Theme: Expand Your World. Read a Book.
Venue: Niger Delta Wetland Centre, Ekike, Yenogoa.
DAY 1: Thursday, March 24, 2011
Time: 7:00 – 8:00
Setting up of stands for exhibitions.
Festival Opening Event: Celebrating the Book
Time: 08:00 - 09:30
Start the Bayelsa Book and Craft Fair in the company of three outstanding celebrities from the book to the movie and to the craft industries: Toyin Akinosho, publisher, Africa Oil & Gas Report and actor, Richard Mofe Damijo. Engage Presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu as he discusses what reading means to him. What have they gained from reading? If they didn’t read, what would have happened to them?
Participants: Toyin Akinosho, Richard Mofe Damijo and Dele Momodu
BookLaunch:
Time: 10: 00 – 11:00
New books will be launched. Authors whose new books are forthcoming should indicate interest to launch at the venue.
My Life as a Reader: The Geologist Speaks
Time: 11:00 – 11:30
Geologist, Toyin Akinosho publishes Africa Oil & Gas Report. He is a critic and an avid reader. Hear him talk about the books he has read and the CNN Journalist of the Year Award. It will be moderated by Lorenzo Menakaya, 2011 Future Awards nominees.
Participants: Toyin Akinosho
When a Million Nigerians Vote
Time: 11:30 – 12:00
Travelling the length and breadth of the country and drawing on more than 200 interviews with senior politicians, scientists, businessmen and individuals, Odia Ofeimun, Uche Nworah and Chukwuma Nwachukwu take a down and dirty look at Nigeria's electoral challenges and a bird's eye perspective on why they are different from anything experienced by other countries during a similar stage of development. To be moderated by Deji Toye.
Participants: Odia Ofeimun, Uche Nworah and Chukwuma Nwachukwu
Clash of Civilisations
Time: 12:30 – 1:00
A poet and an acoustic guitarist will, in different ways, a counter argument to the notion of a “clash of civilizations” between Islam and the rest of the world. How will a ‘Muslim writer’ approach pornographic writing? Does Islam hinder adventurous writing? To be moderated by El-Nathan John, writer and lawyer.
Participants: Prince Adewale Oreshade, Gimba Kakanda, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
I Want to Be a Writer
Time: 1:30 – 2:20
Being a writer is not just about writing. It's about being published too. Find out how the publishing industry works and how to prepare submissions. Learn about contracts and agents, manuscript assessments and the value of writers' groups and networking. Learn about the many and varied opportunities that exist for young writers to start getting published now. Join Ayodele Arigbabu and Jeremy Weate if you’re looking for somewhere to start your writing career. Suitable for students aged 15 and above and young adults.
Registered participants only.
Participants: Ayodele Arigbabu and Jeremy Weate.
Chocolate & Candies
Time: 1:30 - 2:30
Ruby Igwe will tell the children stories and Mrs Mobolaji Adenubi will guide them on how to become writers too.
Participants: Ruby Igwe and Mobolaji Adenubi
Open Roads
Time: 3:00 - 4:30
A famous doctor. A famous writer. A famous motivational speaker. A famous actor. A famous politician. How did they end up where they are today? Find out the roads they took before becoming what they are. It will be moderated by Lawrence Onyeka.
Participants: Dr. Agabus Nwachukwu, Chude Jideonwo, Omoni Oboli and Toyin Akinosho.
Music by Johanel
4:30 – 5:00
DAY 2: Friday, March 25, 2011
Exhibition
Time: 7.00 – 8:00
Venue:
Craft and books will be on display.
How to Make a Difference: The Future
Time: 9:00 – 10:00
Venue:
Chude Jideonwo is one of the brightest minds the Nigerian young generation has. He networks well and just a snap of the finger, he can assemble the world. Does he possess more power than Oprah Winfrey already? Find out what difference you can make tonight. Uchechukwu Jerry Eze will talk about his experience working with sex workers.
Participants: Chude Jideonwo and Uchechukwu Jerry Eze
This event is supported by Y!
Reverse
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Venue:
Dr. Kyrdz Ikwuemesi will speak about his art works and his experience in Japan. It will be moderated by Jude Anogwih of Centre for Contemporary Arts, Lagos.
