October 11, 2019

Gov. Obiano Appoints Juliet Chudie, SYNW Anambra member as as a Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment.

GOV. OBIANO APPOINTS JULIET CHUDIE, SYNW ANAMBRA MEMBER AS A SPECIAL ADVISER ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT.


By Izunna Okafor

It was indeed a moment of jubilation for young writers in Anambra State as the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Obiano dosed out Appointment Letter to one of their own, Mrs. Juliet Chudie as a Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment.

The signing and issuing of the appointment letter which took place on Monday at the Government House, Awka, the state's capital was witnessed by some top government functionaries. 

Reacting to the good news, Mrs. Chudie described the appointment as a call to serve, and appreciated Gov. Obiano for finding her worthy to hold such a revered position, and giving her the opportunity to serve the state and Ndi Anambra.

She promised to employ her wealth of experience and knowledge in the discharge of her duties, so as to contribute her own quota in actualizing Gov. Obiano's transformation agenda for the state, especially through the aspects of youth empowerment and development.

Mrs. Chudie who is a member of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) is a native of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, and the founder of Juliet Chudie Foundation, founded in 2015.

She is the author of 'A Mother's Heart Bleeds' and the winner of the CSA Award as the Creative Writer of the Year 2018, and has through her foundation, touched many lives, empowered many youths and restored many hope in various localities of the state.

In his own reaction, the National President of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Mr. Wole Adedoyin described the appointment as recognition of hardwork, and eulogized Gov. Willie Obiano for giving youths opportunities and voices in his administration.

Disclosing that there are many young ones out there who have a lot to contribute in development and governance of every state, Mr. Adedoyin also called on other governors of the various states in the federation to emulate such gesture and give youths more opportunity, maintaining that such will also help to spur other youths to play their drums well in their various fields of endeavour.

He further urged Governor Obiano to also consolidate on this feat by appointing another young writer, suggestively the Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers in the state, Mr. Izunna Okafor as an aide on Literary Matters, being an internationally acclaimed award-winning author/journalist and convener of the Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival.

According to him, "Anambra State is a hub of literary figures in Nigeria, and in fact, the first state to reckon with when it comes to literary matters, having given the world arrays of literary champions; and as such, the state deserves to have an aide who will stand as a liaison officer between the government and writers in the state (both established and burgeoning writers)".

"In fact, Anambra State is expected to be the first state to set the pace on having such an aide on Literary Matters, which no state government has ever had in the history of the country; and I trust Gov. Obiano is best expected to set such pace, being a youth-loving Governor. So, as I appreciate him, I also urge him to buy into this humble suggestion." Mr. Adedoyin ended.

SYNW Anambra Chapter holds book reading session tomorrow in Awka


SYNW ANAMBRA CHAPTER HOLDS READING TOMORROW IN AWKA



READING! READING!! READING!!!
Are you an upcoming or established writer ?
Are you a poet, a novelist, an essayist or a literary enthusiast ?
Do you want to enhance your literary prowess and improve your writing skills ?
Then, this is an opportunity you should NOT miss.

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter specially intives you to her monthly reading, for the month September.

Date: This Saturday, 12th October, 2019.

Venue: Prof. Kenneth Dike Central E-Library, by Aroma Junction, Awka Anambra State.

Time: 9.am PROMPT.

NO AFRICAN TIME.

Both old and new members are invited.

Come with that your unpublished manuscript or published work; be it essay, poetry, play, fiction, non fiction or any piece at all; let's enjoy, review, correct, encourage or even critique it together to bring out the beauty in it.

Do not dump it under the carpet.

Those who have not written any work should come with a literary work by another author of their choice.

E-books and hard copy publishing guide, ongoing writing contests, and other trending opportunities for writers will be discussed at the reading.

Our upcoming *Chinua Achebe Literary Festival, 2019* will also be discussed, among other things.

Indeed, it promises to worth the time.

Date: This Saturday 12 October, 2019.

