POETOURISM ORGANIZES CREATIVE MINDS ON A TRIP TO PAN ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, LEKKI-LAGOS

In the Museum

By Davy Fidel

Freelance, Writer, Author

Saturday 4 June 2022 is a day we will never forget. It is a day that will remain in our memories forever, especially stepping out of our comfort zone of writing, to celebrate each other as writers, poets, and authors. 

This is not an easy thing for any creative mind to do. However, the year 2022 Poetourism was an educative one, and also, inspiring. It is an event for thirty people and each person marvelled with the experience, especially in the PAU Museum. 

The Campaigner --- a subsidiary of LIFEINSLUM was there to cover the event voluntarily. 

CONVERGENCE

It all started at the National Stadium i.e. at the convergence point. At exactly 7:30 am, poets, writers, and authors including lovers of art started converging. They are coming from the inner parts of Lagos despite the traffic, the thick sound of the vehicles, and the stress of the city. 

These thirty persons were all at the main bowl. Words for them are powerful, especially when they use them to communicate an idea to people via their books. Before the bus left the national Stadium, the fun had already started. 

In the museum

The organizers: Brenda and llemobayo including those behind the scene were there to organize the journey. All the persons, whose names are on the list were urged to enter the bus. When it was 10:15 a.m, the bus left the main bowl to Pan Atlantic University situated at Lekki-Lagos. 

ON THE ROAD

The excitement on the bus was memorabilia. It all started with Brenda introducing the journey. A few others were also introduced like students from Olabisi Onabanjo University and Juliet from the University of Calabar, who flew to join the Poetourism trip in Lagos.  

Afterwards, a short prayer was recited by a writer, named in. It was followed by Eriata. O. is the founder of Poet in Nigeria. It is a group interested in organizing literary programs in different parts of the country. Their profile as PIN speaks more. 

Afterwards, Dagga Tolar, who is also a poet and founder of Aj House of Poetry situated in one of the poorest communities in Lagos: Ajegunle; applauded the organizers. He appreciated and thank the organizers for such effort put in place to organize thirty creative minds for this adventure. 

Despite the long traffic, however, the journey on the road was fun. Poems were recited on the bus by different persons from different books. A lady, whose name is Iquo Abasi; an author trending on Instagram, recited a short poem. The same thing goes for Clementina, Brenda, Eriata and others.  

Group photo of writers and poets

While the fun breeds smile on the faces of these creative minds. Everyone was busy doing different things at different spots where they sat. A few were writing, some reading a book or from their phone, while others were chatting and catching their fun. 

Noticeably, there was happiness on each person's face. Each was lifted with the euphoria of the moment on the bus. Even when people had to sit longer before reaching PAU, they never did it. Everyone was excited. Everyone saw each other as special. Maybe, it is because of writers gathering. 

In the museum

However, it might be a reason but not the logic of it. The Campaigner that partook in the trip, saw the galore of creativity, especially from the faces of young people, expressing each other. The atmosphere was magnificent and glamorous. 

The gala nature of this euphoria is what prompted Eriata Oribhabor to excitedly stand up on the bus and made some brief announcements. "Poet in Nigeria plans to publish the Poetourism Report of today's event in its upcoming magazine", he said.

"PIN would want us to write at least 500 words of today's event, beginning from where the bus took off. The best report", he explained. "It will be published in the PIN upcoming magazine", he reiterated. 

While he was briefly slicing the details to the seat of each person. The last edition of the magazine was moving from one hand to another i.e. for persons, who have thoughtful reading on it. Nobody felts bittered. The bus arrived at PAU at about 02:15 p.m. That was after the pick-up of snacks on the road.

People fed their bellies with smiles without winking their eyes. Or those terrible sighs that can kill a flea, and embalm the bones of a cat i.e. a writer admired happily when he or she is in the muse of writing the heavens down, without regretting it. 

IN THE MUSEUM

The museum, which was named after Yemisi Shyllon has a different collection of artefacts, paintings, and sculptures. Each of them has different symbols and meaning they are representing an art form. 

The Poetourists were taken around the whole gallery by the Director. This was after each Poetourists had introduced themselves, while the photographer was busy taking shots of each Poetourists i.e. standing up to tell the audience what they do professionally.

The Campaigner noticed that interesting questions were asked about the artefacts and paintings. Most of them have significant meaning. Some talked about climate change, underaged marriages, history, corruption, the Nigeria civil war, and other interesting paintings. 

The most interesting moment for these creative minds was the "Open Mic", where different talents came on stage to deliver their creativity. Brenda, who was the anchor of the "Open Mic" was full of life. She was the one that opened the grand stage of individuals coming out to deliver their poems.

Author of "STREET TEARS" & a poet

It was fun, educative and literarily; explorative. That is, for those thirty persons, who left their world and come together to do something exceptional: poetry and creativity. People paid logical attention to each person, who rendered their piece. 

"The House That Built Me", a poetry anthology was presented to 15 persons or thereabouts, who are poets and creative writers. Books were given for free via the clause of winning a game. However, it was inspiring to the poetourists. Every scene of each moment had an interesting shot. 

The photographer was on his feet. He busies using his lens to caption everything that is in the heart of each poetourists. No moment was left behind the road, especially the group photos of everyone. Also, attractive postures. 

Before the last moment of Poetourism at the Pan African University; Lekki-Lagos i.e. another high-breed of Lagos. A vote of thanks was rendered by a talented pretty lady. Funke Awodiya came on the stage with her gorgeous giggling smiles and sliced beautifully the vote of thanks.