Abdullahi Abubakar
Two writers, Iresiri Samson and Yinka Olagbile, and a musician, Zainab Sule, will share the spotlight on the platform of the Abuja Writers’ Forum’s March 29 edition of the popular Guest Writer Session.
Kukogho Iresiri Samson, a reporter, editor and social media manager with the Abuja-based Daily Trust (Media Trust Ltd.), holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and two certificates in Film Making and Television Production from the National Film Institute and the Nigerian Television College respectively.
A web content manager, across several CMS platforms, editor, public speaker, especially on creative writing, and a self taught social media expert, he writes and executes social media campaign plans for all budgets and manage social media profiles for individuals and corporate organisation.
He published his debut poetry collection, What Can Words Do? in 2013. One of the poems from the collection, ‘Where is The Breathe of Fresh Air’, won the Orange Crush 1st Prize for Poetry 2012. also the founder of the Words Rhymes & Rhythm Group, an initiative which started from a single blog and Facebook page but now has a combined fan base of over 15,000 across several social media networks.
Olayinka Oyegbile was born and raised in Jos, Plateau State. Although his parents are from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, he never left the north until he was almost a teenager. Until his secondary school days his hometown was just a name because he felt at home in Jos and other parts of the north where he had lived and travelled widely.
After his secondary education in Kwara State he worked in Jos for about four years before he proceeded to Bayero University Kano where he graduated with a degree (Second Class Upper) in Mass Communication. He also holds a Postgraduate degree from the University of Jos. It was while working in Jos that he honed his craft as a writer and journalist by freelancing for The Nigeria Standard Newspapers and writing play scripts for both radio and television stations.
His stories have been published both at home and abroad.
The love of journalism took him away from Jos to join The Guardian newspapers in Lagos. He has since worked with The Punch, Daily Independent, TELL magazine, NEXT Newspapers where he was Associate Editor from where he joined The Nation as Deputy Editor of the Sunday title.
Although Home Away From Home: History of Ogbomosho Peope In Jos is his first published book, he has written a couple of short stories and travelogues. He is one of Nigeria’s most travelled journalists and has won several international awards. Among these are World Health Organisation (WHO), Public Health Reporting Fellowship, American Cancer Society Fellowship, the prestigious Knight Fellowship and a host of others. He is a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and has been the lead Country Reporter for the Washington DC based Global I ntegrity yearly publication titled Corruption Notebook.
In a recent interview he said, “Journalism has snatched me from writing fiction. My dream was to be a writer and that I have achieved with my journalism and I have been rewarded with numerous awards that have taken me to almost all corners of the globe. My book, Home Away From Home, is my offering to making Nigeria a great nation as some of the ones I have visited.”
To some people, Zainab Sule is a Nigerian Singer Songwriter who does rock music. To others, she’s a pro web designer. It all depends on the angle you look at it.
Her sounds have been referred to as a “mixture of Tracy Chapman and Avril Lavigne, mixed with a touch of soul”. Though new to the Music Scene, she’s fast turning one time listeners to screaming fans, and making people fall in love with the music, and the person behind it.
Zainab also holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Jos, and 3 CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster) Certifications in Web Design. When she’s not writing songs, or on some musical tour somewhere, you’ll find Zainab working as a consultant to some major companies under her company name and alter ego, Pishon Designs.
Just three years into her blossoming career as a professional musician, Zainab already has two full length albums, some amazing singles, countless reviews and many performances in Nigeria and beyond.
Zainab has her 2 albums available on iTunes & other online stores, and a book of Poetry available on Amazon Kindle. She’s currently working on her Live Acoustic Sessions and more music videos to promote her sound.
The Guest Writer Session, which started in June 2008, holds at the prestigious Nanet Suites located at the Central Business District in Abuja, and runs from 4-7pm on the last Saturday of every month. It also features side attractions of poetry performance, mini art exhibition, a raffle-draw for books, and a stirring dose of live music.
Abubakar is Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF), Abuja. 08034519159
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