Ebedi Writers Residence

PRESS RELEASE
THREE WRITERS BEGIN THE JUNE 2012 EDITION OF THE EBEDI INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMME

Three writers have commenced the June 2012 residency program at the Ebedi International Residency Programme, Iseyin, Oyo State.  The writers, who will be in residence for a period of six weeks include: Richard Ali who was born in Kano, Nigeria and obtained a LL.B. from the Nigerian Law School. He presently practices Law in Jos, Nigeria. His novel, City of Memories, was published by Black Palms Publishers.  He served as Editor, Sardauna Magazine from 2005 to 2007. He was shortlisted for the 2008 John la Rose Short Story Competition, and attended the British Council Radiophonics Workshop the same year. He has been active in the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), serving as Secretary for the Plateau State chapter for two years and is presently Publicity Secretary [North] of the national body. He is, at present, Editor of the Sentinel Nigeria [online] Magazine and is Chief Operations Officer of Parresia Nigeria Limited, a new Publishing company based in Lagos, Nigeria Publishers. He will use his time at Ebedi residency to carry out research on a historical fiction and finish work on his debut poems, The Divan of the Four Winds, which his publishers are eagerly awaiting.

The second writer, Niyi Fasanmi is a Lagos based writer and teacher. A polyglot, who speaks Yoruba, English, French and Russian, Fasanmi is the holder of a Master of Science degree from the University of Lagos. Some of his works include, The Story of Ajantala, BARRICADES, AGAINST THE CULTURE OF SILENCE, and THE FLOODS. Niyi will use his time in the residency to complete his ongoing novel and interact with students of secondary schools in Iseyin in the areas of fiction and nonfiction writing.

 The third writer, Awwal Sakiwa, a Book Illustrator, Artist and Comic series writer is presently the Director, Hill Top Art Centre, Minna.  He also teaches Fine Arts in Government Secondary School, Minna, Niger State.   As a testimony to his good standing as a versatile artist, Awwal illustrated most of the books published in Minna Niger State and designed the Niger State logo. He founded the Arts In Vogue Gallery, Minna where he trained many apprentices who are mostly now self-employed.  A passionate comic series writer, he is the author of a comic book, “The Story of Bayajiddah”. Some of his other works include, designing the mural on the  walls of institutions such as:  Hill Top Art Centre Minna,  Ijah Central Mosque,Wuse,  Tunga Central Mosque Minna,  Calvary International School Aware Ondo State, Will Bright International school Akure, Ondo State to mention just a few. While in Ebedi, Awwal will work extensively with secondary school students from Iseyin on his pet project called: “Let The Children Live” through which he hopes to mentor children in the areas of Fine Arts and Comic Book writing.

The Ebedi International Writers Residency Programme, Iseyin, Oyo State is an initiative to give emerging and established writers an all-expenses paid convenient environment in which to complete their ongoing works. Since its inception two years ago, the Residency has played host to several Nigerian and Foreign writers who in return have also mentored many secondary school students in Iseyin.  The residency is being managed by a Board of Directors made up of Akintayo Abodunrin, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Uche Peter Umez and Maryam Okediran who is the Chairman. Applications stating a Curriculum Vitae and a 500-word excerpt of ongoing work should be sent to the Board Chairman at ebediwriters@yahoo.com.

Signed:
Uche Peter Umez