Ibadan Book Club Mourns Oba Olakulehin

 

IBADAN BOOK CLUB MOURNS OBA OLAKULEHIN

 

The Ibadan Book Club has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. In a heartfelt statement issued by the Founder of the Club, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, the literary community in Ibadan paid glowing tribute to the late monarch, describing him as a royal father who cherished tradition, wisdom, and intellectual growth.

According to the statement, Oba Olakulehin’s reign, though brief, was marked by his unwavering commitment to the development of Ibadanland and his encouragement of educational and cultural initiatives. “His Imperial Majesty, Oba Olakulehin, was a lover of knowledge and a promoter of Yoruba heritage. His passing is not only a loss to the royal institution but also to every cultural and literary body that holds tradition dear,” the statement read.

The Ibadan Book Club, which has been at the forefront of promoting reading and cultural consciousness in the city, acknowledged the Olubadan’s silent but significant influence on youth engagement and community development. The club emphasized that Oba Olakulehin’s life was a testimony to the enduring value of leadership rooted in cultural pride and humility.

As part of its tribute, the Ibadan Book Club announced that its next reading session would be dedicated to the memory of the late monarch. The session will feature readings on Yoruba history, poetry honoring Ibadan heroes, and a discussion on the role of traditional rulers in preserving literary culture.

Wole Adedoyin further noted that Oba Olakulehin’s death should remind all cultural stakeholders in Ibadan to uphold and preserve the city’s rich intellectual legacy. “Oba Olakulehin was a symbol of peace, tradition, and progressive leadership. The Ibadan Book Club stands with the entire Ibadanland in mourning the exit of a great patriarch,” Adedoyin said.

The Ibadan Book Club concluded its message with condolences to the Olakulehin family, the Olubadan-in-Council, and all sons and daughters of Ibadanland. The club prays for the peaceful repose of the royal soul and strength for the city as it transitions into a new chapter in its traditional leadership.

 

Ibadan Book Club Celebrates Dr. Bamidele Kogbe’s 2025 EPIC Award Win

 

IBADAN BOOK CLUB CELEBRATES DR. BAMIDELE KOGBE’S 2025 EPIC AWARD WIN

 

The Ibadan Book Club has congratulated Dr. Bamidele Ibrahim Kogbe, esteemed author and dedicated civil servant, on being named a recipient of the prestigious EPIC Award during the 2025 International Civil Service Day celebrations recently held in Nigeria.

According to the Club, the recognition is a well-deserved honour that celebrates Dr. Kogbe’s exemplary contributions to public service.

In a statement signed and released by the founder of the Club, Wole Adedoyin, the Ibadan Book Club commended Dr. Kogbe’s outstanding achievements in the Nigerian civil service. The Club described him as an inspirational figure whose professional and creative pursuits continue to motivate young writers and professionals nationwide.

The EPIC Award—standing for Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-Centered —was instituted by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation under the leadership of Didi Esther Walson-Jack. The award recognizes federal civil servants who have distinguished themselves in service across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Dr. Kogbe currently serves as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer in the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, where he has consistently demonstrated dedication, leadership, and integrity. His recognition with the EPIC Award reflects his relentless pursuit of excellence in governance and administration.

In addition to his civil service career, Dr. Kogbe is a celebrated literary figure. His published works include Songs of a Wounded Dove (2007), Child of Destiny (2009), The Gods Had Gone to Sleep, and The Young Farmer (2009). These works have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s literary landscape.

Dr. Kogbe is also a former recipient of the 2010 Oyo State Merit Award in Literary Arts, further cementing his place among Nigeria’s notable literary minds.

Academically, he holds a PhD in Politics and International Relations from the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and a former visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Policing and Security, University of South Wales, UK.

Wole Adedoyin, while applauding the award committee, stated that Dr. Kogbe’s achievement should serve as an inspiration to civil servants who balance their professional responsibilities with meaningful societal contributions. He described Dr. Kogbe’s story as a model of the intellectual leadership Nigeria urgently needs.

The Ibadan Book Club, committed to promoting reading culture and intellectual development in Oyo State and beyond, reaffirmed its support for writers and public servants like Dr. Kogbe. The Club also encouraged other creatives in the public sector to follow his inspiring example.

Ibadan Book Club to Host University of Ibadan Students at June Book Talk

 

IBADAN BOOK CLUB TO HOST UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENTS AT JUNE BOOK TALK

 

The June edition of Ibadan Book Talk, a monthly literary event organized by Ibadan Book Club, is set to spotlight three emerging literary voices from the University of Ibadan.

The event will host campus writers Olowosokedile Ayomide Aduke, Morenike Aduke, and Agboola Tariq A. as featured readers and discussants.

The reading is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Oyo State Library Board, opposite Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State. Proceedings will commence at 12 PM prompt.

This was made known in a press release issued by the Founder of Ibadan Book Club, Wole Adedoyin, in Ibadan on Saturday. According to Adedoyin, the event will provide a platform for the student-writers to share their creative works, discuss their literary journeys, and interact with an audience of book lovers, aspiring writers, and members of the literary community.

Ibadan Book Talk is an initiative of Ibadan Book Club aimed at nurturing a vibrant literary culture within the city and promoting young and emerging writers across Nigeria. Each edition of the program features readings, book discussions, and conversations that celebrate literature and its role in personal and societal development.

One of the featured readers, Olowosokedile Ayomide Aduke, is a Nigerian writer, poet, and 300-level student of English at the University of Ibadan. She explores themes such as identity, memory, and freedom through reflective storytelling. Her poem, Yes, I am African, delves into the pride of African heritage and cultural strength. Ayomide is currently working on a memoir chronicling her childhood and emotional growth, as well as a growing portfolio of published essays and poems.

Also to be featured is Morenike Aduke, the pen name of Adeoye Oluwayemisi Rachel, a master's student in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan. A native of Ibadan, Morenike discovered her passion for writing during her teenage years. Her journey as a writer intensified during her NYSC service in Benue State, where she wrote and performed for her fellow corps members. Her academic pursuit is deeply tied to her love for documenting and researching the world through words.

Joining them is Agboola Tariq A., a poet and law student at the University of Ibadan. He currently serves as the Literary Head of the Literary and Debate Society of the University. A prolific young writer, Tariq’s poetry has been featured or is forthcoming in Lucent Dreaming, Magma Poetry, Aké Review, ANMLY, and SoFloPoJo, among others. He recently emerged as the winner of the Blessing Kolajo Poetry Prize 2024 and was the first runner-up for the Fireflies Prize 2024.

According to Wole Adedoyin, the event will not only celebrate the literary gifts of these young minds but also serve as an encouragement for other students and youths to embrace writing and intellectual engagement as tools for social expression and personal growth.

Members of the public, literary enthusiasts, students, and writers are all invited to attend the event and interact with the guest writers. Admission is free, and the event promises an afternoon of insightful conversation, poetry, and literary exploration.