The literary community in
The Minister of State I for Education, Dr. Jerry Anthony Agada who performed the flagging off ceremony set the ball rolling for the “birthday boy” as he presented to him on behalf of the chapter, a collection of carefully selected Nigerian books as his birthday gift and was mandated to read from one of the books. The excited celebrant, after displaying his book gift to the delight of the audience chose to read from Amos Tutuola’s ‘The Palmwine Drinkard.’ Before proceeding to read the book, he said. “My choice of this book is simply simple. The author of this book is in no way whom anyone can refer to as been educated; talk much of writing a book. This is evident in the raw use of the queen’s language. He did not in anyway allow himself to be deterred by his weakness-mastery of the English language. When I first come across this book, the first thing I did was to pick up my dictionary to look for the word ‘drinkard’ but did not find any such word” The hotelier, who no one who had no clue of being a book lover stunned the audience with his confidence and eloquence as he reads and even give commentaries and analysis of the book as he reads.
The GM who had during a courtesy visit to his office by the newly elected officers of the chapter expressed his establishment’s readiness to partner with the association; reiterated this commitment in the most subtle manner when he says “NICON Luxury Hotel is not all about hotel business. As a unique indigenous hospitality industry in West Africa, we are committed to shaping the hospitality culture of
Other dignitaries who attended the reading turned birthday party include Professor Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar/CEO of JAMB, Hon. Dr. Wale Okediran, ANA National President, Yeye Dr. George of USIS, Professor Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany who was one of the writers on the rostrum for the month, Dr. Lizzy Ben-Iheanacho of the National Council for Arts & Culture, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, ANA General Secretary, Dr. Paul Dike, retired former DG of the National Gallery of Art and of course, the Minister of State 1 for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada amongst many others. A private school from Kubwa, Eco International was also in attendance.
Mr. Funsho Adeyelu, who obviously will cherish the surprise literary treat given to him by the association for a much longer time, reciprocates their kind gesture by hosting the writers to a cocktail after the reading where they were offered the best of meals, drinks and music available to help them relax and recharge.
Prince Jerry Adesewo, the chapters Public Relations Officer who spoke to our reporter on behalf of the chapter’s chairman, Dr. Seyi Adigun expresses satisfaction on the outcome of the flagging off ceremony, especially in terms of attendance. “We are very happy with the turn out recorded, especially the reception giving us here by the management of NICON Luxury which is what we try to reciprocate in our own way by dedication some time for him within the meeting to mark his birthday which incidentally falls on the same day as our reading. It will be our pleasure to see this fraternity continue for a long time. Most importantly, we can only wish that there are other organizations within and outside Abuja who would follow the footstep of NICON Luxury by supporting writer groups and literature development which will the impact positively on improving the reading habit and the development of our education standard” he concluded.
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