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L-R: Grace Udensi, Pub. Affairs Support MGR, Lagos, N B Plc; Efe Paul Azino, Founder/Dir, Lagos Int'l Poetry Festival; Patrick Olowokere, Corporate Communications and Brand PR MGR, N B PLC, Seun Alli, Project Manager, Lagos International Poetry Festival and Leke Oshiyemi, Employee Engagement and Partnerships MGR, N B Plc |
Poets from around the world have commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for
its sponsorship of the Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFEST 2017).
The commendation was made on Saturday, November 4, 2017, during the
closing ceremony of the festival, which held at Freedom Park, Lagos where
various poets wrapped up the festival with amazing performances.
Dike Chukwumerije, a renowned Nigerian poet, said that Nigerian
Breweries has done well by promoting the arts, especially poetry as it
integrated Lagos with the rest of the world through the Lagos International Poetry
Festival.
“It is a commendable act for Nigerian Breweries to support this
initiative. The company has helped to build bridges and links between Lagos –
the city of culture – and other cities around the world through literature and
poetry,” he said. He further stated that the company has enabled a platform
that would expose Nigerian poets to various styles and art forms in the country
and around the world.
Yomi Sode, a British-Nigerian poet, said that because poetry is an art
form that needs expression in diverse ways to be able to mirror society, poets
should be encouraged and platforms that would help discover more poets should
be created. “The Lagos International Poetry Festival is a giant stride in this
direction and thanks to Nigerian Breweries for making this happen,” he said.
Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc,
explained that the company sponsored the poetry festival because it is in line
with its commitment to youth empowerment and talent development in the country.
He further stated that it is a strand in the fabric of the company’s philosophy
of “Winning with Nigeria.”
“We recognise that the arts play an important role in strengthening the
cultural values of our society, and we believe that we can help to contribute
to the breeding of young, emerging talents and create a shared performance
space for poets from Nigeria and across the world,” he disclosed.
The closing event on Saturday saw various poets from around the world
render verses and spoken word performances that inspired, educated and
intrigued lovers of poetry who graced the occasion.
The 2017 LIPFEST, the third in the series, included panel discussions,
workshops, performances, events and school visits in its line-up of events.
Efe Paul Azino, Founder/Director, Lagos International Poetry Festival,
said that Nigerian Breweries’ support reflects the character of the company in
its huge investment in the intellectual life of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Nigerian Breweries should be lauded for its immense support of initiatives
that add value to people,” he said.
Nigerian Breweries Plc is a significant sponsor of a broad spectrum of
initiatives which cover diverse areas in health, water, education, talent
development and youth empowerment across the country. The company has sponsored
the Lagos International Poetry Festival since its inception in 2015.
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