Participants: Dr. Krydz Ikwuemesi and Jude Anogwih
Lecture – A Certain Professor’s Tale.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Professor Damian Opata talks about how books can change the way we think. He will be joined on a panel by other professors too. Professor Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo will discuss the way what she reads influences what she writes. To be moderated by Molara Wood.
Participants: Professors Damian Opata, Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo and others.
Doctors Write and Read? Why Not?
Time: 12:00 - 12:45
Venue:
What has prompted medical doctors to write? Is it a labour of love? A way to express themselves or to de-stress perhaps? Eghosa Imasuen is a perfect feature for this. Sharing links beyond medicine, Dr. Agabus Nwachukwu will also take a look at his reading experience as a gynecologist. An architect, Ayodele Arigbabu will be talking to them.
Participants: Eghosa Imasuen and Dr. Agabus Nwachukwu
Aspiring Filmmaker Series: Scriptwriting and Directing Masterclass
Time:
Venue: Participants to be contacted a day before.
Naresh Sharma, Director, Centre for Research in the Art of Film & TV (CRAFT), Delhi will facilitate a workshop on scriptwriting and cinematography. Then, Bond Emeruwa, one of our enigmatic filmmakers will teach film direction. This is an intimate and intensive writing workshop for aspiring scriptwriters. This will focus on the challenges of purpose, genre, voice and craft.
For registered participants only.
Participants:
Around a Round Table
Time: 2:30 – 3:00
Venue:
Jude Dibia and Eghosa Imasuen will take young writers down that lane: the frustrations of a writer, sitting infront of the computer staring at the blank pages, the rejection letters, the harrowing critiques and finally the rules of writing!
Registered participants only. 20 seats available only.
Participants: Jude Dibia and Eghosa Imasuen
Writers’ Angst
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
The young writers are angry. They can’t afford to pay the printers to print their books. The critics will say they are not good enough. Family members will ask for free copies of their books. Young writers take a swipe at ‘publishers and the government.’ This will be moderated by Eghosa Imasuen.
Participants: Eromo Egbejule, Onyeka Nwelue, Wana Udobang, Prince Adewale Oreshade, Tosin Otitoju, Gimba Kakanda, Binyerem Ukonu, Nze Sylva Ifedigbo
Why was the Water Hot?
Time: 12:00 – 12: 30
Binyerem Ukonu will read and discuss his new book, The Water was Hot, published by Indian publisher, Serene Woods. Hear him talk about the real life incident that inspired this collection largely set in Bonny Island. Jumoke Verissimo will moderate this session.
The Perfumed Palace
Time: 12:30 - 1:30
Odili Ujubuonu will lead us on a journey of historical fiction and how he still keeps in touch with the tradition. He will be in a conversation with critic, Toyin Akinosho.
Participants: Odili Ujubuonu
Sweet
Time: 1:00 – 2.30
Venue: Front Lawn
Love baking pastries but don't know how? About to give up because the dough always shrinks, or isn’t tender? We will get one of the best hands in this craft to handle the session.
Participants:
Launch of SANDBOX NIGERIA
Time: 1:00 – 2.30
Venue:
Onyeka Nwelue, author of The Abyssinian Boy became the first African to join Sandbox, a group of selected young achievers and innovators under 30, which has branches all over the world. Now, he’s decided to launch Sandbox in Nigeria for others to join and network with some of the most brilliant brains scattered round the world. Clips, pictures, videos and his works will be shown. To be moderated by Lorenzo Menakaya.
Participants: Strictly by registration.
Art & Life: How Do We Fund the Arts?
Time: 1: 00 – 2.30
The one and only Molara Wood will engage Olu Ajayi, Toni Kan, Uche Nworah and Ms Peace Osigwe on the nature of arts funding in Nigeria. How is the AMAA funded? How can we fund book fairs? How can we promote literature and film? What are the things involved and who is the right person to talk to?
Participants: Olu Ajayi, Toni Kan, Uche Nworah and Ms Peace Osigwe.
An Evening of Music
Time: 2:00 - 3:00
Tee Mac Iseli is one of the highest paid flutists in the world. Tonight, he talks about jazz, classical music, salsa and how he became a musician. He will get to perform too! Lorenzo Menakaya, young musicologist and radio presenter speaks to him.
Participants: Tee Mac Iseli
Authors & Publishers Meet
Time: 3:00 – 4: 30
Venue:
This is more like breaktime. The session will have authors meet with their readers one-on-one and talk about their books. There will be an autograph session too.
