The maiden edition of the Akada Children’s Book Festival an initiative of the publisher of Clever Clogs Books, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi held on Saturday, April 27th, 2019 at the British Council, Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to Talabi, the event was designed to showcase children’s books written by African authors or books written by authors from around the world for children of colour. The festival featured activities such as workshops for writers and illustrators, authors’ showcase, interactive and engaging workshops for children, soft skill masterclasses for teachers and parents and a whole lot more.
Queen’s Young Leader awardee and MTV Europe Generation Change award winner, Hauwa Ojeifo and Pilot and Entrepreneur, Powede Awujo both spoke to the children at different sessions on a career workshop tagged “When I Grow Up”. Finance Expert and serial entrepreneur, Dr. Seun Akinbohun shared practical money tips with the children at a workshop themed “Good with Money”.
The parents, teachers and guardians were not left out as Founder of LagosMums, Yetty Williams and Programmes Manager, Schools, Education and Society at the British Council, Lynda Ashaolu both spoke respectively at child protection workshops on the topic, “Being Your Child’s Superhero”. Children’s Book author and co-pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Nomthi Odukoya read her book at the pop-up library and spoke at a children’s workshop on the topic “You May, But I Will Not”, focusing on dealing with peer pressure.
There were a series of book reading sessions at the Pop-Up Library manned by bookstore, Reading Corner Nigeria hosted by authors and young readers including one by the special guests, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru and the Chairman of Punch Nigeria, Angela Emuwa. Children’s book authors, Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie, Olayemi Ejemai, Basirat Rasaq-Shuaib among others also read their books. 11-year avid reader and book reviewer, Tamara Ebitonmor also read a book at the Pop-Up Library.
Former Big Brother Naija housemate and media personality, Alex “Unusual” Asogwa spoke at the children’s workshop on the topic “Stop That Bully”. While the different workshops were ongoing, experiential fitness sessions tagged “Fitter, Stronger, Faster” sessions with Fitness Coaches Maje Ayida and Coach Ojoi were held for kids.
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