… seeing things through the eye of a naive poet …
28/05/2012 Leave a comment
African Poet announces a National Slam Poetry Competition in Abuja!
Audition: 22 June 2012
Finals: 23 June 2012
The competition is open to all Nigerians and entry is free.
The winning prize is N100,000 and all 16 finalist will receive various cash prizes ranging between N10,000 – N50,000.
Venue for audition is our studio (interested persons should converge at the Radio House, Garki Abuja).
SJ. Onu
Executive Producer
21/05/2012 Leave a comment
By Ken Ike
One is a US college professor; another trained as a lawyer and is now a writer and the other is a journalist with immense creative flair. At 6-9pm on Friday 25th May, the trio of Unoma Nguemo Azuah, Hajo Isa and Abubaker Adam Ibrahim will star in the very popular BookJam@Silverbird Abuja.
The BookJam@Silverbird Abuja is a collaboration of the Abuja Literary Society and Silverbird Lifestyle. It holds every last Friday of the month and is anchored by co-host of the Abuja Poetry Slam, Jide Attah. The BookJam consists of book readings, book signings, musical presentations, raffle draw and a discussion by the guest writers. In addition, there is usually a special Slam poetry performance by some of Abuja’s finest Slam champions.
Multiple award-winning writer and Nigerian-born literature teacher at Lane College Tennessee, Unoma will be reading from her new collection of short stories, The Length of Light, and her prize-winning debut novel Sky-high Flames.
Lawyer-turned-poet, Hajo Isa has been feeding her talent and honing her craft over the years since coming to Abuja and fusing with the City’s literary culture. She was one of three featured at the Abuja Literary Society’s Emerging Voices Rising Stars debut series in 2010 and she has justified that inclusion with the recent release of her first poetry book, Shadow Fall; already being hailed for its poetic originality and crystalline lyricism.
Journalist and Daily Trust Literary Editor, Abubaker’s debut short story collection, Whispering Trees is simply delightful literature that’ll keep you turning the pages to the very end, even though, at times, you’d pause to weep in empathy with some of the acutely-portrayed characters. Abubaker weaves, in a contemporary style, Africa’s rich folkloric tradition with modern stories filled with eventful, deep characters that remain with you long after you’ve put down the beautifully produced book. One does not need to be a prophet to predict that this young writer will be one of Nigeria luminous literary stars in the future.
No doubt, the May edition of Bookjam is sure to thrill Abuja’s literati.
Hajo Isa:
Born and bred in Zuru, Kebbi State, Hajara Isa is lawyer and staff of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja. She graduated from the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2004.
As a Secondary school student of the Federal Government College, Jos, Hajo, as she’s fondly called took particular interest in poetry. She had been fascinated with words from a young age and her parents actively encouraged her.
Moving to Abuja after NYSC, she became an active member of the Abuja Literary Society. She would read her poetry at every reading and patiently noted the peer review of her writing, making sure she wrote the comments down. In later readings, she would read the amended version of the same works and it was interesting seeing her evolution from her quaint, uncertain early writings to her later poetic flourish; becoming a mature poet filled with the poise and confidence of a writer who has finally found her voice.
Recently, she has dabbled into prose, beginning with short story writing. She enjoys African prose the most, finding them “very rich in culture and passion; they have influenced my appreciation and dedication to the art of poetry and short fiction writing.” Hajo, writes best when she’s inspired. “I find art to be my best muse; I find it in music, reading a good book, being outdoors surrounded by nature, beauty in living and animate objects or art. Inspiration for me is very erratic so I try my best to incorporate creative hobbies in my life.”
Hajo aspires to serve on the legal Bench some day.
Abubakar Ibrahim:
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has been fascinated with writing since he was a boy, which was what motivated him to dump the sciences and study Mass Communications at the University of Jos.
He has dabbled into poetry and plays but is more at home with prose. He won the BBC African Performance Prize in 2007 and the ANA Plateau/Amatu Braide Prize for Prose the following year. He also emerged runner-up for the ANA Plateau Poetry Prize.
He is a fellow of the British Council Radiophonics creative writing workshop and has been selected for the Fidelity Bank Creative Writing Workshop as well as the Caine Prize for African Writing workshop (2012) – which he could not attend because of the Nigeria-South Africa Yellow fever row.
His radio drama, A Bull Man’s Story which fetched him the BBC African Performance Prize in 2007 was highly commended by the judges for the writer’s ‘ability to enter the minds of his character’.
He published his first novel, The Quest for Nina was published in 2009 and several of his works have appeared online and in literary journals.
Abubakar was educated at the University of Jos, Nigeria, where he obtained a degree in Mass Communication.
