IT was the coming together of three African cultures when writers from Uganda, Djibouti and Nigeria moved to the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State for their six weeks’ residency.
Since its establishment many years ago, African writers, both from the continent and outside, have attended the Ebedi International Writers Residency to start, or complete their literary projects, an opportunity that the serene environment in Iseyin offers, and therefore, the coming together of Iga Zinunula Samuel (Uganda), Omar Youssouf Ali (Djibouti), Egba Ifeanyinchukwu Egba (Ebonyi) and Tunji Adepoju (Oyo), is a continuation of the commitment of the founder, Dr Wale Okediran, to literary growth on the continent.
Incidentally, Okediran’s vision is already inspiring a lot of writers, with many of them also looking to set up similar project in their countries.
Infact, Iga, who was so impressed by the idea behind the project, promised that he will set up something similar in the next three years in Uganda and will invite Dr Okediran for the inauguration.
The writers then spoke about how their countries compare to Nigeria, with the Ugandan poet saying this would be his second visit to Nigeria, but the first outside Lagos.
“The traffic in Lagos is something else. When we got stuck in traffic, I left the vehicle and walked for a long distance and by the time I returned, the vehicle had not moved an inch. So that experienced really drained me.
“We also have a lot of things in common, but there are other things that are poles apart. I am surprised that the local goats are so small compared to what we have in Uganda, while Nigerian yams are so big compared to ours.”
Ali, from Djibouti, said he was only concerned about the negative reports from Nigeria when he was coming but decided to ignore them.
“However, since I came, I have found a completely different reality compared to what we were hearing about Nigeria.
“The truth is, if you don’t visit a place, then you shouldn’t base your judgment on the news you hear about such places and this is what I discovered in Nigeria.
“I must also say that Nigerian people are really compassionate and always ready to lend a helping hand once they know that one is a stranger.”
On the differences between both countries, Ali said the weather in Nigeria is far milder compared to what obtains in Djibouti.
“When I came, the weather was sunny, but it was nothing compared to the sunny weather in my country, so I moved about in the sun, even when my fellow writers complained it was too sunny.”
Egba, from Ebonyi State, also marvelled at the way young people are always ready to help their elders.
He said coming to Iseyin was his first time of coming to the South West, “and I just noticed that the younger ones are so respectful of the elders.
“Anytime I was carrying anything, they would always approach me to collect it from me. I must state that I am a teacher, so you should understand I am not saying this for fun.
“The people in Iseyin are also very welcoming, especially once they know one is a stranger.”
Adepoju, an indigene of Iseyin but based in Ibadan, said as he was coming for the residency, something kept telling him that it is time to move back home for good.
Adepoju, a media practitioner who is also involved in humanitarian work, said the residency, apart from helping him to complete his literary project, is also opening another chapter in his life.
“I think I am now ready to return home finally after my sojourns around the country.”
All the writers commended Dr Okediran for the initiative, adding that he is simply promoting humanity.
They said the initiative in which writers mentor secondary school students will help produce future literary giants from Iseyin.
Earlier, poet laureate, Mr Tade Ipadeola, spoke on the need for writers from Africa to contribute more to the global literary sector.
He said African writers only contribute seven percent of the global literary output, just as he charged the younger generation of writers to work hard to tell more stories about the continent.
The event was also used to mark the birthday of Mrs Idowu Okediran, wife of the founder of the residency.
There were poetry recitations and dances at the event.
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