Four women herald Soyinka’s 82nd birthday cultural exchange programme

Four women working in cultural and advocacy projects, Prof. Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka, Hafsat Abiola Costello, Kadaria Ahmed and Sola Salako will discuss an important topic that underlines issue plaguing vulnerable groups in society at this year’s Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Project as he turns 82. The events are scheduled for Abeokuta from July 13. The four women will speak on the topic, ‘Corruption as it Affects Children, Women and Our Humanity.’

Already, preparations for the programme as confirmation has started coming in from invited guests while the secondary school students, having submitted their pre-screening essays, are set for the non-competitive essay billed for July 13, 2016.

Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunso Amosun will be holding a special mentorship session with the students of Ogun State and other youths at the main Hall of Ogun State Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on the topic ‘Challenges or Not; I Love My Country.’

One of the highlights of this year’s event is the presentation of cheques to the remaining winners of the Project WS Essay competition from 2014 and 2015 who are yet to receive their scholarship money. The management of the project has faced some financial challenges in the past two years years due to lack of sponsorship. This year’s event is not any different as sponsorship has been scarce but organizes insisted they does not want to drop the ball on the event as they are aware of the immense impact it has had on past participants, both teenagers and adults alike.

Alhaji Teju Kareem said, in line with the theme for this year’s event, the organizers want to walk the talk by ensuring that all promises made are fulfilled as promises made, with intention of not fulfilling, can also be termed corruption.

The panel will be speaking on the topic ‘Corruption as it Affects Children, Women and Our Humanity.’Chairperson of the event, Prof. Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka is an interdisciplinary scholar; her teaching, research, and creative works encompass theatre, literary and gender studies, including the theories that inform them. Her works examine discourses on power, gender, race, and nationality especially in Africa and the Diaspora.

Expected at the advocacy lecture this year is an all-female panel.Hafsat Abiola Costello is a Nigerian human, civil rights and democracy activist, and founder of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), which seeks to strengthen civil society and promote democracy in Nigeria.

Kadaria Ahmed is an international journalist, editor, social commentator and TV personality. She moderated Nigeria’s 2011 vice-presidential and presidential debates.

Sola Salako (The Anchor) is a freelance writer and industry critic, she produced and presented the First Consumer TV show PROMOWORLD on Lagos Television for three years and contributed to various journals, newspapers and magazines on marketing/advertising issues.

They have all confirmed they would be present. Special guest of honor, Prof. Femi Osofisan, as well as the keynote speakers, Comrade Tunde Fagbenle and Professor Segun Ojewuyi have also confirmed they would attend.

The first keynote speaker, Mr. Tunde Fagbenle, is a media entrepreneur. He began his media career as Managing Editor of international Travels magazine in 1978.

The second keynote speaker, Prof. Segun Ojewuyi is a scholar and theatre director. A fellow of the Salzburg seminar, Ojewuyi has taught at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, Yale University undergraduate studies, Yale special summer Acting programme and Rowan University, New Jersey. He currently teaches in the Department of Africana Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois, U.S.