Unoma Nguemo Azuah:
Unoma Nguemo Azuah is a college professor in the US. She got her undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where she edited the English department literary journal—The Muse and received the awards of the best Creative Writing student for two consecutive years: 1992 and 1993. Her other awards include the Hellman/Hammett award, the Urban Spectrum award,the Leonard Trawick award and the Association of Nigerian Authors/NDDC Flora Nwapa award for her debut novel Sky-high Flames and the Aidoo-Snyder award for her latest novel, Edible Bones. Her collection of short stories,The Length of Light, reflects the predicament of everyday choices in life. The enigmatic gap between ordinary people and their dreams is dramatized in scenes that reveal severed roots, patriarchal intrusions, socio-economic impositions, inhuman cultural values, and hostility. Unoma has conducted writing workshops and seminars in some major cities in Nigeria, US and Canada. For instance, she has conducted writing workshops for incarcerated mothers and women in prison as a way of creating outlets for their expressions. Part of her focus in such workshops is to assist women in channelling their energy into literary expressions as a way of freeing their spirits in spite of their physical imprisonment.
She is also involved with “The Griot Collective,” a poetry group that organizes workshops and readings for adults and high school students in the West Tennessee area. Her contributions to this group earned her the “Griot Hero” award in 2006. In the same year, she received “The Best Faculty,” award at Lane College for her outstanding teaching, research and service to the College community.
Poet, journalist and literary activist, Ike is the Slam Master of the Abuja Literary Society.
16/05/2012 Leave a comment
Applications have opened for the 2012 Edition of the Fidelity Bank Creative Writing Workshop. The workshop is a component of Fidelity’s corporate Social Responsibility, through which the bank seeks to promote literature.
The workshop will include a wide range of reading and writing exercises. A public symposium featuring readings and panel discussions will be held on the last day of the workshop.
The aim of the workshop is to improve the craft of writers and to encourage professional and budding writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling. Participation is limited only to those who apply, and are accepted.
To apply, send an e-mail to: creative.writing@fidelitybankplc.com
Your e-mail must bear the title – “Workshop Application”
The body of the e-mail should contain the following:
1. Your name
2. Your address
3. A few sentences about yourself (not more than 50 words)
4. A writing sample of between 200 – 800 words
Please note that the workshop is purely meant for fiction writers. Any entry that does not fall into this category will be automatically rejected. Acceptance will be based on quality of the entry. The entry must be pasted or written in the body of the e-mail. Do NOT send any attachments. Applications with attachments will be automatically disqualified. If accepted, you will be notified by July 4, 2012.
Deadline for submission is June 20, 2012.
For more information go to the Fidelity Bank Plc Website
16/05/2012 Leave a comment
Award-winning writer and journalist, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, will be the featured author on May 26 at the Guest Writer Session an initiative of the Abuja Writers’ Forun (AWF) which started in June 2008 and has become the template for similar programmes nationwide. The Guest Writer Session which this year featured Uche Ezechukwu, Steve Okecha, Oyibo Ameh, K K Iloduba and Betty Abah holds by 4pm at Hamdala Plaza, Plot 23, Jimmy Carter Street, off Protea Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja.
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has been fascinated with writing from a much younger age, which was what motivated him to dump the sciences and study Mass Communications at the University of Jos. He has dabbled into poetry and plays but is more at home with prose. He won the BBC African Performance Prize in 2007 and the ANA Plateau/Amatu Braide Prize for Prose the following year. He also emerged runner-up for the ANA Plateau Poetry Prize.
He is a fellow of the British Council Radiophonics creative writing workshop and has been selected for the Fidelity Bank Creative Writing Workshop as well as the Caine Prize for African Writing workshop (2012) – which he could not attend because of the Nigeria-South Africa Yellow Fever row.
His radio drama, A Bull Man’s Story which fetched him the BBC African Performance Prize in 2007 was highly commended by the judges for the writer’s ‘ability to enter the minds of his character’.
He published his first novel, The Quest for Nina in 2009 with a small publishing outfit in the US and has gone on to feature on several online webzines where his short fictions and essays have been well received locally and internationally. He has been featured in Daughters of Eve and Other New Short Stories from Nigeria published by CCC Press, London in 2010.
His debut collection of short stories, The Whispering Trees, is published in Nigeria by Parresia Publishers, Lagos and has been receiving positive endorsement within the literary community in Nigeria. In the words of poet and activist Odia Ofeimun, Ibrahim has writen “stories that haunt with a telling animist-realist sensibility” and he “ draws on old, intriguing traditions of folklore to thresh new and challenging insight into how we live today.” For A. Igoni Barrett, “fire and smoke, snapshots of life and brushstrokes of afterlife, the mystical running alongside domestic commonplaces, these are the energetic strains of Ibrahim’s debut story collection. While Helon Habila regards Ibrahim as a writer to look out for.
Educated at the University of Jos, Nigeria, where he obtained a degree in Mass Communication, Abubakar had a stint with the Vanguard newspaper. He is currently the Arts Editor of Abuja based Sunday Trust newspaper.