Time: 9 a.m.


For more enquiries:
Contact:

08163938812
Izunna Okafor
(The Coordinator, Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter).

Or

0706 269 6058
Chidiebere Ojiego
(PRO/Media Director).

E-mail: synwanambrachapter@g­mail.com

September 9, 2019

SYNW National Secretary, Izunna Okafor Wins Best Young Writer of the Year 2019


SYNW NATIONAL SECRETARY, IZUNNA OKAFOR WINS BEST YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR 2019



The National Secretary of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Izunna Okafor has added another prestigious feather to his literary status, as he won the 2019 Young Achievers Award as the Best Young Writer of The Year.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the President of the Society, Mr. Wole Adedoyin in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State on Sunday.

The award ceremony which took place at the NAF Headquarters Conference Center, Abuja, and which drew the presence of many dignitaries and other young achievers beating the drum well in their various flanks of endeavours across the country.

Presenting the award to him, the president of the United Youth Leaders for Development Initiative — a non governmental and non profit making organization — popularly known as Global Youth Representatives, Ambassador Okwudili Victor described Izunna as a multi-talented young man who has proved his worth in the field of pen. He disclosed that, though he had not met him in person prior to the day of the award ceremony; he had been following his works and activities online and has also eaten from his pot of knowledge, both as a young novelist, poet, essayist and journalist.

He maintained that the awardee's profile, works and achievements over the years were critically reviewed alongside those of others who were also nominated for the award, after which he was declared the overall best and winner by the juries.

According to him, this was on the ground that Izunna has not only written and published wonderfully in different aspects of writing, both creatively and journalistically; but he perfectly writes both in English and Igbo Languages, which stands him out among he equals.

He further noted that he has also contributed immensely in the promotion of Nigerian Literature in various ways, both through his writing, through coaching of burgeoning writers, as well as hosting and organizing of literary events and festivals, especially the annual Chinua Achebe Literary Festival which he hosts annually in honour of a foremost Nigerian literary Legend — Late Prof. Chinua Achebe — and which he does under the umbrella of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, which he is the Coordinator in Anambra State.

Responding, Izunna Okafor who is also a Reporter of the National Light Newspaper and lead writer of the Ka Ọ Dị Taa award-winning Igbo Newspaper extolled the organizers of the event for their efforts in discovering, recognizing and rewarding young Nigerians who are beating the drum louder in their various fields, even as he described the award as a call to do more.

Izunna Okafor is an award-winning Young Nigerian Novelist, Poet, Essayist, Journalist, Editor, Translator, Publicist, Igbo Language Activist and an Administrator who hails from Ebenator in Nnewi South L.G.A. of Anambra State Nigeria.

His is the author of 'Ikem's Adventure' published in 2012, during his secondary school; 'The Curse of A Widow' published in 2013; 'The Faithful Children' published in 2014; 'Ajo Enyi (his debut Igbo novel and fourth book published in 2015.

With 'Ajo Enyi', he became the first writer to win the 2015/2016 Nigerian Writers Award as the Indigenous Writer of The Year; the Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature in the 2015 Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award, and also got shortlisted for The 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year

His other books include African Blood (A Short Story), Nzúzù M Egbuo M, (Igbo novel), Educated Illiterate and Teach Me Grammar. He also has numerous articles/essays, poems and short stories to his credit, most of which are published online, nationally and internationally.

He has won and been nominated for a plethora of awards which include:

The Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of The Year 2015/2016

Pita Nwana Prize For Igbo Literature, 2015

Nigerian Heritage Icon Award/Best Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria 2016

NYSC Essay Competition 2012

Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of The Year 2017

Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Awars/Youth Writer of The Year 2016

NAPAS Essay Competition 2017

Award of Recognition From Students Union Government, Unizik (2017)

Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of The Year 2015/2016

Campus Best Writer/Journalist of The Year 2018

SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016

Award of Academic Excellence from The National Association of Public Administration Students (2016)

Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017

NAPAS Academic Icon of The Year 2017

Award of Excellence from The Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016

Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017

Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016

Young Author Award, 2018

Creative Crew Africa/ Young Talent of The Year 2018, among others

Best Secretary General of NAPAS (2018)

At the age of 22, Izunna was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is the biggest and most prestigious African Youth Award.

