By Bolaji Lawal
Established to facilitate and develop community-oriented programs in writing, reading, and writing as critical thinkers at no cost, Imodoye Writers Enclave (IWE) took a giant step in cementing its name among Writers residency in Nigeria during its program held on June 20th, 2022 at the premises of the Enclave in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The event was established to introduce, Unveil and encourage the creative writing potentials of Nigerians and also publish journals, writing workshops, and other literature-related activities according to the Founder, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi.
The Agricultural Scientist opined that the idea of the organization was borrowed from his late father’s legacy which harps on supporting the community, adding that the program will further ignite and generate interest in writing and draw a Blueprint for the growth of writing and literature in the state. He confirmed the readiness to partner with the public affairs commission and other agencies for sustainability.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Suleiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court,
commended the organizers of the event, especially for the latitude given to him to speak on the topic titled ” Movement of Court Motion” and congratulated the founder of the institution Dr. Usman Akanbi for his foresight and determination to establish the institution which will no doubt add value in budding the nation.
Guest lecturer of the occasion, Dr. Isiaka Aliagan, acting Dean of the Kwara State University, Malete, Faculty of Information & Communication Technology, affirmed that the initiative championed by the Enclave will assist the government and the general public in eliciting interest in the growth of writing in Nigeria.
Notable individuals from government parastatals, organizations, institutions, and other agencies graced the ceremony.
The four writers that kick-start the maiden Imodoye Writers Residency are; Haneefah Abdulrahman (Kaduna State), Chukwudi Michael (Ebonyi State) Muhammad Suraj Attahiru (Niger State), and Fagbola Olalere (Osun State).
Haneefah Abdulrahman, a student of English Literature at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is a poet, writer, interviewer, spoken words artiste, podcaster, columnist, and a fellow of Ebedi International Writers Residency, 2021. She’s the author of Shades of Becoming; a collection of short stories. Born and bred in Kaduna, Haneefah Abdulrahman is an indigene of Kogi State. She’s here at Imodoye to work on her Mystery Bond; a short story collection.
Michael Chukwudi, a Fellow of Ebedi International Writers Residency, is a poet and novelist. He studied Applied Biology in his first class at Ebonyi State University. He won the Zest Africa poetry prize, 2021, and First Runner-Up BKPW 2021 Poetry Prize. He’s the author of ‘Undeserved’ ‘Wind of Life’ And ‘The Road to Discovery’; an award-winning manuscript. Likewise, he’s in Imodoye to complete the work on his award-winning manuscript.
Muhammad Suraj Attahiru, (Atta The Titan) is a poet and performance poet, based in Abuja. He’s a student of Library and Information Science, at Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nasarawa State. He’s an every child education and gender equality activist. Attah has performed on platforms like PIN, ALS, AWF, Adams Page, Wake Up Africa Initiative, etc. He’s in Imodoye to complete his poetry/short stories collection.
Olalere Fagbola, poet, novelist, reviewer, and biographer is a veteran award-winning journalist. He’s a graduate of the London School of Journalism, London. Olalere who worked in Punch had worked in States like Oyo, Osun, Lagos, and Kwara states. He’s in Imodoye to complete his collections of essays, on the Management of conflicts, multidimensional mental issues, radical journalism, and irrational youth exuberance.
They are expected to be in Imodoye for three weeks, to continue and complete their manuscripts.
