Awaita Atebor
Awaita Atebor is a Nigerian and humbly the founder of A-Kania Chronicles- a writing firm that prides itself on telling riveting moralistic stories to positively touch the lives of its audience. Awaita is a screenwriter, an aspiring filmmaker, and the author of "Tale of Bayajidda: The Forebearer. She is simply a kind-hearted, determined, proficient, animated, and God-fearing disciplinarian who believes that everyone has God-given gifts which can greatly impact the world. She is passionate about making a difference in her lifetime.
I will be sharing a story from
Tale of Bayajidda: The Forebearer
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 11:30am
Chigozie Mbadugha
Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha is a Nigerian ophthalmologist and a multiple award-winning author, poet, playwright, artist, and songwriter. She is versatile and has excelled as an ophthalmic surgeon, researcher, and author. Chigozie wrote her first unpublished novel at the age of six and has been writing poems, scripts, short stories, and songs since then, mainly for leisure. One of her poems, “The New Yam Festival,” won second prize in a nationwide poetry competition in 1983. She was the recipient of the silver prize at the Kanagawa World Biennial Children’s art competition in Japan in 1987.
Her flash fiction titled “I’m Not the Girl I Used to Be” made top ten in a Christian Writing Competition organized by SATAYAA Africa Foundation in August 2023. Her short story “Marry Me When I am Older” was in the longlist of the International Human Rights Arts Festival (IHRAF) Short Story Competition in June 2023. Her short story titled “I only See a Friend” which highlights the need for integration, love, and tolerance among the different ethnic groups in Nigeria was published in an anthology titled ‘From Africa with Love: Voices of a Creative Continent’ by the IHRAF New York USA.
Her debut publication titled ‘Beyond the Trial,’ a collection of three standalone novellas: Rude Awakening, Erased Reproach and Shadows from the Past, has won two awards. Chigozie was adjudged the Best Author in the Young Adult Category for Beyond the Trial in the African Christian Fiction Writers Award (ACFWA) in December 2021. Beyond the Trial also won the Samuel Ajayi Crowther Prize in 2017 for Christian fiction. Rude Awakening: a Beyond the Trial novella was selected by the United Nations SDG Book Club (African Chapter) as a recommended or selected book for African libraries for exploring SDG 5 (Gender Equality) of the United Nations SDG programme. Shadows from the Past: a Beyond the Trial novella was shortlisted for the 2020 Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Best Prose Fiction.
Her colour-illustrated middle grade readers book ‘A Visit to Grandma and Grandpa’ was a finalist in 2020 in the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Best Children’s Book. A Visit to Grandma and Grandpa has been translated to French. Her short play “I Should Have Been Enough” was shortlisted in the International Human Rights Arts Festival (IHRAF) Short Play Competition in December 2021. This short play has been expanded and published as a full drama.
Her free verse poem “A Senseless War” won a monetary prize in a widely advertised and keenly contested online poetry competition conducted by the Online Book Club. “A Senseless War” explored a post war reflection on the losses and furtiveness of war and the preference for negotiation and nonviolent resolution of conflicts.
Chigozie has written eight children’s books to date and hopes to write more books before her hyperactive muses grow up. Some of her children’s books have been translated to Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, French, German, and Portuguese. When Chigozie is not performing eye surgeries, she tries to write “eye-popping” fiction, listen to music, and spend quality time with her family. She draws her inspiration from God and the love of her family.
I will be sharing a story from
Finding Kitty
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 10:30am
Chinyere Ifediora
Chinyere thinks a lot about children's books and is super thankful that she gets to write and publish them. She is the author of the well-loved Adventures of Mister Sweet Potato, Mma Made, Mma Powered and so on. Chinyere is also a lawyer of over 15 years standing at the Nigeria Bar and has solid experience in civil litigation, and corporate-commercial law.
She is trained in child protection systems and supports community causes for children through her work.
I will be sharing a story from
Mma Powered
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 09:30am
Chioma Fakorede
Chioma Fakorede is a holistic wellness consultant, author, speaker and entrepreneur. She founded Olamma Cares Foundation, an NGO focused on creating awareness and supporting people with mental health conditions. Through her NGO, she has impacted over 20,000 individuals directly through outreach and intervention programs, carried out free mental health screening to over 2000 individuals, and attended above 1500 virtual crisis support.
Chioma is an author and recently published a self-identity affirmation book for children ‘Osinachi - The Boy Sent By God'. Chioma is a certified Yoga and Meditation Instructor and is the creative director for Flow with Chi. She teaches yoga, meditation and mindfulness to kids and adults, a platform which helps individuals become mentally aware and live a more wholesome and fulfilling life. She runs a weekly YouTube Yoga for Kids channel.
