Afejuku, Imasuen, Ipogah headline book reading in Benin City

The ancient city of the obas will play host to a book reading this weekend organized by Creative Alliance Book Club and Literary Society and tagged ‘Reading for Development’, with authors of A Garden of Moods, Prof. Tony Afejuku, To Saint Patrick and Fine Boys, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen, and notable poet, Michael Ipogah leading the pack for a reading and discussion event. The reading will hold today, Friday, March 2, at St. Maria Goretti School Hall. Time is 1pm, and admission is free.

  Imasuen, who will be reading for the first time in his home city said, “I have always been bothered by the quiet in the literary scene down here. It will be a great thing to read here in Benin City, to speak to my people, to ask them, ‘can I be one of your voices?’ Nothing can compare to the validation their answer will give me”.

  He will read from his latest work, Fine Boys, a work set in the twin cities of Benin City, Edo State and Warri, Delta State, that traces how easily Nigeria descended from a model country to one of sundry ills and how its young become consumed by the virus eating up its social fabric. It will be the first time Imasuen, a medical doctor-turned-writer, will read in Benin City having made a name for himself in such cities as Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja.

  Also to make the reading a worthwhile experience for all culture enthusiasts in attendance is soft drink giant, Coca Cola Coke, Benin Plant, which will provide refreshment for guests. Also supporting the event is Creative Alliance with its innovative project, Literary Star Search contest. Its spokesperson, Seun Jegede, said going to Benin City to support a reading event like it did at Ibadan a month ago at Artmosphere, is part of Creative Alliance’s effort to take literary development to all parts of the country.

  Jegede, therefore, charged participant writers in the Literary Star Search contest in and around Benin City to seize the moment being offered to deepen their love for the promotion of literary activities in their part of the country. He urged writers yet to enter for the competition to visit www.creativeallianceng.com for further details on how to participate and be part of the most innovative, grassroots contest in the country.

  Other writers expected to thrill guests include Dr. Kola Eke and Dr. P. Airevba.