The CORA BOOKTrek is a focal project of the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA). Essentially a book readings and reviews session, it deliberately chooses the text considered most engaging of extant issues in the Nigerian nation and, by extension, the continent of Africa. It is part of CORA’s extension services to promoting READING CULTURE, deepening LITERARY APPRECIATION and AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT with the published text, as well as spreading campaign for LITERACY towards boosting citizens’ EDUCATION, ENLIGHTENMENT and EMPOWERMENT. Essentially, it is designed to achieve CORA’s fundamental mission of increasing HUMAN CAPITAL capacity of the nation and the continent. Usually, the BOOKTrek is staged in select Bookstores wherechosen text could be seen and bought and the author able to have direct engagement with the public. However, due to the support of Hawthonden Foundation, the Community Literacy Outreach variant of the BOOKTrek was launched in September. This involves the book and the author moving into select communities, which is the birth meaning of BOOKTrek – the book walking.
Still in its pilot scheme the CORA BookTrek: Community Literacy Outreach (CLO) is schemed to have two editions per month in different communities. So far four iterations have been held in a planned 6-pronged scheme. In September, the the CLO launched out in the Lagos Island with Freedom Park as host; then moved to Magodo (Mainland) hosted by Unchained Vibes Africa. In October, it was turn of Ejigbo (hosted by iRead Foundation), and Shomolu-Bariga axis hosted by Crown Art Factory. The CLO plans to be in Ajegunle and Ikorodu in its next moves.
However, at the LABAF, the BOOKTrek assumes its traditional character of celebrating the text and the author at the big Fest of LIFE and IDEA—as outlined below:
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Day 3, WED NOV 15
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5pm: BOOKTREK (1) @CORAVille
In the first BOOKTrek for the LABAF 2023, two authors engage the audience on the contents of their books:
- 2WHYT Gbedu Poet: Usokun Boy (2023)
A collection of poetry that elevates the mentality of a people, inspire the younger generation towards greatness and motivates the youth to become audacious ambassador of his/her village whether small or big.
Author: Otatane-oso Freeman Andrew, who is professionally known as 2’WYTH GBEDUPOET, is a Spoken Word poet, author, singer, songwriter, photographer, videographer, among other skills. He was born and raised in Usokun, River State.
- Joshua Omeke: Joe’s Collectanea (2023)
An anthology of thirty-one poems, the author attempts to overview societal norms, by incorporating reality and figures of speech in a standard practice in several of the poems.
Author: Joshua Omeke is a youth of mystical fingers that composes works
of poetry as Igor Stravinsky since he has composed masterpieces in
almost every topic he had written. Aside writing, he is also a paint artist
who draws inspiration from cubism and surrealism.
Special Feature: Masterclass for young writers on developing skills for literary career by Joshua Omeke
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4pm: BOOKTREK (2) @CORA Library & Resource Centre
Synopsis: The CORA Book Trek is a focal project of the CORA that features the work by some of Africa’s most engaging literary writers. The idea is to bring sharper focus and attention to new titles to enable the audience engage the contents and have opportunity to debrief or interact with the authors. In particular, this iteration of the BookTrek focuses on two newly published short story books that engage different themes dealing with lives of the ordinary folks.
Features: Readings, reviews and discussions around
- There’s a Heaven for Bad Girls, by Denrele Niyi
A collection of stories of four young women and one young man struggling to carve their own paths in a complex trado- modern Nigerian environment. From the nuanced interplay between individuals and systems, religion and culture, love and desire, to the hopelessness of aborted dreams, the stories in “There’s A Heaven For Bad Girls”, offer a refreshingly youthful perspective on contemporary social problems.
Author: Writer, culture journalist, Denrele’s has bee among other roles, an Arts Editor of a Nigerian newspaper and the Associate Producer for the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). A Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) Entertainment Writer of the Year inalist, she is passionate about people, learning and adventure. She is also a member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).
- Soul Lounge is a collection of stories that mirror man in his elements with a strong infusion of the Igbo belief system and cosmology. Fascination with Black feminine mystique remains an on-going quest of many of the stories which are written to be felt not just read with Nigeria’s social conundrum all the while providing the stage on which everything plays out.
