Sola Osofisan
04-02-2009, 11:39 PM
PRESS RELEASE: Abuja Literary Society Hosts Okediran
Outgoing National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Hon. Dr. Wale Okediran will be the next Writer to mount the stage at the monthly Guest Writer Session of the Abuja Literary Society at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The Guest Writer Session is one of ALS’ numerous reading sessions held monthly at different on the first Fridays of every month at the Hilton which have seen many writers from within and outside Abuja read from the works to the literati in Abuja and its environ. The most recent Guest Writer being Onyeka Nwelu, Author of Abyssinian Boy.
The Abuja Literary Society since its inception in 1998 set for itself the task of generating and sustaining a literary culture, and the establishment of an alternative literary-based entertainment in Nigeria’s nascent and art-starved Capital City. The ALS quickly attracted the corps of resident and visiting writers, literary enthusiasts, visual and performance artists some of which had included Kudo Erasia-Eke, Emman Usman Shehu, Emeka Uwguda, Denja Abdullahi, Benedicta Evaristo, Chinyere Obi-Obasi and the living legendary writer Chinua Achebe among numerous others.
Today, in fulfillment of its primary objective of generating a literary culture in the FCT, ALS now hold monthly readings at the British Council every last Friday of the month; and the Monthly Guest Writer Session at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Other reading venues are Signature Gallery, Hotel Rosebud and the Nu Metro Mediastore.
The April edition of this reading slated for Friday 3rd April, will Dr. Wale Okediran who will share his works with the literary community in Abuja. He is expected to read from his most recent publication – The Weaving Looms and Tenant of The House, a fictional political satire.
The Weaving Looms was shortlisted for the 2008 Wole Soyinka Prize For African Literature. His poems have been published in several anthologies in the USA and in Africa. His short stories have appeared in diverse and reputable journals such as A World of Children’s Stories published by Friendship Press New York 1993; Frontiers – Nigerian Short Stories published by Kraftbook Ltd. 1992; Beyond Laughter and Tears published by Chlamdias Ltd 1993; EOTU – A Journal of American Short Stories published by EOTU New York ; The Potter and Other Stories published by WORDOC/Bookcraft 1994; and OKIKE – A Journal of Nigerian New Writing published by Okike Magazine Nsukka 1995.
Inspite of his clinical job as trained Medical Doctor, Okediran did not allow his muse and pen to surfer. He has ten novels to his name, several of which won literary prizes. The Rescue of Uncle Babs, published by Mcmillian won the 1998 ANA/MATATU Children’s Prize; Dreams Die At Twilight, published by Malhouse Press made the Longlist for the 2004 NLNG Prize For Fiction; while Strange Encounters won the 2005 ANA Prize for fiction. His new novel, Tenants of the House, a fictional analysis of his tenure in the National Assembly, is due out before the end of the year.
Dr. Wale Okediran who was at different times, the National Treasurer, National Secretary-General and presently National President of the association in the last four years was a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives from 2003-2007. Some of his other published works include After The Flood and The Boys at The Border.
Outgoing National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Hon. Dr. Wale Okediran will be the next Writer to mount the stage at the monthly Guest Writer Session of the Abuja Literary Society at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The Guest Writer Session is one of ALS’ numerous reading sessions held monthly at different on the first Fridays of every month at the Hilton which have seen many writers from within and outside Abuja read from the works to the literati in Abuja and its environ. The most recent Guest Writer being Onyeka Nwelu, Author of Abyssinian Boy.
The Abuja Literary Society since its inception in 1998 set for itself the task of generating and sustaining a literary culture, and the establishment of an alternative literary-based entertainment in Nigeria’s nascent and art-starved Capital City. The ALS quickly attracted the corps of resident and visiting writers, literary enthusiasts, visual and performance artists some of which had included Kudo Erasia-Eke, Emman Usman Shehu, Emeka Uwguda, Denja Abdullahi, Benedicta Evaristo, Chinyere Obi-Obasi and the living legendary writer Chinua Achebe among numerous others.
Today, in fulfillment of its primary objective of generating a literary culture in the FCT, ALS now hold monthly readings at the British Council every last Friday of the month; and the Monthly Guest Writer Session at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Other reading venues are Signature Gallery, Hotel Rosebud and the Nu Metro Mediastore.
The April edition of this reading slated for Friday 3rd April, will Dr. Wale Okediran who will share his works with the literary community in Abuja. He is expected to read from his most recent publication – The Weaving Looms and Tenant of The House, a fictional political satire.
The Weaving Looms was shortlisted for the 2008 Wole Soyinka Prize For African Literature. His poems have been published in several anthologies in the USA and in Africa. His short stories have appeared in diverse and reputable journals such as A World of Children’s Stories published by Friendship Press New York 1993; Frontiers – Nigerian Short Stories published by Kraftbook Ltd. 1992; Beyond Laughter and Tears published by Chlamdias Ltd 1993; EOTU – A Journal of American Short Stories published by EOTU New York ; The Potter and Other Stories published by WORDOC/Bookcraft 1994; and OKIKE – A Journal of Nigerian New Writing published by Okike Magazine Nsukka 1995.
Inspite of his clinical job as trained Medical Doctor, Okediran did not allow his muse and pen to surfer. He has ten novels to his name, several of which won literary prizes. The Rescue of Uncle Babs, published by Mcmillian won the 1998 ANA/MATATU Children’s Prize; Dreams Die At Twilight, published by Malhouse Press made the Longlist for the 2004 NLNG Prize For Fiction; while Strange Encounters won the 2005 ANA Prize for fiction. His new novel, Tenants of the House, a fictional analysis of his tenure in the National Assembly, is due out before the end of the year.
Dr. Wale Okediran who was at different times, the National Treasurer, National Secretary-General and presently National President of the association in the last four years was a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives from 2003-2007. Some of his other published works include After The Flood and The Boys at The Border.