The annual summer writing programme for young persons between the ages of 7-15years is here again. In an age where writing and reading are no longer on the front burner in Nigeria, The Treasured Writers (TTW) provides an avenue for young person’s to express themselves in poetry, fiction and essays interspersed with other fun activities for child development.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, Olaide Olaegbe, one of the facilitators said that the programme was put together five years ago by lead facilitator and broadcaster, who is Eugenia Abu, an author herself because of her passion to encourage children to write.
‘’It is our belief that a reading nation is a leading nation and oftentimes the school curriculum as it stands does not give room for such extracurricular activities like a writing programme. We believe therefore, that an Achebe may be lurking in a Nigerian home without encouragement, the TTW decided to provide the writing programme as an intervention to rescue the reading and writing culture in the nation,’’ she added.
The five-year-old programme, has had varied themes over the years ranging from cookery, leisure and etiquette to charity and adventure. The Maiden Edition was on Short Story Writing and the TTW has a book entirely written by the children titled, The Man Who Despised the Poor.
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The 2011 edition which kicks off on Monday, 15th august, 2011 in Abuja with the theme- All Things Beautiful, subthemes books, culture, fashion, flowers, painting, peace building and acting. The week long programme will be headlined this year by Commonwealth Literature Prize Winner for Best Book in 2010, Author of I do not come to you by chance, Adaobi Tricia Nwabauni who is expected to encourage children and motivate them in their writing passion.
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