Others awardees at the 2019 Young Achievers Award included the youngest speaker in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin; the youngest Deputy Governor in the country and Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Mahadi Aliyu Gusau; Mrs. Nancy Iloh of African Independent Television (AIT) among 14 others.

August 27, 2019

SYNW Congratulates Mallam Denja Abdulahi (ANA President) on his 50th Birthday


SYNW CONGRATULATES MALLAM DENJA ABDULAHI (ANA PRESIDENT) ON HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY


The umbrella body of Young Writers in Nigeria, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has congratulated the National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mallam Denja Abdulahi on his 50th birthday today, Tuesday, August 27 2019.

In a statement made available to newsmen, issued and signed by the President and Secretary General of SYNW, Wole Adedoyin and Izunna Okafor, described ANA President, Mallam Denja Abdulahi as a selfless and committed leader and wished him a happy birthday.

“We specially congratulate ANA President, Mallam Denja Abdulahi on his 50th birthday. Attaining such milestone is not an easy thing and we thank God for his life and prays that the Almighty Allah will continue to bless him with more wisdom to paddle the canoe of our dear Association (ANA) till the end of his tenure and all his personal affairs.”

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) further described Mallam Denja Abdulahi as a unique leader whose enigmatic personality and commitment to the progress and development of ANA must be commended.

While stating that the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has indeed witnessed transformation and development since the beginning of Mallam Denja Abdulahi’s tenure as ANA President in 2015, the Society implored Mallam Denja Abdulahi not to relent in his drive to take ANA to a greater height.

SYNW finally called on all ANA members to continue to support the administration of Mallam Denja Abdulahi which will soon end in November 2019.

August 1, 2019

Deacon Niran Adebowale exonerates brother, blasts conspirators.


BAYO ADEBOWALE'S BLACKMAILERS: OUR OWN SIDE OF THE STORY (DEACON NIRAN ADEBOWALE)



A lot has been written on Facebook/Twitter, a couple of weeks ago to disparage the person of Dr. Bayo Adebowale, smearing him with the unsavoury allegation of raping five daughters and aborting pregnancies for each one of them on three consecutive occasions. I am Deacon Niran Adebowale, a junior brother to DR. BAYO ADEBOWALE, writing the world now on behalf of the family, to say that this character assassination move is the handiwork of blackmailers and grand conspirators.

My brother, who mentored me from primary to tertiary education level, is a decent, morally upright man; highly focused and disciplined. He has sacrificed a lot to train all of us , inculcating in us probity and uprightness. I am a living witness to how he struggled to bring up all his children. The children are all graduates of tertiary institutions. He loves them all and protects them from harm; never can move near having carnal knowledge of them. Let me unequivocally say here that the great Adebowale Family will not fold its arms and watch this shameless blackmailers go scot free with this. 

I hear that this is how the internet dirty vultures scramble to consume the flesh of innocent people, with the assistance of notorious bloggers and online news media.

We hear that on BAYO ADEBOWALE'S matter they are already in disarray: either retracting their wicked postings, or apologizing, or even fleeing to London, New York and what one of them now calls "Amsterdam on my mind", to avoid the long arms of the law: Sahara Reporters; Linda Ikeji Blog, Femi Gorman, Ekundayo Awe, Mercy Makinwa and the rest members of their cohorts.

I can assure them that law and justice are universal. They will be caught wherever they are hibernating. And what is more, Almighty God, the Omnipresent, the Omniscience and the Omnipotent, is waiting to deal heavy blows on them for this unpardonable sin they have committed against my innocent and peace loving brother, DR. BAYO ADEBOWALE.