Participants: All authors and readers.
Nollywood Stories: A Critic’s View
Time: 4.30 – 5:30
Venue:
Nollywood films make us cry and laugh. Most of them are very didactic. They are stuffed with stiff dialogue too. But millions of people still watch them. Come and listen as actor, David Nnaji speaks to fiction writer, Toni Kan, arts critic, Toyin Akinosho and world class filmmaker, Bond Emeruwa with mixed reactions.
Participants: Toni Kan, Toyin Akinosho and Bond Emeruwa.
Participants: Jude Dibia
Yenogoa Blues : Spoken Word Challenge
Time: 4:00 – 6:00
This will be an evening of rap and spoken word by emerging poets and rappers. Sage Hasson moderates this session, bringing out the best young spoken word artistes in town to light!
Artistes are adviced to register before the session begins
DAY 3: March 26, 2011
Exhibition
Time: 7.00 – 8:00
Venue:
Craft and books will be on display too.
A Thousand Ideas: Creative Writing Masterclass - Fiction
Time: 8:00 – 9.30
Venue: Participants will be contacted.
Indian writer and creative writing teacher, Jose Varghese will handle this class. This is an intimate and intensive writing workshop for aspiring writers. This will focus on the challenges of purpose, genre, voice and craft. Bring your manuscripts along! Participants will have to register.
Participants:
Dreams of a Writer: Where are the Publishers and Agents?
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 am
Musicians have managers, but when it comes to negotiation, they do that themselves. Writers don’t have agents. How do we start? The publishing industry in Nigeria is emerging. There is no structure. Infact, there are no literary agencies. It will be moderated by El-Nathan John.
Participants: Onyew Bongo Ikwue, Onyeka Nwelue, Nze Ifedigbo Sylva and Binyerem Ukonu
Presented by BLUES & HILLS Consultancy
Sexy and Sassy: Female Writers Speak
Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Venue:
Four female writers speak about their writing and why female writers should also look glamorous like film stars! To be moderated by Naomi Lucas.
Participants: Adelakun Adunni Abimbola, Joy Bewaji, Tracy Nnawubar and Becky Enyioma
The Graphic Novel: The Future
Time: 11:30 – 12:30
Venue:
Eddie Lapang made young rapper, Suranu’s comic-in-motion video. Deji Toye is an illustrator. They will be joined by Indian graphic designer, Arun Jay to discuss the future of graphic novels in Nigeria. DADA Books publisher, Ayodele Arigbabu will moderate.
Participants: Eddie Lapang, Arun Jay and Deji Toye
From Book to Movie Success
Time: 12:30 – 2:30
Venue:
Hollywood has a long tradition of adapting books into movies. What stops Nollywood from doing that? Here, film practitioners, authors and publishers will meet to discuss possibilities of turning books into movies. It will be moderated by Toyin Akinosho.
Participants: Bond Emeruwa, Ayodele Arigbabu, Eghosa Imasuen, Jeremy Weate, Molara Wood, Emmanuel Isikaku
Music: Johanel
The Man Lived: A Filmmaker’s Jail Experiences
Time: 2.30 – 4.00
Venue:
Ikenna Aniekwe, one of Nigeria’s prolific film directors and producers just got out of jail, for a crime he didn’t commit. Few days after leaving jail, he is offered a ticket to run for State House of Assembly by APGA. Onyeka Nwelue will trace the past with him to reveal the soul of this man in this most emotional evening.
Participants: Ikenna Aniekwe, Onyeka Nwelue
East and South: The Dilemma of the Northern Writer
Time: 4.00 – 5pm
Venue
We must have read his writings and critical analysis of the ‘southern literary scene’? We must have realized that the ‘Northern writer’ is more into essay writing and literary criticism? And the ‘Eastern writer’ into fiction? And the ‘Southern writer’ into poetry and drama? Richard Ali takes a look at the way writing has been ‘zoned’. Deji Toye will counter him. And another lawyer, El- Nathan John will tickle our fantasy. Uche Umez and Jumoke Verissimo will contribute. What do they think? It will be moderated by Alkasim Abdulkadir
Participants: Richard Ali, El-Nathan John and Deji Toye.
Closing performance by Johanel
On the 27th night, the Government of Bayelsa will host you to a glamorous event called African Movie Academy Awards, which will have all stars arriving from all over the world.
