Ibadan Book Club Congratulates Awele Ilusanmi on Reading Champion Award

 IBADAN BOOK CLUB CONGRATULATES AWELE ILUSANMI ON READING CHAMPION AWARD

The Ibadan Book Club, a prominent reading initiative under the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW Global), has congratulated Mrs. Awele Ilusanmi on receiving the prestigious Reading Champion Award. 

The award honors her significant contributions to promoting reading culture, supporting literary organizations, and assisting numerous writers in publishing their works.

The recognition was detailed in a press statement issued by the Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, Wole Adedoyin, in Ibadan on Friday. 

Adedoyin affirmed that the award is a fitting tribute to Ilusanmi’s enduring commitment and impactful work within the Nigerian book industry.

The award was presented by the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP). The ceremony took place during the organization’s 5th National Conference on Reading and Annual General Meeting held recently in Abuja.

The conference served as a pivotal gathering for key stakeholders in the literary community. Attendees focused on developing strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s reading culture and encourage young learners.

A key objective of the event was to acknowledge individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing literacy across the nation. The Reading Champion Award was a highlight of this effort.

The award was presented to two distinguished recipients. The honorees were Chinwe Anunobi, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, and Awele Ilusanmi, President of the Literary Authors Cooperative Multipurpose Society of Nigeria.

Ilusanmi’s work through the Literary Authors Cooperative has been instrumental in empowering writers. Her efforts have provided a supportive platform for authors to navigate the publishing landscape and achieve their literary ambitions.

The Ibadan Book Club views Ilusanmi’s achievements as an inspiration to all literary promoters. Her success highlights the powerful impact that sustained dedication can have on enriching the nation's literary ecosystem.

Wole Adedoyin stated that the award celebrates Ilusanmi’s personal accomplishments and brings well-deserved attention to the mission of fostering a vibrant reading society. He expressed confidence that this recognition will galvanize further support for literary initiatives.

The Ibadan Book Club remains committed to its own work encouraging reading and writing among Nigerians. The club sees the success of partners like Ilusanmi as a catalyst for continued collaboration and progress within the industry.

Ibadan Book Club to Spotlight Literary Duo JP Olatunde and Lisa Olakunle at September Book Dialogue

 

IBADAN BOOK CLUB TO SPOTLIGHT LITERARY DUO JP OLATUNDE AND LISA OLAKUNLE AT SEPTEMBER BOOK DIALOGUE

 

The Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has announced that the September edition of its prestigious Ibadan Book Dialogue will be headlined by two Ibadan-based writers, JP Olatunde and Lisa Olakunle. The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM in the Board Room of the Oyo State Library Board, strategically located opposite the iconic Cocoa House in Dugbe, Ibadan.

The Ibadan Book Dialogue stands as one of the club’s flagship literary initiatives, meticulously designed to cultivate a vibrant reading culture, celebrate the work of authors, and stimulate profound intellectual conversations centred on literature, society, and national development. This platform has consistently served as a confluence for both established and emerging voices in Nigerian writing, fostering meaningful discourse with the public.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming dialogue, Wole Adedoyin, Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, highlighted the significance of featuring the two guest writers. He noted that their distinct backgrounds and creative journeys promise to enrich the conversation immensely. “JP Olatunde and Lisa Olakunle embody the remarkable diversity of Nigerian literary and intellectual talent. Their works and creative activism reflect the core values we hold dear—literary excellence, social consciousness, and dynamic creative engagement,” Adedoyin stated.

The Ibadan Book Club gratefully acknowledges the sustained monthly support of Mrs. Awele Ilusanmi. Mrs. Awele Ilusanmi is the President of the Literary Authors Cooperative Multipurpose Society of Nigeria and the Founder of the Book Marketing Class Africa (BMACA), whose partnership has been instrumental in the club's ongoing activities.

JP Olatunde brings a rich and multifaceted literary history to the dialogue. His journey began in the creative crucible of his family home in Oke’Badan, Ibadan, nurtured by his late father, the author and publisher Alex Adewole Olatunde. His passion was further ignited at the EduCare Trust & Exhibition Center, where he was mentored by literary stalwarts and became a serial poetry reader and writer, even coining his pen name in homage to the giant, J.P. Clark.

After a long and productive detour into music and songwriting, which saw him collaborate with various acts across Ibadan, Lagos, and Abuja, Olatunde describes his return to poetry as that of a "prodigal child." He is set to share insights from his upcoming poetry collection, #AfrobeatsUp, which creatively explores the Afrobeats music genre, its key elements, and pivotal moments in its evolution, marking a powerful homecoming to his first love.

The dialogue will also feature the vibrant voice of Lisa Olakunle, a budding thespian and writer from the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan. Born on May 17, 2002, in Ibadan, Olakunle is a passionate storyteller driven by themes of love, light, and purpose. She describes herself as “a Porsche with no brakes,” a testament to her bold spirit and unique narrative voice.

Olakunle has honed her craft through diverse roles, including content writing for organizations like The Wayout Media and the UI'SU Content Creation team, and as a choreographer and diarist in several university stage productions. Her recent acceptance into the prestigious Ebedi International Writers' Residency in Iseyin has provided a focused environment to refine her craft, leading to the publication of short stories and flash fiction on platforms like Medium.

This September edition promises a captivating exploration of literary paths, bridging experience and emerging talent. Attendees can expect a stimulating session of readings, discussions, and audience interactions, offering a deep dive into the creative processes of two distinct yet equally compelling Ibadan literary voices.

The event is open to the general public, students, literature enthusiasts, journalists, and members of the literary community. Attendance is free of charge. For further information, please call 08072673852.