As an advocate for disability inclusion, focusing on intellectual and developmental disabilities, Chioma has also received training in Applied Behaviour Analysis and is a certified ABA tutor. She hosts an annual intellectual and disabilities workshop for professionals and caregivers.
A graduate of Petroleum Engineering from Covenant University, Nigeria, Chioma has taken a lifelong pledge to continue serving people in her community and positively impacting humanity.
She writes a weekly column in a national newspaper titled “Mind Body and Soul”; she is also a TEDx Speaker and has spoken on over 200 stages and platforms. She launched a mental health live TV show through her organisation, Unbroken, in partnership with a national TV station. In collaboration with Joy Inc., her NGO operates an outpatient therapy centre called The Joy Hub. She also owns a Luxury, Intimate Event Space in Ibadan called BlackNILE.
Her most recent achievements include; the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship, the 2022 Eloy Awards Nominee for Humanitarian (NGO), Lord’s Achievers Awards 2021 for Community Service, the 2021 Royal African Young Leadership Awards by HRH Ooni of Ife, The Future Awards Africa 2020 - Prize for Health and Wellness and the Avance Media 2020 - 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians.
Through her NGO, she signed a partnership with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Organisation (FCDO) Digital Access Programme and has provided Telemedicine and Mental Health support to over 5000 at-risk persons in 11 digitally underserved rural clusters across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria during COVID-19.
Chioma is married to Seun Fakorede, erstwhile Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, and they have a son.
I will be sharing a story from
Osinachi: The Boy Sent By God
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 08:30am
Elizabeth Okeyele
Okeyele Elizabeth is a knitting teacher for children certified by the craft yarn council of america. A graduate of textile technology from yaba college of technology and the author of a children knitting book titled knitting ABC book, 20 inspired patterns for the young to explore.
She is a passionate entreprenuer and the founder of tunnizze creation, an organization that is passionate about passing on needle craft skills to the younger generation. To their credit is the following programmes.
Kids knit classes, the knit and crochet contest, tiny hats for tiny babies Nigeria and train the trainer workshop.
In Feb 2019, her knitting group was featured in the best knitting book in UK tilted let's knit magazine under charity when she organized children from Lagos, abuja and Kaduna to knit and crochet 155 hats for premature babies across Nigeria.
In 2021, she was featured in BBC pidgin interview. Where her tiny hats for tiny babies project.
She strongly believes that the will to think must be integrated into education via handwork skills and she along side her team have set a goal to reach 20,000 children across Africa with their knitting and crochet skill by 2025.
She is happy wife to her husband and a wonderful mother to her 2 sons.
Ingressive For Good
Ingressive For Good is a non-profit organization with the mission to create and increase the earning power of African youth through tech training and resources for the growth of the African startup ecosystems.
Ingressive for Good exists to equip young Africans in need with tech skills to help them impact and contribute to the development of Africa, socially and economically. The non-profit organization was created to address the glaring inequities that exist within African tech ecosystems. They do this through 3 core channels: Microscholarships, Technical Training, and Talent Placement. Read more.
Ingressive For Good has been featured on Forbes, Ventures Africa, Tech Cabal, Disrupt Africa, The Guardian, and so many other global platforms.
I will be sharing a story from
Hanzzy & Fawzzy
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 05:30pm
Olamidotun Votu-Obada
Olamidotun is a successful entrepreneur, a best-selling children's book author, a podcast host and a prolific speaker. As a child, she read several books about great people and this motivated her to be more than she ever dreamt of. Her childrens’ love for stories about historic people inspired her journey into writing.
In 2019, an international business publication named her on the list of 50 most inspiring women in celebration of International Women's Day. Olamidotun’s books have been celebrated in schools internationally for its diversity and inclusion. She resides in North America and doubles in her role as a successful entrepreneur and author.
I will be sharing a story from
Be Inspired by MKO Abiola
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 02:30pm
Olunosen Louisa Ibhaze
Olunosen Louisa Ibhaze was born in Kaduna, Nigeria. She writes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for both children and adults. She set up "The Melanin Djali Project" to educate children about Africa's diverse cultures and history through great stories. Her work includes 4 bilingual children's books, An African Christmas; A Nigerian Christmas Experience (2023), Un Noël Africain; Une Expérience de Noël Nigériane (2023),The Best Party Jollof Rice; A Journey of Indigenous African Recipes (2023), Le Meilleur Riz Jollof Pour les fête; Un voyage de recettes autochtones africaines (2023),The African Safari; An Introduction to Africa's Indigenous Animals (2022), Le Safari Africain; Une Introduction aux Animaux Autochtones en Afrique (2022), Crowning Glory; A History of African Hair Tradition (2022), Couronne De Gloire; Une Histoire de La tradition Capillaire Africaine (2022), 2 novels, Truly, Deeply (2005), Authentic Mama (2016), a collection of short stories, Purple Mangoes (2017), a free verse collection, Winds Of My Sahara (2017) and a children's story, Dayo's Lesson (2011).
