Toyin Akinosho champions Adaobi, who reads today

Toyin Akinosho reads an excerpt from Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani's novel, I Do Not Come To You By Chance

On Wednesday May 12, nearly everyone who was anyone on the Nigerian arts scene turned up for the first of events marking the 50th birthday of Toyin Akinosho, arts persona extraordinaire and General Secretary of the arts advocacy group The Committee for Relevant Art (CORA). Actor and member of CORA, Ropo Ewenla, moderated. There were lots of humourous testimonials from culture workers testifying to Akinosho's overriding passions for all things culture. With Ben Tomoloju, Chuka Nnabuife and Odia Ofeimun, I was part of a panel dicussing Art Advocation in Journalism over the last 2 decades.

Among those in attendance: Tunde Kelani, Frank Okonta (AGAN), Mobolaji Adenubi, Jahman Anikulapo (one of the key organisers of 'Toyin Akinosho @ 50'), Joke Silva, Bruce Onobrakpeya etc - and arts writers/journalists by the droves.

Sometime during the proceedings when Akinosho was called up to speak, he read to the over 200-strong gathering an excerpt from Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani's novel, I Do Not Come To You By Chance.

Which brings us to Nwaubani, who gives her first public reading (in Nigeria) from the book today. Details below.

Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani Reads

@ Quintessence Bookshop

Falomo Shopping Centre

Awolowo Road

Ikoyi, Lagos

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Saturday 15 May 2010

Time: 4pm.

Photos: Abiodun Omotoso