Winner of the inaugural Harambee Literary Prize, Mike is a freelance book editor and creative writer with vast media experience in print, electronic and online media. He is published in over 50 international literary journals
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DAY 5: FRIDAY NOV. 17
5.30 pm: BOOKTREK (3) @Food Court
Event: Authors Assembly
Feature three authors:
- Wale Adeduro: Obalende: A Nation in Motion
A creative narrative about the childhood experiences of Affiong, it highlights the emotional struggle of the girl child in the over politicised environment of Nigeria. Growing up with little or no care in Obalende, Affiong ended up contacting HIV/Aids as a result of the pressures of living in a one-room apartment which exposed her to several negative influences. Bewildered, she did not know how to get the emotional support she needed from the same society that hijacked her dream.
Fondly called Dr. WAO, Dr Adeduro is a writer and an author whose works have been published since 1986 in several newspapers and journals, including The Guardian. He
has multiple doctorate degrees in Productivity, Christian Education as well as Theology and Philosophy. He is also a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Speaker and Trainer from the USA. An alumnus of Lagos Business School, he was also once the Ag. General Manager of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON Centre). He is currently the Chairman of the Governing Council of School of Mentorship and Productivity.
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- Bayo OlowoAke: Time & Change
Lyonga Damisa, Nigeria’s engineering graduate boxer and an electrifying Light Heavyweight hopeful goes up against South Africa’s Oscar Malan — the African champion — a traditional pound-for-pound pugilist who has a reputation for taking no prisoners. If all goes well, the impending showdown looks set to become the digital age version of the iconoclastic ‘rumble in the jungle’ of the mid-1970s. The brain behind this massive fight is Patience Azar, flamboyant young female business mogul who upstages Mr. Ojomo, doyen of the fistic business in Nigeria. She however has to win over an often heralded but seemingly invisible South African boxing czar if her investments in a once-in-a-lifetime boxing duel must yield the anticipated returns.Time & Chance is a story of adventure, suspense and drama, then you’d love Adebayo Olowo-Ake’s Time and Chance.
Adebayo Emmanuel Olowo-Akewas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (University of Ibadan, Nigeria) as well as a postgraduate degree in History (International Relations-University of Lagos,Nigeria). He later attended the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) at the European University Centre for Peace (EPU) in 1996, and the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in Sn Remo Italy in 2003. His work experience spans journalism (print and electronic), the private sector (in corporate affairs and planning) in Nigeria before moving into the technical diplomatic space where he worked for 20 years, with postings to many contexts involved in armed conflict and natural disasters in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. His other works include Mermaid on the Island Thunder, Lightning & Storm (as “’Debayo Adelaja-Olowo-Ake”—2019: Lulu Publications UK); Combat Zulu (as “’Debayo Adelaja-Olowo-Ake”—2020: Lulu Publications. UK; Sunrise in Paradise (2019: Lulu Publications UK); The Journey of a Passport (2022: African Resource Development Centre Ltd Gte. Lagos); Time & Chance (2023: Lagoon-Atlantic Publication Ventures, Lagos).
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DAY 6: SAT. NOVEMBER 18
(CULTURE ICONS DAY)
3.00pm: AUTHOR’S ASSEMBLY @CORAVille
Event: Authors of books that have featured in past CORA’s Community Literacy Outreach engagement are presented to new audiences attending the festival. Here the contents of the book is further exposed to the general public.
Reading and conversations around
- Dotun Famoriyo: Better Tomorrow
Synopsis: Through the experiences of the main character, Dayo, the author reveals the cardinal principles of making it in life. These include having a mental disposion that change is possible, paying aenon to one’s studies, working hard, taking to the counsel of parents and responsible elders and developing a deep relaonship with God.
Aside being a creative writer with remarkable writing skills, , Dotun Famoriyo is also Founder and Chairman of Cheetahs Policy Institute, a think tank aimed at promoting the ideas of public policy among the next generations of leaders.
- Dear Mother
Synopsis: 12-year-old Dayo is faced with the challenges of growing up in the suburban town of Monatan in the ancient city of Ibadan, and he has to navigate through the world of friends, school and the intricacies of a young adolescent boy. He has come from a difficult childhood, but nothing much prepares him for the world of uncertainty that life events suddenly hurl him into. Experience his joys, pains, adventures and griefs in the Loving Daddy series.
