Writers Celebrate Olatoun Gabi-Williams At 60

 

WRITERS CELEBRATE OLATOUN GABI-WILLIAMS AT 60

 

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW Global) has congratulated Mrs. Olatoun Gabi-Williams on the occasion of her 60th birthday, commending her unwavering dedication to literary advocacy, child education, and cultural promotion in Nigeria and beyond.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin, from the organization's headquarters in Ibadan.

Adedoyin described Mrs. Gabi-Williams as "a literary visionary, a passionate advocate for children’s literacy, and a cultural ambassador whose work continues to impact lives across generations."

Olatoun Gabi-Williams boasts decades of experience in the delivery of spoken and written word content that advances literary culture, education, and advocacy. Through appearances on television, radio, and public platforms, she has consistently championed the value of books and reading while advocating for child welfare and improved literacy across Nigerian institutions.

Her media contributions have spanned a wide range of respected platforms, including Channels TV’s Sunrise, NTA 2 Channel 5’s AM Express, Close Flow, and City Lace, as well as Smooth Radio’s Smooth Review. Her dynamic presence in the media has played a critical role in shaping public discourse around books, education, and national development.

In 2014, Mrs. Gabi-Williams served as the TV host for the inaugural Nigerian Cultural Trade Show held on October 2, organized by the Nigerian-German Business Association, the AHK (Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria), the Goethe-Institut, and the German Consulate in Lagos. Her role in this high-profile event demonstrated her ability to merge literature and culture with international collaboration.

Olatoun represented Nigeria with distinction at the 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair, where she participated in the Lettres D’Afrique: Changing the Narrative programme. As a moderator, media panelist, and author interview host under the auspices of the Agence Culturelle Africaine (Senegal), she used the platform to spotlight African stories and voices in one of the world’s most prestigious book events.

Aside from her media and literary engagements, Mrs. Gabi-Williams is a Director at Selina Ventures Ltd and Selina Travels Ltd. She is also the Founder and Coordinator of Sponsor A Child Nigeria, a charitable initiative committed to enhancing literacy, education, and welfare for children in Nigerian institutions. Her work through this platform has touched countless lives across the country.

Olatoun is also the visionary behind the Ambassador Schools Program of the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter. This program connects African students and schools with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through curated reading experiences, nurturing a generation of conscious and informed youth. The platform can be accessed at sdgafricaambassadorschools.com.

Furthermore, she is the founder of the Border Books Review, a pan-African literary initiative dedicated to curating and promoting African literature, expanding its readership, and supporting emerging voices across the continent. Through this platform, she continues to challenge boundaries and connect readers with transformative stories.

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded its statement by thanking Mrs. Gabi-Williams for her enduring service to literature and education. “As she marks her 60th birthday, we celebrate a woman of vision, commitment, and courage. Her legacy remains a source of inspiration for writers, educators, and advocates around the world,” the statement read.

 

 

Writers Congratulate Dr. Wale Okediran on Kwame Nkrumah Award for Service to Pan-Africanism

 

WRITERS CONGRATULATE DR. WALE OKEDIRAN ON KWAME NKRUMAH AWARD FOR SERVICE TO PAN-AFRICANISM

 

Writers under the umbrella of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW Global) have congratulated Dr. Wale Okediran on his recent conferment of the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah Award for Service to Pan-Africanism.

The award was presented to Dr. Okediran during the 14th Toyin Falola International Conference on Africa and the African Diaspora (TOFAC), which took place in Osogbo, Osun State.

This congratulatory message was contained in a press release issued by the President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin. According to the release, the recognition is not only well-deserved but a testimony to Dr. Okediran’s tireless efforts in promoting African literature, unity, and cultural consciousness across the continent and beyond.

Dr. Wale Okediran, the current Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), was singled out for his unwavering commitment to the advancement of African literature and Pan-African ideals. The award recognizes his consistent efforts in mobilizing African writers and institutions for a more united and culturally vibrant continent.

The Kwame Nkrumah Award for Service to Pan-Africanism is a highly respected honor conferred on distinguished Africans who have made remarkable contributions towards the actualization of African unity and development. The award’s criteria include integrity, commitment to African political and social progress, and active promotion of Pan-Africanism through both words and action.

