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E. E. Sule
Nigerian Correspondent
December 2006
The Open
Forum for Creative Writers in Keffi
Keffi is a
struggling city with an L-shape geography. It is a 20-minute
drive from Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. Politically
relevant in Nasarawa State because it has produced the first
executive governor of the State and other top functionaries,
Keffi is the home of Nasarawa State University, which in turn is
the home of The Open Forum for Creative Writers. The university,
just six years old, is located on an undulating land, along
Akwanga road.
Zaynab Alkali, the initiator of the Forum, chose the name “Open
Forum for Creative Writers” in order to throw the door open for
people other than students of English Department who take
courses in Creative Writing and would consider the Forum a
natural avenue for them to seek practical experience. Herself a
famous northern Nigerian writer—her novel, The Stillborn brought
her fame—she considers the Forum as her pet project through
which she can help young men and women discover themselves as
writers and artists and public speakers.
The Forum thus is a weekly gathering of unregistered men and
women, excited that they have got something creative and eager
to share it with others. To be specific, these youngsters come
with pieces of their works in stage drama, poetry, short
fiction, music and oratory. A common feeling that runs through
them is enthusiasm, not just for sharing their works, but for
having Zaynab Alkali, the famous writer they have heard
about—her books are read in secondary schools—sitting patiently
listening to their works and offering kind criticisms where and
when necessary.
The Forum meets every Wednesday, except public holiday, at 4 pm
local time. Since most academic classes on the campus are held
in the morning, that hour of late afternoon is usually the best
time for the students and lecturers. They come in ones, in twos,
in threes and more. Mostly, their steps are bouncy and some la-di-da
friends do begin to dine out about their creative stuff before
they even arrive at the venue. A 50-seat hall is the venue of
the Forum that comes alive, first, with noises of arrival,
second, loud ovations and shouts of excitement, and three,
noises of departure.
Zaynab Alkali, a professor of Creative Writing and deputy vice
chancellor of the university, is always punctual to the weekly
event. Often with her are Professor Olawumi Akinwunmi, Dr. Umelo
Ojinmah, Dr. Ibrahim Shuaibu and Dr. Usman Kareem. Some
lecturers, not keeping profiles as regular attendants, come in
occasionally. There are regular comers from the city like Isaac
Attah Ogezi, a lawyer and a literary critic.
The orderliness of activities is predicated on people writing
their names and the pieces they have to present. Usually it is a
long list. Consequently, each presenter is advised to spend not
more than five minutes having the stage. Poetry is the leading
genre: almost everyone attempts to write a poem and brings it to
the Forum. Most of the poems bear the marks of beginner-writers.
Some students read short stories. Others come to the stage to
perform their songs, which are mostly traditional. The high
point of the event is the stage drama time. The regular faces on
the stage are Angela Agwu, Eucharia Okoye, Osemimo Osemobo,
Oscar Ogedengbe and Eucharia Kwagha whose playlets are always
interesting.
After every performance, be it in whatever genre, constructive
criticisms are invited from the audience while the performer or
reader is still on stage. While the criticisms are often useful,
the performer or reader is told that it is not compulsory for
him or her to take them. The drama unit has significantly
improved because of the criticisms they get.
At 6 pm., the event is over and the students leave with happy
faces. The fulfillment they get is surpassing.
The Forum has a bigger dream that transcends reading and
performing on the university campus. The Forum will take
creativity to youngsters in secondary and primary schools. In
the near future, schools will be contacted to give dates that
readings and performances can be held in their premises. This is
not only to bring creative entertainment to the pupils, but also
to stir creativity in them and possibly help them form creative
writing clubs in their schools.
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