Since its inception four years ago, the Guest Writer Session has been a consistent feature of the nation’s literary scene. The May 26, 2012 edition will include the usual side attractions of poetry performance, mini art exhibition, and a raffle-draw as well as live music. The Abuja Writer’s Forum meets three Sundays each month and hosts a reading on every last Saturday at the International Institute of Journalism, Hamdala Plaza, Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
Abdullahi Abubakar
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
AbujaWriters’ Forum (AWF),
Abuja
08034519159
09/05/2012 Leave a comment
Afrikare Support Programme – Initiative for Growth (NGO)
Cordially invites all to
The public presentation of two books:
Both books written by Gladys Williams Russel
Venus: National Press Centre, Radio House, Area 10, Garki, Abuja
Date: Thursday, 10 May 2012-05-09
Time: 3.30 pm
RSVP: 0803 309 6315
All ANA members and the general literary community are invited
Announcer: Public Relations Officer, ANA Abuja Chapter
02/05/2012 Leave a comment
Ladies & Gentlemen,
The Abuja Literary Society urgently requires the services of an Administrative Assistant on Part-Time basis. Should you wish to volunteer or have someone you can recommend, do send the CV to;
abujaliterarysociety@gmail.com
Please Copy:
It’s an excellent learning opportunity for young graduates awaiting NYSC posting, Youth Corps members, Students on Industrial Attachment and anyone who wishes to volunteer for a worthy cause. A monthly stipend of between N10-20k is offered.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
SCHEDULE OF DUTIES (PART TIME)
1. Schedule and coordinate weekly readings:
a. Liaise with/remind venues before scheduled meetings.
b. Be at the venue(s) at least 45 minutes before scheduled reading to arrange hall and prepare sign -in/registration records/reading list Display books, etc.
c. Liaise with designated anchor person latest 24 hours before reading date and remind him/her on reading day.
d. Answer questions directed to ALS secretariat.
2. Send bulk email (and bulk SMS, when available) reminders; emails to be sent 72 hours prior and SMS on reading day:
a. Update weekly the email list by adding newcomers and correcting/deleting incorrect email addresses.
b. Update weekly the SMS database ; and monthly the website.
c. Respond (or forward to QM/SM) emai l inquiries.
d. Communicate with scheduled Guest Authors for their profiles/bio/portrait photos, etc.
3. Write at least one 800-word newspaper article about the week’s reading
a. Forward the draft article to QM /SM for editing; the QM/SM will be responsible for dispatching article to the mass media.
b. Article must reach QM/SM latest Tuesday (7p.m.) each week to meet the deadline for Sunday papers.
4. Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.
Remarks:
We anticipate that these duties may take you the following hours:
• Friday readings: 6-10 p.m.
• Write your article over the weekend – 2 or 3 hours.
• Wednesday: send out reminder emails to (1) members, (2) Guest Writers, (3) Anchor. – 1hour.
• Wednesday: update email addresses and phone numbers in database (again, you can liaise with my Secretary, if you need her services) – 2hours.
• Friday morning: send out bulk SMS (if funds are available) – this will NOT be weekly and will eventually be phased out as email correspondence becomes more effective – 1hour.
Total Hours: 10-14 Hours per week.
You will receive a stipend of N10, 000/ month plus payment for expenses.
Ken Ike
02/05/2012 Leave a comment
ANA Kaduna hosts Ikeogu Oke, author of Salutes without Guns
Saturday May 5, 2012,
Kaduna State University main campus.
Time: 3pm
Gate fee: free now (sebi naija like awoof). Be there!
26/04/2012 Leave a comment
LAGOS — The federal Government has stayed action on ban of foreign airlines over fare disparity to allow the Senate conclude its investigation on the matter. It, however, said the halt of the ban was temporary, as it would still be effected after the Senate had concluded its probe on the issue.
Government had planned to ban the airlines at midnight yesterday should they fail to adjust their fares to tally with those charged in other countries in West Africa, especially Ghana.
But a statement in Abuja, yesterday, by Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, on behalf of his boss, Princess Stella Oduah, said going ahead with the ban without allowing the Senate to conclude its investigation would amount to disrespecting the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/fare-disparity-fg-stays-ban-on-foreign-airlines/
26/04/2012 Leave a comment
The Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday said that governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi did not write the paper of which he is been alleged of plagiarizing the work of Professor Victor E. Dike of the National University Sacramento, USA. Dike, who is a professor of Engineering and Technology, has taken Sanusi to court for copying his work without acknowledging him.
A statement from the Director, Corporate Communications of the CBN, Ugochukwu A. Okoroafor, said governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, just like chief executive officers of similar institutions in Nigeria and abroad, deliver papers, not in their personal capacities, but on behalf of the institutions for which they are chief spokespersons.
The statement read: “In the case of the CBN, such papers, even though presented by the Governor, represent our collective views and are prepared by professional researchers in the relevant departments of the Bank. We can vouch that such papers are prepared in line with strict global and ethical standards.
26/04/2012 Leave a comment
With a promise to align with the House of Representatives to ensure the prosecution of those indicted in the N1.07 trillion scam uncovered in the management of the Petroleum Subsidy Fund, organised Labour yesterday warned against sweeping the subsidy probe report under the carpet. The workers umbrella body urged the Federal Government to ensure the culprits are not only brought to book, but made to refund the funds they illegal collected as recommended by the House ad-hoc committee, led by Farouk Lawan.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar,who gave the warning yesterday at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) in Abeokuta, Ogun State spoke of the importance of ridding the country of corrupt practices. Omar, said labour will mobilise NIgerians to resist every attempts by top government officials and some vested interest outside government, who want to continue to enslave and impoverish the masses.
