Re: Writers Examine Mandela and Fela, Two System Fighters

Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 2:21 PM Profile of our Speakers:     Mr. Segun Sofowote: broadcaster, musician, author, publisher is a unique system fighter who has almost successfully turned his back on society and institutions to survive in spite of it.He is a Fela contemporary and a most popular music presenter in the 1970s.   He would be a new addition to our rich team of discussants.     Odia Ofeimun:is a chronic optimist in the possibility of a new Nigeria, a Fela man who has poems for Fela in most of his collections. He is also very well acquinted with the South African situation and his collection of poems: Under the African Sky is a poetic exploration of the South African challenge and the black response to it. A tapestry of history, culture and politics that seeks solution to apartheid under one African sky.     Sola Olorunyomi: is a lost in Fela 's lore and labyrith. A poetic and Fela scolar from the University of Ibadan, a former journalist and a nomad acoss Africa and the world stopped by marriage.    Guest Writer: Adewalw Maja Pearse is a well known editor  who like Chinua Achebe,worked with Heinemann.He will bring so much into his session.              Writers Examine MANDELA AND FELA TWO SYSTEM FIGHTERS   The Centre of Excellence Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos will be doing a public celebration of Africa's symbol of our globally desired humanity, Madiba, Nelson Mandela who turned 90 on July 18; and one of Africa's finest music maestro with a musical mission and direction, Fela Anikulapo Kuti on Saturday 9 August, 2008.The chapter intends to take a look at the similarities and differences in the ways these two accomplished change agents took on the different systems within ttheir countries.Whereas Mandela took on apartheid  as represented in their foreign overlords headlong in South Africa through political activism, even against 27 years of incaceration,Fela confronted internal oppression, corruption and retrogression with his musical weapon and verbal activism.   At the ANA Lagos' monthly reading, Mr. Chike Ofili the Chairman of the Chapter would be making a pre-presentation of the ready poetic biography of Fela to the public, under the programmes's segment:Work in Progress.It is an anthology, the publics' poetic interpretation of Fela sent in to chikeofili@yahoo.com over two years. Contributors to the coming collection of poems are required to be around, and new contributors, particularly women will be given till the end of August for the final submission for the book that will be coming out on the month of Fela's birthday in October.   The Guest writer: Mr. Adewale Maja Pierce, author , editor and publisher     Theme: Mandela and Fela: Lessons From Two System Fighters   Discussants: Mr. Odia Ofeimun, author, poet, journalist, essayist and activist                     Dr.Sola Olorunyomi, poet,essayist, Fela scholar and activist                     Mr.Toyin Akinosho, journalist, publisher,art catalyst,South Africa nomad    Date : Saturday August 9, 2008   Venue: National Arts Theatre, National Arts Gallery, Aina Onabolu Complex,Iganmu, Lagos    Time: 2pm- 6pm   The South African community in Nigeria and the general public are all expected.       Chike Ofili Chairman:Association of Nigerian Author, Lagos.