 

Adwinsa Publications Nigeria Celebrates Founder, Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah, At 80

 

ADWINSA PUBLICATIONS NIGERIA CELEBRATES FOUNDER, CHIEF NANA KWABENA AMPONSAH, AT 80

 

The Nigerian Branch of Adwinsa Publications (Adwinsa Publications Nigeria Limited), an offshoot of Adwinsa Publications Ghana Limited, has congratulated the founder of the publishing firm, Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Coordinator of Adwinsa Publications Nigeria Limited, Wole Adedoyin, who praised Chief Amponsah’s remarkable contributions to the growth of African publishing and his dedication to the promotion of education across the continent.

Founded in March 1977 in Madina, a suburb of Accra, Ghana, Adwinsa Publications began as a modest business operated from Chief Amponsah’s home. Over the years, the company has grown into one of the most reputable indigenous publishing houses in West Africa, impacting generations of learners and writers.

By the late 1980s, the company relocated from Madina to Accra Newtown, marking a new phase in its expansion. It was during this period that Adwinsa Publications embraced emerging technologies such as desktop publishing and commercial offset printing, which significantly boosted its capacity and efficiency.

From 2000 to 2014, Adwinsa Publications continued to strengthen its presence as a household name in the publishing sector, establishing itself as a pioneer in providing supplementary readers and textbooks that became staples in Ghanaian schools. This achievement further underscored the vision of its founder, who believed strongly in education as the backbone of national development.

Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah’s enduring legacy was further recognized when he received a special award from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Publishing Department for being a trailblazer in the Ghanaian book industry. This accolade reflected his lifelong commitment to fostering academic growth through quality publishing.

Today, Adwinsa Publications remains a market leader in Ghana, dominating the educational sector with Junior and Senior High School syllabus-based textbooks, as well as literature that celebrates Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. Its reputation for excellence has made it a trusted partner for students, parents, governments, and the international academic community.

In his congratulatory message, Wole Adedoyin emphasized that Adwinsa Publications Nigeria stands proudly on the foundation laid by Chief Amponsah. He noted that the founder’s passion for family-oriented education has continued to inspire the company’s focus on developing textbooks for basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions, thereby nurturing generations of African learners.

“As a family-owned company, one of Adwinsa Publications’ greatest strengths has always been its commitment to education as a tool for long-term family and societal development. Chief Amponsah’s vision and dedication remain guiding lights for us in Nigeria as we continue to expand our reach and impact,” Adedoyin stated.

The Nigerian branch joins staff, authors, students, and well-wishers across Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond in celebrating the remarkable life and legacy of Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah, wishing him good health, continued wisdom, and many more fruitful years ahead.

 

Ibadan Book Dialogue To Spotlight Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James

 

IBADAN BOOK DIALOGUE TO SPOTLIGHT GANI EKPOBARI MARTIN AND AJAYI OLAYINKA JAMES

 

The Ibadan Book Club (IBC), in partnership with the Milton Society of Africa, has announced that its forthcoming edition of the Ibadan Book Dialogue will feature two distinguished writers, Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM in the Board Room of the Oyo State Library Board, located opposite Cocoa House in Dugbe, Ibadan.

The Ibadan Book Dialogue is one of the club’s flagship literary platforms designed to promote reading culture, celebrate authors, and foster intellectual conversations around literature, society, and development. Over the years, it has brought together both established and emerging voices in Nigerian writing to engage with the public in meaningful discourse.

Speaking on the upcoming event, Wole Adedoyin, Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, expressed excitement over the inclusion of the two guest writers, noting that their unique perspectives will enrich the dialogue. “Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James embody the diversity of Nigerian literary and intellectual talent. Their works and activism reflect the values we hold dear—literary excellence, social consciousness, and creative engagement,” he stated.

Gani Ekpobari Martin hails from Buan in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. A distinguished academic scholar, an erudite in literary studies, and an engineer by profession, he has authored several books including The Broken Shackles, Korkade, The Drives for Money, The Voice of My Father, The Chained Foreigner, Tears of an Old Woman, What My Mother Told Me, Jennifer My Best Friend, and King Tortoise.

His literary contributions have not gone unnoticed, as his works have been adopted by State Ministries of Education in Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Abia for use in Junior Secondary School Basic Certificate Examinations (Junior WAEC). This recognition underscores his influence as a writer whose stories resonate deeply within Nigeria’s educational and cultural framework.

Beyond writing, Gani is also a social activist dedicated to youth and community development. He currently serves as Secretary-General of the Ogoni Youth Advancement Network, Secretary-General of the Association of Rivers State Creative Writers, and President of the Movement of Rivers Youth for Transparency. He is also an active member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Presently, he is an academic staff member at the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State.

On the other hand, Ajayi Olayinka James, a final-year Law student at the University of Ibadan, brings youthful vigor and intellectual depth to the dialogue. A passionate essayist and recipient of scholarships, Olayinka has distinguished himself as both a writer and student journalist. He served as the former Editor-in-Chief of a reputable campus press organization, where he used the media to highlight social and student-related issues.

In addition, Olayinka is an active environmental and human rights advocate with a strong commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly climate action. His leadership extends to mentoring peers, tutoring aspiring professionals, and driving personal and career development initiatives within student organizations.

Through their combined experiences as a seasoned scholar and an emerging advocate-writer, Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James promise to deliver an engaging and inspiring session at the Ibadan Book Dialogue. Their stories, writings, and activism align with the event’s mission of using literature as a tool for awareness, empowerment, and social transformation.

The Ibadan Book Club and Milton Society of Africa, therefore, invite book lovers, students, academics, and members of the public to attend this highly anticipated event and participate in what promises to be a thought-provoking literary gathering.