BookJam this Friday, November 30, at the Abuja Literary Society

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:  Samuel Kolawale, Deji Fisho, and Dili Nwanko are three authors to
be featured at the monthly BookJam being organised by the Abuja Literary Society 

BookJam Features The Book of M, Decoded, and Verdict of the Oracle
by Ken Ike 

Abuja’s famous monthly book feast continues its non-stop literary entertainment this month when it features debut author, Samuel Kolawole, of The Book of M, alongside bestselling author of SWITCH, Deji Fisho whose new book, DECODED, was recently published. Joining the duo is debut playwright, Dili Nwankwo, author of The Verdict of the Oracle. The trio will feature in the November BookJam@Silverbird Abuja on Friday 30th Nov., the last Abuja BookJam in 2012.

The BookJam@Silverbird Abuja is a collaboration of the Abuja Literary Society and Silverbird Lifestyle. It holds every last Friday of the month and is anchored by co-host of the Abuja Poetry Slam, Jide Attah. The BookJam consists of book readings, book signings, musical presentations, raffle draw and a discussion by the guest writers. In addition, there is usually a special Slam poetry performance by some of Abuja’s finest Slam champions.

November’s BookJam authors are a diverse and talented trio that’ll surely thrill Abuja’s literati. Ibadan-based, Samuel Kolawole is a fresh voice in fiction writing whose debut book is a must read for thriller and suspense lovers. Deji Fisho, banker and business developer, has already established a reputation for innovative thinking and leadership. A Trustee of the Abuja Literary Society, Fisho’s self-made entrepreneurial success is evidence of the focused, can-do spirit from which he authored the bestselling selling SWITCH in 2010. His new book, DECODED continues the trend of transformative motivational writing for Nigerian youths. Abuja-based Nwankwo is a Law professional whose deep interest in creative writing has been sustained for several years with forays into poetry and books for children.

Samuel Kolawole:

A promising heavyweight writer who made his debut appearance as an author with the short story collection, The Book of M, Kolawole’s prose fiction has received numerous positive reviews from literary acclaimed magazines such as Pulp Fiction magazine and StoryTime of South Africa, Nigeria’s Nextnewspaper and Eastown Fiction, of Michigan, USA.

He has been featured as Author-of-the-Month for his story Memories and Penitence at Tea with George, an online project of Desperanto and Kanev Books in New York interested in the exhibition of talented poetry and short story writers.

Described as a dark, gritty and frightening tale in several reviews, Kolawole’s The Book of M touches upon the themes of sex, superstition, lust and greed. It combines “imaginative and detailed writing,” says Jenna Cato Bass, Co-Editor, Pulp Fiction Magazine.

Among the collection of short stories is ‘My Meat is Tough, My Blood was Bitter,’which tells of an adventurous midnight excursion. ‘Mules of Fortune’ is the story of a mother and her children caught in the world of smuggling ammunition to rebels in their desperation to survive. The survival of a ghastly accident forges an unusual bond between them. ‘Meme’ recounts the tale of a female convict that tries in vain to pay the ultimate price for her sins.

Kolawole contributes to several literary magazines and journals such as Jungle Jim, Eastown Fiction, Translitmag, Sentinel Quarterly, Short Story Day among others. He is the winner of the 2010, Reading Bridges Fellowship and a recipient of the Ebedi International Writers Residency.

Deji Fisho:

Fisho is the founder of SWITCH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, an NGO with the drive to rewrite and redefine the values of Nigerians. He is an entrepreneur, International motivation speaker and a force to reckon with in the financial and consultancy circles.

Diji co-founded Fortis MicroFinance bank in 2006, a financial institution that under his mantle of leadership developed into one of the efficient microfinance banks in Nigeria. he also co-founded Chelsea Microfinance Bank in Delta State, SG CAPITALE and Invictus Universal Concept.

He successfully consults for several financial, insurance, Energy, Healthcare and ICT companies. He is a consultant to the Rivers State Microcredit Agency, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and British Council.

Fisho is said to be passionate about two things – mentoring youths and entrepreneurship. However, he also has a passion for writing which stems from his love of the aforementioned.

His first book titled SWITCH, explores the dynamics of leadership and transformation. His recent book,DECODED, is a handbook of a kind to prospective entrepreneurs. Fisho effectively uses real life and relatable situations to educate readers on re-evaluation of the perception of wealth and to show that wealth can be achieved by anyone through hard work, Initiative, planning, value change and self discipline.

It is a motivational read with practical and challenging passages that gives the reader focus and direction on whatever ideas they intend to develop. Deji actually enjoys golfing and his heroes include the Late President John F. Kennedy, Tony Elumelu, John D. Rockefeller and Nelson Mandela.

Dili Nwankwo:

Nwankwo is a graduate of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and a Higher Diploma holder in Mass Communication, Institute of Management Science and Technology (IMT), Enugu. His first book The Ambitious Village Boy was published in 2003 and is presently on the National Examination Council (NECO) Syllabus for Junior Secondary Schools.

An author of several children’s book such as Ogadi, The Golden Girl and Jay-Jay Weeps from Sleep, he writes poetry for which he has received awards. Verdict of the Oracle is his first step into playwriting. The drama centers on the phasing out of traditional practices following the arrival of Christianity in a community.

The tragic-comedy is about village chiefs, Agwotorumbe and Ezemmuo’s struggle to hold back the tides of civilization in the form of Rev. Fr. Ejike. It is ironic, heavy with imagery, a tad humourous with a good plot. In its simplicity the book title can be easily detected and though the plot is predictable it develops in unpredictable lines. The author succeeds in presenting character development, achieving rounded characters with peculiar characteristics.

Verdict of the Oracle shows the idiosyncrasies of the earlier and traditionalist beliefs and the need to draw a line between greed and personal aggrandizement.

So, the last 2012 edition of Abuja’s BookJam on Nov. 30th evening plans to be a thrilling combination of fiction, transformational discourse and drama.

Ike is the SlamMaster of the Abuja Literary Society and can be reached at:
abujaliterarysociety@gmail.com.