added: “The need to catch them young and inculcate them with the skills of a ready writer, with the view to help launch these young ones on a career path as writers’ was the moving spirit behind the establishment of the academy. It was high time to let these young talents see that there exists the possibility of fame and fortune as a writer. We will make them cultural ambassadors and the future icons of our literary development in the mold of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, Mabel Segun, Sam Omatseye and the likes,” he said.