By Debra Abidemi Ajulo
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(R-L)Col. Oladele Babajamu (rtd.), Mr. Mubarak Oladosu and Mr.
Sheriff Olanrewaju at the event
It was a day of poetic indulgence recently as members of Association of Nigerian Authors, Kwara state chapter joined other poets and writers worldwide to celebrate this year’s World Poetry Day.
The event which held at the Language Lab of the English
Department, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, was a huge success as both
upcoming and established poets unleashed creativity at its best illuminating the
hall with rhymes and rhythms. The event which featured diverse poetry
renditions and spoken word from both members and non-members of the Association
also featured a comedy playlet titled Director, Director by National
Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), KWASU.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, who is
also the Acting Head of English Department, KWASU, Dr. Mashood Zakariyau described
the gathering as inspiring and congratulated members of KWARA ANA for the
academic gathering.
He implored the audience, especially students at the
occasion to prepare their minds to be inspired by various stage performances
and urged them to keep honing their creative prowess as they would one day be
celebrated.
“Take this occasion as an important one and something that
will transform you into the kind of scholars you have always wanted to be.” Dr
Zakariyau admonished.
In his goodwill message, the immediate past Chairman of
KWARA ANA, who is also the current National Publicity Secretary for North, Col.
Oladele Babajamu (rtd.) lauded KWARA ANA for the initiative.
Col. Babajamu, who observed that World Poetry Day was first
marked in October in the late 1990s before this new date of March was adopted
worldwide, recalled that the World Poetry Day was last celebrated in Ilorin
some years back at Al-Hikmah University.
While thanking the association and the Local Organizing
Committee (LOC) for marking the day in Kwara he reminded the gathering that the
significance of the day was for poets to write new poems, recite them and
promote poetry.
He therefore expressed optimism that the gathering would
mark the beginning of a greater synergy between KWARA ANA and KWASU.
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Different presentations at the World Poetry Day celebration
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In his welcome address on the occasion, the chairman, Local Organizing
Committee Chairman, Dr Reuben Akano who is also the ANA coordinator at the University
expressed satisfaction at the large turnout for the event which he described as
an outpouring of emotions from writers and poets who are passionate and
conscious of their society at large.
Akano expressed appreciation to everyone who had one way or
the other contributed to the success of the event especially donors of books, invited
schools, students and most importantly members of ANA Kwara who graced the
occasion and feasted from the delicious works of art presented.
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Mr. Ahmad Saliu Toyin AKA Penwarlord dazzling the audience
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Witty News Hub
gathered that awards were presented to the participating Universities in the
state and wwere received by representatives of these institutions.
The event which was anchored by Mr. Sangodare Ayinla had prominent
scholars and literary enthusiasts in attendance. These include the Vice-Chairman
of KWARA ANA, who is also the Head of English Department, University of Ilorin
(UNILORIN), Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi; Senior Information Officer, Corporate
Affairs Unit, University of Ilorin, Mr. Mubarak Oladosu; LOC Secretary and
Lecturer at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Mr. Damilare Atolagbe; KWARA ANA
Secretary, Mr Babayemi Opeyemi; KWARA ANA Treasurer, Mrs Aminat Babatunde; KWARA
ANA PRO, Mr. Ahmad Saliu Toyin; Mr. Sheriff Olanrewaju, Mr. Abdulhafeez Oyewole,
Sakeenah Jatto and a host of others.
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| Cross section of participants at the World Poetry Day celebration |
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| Some members of Kwara ANA in a group photograph |
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