The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Literary

  • Macmillan marks Literary Day

    primary and secondary school pupils got a chance to air their views about Nigeria during the seventh youth Literary Day organised by Macmillan Nigeria Publishers at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

    Participants drawn from 10 primary and secondary schools competed in traditional dance and playlets depicting various ethnic cultures. Their performances were on the theme: Nigeria our Tears, our hopes. Their presentations urged Nigerians to live in unity and embrace other cultures for peace and harmony to reign.

    St. Bernedette Nursery and Primary School, Gowon Estate, Lagos came first in the primary category, while Dejkol Nursery and Primary School, Ojo emerged first runner up.

    In the secondary category, Foucos Secondary School, Ebute-Meta won, while Igbobi College, Yaba came second.

    Chairman, Macmillan Publishers, Bode Emmanuel said the theme portrayed the fact that there are hopes for Nigeria in the face of her daunting challenges provided the views of the youth could be given more attention.

    He said: “At Macmillan, we firmly believe that our dream for a better Nigeria must not die, neither shall our collective efforts be in vain. We must look beyond hopelessness, frustration and despair and see the bright light ahead.”

    A retired Professor of the University of Lagos, Sophie Oluwole described children as Nigeria’s hope.

    She canvassed the teaching of local languages and History.

    “It (history) is the way forward because understanding ones past, and what is good or bad in it will aid the development process,” she said.

     

  • Literary forum is born

    To encourage and promote new Nigerian and African writings, a new literary organisation known as African Writers Forum (AWF) has been founded.

    AWF is a non-governmental organisation set to promote research in Pidgin English and indigenous languages and the translation of literature from English to Nigerian languages. According to its president, Mr Hyacinth Chukwunwike Obunseh, the forum will also be discovering and encouraging emerging talents.

    Also, it will work with other associations at home and abroad that share similar aims and aspirations, organise conferences, workshops and seminars and publish a literary journal. It has as members of its Board of Trustees – Dr Ngozi Chuma-Udeh as the Chairman, Mr Obunseh as its secretary, Professor Sunnie Ododo and Mr Philip A. John as members.

    To host the forum, an interim executive council has been established, headed by Obunseh as the president.

    Others include Anna Ijeoma Obunseh (General Secretary), Kelechi Nwafuru (Publicity Officer), Philip Agholor John (Treasurer), Odili Ujubuonu (Auditor), Isaac Attah Ogezi (Legal Adviser), Jacinta Chizoba Ogbonna (personal assistant to the president).

    Obunseh said: “We intend to celebrate two literary icons and publish a literary journal before the end of the year. We also seize this opportunity to state that we are not in competition with any group that we severally or jointly belong to. We respect the rule of law and will keep our activities open to the general public.”