Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has set aside April 30, 2022 to host two children’s literature writers, Dr. Adekunle Idowu James and Ayo Tejuoso, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
A statement issued by the coordinator and Secretary of the club, Ayobami Odunyemi, and Hassanat Ayoade said the event would take place at the Oyo State Library Board, Opposite Cocoa House, Ibadan, by 12 p.m. prompt.
Dr. Adekunle Idowu James is a poet, novelist, playwright, essayist and literary scientist.
He was born on February 10, 1976 in Agege, Lagos State. He obtained his four degrees (B.A. (2004), M.A. (2009), MPhil. (2014), PhD (2017) in English Literature at the University of Ibadan. He is currently a Space Lecturer (Online Facilitator) at the University of Ibadan Open and Distance Learning.
He will be delivering a lecture on the “Significance of Children’s Literature in Nation and Capacity Building in Nigeria”.
Ayo Tejuoso is a radio and television presenter, as well as a phonetics coach with proven knowledge spanning years in the industry; teaching diction and elocution to students in primary school through post tertiary institutions.
She is a budding writer who currently hosts a book club, Readers’ Club, with Ayo on her social media channels.
She will be talking on the “Essentials of Children Literature”.
The upcoming lectures/book reading event promises to be an avenue for reading creative works such as poetry, fiction, book sales and signing, contacts with other readers and book writers in all corners of Oyo State, the statement added.
Prospective writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to other writers and readers.
Membership forms and certificate of membership will be available at no charge to first timers.
Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW). It was founded in 2011 by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota to the growth and development of the reading culture in Oyo State.
The Ibadan Book Club consists of a group of people who meet periodically to discuss the book they have read and exchange those books. Club members encourage each other and learn to read with a critical mind, articulating their opinions about a particular book with others.
Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.
Some of the books published by the IBC are: ‘Olubadan Centennial Anthology’, a collection of essays, articles, poems and works of art in honour of Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1; ‘Voices from Oja Oba Market’ and ‘Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of a Mind Always in Motion’.