Tuesday 12 August 2014

PHWC: Discussants dissect July-Book-of-The-Month


From left, Omotola, Michael, Eldee, Daniel, Kunle, Tekena and Chinedu.


On  Sunday evening, July 27, 2014, book lovers gathered at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential for the July Book-of-the-Month discussion and drama performance.
Tagged: ‘Funky 4 + 1’ (Funky four plus 1), the event kicked off a few minutes after 3 O’clock with a discussion on Wole Soyinka’s Aké: The Years of Childhood. Panel discussants were Daniel Nwoka (Dan d’ Humorous), Michael Ogolo, Tekena Iyalla, Kunle Oluwole (KunleTatafo) and Loknan Dombin (Eldee). These men constitute the Funky4+1 crew popular on Rhythm 93.7fm Port Harcourt. The session was jointly anchored by Chinedu Amah and Omotola Omolayo of the Rainbow Book Club.
Discussions on the book bordered on questions of upholding traditional practices, religion, the ‘abiku’ mystery and the exposure of city children to life in the village.
Among the audience were children who, contrary to popular belief that Soyinka’s writing is ‘difficult,’ had read the book. They were engaged in a mini-discussion by the founder of the Rainbow Book Club, Mrs. Koko Kalango.
The audience was also entertained to a poetry performance by Mr. Aquila Kalagbor and some children from Maries Daycare, Nursery & Primary School, Port Harcourt.
Soon after, the cast from University of Port Harcourt Institute for Arts and Culture (The Arts Village), set the stage alive with an adaptation of Ake’, done by the renowned Adiela Onyedibia.
Amidst lights, drumbeats, singing and dancing; the play, set against a colourful backdrop, kept the audience entertained till just before 7pm. Notable guests included the former Minister for Petroleum; Prof. Tam David West, Chief Elechi Amadi and his wife and members of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Rivers State.
“Next month promises to be even more interesting. Tomorrow Died Yesterday written by Port Harcourt based Chimeka Garricks is the Book-of-the-Month for August. It takes a look at the conflicts caused by tensions between foreign oil companies and the Niger Delta’s ethnic minority groups. Barrister Garricks will be our special guest in August,” the organizers revealed.

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