AN IMODOYE WRITERS ENCLAVE'S INITIATIVE: A WORKSHOP FOR TEEN AND EMERGING WRITERS IN ILORIN

“Inspiration is everywhere. Carry a notebook.” ~ Victor Hugo

On April 24, 2021, Imodoye Writers Enclave hosted a one-day ‘Workshop for Teen and Emerging Writers of Prose and Poetry.’ Located at 35, An Nur Gardens, Fate-Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara State, Imodoye Writers Enclave is an initiative of University of Ilorin’s Dr Usman-Oladipo Akanbi.

Among many other things, one aim of the above-mentioned workshop is to encourage the up-and-coming creative writers who abound in the city of Ilorin to learn from established writers cum authors whose works have, over the years, been read and acclaimed here and there.

This initiative has been able to bring a handful of people who are really keen about writing creatively so as to tell their great stories, and the stories of our common humanity.

In a nutshell, as a requirement to be met by every intending participant in the Imodoye Writers Enclave's above-mentioned, mind-blowing programme, 20 + writing samples were received from the students and/or recent graduates of:

a. Bayero University of Kano
b. Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin
c. Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Ilorin
d. Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin
e. University of Ibadan
f. University of Ilorin

To make the event under discussion interestingly fascinating, a few activities (such as performance poetry) were included for the kind delight of the audience.

Going further, during this Imodoye Writers Enclave's workshop, it was learnt that scores of participants in the said workshop have already written couple of books which are yet to be published due, for instance, to the lack of financial support – a major challenge affecting aspiring writers from getting published, most specially in Nigeria where the ‘noble' culture of reading seems to, constantly, be calling for concerted efforts from all and sundry, including parents, school authorities, and philanthropists.

Drawn from their own experiences as established writers, invited facilitators have shared, with the participants, some really invaluable tips and insightful information
pertaining to the following targeted genres of literature :
1. Prose
2. Poetry

Invited Facilitators at a Glance

1. Dr Damilare Atolagbe
Dr Damilare Daniel ATOLAGBE is an indigene of Kwara State. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English) from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, a Master of Arts (English) from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan (2010) and a Doctor of Philosophy (English) from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin. Damilare also had a Professional Certificate and a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos, Nigeria. He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and a founding member of Leadership Africa Network, a non-governmental organization developing leadership skills in youths. He has published a collection of short stories entitled A Worthwhile Revenge. He also has academic articles in both national and international journals. He has a number of unpublished literary works some of which are in press. Currently, he teaches in the Department of English and Communication, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria.

2. Mr Babayemi Opeyemi
He hails from Ekirin Adde in Kogi State. Born in Ilorin in the seventies, Mr Babayemi Opeyemi had his Primary and Secondary school education at Kabba. Under the tutelage of his parents and guiding eyes of neighbours, he got all necessary training and orientations befitting for a larger society.

For his Tertiary education, Babayemi Opeyemi bags a first and master’s degrees from University of Ilorin, he also had his Professional Diploma in Education from the renowned Kwara State College of Education Ilorin. He is a staff of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, works at Queen Elizabeth School Ilorin as English Language teacher.

Babayemi Opeyemi is a born writer who has few publications to his credit. A poet, prose writer and playwright. In his quest for knowledge and advancement, he is a member of many corporate Associations where he served as viable executive. Prominent among these is Association of Nigerian Authors, Kwara Chapter, where he has served diligently and contributed his singular personal efforts for the growth of the Association. He is leaving no stone unturned in order to attain higher feats.

The workshop has also had, in attendance, Kwara State University’s Dr Isiaka Aliagan on one hand and, on the other: Mr Abdu-Rahman Adebayo Adenrinoye, Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Kwara Chapter; Mr Oyez Olatunde Rex, Publisher/CEO, Rextun Publishing Co. The latter spoke briefly to the up-and-coming writers about various aspects of writing, types of publishing, and the need for a writer to get his/her work meticulously edited before thinking of going further to get it published.

Finally, this one-day workshop was put together by the Manager, Imodoye Writers Enclave, Mr Adamu Danjuma, and his teammates – with, of course, the relentless support of Dr Usman-Oladipo Akanbi.