If you are in Jos, or can find a way to get to the coal city by this weekend, 12^th and 13^th September, 2015, then you had better
clear your calendar for those days. And I am talking to you and anyone who has a love for arts—not simple poetry o, full arts and a jolly good time. The event is JOS MEETS A FIELD OF ECHOES with Amu Nnadi [and friends] and it is a double day affair. The first day will have performances at the Bishop’s Court Opposite St. Louis, Jos by 2 o’clock pm. Entry is FREE for that day… The second event is for Sunday 13^th September, 2015 and it is barbecue on Shere hills. For this one, no freebies guys, it costs N500 only! Or we can negotiate 😉

Okay, so that is the summary… but what’s the deal really, yes?

The Custodians of African Literature, a group of talented writers based in Jos promoting African literature in Nigeria and abroad, are hosting a galaxy of writers headed by multiple award winning poet, Amu Nnadi, whose performance skills keep getting as fine as his poetry. Amu Nnadi is an internationally acclaimed multiple award winning poet who has won the Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize a couple of times, been shortlisted for the NLNG Prize, and famously won the Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry last year. Add that to his charming spirit and passion for poetry that oozes in his public as well as private showings. He has been the toasts of different literary festivals this year from Uganda to abroad 😉 but COAL is bringing him to Jos, and if you can afford to be there, it will be really worth your time. He will be PERFORMING to a full orchestra amongst others and lovely renditions, poems from his latest collection, a field of echoes which has had lots of people awwwing. I was there at the Minna reading and I had a feel. This is your chance!

But it isn’t Amu Nnadi alone for the COAL storm. Guests to be here include Saddiq Dzukogi, my brother who was shortlisted for the Association of Nigerian Authors’ Prize for Poetry 2014, amongst other awards. I have travelled some roads with him and I know him as a good performer. There will be Anchorman the spoken word artiste; Ehizogie Iyeoman (lovely award winning poet who just got his book, flames of the forest out recently); Rudolph and Mfon. From our SEVHAGE clan, we will be bringing some of the coolest voices; Celina Kile the Vice President of the Writers’ League of Benue State University, a fine actress and spoken word artiste; Ene Odaba the spoken word artiste; magical line weaver Sibbyl Whyte and my very own sidekick, Debbie Iorliam model writer and diva. I will be somewhere there too, not as if that matters too much, abi?

The COAL team, I should mention, is made up of some lovely spoken word artistes and wordsmiths including Andrew Patience, Daisy Odey, and Farida Adamu.

We are all coming over to Jos to blaze the coal of the Plateau. It promises to be a massive delight so…do we make it a date?

Oh, once more here are the details:

DAY 1: Saturday 12^th September 2015 @ Bishop’s Court Opp St. Louis, Jos by 2pm. FREE Entry.

DAY 2: Sunday 13^th September, 2015 Barbecue on Shere Hills, Jos. Ticket: N500 per person.

Oh! There will be books and lots of other gifts for lucky guests… See ya there!