The Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, Prof. Solomon Adebola has admonished creative writers to highlight problems and proffer solutions to perennial problems affecting the nation’s maritime sector in their literary works.
Prof. Adebola made this call while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maritime Writes Project 3-day Creative Writing Bootcamp, in Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, yesterday.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Dean of Arts, Prof. Adegbite Tobalase, expressed optimism that increasing the literature for children on the maritime industry will not only stimulate career interest of younger ones in the sector, but equally begin a discuss on solutions to recurring shipping challenges in the nation.
His words: “Over 70 percent of the goods imported into the country comes via the sea and this underscores the importance of maritime to the nation. In the course of the training, some of the challenges confronting the sector have been discussed and we are hoping that some of the writers will project these challenges and find lasting solutions to them.”
“As an institution, we are delighted with the high-level turnout of participants and we are hopeful that MWP continues to hold this programme annually in the university.”
“MWP is building awareness about maritime and this is needed to ensure more people take up careers in the sector. This industry holds a lot of opportunities for children and youths. There is also a lot that can be achieved via writing and the MWP harps on these benefits. The project is a two-way thing centred on maritime and also grooming people on creative writing.”
Prof. Adebola, however, opined that holding the 3-day event in Adeleke University avails the institution a unique opportunity to showcase the state-of-the-art infrastructure and conducive learning environment to participants coming from various parts of the country.
“I’m sure that most of the participants are wowed with what they have seen at the University. We also feel that it is an avenue for the university to give back to the society by hosting this event. As indigenes and residents of Osun State participate in the Creative Writing Bootcamp, the university sees this as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the budding writers that this project promotes,” he said.
Speaking on theme of this year’s event “Maritime Heritages”, Prof. Adebola described Osun groove as one of the maritime heritages that younger ones should be exposed to in the nation.
According to him, several people feel that the Osun grove has to do with witchcraft and other spiritual things, but it portends more because it represents the culture of the Osun people.
“The name Osun and Oshogbo came from the settling of a group of people who discovered a body of water that represented a source of livelihood. Historically, these people had gravitated to Osun/ Oshogbo because they were in search of water,” he said.
He equally explained that the Osun grove aptly qualifies as a maritime heritage because it has an annual event that attracts national and international tourists for a weeklong event every August.
“Younger ones should be aware that the Osun grove is a maritime heritage that not only exists, but also provides a revenue generating platform as it attracts tourists yearly. There have been several stories about the Osun groove but participants will realize that the place is peaceful and promotes the culture of the Oshogbo people,” he added.
Participants in the Osun MWP Creative Writing Bootcamp are scheduled to visit the Osun groove later today as part of activities lined-up for the 3-day event.