STORYMOJA

“If poetry is a reflection of the soul, then Tolulope Gbenga Ogunlesi’s poems reflect a soul much older than his twenty-one years … Tolulope tells of the African experience, an echo that translates easily to the African American experience, as well. Tolulope’s work brings to mind, Maya Angelou. I see in his words, a similar effortless charm and gritty grasp of reality.” Judith R. Goff in 2003

Tolu Ogunlesi, Nigerian Writer and Poet

Tolu Ogunlesi is a Nigerian writer / freelance journalist. He is the author of two books, Listen to the geckos singing from a balcony (poetry) and Conquest & Conviviality (young adult fiction). His poetry and fiction have been translated into Norwegian, Italian and Latvian. He has participated in literary festivals and writing workshops / fellowships in England, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Holland and Uganda. He was short listed for the 2009 PEN / Studzinski Literary Prize, and recently won the Arts and Culture Prize in the 2009 CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards. When he is not traveling he divides his time between Abeokuta and Lagos in South-western Nigeria. Here you will find a bit more about Ogunlesi in his own words.

Tolu Ogunlesi will be at the Storymoja Hay Festival, participating in a discussion on blogs and social networks with Kaume Marambii and Eudiah Kamonjoh on Friday 31st July, 2:00 pm to 3:30pm.

Kaume Marambii is a self-employed businessman running an agri-business in Kenya called Golden Acres Ltd. He has a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Nairobi, a post-graduate Diploma in Information Technology from the University of Sunderland, UK. He was also a 2003-2004 Reuters Digital Vision Fellow at Stanford University, USA. He is currently an Innovation & Knowledge Management specialist at Arid Lands Information Network.

Eudiah Kamonjoh is a professional journalist. She is passionate about books and art in all its forms, writing, traveling, photography, dancing and exercise. She completed her Mass Communication studies in July 2005 and has been an active journalist since then. Eudiah has worked as a writer and editor for magazines like Homes Kenya Magazine, Eve Magazine, Sokoni, and Eve Girl. She is a member of PEN Kenya Chapter and is currently a correspondent on entertainment, arts, lifestyle, business, health and women’s’ issues for various print and online publications.

Why should you care to join this discussion? Well, not so long ago two things did not exist on the internet – blogs where anyone can talk about anything; and places where you can go and find old friends and make new ones. These days everyone has something to say, and they can say it online to anyone who wants to listen. The Facebook revolution has made it much easier to stay in touch with others.

This is not a phenomenon you can afford to ignore. Not in this world. Whether you are a curious web-user or a seasoned hand, come and share your ideas, experiences and potential opportunities of the online phenomena.

Also at the festival, on Saturday, 1^st August, 2009 at 12 – 1:30pm is a discussion with Kate Adie, a veteran BBC broadcaster, feminist and war correspondent.

And at 2 – 3:30pm also on Saturday, 1^st August: A discussion with other nominees and winners of literary prizes such as the Caine Prize, Wahome Mutahi and Jomo Kenyatta Prizes. Find out: What is the real value of prizes? Do they improve a writer’s work? What is the politics around prize giving? And more!