Nigerian, Cameroonian, Togolese writers share experiences at Ebedi

TWO writers from Nigeria, Femi Onileagbon and Chimezie Chika; Cameroonian Nkwetatang Sampson and Togolese Armaud Esso are currently on their six-week stay at the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State, where they are working on their literary projects.

Last weekend, a professor of English Literature at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Gbemisola Adeoti, visited the residents in Iseyin, where he discussed the rudiments of the genres of literature with them.

Professor Adeoti also listened to the works being done by the writers and offered suggestions on how best to go about it.

Onileagbon, who writes in Yoruba and English languages, while speaking, said he was working on a play in Yoruba, which addresses sexual violence.

Onileagbon, who is a former chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in Lagos, said he happened to encounter a disagreement between a man and his wife and the idea of the play struck him as he sought answers to some questions, particularly whether a man can be charged with ‘raping’ his wife.

Chika, who came all the way from Imo State, said he had always wanted to come to Ebedi, but issues kept coming up.

He, however, expressed his appreciation to the founder of the residency, Dr Wale Okediran, for the opportunity given to him to work on his collection of poems and short stories.

Chika, while speaking on how he developed interest in literature, said he grew up in Ogidi, Anambra State, and had always seen the late Chinua Achebe as a mentor, so the transition to writing took a natural course.

Sampson, from the English-speaking part of Cameroon, said he had been travelling to Nigeria for literary events since 2018, just as he expressed appreciation to Dr Okediran for the opportunity to have his residency in Iseyin.

He said writing had really helped him appreciate the diversity in culture, adding that writing for the ordinary man is the most important thing.

The Cameroonian, being bilingual, also assisted in translating the comments of fellow resident, Esso, from French to English.

Esso appreciated Dr Okediran and other literary stakeholders in the country, adding that the idea behind the residency is a very impactful one that cannot be quantified.

He described the book as the light of humanity which will live forever.

Esso added that immediately he set off for Nigeria from Togo, he started documenting his experiences and comments from people.

He said he is also working on different aspects of the Togolese and Nigerian cultures, just as he revealed that Dr Okediran promised to assist him in translating his manuscript to English and publish once he is done with the work.

He called on other well-to-do Africans to also emulate Dr Okediran so that literature can continue to thrive on the continent.

In his remarks, Professor Adeoti also commended Dr Okediran’s spirit of sustaining the residency.

Professor Adeoti said the benefits of residency cannot be quantified.

He said: “Residency is an isolation that is very positive, unlike when we had the COVID-19 isolation or lockdown last year.

“Ebedi also helps build cultural relationship, as writers from different parts of Africa have completed their residencies here and developed friendship.

“The fact that Ebedi is the only thriving residency in the whole of Nigeria speaks volume about the vision of its founder, Dr Okediran.”

Professor Adeoti then went into a private session with the residents on how to improve their writings.

At the event were also community leaders, secondary school students, teachers, among others.

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