LABAF 2017, held November 6 – 12, was dedicated to the internationally recognised multiple award-winning poet and social critic, Niyi Osundare.
According to the organisers, “It is conceived and designed as a campaign for Literacy and Human Capital Development through such interactive events as reading sessions, conversations (around books and ideas in the context of national and global polity), exhibitions of books (and other publications), art and craft, Children/Students/ Youths creative workshops and mentoring; live music, drama, dance and poetry performances.”
The focus this year was “Eruptions: Global Fractures and our common Humanity.”
During the stimulating sessions at Freedom Park, Lagos, the book “How to Win Elections in Africa: Parallels with Donald Trump” written by Red founders, Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams was read, with only the latter present.
The theme of the session was “The Next World Order” with the sub-theme, “Upsetting the status quo: The Examples of youth interventions in Nigeria and Ghana“.
On the journey before the writing of the book – State Craft Inc. – Mr Williams said there was a longing to help young people actualise their goals, help them be self-dependent and also pull down the stereotypes of youth.
He added that the idea was to stand on the side of the people.
When asked the how the book reconciles getting people into office and taking a stand for the people, Mr Williams said, “Writing this book with the experience of twelve years and giving the opportunity to anyone who wants to run for office to have a manual is actually a bigger tool to raise more people to chase the office.
“What it does is to actually encourage more people to aspire to run for office and to have a manual for them to run for that office. We are not only passionate about the office of the citizens but, also for people who truly should be in government to know how to get into the office.”
“This is us actually giving something that should be hidden,” he says.
Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram
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