Saturday, August 23, 2025

Adwinsa Publications Nigeria Celebrates Founder, Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah, At 80

 


ADWINSA PUBLICATIONS NIGERIA CELEBRATES FOUNDER, CHIEF NANA KWABENA AMPONSAH, AT 80


 

The Nigerian Branch of Adwinsa Publications (Adwinsa Publications Nigeria Limited), an offshoot of Adwinsa Publications Ghana Limited, has congratulated the founder of the publishing firm, Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Coordinator of Adwinsa Publications Nigeria Limited, Wole Adedoyin, who praised Chief Amponsah’s remarkable contributions to the growth of African publishing and his dedication to the promotion of education across the continent.

Founded in March 1977 in Madina, a suburb of Accra, Ghana, Adwinsa Publications began as a modest business operated from Chief Amponsah’s home. Over the years, the company has grown into one of the most reputable indigenous publishing houses in West Africa, impacting generations of learners and writers.

By the late 1980s, the company relocated from Madina to Accra Newtown, marking a new phase in its expansion. It was during this period that Adwinsa Publications embraced emerging technologies such as desktop publishing and commercial offset printing, which significantly boosted its capacity and efficiency.

From 2000 to 2014, Adwinsa Publications continued to strengthen its presence as a household name in the publishing sector, establishing itself as a pioneer in providing supplementary readers and textbooks that became staples in Ghanaian schools. This achievement further underscored the vision of its founder, who believed strongly in education as the backbone of national development.

Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah’s enduring legacy was further recognized when he received a special award from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Publishing Department for being a trailblazer in the Ghanaian book industry. This accolade reflected his lifelong commitment to fostering academic growth through quality publishing.

Today, Adwinsa Publications remains a market leader in Ghana, dominating the educational sector with Junior and Senior High School syllabus-based textbooks, as well as literature that celebrates Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. Its reputation for excellence has made it a trusted partner for students, parents, governments, and the international academic community.

In his congratulatory message, Wole Adedoyin emphasized that Adwinsa Publications Nigeria stands proudly on the foundation laid by Chief Amponsah. He noted that the founder’s passion for family-oriented education has continued to inspire the company’s focus on developing textbooks for basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions, thereby nurturing generations of African learners.

“As a family-owned company, one of Adwinsa Publications’ greatest strengths has always been its commitment to education as a tool for long-term family and societal development. Chief Amponsah’s vision and dedication remain guiding lights for us in Nigeria as we continue to expand our reach and impact,” Adedoyin stated.

The Nigerian branch joins staff, authors, students, and well-wishers across Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond in celebrating the remarkable life and legacy of Chief Nana Kwabena Amponsah, wishing him good health, continued wisdom, and many more fruitful years ahead.

 

Friday, August 22, 2025

Ibadan Book Dialogue To Spotlight Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James

 

IBADAN BOOK DIALOGUE TO SPOTLIGHT GANI EKPOBARI MARTIN AND AJAYI OLAYINKA JAMES


 

The Ibadan Book Club (IBC), in partnership with the Milton Society of Africa, has announced that its forthcoming edition of the Ibadan Book Dialogue will feature two distinguished writers, Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM in the Board Room of the Oyo State Library Board, located opposite Cocoa House in Dugbe, Ibadan.

The Ibadan Book Dialogue is one of the club’s flagship literary platforms designed to promote reading culture, celebrate authors, and foster intellectual conversations around literature, society, and development. Over the years, it has brought together both established and emerging voices in Nigerian writing to engage with the public in meaningful discourse.

Speaking on the upcoming event, Wole Adedoyin, Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, expressed excitement over the inclusion of the two guest writers, noting that their unique perspectives will enrich the dialogue. “Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James embody the diversity of Nigerian literary and intellectual talent. Their works and activism reflect the values we hold dear—literary excellence, social consciousness, and creative engagement,” he stated.

