Postcards from QFest2023 Day 4

While the end to Day 3 was playful and engaging, Day 4 started on a light literary note as the book chat of the day – Parallel Universes: Interconnected Short Stories - took the
audience on a journey of funny conversations wrapped in unique Nigerian experiences. Three authors explored a discourse around their interesting short stories namely Tall Tales, Sixty Percent of a True Story, Who drove nearly all
Lagos Men Mad - Obi Echezona, Osisiye Tafa and Ugochukwu Ugonna with Anjola Ogunsanwo as moderator. The session drew laughter from the audience as the relatable stories shared got everyone nodding and smiling.

The second conversation addressed the topic – Ancient African Art and Culture: The Looting, Return and Preservation.
It was one for the books as there was an awakening of a sense of identity and patriotism in everyone present. The panelists consisted of Omotayo Adeboye, Jahman Anikulapo, Yahaya Maikori with Fu’ad Lawal as the moderator. The focus was the need for ancient arts to be repatriated and more resources to be pumped into the preservation process on both state and federal levels.

The third conversation was an author’s chat, one between Kobby Ben Ben of Ghana and James Murua of Kenya. Kobby explained the process, thoughts and pain behind his interesting book – No One Dies Yet. It was a deep review of the struggle between religion and sexuality. It was definitely an intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking discourse. Kobby also shared the story behind his name, one that played on his relationship with his beloved mother.

The other conversations explored the following topics:

Global Rights, Local Rights: Whose Rights? – an Expose on publishing challenges and solutions with publishing experts such as Eghosa Imasuen, Bankole Olayebi, Ibiso Graham-Douglas, Azafi Ogosi, Lanre Shasore and James Murua as moderator.

Nigeria & Ireland: Commonalities Amongst Former Colonies? A panel curated by the Irish Embassy with Ambassador Peter Ryan, Oriyomi Jimoh, Olasupo Shasore and Aduke Gomez as moderator. It was a dance with history and lessons from both the Nigerian and Irish colonization and independence experiences. Attendees also had the pleasure of seeing the Irish ambassador dance to ‘Buga’.

Local Culture for a Continental Audience curated by Narrative Landscape Press with Uche Anaekwe, Iquo Ukoh, Ayodele Ogundipe and Uchenna Emelife as moderator. The session explored the newfound love for and exportation
opportunities of the robust Nigerian culture to other climes.

The highlights of day 4 include the spontaneous storytelling experience tagged the Irish Siamsa curated by Ambassador Peter Ryan and Aduke Gomez. Participants were given the space to tell their unique stories in the hearing of an eager audience after which everyone was treated to a beautiful flash mob/dance performance by the Society for Performing Arts Nigeria. Segun Adefila’s Crown Troupe – Our Story, Our Area play left everyone in their feelings as it explored different themes that reminded the audience about the rich culture of the Nigerian people. 

Day 4 was indeed an ode to multidimensional creative expressions and rich heritage from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Ireland among other global players.