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Our LABAF 2021 Diary
We had quite a remarkable outing at the just-concluded Lagos Book and Arts Festival titled “A Fork in the Road”. From November 15 – 21, 2021, the members and authors of Purple Shelves had a great week of learning, unlearning, and relearning with other lovers and patrons of literature, culture, and the arts.
The festival, which was dedicated to Dame Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett on the occasion of her 80th birthday had the creme de la creme of Nigeria’s literati including publishers, authors, actors and literary enthusiasts in attendance. For us, it was quite the outing.
On Thursday, 18 November 2021, our very own Amarachukwu Chimeka was part of the annual Publisher’s Forum panel curated by Richard Mammah, President, Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters. The two-part session also featured Gbadega Adedapo, Chairman, Nigerian Book Fair Trust; Dare Oluwatuyi, President, Booksellers Association of Nigeria, BAN, Uchenna Cyril Anioke, President, Nigerian Publishers Association, NPA and Nkem Osuigwe, African Library and Information Associations & Institutions; Princess Irede Abumere, Convener, Sunshine Book Club; Funmi Ilori, Founder/CEO, I-Read Mobile Library; among others.
Purple Shelves CEO, Amarachukwu Chimeka speaking at the Publishers’ Forum of the just concluded Lagos Book and Art Festival 2021 
Dr Nkem Osuigwe addressing the panellists and audience at the Publishers’ Forum of LABAF 2021.
On Friday, 19 November 2021, The Riddle of the Oil Thief by HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo was featured in a session tagged Symposium with the theme, “How did it all go so awfully wrong”. The session was chaired by Professor Femi Osofisan and had such reviewers as Richard Mammah to review Formation: the Making of Nigeria from Lugard to Amalgamation by Fola Fagbule and Feyi Fawehinmi; Tade Ipadeola to review The Politics of Biafra & Future of Nigeria by Chudi Offodile; and Samuel Osaze to review The Riddle of the Oil Thief by His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo.
HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo responding to the panel at the Symposium featuring his book. 
A cross-section of the panel at the Symposium. 
HRM signs a copy of his book for Prof Femi Osofisan 
Prof Femi Osofisan and HRM King Dakolo 
HRM signs copies of his books at the Symposium
After the reviewers gave their submissions, there were deliberations about Nigeria and how the country got to its current state. The sessions also got some insightful interventions from others in attendance including Professor Nike Clark, wife of the late poet, Professor JP Clark.
On Saturday, 20 November 2021, there were two BookTrek sessions titled The Joy of Reading to review and discuss our books, The Riddle of the Oil Thief, and I, Eric Ngalle. The first session with HRM King Dakolo was hosted by Achalugo Chioma Ezekobe, a celebrated author, photographer, and actress. The second with Eric Ngalle Charles was hosted by Samuel Osaze, a seasoned journalist and a celebrated poet. The videos of both sessions are available on YouTube.
Achalugo Chioma Ezekobe in conversation with HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo 
Samuel Osaze, Achalugo Chioma E., HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, and Amarachukwu Chimeka
On Sunday, 21 November 2021, Amarachukwu Chimeka collaborated with author and CNN/Multichoice Award-Winning Travel Journalist, Pelu Awofeso, to host the second edition of The Booklist, a series of readings to promote and enhance social consciousness and nation-building. The event with the theme, “Sorosoke: What Has Changed?” was moderated by Dimeji Bankole and graced by Professor Akachi Ezegbo, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Nze Sylva, Iquo DianaAbasi, Olukorede Yishau, Aysha Abdullahi, and Onome Onwah. The video for this session is up on the LABAF website.
HRM at The Booklist 2.0 
Onsite attendees at The Booklist 2.0 
Anote of AnoteArtHub, Amarachukwu Chimeka, HRM King Dakolo, and Aysha Abdullahi
We did enjoy and have a memorable LABAF 2021.
