IBC Hails Dr. Awele Ilusanmi’s Emergence among 100 reputable Women of African Descent 2026

 

IBC HAILS DR. AWELE ILUSANMI’S EMERGENCE AMONG 100 REPUTABLE WOMEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 2026

The Ibadan Book Club has heartily congratulated Dr. Awele Ilusanmi, FANA, on her nomination and emergence as one of the distinguished recipients of the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent 2026 Award. The Club described the honour as a well-deserved recognition of her unwavering commitment to literary development and humanitarian service.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, Wole Adedoyin, who applauded Dr. Ilusanmi’s consistent dedication to uplifting writers, promoting African literature, and supporting community-based initiatives. He noted that her emergence on the prestigious list reflects years of impactful service and visionary leadership.

According to the release, Dr. Awele Ilusanmi is a renowned philanthropist and literary advocate who has facilitated the publication of over 100 authors through the Literary Authors Cooperative and Multipurpose Society of Nigeria (LITACO). Her efforts have provided a vital platform for both emerging and established writers to see their works published and gain wider recognition.

The statement further highlighted her financial and moral support for numerous literary organisations across Nigeria, including the Ibadan Book Club. Dr. Ilusanmi’s contributions have strengthened literary programming, enhanced reading culture initiatives, and empowered writers to pursue excellence in their craft.

Dr. Ilusanmi is the President and Co-founder of LITACO, a cooperative society dedicated to fostering collaboration, financial empowerment, and sustainable growth within the literary community. Under her leadership, LITACO has become a beacon of hope for authors seeking structure, mentorship, and publishing opportunities.

The 100 Reputable Women of African Descent 2026 Award recognises and celebrates women of African descent who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, and character, while making significant contributions to their communities and industries. Dr. Ilusanmi’s selection underscores her remarkable influence and the far-reaching impact of her work.

The Ibadan Book Club therefore joins the global community in celebrating Dr. Awele Ilusanmi, FANA, for this outstanding achievement. The Club expressed confidence that her recognition will inspire more women across Africa and the diaspora to pursue excellence, lead with integrity, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of literature and society at large.

 

 

Ibadan Book Club Honours Award Winning Spoken Word Poet Ayomide Inufin

 IBADAN BOOK CLUB HONOURS AWARD-WINNING SPOKEN WORD POET AYOMIDE INUFIN

The Ibadan Book Club on 31st January, 2026 held a special reading session in honour of one of its members, Mr. Ayomide Inufin, a former performance poet of the Club and an award-winning spoken word artist. 

The event celebrated his growing literary journey and outstanding achievements on the international stage.

Mr. Inufin is not new to the Ibadan Book Club. He was one of the invited guest performance poets at the Club’s reading held on 15 October 2022 at the Conference Hall of the Oyo State Library Board, where his energetic and captivating performance left a lasting impression on participants. Since then, he has remained a familiar and respected presence within the Club’s creative community.

It will be recalled that Ayomide Inufin emerged as the winner of the Best Spoken Word Newcomer Award at the 2025 Wordplay Poetry Awards in London, a remarkable feat that drew wide commendation from literary circles. The Ibadan Book Club described the achievement as a proud moment and a testament to the quality of talents nurtured within its fold.

To celebrate this milestone, the Club organised the special reading session, which was attended by about twenty members and notable dignitaries from the literary community. Among those present were Mr. Olumide Sowunmi, Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA); Mrs. Funmi Akinwande, Financial Secretary of the Oyo State Chapter of ANA; Mr. Marcus Ugboduma, award-winning poet, short story writer, and co-founder of the Ibadan Book Club; Mr. Lekan Malik, Lagos State Chairman of the Creative Writers Association of Nigeria (CWAN); and Mr. Wole Adedoyin, Convener and Founder of the Ibadan Book Club. Mr. Adedoyin is also the President of the International Writers Association (IWA) and the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW).

The award-winning poem, “C.A.S – Confirmation of Acceptance for Straying Souls,” with which Mr. Inufin won the Best Spoken Word Newcomer Award, was performed at the session by Mr. Wole Adedoyin. The performance deeply resonated with listeners and sparked thoughtful reflections and discussions.

Participants praised the poem for its compelling exposure of how poverty, violence, and failed governance redefine freedom and push survival into desperation. They noted its portrayal of migration not as triumph but as escape—freedom gained at the painful cost of identity, language, and emotional belonging. The vivid imagery of airports, visas, accents, and “haunted homes” was highlighted as a powerful dramatization of displacement and psychological exile. The poet’s confession of losing hope even after arrival was also commended for resisting romanticized diaspora narratives, while the closing reminder—that no one forgets home unless it is haunted—was described as a haunting reflection on safety, loss, and survival.

One of the highlights of the reading was a mini workshop on Artificial Intelligence led by Mr. Fadele Olusola Daniel, Head of the E-Library at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. A seasoned digital creator, AI expert, and professional librarian, Mr. Daniel shared practical insights on the use of AI tools in writing, research, and information management. A member of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), he holds academic qualifications in Computer Science, Statistics, and Library, Archival and Information Studies from the University of Ibadan.