PIONEER Movement, Iseyin (PMI) is one of the foremost social organisations in Iseyinland, Oyo State. Established several decades ago, it draws members from Iseyin indigenes who are successful in their chosen professions, while its main objective is the development of their town by rendering support to individuals and organisations.
Recently, members of the club, after realising the contributions of the Ebedi International Writers’ Residency to the development of Iseyin, decided to make a visit there to gain first-hand knowledge on how the residency has been working towards putting Iseyin on the international map, while also looking at ways to support it.
Speaking during the visit, the president of PMI, Pioneer Bolanle Azeez, said the organisation was happy with the contributions of Ebedi writers’ residency to the development of Iseyinland.
Pioneer Azeez said: “Through Ebedi, several writers had visited the town during their six-week residency, and these writers go as far as teaching our students English, drama, poetry, among other literary genres.
“One good thing is that writers come to Ebedi from all over Africa for their residency programmes, and just recently, the great Professor Wole Soyinka visited Iseyin courtesy of Ebedi.
“Professor Soyinka wouldn’t have come to Iseyin if not for Ebedi, and after seeing this, we decided to visit to look at ways through which we can partner with the residency for the benefit of Iseyin people and the town as a whole.
“We, therefore, want to appreciate Dr Wale Okediran, the founder of Ebedi and a good son of Iseyinland for what he is doing for the town.
“We will, therefore, work towards supporting the residency so that Iseyin can continue to benefit from its activities,” Pioneer Azeez said.
While speaking, Dr Okediran thanked members of the PMI for finding time to visit the residency, saying it showed that the residency’s activities are impacting positively on the society.
Going down memory lane, Dr Okediran, who was represented by Dr Nuraini Fadare, said the residency was established in 2010, and it had been able to host writers from different parts of the country and the African continent.
Dr Okediran said he was glad that the PMI, a prominent socio-cultural organisation in Iseyin had decided to support the residency, as it would go a long way in developing Iseyin, particularly in the area of literature.
Members of the PMI were then treated to poetry recitations, dances and drama by students of the Ajayi Crowther Victory School, who were tutored by the current residents, Akudo Nkemjika Okeke, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu, Asma’u Lamido and Oluremi Adeoye.
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