By PRISCA SAM-DURU & VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

The importance of poetry as a vehicle for proper historical documentation was brought to the fore last week during the commemoration of America Independence Day, held at the consulate’s office in Lagos.

“Read It Loud”, a new reading initiative established by the United States Public Affairs Section in partnership with  U.S-Africa Literary Foundation for positive change in literary world was the platform utilized for the celebration.

The ocassion featured readings from Terrence Macaulay, MTN representative, two established poets in Nigeria as well as students from some secondary schools in Lagos and their teachers.

The United States Ambassador Terrence Macaulay opened the floor with readings from poetry collection of Langston Huges, an American poet renowned for his insightful and colourful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties.

Among poems read by the Ambassador were, I Too, Sing America, Dream Deferred and a poem that captures all aspects of America’s history from founding and declaration of independence to the dark days of slavery and civil rights movement , titled;  Let America Be America Again.

His renditions were followed by that of the MTN Corporate Services executive, Akinwale Goodluck who read one of David Diop’s poems which was written in praise of Africa. Akinwale later encouraged the students present to take poetry reading serious as it would help them  pass their exams in addition to becoming great writers in future adding, “poetry provides opportunity for us to be fulfilled, so use the talent within you and fulfill your dreams”.

Other readers were Adeoye Adetoba who read Dreams from a jaundiced Eye and Macaulay Oluseyi;  I Will Marry Tomorrow. Both poems were from their  personal collections.