Read Across Nigeria 2016 Successfully Held In Anambra State

By Izunna Okafor

The Read Across Nigeria 2016 has been concluded in Awka. The event which took place on 14th of April being the National Reading Day was organized and hosted by all the state Chapters of The Society Of Young Nigerian Writers in the Honour of Dr. Wale Okediran who was a former National President of Association of Nigerian Authors as well as a former National Secretary of the Association and the Founder of Ebedi Writers Resort.

For Anambra state chapter, the event took place at the Auditorium hall of Prof. Kenneth Dike Library Awka Anambra State with over 40 participants in attendance.

The participants were drawn from students across various schools in the state, young and bourgeoning authors, school teachers, journalists, publishers literary lovers and other established literary figures in the state, including Prince Osita Ike who is a writer, a publisher and an honourable son of Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, as well as Mr. Ezeh Onwuuji of Anambra Broadcasting Service Awka, among other dignitaries.

The event was covered by the Anambra Broadcasting Service. In his opening remark, Izunna I. Okafor who is the co-ordinator of and the state co-ordinator of the society of Young Nigerian Writers, explain the major reason of the gathering and advised his fellow readers young writers to make adequate positive tap from the event as the worth cannot be over emphasized. The event was moderated by Ugwu Samuel who is also a talented artist.

Some of the participants at the event who read or made presentations and what they presented include: Arinze Ezike from Awka 'LET THE POOR EAT'; Okoye Emmanuel from Oko, 'NIGERIA IN A STORY' ;Nwankwo Benneth, a literary blogger from Oko 'REVIVING JUSTICE' Udokwu Izuchukwu from Onitsha 'LOVE WILL COME' ; Udeagbara Brendan C. from UNN an author of three books read from his 'TRAGEDY OF AFRICA'; Joachim Samson from Awka 'BE HAPPY ALWAYS'.

Others are Ude Ibiam Ufiem from Unizik who is the brain behind Creative Crew Africa read his 'TOO HEAVY FOR NINETEEN' Uzor Onyeka from Unizik 'TESTAMENT OF LIFE' OJiego Chidiebere Austine from Oko poly who is also an author of three books read his 'POOR READING CULTURE IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY' ; Igweagbaka Toochukwu from Awka 'FOLLOW THE RIVER' ; Anawanna Chinecherem from Awka 'IT PAYS TO BE OBEDIENT' ; Ugwu Hope from Awka 'GREAT NIGERIA' ; Efueme Godwin Ifeanyi from Awka 'DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF' ; Nwigwe Daniel from Awka 'THE BAD TEACHERS' ; Nweke Richard from awka 'LOVE AND LIFE' ; ANI NKIRUKA JANE from Awka who is a wonderfully talente singer and a student of UNIZIK melodiously tunned the audience around with her 'HELLO' by Adele as well as the 'LEGEND'.

At this juncture, there was a brief pause and the first lecture/interactions and discussions with prince Osita Ike took place. The segment exposed the attentively listening audience to various secrets about readin, writing and publishing in Nigeria, the benefits, the challenges and the way out.

Various questions from the participants were also taken and impecably tackled during the session by the Prince Ike who was given a standing and claping honour as he rounded off his lecture. And the last batch of presentation started with Anyanwu Vivia from Awka who read her 'BEST FRIEND' followed by Igwebuike Marycynthia 'THE JOY OF MOTHERHOOD'. Obioji Amaka from ANSU read her poem 'THE HAUNTED' followed by Ezinne Anaekwe Gladys from Unizik who read her 'POOR READING CULTURE AMONG OUR YOUTHS'.

The session was filed up by Okeke Loveth from ANSU who is an author of two books but read from her recently publishe one 'JUST MY DESTINY'. At this point, Mr. Ezeh Onwuuji of Anambra Broadcasting Service Awka who is in charge of a programme called Literary Forum in the station, came up with his brief indispensable lecture and advice on 'PROMOTING THE READING CULTURE'. Now it was time for the closing remarks to be made by the co-ordinator of the programme Izunna I. Okafor who is also an awards winning author of four books.

In his closing remarks, he joyfully appreciated and eulogized and encouraged everybody who has taken part in the event, afterwhich he spoke more on the personality of Dr. Wale Okediran as he read out his goodwill messge to the audience on his behalf. Now it was time for issueing of certificates of Achievement/participation to the participants. And these were collectively issued by Prince Osita Ike and Mr. Ezeh Onwuuji.

Everybody was so happy as the event successfully and impecably came to and end with a closing prayer said by Okoye Obiorah, one of the participants. And it was time for photo graphs both group and individual as well as interviews by the ABS men who had captured and covered the whole event right from the begining. Chilled Refreshments were also shared.

Thank God it was successful, we are look foward to seeing the next year edition being better than this.

READ ACROSS NIGERIA 2016.....
.....TOGETHER WE CAN FIGHT ILITERACY.....
That was the slogan used in the event by the Anambra state Chapter