Gani Ekpobari Martin hails from Buan in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. A distinguished academic scholar, an erudite in literary studies, and an engineer by profession, he has authored several books including The Broken Shackles, Korkade, The Drives for Money, The Voice of My Father, The Chained Foreigner, Tears of an Old Woman, What My Mother Told Me, Jennifer My Best Friend, and King Tortoise.

His literary contributions have not gone unnoticed, as his works have been adopted by State Ministries of Education in Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Abia for use in Junior Secondary School Basic Certificate Examinations (Junior WAEC). This recognition underscores his influence as a writer whose stories resonate deeply within Nigeria’s educational and cultural framework.

Beyond writing, Gani is also a social activist dedicated to youth and community development. He currently serves as Secretary-General of the Ogoni Youth Advancement Network, Secretary-General of the Association of Rivers State Creative Writers, and President of the Movement of Rivers Youth for Transparency. He is also an active member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Presently, he is an academic staff member at the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State.

On the other hand, Ajayi Olayinka James, a final-year Law student at the University of Ibadan, brings youthful vigor and intellectual depth to the dialogue. A passionate essayist and recipient of scholarships, Olayinka has distinguished himself as both a writer and student journalist. He served as the former Editor-in-Chief of a reputable campus press organization, where he used the media to highlight social and student-related issues.

In addition, Olayinka is an active environmental and human rights advocate with a strong commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly climate action. His leadership extends to mentoring peers, tutoring aspiring professionals, and driving personal and career development initiatives within student organizations.

Through their combined experiences as a seasoned scholar and an emerging advocate-writer, Gani Ekpobari Martin and Ajayi Olayinka James promise to deliver an engaging and inspiring session at the Ibadan Book Dialogue. Their stories, writings, and activism align with the event’s mission of using literature as a tool for awareness, empowerment, and social transformation.

The Ibadan Book Club and Milton Society of Africa, therefore, invite book lovers, students, academics, and members of the public to attend this highly anticipated event and participate in what promises to be a thought-provoking literary gathering.

 

Monday, August 18, 2025

Ibadan Book Club Joins Well-Wishers To Console Yinka Ayefele Over Fire Incident

 IBADAN BOOK CLUB JOINS WELL-WISHERS TO CONSOLE YINKA AYEFELE OVER FIRE INCIDENT


 

The Ibadan Book Club has extended its heartfelt sympathy to renowned musician and broadcaster, Dr. Yinka Ayefele, over the recent inferno that gutted sections of his radio station, Fresh FM, Ibadan.

This was contained in a press statement issued in Ibadan by the Founder of the Club, Wole Adedoyin, who described the unfortunate incident as a great loss not only to Ayefele but also to the entire broadcasting and entertainment community in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

The statement noted that Fresh FM Ibadan has, over the years, become a household name in the Nigerian media space, providing credible information, entertainment, and education to millions of listeners across the Southwest and beyond.

According to the Book Club, Ayefele’s resilience and vision in establishing and sustaining Fresh FM despite earlier life challenges remain an inspiration to countless Nigerians. The Club added that it was saddened to learn of the destruction caused by the fire outbreak.

Adedoyin further stressed that the incident should be seen as a temporary setback, expressing optimism that Ayefele, with his indomitable spirit, would bounce back stronger. He emphasized that Fresh FM has grown to become a cultural hub that has positively impacted literature, arts, and youth development in the region.

The statement also recalled the collaborative roles Fresh FM Ibadan has played in promoting arts, culture, and education, highlighting that the station has consistently supported book readings, literary discussions, and awareness on societal development issues.

The Ibadan Book Club urged the public and government at all levels to rally round Ayefele and Fresh FM in order to ensure that the station returns to full operations without much delay. It emphasized that institutions such as Fresh FM are too important to be allowed to fade into silence.

While expressing its solidarity with the staff and management of the station, the Club prayed for divine strength, provision, and wisdom for Ayefele as he works towards restoring normalcy.