An Ibadan based internationally reputed educational publishing firm, a globally recognised Yorùbá social-cultural group called Ẹgbẹ́ Ònkàwé Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ has announced a multi-talented writer, Alhaji Taofeek Ademola O. Olayiwola (a.k.a. TAOO), as the winner of the Poetry Category with his crafted piece, Ewì Àrìnyè.
This is coming barely exactly ten years (April 2014) after TAOO won a prestigious award as a distinguished author of several titles with Extension Publications Limited.
The Award Ceremony took place Saturday 9th of March 2024 at the BNI Youth Centre, U&I Building, Opposite Queen Idia Hall, University of Ibadan, 10am.
The low capacity hall was filled to the brim with the attendance drawn from far and near. As a way to make the ceremony low-key, the winners in each of the four categories – Prose, Poetry, Play and Translation, were to invite just 5 guests.
Among the five guests of Ademola Olayiwola were El-Hadj Muda Ganiyu (A one-time Commissioner for Special Duties under Governor Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi); Mr. Muideen B. Akerele (MD of Epsilom Books Limited); Hajia H.A. Akerele (A Senior Librarian with Oyo State Lib. Board), Mr. El-Mubashir Abdulsalam (staff of University of Ibadan and one-time winner of ANA award); Mr. Jimoh A. Shittu (A retired Educationist).
The entire environment of venue of the ceremony was agog with several side effects to project the cultural and literary relevance of Yorùbá as a formidable language of education and information transmission. Guests such as Ayọ̀ Adams and Waheed S. Olamilekan (a.k.a. Ọ̀rọ̀labí) were in attendance to add sauces to the programme.
Three of the awards carried Cash prizes of 100k each, while the ultimate prize of 250k was won by the fourth person, a woman (in purdah) – Hajia Adewumi Fatimah Luqman – who submitted the prose titled Ọ̀rẹ́ Àtàtà. All the books are to enjoy free publishing consideration by *”Ẹgbẹ́ Ònkàwé Àtẹ́lẹwọ́”* in no distant time.
ABOUT THE BOOK
All the poetic pieces in this book are in free verse, and the topics are exclusively centred on the behaviours of the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Members of this formidable Nigerian Trade Union are viewed from the distance as notorious thugs, goons, punks, etc. Also featured are the composition of their garages, vis-a-vis various ignoble activities of members and traders; and the contributions of all of them to the Nation’s economy. Some topics expose the readers to the involvement of some enviable and credible members of the society in the base, contemptible, unworthy and plebeian acts which the “garage-boys” are castigated for, such as drug addiction, rioting, rape, cultism, arms, ammunitions and charms possession, etc. Exposition is also made on how to venture into transportation business by a layman and profit from it. The author clarifies causes of accidents as not always masterminded by the drivers in most cases.
*NÍPA ÒÑKỌ̀WÉ*
Òdú ní ADEMOLA OLAYIWOLA, kì í ṣe aimọ̀ fún olóko nínú gbogbo ẹka lítíréṣọ. Ó ti ní àwọn ìwé ti ó lé ní ọgbọ̀n lédèe Yoòbá nìkan. Díẹ̀ tó wà ní àwọn ilé-iṣẹ́ atẹ̀wétà tó l’órúkọ rere nílẹ̀ yìí àti l’Ókè-Òkun, ni àwọn wọ̀nyí:
1. ÈKÓ WÈÑJÈLÈ, Accessible (formerly Rasmed) Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
2. AKÒWÉ KỌ WÚRÀ (WASSCE 2011-2015), Extension Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
3. PẸ̀Ẹ́-Ñ-TÚKÁ, Ewì Àràmọ̀ñdà, Extension Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
4. EWÌ ATÚNWÀṢE 1, Extension Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
5. EWÌ ATÚNWÀṢE 2, Extension Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
6. EWÌ ATÚNWÀṢE 3, Extension Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
7. BÁDÉRÌN (Eré Oníṣe), Ontop Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
8. ṢÓKÍ L’EWÌ OGE 1, Ontop Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
9. ṢÓKÍ L’EWÌ OGE 2, Ontop Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
10. ṢÓKÍ L’EWÌ OGE 3, Ontop Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
11. ỌMỌ BAÁLẸ̀ ADÉGBẸ̀SAN (Ìtàn Wuuru), Ontop Publications Ltd, Ibadan.
12. EWÌ ALÓJÚLÓDÌ (Unpublished), abbl.
