A Literary Soirée of Significance
The literary community converged at Adam’s Pages Bookstores on December 4, 2024, to celebrate Diego Okenyodo, founder of AkweyaTV, in a vibrant literary conversation exploring the theme “Mentorship as Catalyst for Societal Regeneration.”
Prominent literary figures including Dr. Lizi Ben-Iheanacho, Richard Ali, Benjamin Ubiri (Penpusher), and Salamatu Sule were joined by distinguished scholars Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, Dr. Mu’azu Maiwada, and Dr. Olagoke Ifatimehin, creating an atmosphere of intellectual celebration.
A Multifaceted Professional’s Journey
Born in 1974 in Benue State, Odoh Diego Okenyodo has emerged as a pivotal figure in Nigerian literary and media landscapes, transforming development communication through diverse professional endeavours.
A pharmacist-turned-media entrepreneur, Okenyodo distinguished himself as a literary journalist with Weekly Trust and served as the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors from 2003 to 2007. His literary credentials include co-founding the Kaduna Writers’ League in 2001 and co-editing “Camouflage: Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria,” an anthology featuring prominent writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Pioneering Indigenous Media
Okenyodo’s groundbreaking AkweyaTV, launched in 2020, stands as a revolutionary broadcast platform dedicated to indigenous language preservation and community empowerment. Broadcasting in both Akweya and English, the station has triggered significant social, political, educational, and economic transformations for the Akweya people.
A Broader Impact
Beyond broadcasting, Okenyodo serves as Country Director of the Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation and a faculty member at the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA). His work extends to facilitating the Africa Disease Reporting Fellowship, demonstrating his commitment to media development across the continent.
The Celebration
During the event, Okenyodo delighted attendees by reading from his latest poetry collection and sharing personal insights. The gathering featured heartfelt goodwill messages and readings, creating a rich tapestry of literary exchange that celebrated both the written word and the life of this remarkable storyteller.
Notably, the celebration came just days after Okenyodo’s 50th birthday on December 2, 2024, marking a milestone in a career dedicated to social transformation through communication and literature.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7m7dvJuyA7h5XMc22i