Profile: Nora Sanya is a Property and Entertainment lawyer with an intense passion for writing and teenagers. Her sole aim of writing is to reach out. In a bid to better understand her audience, she bagged a diploma in education from Tai Solarin University of Education. She lives in Lagos, Nigeria with her family, where she writes and practices.
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5pm: BOOKTREK (3) @CORAVille
Theme: Biography reflects snippets of nationhood
Featuring
- Aaze Tom Adaba: But For God
“A panoramic overview of this memoir traverses my lifespan from conception and birth till date – my growing up years and foster care, my pursuits of education and career, and the cultivation of family – interspersed with failures, disappointments and health challenges, amid moments of exhilaration, surprise encounters and joyful outcomes along the way.” – A T Adaba –
Author: A broadcasting pioneer in Nigeria, Tom Adaba has had a stellar career that spans over five decades. Notable highlights include his influential roles at Benue-Plateau Television and as the Pioneer Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission. Adaba’s contributions have shaped the Nigerian media landscape, paving the way for private media owners and the growth of the Nollywood film industry. Beyond broadcasting, his mark as an outstanding Teacher, driven Leader, generous Philanthropist and loving Family Man has trailed his rich legacy. His influence on the next generation locally and internationally, is reflected in the many successful names in both private and public service, that continue to praise this mentorship.
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DAY 7: SUNDAY NOV. 19
(CORA Advocacy Day)
2pm: BOOKTREK @Kongi’s Harvest Gallery
Event: CORA VOLUNTEERS’ CORPS Converge
Theme: Contemplating the Future
The young literary-culture activists and intellectuals that constitute the CORA Volunteers Corps, CVC, engage texts that discourse prospects of Nigeria’s future.
Featured Texts:
- Sycamore, by Betty Zainab
Sycamore questions why people will be allowed to trip and fall; blaming themselves for the greed and selfishness of others, especially when there is a child involved, and adults who should know better.
Author: Poet and writer Betty Zainab Omotola’s (Sparkles) works are centred around issues such as abuse, faith, self-discovery, love and mental health. Her poems and short story are featured in Scratch Poetry Magazine, Top 100 Anthology of the Nigerian Students’ Poetry Prize (NSPP) and AFAS Review.
- The Sun Shall Soon Shine, by Adejoke Ajibade—Bakare
The Sun Shall Soon Shine embodies life in its different phases and faces. It sheds a new light on life through the eyes of the author as she glides seamlessly and sometimes sharply through her various life stages. It is a representation of the dreams we all aspire to achieve from the womb, to childhood, as a nation, as individual souls, and through life’s palaver.
Author: Poet and newspaper columnists, Adejoke Ajibade-
Bakare’s Her passion for poetry was born in 2009 during a
transitional phase of her life into motherhood.
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SPECIALS
WEDNESDAY, NOV 15
3 pm: CONVERSATION @1st Floor, Kongi’s Harvest Gallery
Theme: LEADERS ARE READERS: WHY I READ WHAT I READ
Synopsis: A notable Business Leader in Nigeria’s economic space, shares his Literary taste and preferences with the audience.
Feature: Author of African Odyssey of a Lebanese Immigrant, Habib Jafaar, in conversation with the journalist-writer- public intellectual, Dr Reuben Abati.
(Produced by CORA with support of BookCraft Africa)
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FRI. NOVEMBER 17
4pm: JOY OF READING @The Garden
Concept: ABE-IGI… The Act
The event is curated in the format of theatrical agit-prop – which means that the reading and conversations can happen in unusual spaces. This maiden edition features ‘Sixty Percent of a True Story’ by
‘Sixty Percent of a True Story’ follows three undergraduates, Osisiye, Korede, and Chris, as they navigate the challenges of university life in Lagos, Nigeria. Osisiye dreams of high grades, while Korede is a depressive introvert. Chris, an internet fraudster, is a staple in Nigeria’s urban lore. The story explores personal choices, societal expectations, and the complexities of Lagos.
(Curated by Lucia Ikediashi for Shimmers & CORA)