She holds a Master's degree in Globalization and Development, a Second Master's degree in Medical Sociology and a Bachelors in Sociology and Anthropology. She loves history, music, and photography and is inspired by everyday life and human experiences. She has worked as a Consultant Literary Series Advisor for Penguin Books and worked in Higher Education and the Non-Profit Sector. She is the founder and host of The Ottawa Black Book Club, The Melanin Djali Project Conversations Podcast and the Simple Esan Girl Initiative.
She has lived in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Canada and is a Champion for Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
I will be sharing a story from
The African Safari; Crowning Glory
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 01:30pm
Omobola Olaribigbe
Omobola Olaribigbe is an exceptional Educationist, Entrepreneur, Social Impact Advocate, and Author
As an Educationist, she has a distinguished career in education management and operations both in the UK & Nigeria.
She is an Alumnus of the University of Lagos, University of Wales, and completed the Leadership Program of the Said Business School at Oxford University UK. Her core focus is the development of Quality and Professional Standards of Education and its impact on the Nigerian Child.
She is a second-generation school owner and is currently the Learning Leader and Director at Ikija Day School (IDS), delivering quality and data driven Education using an Affordable , Accessible and Acceptable Model in Early years and Primary education in Lagos Nigeria.
As a Social impact Advocate, she is making a difference,with her Project Intiatives under the auspices of YEYE MODUPE ALAKIJA FOUNDATION tagged PAD-I project.
As an Author, her books include Building Actionable Difference, 40:4:40 and her latest book Mina’s Diaries: my first flow a book for the Adolescent girls centered around puberty, period and personal hygiene.
Omobola Olaribigbe is an awesome networker. She is one who loves and seeks out knowledge. She is a Certified Microsoft Educator and a mentee at the Cherie Blair Foundation.
She continues to be a voice within and outside of the Education Sphere while contributing her time volunteering as a teen mentor in a host of NGOs.
I will be sharing a story from
For Girls Only: Navigating Puberty
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 01:00pm
Omolayo Oyawoye
Omolayo Oyawoye is the CEO of Lighthearts Consulting and The Cradle Schools. She has a degree in English Language from the University of Ilorin with Certifications in psychological counselling and Stages of child development. She is an Applied Behaviour analysis Technician as well as a Professional Counsellor for survivors of Sexual Abuse. She is also a Special Education Needs assistant and trained in Montessori Techniques.
Her passion for the emotional stability of women and children spurred her to build a child care center from scratch and founded a Montessori School in 5 years. She has also Authored three books: Sex Education (an appropriate guide to teaching your child year by year: Ages 1 to 11),Sex Education manual for schools and religious organisations (which is being distributed for free in Sub-saharan African Nations) and My Teen's Dairy a book for pre-teens and teenage girls to help them navigate puberty. She is an advocate of appropriate Sexuality Education for children and teenagers and has spoken in different conferences on the same subject matter across nations.
She pioneered, Essence for Women, a video podcast aimed at building the Total Woman, reaching hundreds of women via social media. This also birthed The Thrive Gang, a mentorship program for women to help them rise above all limits.
She is married to Dotun Oyawoye and blessed with adorable kids.
I will be sharing a story from
For Girls Only: Navigating Puberty
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 01:00pm
Titilayo Adenuga
Titilayo Adenuga is a multi-talented creative and the author of the delightful children's book, "I Am Mindful." Beyond her interest in writing enchanting stories for children, she is a seasoned project manager with a knack for bringing ideas to life. She loves nature, and her passion for sustainability shines through in her work, fostering a love for the environment in the hearts of children. When she is not working, you can find her enjoying the beauty of nature, listening to music, or whipping up delicious meals.
Titilayo's warmth and infectious enthusiasm are reflected not only in her writing but in every facet of her life.
I will be sharing a story from
I Am Mindful
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 03:30pm
Tomi Adetayo
Tomi Adetayo is a passionate teacher who also has a great interest in portrait photography, film editing and script writing. She has an Electrical Engineering Degree from City, University of London, a PGCE from Goldsmiths, University of London and a Masters Degree of Early Years Education from Institute of Education, UCL. She has been teaching three-to-five-year olds for over fifteen years in London, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. Her interest in writing deepened with each passing year as she read quality picture books to many children from various backgrounds.
"The Adventures of Dele the Street Kid: Every Superhero Needs a Sidekick", is her first manuscript and the start of an incredible journey of a series. She is hopeful that it will provide readers with entertainment as well as many learning opportunities.
I will be sharing a story from
The Adventures Of Dele The Street Kid
Saturday September 23, 2023 — 04:30pm