Ekiti Launches Her Book Club in Grand Style

 

EKITI LAUNCHES HER BOOK CLUB IN GRAND STYLE

 

Following the various broadcasts about the Ekiti Book Club inauguration, she finally achieved that feat on 21st of May, 2021 at the proposed venue, Faculty of Arts Building, New Pavilion hall in Phase 1 of the Federal University, Oye, Ekiti state.

The programme kicked off at around 2pm with a sizeable number of invitees already bustling around. It was hosted by the current President of the department of English and Literary Studies, Mr David Amodu Abideen, who with his witticism and humor, carried the audience along in the order of things.

Mr. Tehella Wealth, an Afriaa man from Kenya, who runs an NGO called "Run-Up Africa", gave the first speech emphasizing on "Longetivity" and the need for man to develop the right mindset towards achieving his purpose so as to live an impactful life. He urged readers to read uplifting books that adds value and he was quoted saying, "you have to change yourself before you can change the world". He added by saying Africans should be readers so that they would not be enslaved by the most vicious of all slavery, which is the mental slavery.

 Conclusively, he inserted that the worst thing that can happen to one is to be successful in the wrong things.

After this powerful session, the Coordinator himself, Mr Olamilekan Okebiorun, and Wofai, a talented guitarist, performed a musico-poetry termed "When a boy tells you that he loves you" which enraptured the audience and earned an overwhelming applause.

Abiodun Ekundayo Peter, a 200level student of English and Literary studies, also rendered a beautiful trado-poem, "Àbèké Òshìn" which spoke on a man's love for a beautiful maiden.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Sandra Nwagboso, after being welcomed with a standing ovation, spoke explicitly on "The Benefits of Reading". She started by delving into the history of language, communication, evolution of man, writing and then reading.

She mentioned the various forms of writing and the essence of reading. Some of her key words are:

- Readers are never ignorant.

- Reading is a great way of exercising the brain as it helps one to focus and concerntrate.

- Reading helps to generate experience about fellow human situation and evoke empathy.

- Reading improves mental health and make one live longer.

- Reading improves communication skills and is a form of premium entertainment.

 

She ended by urging writers and readers alike to be vast in knowledge by reading books of different fields, keep a diary and keep reading and writing.

She thus ended her speech by beseeching readers to read biographies on known readers and photo-copy their achievements.

 Next was the poem reading session which was set in motion by the Faculty of Arts President in the person of Miss Ayobami Asiat, and the ELS President, Amodu, as they read the two poems, Àbíkú by John Pepper Clark and Wole Soyinka. The poem was beautifully dissected and analysed by wonderful members of the association, voicing their thoughts, critic, and views on it. It was very active, interesting and insightful.

The Coordinator for Society of Young Nigerian Writers, FUOYE Chapter, Mr. Adebobola Mayowa Victor also engaged the people in asking and contributing on salient issues of the general society.

Lastly, the Coordinator, Mr. Olamilekan Okebiorun, gave his vote of thanks while light refreshments were being served, and blessed the audience with one of his wonderful spoken-word poems. Thus, the meeting ended with better plans for the subsequent ones.

In all, those in attendance were 55, including Dr. Iroegbu Obinna, a seasoned lecturer of the department of English and Literary Studies, two members of the Union of Campus Journalist (UCJ, FUOYE) who covered the inauguration and interviewed some persons, and Mr. Owolabi Daniel, the head of the COLOURS Magazine.