Odia's Award

Scholar Tejumola Laniyan (right) presents the 2010 Fonlon-Nichols Award to poet Odia Ofeimun earlier today in Lagos.

Ofeimun had been due to receive the award last month during the 36th ALA annual conference at the University of Arizona, Tucson, but was unable to fly to the United States. He however graced major celebrations in honour of his 60th birthday, organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation in conjunction with the Odia Ofeimun Committee of Friends. The events included the Mamdani Lecture, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos on March 16.

Laniyan, a newly elected executive member of ALA (which gives out the annual award) was representing the Association. Also at today's presentation was journalist Kunle Ajibade, head of the Odia Committee of Friends.

• Photo by MW