The Dome of Stones... Poetry Potter.

By IKE EGWUATU

Poetry Potter organized by Kowry Kreations Media was held at the National Library Complex at Alagomeji Yaba last Saturday.

The event was filled with brilliant poetry performances by young talented poets and creative persons who rendered musical performances and poetry recitations.

Those who performed at the event were Akinbo Cornerstone who presented the poem titled "The Black Poet". Another thrilling performance came from Goke who used the guitar to the admiration of the audience. Uche Nwadinachi, the 2006 ANA poetry winner succeeded in putting majority of the audience in a sober mood with the thought provoking poem Life and Teach. “It got me thinking” says Oyindamola Adesina the Public Relations Officer of Kowry Kreations Media.

While Adeyanju Seyi presented "Four Letter Word", Rastafarian poet and musician Conerstone raised memories of his performance at Word Slam 2 with a musical performance. Other performers at the event included a young and promising poet simply known as Esther. Her poem "Being Wise" contains precautions in life. Kenny Poet presented a poem titled "Better Half" which he dedicated to an imaginary lover. He also set the minds of his audience to the Chinua Achebe legacy by presenting a poem titled "Things Fall Apart".

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Poetry Digest Magazine Kafayat Quadri came on stage with a unique style. So relaxed, she showed to her audience the necessity in being independent and not copying another person's work. With the guitar, she presented a song Explore Me.

At the end of the poetry recitation and musical performance session, 2008 Nigeria Prize for Literature hopeful, Jude Dibia was an inspiration to the young creative people present at the event. With Tosyn Bukcnor, he answered questions from the audience on certain pressing issues concerning his person and the creativity industry. A member of the audience believed that the society informs the writer's conscience but Dibia replied “You inform your own conscience not the society.” Also, issues concerning focus writing and free writing were discussed. Tosyn Bukcnor also registered the need for writers to be independent and create their own style of writing. “I write like I talk” she said.

Speaking to National Mirror at the event, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kowry Kreation Media, Aderemi Adegbite who is also the production coordinator of Word Slam, revealed that Poetry Potter which he also produces is a celebration of African oral tradition and creativity. “It is a platform for poets, story tellers and journalists to come and express themselves at no price”. The event according to him accommodates all the genres of literature, dance and folksongs. “This is meant to revive all oral tradition, music, poetry, short stories and moonlight tales. Of course we have poetry in all stories”.

Adegbite confirmed that notable writers like Ahmed Yerima and Odia Ofeimun have taken part in the Poetry Potter but still not much attention have been given to the project and its likes. “Literary scene is so dry because people don't want to get involved or set aside money for similar programmes” Law graduate and publisher of the Poetry Digest, Rafayat Quadri revealed to National Mirror that she has not abandoned her legal profession for the creative industry. “I am still a lawyer” She has written poems but most of them are in UK anthologies while some can be sourced from magazines. The Ogun state indigene stated that she gets her inspirations from people around him and what she sees. “I am not a conventional Muslim” was the reply she gave when asked if her faith affects her literary and musical interests. She expressed her joy that the Poetry Potter gives upcoming poets the exposure and confidence they need.

Erstwhile ANA president at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Akinbo Adebunmi Adeola is of the conviction that poets teach the society. “We make the future arrive now” His poem The Black Poet shows that he who holds the word holds the world.

The event was brought to an end by a thrilling musical performance by Izone. He presented a song titled “This na my year.” His song raised the hopes of the audience on a brighter tomorrow.

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