More recognition for Ebedi writers residency

The wife of the President of the Nigerian Senate, Mrs Toyin Saraki has commended the initiative behind the establishment of the first writers residency in Nigeria, the Ebedi Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Mrs Saraki gave this observation when the founder of the residency, Dr Wale Okediran recently presented her with the second edition of the residency’s publication, the Ebedi Review. The presentation took place in Abuja after the inauguration ceremony of Dr Okediran and other members of the Board of Directors of the West African Academy of Public Health on September 29, 2016 by Mrs Saraki.

A well known philanthropist and mentor, Mrs Toyin Saraki is the Grand Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance, as well as the President and Founder of Wellbeing Foundation, Africa. With this background, her appreciation of an initiative for the use of writers from all over Africa such as the Ebedi Writers Residency is understandable.

It is also on record that the mother of the late political icon, Dr Olusola Saraki, who is Mrs Saraki’s father-in-law was a native of Iseyin.

The Ebedi Writers Residency, which has hosted about 70 writers from six African countries since its inception six years ago, currently enjoys collaborations with the Wole Soyinka Foundation, as well as the Belgium based Arts Moves Africa, among other international and local organisations.