SYNW noted that Dr. Okediran has, over the years, demonstrated these qualities through his leadership roles, creative contributions, and literary diplomacy. His stewardship of PAWA has fostered collaborations among writers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, echoing Nkrumah’s vision of a united Africa.

The award ceremony was held during the Gala Night which concluded the three-day conference hosted at Osun State University. The event was jointly organized by the University, UNESCO, and the University of Texas, USA, further underscoring its global significance.

Wole Adedoyin, in the statement, emphasized that the younger generation of African writers and creatives continue to draw inspiration from Dr. Okediran’s life, work, and advocacy. He added that the honor is a collective celebration for Nigerian and African writers alike.

The Society also commended the organizers of TOFAC for recognizing literary leadership and Pan-African intellectualism as critical elements in the continent’s development journey. They described the award as a significant morale booster for literary leaders and cultural workers.

SYNW expressed hope that this recognition would further galvanize Dr. Okediran’s efforts in expanding the reach and influence of African literature on the global stage. The Society pledged its continued support for PAWA's mission and leadership.

Concluding the statement, the Society called on governments and cultural institutions across Africa to support visionary leaders like Dr. Okediran whose work aligns with the broader objectives of African unity, peace, and development.

 

Writers Commend NAL Fellowship Conferment on Prof. Remi Raji, Prof. Gbemi Adeoti, Jahman Anikulapo

 

WRITERS COMMEND NAL FELLOWSHIP CONFERMENT ON PROF. REMI RAJI, PROF. GBEMI ADEOTI, JAHMAN ANIKULAPO

 

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW Global) has congratulated Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade (Remi Raji), Professor Gbemisola Aderemi Adeoti, and Mr. Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo on their recent conferment of Fellowships by the prestigious Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the President of the Society, Wole Adedoyin, on Thursday.

Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, widely known as Remi Raji, is a globally acclaimed Nigerian poet and scholar. Currently a professor of English and African Literatures at the University of Ibadan, Raji has authored several poetry collections, including Webs of Remembrance, Lovesong for My Wasteland, and Sea of My Mind. His poems have been translated into multiple languages, and he has held fellowships in renowned institutions across Europe, Africa, and the United States.

Remi Raji’s dedication to literature extends beyond writing and teaching; he has served as the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Secretary of the Nigerian PEN Centre, and the pioneering Coordinating Secretary of PEN African Centres. His inclusion as a Fellow of NAL is a recognition of his decades-long impact on Nigerian and African literary discourse.

Professor Gbemisola Aderemi Adeoti, another celebrated recipient, is a scholar of literature and a distinguished poet. He currently teaches at the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Adeoti is the author of Naked Soles, a poetry collection that earned national acclaim and was at one time recommended by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for study.

Adeoti has served in various academic leadership roles, including as Director of the Institute of Cultural Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at OAU. His latest poetry collection, Stoning the Wind, continues to receive literary praise, cementing his legacy as one of Nigeria’s foremost academic poets.

Mr. Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo, recipient of an Honorary Fellowship, is a veteran journalist and cultural advocate. A former Arts Editor and Editor of The Guardian on Sunday, Anikulapo has spent over four decades advancing Nigeria’s cultural heritage through media, performance, and advocacy. He is the founder of Culture Caucus Advocate (CCA) and Programme Chair of the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA).

As Director of the iREP International Documentary Film Festival and convener of the Lagos Book & Art Festival, Anikulapo has championed platforms for critical conversations in the arts. His recognition by NAL reflects his immense contributions to media, literature, and cultural development in Nigeria.

The fellowship conferment was announced in a memo by Professor Sola Akinrinade, FNAL, President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, following the meeting of the College of Fellows held on July 8, 2025. The announcement included a list of distinguished scholars and cultural figures across disciplines such as linguistics, classical studies, and media.

The investiture ceremony is scheduled to hold on August 14, 2025, at the University of Lagos during the Academy’s 27th Convocation. The SYNW urges all stakeholders in the literary and cultural communities to join in celebrating this remarkable milestone for Remi Raji, Gbemi Adeoti, and Jahman Anikulapo. Their contributions to Nigerian scholarship and culture continue to inspire generations of writers and thinkers.